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Trump’s Tattoo Phobia!

President Donald J. Trump, has many phobias. He once said he hated shaking hands because of the risk of germs.

“One of the curses of American society is the simple act of shaking hands, and the more successful and famous one becomes the worse this terrible custom seems to get. I happen to be a clean hands freak. I feel much better after I thoroughly wash my hands, which I do as much as possible.”

Hmm….I guess that didn’t seem to matter when he met Stormy Daniels.

The other phobia is a fear of stairs. It is called bathmophobia. Why? I don’t know, ask the experts. He once grabbed Theresa May’s hand when heading towards a ramp and that made news.

The newest phobia seems to hinge on tattoos. Trump sat down with one of his best buddies, Sean Hannity for his first TV interview as president and this is what he had to say about the migrant crisis and certain migrants in particular.

“Who would ask for open borders, with people pouring in. Some of whom, who….I won’t get into it…but you can look at them and you can say ‘could be trouble, could be trouble! There are people coming in with tattoos all over their face. Their entire face is covered in tattoos. Typically, you know, he’s not gonna be the head of the local bank.”

Hmm…..did he forget the Proud Boys and the Oath Keepers? Don’t they have tattoos? Right, I see, they are not considered immigrants and neither are they criminals as far as Trump is concerned. They have been released on Trump’s orders and their sentences have been commuted. However, Henry “Enrique” Tarrio head of the Proud Boys had this to say. “I’m happy that the president’s focusing not on retribution and focusing on success, but I will tell you that I’m not going to play by those rules. They need to pay for what they did.”

What does that mean? You’ll find out when the time is right I guess.

A national emergency has been declared by President Trump saying, “America’s sovereignty is under attack.” He has ordered the deployment of 1,500 troops to the Southern border adding to the 2,000 already there.

One thing’s for sure, there is a flurry of activity in the tattoo parlors. The kind that erases tattoos!

Contrasts

“To me, a rich and satisfying life means one full of contrast. Give me sleep ins. And soft rains. Coffee shops and conversation. But also adrenaline and adventure. And drunken bellows to the stars. I am determined to embrace this extravagant life for all that it has to offer.” Beau Taplin

It wasn’t a great day for a walk, grey clouds were gathering and as promised rain was on the way. What a difference a day makes, weather-wise. Yesterday it was picture perfect, warm and absolutely mesmerizing but today it had turned tables and was ready to show another side, a grey and wet one. There was no beauty to speak off as I trudged nonchalantly through the muddy and leaf-strewn path heading for the forest line. Oh, but I was wrong for I had only to open my mind and my senses to see the contrasts between a beautiful day and a bad one. To my surprise, each had its own brand of beauty if only I wasn’t so quick to pass judgement.

The not so subtle rustling of the leaves caught in the interplay of wind and absolute silence was balm for my anxious soul. I needed peace but somehow it was missing today. Glancing into the forest, I noticed that it was quiet, too quiet. The trees were tight-knit and hidden in shadows of its own making echoing the onslaught of rain that was to come. I usually don’t like walking close to the forest because a feeling of unease usually envelops me and my senses are usually on high alert as it was today. There was no room to relax. I walked on in silence and in the distance, the hoot of an owl could be heard. I welcomed the distraction and made my way to the stream. It’s gorgeous in spring, its banks overflowing with golden daffodils but today it droned on in silence, devoid of color as the slow-moving water made its way to the pond where the storks gather. Today, there was not one stork to be seen. They too had gone hiding from the oncoming force of nature. Standing at the tiny wooden bridge, I closed my eyes and took a deep breath. It was peaceful but the unease was still there. Enclosed spaces are not my cup of tea and neither are deep dark forests. I moved on, got back on the path and made it to the fields.

My mind began to relax as I took in the wild open spaces before me. I was free again and standing at the bottom of the hill as I took in the panoramic view. It was grandiose even through there was no sun to speak of, only a light purple haze enveloping the distant mountains. It was beautiful just the same. Just a different kind of beautiful.

Contrasts are necessary to show the light and dark aspects of life and today nature decided to show my jaded mind, come rain or sunshine, there is always something beautiful about each aspect if only I would open my mind to it and embrace it with open arms to reap the full benefits. The rest of the walk was uneventful, an ordinary walk but my mind knew that if I kept my eyes peeled, I would capture the extraordinary. It was just a matter of time and if nature was willing to throw it my way. As the first droplets of rain hit the muddy path, I pulled my jacket tighter around me and ran back home leaving nature to do what it does best.

