This week the topic for Think Write Thursday is to tell us what your mirror would say if it could talk.
Oh, boy…
Really? Can I just say for starters that I am unbelievably glad that my mirror cannot talk! Exceedingly glad – and then some! Ha!
However, perhaps if it could talk it might say things like this (in no particular order)
Yes, your hair looks fine and does not need more hairspray. Really.
Please do not forget the under-eye cover up – those dark circles and bag are not your friends!
You know, if I were a bit bigger you might not need that magnifying mirror… okay maybe not.
Two words – grey roots! You better get on that yesterday, girl!
Moisturize, moisturize, moisturize!! And, puh-leeze!! Use the SPF 30 stuff!
Do you hear the sarcasm, because I sure can! In actuality this was a very challenging topic for me – one that is totally outside my comfort zone. I am not comfortable talking about myself in a positive way – I can talk about things I do, or ideas, or beliefs without any hesitation. But, when it gets down to that face in the mirror – it is an entirely different story.
Rather, here is what I see when I look at this picture – a middle-aged woman who will stand up for what is right and help you if you have a problem. I am a procrastinator and a dreamer and I do not at all feel like I am 57, but I sure as heck am glad I am not 75 (yet) or 25 (again). I am content with who I am inside even if I am uncomfortable talking about the outside.
A challenging journey that is, I hope, far from completion.
Thank you for selecting such a thought provoking topic this week Carole. And, I really mean that!
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This week’s Think Write Thursday topic is to write about 3 things I would do if I were the President of the United States. (Carole adds this bit of confidence to the topic: “I’m very certain that any one of us could do a fantastic job!”)
Well…. that certainly inspires some monumental thoughts! And, ones that I have never considered before. Me as President?!
Yeah, that would never in a million years happen.
However, perhaps I could offer some arm-chair coaching that could be entirely useful as well as incredibly helpful.
One of my favorite shows was Borgen – which was all about the government process in Denmark. And, while I realize this is far from reality – there are some things that I think are an excellent take away that could prove useful to improving our system here in the United States.
Cabinet selection – rather than selecting donors who gave significantly, or your friends, or – god forbid, your family as those who advise you during your presidency. I think it would move this country in a much better direction and decrease the current state of gridlock that exists to sit down and negotiate with the political parties about their representation in the cabinet. This way everyone has a voice. Everyone is part of the process. And, I mean all parties – The Green Party, The Libertarian Party, Republicans and Democrats – both moderates and conservatives, and, yes, even the Tea Party. Perhaps, if everyone has a seat at the table – there would be incentive to govern and do so in a manner that represents all the people!
While in my heart of hearts, I would love an extremely liberal court – I know that balance is the key to the courts success. And I think that a court that reflects our diverse nation is a very good thing. So, I would encourage the President (whoever they are) to improve that diversity with justices that reflect that.
Finally, I would like America to make education important – as important as it should be. We are a nation that somehow has fallen far behind on the value of education. Educated citizens make informed decisions, they are not afraid of diversity, they are not fearful of differing opinions, and they understand what compromise is. They are also less likely to be influenced by the phenomenon of “fake news” and fear mongering. Healthy debate is crucial to democracy and an educated nation would not fear reasoned and informed debate – they would welcome it! And let’s remember, compromise is not losing – it is forging a way forward, creating something that everyone feels good about – something that everyone had input in creating.
There is my tiny bit of advice for anyone desiring to be President.
Tomorrow brings the close to what has been, in my opinion, a practically perfect presidency. Did he get everything right? Of course, he didn’t but his measured and thoughtful leadership have given this nation something they can be very proud of. I will close with some encouragement President Obama gave us to hold on to and inspire us in the coming days:
“Democracy does require a basic sense of solidarity – the idea that for all our outward differences, we are all in this together; that we rise or fall as one…I am asking you to believe. Not in my ability to bring about change – but in yours.”
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This week’s Think Write Thursday is to plan a dinner party, inviting 3 people, living or dead. To guide you, consider some or all of these questions: obviously, who will you invite? How will you invite them? What will you serve? Will it be a fancy dinner or a casual affair? What will the topics of conversation be? Who will go home early and who will stay the longest?
