Good Morning from Northern Ireland. That’s how I always start my day on Twitter so I thought I’d transfer the sentiment to the blogging world. I hope everyone is safe and well wherever you are today. I often ask people where they are and how they are spending their day. It’s amazing to read the responses, from all over the world. One of the many great benefits of social media.
I always try to focus on the positive aspects as the other side of the coin is much less edifying. There’s so much hatred and bile out there at the minute. I think COVID has polarised society. We’ve seen so much good, yet it has also brought out the very worst in people. I’ve read tweets and posts that have made my jaw hit the floor. The anger, ignorance, and stupidity are staggering. It makes me worry for our world.
Northern Ireland is no exception. Tensions are always heightened at this time of year as we enter the traditional marching season. It’s been a scaled-down event this year because of COVID. You don’t have to scratch too far below the surface, however, to see old grudges and bigoted beliefs surface. It’s not the older generation, either. Many young people are stumbling down the same blinkered path trod by their forefathers. Their traditional routes.
This may sound trite but I hope our children grow up in a more tolerant, accepting society. I have my doubts. There are some good people in government and many others seeking to impose a positive influence but there’s an uncaring, swaggering nastiness at the top of the tree. The hypocrisy is staggering at times as they lie and dismiss reasonable, sensible arguments and avoid constructive discussion. They are being found out day after day but appear to be beyond reproach.
How is it in your part of the world?
Black Thoughts 
Thankfully I don’t use any other social media except this, so I don’t see any negativity. Long may that continue. Switzerland had a lot of rain and high winds yesterday with flood warnings everywhere. In Zurich and elsewhere trees have been uprooted. My wife showed me a video yesterday, taken at a campsite, where a large tree fell and narrowly missed quite a large tent. Certainly not a day to be out in the open. It’s calmer today but more rain anticipated tomorrow.
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Hello. You’re wise to keep your social media activity at a level that suits you. Hope the weather improves over there soon 😊
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So I take it you don’t watch the world news. The world seems to have gone crazy.
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How is it on my side of the world? First off I’m in the United States where everyone seems to treat everyone like shit and gloat over other peoples sufferings that’s a very sick place they wouldn’t know God he was talking to him them face-to-face laugh and go on with life because they believe the propaganda put out on local television that everything is OK when their neighbors are dying children dying pregnant women dying people suffering but they neglect to show that on television suffering I know a lot about since this began since day one it’s been nothing but suffering and still is I look at people around me enjoying life as if nothing ever happened while I have lost everything except for my wife and my son scraping To get by trying to find a job yeah they say the economy is so much better now preposterous groceries are five times more expensive than they were if you can afford to eat without government aid then you’re really blessed most of the food is contaminated and being recalled of course I don’t tell that on Global News it’s a bunch of horseshit so how is it on my side of the world pretty fucking shitty it’s a struggle to go on
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Hi Michael. I’m sorry to hear all this but thank you for your honest response. I really hope your situation improves soon.
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Besides my ongoing but tolerable medical issues, I consider myself very lucky in spite of the conditions in the US, as noted in Michael’s comments. Yes, I live in a nice, green neighborhood bubble but I worked very hard for 50 years to get here. I have a cozy, small home that I’m still paying for but I have overplanted the yard with trees and flowers. It’s been raining non-stop in Kentucky so everything still looks very lush and green. I have my adult children and their kid(s) over every Sunday for dinner where we all forget the crap for the moment and reboot (my daughter has water in her basement and my luthier son has had a huge tree laying on his garage/workshop for two weeks due to storms). C’est la vie. I also send up prayers for all who are suffering. Might sound trite to some but every bit helps.
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Hi. It sounds like you have earned the comforts of your retirement. Enjoy them 😊
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Re: your last paragraph – there seems to be a global pandemic of this craziness. The whole world seems to be infected with it. It’s not a time to lose hope though. The saneness of the silent majority can find ways to stand up against the corruption. We are beginning to see it happen in pockets of places. Look around and take heart. Just don’t look for it in the mainstream media, like someone commented earlier, it won’t be mentioned there. People are banding together and saying enough is enough. It can work because the loud bullies are few compared to the silent and sane majority. Grassroots, local level. Keep the weeds out of your garden. If everyone tends to their garden, the whole neighborhood will begin to look better. Hopefully you are catching the analogy here. One more thing. Gardening is not warfare. It takes thoughtful effort to keep out the weeds so the plants can flourish. There are ways to keep things clean if we keep our heads about us and don’t give up. The most important aspect to gardening – become educated and don’t give up. Thanks for your thoughtful post this morning.
