Although my sister and I were raised Catholic, my mother had a loose interpretation of her role in our religious upbringing. I have a vague memory of being confirmed around age 13 but a vivid recollection of my mom’s reaction.
Once that box was checked, we could decide for ourselves how to proceed along our spiritual path. Her job was done. With no further ado, I opted out of all religious activity and never looked back.
All that to say I was surprised by my reaction to the new pope. I’m a little weepy with joy. Normally, I would not give a hoot one way or the other, but this guy arrives at a time when a compassionate American voice with over a billion followers is much needed and more than welcome.
Someone whose spiritual beliefs run deeper than mine said it was like God said whoa, these people need some help. While I’m still suspicious about all things religious, it does give me hope to believe that not everyone in the public eye is full of hate and retribution.
Make America nice again!
In other news, Dale and I have both been nursing creaky body parts. Knees, back – you name it. I attribute it all to stress. We’re both fiery balls of anger these days, and it’s not a good thing. We thought a punching bag might be useful, I mean, a real one not just each other. But I figured that would lead to more injuries. Maybe a rage room?
I’ve been working hard to lighten up. Balance civic responsibility with simple pleasures. Forgive, forget. All that. And it helps! Dale, ever the stoic Mainer, refused to say he’s doing anything different, but I drop little positivity bombs on him when he’s not looking, and I think they help him, too. We’re just not meant to be this mad all the time.
We’re talking about more local travel. Trying restaurants again. Maybe we’ll get lucky. I quickly realized my golf attire is probably not suitable for going out. Which means I went shopping. I haven’t worn jeans in years, mostly because I love all the stretchy stuff from Atheta. But I actually went into real stores and discovered denim has come a long way.
I guess skinny jeans are still there, but the choices are much improved. One current look I love is the loose-fitting wide-legged jean. I bought one high-end pair at Nordstrom and one inexpensive pair at Kohl’s. They are both lightweight and will be great for summer. And I bought new t-shirts to go with. If and when we venture out again, I will be ready!
Since I’m such an insecure shopper, I had to text my young stylish friend and get her opinion. If you can get past my filthy bathroom mirror, you will see these are the Paige jeans from Nordstrom. I couldn’t get the full-length view, but they are quite flared and slightly cropped. My adviser approved! I had buyer’s remorse that night, but I’m keeping them.
It has been so long since I did any serious shopping in a store, but it does make a difference to actually see the clothes and try them on. I loved the selection of jeans for normal people. Shorts were in short supply, so I went for flowy pants.
Maybe this is all part of my turning-70-this-year phase, but I want to look a little better when I’m out and about. I was at the library in my workout gear and a hat because my hair looked so bad, and there was this older woman in nice jeans with her hair all groomed, and I thought, OK, I can do better.
Next stop is the hair. I’ve been growing out the bob, and the question is whether I go back to it or keep going so I can wear it up. I did love it when my hair was longer and I could always count on a quick updo when I needed to go somewhere. The bob was cute and suited my hair type, but it requires a daily blow-dry, and you know, I’m retired. No time for that!
Finally, I finally finished Number 43, which took a year. What with the election and all. It’s not my best work, but I like it nonetheless. The duck is a tribute to my favorite golf course duck that died last year.
I experimented with an engraver (the two globes on the right) and didn’t like it much. I might try again with different wood.
I know I am a nicer person now than the old working days, and I think I already started out as a nice person. Maybe the correct word is “kind”. I do try to be very kind to most everybody.
But I am mad everyday. I go to bed thinking the next day I will try to not be outraged and then there is the first thing in the morning news tidbit that enrages me. This morning it was the NYTimes article that the head of the Library of Congress has been fired for being too much diversity. She is a black woman. She was accused of filling children’s heads by giving out books encouraging being trans. Much cheering of the administration. Note to the morons: Library of Congress is not a lending library.
Number 43 is fantastic as always. The duck as centerpiece is wonderful; so much character. Keep at it!
It’s all so shocking, and all the more so because it doesn’t seem like anyone can or will stop him. So, yes, I am mad every day as well. I agree kind is probably a better word than nice.
