This is the house that Lily and Lauren, Owen, Gibson, and Magnolia June will be moving into. Lily, Lauren, Jessie, Glen, and I were able to meet the realtor today for a tour of the house. Lauren hadn't even seen it! I asked her at lunch before we went to see the house, "What if you don't like it?"
"Then I guess I won't like it," she said.
Zen Lauren.
My two favorite things about the house are the very spacious back screened-in porch and the oak tree next to it.
The tree needs some tending. It is covered and almost smothered in vines that need to be taken out. I told Lily that that's going to be her new hobby- tending to her oak tree. There are also a few crape myrtles in the yard along with two Japanese magnolias of good size, a very large azalea, and a camellia.
Lily spotted this little guy on a camellia leaf.
Lily spotted this little guy on a camellia leaf.
It was tiny, about the size of my little finger from tip to first knuckle. Just hangin' out, being a frog.
I've been in a dark mood today. One of those days when Mr. Moon asks me what's wrong and I say, "Nothing's wrong. Everything's wrong." It did cheer me to get to see such sweet women and the new house but I'm still not in the best of moods. I think the news from Arizona has upset me a great deal. The idea that a 12 year-old girl who has been raped by a relative cannot get an abortion is beyond my comprehension. Did you know that one of the things that all these 23 And Me DNA tests is showing is how prevalent incest is? Can you imagine being in a situation where you are a literal child being forced to have a baby fathered by your own father? Or a brother? Or an uncle? Or a stepfather? For a second, let's forget about the deep and everlasting psychological damage done to the girl who has to bear that baby and think about the baby itself. Who in hell would want to be raised knowing (or even not knowing) that they are the product of incest?
But it's not even just that scenario. Once again, women are being told that we cannot make the most vital decisions concerning our own bodies. Not just kids or teenagers who are in no way ready to have and raise a baby but grown women who perhaps already have children and who know exactly what it takes to feed, clothe, and tend to a child and who can not, or even do not want to take that on at this time in their lives for the sake of the children they already have.
Okay. I'll stop.
No. Actually, I won't. I won't stop talking about this. I believe that every woman has the right to choose whether or not to bring a pregnancy to term.
Okay. I'll stop.
No. Actually, I won't. I won't stop talking about this. I believe that every woman has the right to choose whether or not to bring a pregnancy to term.
I am so upset and so furious and so bewildered (how did we get here?) and so terrified for our daughters and granddaughters and their daughters and granddaughters too.
I can't even think straight about this.
Well, hey! Let's talk about some cheerful stuff!
Look at that beautiful squash blossom!
Can you see that little pepper? So cute.
And here's a little story- I was in Publix waiting my turn at the pharmacy counter to pick up a prescription. There was a tiny little lady ahead of me and I admired her tropical print shirt and her crocheted hat. I had a lot of time to observe them because it was taking a long time for the pharmacist to help her understand what medications she had been prescribed and and what they were for. I mean, a lot of time. But this pharmacist was SO patient and explained everything more than once and even put a post-it note in the woman's bag to remind her to call her doctor about an issue that needed addressing. When the lady walked away and I stepped up to the desk, I said to the pharmacist, "Thank you for being so patient and kind with that lady. Before long, that will be me." And she said, "Oh, but that's why I do what I do. And in time, that will be all of us."
Humans can be amazing.
Humans can be amazing.
And for those of you who have never known the joy of shopping at Publix, here is what I was looking at as I waited.
We keep hearing that we're getting a Publix here in Florence, but it never seems to actually happen. Maybe one day soon. I hear great things about it.
ReplyDeleteArizona...it upsets me so much. I can't even put into words how offended I am that a human being's basic.....dignity.....of bodily autonomy can be disregarded like that. As a woman, I want to scream and throw things, that's how mad it makes me. I wish every man that has a role in passing these kinds of laws would NEVER GET ANOTHER ERECTION IN HIS ENTIRE LIFE. Ever.
Sing it Sister ---- you are wonderful !!!
Deleteyes!!!!! it's infuriating.
DeleteWe got to where we are today thanks to the damned Republicans! What has that side of the aisle ever done for this country? The Democrats have always had to clean up the Republican's fuck ups!
ReplyDeleteWhat can you do as an individual? Vote! Vote blue 💙!
That is a nice, tidy looking house. I hope that they will all be happy there. I must investigate the Arizona abortion ruling. It sounds so ungodly.
ReplyDeleteOh, no, Mr. Pudding, it is godlier than God. And therein lies the trouble. Margaret
DeleteIn the Cleveland, OH area where I live, the Catholic Diocese has issued a very explicit anti LGBTQ+ plus policy, which has brought out the Stop the Hate protesters. So, we can rid ourselves of the old men who who legislate against women's rights, but we still must be rid of religious bigots who institute/enforce the hatred that is the basis of all the anti-women, anti-feminist legislation and theology and attitude.
