So many things this week…
For starters, Larkspur sat in my lap and I hugged her body while squeezing my eyes shut tight as Keats pulled her loose top tooth. She’s far braver than I am. I don’t know what to say about the absence of that tooth. I find the loss of the top middle two such a big deal; bittersweet.
We had our first frost. The evening before I ran out in my slippers carrying a laundry basket and covered just the bottom of it with the last of our Christmas pole lima beans. The lettuce survived the frost and is especially beautiful. Lettuce amazes me in that way.
Silas has run fever for a few nights and I am suspecting an ear infection. He woke from his nap today screaming. I was at physical therapy. Jonny called me on our sweet tracphone (that’s what he would call our ten dollar cell phone) to tell me that Silas had cried for nearly an hour. He wondered when I’d be home. I started fresh garlic and mullein ear oil the second I walked in the door. (I used fresh garlic and dried mullein flowers. My recipe came from this book
Physical therapy filled me with the hope that I can be strong again. I loved my therapist; I promised her I’d do my exercises and I really meant it.
On an especially cool day, with no activity outside Lark Rise, I put my head right up against the bottom of the hive, next to the screened bottom board. I wanted to know…were they really in there? I could hear them, the gentle hum of the cluster. An amazing sound, absolutely beautiful. The following day, temperatures climbed higher and there was a bit of activity outside the hive as well. I’ve not given up hope on these girls.
I think there was something else this week, but it’s escaping me now…..
Oh–right.
I am sure that I wasn’t the only person who was hurt by words and by sweeping assumptions read online this week. In this age of social media so many more lives intersect than ever before, but we are unable to dig deep, to really get to know each other. It’s impossible to know so many on an intimate level. We share through these little windows we’re given and hope for the best. It’s a double edged sword I suppose. Differences can be either magnified or minimized in absence of relationship. For a moment I allowed myself to be saddened by the magnification of differences that seemed to abound online. But that discouragement, it can become motivation to work harder to meet on common ground wherever I can. If someone hurts me, I know that the right thing is to work harder to love them. If we all made just a small effort, what a difference it would make. My heart tells me to keep trying.
Love,
Ginny
p.s. For the record, the candidate whom I voted for didn’t win the election. I hope you’ll love me anyway.
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I knew that:) and I love you even more than I already did!
your knit is coming along great 🙂 and the photo of your daughter in the tree is so cute.
xo
Hi Ginny,
What a beautiful close of your post. Thank you.
Lovely pictures! My candidate didn’t win either, but I had come to the conclusion that no matter who I voted for, things wouldn’t get any better unless we started working together!!!
Hope you feel better soon!
Sharon
Thanks for sharing your lovely photography and snippets of family life. I agree with you about the political climate… it gets pretty toxic sometimes. Loving other people is hard work! Blessings.
Thank you so much for your honest and heart-felt words. Being in a state (MN) with a moral issue on the vote, let alone the president, there have been many a conversation with the children about sin and love. I feel these days are so so hard if I let them be, with teaching my girls things before I was ready to and feeling very much in the minority, the peace in your words is very helpful and HOPEful. Thank you for sharing.
PS: I love you anyway. We don’t have to think alike to love alike.
The negativity on both sides of the aisle is very sad. While I am not happy about this election and am deeply concerned with the direction that this country is headed, I am convinced that, until people are willing to listen to each other without rancor and malice, nothing will change. Calling names and hurling insults doesn’t help anyone. This thing I am most discouraged about is the assumption that, if you didn’t vote for the winning candidate then you must be racist. What a horrible thing to accuse anyone of, simply because they don’t agree with the policies and agenda of the person in office. 🙁
Really appreciate your comments and insights. The morning after the election my 26-year-old daughter said she had a feeling of dread. I tried to reassure her, and said the most important thing she could do was to tend well to her own family. I truly believe our pockets of love and peace spread into the world. Here is something we can do, feed and nourish the spirits of those we love.
The candidate that I voted for did win. As much as I’m relieved by this, I’m also feeling sad for the friends of mine who are truly angry, weeping, and broken by this. I think in some ways, this election was more contentious than a war being fought.
At the end of the day who we vote for seems less important than the great care we take as partners and mothers and caretakers in this life. The seemingly simple work we do every day, the loving and growing up a family… this is our greatest work. It binds us & pulls us together despite our differences. And even though the candidate I voted for did win, I still stand beside my fellow Americans who chose another. They are my friends and family. They are dear to me.
In the words of Mother Teresa (my most favorite woman of all times)
“If you judge people, you have no time to love them.”
