Well. Who else is hanging on by their toenails?

I had everything under control (read: gifts, orders, eggnog, cranberry nut bread, decorating, tree, outfits, post office!) until a few days ago when mid-way through a party I basically sagged. Turned out I was coming down with a glandy sore throaty thing. Later that night having left before the dessert churros and feeling sorry for myself I flushed my reading glasses down the toilet. Yup. I watched in slo-mo: drop-splash-flush and in a SPLIT second they were gone. Cue the plumber that has not called back. Cue a weekend of marginal holiday movies, hot water and lemon and my broken second backup pair.

Then cue another round of horrific gun violence around the world. And earth shaking weather. And anger that is running deep in the veins of America. Suddenly this makes all the above superfluous. If I can summarize anything about 2025 it is this; what once was irritating is positively forgettable in the wake of political decisions and repercussions, violence and hunger.

I pray every day that guns do not find the people that I love. I pray that I can keep priorities in order and may I note they are not the ones from 2024: now I worry about my neighbors going hungry. About my children and their children feeling safe. About having enough years to make a difference. These are no longer wishes. They are fierce intentions.

Marbleheadfoodpartry.org

donate.wck.org

https://www.redcross.org

Suicide Prevention Hotline

Seattle housing

This is a tiny portion of places that need urgent support in my two home towns. Spread the word. Love your neighbor more than you ever have before. Say hi to every stranger you pass, who knows, that gesture may save someone that day. Because we are all hanging on.

Practice human-to-human time in real time, hard. It is the little things that make the big changes.

I obviously have to buy more bird food this week, because, well, the squirrels have figured out how to jump the bird buddy feeder and I will not deny need. And if you have any good movie suggestions, let me know.

Love you all. Really.

A.