What a wonderful writing today... Everything that you listed as profound frustrations visit me fairly often... The easiest and probably the simplest reaction of myself would be to say "I can't do anything about all of this it's just too widespread ..my gifts just won't go very far." Those feelings happen throughout life for many reasons and I learned a long time ago from The Sermon on the Mount that there was something to remember .. The disciples were always trying to tell Jesus where he should go and whom he should minister to... They also thought it was quite comical for him to hold out a few fishes and a few loaves of bread and offer them as a food for the thousands of people... But it happened... people were fed... And there even were left overs... We should never get to the place where we think we just don't have enough fish and bread to make a difference when all we need is a blessing.. faith ...and a smile....
This is all right on the mark, Barry, but two parts speak to me the most: First our age-old tendency to want to tell others what they should or shouldn't be doing. Even Jesus, for goodness sake! Second, that we just guard against thinking our offerings don't matter. Though we may not see the outcomes, there's always room for us to try! Thank you, thank you!
I love Barry's comment, too, Stew, and yours as well. Thank you. I encountered Les and Betty a long time ago, but I've never forgotten them. And I'm sure they had no idea the difference they made. 🥰
A great line, Elizabeth, pulling all the stories together: "Somebody’s always scrubbing the wrong lid, wearing the wrong jeans, fighting silent toilet paper wars, electing people who promise more than they deliver. And yet, amid the swirl of daily personal mishaps and colossal political betrayals, I keep finding reasons to be hopeful." The toilet paper roll is so funny. I never knew it mattered -- until it did. And then somewhere along the way it became unclear what was what. I guess we got so used to it never being "right." That you and someone continued to flip it is truly funny.
Beautiful piece, Elizabeth. I agree with Rona. But I have an important question for you about TP.
Over or under? Answer carefully, because your answer will be the determining factor in the future of our friendship. Me? Need to be right? Never. I love the jeans story. Poor husband. xo
The jeans story is deeply engrained in our family lore and has been retold at many a gathering. The toilet paper question, though, is going to remain a secret. Only those curious enough to visit me will know! 🤪 Thanks for your kind words. Truly appreciated.
Things aren't what they seem. AND they turn on a dime. Between those 2 truths, how can we really know anything? (I know some things.) And there is hope in that. In the indomitable parts beneath and around the (apparently) obvious ones. x
I know some things, too, Wendy. But the longer I live, the less I know for certain. Thanks for reading and commenting. I am so buoyed by the support of you and others here.
Your story about the jeans was such a "visual" for me! I think the Universe has a terrific sense of humor, gently "needling" us. I remember watching a college boyfriend's mother bludgeoning her false eyelashes, thinking them to be a large spider! The debate about the toilet paper has endured decades of discussion. My friend was absolutely rigid in her opinion until her puppy grabbed the end and tore through her small house, completely unraveling the roll. To this day, it is still his greatest desire... sneaking in unawares and gleefully racing,toilet paper streaming,triumphant again!
The eyelash bludgeoning! OMG! 🕷️ Those of us who are able to let go of what's maddening long enough to laugh at what's funny are, I think, practicing self-care.
The dog racing off with the toilet paper is a delightful thing to picture, and I also don't understand why it would matter which way the toilet paper came off the roll. Seems either direction would be equally vulnerable once the pup figured it out.
The jeans🤣 I often feel I am too observant so I get baffled by a person who could wear the wrong jeans for a day. There is a certain bliss in that unawareness.
I love this important message that we are the juice that humanity needs and it’s not about the power and money, also things are rarely as they seem. ❤️
Oh! May I join you on the "too observant" bench? My husband would like to have a word with both of us! Love the term juice to describe our potential for bringing a restorative energy to the world around us.
You offered quite an array here, my worthy friend. I may never see Jim again without thinking of your jeans, so...do let him know.
I have had to, chosen to, let the politics and the frustration thereof, (that's not a powerful enough word, of course)...go, for now. There is too much injustice. The humor and the hope, much more important. Thank you. ~J
Heh! He's up to the task of defending himself, I do believe.
I think it's less about letting go and more about regaining balance. Any recipe with too much of one seasoning lacks the nuance needed to make it sing.
I discovered just this week that my favourite spring time jeans (cream, highwaited, very cute with everything pastel) no longer fit. My hips have spread and I'm carrying extra weight from a year being weighed down by stress and worry. It was hard, harder than I like to admit. But I'm trying to let it go, being thankful for the pants that still fit and that it'll soon be too hot for pants at all. I loved this piece, as always!
Just wonderful, Elizabeth, and wonderfully quotable.
That means a lot, Rona. Thank you!
Love this - everything about it. Thanks for sharing E!!!!!
I'm so glad to know you enjoyed it, Courtney. Thanks!
you make the Sun Shine in my heart
☀️ What a sweet comment, Susan. Thank you.
I really enjoyed this, Elizabeth. You’re a great writer!
Im sure I’m not the only one who’s wondering which way you insisted that the toilet paper rolled ha ha
Muchas gracias, Don! In the interest of staking a claim for wonder, I'm going to leave that right where it is for now. 😌
What a wonderful writing today... Everything that you listed as profound frustrations visit me fairly often... The easiest and probably the simplest reaction of myself would be to say "I can't do anything about all of this it's just too widespread ..my gifts just won't go very far." Those feelings happen throughout life for many reasons and I learned a long time ago from The Sermon on the Mount that there was something to remember .. The disciples were always trying to tell Jesus where he should go and whom he should minister to... They also thought it was quite comical for him to hold out a few fishes and a few loaves of bread and offer them as a food for the thousands of people... But it happened... people were fed... And there even were left overs... We should never get to the place where we think we just don't have enough fish and bread to make a difference when all we need is a blessing.. faith ...and a smile....
