I am not surprised but I am sad and disappointed that this Administration is using hate as a foundation for its services. Things, like suicide prevention and crisis intervention shouldn’t discriminate because the conditions that cause mental health struggles, ideation, and crisis don’t discriminate.
Today’s planned posts will be postponed by this PSA from NAMI:
Posting this for no reason at all
I wasn’t able to publish my planned post for the first days of Chanukah, but here we are nearing the end of the eight days, and I thought I’d share a couple of photos from my week:
Continue readingAs someone who spends an inordinate amount of time online, it still surprises me when the people around me don’t know the pressing news of the day. I had to tell my boss this morning about the devastating loss of Rob Reiner and his wife, Michele. I mentioned being in a “Rob Reiner fog,” and she didn’t get what I was saying; she hadn’t heard. Part of me wishes I hadn’t heard.
I also don’t want to diminish Michele’s life by attaching her by marriage, but I didn’t know her, and I’m sure part of that was intentional on their family’s part – keeping their private life private, or at least as private as possible.
When my sister texted me last night with the initial reports of two bodies found in the Reiner home, I hoped, beyond reason that it was someone else; not that that would be a good thing either.
I was realizing this morning that (as a fan) I have known Rob Reiner for my entire life. I used to watch All in the Family with my father growing up. There was never a moment in pop culture that he wasn’t present for me. Even the movies I didn’t see had a cultural impact on me – like Stand by Me and Misery. The ones I have seen, like The Princess Bride and When Harry Met Sally are iconic cultural classics.
But Rob was more than his acting and directing.
During the pandemic, he participated in the lockdown version of The Princess Bride, and his scene with his dad, Carl Reiner and Rob playing the Fred Savage part was emotional and heartwarming and perfect, and it gave us in lockdown a bright spot to hold onto.
His activism can’t be ignored. He was on the top of the important issues, and didn’t concern himself with his personal consequences. From civil rights to women’s rights to LGBT+ rights, he spoke out for all of us, and remained on the right side of history. His standing up in these times gave us an example to follow with heartfelt examples of how to fight the fascism we still find ourselves in.
Whatever led to this tragedy is irrelevant to his fans mourning him and Michele. We should remember how they lived, how they worked, how they spoke out for injustice, and give the family room to breathe and grieve for however long it takes.
May their memories be a blessing.
And may we take as a blessing their example of how to live and be a part of the world, caring for and taking care of each other.
As it turned out, I was quite ill for my birthday last week. I did not want cake – no point if I’m not going to enjoy it, but some things were simply postponed.
Instead of cake, my husband got me Haagen Dazs White Chocolate Raspberry Truffle ice cream. It was delicious. 10/10 would recommend and would try it again.
My birthday drink from Starbucks was a bit more complicated. The birthday drink is only available on your birthday, and I couldn’t do that, so I got my go-to: iced chai latte, but with no ice. I kept it in the fridge for three days, added my own ice, and drank it when I was feeling better. It was excellent, and I’m glad that I opted for that.
Last but not least, eggnog is back at Starbucks. I’ve had their eggnog cold foam on an iced drink and their hot eggnog chai latte. Very rich, and its warmth is very soothing.
Finally, we had pulled pork sandwiches for dinner the other night. I did not want onions so I decided to put a slice of a Granny Smith apple on two slider rolls and ate that. Nice crunch, a little tart, but very nice with the pulled pork.
My birthday dinner consisted of a salad, a piece of brown bread and butter, and a baked potato. Overall, not exactly how I’d choose to spend my birthday, but it was still nice and I had some special time with my family.
Today is Human Rights Day, and I’m of a mind to share two quotations:
Women’s Rights are Human Rights. – Hillary Clinton
Trans Rights are Human Rights.
I’m finding it difficult to write about human rights today when the United States is violating them left, right, and center, every which way we look, on the land, in the air, on the sea.
I find it difficult directing you to the human rights watches of Amnesty International and the United Nations, both of whom I’ve respected my entire life and have now abandoned them as they’ve abandoned many of us.
I find it difficult accepting that human rights are a right for all humans when we see so many rights being torn away, stomped upon, and set on metaphorical fire.
Last week, I saw a picture online of a drunk racoon passed out next to a toilet in a public bathroom, a gas station, I think, and that seems to have summed up the last eleven months of where we are in terms of the world, of our elected leaders here around the world, and of the human rights being taken away and destroyed before our very eyes.
No, I’m sorry, there’s no witty twist, no redemption arc. It is what it is, and it’s a dumpster fire.
Wandering through Target, checking out the holiday goodies and displays, and I saw their plastic tableware along the main aisle.
