☔️April Showers… are lovely to dance in. Monthly Overview • Celebrate Every Day

The month of April: Name is derived from the Latin word ‘aperit,’ which means “to open.” In the Northern Hemisphere, April is part of the growing season; as the sun warms the earth, plants & blossoms are awakened… leaves & petals “open” bright & new. It’s also believed by some that it was named after the goddess Aphrodite (Aphros). As the second month of the spring season, nostalgically I hear Willy Wonka riffing Shakespeare whilst cycling…

In springtime, the only pretty ring time, 

When birds do sing, hey ding a ding, ding; 

Sweet lovers love the spring. 

Shakespeare, As You Like It

☕️Coffee, 🍃Cannabis, & 💒 Kirk • Easter Sunday • Dr. Bryan Pain • Phil. 2: 5-11

Empty Tomb – Luke 24 • by: E. B. Schmidt

🌸Hello, friends. 🐥Welcome to Easter Sunday. 🐇We have been making our way here for weeks now. To begin, I’m brewing a mix of Starbucks Anniversary Blend and the Blueberry from the Fresh Thyme Market. (My taste buds have changed a bit & the Anniversary is too much for me recently & must be cut with the Blueberry). 🍃I’m enjoying a lovely Blue Guava strain, which is very smoothe; along with Lemon Push Pop, a spicy smoke. 💨 With that, let’s get started!

We are in Philippians 2 today beginning at verse 5:

Happy Easter 🐣 • Happy International Trans Visibility Day 🏳️‍⚧️ • Last day of March 🥁

{pain} 4 – feeling better. My brain has been overrun with info from every facet of my life.

Snatched from Threads

Eggs tearin’ down eggs.

*TRIGGER WARNING* -dark humour

Easter Egg Hunt by: Sheila Lee

Why Seek Ye The Living Among The Dead 1896, Oil on Ivorine by: A Corsi Lalli

No matter how you celebrate • I hope you have a lovely day!

An Easter Greeting from the Early 1900s by: Paul Ward

Saturday, March 30th, 2024 • TDP • #NamedAfterYou

If you could have something named after you, what would it be?

—Questioner

This is interesting, dear Questioner, as I have not been thinking about this at all.

When I was younger my Ma was the manager of a Restaurant, Bar, & Grill attached to a hotel. Once when I was sitting at the bar (I was in elementary school, by the way) the bartender was talking with me. I asked about a “Shirley Temple” & wanted to have a drink named after me. The bartender asked what I would want in it, so we started with soda water & added about five different liquors I randomly pointed to ••• in the end he added grenadine & a cherry.

He said it was strong, but of course I had no clue.

Shirley Temple by: Agnes Javorka

As an adult, if I could have something named after me, I think I’d want something that is helpful to humanity. Not certain I would want it named for me, more so after the cause; hopefully my name would be synonymous with our fight (whether it is democracy, climate change, mental health awareness, etc.).

Wednesday, 27th of March, 2024 • TDP • #PeopleJustDontUnderstand

What’s something most people don’t understand?

—Questioner

Hello, dear Questioner, it has been a minute since you did that thing where you ask a question that I had just been pondering. So, here it is…

Daily News Cycle by: Teresa Burns Parkhurst
Published in the New Yorker, 10.Sept.19

I get that ‘you’ don’t like politics. I understand that it’s difficult to watch the news & that it can very well be damaging to your mental health. I hear you when you say, “Oh, I just stay out of that.” However, there is so very much happening in our cities, states, our country, and our world; this moment in history is singularly excessive & destructive with the advent of social media & the speed at which misinformation is spread.

It is more important than any other time in your history to stay informed, prepare for what happens next, and to understand that you cannot keep your head in the sand.

Now, to be clear, I do not think that you must watch a 24-hour news cycle – that is not what I am suggesting. You do not need to listen to every podcast, read a multitude of articles, and end your evenings with legacy media (please don’t). However, listening to a 30-60m podcast as you get ready for work in the morning, or on your commute, during your lunch, etc., is not asking much. I wish it would not take even that much time, but there’s so very much news happening right now that even a quick pod like The Daily Beans often hits 50m covering the news cycle.

New Yorker November 2nd, 1940 by: Constantin Alajalov

Where you get your news is just as important. I suggest looking into news stories with ground.news where you can see what the right & left publications are saying about the same story. It’s a great way to understand the spin that both sides engage in. Understand where your favourite podcaster is getting their news (they tell you, right?) – it may open your eyes to manipulation of facts.

