That's Who We Are!

Well, I've put this off as long as I can, knowing that I don't have the words to adequately express how I feel and it's likely to become more of a rant! I don't even remember what happened before November 5, but everything pales in significance to the election results. Disappointment doesn't even come close, as the daily bombardment of chaos, divisiveness, and hate-spew has already started. It's also clear that he is surrounding himself with yes-men, men unqualified for the jobs and thoroughly capable of such heinous actions as separating children from their parents because they've already done it once! Men who are capable and desirous of "de-constructing" our government. My fear is that once they rig things for four years (as they have already done by gerrymandering), we will never be able to win an election again...or may never even be given the opportunity! It's probably going to be shock and aw right off the bat, so we may as well use the coming month to prepare ourselves.

Those are the major things to be concerned about. The morning after the election, I took Rosie to Lowcountry Presbyterian Church for our morning walk. I really did not want to run into my neighbors for fear of saying something I'd regret (which I still managed to do a few days later!) or burst into tears. Overnight, I felt like a stranger in a strange land, knowing that most of them voted for trump and therefore support his actions, past, present, and future. It was the unavoidable realization that our values are starkly opposed at the core of our being. I have never viewed people as I do now, and I can attribute that to one man and those who follow him. The first time he won, not even he expected to win. That could be considered a mistake. This time around, he was elected with full knowledge of his lack of moral character, his hate-filled, racist, and divisive language, his trying to instigate a coup, and his overall lack of qualifications. The fact that he defeated a well-qualified, experienced female clearly shows where women stand in our society - to say nothing of Black women! It was a real eye-opener, and not in a good way! It makes me extremely sad for the turn this country has taken, and an awareness that I may not live long enough to see it return to a more positive direction! I believe that living and traveling abroad has shown me how much we have to be thankful for, and that many people here don't realize what they are jeopardizing. I hope they wise up before it's too late. In the meantime, we may as well prepare ourselves for a 24/7 bombardment of chaos, corruption, and actions that we feel are morally abhorrent.  At least, by refusing to sign the ethics agreement, he's making no pretense of anything else! My Facebook statement follows:

God help us!

My only consolation is that I did not vote for evil.

• My new Facebook photo, which is likely to be there for 4 years, unless I find something better!
• My Rosie walking attire for the week following the election!
• Friendsgiving dinner with WD (at the end of the table) and Norma (across from me).
• Tippy and me at our favorite haunt.

I and most of my friends have not felt social unless it is to get together to commiserate. Neighbors Norma and WD invited me to join them for a Friendsgiving dinner at the clubhouse. It caught me off guard with no handy excuse, even though I did not feel the least bit like attending. It was a Thanksgiving meal and I don't even eat meat, but Rosie got a nice surprise!  It turned out to be okay and I appreciated them thinking of me. Tippy and I met up for a good natter and pep talk, which I always enjoy. We were being our usual selves and were told, "You ladies are so cute!"  Maria and Mark invited me for Thanksgiving before I had decided whether or not I was going to even celebrate it! I was caught off guard again!! I also joined three neighborhood ladies for Mexican food. We talked politics, but we must have broadened the conversation to include a few laughs. As we were getting up to leave, a lady approached us from another table and said, "I have a wonderful group over here that I love being with, but if anything happens to them, I want to join your group!" We all had a big laugh and assured her she would be welcome. It made my day - just a little "glimmer" of joy!

Now I just have to decide what I'm doing about Christmas. With the house on the market, I really don't feel like doing much, nor do I know whether or not I'll feel social by then. I may just put a few decorative items in the house so that if anyone does want to view it over the holidays (unlikely), it won't look like the Grinch lives here (though I have days of feeling like the Grinch!)!

As luck would have it, I spoke with both Pamela, the Sales Manager at Clinton Presbyterian Community, and Mary, my realtor, today. I was saddened to learn that Pamela has recently been diagnosed with breast cancer and is unsure of her work schedule for the coming year. It sounds like a strenuous year of treatment, but she is positive and hopeful. She is connecting me with Mike from the main office with whom I've spoken before, as well as Tameka, who is the administrator of the community. I asked about the progress on my house, and she said it was basically the same as the photos she had sent weeks earlier.  She felt that with the holidays, they would not likely get back to it until after the new year, which is good news for me as it gives me more time to sell my house. They have been very understanding, for which I thanked her, but told her I was still worried about selling the house. She told me "not to stress" and that it would all work out! I am very appreciative of their understanding, and I hope the timing works out - sooner rather than later!

Well, folks, I hope this makes sense in this senseless time. I wish I had better news to report and more hope for the future, but I feel it will be various degrees of chaos and hatefulness. I would be happy to be proven wrong! Take care, my friends.💖