January 23, 2017
10:27 p.m.

Ah, man, what a week.

In the interest of cheerful and upbeat posts, I have kept silent for a few days. It hasn't been easy. I really want to believe the best of everyone, but things lately seem to have brought out the worst in a lot of people.

Case in point: Peaceful protests do NOT include fighting, destroying property, throwing rocks at the police, or leaving garbage in the streets.

No particular party is the target of my statement. Demonstrations took place Friday for the inauguration and Saturday for the Women's March. Those who marched peaceably and without leaving an ugly mark on the landscape: I applaud you. Those who literally cast stones, littered, looted and defaced or destroyed: I condemn you.

You all know who you are. So take my commendations or condemnations as they are intended.

I want to be proud of this country again. I really do.

I wish that pride was my overwhelming feeling at this time, but right now what I feel is fear, distrust and a general uneasiness.

Yuck.
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Here's some good stuff to think about. There are now 55 days, 5 hours and 45 minutes until Spring!

Holy cow, that seems like a long time, doesn't it? It's really not. We'll make it.

In the meantime, in good old GR, Wyoming, it is snowing. Grr. BUT--it's a dessert out there. We need the water. So...blessings...? (I believe what I'm saying. I believe what I'm saying. If I say this lie enough times, it will become the truth. [Oops! No political--or presidential--references in this post! Hee, hee!])

In other good news, my 81 year old father is still fit enough to go out tomorrow morning and shovel his walks. God is good. My gratitude knows no bounds.

Also, my brother most often comes by to help. Truly a blessing.

And a much loved family member has been diagnosed as now cancer-free. See? Blessings!
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I haven't written much new in the past few days. I seem to have reached an "OMG, what if I screw this all up?" block. It's so close to finished. Maybe I just don't want to be done. As if...there will be edits. And more edits. Oh...okay, yeah. I don't love editing. Dragging my feet.

Buck up, Paula!
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Speaking of editing--have you ever noticed that there seems to be in increasing lack of editing in posts that might be interesting and relevant online if you could just get past the fact that the writer does not know his "there" from his "their" and his "they're"? Or his "to" from his "two" and his "too"? "Are" and "our" and "hour" "Here" and "hear". "So" and "sew".

I can't take people seriously when they don't take the time to make sure their sentences make sense. I'll be completely engaged in reading, when suddenly--dang! "Their were to bugs right they're in there food, and now their two afraid too eat."

I'm out.

What makes it worse, for me at least, is that many of these people are being paid to write. Gosh!

I compare it to times I've watched a really good show up to the point when the woman gives birth to triplets--and they come out six months old.

Nope!

Okay, I know I'm nit-picking, but I really want to be engaged and stay engaged, whatever it is I'm doing.

Plus, anyone posting their opinions and arguments should take care to keep my attention; if I end up thinking you're sloppy and careless, or possibly just a dummy, you're certainly not going to convince me to come around to your way of thinking.

Just sayin'.
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55 days, 4 hours, 50 minutes and 18 seconds til Spring.

Good night!