The ebb and flow of life was at work and who was I a mere mortal to question the order of the day or how it was brought about to life. Just accept and enjoy was the message and I bowed my head to its all-knowing wisdom. I was at peace.

HAVE AN AMAZING DAY

An Old Town….

It is located two villages away and whenever I go to the new part of town, my eyes always look longingly at the old part.

Let me first tell you about the new part. This is ultra modern lined with shops, restaurants and markets. This is where most people go to get their shopping done and I love market days so I love Tuesdays and Fridays. Anything you want, it’s there and much much more. This is not a quiet place because you have to navigate the masses. However, once in awhile, it is a great place to have a cup of coffee and people watch.

Now, the old part of town. I would like to visit it some day just to take in the atmosphere and the peace that surrounds it. It is lined with cobblestone streets, the homes look old, dilapidated and not in the best of shape. Some are more than a hundred years old. The colors are subdued and when compared to the new part of town, this part has no shops but right across it is an old castle with a beautiful garden surrounding it where you can sit, take a break and just relax and watch the swans go gliding gracefully on the water. One day I will take the time or make the time to go there and take in what it has to offer. Maybe when spring rolls around.

Daily writing prompt

Name an attraction or town close to home that you still haven’t got around to visiting.

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This Came to Light

After welcoming Musk on stage on Sunday, Trump had this to say:

“And then he journeyed to Pennsylvania, where he spent like a month and a half campaigning for me in Pennsylvania.”

Trump didn’t stop there. He continued, “And he’s a popular guy. And he was very effective. And he knows those computers better than anybody.”

What computers?!!

“All those computers. Those vote counting computers. And we ended up winning Pennsylvania like in a landslide. So it was pretty good. It’s pretty good.”

Did Elon Musk help rig election results in the State of Pennsylvania and in the swing states?

Just a conspiracy theory or more than an element of truth to this one?

Rumor has it that Musk will get a West Wing office and he will be heading the newly-founded Department of Government Efficiency agency and its mission is to, “Make America Great Again” and “Make America strong for centuries.”

All fine and good but what about voter fraud? Did Trump admit to it and can money and computer expertise rig an election win?

The man in question is now reaching across the pond and meddling in European politics. World domination of the scary kind?

Staring into the Abyss

A Series on Getting Back on Track

I heard this somewhere, not sure where and not sure who said it but it stuck with me. It goes like this.

Standing on top of a cliff and looking down, I hear myself say, “What if I fall?” A voice comes back and says, “Oh, my darling, what if you fly?”

It stuck with me because there were many times when I’ve stood on that cliff and asked that very same question, “What if I fall?” I refused to contemplate that I might just fly. I stayed because I was afraid to take that step forward. Fear of the unknown kept me there, of what I couldn’t see did the rest. I knew that staying where I was would keep me captive but staring into that abyss has kept me a prisoner.

After my divorce, I stood at the crossroads and wondered which way I should go? Everything told me to take the road less travelled. Go embrace the unknown it said. ”What have you got to lose?” I stayed put and took the other turn. The one that was familiar, the one my heart knew so I embraced the pain that was still there and refused to budge.

Along my journey, I met men who reminded me of “him.” Mostly mediocre relationships with mediocre men. My heart was content because there was comfort in the familiar and I did not have to navigate unfamiliar territory. I knew the path well. Mediocre relationships is defined as a “relationship with another person which is typically a symptom of a mediocre relationship with yourself. When you don’t know yourself or honor your needs, it’s easy to stay in a mediocre relationship. Mediocre can be safe, familiar, just enough….but not deeply fulfulling or vibrant.”

Accepting how I was treated made me believe I was loved. Afterall, it was familiar territory. I felt safe thinking this is the real deal. I knew there was more out there than someone blurting out, “I love you,” without any thought as to what it really meant. It didn’t matter, I was on cloud nine but the reality was mediocre brings mediocrity. Why do we accept it? ”It comes from a fear of failing as well as not being willing to deal with others tearing you down.” The truth is, I saw it, I felt it and I accepted it and so I stayed to fight another day.

Strangely enough no matter how many times I got hurt and the truth kept staring me in the face, I held on for dear life. I was basically saying there isn’t anything better out there. Why do you need better? Isn’t this enough? The “this” being a lukewarm relationship with no substance to it. You see the person I am alluding to was having a mediocre relationship with himself and so did not see “me”, the real me, he was busy slaying his own demons. Like attracts like? Perhaps but here is where I found myself until I saw what Mark Sterling had to say.