And I just want to love…..
xo
stephinie
<3 beautiful
Im new to this blog. Its beautiful. The pictures,the love,everything. Im a mom of six kids. One of my sons is in the third grade.They were holding elections for fun for the kids. My son voted for the candidate who did not ein,as I would of done. His best friend came up and got mad at him becausr he didnt vote for obama. Third grade. My son was in tears,thinking hed just lost a friend. I feel very,very sad this has affected even our children. I also know that whoever is president,He is in ultimate control,and that brings reassurance. Blessings to you,and your family.
Christina
Thanks for your thoughtful words. I always have mixed feelings about social media – loving it and hating it all at the same time. Sometimes it’s nice to “know” others, but sometimes I wonder what it would be like to live 100 years ago where we only had our families, communities, churches, and letters in the mail. I suppose that’s what I get for being an old soul. 🙂
Hi Ginny,
Wow, Larkspur IS brave! And she looks adorable. 🙂
I have the new version of Rosemary Gladstar’s book and yes, it has the recipe in it. I just made my first batch of ear oil recently and wrote a blog post about it.
Hope sweet little Silas feels better soon.
I’m glad physical therapy is going well.
One of my favorite authors once said something along the lines that “we all have so much more in common than we have different.” Reading what you wrote made me think of those words.
The people who truly love you and care about you will continue, no matter who you vote for. 🙂
Love,
Taryn
At least you voted. I’m amazed at the number of people who don’t. There is so much anger and I don’t get it. Anger doesn’t get anything done. And we as a country need to get things done. Just wondering if PT is helping your shoulder? I’m thinking it’s time I head to the Dr. for mine. When it impacts baby holding, it’s time.
Hi Jennifer! Yesterday was my first appointment, but I feel really optimistic after spending about two hours with the therapist.
This is what I wrote on FB the day after the election:
Now that the election is over, we need to stand together to make this country great once again. We need to tell our elected officials that they are just that, elected to serve US. The Senate and Congress need to work with each other and the President to do what the people of the country need and want. Remind your Senator and Congressman every day if you have to. Don’t get complacent and let the things that have been happening start again. We have the voice to make ourselves heard. Let’s use it!
I was also upset by all the negativity. This really doesn’t accomplish anything but cause divides between everyone.
I love missing teeth photos. Personally, I think this is a super cute stage.
Hang in there, Ginny. And keep posting your positive thoughts.
Sharon
I love your posts Ginny. I’ve been a lurker lately because of a new Granddaughter being born. I’ve been away from home for almost 7 weeks now. Little baby girl isn’t quite as healthy as we all hoped for, but she’s getting there!
A bright spot that happened to me was that while helping my daughter and son-in-law, I had the opportunity to meet two dear blogger friends in person. We had lunch together twice in that time I was away from home and it was lovely! Both are knitter/crocheters. We have much in common, but politics isn’t one of them. We chose to focus on the things we love together and not bring up the differences. I’m so looking forward to seeing them again sometime. Just as I would love to meet you and your little family too!
You were such a great blessing to mee in the knitting for Japan project last year. If we could all just see the things we can do together to make a difference, the world would be a much better place.
Blessings,
Betsy
http://betsythesimplelifeofaqueen.blogspot.com
Congratulations on your new grandbaby, Betsy!!! Have you knit much for her yet?
Ginny,
I, too, wish that we lived close enough to be neighbors and friends. Although I am old enough to be your mother. I live with my youngest daughter and her husband and my adorable 20 mo old grandson. I also provide daycare to 2 other children, a girl 3yrs old and a boy 4yrs old. I have watched them 5 days a week since they were weeks old so they call me “aunt” mae. Your blog is the first one that I look for every morning. You lift me up with your words. Don’t let anyone’s negativity bother you. There are so many of us that love you just the way you are!
Yes!! Thank you! I felt like I was the only one. I think I have been more disturbed by the name calling and horribleness via social media than anything else in this election. It worries me. Ugh.
I don’t have anger or hatred. I am just sad. It’s easy for people who win to offer a branch of peace across the aisle, they have very little to lose. But for those who feel like their very soul’s are at stake, in a very real way, are, I think, for some time, going to be inconsolable, no matter how genuine the peace that is offered. I am praying for peace in my own heart and understanding. And content in the knowledge that all of this is passing, this world, and the events upon it. We already know the ending and it is glorious.
I hope your little one’s ears heal up quickly and you can all remain healthy through the Fall and Winter.
Olivia, trust me, I understand. That’s why we have to focus on offering that branch ourselves, even when it hurts.
