I just used that phrase with blogger friend Bonnie a minute ago, “word fingers.” I was trying to find a way to express that when I speak words outloud in public (like on a blog), they have a life of their own. They climb around and touch other places and people that I don’t know about. My wish is for it to always be good – to lift the world and the thoughts and feelings of people in it.
But I am me. I have a hot temper and rage on the other side of my inexplicable joy and buoyancy. I have a nice wide range of emotions and just like the good in me, I have bad in me. It makes me a normal kind of lady, but despite that, I wish to be abnormal, and positive all the time. Bonnie supported me and said she could understand my feelings, and was there boosting me as we have been doing for each other for some time now.
I feel bad when I put my negative thoughts into the world. If those dark word fingers ever touched you in the past 15 years, I’m sorry.
Another blogger friend, Brian, in Mexico City asked, “What can we do? How can those of us outside the US help you Americans fight the fight?” What a kind action he took, to ask that. He is a good man. If you don’t know, I’ll tell you: people around the world are asking this all the time: how can we help you Americans fight the current political situation? My TikTok feed is filled with positive words of support and thoughtful discussions between people outside the US and inside the US. Intelligent, empathetic people are taking action to help everyday Americans, and everyday Americans are saying back to them, “Do what you have to do, we understand if you need to boycott or protest the US.” It is surprising to me, because I don’t think we deserve the love. But it is so inspiring.
Thank you, worldwide community.
But I told Brian that I didn’t have many suggestions to offer because I’m treading water. Right now I think a lot of us are still in survival mode. We are reeling from the shock of new catastrophes and heinous crimes every day that don’t give us a chance to recover in between. (My dismay leached out into Bonnie’s blog, that’s what started these thoughts…) Speaking for myself, it’s a success at times just to feel ok. My big goal: feel ok today.
Today I will use my word fingers to touch the blogosphere with a little check-in and a hello. I am here and I am still on the right side of history with you. I love having Word Press for fifteen years to use for writing therapy and to use for building my beautiful beloved blogger community. {Insert something inspirational here}
❤
Conscious Engagement 
You are almost exactly one blog year older than me 😁
Ha! I’m older than you. Now you have to do what I say. 🙂
Now that is dangerous I feel 😂
I am the oldest sibling with four brothers, so I have lots of practice in being bossy.
I am the baby of the family so I used to ignoring the bossy boots 😂
I just wish the fearful world wouldn’t pander to the thugs. Do express yourself as you wish, my friend
Real friends let each other have bad days, of course. Thank you, my friend.
XX
I saw today that Trump’s juggernaut has cleaned the government pages of any mention of the Navajo Code Talkers in WWII. I don’t have enough cuss words in my vocabulary to describe the man and his petty stupidity and outrageous behavior, Crystal.
If he keeps following his present path, I suspect that Musk and his right wing tech buddies will design an AI system to constantly monitor the internet and punish people who speak out against him.
I think a great post could be done on the Navajo Code Talkers. I might also note that that the two new national monuments in California that Trump is trying to wipe out have Native American connections. Just suggesting, my friend.
I’ve decided to take Trump on over his efforts to attack National Parks and Monuments since these areas are so relevant to my blogging over the past 15 years. Every Monday I will feature another National Park or Monument and urge people to join the National Parks Conservation Association in their efforts to protect the parks. The organization has been fighting the good fight since 1919.
Keep up your good work Crystal.
Curt, what a good idea. I have noticed your park posting, and didn’t realize the motive. I am proud of you for using your blog as a force for good. If Trump wants to erase the contributions of Americans who are not white men, then I love the idea of promoting their stories here. We have worked for so many years to illuminate the outstanding work of women and non-whites that have helped to make our country amazing…it’s shocking to have it all wiped out by a word search and a “delete all” command. “Not enough cuss words” is how I feel too.
Thank you for being such a great person and a friend who lifts me up when I need it.
The feeling is always mutual, Crystal.
My first thought: Don’t even think of trying to alter or dilute your feelings. You have such a wonderful, genuine intensity about you. Honestly, my greatest concern is people staying silent. Are they afraid? Supporters of this madness? Complicit? This is uncharted territory, and by god, I’m going to keep raising the roof! I appreciate those who want us to stay positive, but no change will begin until our sleep is disturbed. I say let’s awaken the beast inside. We are powerful and resilient and we have truth on our side. Happy to stand with you 💞
Awaken the BEAST! Ha! That is a great visual image. I will let her wake up and then try to channel her into something helpful. I will try to forgive myself when the beast gets away from me from time to time. Because…it’s in a beast’s nature to rage intensely. That’s sort of why I love her.
And you! Thanks for the message last night. I hope you are all getting well. Thinking about taking a walk has reminded me that I really do find a deep peace outside and I need to stop thinking of trails as my reward when I am done with my chores, but as part of my work that needs to get done. Self-care is an important job that I let slide too often.
Congrats on your anniversary dear Crystal. Thanks for mentioning… my question.
We were talking about the situation at lunch yesterday with life-long Mexican friends. A couple has a son in the US, working in medical research. His parents want to go visit. I told them to be careful. Canadians have been arrested and put in the joint for weeks. So Mexicans?
Among some of the comments was the question: “Why aren’t more people speaking out in the US?” One of your comments tells it all:
“Survival mode”. Which is totally understandable. And again, allow me to repeat myself: “We’ll help as much as we can from the outside.” Which, projecting a bit in time, might be to help for reconstructing…
One last comment on one of your blogger friends’ comment: “Erasing the Navajo coders in WWII?” This goes beyond hatred… He will lose, eventually.
And a question: I don’t normally talk about my posts on friends’, have you seen my post “Empire of the Rat”? It might make you smile…
By Crystal. Never lose hope. We’ll beat the SOB’s.
So much love to you, from the bottom of my heart. ❤ I will keep hoping, I will. And I will keep acting. Curt's idea is a good one, and my Veterans Administration therapist also gave me some small strategies to help. She said every one of her patients has had the same challenges lately, so she is giving us all the same advice, and we spent the hour brainstorming ways that I can make a difference and keep up my spirits.
I will look for your post. XXOO
Love back, Crystal. As they say in Spanish: “The people united never shall be vanquished.” (Ask Pedro for the original Spanish. I’m sure he knows it…)
🤗
This is big achievement. Kudos for keeping doing it and always finding positives to share with the world. I couldn’t any more.
Thank you Manja, for being my friend and for lifting me up, even when you can’t lift the world anymore with your blog. Though it seems like a failure to the critical part of my mind, taking things easy is actually a win during this crisis time. I’m reading a book about this and the author compares some people to Boxer in Animal Farm – did you read it? The Clydesdale horse’s approach to everything was to work harder. And he was super capable, like I am, and often working harder did solve the problem. But in the end, Boxer dropped dead from exhaustion. To draw a parallel, if my approach to the current White House was to stay freaked out and desperately try strategies, then they win. I think it’s what they want, actually. But to focus on a tiny thing – be ok today – and call it a success, then it’s one point for the our side. A small step of protest.
My plan is to get strong and then come back as the BEAST! as Bonnie said. My rage is still there and I can be a powerful warrior, and that day is coming. 😉