Indifference by: Mario Sanchez Nevado

Okay, well, if you made it here – thanks! Leave me a comment or a ❤️ … I look forward to your thoughts.

🗣️Talk Soon,
Cecelia ✌🏻🌊💙

Palm Sunday • Depression, Intrusive Thoughts, and Dealing.

{pain} neck & shoulders, left arm, about a 5 – I need to stretch. My right arm still hurts as well – stoopid iron infusion.

Long Goodbyes by: Warren Miller
published in New Yorker on 20.September.1976

Roegn has been resting, getting over her trip, and processing Violet’s immediate & shocking departure. My soul is hurting so much… as I continue to mourn the death of friends & now must mourn a lost relationship with Vi.

Have you ever opened your home to someone, only to have them take advantage in some way, or disappear without a word?

Love loss and letdown by: Jorge Photography

In searching for answers, I am looking inward. What part did I play in this situation? It was an epic failure on my part, for one, which I will discuss further after I process & research a bit.

<<There is a list of things I need to accomplish that has been relatively the same for a week. I was able to get some things done, but few of the big things.>> apologies, simply an intrusive thought.

Goodbye Is The Hardest Word by: Shawna Erback

I am back to, “Get up you silly b—!” • greeaat.

There is this feeling inside that seems to be pulling me down into myself, and into my bed. Have you ever felt that way? It’s becoming more & more difficult to get up & going; I continue to expect myself to just get over it, per usual, but am disappointed.

I Can’t Get Out Of Bed… by: Jane Keeper

I need to type up my Coffee, Cannabis, & Kirk post for today; happy Palm Sunday, to those who celebrate.

Hope this finds you well ••• enjoy your Sunday!
🗣️Talk Soon,
Cecelia✌🏻🌊💙

Got this beauty from my Thriend, Jimmy, on 🧵 @ llamalaw79

☕️Coffee, 🍃Cannabis, & ⛪️Kirk • Prepare the Way: Celebrating Christs’ Victory • John 12:12-19 • Palm Sunday

Welcome, friends, to Palm Sunday 2024 • when we celebrate Christ’s entrance into Jerusalem on the way to fulfill his ultimate purpose at the cross. My energy is flagging, however a lovely sermon awaits! We are a Holy Week away from Easter & find ourselves rounding third coming into home… (spring training has come). This morning I am (unfortunately) smoking the dregs of our Lava Cake & Blue Guava. My coffee, a bold mix of the Signature Blend from Fresh Thyme Market & their Blueberry beans, makes up for it..
We’re in John 12 today –

The next day the. large crowd that had come to the feast heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem. So they took branches of palm trees and went out to meet. him, crying out, “Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord, even the King of Israel!”
“Fear not, daughter of Zion;
behold, your king is coming,
sitting on a donkey’s colt!”
His disciples did not understand these things at first, but when Jesus was glorified, then they remembered that these things had been written about him and had been done to him. The crowd that had been with him when he called Lazarus out of the tomb and raised him from the dead continued to bear witness. The reason why the crowd went to meet him was that they heard he had done this sign. So the Pharisees. said to one another, “You see that you are gaining nothing. Look, the world has gone after him.”

John 12:12-19 (ESV)

24.March.24 Dr. Bryan Pain • Sermon begins at 18:19

Fri•high•day • my heart hurts a little.

{pain} my back & neck are at a 6… my heart is about a 13.
{sleep} my Apple sleep has not been working since the last update… anyone else??? 😠

Why is my coffee cup always empty? I know I asked that just yesterday, or the day before… but damn if it isn’t a struggle.

I can add to my coffee issue with a need for more cannabis… I need to go shopping.

(Empty coffee cup by: Tom Gowanlock)

Roegn will be home later tonight; I am very excited, I have missed her – as you know. I continue to edit over 500 pictures and many videos from their trip to Colorado• I will get the stories to accompany them over the weekend. We will also discuss the other thing that happened; that thing that hurt my heart…

Girl’s Trip Update: From Colorado, With Love. • Energy’s return?

{pain} I’m down to a 3.5 in my left arm – but my right (please recall the wonky iron infusion) it is hurting something fierce. Sometimes I cannot lift my coffee cup, which is frightening. We are out of water (5 gallon jugs) & Violet is coming home after work today to help me out. I have had more energy today, which is nice.

Hopefully Roegn won’t mind when I share that our first conversation after she left for Colorado began with her saying, “I have discovered that I don’t like being three states away from you.” Luckily, she’s having a lovely time – working through the anxiety is something that is needed & healthy.