Before I could even be intrigued, I saw that someone else had already put this smaller plate on top of the large charger, and I loved how it looked. I didn’t touch it. I didn’t change it. I simply photographed it, and went on my merry way.
I hope to use this as inspiration for a simpler holiday; something quiet and unobtrusive that has meaning without forcing it to have meaning.
Have a Blessed Advent.
Today is the day that we remember those victims of transphobia, hate, and violence. One day, may the terror and horror they face be eliminated.
The week leading up to today was Trans Visibility Awareness Week, and it’s important to recognize that trans people are in the world and of the world.
Especially this year, when trans people are at higher risk because of our government, and others across the globe, we need to remember those that gave their lives, those that are both out and closeted, and respect their choices.
I would also like to remind people that while LGBT+ youth are at the highest risk for abuse and violence (both from strangers and from domestic abuse/violence), trans youth have even higher rates of homelessness, assault, and suicide. Pay attention to the words you use and what you may post on social media. That clever quip may not be that clever. Take away the stigma and let us all use anti-stigma identifying and inclusive language.
My pronouns are she/her. Yours are?
This missive encompasses many issues, so I’d like to end with the reminder that today is for the commemoration of the trans dead. Please remember them – all of them, especially trans youth and trans people of color who have lost their lives to too much hate and too soon.
Note: This didn’t even get a chance to age poorly.
I hate this timeline.
We are one week beyond the historic Election Day. We reached Presidential year numbers in voters and we made our position clear:
Do NOT give in. Do NOT cave.
Anything the Republicans say – we know from experience is a lie.
They’ve made these promises and commitments before. They will say anything. And then they will laugh at us, and take the credit for ending the shutdown. They know we are the better people and that we trust our better angels. They have NO better angels. I don’t care if John Thune used to be a decent person. (I actually question that.) He is part of the Trump Administration – rubber-stamping ALL of Trump’s crazy and illegal executive orders, not standing in the way of Trump’s murder of foreign nationals in the Caribbean, not putting a stop to the illegal and extrajudicial ICE tactics as they tear gas children on Halloween in Illinois, and commit perjury in court.
They will say and do anything and then when we let them kick the can down the road, they block the road and “forget” their “promise to address the needs of the people.” Their people are the rich, the wealthy, and the connected.
They will never return to the table if we let them walk away from this.
And why should they?
They’re Lucy and Charlie Brown with the football, and they know it.
And just yesterday, Trump pardoned Rudy Giuliani and many of the other election deniers. What happens to the compensation they were supposed to pay? What happens to the jail time? What happens in the next election?
We are on the brink of the failure of democracy.
Senators would do well to stand their ground. No ACA extension through all of 2026; NO VOTES to end the shutdown.
Stand firm.
We, the people are with you.
Are you with us?
All the fast food places have dropped their holiday favorites and what they deem as “new” favorites. I’ve tried a couple; the rest I’m waiting until I’m in more of the holiday spirit.
Leftover Halloween Candy. It was a rainy night so we have more candy than usual. Halloween is almost the only time during the year that I eat the peanut/peanut butter candies. I have enjoyed the ghoulish green Snickers.
What candy do you have leftover?
From Dunkin’ Donuts, these are the Wicket Munchkins. You can get 10 of these in a cute tin for $9.99, but I just went for the bag. They were very good. The munchkins are a different consistency than regular glazed munchkins – more like the Halloween ones, but vanilla glazed with green and pink sprinkles. I have to admit I love a good crossover, and Wicked with DD munchkins are really a perfect combo.
On the right is the new Berry Sangria Refresher. This one came with a base of green tea, which I really enjoyed. The day before I had it with lemonade and that was too tart for me. It was lovely, but I’m going to wait for Starbucks to bring back their Blackberry Sage drink – that was my favorite.
In addition to the usuals (Snowman cookie, Polar Bear cake pop, Sugar Plum danish, and Cranberry Bliss Bar), Starbucks has added a Cinnamon Pull-Apart, which was quite good. Sticky and sweet, but enjoyable. I’d get it again.
Bonus: Red Cup Day at Starbucks is Thursday, November 13! Buy one of their holiday drinks and get a free reusable red cup! My daughter and I do this every year!
These leaves, the first before I voted, and the second, after stuck with me throughout the day. I ignored pundits. I ignored mainstream media. I ignored social media. And in the end, for the most part the inspiration held.
Blue.
Blue.
Blue.
From Pennsylvania to Mississippi to Georgia, even to Florida.
In 364 days, change is coming, and there is nothing the corrupt, the sychophant, the traitorous, the racist can do about it.
We will take back our democracy.
Tomorrow, I’ll share with you some of those people doing the work for democracy, for our future, and for our children.
See you tomorrow.
Griffins and Ginger Snaps 