If you want to soar in life, you must learn to

F.L.Y (First Love Yourself)

I realized at that moment that I had lost myself along the way. I had stopped loving myself, the reason for all my woes. The divorce wasn’t my fault, the aftermath painful but it had nothing to do with me. I was not the reason for the pain and suffering. It was thrown in front of me and I had to deal with it. Through it all, I put myself in the background and I learned to crawl. So here I am standing on the cliff again and staring into the abyss before me. One step forward will take me into the unknown, the uncomfortable, into the midst of terror and then I hear a voice say, “Oh, my darling, but what if you fly?”

“You were born with potential.

You were born with goodness and trust.

You were born with ideals and dreams.

You were born with greatness.

You were born with wings.

You are not meant for crawling, so don’t.

You have wings.

Learn to use them and fly. (Rumi)

Here I go.…….

Update:

I wrote this article last year. Where am I now? I’ve made some inroads but there is miles to go before I rest. I am learning, accepting, letting go and moving on. A process that is never ending it seems but I’m hoping that when I reach my goal or journey’s end, I am where I want to be. It takes courage, strength and believing that there is a better out there.

Have an amazing day.

Five Things I Do for Fun?

Wow! Not one or two but five?

Let’s see, I love walks in nature. It helps to declutter my mind and to bring peace and clarity to my soul.

I love spending time with Chachi, the cat. Just a hug and kiss from the little guy in the fur coat brings so much joy to my life. Plus I talk to him all the time and he just sits there and gives me his undivided attention. What he is thinking is something else altogether!

Meditation is my go to to feel rounded and balanced. It is my alone time but since I am not in a relationship currently, I am alone most of the time but meditation takes the “alone” time to a new high. My mind shuts down and I am transported to nirvana. I call it my “zen” zone.

Working out is a must for me. It always has been. I do everything from cardio, weights, pilates, yoga and fusion workouts. This is a godsent because it keeps my weight and health where it should be. Daily workouts are a must and I find it fun.

Lastly but not least is my love for writing. My mind is an overactive one. I need something to reel it in and to make it behave! Writing does that. Getting my thoughts and feelings out is a wonderful outlet to tame the “monkey” as I call my mind.

There you have it. Five things I do for fun but I left out cheesecakes because I love them but it is “cut them out” for now time. It is mindless fun but the addiction has got to go!

The Bully is Back

This time with gloves off and in full-frontal mode! He’s off and running and he’s got something to prove and that is he keeps his promises, those of the unsavoury kind!

As promised, his first day back in the Oval Office was a flurry of activity and that pen, the one he uses to sign the executive orders saw little rest as the 47th president and now Commander-in-Chief showed the world and America, “Don’t f**k with me!” He doesn’t always mean what he says but if you cross him or get caught in the cross hairs, there’s a price to pay.

Let’s forget about kinder and gentler, that was never his strong suit. It’s all on the surface but what dwells within is a whole different story altogether. We saw “kinder and gentler” depart two days ago when former president, Joe Biden and First Lady, Jill Biden took their last flight out of there.

Now, it’s first things first as far as the “new sheriff” is concerned. He has pardoned and commuted sentences of “roughly 1500 defendants charged with crimes connected to the Jan. 6 attack on the Capitol, including some convicted of assaulting police officers.” He has also directed the attorney general to dismiss all indictments pending related to the largest federal investigation ever. I guess now that he has walked free, the others deserve the same as well. Who cares about rule of law? He definitely doesn’t. Let me take that back. He does but only when it pertains to him and his supporters.

He has also ordered all federal diversity, equity and inclusion employees be placed on paid leave starting Wednesday and he has directed government agencies to draw up plans for firing workers in DEI roles. Why? He wants to end “the scourge of DEI and return America to a merit based society.” Right…someone should tell him that “color,” “race,” and “religion,” has always played a big part in American society. Let’s take it way back, why don’t we? Former President Joe Biden signed actions bolstering racial equality when he took office in 2021. Let’s undo them all is Trump’s priority.

He also signed numerous executive orders affecting LGBTQ people and immigrants. Two of his pet peeves. There will be more to come as he puts his “revenge” agenda front and center!

Is your head spinning? I know mine is. Shoes on and off in nature to let it calm my frazzled nerves.

Have an amazing day.

