Sigh. I don’t know. You want to look at some owls for a bit? Owl faces in order, or maybe the 100 greatest owl pictures you’ll ever see? Or maybe just Mr. Bean.
I’ve been avoiding the internet in general (social media in particular), choosing instead to spend my time off the computer and out in the garden. Pulling weeds, clearing beds, you can see the difference you’re making. There’s no name-calling, no Drumpf, Shillary, or Bernie Bros. No Stanford apologists or bathroom boycotts. No 4-4 courts, no gun deaths, and no making it about all lives.
Every fourth year, the rhetoric escalates. Every fourth year, it becomes unbearable as the stakes have never been higher (which is what we said four years ago, and four years before that). And it does feel like the stakes have never been higher, but for just a little while, I need to check out. I worry about each of my children, but the other night I wept for a daughter that will feel as unsafe in parking garages as I do. Another girl who will grow up to carry her car keys between her fingers.
My biggest comfort right now is in knowing that the fact that we talk about these problems means that we have the will to end them, but the distance from here to there is so far.
Onward, to lighter things (comparatively).
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The Brooklyn Bridge is a marvel, built in the late 1800s when one in four bridges failed. How was it made?
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Sometimes, the ugly duckling doesn’t grow up to be a swan. “What if you just stay a duck?”
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Successfully negotiating for $15,000 more than the initial offer.
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Why ‘her’? (Pronouns matter.)
Comments
15 responses to “Honor Roll”
Take heart — it’ll all be over in five more months! I think this is the longest election season ever.
And thank you for the links; as the mother of a daughter myself, I particular enjoyed the meditation on ugliness, and the pronouns of programmers. Also, my solution to the parking garage problem is karate lessons.
:D Karate is useful in any situation!
I resonate with the 4 year cycle rhetoric with no resolution of a safer place for all our children. Thanks for the links…I especially like the article about the ugly duckling.
Good point. And now imagine what it feels liking living in Europe, on a continent who’ll loose its own identity and whose children will be strangers in their own home countries.
US citizen here, but the situation in Europe has me desperately sad.
If I understand what you’re referring to, your fear is that Europe will lose its identity because of immigrants? If that’s the case, I think you might have misinterpreted Nicole’s opinions.
I don’t think so.
Based on past posts that hinted at Nicole’s political leanings, I can all but guarantee she wasn’t talking about immigrants. She doesn’t seem prone to reacting with fear, hatred, and small-mindedness.
I wasn’t referring to Nicole’s political views at all. That’s your interpretation of my comment…or blame it on my translation. Whatever.
Here’s what Nicole wrote: “I worry about each of my children, but the other night I wept for a daughter that will feel as unsafe in parking garages as I do. Another girl who will grow up to carry her car keys between her fingers.
My biggest comfort right now is in knowing that the fact that we talk about these problems means that we have the will to end them, but the distance from here to there is so far.”
Well, I guess it’s not my fault if you people have now idea what everyday life in Europe feels like right now, on a continent that’s no longer our own and where you constantly worry whether we or our children will be safe etc. Why do you think the expression “rapefugees” has been coined?
I was not referring to immigrants or the refugee crisis. I do not share the same views as Tanja.
I am European. I live in Europe. Please do not believe for one moment that Tanja’s comments represent our feelings in general or actually describe the situation.
I’ve been a reader a LONG time. Enjoy your blog for many different reasons but this is my first time commenting. This is one of the best posts you’ve ever made imho. Your initial comments and all the shares from the internet. Really enjoyed, intrigued, impressed with all. I’m a designer by trade but not a mom so while we have some things in common, others not so much – but all of this resonated with me. Thanks for writing it and keep on keeping on.
Absolutely understand the need to take a step back. There is such a barrage of news and information at all times, and so much of it is so /hateful/. Take time when you need it, it’s healthy and I’m sure your readers understand.
Hi Nicole – as a mum of three girls, I too find it hard to grapple with the fear that I can never protect them completely from the risk of sexual assault, abusive relationships or any other form of malevolence no matter what opportunities or love we provide in our home. As an Australian, I’m familiar with the Robert Hoge story and it is compelling (and inspirational – he apparently doesn’t find this term offensive). Love the Mr Bean gif – my kids love him as well – the ultimate revenge of the nerd:)
Love this post Nicole well said. Thanks as always for the links as well!