I have always admired the Colorado sky.

Faith & Roegn

How much do we love public transport?

Welcome to the Aquarium

Roe was transfixed by the Jellyfish

Lep•Rock•aun

Rock on rock.

🐡Welcome to the Denver Aquarium! Faith has a love of Aquarium’s so it became their first stop in Denver. Enjoying all the beauty including touching stingrays, it looks like they had a great time.

They discovered a love of the Rock (in the Aquarium) that I find a bit odd, but it offered cute merch.

Family Picture!

Moon Jellies!

This guy reminds me of the police.

#LifeGoals

Looks like they had a great time at the Aquarium

The Uncle they’re staying with is ‘pretty awesome’, per Roe. There was a blanket declaration from the beginning: “This is a tRump-free house.” They have had good conversations & he & his wife have offered them a lovely home to stay in.

They have hit a vintage store that makes my soul grieve to miss and a museum so far today. I look forward to sharing more.

🗣️Talk Soon,
Cecelia✌🏻🌊💙

Travelin’ Tuesday • Get up & go, you silly b—! • ‘Odd Voice Mail’s that Cause Anxiety to Skyrocket’ for $100, please.

{pain} body is a 4 • right ear is a 7 & has been for a few days. Trigeminal Neuralgia makes it difficult to know when or if I have an ear infection, which I am more & more prone to in my old age.

Deep by: Mario Sanchez Nevado

I received a voicemail from a lovely lady in Kingman, Kansas, via my daughter’s phone, explaining that the phone was left at a gas station. (I was taking a nap, don’t judge). Later I received a text from Roe to let me know they arrived at their destination in Colorado. I ended up calling her this morning to check, woke her up 😖, & found out she left her phone in the bathroom – but did go back to get it.

None of that stopped my anxiety from peaking until I heard her voice & I will not apologize for that.

Get Up Dress Up Show Up… by: Studio Grafikka

I spent my morning telling myself to ‘get up & go, you silly b—!’ …as I took my sweet time. Now, many hours later, I am bathed, dressed, fed & caffeinated… ready to go! It is my ‘traveling Tuesday’ & I have a list of things that must be accomplished; we will see how the day ends.

🗣️Talk Soon,
Cecelia✌🏻🌊💙

Marching on… a Monday • Quick Vacation, but not for me • Damn I’m tired.

{pain} 4 • I need to get up & stretch! Desperately need to get back into a good routine. (Do you have a morning routine?)

👉🏻Why is my coffee cup always empty?

I begin to write today’s post & my cup is empty; pardon for a moment as I brew another. (Yes, I know I could leave that out & you would never know! But where’s the fun in that?)

Coffee Cup, Almost Empty, From Above by: Meera Lee Sethi

Roegn left this morning with Faith for a week vacation in Colorado. I’m jealous, I don’t mind saying… I could use a vacation! I wanted to talk with Faith about many things, not only about the trip but about my reasons behind not wanting them to go to Louisiana, among other things before they left. However, for whatever reason (I could guess), Faith chose to wait until this morning to offer the opportunity to talk.

I wanted to know where they were going, not surprising in my opinion. Faith’s main point? That Roe is 19 & an adult.

Adulting would not recommend by: Norman W

So, here’s where I must step in & say -no. My daughter is quite self-aware & mature in many ways! However, she is also naive & oblivious in many ways as a result of how I raised her; I don’t mind saying that I protected her more than I ever was at any age. Roe’s best friend died in a car accident when they were 16 years old and as a result of that trauma I have allowed Roe to take her time with things like school (I had her redo the 2020-2021 school year as well) & getting her license. My daughter has yet to graduate high school as a result has been allowed to grieve and move through the trauma of losing her friend.

[~A different approach to the situation can be seen in Jaime’s twin sister – who graduated as quickly as possible, got a good job at a bank, and now finds herself pregnant (at 18), living happily with her boyfriend.~]

Driving Into A Tunnel On A Clear Day In Denver, Colorado
by: Cavan Images

All of that said, it is obvious that my daughter is not an adult; she has zero interest in being one, as well. I have allowed her to stretch her wings several times, all of those times were also curated with the most safety possible. Faith is more of a “throw them in the fire” type, I think, which I can appreciate to a point. I was raised by being thrown in many fires, lakes, empty houses, etc. I raised myself, as many GenXer’s did and as a result I tend to over-protect my child. Also because I am aware that I have this tendency, I actively attempt to keep it in mind.