Surprisingly, I really struggled with this post – there are so many possibilities and even more conversations!
So, who would I invite?
First off, I will admit here freely that I would IMMEDIATELY call a cleaning person.
While they are whisking about spiffing things up, I would be working on the list of invitees…
Here is where the challenge comes in – the hardest part of this, who do I really want to invite?
I had entertained thoughts of HRC, or Gloria Steinem, or Winston Churchill… Or perhaps a more historical dinner with Abraham Lincoln, or George Washington, or Alexander Hamilton… Or maybe a knitter’s dinner with EZ, or Franklin Habit, or Kate Davies…
I really was leaning to the Knitter’s dinner and then yesterday happened…
After seeing some of the hearings and watching the debacle that was hilariously called a “press conference” yesterday – I realized exactly who I need to invite:
Senator John Lewis, Carl Bernstein, and Michael Moore
I know, right?
An evening of resistance training and planning is just what I need.
What to eat, well since I would NOT want to miss out on any conversation – I would likely set up a meat and cheese board with appropriate cocktails.
Topics of conversation? Obviously, RESISTANCE!! And, I think Michael Moore has some excellent ideas on that very subject, but I think that the things that John Lewis would add with his rich history in peacefully protesting for the people’s rights are vital. And, Bernstein – I mean really. We will need excellent investigative journalists in the coming days – perhaps more than ever!
I would hope that conversation would continue long after the food had dwindled and that we would all be surprised by the lateness of the hour at the end of the evening. And, perhaps over the course of the evening, I would be left feeling that things won’t be as bad as I fear they will…
This week’s prompt for Think Write Thursday is to write a post called “Hello, January”.
There are two seasonal diversions that can ease the bite of any winter. One is the January thaw. The other is the seed catalogues. – Hal Borland
Winter has been iffy in my corner of the world with temperature swings from the 60’s one day to the 20’s the next. And, the rain – my back yard is one giant spongy mess.
However, I know that there is no avoiding the bitter cold that will soon be upon us. January is good at bring the cold – but, the one thing that January also brings is the slowly lengthening days. Each day there is just a bit more daylight than the day before, which is a very good thing!
I have not completely given up on growing things either, despite my Amaryllis failure – I have orchids that are blooming and then there are those Paperwhites… I am completely smitten with their ethereal blossoms balanced precariously on a slender stalk. There is hope blooming during the winter and it makes my mind turn to gardening!
That is right – garden planning will be happening this month. Where will we expand this year? What will we work on? What will we grow? It is perhaps the best time of all – the time when you can dream big! Mr. Borland is right seed catalogues simply are the best diversion for January and I am hoping my Baker Heirloom Seed Catalogue will be here sooner than later!
I am sorry Dear January if it feels like I am cheating on you by wishing it was May but garden planning is the best way to get through you!
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This week’s prompt for Think Write Thursday is to talk about New Year’s Eve. Do you love it or hate it? Do you yearn to go out on the town or would you rather stay home for a cozy night in? Big party? Small gathering of friends? Tell us how you want to spend New Year’s Eve and remember, it’s just words and you aren’t actually committing to anything so the sky is the limit!
Queue the music…
So many questions in here!! Do I love it or hate it? Well, I think the answer is this:
The younger me loved the party aspect of the event, and the now me appreciates the review of the year and anticipation of the year to come. The younger me loved to get dressed up and head out for a night of party, party, party! The now me appreciates staying home in quiet reflection for the evening. And, honestly – staying up until midnight? That hasn’t happened in years.
Somehow the wild days of my youth have been replaced with – well, an old person! LOL
But, if I could have any New Year’s Eve I want – this would be it:
The company will be stellar and the conversation stimulating if all of you are here! There will be games and so much laughter! There might even be some tears as we remember what 2016 was.
And, as we look forward to what 2017 might bring, we can raise our glasses in hopefulness and good cheer.
That would be how I would like to spend New Year’s Eve – with all of you! And, in the perfect world – the transporter would be a thing and I would have one! However, please know that on New Year’s Eve I will be raising my glass to all of you in friendship, love, and good cheer.
Happy New Year my friends – may this coming year bring peace and prosperity to all of us!
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