“One way or another, we’re all white-knuckling our way toward Tuesday. I’ve probably made too many impulse donations to candidates I believe in, but I regret none of them. My husband, son, and I have written letters and held signs. In our small town, we’ll don our masks and vote in person. Beyond that, my approach during these last days has been to stay outdoors as much as possible. I can’t control the outcome of anything that matters, but I can keep the birdfeeders full. I can sweep out the shed, rake up the leaves, and pull out the petunias. I can stay grounded in the simple, necessary tasks of my own life. And I can look at the sky, at the now bare maple tree, at the snow that covers the ground this morning in a frosting of white, and trust in the forces at work in the world that are far beyond my own limited seeing and my own narrow understanding. One day last week, I rounded the corner of the house pushing the wheelbarrow and was stopped in my tracks by the sight of fifty or sixty robins hopping about in the front yard, a gathering as uplifting to me as the determined crowd of citizens who have showed up downtown every Saturday all through the fall to stand in silent solidarity with Black Lives Matter, voting rights, and democracy. When we looked up from breakfast a few days ago to see a herd of deer just outside the window, they seemed almost like silent messengers sent to remind us that we share this time, this place, with others and that we’re all connected, for better and for worse.”
— Katrina Kenison, from “Our Time” (October 31, 2020)
Notes: Image from Mennyfox
Live & Learn 
What a beautiful and open perspective, during a very stressful and uncertain time. 👏🙏🏻
LikeLiked by 2 people
It is…
LikeLike
Brought me to tears – this is my head (and I’m sure many others right now)…remember the beauty, the parallel lines, the breath…acknowledge the anxiety and don’t regret the debits in the bank account, the emails and signatures and exhortations made. And now just pray…oh, and breathe
LikeLiked by 2 people
Yes. Moved by her words too…
LikeLike
very moving and hopeful
LikeLiked by 1 person
it is…
LikeLiked by 1 person
…for better and for worse!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Let’s go with better.
LikeLiked by 1 person
As my people say, Inshallah 🙏
LikeLiked by 1 person
As my people say, Hope is not a strategy.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hope is never a strategy.
But after the work is done, my work, I will still light a candle, and get on my knees!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Smiling…With Purrsimmon zigging in and out in assistance
LikeLiked by 1 person
How did you know? Lol
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ahhh, Katrina, she always seems to cut right to the core of what I’m feeling. I, too, have done all the donating, signing, calling, texting and fretting that I can do in advance of this election. Now, like so many others, I am trying to remember to breathe and stay mindful of my blessings in the face of so much anger, sorrow and uncertainty.
The humidity broke, the breeze rose and the temps dropped to the mid 60s here on Florida’s Gulf Coast this morning. I took my sunrise walk with the dogs, breathed deep, watched the Sandhill Cranes engage in their crazy mating dances, and reminded myself that there are still many beautiful things in the world….
LikeLiked by 4 people
Beautiful Lori…
LikeLiked by 1 person
Reblogged this on It Is What It Is and commented:
We are all waiting and, maybe, holding our breaths!! … “I can’t control the outcome of anything that matters, but I can keep the birdfeeders full. I can sweep out the shed, rake up the leaves, and pull out the petunias. I can stay grounded in the simple, necessary tasks of my own life. And I can look at the sky, at the now bare maple tree, at the snow that covers the ground this morning in a frosting of white, and trust in the forces at work in the world that are far beyond my own limited seeing and my own narrow understanding.” – Katrina Kenison, from “Our Time” (October 31, 2020).
LikeLiked by 1 person
Katrina put it beautifully. As did Lori.
I’ll just be quiet and bask in their wise words.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Me too
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you for posting this.
LikeLiked by 1 person
My pleasure Carolann
LikeLike
Wonderfully provocative for now… Sometimes the natural world suggests the way…”I can look at the sky” an easy way to clear the mind of so many thoughts. And, the deer, ever present in my area, “like silent messengers sent to remind us that we share this time, this place, with others and that we’re all connected” period. In my habitat, I witness the squirrels in the large sycamore trees with hollow spaces, busily living and birthing life as usual in their squirrel hotels.
LikeLiked by 1 person
So agree Valerie!
LikeLike
Oh, I got sidetracked again (!!!) visiting Katrina Kenison and her work. I just know that I KNOW HER already from somewhere but what is puzzling me is that I don’t know from where and in what relation. It was probably YOU!
Such a beautiful statement. She’s right, she put – I think – everybody’s feelings in words and even I, with no influence whatsoever in your country’s matter (but with family and friends here and there) am kinda nailbiting and waiting for a positive outcome. And then, when it’s all done we shall pray for wise decisions, and much, much, much help from people who know what they are doing because it will take more than an 78yr old to slowly sort that mess out.
LikeLiked by 1 person
It was ME!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thought so
LikeLiked by 1 person
that helps to put things into perspective; thanks for sharing…
LikeLiked by 1 person