This is a lovely prompt today,dear Questioner. My perfect space would take advantage of the outdoors as well as the inside. Whether it be lakeside, or near the mountains, or just somewhere with lovely trees, I would want ambiance & something lovely to look at (probably not theocean though as I would get tired of sand toot sweet. So, that’s where we will begin: In a forest, by a lake, with mountains along the skyline…
In that forest I will have a small cottage that seems to disappear into its surroundings • created from what the forest could offer. The interior would be simple & comfy, hopefully sustainable in all possible ways. Music but no tv, as I would not want to shift my focus from writing. Though in the forest, I would require the internet for research, unless gifted with a giant library that magically exists without taking up too much room.
I would be very happy there, but would need to see friends & family at some point. This would make a lovely retirement, as long as I had free delivery 😆.
{pain} 5 {sleep} I slept most of the day away attempting to avoid the pain. 3h 39m *My daughter gave me permission to share the following with all of you.*
By: Tom Toro
🚨 Epic day because my daughter, Roegn, gave her virginity to a good lookin’ dude… & as a result, I have been in a bit of a mental & emotional whirlwind since she came home all happy & giddy & couldn’t wait to tell me. Not certain if this guy will be in our lives; this “wasn’t on [her] bingo card” for 2023, per Roe. I’m sure I’ll write all about him if he does decide to hang round & this will probably show up in our podcast [which should be LIVE in January!]
The Loss of Virginity by: Paul Gauguin
Roe & I have always disagreed about sex & its point & purpose in our lives. I told her that I honestly regretted many of the decisions I made concerning sex early on & I have always been honest with her so she can make her own mistakes, & not mine. The truth is that it happened with someone who cared about her experience & that was #1 on her list for the situation. Of course I wanted her to wait until she was married, or at least in a committed relationship, ••• however, the world is a much different place today.
👉🏻I suppose I can be grateful that she waited this long (she’ll be 19 in January) as many of her friends have been sexually active for years.
Saint Cecilia, 1895 by: John William Waterhouse (Oil on Canvas)
~On a completely unrelated note, when I searched for artwork for this post, Saint Cecilia came up a lot. Cecelia is a family name, my great-great-great grandma was named after the saint, just spelled differently.~ Perhaps just another little witticism from the Lord — I do adore his sense of humour.
🎄Happy Christmas Eve’s Eve… I hope you’re where you want to be. 🕎Happy Holidays! 🇮🇱 ✌🏻 🇵🇸 (I’m uncertain of other holiday emojis 🙄) 🗣️ Talk Soon, Cecelia ✌🏻🌊💙☕️
👉🏻Last year at this time I said out loud, (quite loud, in fact), that we would be out of this house by Christmas. I was wrong.
The number one reason we have not been able to move out? We desperately need a vehicle. Every time we seem to get things moving in the right direction, something catastrophic happens. My surgery is scheduled for 25.January & until that time I will probably be experiencing intense pain… one more reason we cannot move out right now.
Published in the Wall Street Journal by: Kaamran Hafeez
Should I also bring up the housing crisis? Our our major lack of money? Or should I just continue on with my planning •••> as you were!!!
We should have a consistent podcast schedule by 1.Jan.24 • complete with a store • selling coffee, stickers, pins, t-shirts, & hoodies, all of which will hopefully help us get a vehicle, move out of this house, & catch up on debts. 🫥On that note, I will sign off. Hope your weekend is treating you well. 🗣️Talk Soon, Cecelia ✌🏻🌊☕️
{pain} 8 ‡ mostly in my lower right abdomen, right hip, right buttock, etc. [[f^ck this kidney stone & the urologist who thinks it doesn’t hurt]] {sleep} 3h 27mof terrible sleep.
Gustave Dore Paolo and Francesca in the whirlwind of lust & torture by: Paul Gustave Dore • 1832-1883
~I finally found my book, my diary, The Thoughtful Journal, which helps me outline my life. Usually in November I list what I’m grateful for each day, among other things. This year I was interrupted by a hospital visit on day nine, which was ironically the day I listed ‘modern medicine’ as that for which I was grateful. The importance of finally discovering my journal is that the rest of the days of the month were all written down ••• all those lovely things/people I’m grateful for at this moment in time.
It’s Complicated by: Kathleen DiBerardino
👉🏻Enter [stage left] our ‘Advent Tree’. In today’s ‘wayback machine’ we encounter the Christmas of 2016, when we were reeling from the election of TFG. Somehow getting a tiny bright pink Christmas tree for the Advent Calendar from Starbucks, which consisted of Christmas ornaments for each day that had chocolate inside. Over the last few years I have added prayers for the future & little lists of things or people or events I was thankful for at that time. This year we have been putting off opening up each ornament – bc everything seems to be ‘off’ this year.
🎄However, the girls just brought in the tree not too long ago & we went through day 1 – day 15… good times.