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You’re welcome and thank you for your wise and kind words 😊
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We are hot and bothered in NW Montana – on fire, sweltering in temperatures never before seen in June (our rainy month )and now July with no rain to speak of for weeks (few of us have air-conditioned homes). My small community has been inundated with tourists and vacationers escaping to our mountain paradise expecting the same luxuries they enjoy at home. (Ahem, this is Montana)
Our tempers are running short as our roads are taken over by rude visitors rushing to get to their next “out west” destination for the perfect selfie. Our businesses can’t find workers willing to work and thus the lines are incredibly long and most of the shelves are empty – if the business is even open. Restaurants are limiting their hours of operation due to staffing. They say it is good for the economy – but the locals feel like we are being run out of our communities by newcomers who can work remotely and “enjoy” our way of life. Our home values have risen by 18% in one year and our property tax rates are now being reassessed to match – never mind the fact that our incomes haven’t changed one bit.
Perhaps all of us are in a state of shock having been closed down for so long and told to distance ourselves from everyone but our family unit. Now that we are being exposed to the masses our senses are being overloaded. We have lost the tolerance we once had for others – because we haven’t had to tolerate others! The COVID19 numbers are going up as fast as they were at the height of our last surge – yet we have one of the lowest vaccination rates in the country. People are living as though we are past the pandemic – without a care for anyone but their own FREEDOM!
Thankfully, I own my home, I have a good job, I am fully vaccinated and healthy, and have a wonderful dog for a companion. Though I can’t escape to the mountains because of the CROWDS, I can give thanks for the beauty of them – for all of God’s creation. The smoky skies may make the hot days even more miserable – but they make for the most brilliant sunrises and sunsets to buffer their nastier impact on our lives.
I pray for my community, our state, nation, and the world. We are at a pivotal point on the timeline of humanity. I pray that our better characters rise from the ashes of late – that we all can rise above our current miseries – and know untainted joy – if even for just a moment – but hoping for much longer!
Sending love to all of you in your various dwelling places.
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Thank your Erika for your eloquent and passionate description of life in Montana. Please look after yourself and let’s hope for better times ahead.
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I am sure everyone is aware of the craziness that has happened in the U.S. since 2016 (Trump), and especially in January of this year at the Capitol building. Hatred seems rampant across the country. Racism seems to have gained more widespread prevalence. Intolerance is everywhere. I really hope this is not a signal of worse things to come.
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Hi Tony. Hoping for more peaceful times ahead for your country. Thank you for replying.
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I’m in the States, I live in Virginia by the coast. It’s SO HOT! I’ve lived here almost all my life, for 6 years I lived in Nashville, TN.
How is it this side of the world? It’s craziness. It’s just a sad state of affairs. So much violence and ignorance and just play stupidity, racism, hatred. It’s a sign of the End times….I truly believe that.
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Hi Leigh. I hope there are calmer water ahead for the USA. Stay safe and keep in touch 😊
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It is not all bad here. I am aware of the craziness and don’t buy into it. I buy into the goodness in people, as everyone has some of each. I get to choose what I focus on. Some say I am naive to look at the good in people, but I am happier, and people are nice to me when I am nice to them.
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You always speak wisely, Karla 😊
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A little bit of a delayed response, bit thanks for asking. Here in Wellington in New Zealand we are just out of another lockdown as the Delta strain hit our shores. The sun has been shining, and I’ve spent a bit of time praying with my girlfriend this week about places in the world to where things might not be going as well.
Thank you for sharing, and the honesty with which you do. Peace to you and family. 🙏
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I had to leave my home because my grandpa kicked me out because I refused to get the shots. I believe that no one should be forced to get the shots, and it should be everyone’s own choice.
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