Independence



I'm really struggling with the whole "Independence Day" vibe-- my heart is too heavy as a result of the inhumanity that has been on full display for months now. There's not a lot left, or so it seems, of the norms that I and pretty much all of us in the country have been raised to believe. 

What I do believe, and what I hold dear, are these things;

  • Faith
  • Family/Friends
  • Doing good work for a paycheck that honors the effort
  • Being kind to people; cordial or at least civil even if they are not
  • Finding solutions to things that affect others--being a real help
  • Solving my own problems if possible-- being a blessing, not a burden
  • Integrity, compassion, forthrightness
  • Curiosity and willingness to learn
  • Hot coffee, good conversation, blue skies, clean air and water
  • Great literature, music, art
  • Quiet moments, warm blankets

I don't know how to protect these things and the people I love, but that's my mission. I'm not sure how "free" we'll be, at least for a time, to make our own way and to take care of what is essential and necessary, but these are things and people I won't compromise on, and

We [I] hold these [particular] truths to be self evident, and  for the support of this [my] declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of Divine Providence, we [I]... pledge...our [my] lives [life], our [my] fortunes, and our [my] sacred honor.

Have a quiet day, hug your loved ones, and keep the faith.

C

Comments

Post a Comment

Thanks for stopping by!

Popular posts from this blog

My book is featured today on Finishing Line Press-- please share the info and the fun!

Image
NEW FROM FINISHING LINE PRESS:  What to Keep   by Carlene M. Gadapee On SALE :     https://www.finishinglinepress.com/product/what-to-keep-by-carlene-m-gadapee/   What to Keep  is a collection of keen #observations: choices made, minor regrets, small successes, and questions asked. There aren’t always answers to the questions, but the #poems in this collection explore the particular things and #experiences that lead us to them. Readers are invited into the poet-speaker’s musings about #childhood, of #family, of #companionship, and of #loss. We follow the speaker as she walks through time: capturing minnows, high school crushes and college mistakes, #marriage, the deaths of parents, and finally, a note of hope for the future, whatever it may have in store. In the end, “what to keep” becomes what remains, what is precious, and what forms the foundation of a #life filled with joy, sorrow, and finally, of contentment.   A poet-teacher both by vocation...
Read more

Judy Collins in concert-- a real gift

Image
Hearing Judy Collins sing, tell jokes, and reminisce about the years she spent surrounded by other iconic folk singers was just wonderful. It felt like we were all in her living room, just listening, laughing, and sighing along-- the audience sang with her at times, talked with her at times, and in general, we felt held. Held by the music, by her kindness, by her humor-- very much needed in these turbulent times. It's easy to forget our common humanity in the face of so much ugliness, but Judy brought us back to our Selves, back to what makes us funny and fragile beings.  At 86 years of age, she is not really slowing down much, although it is clear that she knows her energy well. Instead of trying to impress, she just wanted to engage with the audience. It was lovely, and the venue, The Colonial Theatre in Bethlehem, was the perfect size. The entire concert felt personal. And I, for one, am in awe of how she handled that Martin 12-string. Her piano playing was beautiful as well, an...
Read more

My visit yesterday to The Frost Place, and a few thoughts about community and place

Image
Sunny and crisp morning-- the day promises to be a lot more pleasant than yesterday's weather. I sure hope so. And I hope the pool water retained some of the accrued warmth. We'll see. First, though, I have to get groceries and so on. Ah, Saturday. My journeys yesterday landed me at The Frost Place, and while there are changes up there from my many years of being a docent, much is the same. Some landscaping has occurred, pruning of shrubs and removal (sad) of the rose bush by the porch. I didn't go inside the house; that can wait. I was there to talk to the director who is also serving as a docent (arts budgets are tight all over), and I put five copies of my chapbook up in the Barn for sale. It's neat and tidy, and the video is the same... but clearly, it's not set up for in-person readings or conferences. Those are not on the schedule yet again this year, with the exception of Frost Day, and in September, there's a poet running a workshop on a weekend.  I miss...
Read more