Pain In The Butt Pub by: David Pyatt
😵Back to the current state of reality: Pain. I am so tired of this pain. I suggest you take care of your kidneys •••> bc damn, when they’re angry, they f^ckin’ hurt. And when they’re angry, they cause pain in the hip, the buttocks, and down my damned leg, no matter what the intern said. 🍬I’m talking about sugar, people, any processed foods, and alcohol • all of which break down your body. & this is where I will say that pain, which is the ultimate result in any form from a highly processed diet (Diabetes II; PCOS; Anxiety; Depression, etc.), all that pain is completely avoidable.
🏃🏻♀️I suggest a healthy lifestyle. By that I mean that you need to eat healthy fruits & vegetables, mostly raw or al dente for proper nutrients, and know where your meat comes from (avoid excessive hormonal boosts by the rancher). Also, stop drinking milk.
On that odd note, happy weekend! 💁🏻♀️Talk Soon, Cecelia ✌🏻🌊 ☕️ 💙
🤔It never occurs to me to wonder about things like this until you ask, dear Questioner.
I hope that people will say that I was true, authentic in all that I did or said.
Truth Is Sexy by: Evelina Kremsdorf
👉🏻Having grown up in a time when children were often told that everything must look good from the outside & whatever issues were had within the family should be swept beneath the rug & forgotten… and being a little liar myself when younger, due to a broken home… having been intimate with men who lied whenever they opened their mouths…
George Orwell minimalist quote by: Sassan Filsoof
It was not a hardship for me to want to speak the truth, the brutal truth, or to raise my daughter that way. It has been painful viewing her difficulty with others & their penchant for pathological lying ••• I’m not sure if that’s just something we have encountered more & more of as the years have gone by personally, or if it is widespread.
We can’t be the only ones who have noticed that people are much more sh*te, especially in “friendships” the last 5+ years or so. I’ve been very fortunate in those that the Lord has placed in my life… but I digress.
Have you ever performed on stage or given a speech?
—Questioner
Actually, yes, I have both performed on stage & given a few speeches. I discovered in 8th grade that I was a good actor. After being challenged by friends to try out for the school play, Cinderella Wore Combat Boots; I also began competing in speech & debate, but acting, not debate.
I enjoyed acting in each year’s fall & spring plays as well as competing all year at tournaments. I managed to be double-entered at the State Speech & Debate Tournament all four years of high school, as well as entered in the National Forensic Speech & Debate Tournament my sophomore through senior years, with my best result a 15th in the nation in prose.
I have mentored many, tutored a few, and helped some with their talents. When we were involved in a homeschool co-op I taught drama & we performed a play at graduation each year. I believe everyone should take a drama class at least once; they help with confidence like nothing else, and they’re demonstrably fun.
What are your favorite physical activities or exercises?
—Questioner
Promenadenear Argenteuil by: Claude Monet
Well, dear Questioner, this one is simple. I love a good walk, or swim & that’s about it. Unfortunately, due to physical disability, I am limited to which physical activities I can enjoy.
{pain} solid 7 in my right hip & down my right leg. {sleep} 8h 58m – dude, I sleep well when I close my door to keep Lady Diana 🐈⬛ out.
👉🏻I have been in a haze of pain, cannabis, pain meds, and more pain…
waiting with this very large kidney stone is a daily struggle.
• More than usual I must focus on ignoring the pain. If you struggle with chronic pain, or know someone who does, it is important that you understand something: You must be honest with yourself & those around you as to your capabilities & limitations.
Blood by: Mario Sanchez Nevado
The reason that is so imperative is because when they snap at you, & they almost always will, you need to know it’s not really on purpose, or your fault. We whom suffer from chronic pain on the daily must utilize much of our energy simply to ignore whatever leftover pain there is after our meds kick in. (Believe it or not, our meds usually don’t stop all the pain).
Also, don’t forget the side effects of man-made meds, as they are many.
Often, this is how we feel inside ⬇️
Disturbia by: Nilendu BanerjeeTorment by: Andrew Paranavitana
Some believe that medication can help with everything & if you’re in pain, all you need is a pill & it will magically go away. Often they leave out the foggy brain, memory loss, or the apathy that can take over, the weight gain (or weight loss in some), all of which are but some of the side effects. You know what they definitely DO tell you? ‘This will cause constipation & may make you drowsy’. That’s it.
Woman with Medications by: CSA Images
Pain is making anything I attempt very difficult at this moment. Please forgive me if I lose days… I will always be back.
I hope & pray that your day is treating you well. 🗣️Talk Soon, Cecelia ✌🏻🌊💙☕️
Well, dear Questioner, yes, I suppose we do. There is a rabbit warren near our home; where there is a large, dying, tree above. We see many rabbits going to & fro behind our house.