Taking Things for Granted

Photo by Andrea Piacquadio on Pexels.com

“We often take for granted the very things that most deserve our gratitude.” Cynthia Qzick

We do that a lot don’t we? We take people who love us for granted and things that serve us for granted as well. I think it is a given in this fast-paced world of ours. We’re on the move and our focus is on a hundred little and big things that there is no time to stop and appreciate what is staring us in the face. We do take notice when the person is no longer there or the thing you depended on has taken a break for whatever the reason.

Learning to appreciate or to give gratitude is a lost art of sorts it seems. I learned it the hard way this past week as my dependable car, the four-wheeled contraption decided to show me that sometimes it needs a break too. I am very focused where my car is concerned. I make sure the service gets done and the summer and winter checks get done as well but this year I let the winter check go unnoticed. A well-meaning friend told me that it wasn’t necessary to get it done every year and I listened. I noticed that the car wasn’t heating as it should and still I left it to chance. It (the car) let it be known clearly and loudly that it was a no go! It is now in the service shop and has been there for the last 4 days. The water tank or tube or whatever you call it has a crack and needs to be replaced. I HOPE that is the only thing wrong with it!

The thing is, now I realize how dependent I’ve been on it to take me from Point A to Point B and I gave it no thought at all. It was a given and now I know that I’ve been taking it for granted.

Sometimes we need to stop, take a good hard look at the people and things we depend on and show them the gratitude they deserve. We tend to leave such things to a later point in time or only when they are gone or missed and that is not going to do it. Take the time to say, “I thank you,” or “I love you,” or even “I’m grateful” before it’s too late.

“When it comes to life the critical thing is whether you take things for granted or take them with gratitude.” G. K. Chesterton

Have an amazing day.

Update:

The car is back after getting a new water pump and a thermostat. It seems to be working fine and just in case, I gave it a well-deserved hug!

If I Could Make My Pet Understand…

Chachi, the cat, or Little Einstein as I call him understands a lot but if there is one thing I could make him understand better is that he is loved unconditionally and no matter what, he is part of the family and as such there is nothing to worry about.

Pets tend to have abandonment issues and I see it with Chachi. When I leave the house or if someone comes to visit, he acts nervous to the point that he runs and hides or meows in a small voice showing fear and only settles down after I pick him up and hold him close for a while.

I call him my “mini-me” and there is an unbreakable bond between us. It is hard to describe but there is a certain kind of love between us and it transcends the human variety, just something very very special. If I could make him understand that, I think his world would be less stressful and he would be more at peace.

Daily writing prompt

If you could make your pet understand one thing, what would it be?

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Let It Go

Letting go is one of the hardest lessons to learn in life. Holding on is somehow innately built into the human system and we are wired to hold on when things go wrong. At least, that is the case with me. If only I had the ability to “let go” when I knew that there was no point in holding on. Life would be so much easier right? Knowing that doesn’t make it any easier. I am an overthinker, an overachiever and a hold on with a death grip type of person. At times I am well aware that the ship has set sail and is out of sight but I keep looking longingly out to sea hoping it would return and everything would be alright but most times, it never does and still I refuse to let go.

“One of the hardest lessons in life is letting go. Whether it’s guilt, anger, love, loss or betrayal. Change is never easy. We fight to hold on and we fight to let go.” Unknown

The hard thing about letting go is the fear factor. The unknown is always scary. We tend to fixate on what was instead of realizing that it is done with, a thing of the past and it’s time to move on. The pieces remain of what once was, be it a lesson learned or pieces to build a future with but only if we stop looking at that closed door and turn towards the one that is open BUT going through it is like leading a horse to water but making it drink is another story altogether.

Shannon Alder says:

“Forget what hurt you but NEVER forget what it taught you.”

If only it was that easy. Speaking from experience and being the proverbial holder on, I know that there were times when I dug in my heels and refused to budge because it was what was behind that closed door that I wanted. It didn’t matter that it was bad for me and it didn’t matter that it was gone, water under the bridge so to speak and still I held on for dear life. I cried a waterfall when I could have saved those tears if only I had taken the first step to go through that open door. Freedom comes in letting go which in turn gives you the ability to fly because nothing is weighing you down anymore. I am learning not to stay in one place too long, to look back and to gather the lessons I have learned and when the time is right to keep moving forward. Life is for living, not just existing and being stuck in one place is an absolute no go. It is in moving forward that you learn the power of letting go, the power of living again.

“Breathe. Let go. And remind yourself that this very moment is the only one you know you have for sure.” Oprah Winfrey

LET GO!

Have an amazing day.