This is all right on the mark, Barry, but two parts speak to me the most: First our age-old tendency to want to tell others what they should or shouldn't be doing. Even Jesus, for goodness sake! Second, that we just guard against thinking our offerings don't matter. Though we may not see the outcomes, there's always room for us to try! Thank you, thank you!
What a beautiful tour you took us all on. What a joy to read. Full of surprises. Six months married? That's adorable. And I love Barry's comment.
It's all exactly what we need. Thanks.
I love Barry's comment, too, Stew, and yours as well. Thank you. I encountered Les and Betty a long time ago, but I've never forgotten them. And I'm sure they had no idea the difference they made. 🥰
Buffy!!
He was such a cute, devoted, uptight, little mess. 😅
A great line, Elizabeth, pulling all the stories together: "Somebody’s always scrubbing the wrong lid, wearing the wrong jeans, fighting silent toilet paper wars, electing people who promise more than they deliver. And yet, amid the swirl of daily personal mishaps and colossal political betrayals, I keep finding reasons to be hopeful." The toilet paper roll is so funny. I never knew it mattered -- until it did. And then somewhere along the way it became unclear what was what. I guess we got so used to it never being "right." That you and someone continued to flip it is truly funny.
Ha! Thanks, Amy. I'm an odd duck sometimes, and the toilet paper escapade was a welcome reminder that I'm not alone in my weirdness. Long may we run!
Beautiful piece, Elizabeth. I agree with Rona. But I have an important question for you about TP.
Over or under? Answer carefully, because your answer will be the determining factor in the future of our friendship. Me? Need to be right? Never. I love the jeans story. Poor husband. xo
The jeans story is deeply engrained in our family lore and has been retold at many a gathering. The toilet paper question, though, is going to remain a secret. Only those curious enough to visit me will know! 🤪 Thanks for your kind words. Truly appreciated.
When can I come visit? I NEED to know if we can keep being friends. And if it’s the wrong way, I’ll have to fix it every time I use your loo. xo
But but but...there IS only one right way to hang the toilet paper!
There is only ONE WAY! The other way makes no sense!
I knew you were my people.
Hahaha. Solidarity.
Exactly! And no matter how anyone hangs it, it's only hanging one way. LOL!
I agree. And so does the other person. 😂
😂😂😂
Things aren't what they seem. AND they turn on a dime. Between those 2 truths, how can we really know anything? (I know some things.) And there is hope in that. In the indomitable parts beneath and around the (apparently) obvious ones. x
I know some things, too, Wendy. But the longer I live, the less I know for certain. Thanks for reading and commenting. I am so buoyed by the support of you and others here.
Your story about the jeans was such a "visual" for me! I think the Universe has a terrific sense of humor, gently "needling" us. I remember watching a college boyfriend's mother bludgeoning her false eyelashes, thinking them to be a large spider! The debate about the toilet paper has endured decades of discussion. My friend was absolutely rigid in her opinion until her puppy grabbed the end and tore through her small house, completely unraveling the roll. To this day, it is still his greatest desire... sneaking in unawares and gleefully racing,toilet paper streaming,triumphant again!
The eyelash bludgeoning! OMG! 🕷️ Those of us who are able to let go of what's maddening long enough to laugh at what's funny are, I think, practicing self-care.
The dog racing off with the toilet paper is a delightful thing to picture, and I also don't understand why it would matter which way the toilet paper came off the roll. Seems either direction would be equally vulnerable once the pup figured it out.
Thanks so much for stopping by, Susan.
The jeans🤣 I often feel I am too observant so I get baffled by a person who could wear the wrong jeans for a day. There is a certain bliss in that unawareness.
I love this important message that we are the juice that humanity needs and it’s not about the power and money, also things are rarely as they seem. ❤️
Oh! May I join you on the "too observant" bench? My husband would like to have a word with both of us! Love the term juice to describe our potential for bringing a restorative energy to the world around us.
Great to see you here, Donna. Thanks.
We can be the "See-Too-Much club" which is a sister club to what I just wrote about this week, the "Feel-Too-Much" club!
There is only one right way. Over the top. 😎
Ha! And as in politics, those who think otherwise believe you've been taken over by dark forces.
You offered quite an array here, my worthy friend. I may never see Jim again without thinking of your jeans, so...do let him know.
I have had to, chosen to, let the politics and the frustration thereof, (that's not a powerful enough word, of course)...go, for now. There is too much injustice. The humor and the hope, much more important. Thank you. ~J
Heh! He's up to the task of defending himself, I do believe.
I think it's less about letting go and more about regaining balance. Any recipe with too much of one seasoning lacks the nuance needed to make it sing.
Thanks for your steady presence, Janice!
I discovered just this week that my favourite spring time jeans (cream, highwaited, very cute with everything pastel) no longer fit. My hips have spread and I'm carrying extra weight from a year being weighed down by stress and worry. It was hard, harder than I like to admit. But I'm trying to let it go, being thankful for the pants that still fit and that it'll soon be too hot for pants at all. I loved this piece, as always!