Blue Eye and Green Eye by: Kazumi Whitemoon
• Years ago our town began to catch, spay/neuter, then release stray cats; over the years many have been taken in to become house cats, or have just passed away. However, there is one female, longhair, mixed breed cat that has ruled our hood for as long as I can remember (at least a decade). I’m not sure where she lives, who feeds her, or how she survives the insane Illinois winters. Every once in a while we will put out food for her, at least we used to before we got our own cat. Now, Queen Bitch (our affectionate name for her) teases Lady Diana (our cat) mercilessly by going from window to window & back around the house to do it all again.
👉🏻Insert Queen & Lady Diana joke here. 🙄
He who must not be named by: Evans Morgan
• The third wild animal we encounter on the daily is deer, or as they are known in our home, f^cking deer. Two years ago this month we hit a deer on the Interstate, killing Gloryah, my Jeep & the f^cking deer. We have not been able to replace her yet, finances have been feeble, which has put a strain on my mom, who graciously allows us to use her truck.
Mask by: Mark Adlington
We also have wild geese, hawks, turkey vultures, and other aviary around… but like many others I tend to ignore them. Every once in a while we will see foxes or Praire dogs, and I am certain that I’m leaving some out. Do you see wild animals where you live? 🗣 Talk Soon, Cecelia ✌🏻🌊 ☕️ 💙
Well, dear Questioner, this is yet another philosophy that is day by day evolving. I grew up loving meat of all kinds • definitely raised carnivorous leaning omnivore. Living four early years in Texas shaped my idea of BBQ; Phoenix also had decent BBQ (Texas transplants, of course); & then back to Oklahoma & Missouri, where eating meat, specifically BBQ, is a sport.
Fresh Farm Meat by: Debbie DeWitt
However, I have come to understand through research & simple logic that we do not have a good system of procuring meat anymore. Much of it is unethical to the animals; the hormones injected into the animals also effect us, contributing to weight gain, among other debilitating and often life threatening conditions.
Le Porc by: The French SchoolLe Bœuf by: The French SchoolLe Mouton by: The French School
We have cut back on the amount of meat we eat, and we try to get all of it from trusted sources (i.e. NOT Walmart or your BIG Grocery Store chain). We have an Amish community nearby, my best friend gets all of her meat from them & we attempt to do the same.
{pain} 5 -6 mostly in my lower back & hip area; no big flashes anymore. The meds they gave me are working-ish. {sleep} 9h 26m • though it doesn’t feel like it; not much deep sleep.
Toil Today Dream Tonight diptych painting number 1 after Van Gogh by: Paul Hilario
👉🏻I had a plan to get outside today, but my hip wasn’t up to a walk. I will go outside though, since today is “Go Outside & Play! Day”. It’s also Mutt Day; Special Education Day; and International Day for the Abolition of Slavery, among others that you can listen about here.
A sneer? Oh, Lady Diana, you wound me!
🏈Even though there’s a lot of College Football on today, I find myself watching documentaries on the Royal Family & relaxing. I need to go shopping soon but have zero energy today.
I hope that this Saturn’s day is full of sowing the good… Saturn was the Roman god of sowing, or seed & that is for which Saturday is named. Hope that bit of useless info made your day better!
December is named for ‘decem’, the Latin term for TEN • it was the tenth month on the Roman Calendar until Numa Pompilius added January & February. Thus making December incorrectly named along with November (‘novem’ • Latin for NINE); October (‘octo’ • Latin for EIGHT); and September (‘septem’ • Latin for SEVEN).
December holds the Winter Solstice in the Northern Hemisphere, when we are the furthest from the sun. Throughout most of the month we lose about two minutes of sunlight each day until the solstice, the shortest day on the calendar, after which the days begin to lengthen. There are many holidays this month with the biggie’s, Chanukah, Christmas, & Kwanza, ending with New Year’s Eve. Also, there are 29 food & beverage related holidays celebrated this month!