ReplyDeleteIt's a lovely house and how great to have that gorgeous mature oak in the yard! The abortion restrictions are beyond horrible.
ReplyDeleteI forgot to say that I like Lily's house and I noticed the beautiful oak tree right away!! Congratulations to her and her family!
ReplyDeleteMy mom and dad are both gone now but they lived in Palm Harbor (near Tampa) for almost 30 years. We spent many a time wandering around a Publix when we would come to visit. And my dad would always get a little running start and then jump on the back of the cart, to "ride" it to the car. Much to my kids' delight and my mother's dismay. I miss them so.
ReplyDeleteThat is a perfect wee house for a lovely family. I can see many happy memories being made there.
ReplyDeleteI am appalled at the news coming out of your country. As a sign I saw said "You can't stop abortions, you can only stop LEGAL abortions". Women and children will die but the fucking fuckers can sit there in their male dominance and gloat over the souls they have saved. Misogyny and religion. What a horrible combination.
I'm not at all surprised that you can't think straight about such an issue. I don't think there is a single woman alive who isn't afraid of what is happening in your country and hoping it doesn't spread to the rest of the world.
ReplyDeletePublix looks like a very nice place to shop. The new house also looks lovely. Is it roomy inside?
Humor and pathos...That house looks lovely.
ReplyDeleteSo angry about Arizona taking us back to civil war times. Such cruel ignorance. But it may trigger a blue tsunami. Then there's a chance of codifying Roe.
ReplyDeleteMeanwhile that's a very nice house for the family, complete with porch and oak tree. They'll have that organized.
So angry about Arizona taking us back to civil war times. Such cruel ignorance. But it may trigger a blue tsunami. Then there's a chance of codifying Roe.
ReplyDeleteMeanwhile that's a very nice house for the family, complete with porch and oak tree. They'll have that organized.
37paddington: the children are going to love that house. As for that poor child in Arizona, I have no words. It’s appalling. I hope it turns AZ electric blue.
ReplyDeleteIt’s gratifying that in the midst of the ignorance and idiocy in the country and the horror at this time in Arizona, there are beautiful people and moments like these. The new house is charming!
ReplyDeleteI hadn't heard about that young girl obviously. I may be a dumb question but can she cross a state line to get an abortion or will she be "charged"?
ReplyDeleteIsn't it wonderful how the unborn "rights" are protected, but the hell with them once they're born? No one gives a shit about unborn embryos that are then born to women who have no abililty to care for them. Absolutely disgusting and so very wrong.
ReplyDeleteI do love Publix, as you know, even if members of its founding family are crazy right-wingers. (I'm thinking of Julie Jenkins Fancelli.)
ReplyDeleteLily's house is beautiful! What IS that vine in the tree? Here I'd say ivy but I'm not sure what that is there.
You're right about Arizona. Appalling -- and if we don't stop these people, just one in a long line of upcoming appalling laws.
My daughter lives on the east coast of Florida. My sister and I are driving down the end of this month to my granddaughter's graduation. In my mind's eye I've been driving the trip all week! I'm so excited to be there! I'm counting the days and minutes. I can even visualize the local Publix!
ReplyDeleteI love Lily's new house.
Patricia
cute little house but it looks so small. I hope it goes back farther. plus I want to see the inside.
ReplyDeleteare we really surprised at the prevalence of incest? I've known two women who were raped by their older brothers. what is it in those men who force their daughters, sisters, nieces. how many of those girls who used to be sent away to homes to have their babies were not impregnated by consensual sex with their boyfriends. that archaic law in Arizona was written by one man. the whole code of laws for the territory were written by him and it also allowed girls as young as 10 to be married.
It is just funny to me to watch all these hard right Republicans suddenly changing their tune now that they've got exactly what they've been pushing for. We are watching the death throes of the republican party. Something that bugs the snot out of me is Mike Johnson trying to set up a meeting with DJT. The man is nothing. Why in. the. hell. does he merit a meeting? The party is being strangled by tRUMP.
ReplyDeleteA vey fine house, may much happiness happen in it! Congratulations to Lily, Lauren and the kids!
ReplyDeleteXoxo
Barbara
Methinks the GOP here in AZ have screwed up bigtime, there is a bill going through the legisature to overrule that AZ Supreme Court ruling on abortion (which has bi-partisan support, BTW) and the hardliners adjourned the legislature to avoid a vote. The pubtards have 2 seat majority in one house and only 1 in the other and there are some seriously pissed off women in this state that are gonna vote in November. The AG is a Dem and she has said she will not prosecute any person who violates this horror law. Politics here are just nuts on the Republican side of the aisle. I'm glad we only live here for 5 months in the winter.
ReplyDeleteI love that little house, and the tree situation seems marvelous! You might have some weird goings-on in Florida, but you sure have gorgeous natural life! I'm as mad and bewildered as you regarding the abortion bullshit. It makes me hate this country.
ReplyDelete