That’s why I let her go on the trip. I simply wanted to discuss it, in person, with Faith & Roe… something which did not happen to my liking, but did happen nonetheless.

Automat by: Edward Hopper

Violet left last night to hang out with friends & she did not come home… she is of course, 21 years old & and “adult” (more like ‘adult-in-training’). However, she knew Roe was leaving this morning & didn’t even say goodbye! 😔 I fear this will lead to something ugly… but I digress. The point? I find myself very much alone! I have several lists of things needing done & will begin here in the home (as I usually hide on Mondays).

With that, I hope that your day is lovely & that you find a way to be kind on purpose.

🗣️Talk Soon,
Cecelia✌🏻🌊💙

🐈‍⬛ Caturday • 16th of March • Catsup 🥫 Day & the Greatest Comeback Story Never Told

{pain} ugh… the last month is catching up to my body, so I’m at about a 6 • mainly in my neck, shoulders & arms. My right arm, the one in which the iron infusion went wonky, hurts like a motherf—. {sleep} my sleep app has not worked since the last watch update. (Hey, Apple pay attention!)

Lady Diana enjoying Caturday

☝🏻Beginning with Caturday, please post your pictures of your kitties & your doggos – we love to see them!

Source: Jeff Creation

✌🏻Catching up? • Roegn is headed to Colorado on Monday with her friend, Faith. I have yet to be able to speak with Faith about the trip; originally it was to Louisiana, but I squashed that.

Here’s my perspective: You (Faith • late 20s, Black), want to take my daughter, (just 19 years old, not graduated high school, having zero experience in life & kinda oblivious sometimes), down through gun-toting Missouri, crazy-arse, child labor loving, Arkansas, only to vacation in f^cking Louisiana?
➡️ A place you can drive whilst drinking alcohol as long as you’re under the limit?
➡️ Where there’s more accidents due to drunk driving as a result?
➡️ Three RED states that absolutely despise people like my child???

And with all that, you (Faith), never offered me the respect of asking my permission for this trip, or even discussing it with me at all!

That will be some of our discussion tomorrow.

Source: Celestial Images

🤟🏻 I finally watched the State of the Union & I highly recommend taking the time to watch it (if you have yet to do so).

Our President, Joe Biden, is not too old. He is articulate, humorous, clever, kind, and he actually cares about you.

Biden has a great plan for our country. He wants to reduce the burdens of student debt that many live under, expand education for everyone, build up the middle class, expand unions, and finally give public school teachers a raise! Biden wants the wealthy to pay their far share, protect Social Security & the retirement age, & stop corporations from increasing their profits through “shrinkflation” and other slimy practices like junk fees & cutting credit card fees from $30something down to $8 among other changes. Biden is taking on the NRA • finally.

I’ll stop there, even though there’s more! In speaking with people on our last trip, I noticed they were discussing news from months ago – nothing recent. The news cycle moves pretty fast & it’s more important than ever to stay up to date with everything that is going on in our country. With that, I will leave you be.

🗣️Talk Soon,
Cecelia ✌🏻🌊💙

Post Script: One of the most amazing feats in history may be Repugnants elevating Joe freakin’ Biden as a leader for Women’s Rights & LGBTQIA+ rights… this white, 81-year old, catholic, capitalist, straight man.

…stranger things, yeah?

Thursday, 14th of March • Pi Day • TDP

What activities do you lose yourself in?

—Questioner

Ohhh, dear Questioner, I lose myself in writing quite often. Those times that my daughter hears the ‘tap tap tapping’ on the computer keys turn into ‘angry typing’ as she calls it… yeah, that means I’m really “in it”.

☝🏻I can certainly lose myself in writing.

A Girl Writing. The Pet Goldfinch by: Henriette Browne
https://fineartamerica.com/profiles/augusta-stylianou

✌🏻Art, any type of art – to include crafts. I can lose much time.

The Lacemaker by: Jan Vermeer
https://fineartamerica.com/art/jan+vermeer

☝🏻+🤘🏻A really good book. Time flies in other worlds.

The Introvert by: Cynthia Decker
https://fineartamerica.com/profiles/cynthia-decker

👉🏻With that I wish you a very happy Pi Day! Go do some math… er… something.

🗣️Talk Soon,
Cecelia ✌🏻🌊💙

Woden’s Day with a Cheshire Moon

HEELLLOOOO MY FRIENDS!!! {pain} 5 – first day following the trip to swMo. {sleep} I don’t know, my watch has been wonky since the last update.