Beautiful pictures! I hope Silas is feeling better. I have been wanting to get Rosemary’s book. Does the garlic and mullein ear oil work well? I agree about social media. I just never take social media seriously anymore. The anonymity seems to encourage people to say things they would never dream of saying face to face. Instead of visiting negative sites like that, I come here to have a dose of cosy, inspiring life. I pretend we’re friends in real life. 😉 Thanks Ginny.
It’s hard when we have such differing views with someone, but I agree that we keep trying, find some common ground and build from there. There is beauty in each one of us.
I love reading blogs, following Twitter, etc., but it’s often a disappointment because I see/”meet” people that I wish I could really get to know and become friends with. So yes, so many lives cross without opportunity to really know one another. And in that thought, I put you in the category of “would love to have in my real-life circle” if we lived near each other. 🙂
Lol, Erin was not your first commenter, but the last one shown before I commented. Anyway, I also wanted to add that your new header looks great!
Thank you!! I was excited to get something with a warmer feel up there. I needed more green!
To repeat the sentiment of Erin, your first commenter, I only know you through this blog too, but I love you also.
Gosh, losing of the front teeth, not even something I’d thought about getting misty eyed over, but I probably will. I know I will miss these baby years, but I must remember, there is also much to look forward too isn’t there? And thanks for the update on Lark Rise, I was thinking about them when I started reading your post
my husband’s ex-step-mother use to say when children lost their two front teeth, that was when she stopped taking pictures. she said it was an “ugly” phase. that always seemed so strange to me, i love those toothless grins. it is bitter sweet, there is something about those missing teeth that means that maybe babyhood is really gone. but those lovely, silly, gap tooth smiles just melt the heart.
so sorry to hear about poor silas. ear infections are such a pain (literally). i have never actually used an ear oil, it sounds very interesting and like it would be very soothing on a poor sore ear.
yeah on the PT, i always find it a wonderful thing when you find just what you need that makes you stronger. 🙂
as for the anger floating around out there, i think it is just because the election just finished. all the bad energy from the ads, the debates, all the signs littered all over the roadside, it seems like too much. hopefully over the next few days (weeks??) the air will clear and people will settle down. much love to you and your family.
Love you Ginny, even though I only know you through this blog XOXOXO
Larkspur is so brave, as are you to even stay in the room!
I just want to say – your pictures are beautiful.
Your words even more so.
Those top two teeth are big. Tell her a big congrats from us. Hugs for you on such a bittersweet occasion too. Glad PT is working, but sad about sweet Silas. Super happy about the buzzing activity – you are getting braver with those bees. And I don’t know what to say about the vitriolic hate being sent forth. I think people forget that deep down we all want the same things. The path we choose is different and that is okay. Hugs, my friend. And I do hope we meet someday, although the idea makes me a little anxious (a bit insecure with such things).
Yes, I agree about social media and politics. I think next time I will avoid fb at that time. Very offensive, all around. & I don’t think it changes any one’s vote, to hear it.
Facebook was my problem. I rarely post, but read other people’s posts. I know of friends who left just for the weeks surrounding the election. I think that was a very good idea.
I agree. People were un-friending all over the place. I unsubsribed from a few just for my own sanity. I think for me it was those very unkind comments, kindness need not be a lost art, even on fb!
Oh, yes…I know I’m not above making assumptions myself, although I am working hard at learning not to, but some of the rhetoric was a bit much. Lots of “half the country is stupid!” – whichever half you’re on! – and I figure most of us want the same things, we just disagree on how to get there. It’s disheartening, but you’re right – we just have to keep trying to find that common ground. You are a wise woman, dear Ginny… xo
PS – I’m glad physical therapy is helping. I’ve been wondering how you were and I’m so glad to hear positive news! xo
I need to make that oil for my husband. It’s insane but he’s the only one who gets ear infections around here. Do you know if I can use dried mullein?
I’m really glad to hear that your therapy is going well. Approaching it with a postive attitude is definitely the way to go – so many people don’t realize that they truly have to *want* to get better.
*internet hugs* from me, someone who is undoutedly very different from you, but thinks that you are awesome.
For me, I see so much anger, and I wonder if maybe we could channel that anger for something good instead. Regardless of what is happening, being so filled with that anger isn’t going to help anyone, and instead just makes you unhappy. So I hope that we can all move forward together!
I agree. We can all make a diference! Thanks for the inspiration for today.
Love you dear Ginny!
Oh the first tooth – bittersweet I’m sure. Our turn will be coming soon. Hope your sweet baby mends quickly. We’re battling an ear infection here as well.
p.s. Yes! I couldn’t agree more. It all comes down to kindness, doesn’t it?
such wise words 🙂 XX