End of an era?

I haven't been blogging much which I think is abundantly clear. I seem to neither have the energy, the desire, or the imagination. And it seems that most of my blog friends are in the same boat since I rarely, if ever, see a new post come our way. Some seem to have stopped altogether which saddens me a bit as I always enjoyed reading their thoughts and seeing what was new in their lives so it's a little lonely out here. I did finally join Instagram so luckily I get to see them there, not the same since it's usually a picture with a caption but it satisfies. This may or may not be my last post. I guess it'll depend on how, and or if and when the mood strikes me. I also noticed that my last few posts were a tad on the negative, depressing side. I suppose with my surprise unemployment and the circus of our country at the moment that is not surprising. But this was never meant to be a confessional outlet or a psychiatric couch; it started out as an outlet yes but on the light, fun side. That is no longer the case.

Here's Max, just because. And here's an update. Well after six long months I have finally found a job and will be starting next week, this is a weight off my shoulders. Regardless of how much my husband told me that it was OK if I found nothing and decided to stay home my head couldn't justify it. I was, however, starting to get used to the idea since finding something, and something that sounded promising and I would like, was proving very difficult. I actually thought I would never, ever, ever get a job and earn a living again, which scares the Hell out of me. That's not to say that I'll not enjoy being home, because the truth is: I have. There are quite a few things I'll miss.

1. Not getting up at dawn to walk Max so I can take a shower and get to work on time. Something which is especially wonderful on snowy days.

2. Reading the New York Times from cover to cover at my leisure first thing in the morning. Especially now when there is so much going on...But maybe that's a good thing.

3. Going to the market during the week when it's empty. Sometimes even three times a week.

4. Having my house impeccably clean since I keep on it almost daily without even noticing it.

5. Reading books.

6. Making Frank's daily lunch at my leisure which makes them more interesting. (Now I"ll have to make mine too to take to work)

7. Planning weekend meals.

8. Baking bread whenever the mood struck me.

9. Running an errand at any given moment, just because.

10. Not doing all those things I said I was going to do but didn't because I was a bit frazzled at the fact that I couldn't find a job. Like painting with all those watercolors I bought. Getting the electrician in here to fix the overhead light in the bathroom and move the dining room fixture. Buying the paint for the bedroom and the TV room...etc. etc. etc.

11. And most of all....spending my entire day next to this....

Sacrifices. See you around. Maybe.

As The World Turns

In our last episode our heroine and her trusty sidekick were appalled and horrified that the US of A had elected the most incompetent aberration imaginable as President. Was this a dream, nightmare actually? A bad movie, an April Fool's prank in November, an episode from practical jokers, were we on candid camera? Answer is: None of the above. This reality show is horrifyingly real.

What to do?

First of all let it sink in, this big fat whale could take a while...the Titanic sunk faster.Sign every single petition that comes your way wondering if they will ever make any difference, air your grievances on facebook, clinging to those who are in such disbelief and horror as you while trying to avoid going whole hog postal on those that are gloating in the angriest way possible - just what is wrong with these people? they're so angry! At the same time withholding your shock at the way some of your friends actually feel. Whaaaat?????? Who are you people? Why are you so angry? Read every single editorial in The New York Times, the "real" news, and then try not to because the horror gets worse. Hope for a miracle. Live your life. Live to tell. Breathe.

Despite that Tuesday's outcome November gave us hope as it continued to roll beautifully on,

with a lingering show of spectacular foliage and near perfect temperatures. That Friday we went to the theatre for a revival of Irving Berlin's "Holiday Inn",

the perfect feel good antidote to bring our spirits up. On Saturday we went antiquing 

to start our quest for new dining room furniture; we had decided to replace our Queen Anne table and chairs with mid century modern---a new leaf, and figured it would take a while to find what we wanted. We found it in the first place we walked into.

We decided that Thanksgiving this year would be just us, perfect. That Monday I lost an old friend, unexpectedly but I suppose somewhat expected since she was up there in age. She had an infectious laugh which was constantly on display and was the worst joke teller imaginable which made us laugh even more. One less person to share joy with. Less light in the world.

Our dinner was not traditional,

duck

pumpkin flan

That Friday I lost an enemy. Fidel Castro finally left us all alone. Nothing changed, the damage had been done.

I had an email from artsy.net asking if I would place a link on my blog referring to their William Wegman page. Me? Sure, I'm flattered. It now sits above my blog reading list, take a look.

I finally joined Instagram after much goading from Jennifer and Jane who have all but abandoned blogging and I miss terribly. I found some other missing friends there as well.

Kept cooking...

Kale fried rice and olive quickbread

Brioche

if only to keep my sanity.

Said goodbye to the Supermoon.

Kept going through the motions...started getting ready for Christmas,

and suddenly I pulled out this little ornament and squealed like a child, I had forgotten;

it took me back to Florence,

and made the tree glow just so. Just like Max,

when he finds that perfect ray of sunshine.

There's hope yet.

The Day the Earth Stood Still

America has just gone down the rabbit hole and it is not wonderland.

I sit here in utter disbelief and saddened at what this nation has become when we have allowed this disastrous abomination of a man to be elected president. I feel helpless and don't know what to do.

And I'm afraid.

Autumn in New York...OK New Jersey...

...is lasting forever!!!!!!! And Max and I are taking as much advantage as we can...

...never thought being unemployed could be so pleasant. I am holding on to this as hard as I possibly can.

A Walk in the Woods

Our Presidential election is completely out of control. The finger pointing, name calling, hateful rhetoric is mind numbing. I'm sure I am not alone in being appalled and horrified at what we've become. It is surreal and unreal at the same time. What happened to my beautiful sane decent country? How on earth did we ever get to this? I guess social media and the anonymity it provides has something to do with it. People can say anything they want regardless of how hate filled, racist, homophobic bile it is, after all they can hide under some nickname and just spew venom. Then some people just do it as publicly as they want to, because obviously, it is accepted. I guess we weren't so beautiful or sane and definitely not decent at all, just hiding until the Pandora's box was opened. And what a sad eye opener that has turned out to be.

I don't want to turn on the TV, don't want to turn on my computer, don't want to read my newspaper, don't want to go anywhere near facebook. I just want to run away and hide.

A mere five minutes from my house is a nature preserve, The South Mountain Reservation. An idyllic 2100 plus acres of woodland trails, a dog park, a zoo...the perfect place to get lost in. And it's Autumn. Max and I have been hiding there recently,

in quiet solitude. Just the two of us.

But one turn, and reality sets in.

No place to hide. God help us all.