Young Mother #5 by: Giovanni Giacometti

Have you ever woken up & felt like a whole bunch of crazy is about to fall upon you? Yesterday we were told that another of my daughter’s school friends is pregnant; she is 18 years old. I am unsure of my feelings at this point; she & her family are excited, so we will be excited.

The Bride Unfinished by: Gustav Klimt

Today is the first recovery day post road trip… speaking of, Roegn was sick on the way home. The bag I gave her to get sick in had a hole in it! So, I gave her the only other bag, a large paper bag from a grocery store. Well, she vomited a lot & it just bled through quite quickly & when she attempted to throw it outside, it was caught on the door lock – ew. (Below you can see the window) We stopped at a truck stop where I got paper towels & a bottle of cleaner for $15 • sheesh.

Roegn with her bowl, for safety.

Roegn went in after me & asked for trash bags. The woman at the register said, “You’re the kid who threw up in the back of the truck, right?” Yep! She was very kind & gave her several trash bags for free (which was great since the tiny box for sale was over $10\).

I thought she had completely emptied her stomach, but no. As soon as I began to move the truck, the bowl was utilized. Then we got to the dry heaving & I’ll just say…

It was a long trip home.

Source: kenoir323 on threads.
Are you better off than four years ago?

I need to catch up on my posts – I missed the monthly list of holidays & celebrations; I missed last Sunday’s Coffee, Cannabis, & Kirk; and I desperately need to set up my Cafe Counseling page. Believe me when I say, the iron infusion is clearing my brain fog (thankfully) & my energy level has increased.

Let me say, Spring has Sprung in southwest Missouri, and it’s not far away here in eastern Illinois. As we drove through Missouri my asthma decided to vehemently disagree with our location. Usually it is Roe who is allergic to Missouri, and I suppose she got her own to deal with, as previously discussed. Since I had been struggling already (going five days without my main asthma medication) my breathing was not great.

A Dandelion Pokes Into A Door by: Harry Bliss

And the snot… ohhhhh the snot.

I am so freakin’ sick of snot & we are just getting started in the first season of snot of the year.

On that note, I sincerely hope you’re not suffering as we have been!
🗣️Talk Soon,
Cecelia✌🏻🌊💙

Decongestant by: CSA Images

Travel Update: Pierce City, Missouri

{pain} 6 • I stretched, I swear. {sleep} 6h or so.

We drove several hours yesterday across Illinois & Missouri; for some reason, my lungs have rebelled, again.

Post Script:

We were so very busy in Missouri that I was unable to update you in ‘real time’. However, I will be posting about our trip in the next couple days.

🗣️Talk Soon,
Cecelia✌🏻🌊💙

Recovery Day • Catsup Day 🥫 • Busy Day

{pain} 5 • {sleep} no clue. Something is wrong with my sleep data following my last watch update.

Tempus Fugit by: Mario Sanchez-Nevado

We were supposed to leave for southwest Missouri today, but my body revolted. We also are not packed, at all. 🙄 Violet has decided to remain at home, considering everything that has been happening with her family. That, fortunately, solved our issue of Lady Diana • though she will be angry that I didn’t take her with us.

Daydream 16 by: Kimberly Santini

Laundry.

The struggle is real.

My mind wanders… strays to days past.

All Of Us Alice by: Nataliorion

Boots with Daisy Flowers #2 by Nailia Schwarz reminds me of my friend Mendy, whom recently suffered the loss of her father & husband. We both had Doc Martins that resembled this & she loved (probably still loves) daisies.

I need to get up & get back to work, though I am intentionally taking many breaks • I certainly do not want to hurt myself more.

With that, I will get back to work. Hope you’re having a lovely day! Nearly Friday, friends!

🗣️Talk Soon,
Cecelia ✌🏻🌊💙

My heart hurts… so much.

{pain} 5 – my body is just about used to the kids again, and we are taking them to their grandparents house (bc we must go out of town). {sleep} not certain why, but it didn’t show up on my sleep data.

On Our Way by: Ryan Weddle

We are about to go to southwest Missouri to visit with friends and family at the celebration of Justin Nash’s life. Unfortunately, we will also be talking about another friend from high school who lost the battle to ghosts & daemons, dying a couple days ago. Carey Walker was someone in our circle of friends, he was also in drama with us for a year, and was in band… and he was a very cute skater punk boy. I don’t know what happened yet, but I’m sure I will hear something in the coming days. We plan on leaving tomorrow, the Memorial for Justin is on Saturday.