Grab your favourite sweatpants…
Birth Stone(s): Tanzanite, Blue Zircon, & Turquoise. Flower: Narcissus, paper white (means: hope)
December by: Long Shot
Here are the Highlights, in my personal opinion, through the month:
1: National Pie Day (not to be confused with March 14th); Antarctica Day; Bartender Appreciation Day; Rosa Parks Day; Day Without Art
2: Play Outside Day (first Saturday in each month); SKYWARN® Recognition Day; Mutt Day; Special Education Day; International Day of the Abolition of Slavery
3: International Day of Person’s with Disabilities; Roof Over Your Head Day
4: Santa’s List Day; International Cheetah Day; Wildlife Conservation Day; Sock Day; Dice Day; Cookie Day
5: Krampusnacht; National Repeal Day (Prohibition Ends); International Volunteer Day for Economic & Social Development Day; International Ninja Day; Bathtub Party Day
6: Mitten Tree Day; Day of Remembrance & Action on Violence Against Women Day; St. Nicholas Day; National Miner’s Day
7: Nat. Slime Day; Illinois Day; Chanukah begins; Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day
8: Crossword Solver’s Day; Salesperson Appreciation Day; Brownie day; Pretend to Be a Time Traveler Day
9: World Techno Day; Christmas Card Day; Weary Willie Day; International Anti-Corruption Day
10: Nat. Lager Day; Nobel Prize Day; Human Rights Day; Dewey Decimal System Day
11: Nat. Stretching Day; UNICEF Birthday; Nat. App Day; International Mountain Day
12: International Universal Healthcare Day; International Day of Neutrality; Ding-a-Ling Day; Poinsettia Day; Gingerbread House Day
13: Nat. Guard Birthday; Violin Day; Cocoa Day; National Day of the Horse; future Taylor Swift Day
14: Martyred Intellectuals Day; Alabama Day; Monkey Day
15: International Tea Day; Nat. Wear Your Pearls Day; Nat. Ugly Christmas Sweater Day; Cupcake Day; Underdog Day; Cat Herder’s Day; Bill of Rights day
16: National Chocolate Covered Anything Day; Barbie & Barney Backlash Day
17: Maple Syrup Day; Wright Bros. Day
18: World Arabic Language Day; Twin Day; Migrant’s Day; Answer the Telephone Like Buddy the Elf Day
19: Nat. Hard Candy Day; Nat. Oatmeal Muffin Day
20: Go Caroling Day; Sangria Day; Mudd Day; International Human Solidarity Day
21: Nat. Maine Day; Nat. Flashlight Day; Winter Solstice; Anne & Samantha Day; Yule; Phileas Fogg Win a Wager Day; National Homeless Person Remembrance Day; Humbug Day; Crossword Puzzle Day; Nat. Regifting Day
22: Nat. Date Nut Bread Day; Forefather’s Day
23: National Roots Day; Pfeffernusse Day; Festivus!
24: Egg nog Day; Christmas Eve
25: Christmas, NO•EL A’phabet Day
26: Kwanza; Nat. Whiner’s Day; Thank You Note Day; Candy Cane Day; Boxing Day
27: National Fruitcake Day
28: Nat. Short Film Day; Card Playing Day; Chocolate Candy Day; Pledge of Allegiance Day
29: No Interruptions! Day (Last full workday of the year)
30: Bicarbonate of Soda Day; Falling needle Family Fest Day; Bacon Day
31: National Champagne Day; Universal Hour of Peace; New Year’s Eve; Make Up Your Mind Day; Leap Second Time Adjustment Day
What’s the hardest decision you’ve ever had to make? Why?
—Questioner
Women’s Feminist Rights by: Kanig Designs
When I was 20 years old I had an abortion. It was not for health reasons. It was because I had been partying & taking very hard drugs off & on… and the father of the baby said he didn’t want to be a father… & I was young, stupid, with zero idea of what I was doing in life. He paid for the procedure, but couldn’t be with me bc he was in Arizona & I was in Oklahoma at the time.
Even though they counseled me through all the statistics, “Between 40 and 50 per cent of couples break up following abortion,” a number that increases to between 60 & 80 percent when the couple is not married (Abortion and Interpersonal Relationships), I decided to go through with it. [With the increase in Mental Health Awareness, these statistics have gotten better.]
We did break up, months later.
I think about that baby often & sometimes believe that Violet was gifted to me as a, “See, if you would have had a kid, they’d be this old,” reminder … & ”probably messed up bc you were not ready to have a kid at that time”. I don’t regret my decision; I would not have the relationship with Roegn now if I had been a mother for four years before she was born. Of course, we’ll never know.
Published in the New Yorker, 2.Jan.17 by: Tom Chitty
Never did I imagine that I would eventually become a Christian, struggle through my personal beliefs relative to the Bible & a burgeoning Christian World View, & relative to what the Religious Right said the Bible stated about abortion. I could never know that my personal story would help others within the church, and without; or that women’s rights would be taken away & my daughter would be forever forced to decide on which state she lived in relative to her own reproductive freedom. 👉🏻Never could I fathom that a gun would have more rights than my or my daughter’s body.
Now, we will fight. Look out, Patriarchy, we’re coming for you in November 2024… and we may not stop there. I had the option & I took it, because of that right I was able to grow up more & become a mother when I was ready. (Not financially though, mainly bc I’m still a mess in that department!) I know I would not have been as good of a mother when I was younger. When I was twenty I was impetuous, impatient, easy to anger, and had very little life experience to draw upon; four years later, ALL of that had changed dramatically.
It was the most difficult decision I’ve ever experienced, but I am eternally grateful that it was my decision to make. 🗣️Talk Soon, Cecelia ✌🏻🌊☕️
sustain.able.future 