Last year, I hung a Ukrainian flag from our porch. To remind us all that they needed our help. Today,after reading your article I rehung the Ukrainian flag to remind us that they can help,us remember what is important. To persist no matter what.Thanks again
Thank you, Ms. Riordan. Love Auggie’s hiding place. You are, of course, right. We cannot wallow in fear and despair. But, this is the first time in all my long life I have felt there is a concerted effort to bombard the citizenry with truly awful scenarios. This is the first time in my long life I have felt my government was working against me and I have heard that sentiment spoken out loud. But, you, Ms. Riordan, are an oasis of calm and thoughtfulness that I very much appreciate that.
I don’t think any of us realized how fast it would all collapse around us; and—despite the warnings of the founders—how our guardrails were dependent entirely upon character.
You wrote what I feel and put tears in my eyes that just flowed down my cheeks, Jane. Ms. Riordan certainly has a brighter outlook for us. I just wish I could feel it. 😪
Living at the coast gives the renewed awareness of the calm peristence of the tides again and again. Nature consoles. ...and then there is music! Themes which come up repeatedly in your thoughts here. Thank you for all of this.
What beautiful words. Maybe my favourite is “They live in darkness, but they look toward the light.” I have many Ukrainian friends from my years in the European dog world, this is so very true. But the words “We also have coffee.” Yes, for me the best time of the day is when I sit either in the serre or in the garden, with a fresh cup of coffee (also with milk but no sugar), and holding that warm cup in both hands, breathe in how beautiful the garden looks (well to me at least), how content the dogs are, and how much I love this world. I try to do this as often as I can, because so much of my day does involve all those things going on which cause chaos, threaten our democracy or where I have to try to figure out a way to afford all the things that need doing. When it’s too much, I take the time to make a brewed cup of coffee, grinding the beans, putting out the french press after warming it with boiling water first, add the beans, pour in the water, wait for it to brew, then deciding which mug to pick, then thinking about what cookie goes with it best (I’m Dutch now, every coffee needs a cookie). Then taking it into the garden or if it’s raining into the serre, and enjoying it. What a wonderful reset.
I have not given up hope, although there have been a few days of fury or despair, I live by my immigrant parent’s credo (I’m a refugee / immigrant)… that we came here for freedom, hope and prosperity. That’s something I refuse to give up and continue to fight for!
The speed was a surprise. The other surprise was that they were so able to assemble so many totally amoral people. But, your point was that we shouldn’t dwell on the dark side - so we won’t. Thank you for gently buoying our spirits.
Thanks for the reminder🫶🫶🫶🫶
Thank you for your beautiful sharings here that lifted my spirits this early morning. Will be sharing it with my friends. 🕊
The photo of dear Augie….his eyes hold so much. I am often deeply moved by Augie. My eyes fill. ❤️ 🐕
Auggie's soulful eyes . . . yes. And I have been given a new word to describe what is my forced morning ritual: "unfurl."
An exceptionally contemplative and beautiful morning pondering. Thank you.
Last year, I hung a Ukrainian flag from our porch. To remind us all that they needed our help. Today,after reading your article I rehung the Ukrainian flag to remind us that they can help,us remember what is important. To persist no matter what.Thanks again
That’s beautiful.
Thank you for this - just what I needed to move into the fresh day with hope & gratitude
Thank you, Ms. Riordan. Love Auggie’s hiding place. You are, of course, right. We cannot wallow in fear and despair. But, this is the first time in all my long life I have felt there is a concerted effort to bombard the citizenry with truly awful scenarios. This is the first time in my long life I have felt my government was working against me and I have heard that sentiment spoken out loud. But, you, Ms. Riordan, are an oasis of calm and thoughtfulness that I very much appreciate that.
I don’t think any of us realized how fast it would all collapse around us; and—despite the warnings of the founders—how our guardrails were dependent entirely upon character.
Wow, this is so spot on, character means everything.
You wrote what I feel and put tears in my eyes that just flowed down my cheeks, Jane. Ms. Riordan certainly has a brighter outlook for us. I just wish I could feel it. 😪
Living at the coast gives the renewed awareness of the calm peristence of the tides again and again. Nature consoles. ...and then there is music! Themes which come up repeatedly in your thoughts here. Thank you for all of this.
Amen!! 💕
What beautiful words. Maybe my favourite is “They live in darkness, but they look toward the light.” I have many Ukrainian friends from my years in the European dog world, this is so very true. But the words “We also have coffee.” Yes, for me the best time of the day is when I sit either in the serre or in the garden, with a fresh cup of coffee (also with milk but no sugar), and holding that warm cup in both hands, breathe in how beautiful the garden looks (well to me at least), how content the dogs are, and how much I love this world. I try to do this as often as I can, because so much of my day does involve all those things going on which cause chaos, threaten our democracy or where I have to try to figure out a way to afford all the things that need doing. When it’s too much, I take the time to make a brewed cup of coffee, grinding the beans, putting out the french press after warming it with boiling water first, add the beans, pour in the water, wait for it to brew, then deciding which mug to pick, then thinking about what cookie goes with it best (I’m Dutch now, every coffee needs a cookie). Then taking it into the garden or if it’s raining into the serre, and enjoying it. What a wonderful reset.
What a lovely ritual.
I sure needed to hear all of this. Thank you.
Me, too!
I have not given up hope, although there have been a few days of fury or despair, I live by my immigrant parent’s credo (I’m a refugee / immigrant)… that we came here for freedom, hope and prosperity. That’s something I refuse to give up and continue to fight for!
The speed was a surprise. The other surprise was that they were so able to assemble so many totally amoral people. But, your point was that we shouldn’t dwell on the dark side - so we won’t. Thank you for gently buoying our spirits.
There is always light out there. We just have to look for it, find and truly see it. Once discovered, it
To finish my previous thought…. Once discovered, it can create happiness in the most unexpected ways.
So true, we need to remember all the good and beauty around us. Enjoy your ☕️.
You and Connie Schultz are my escape from doom scrolling, and dog walks!!
Spring! 🌺🌷🪻Love to you and the biggies! (& 2 us 2!)