Thanks for the feedback on 43. I wasn’t crazy about it, but I do love that duck.
It’s interesting how your upbringing shaped your views on religion, yet the new pope still managed to evoke such a strong emotional response. It’s refreshing to see someone acknowledge the need for compassion in today’s world, even if they’re skeptical of organized religion. Your take on balancing civic responsibility with personal well-being is relatable—it’s easy to get caught up in anger and stress, but finding small joys can make a big difference. The idea of a rage room sounds both hilarious and therapeutic—have you tried it yet? Also, I’m curious, what made you decide to step away from stretchy clothes and go back to jeans? Was it just for variety, or did you feel like it was time for a change? Your mix of humor and honesty makes this such a fun read—keep it up!
We joke about the rage room, but I wouldn’t know what to do in there, anyway. I don’t like to scream. I don’t want to punch anything for fear of hurting myself. I’ll have to give this serious thought. Some sort of release is clearly in order.
My stretchy clothes look stylish in the cooler months — I can add layers to dress them up. But it gets hot here, and I can’t quite put an outfit together with the same pieces. The new jeans are light and flowy. That’s pretty much why I made the change. I wa surprised to find so many styles I actually liked. I have one pair of skinny jeans left, and they may get donated.
Thanks for visiting!
I am not a religious person, either, but the choice of Pope Leo lifted my spirits. Anyone who chastises Vance is my kind of guy. We’ll see how it goes.
I have bought two pair of proper jeans, too, after years of stretchy pull-ons.
I like the duck’s attitude…bit of a stink eye going on.
Dale saw something by one of the late night comics regarding JD Vance visiting Pope Francis, who then lost his will to live. We need to keep JD away from this one!
That duck was so cool in real life. When we had events at the golf course, he’d come out front and get on the top of cars.
Hooray for completing #43; I love the duck! I am not Catholic, but I was so happy to watch the historic moment and listen to the words of the first American pope. He seems to have energized some hopefulness in such dark times, and anyone that will chastise JD Pants gives me some hope. You must have felt some hope in discovering some new jeans during your shopping expedition. I usually come away feeling more depressed because I am unable to find anything that fits, or that I like.
Clothes shopping usually leaves me depressed as well, but I was so happy skinny jeans aren’t the star of the show anymore.
Agree with you on JD. There is hope!
Chuckled at keeping JD away from the new pope. I can’t really get jazzed about a new pope, but I do hope he carries on and expands the social justice actions of Francis.
#43 is a winner. The duck is fantastic! A punching bag is really quite fun and a great way to get some rage out while working those arms. A twofer! I really wish I had one. Oh, and I’m 3/4 of the way through Jar City, after seeing reading that you really liked it. I love a series. And I noticed there’s a new season of Mountain Detective arriving sometime soon. That is reason to be happy.
I’m nursing a sore shoulder, so the punching bag will have to wait. Tempting, though …
Jar City was great, and I like his books even more as I go along. I’ve read three of them now. I do love a new series as well. I just started Maisie Dobbs and so far, so good. Thanks for the heads up on Mountain Detective. Yes, a reason to be happy!
My “punching bag” is the F word & walking. It sounds like a bunch of ducks around here sometimes – fu*&, fu*&, fu*&!!
The F word is quite helpful.
Yes, I had a similar – and most unexpected – reaction to the new Pope as well. Indeed, I may’ve felt a tad weepy. Still on that front, my emotions are all over the place. Anger and impatience are featuring more frequently that before, and I don’t like it. I’ve no desire to be some form of dumb people pleaser, but I’m convinced the regular raging is playing havoc with my physical health too. And, let’s face it, my body is in too bad a shape to be adding on more challenges at my time of life. Is it the state of the world, is it the lack of anti-depressants damping down the extreme ends of my emotions, is it menopause fully settling in – honestly, my life feels more questions than answer at the moment, and it is most discombobulating.
That said, no 43 and the cute duck is a pleasure to view. And we all need more pleasure 🙂
All of what you said. That’s it in a nutshell. The raging is not good for us, but then what’s the alternative? Bottling it all up inside?