You are living in paradise. When you recognize that the outside world and its problems is mostly "outside," it's easier to fight it off. It's that world we can actually control: the animals, the redwoods and surf, the stewardship of past generations' legacies. These immediate things we can control. That tumultuous world outside is beyond us. And it will eventually change to something else, for better or worse. No era has ever been free from strife, just our awareness of it. Like you, I take shelter in my fenced garden, listening to the noise of the neighborhood, but staying within what's under my control and joy. This was a good story. Thank you. We both lived in a beautiful those troubling time. I like to call it a pivotal era.
Thank you, Sue! I appreciate your comment. I grew up in this little town of beaches and redwoods, and it brings me so much joy to be able to still be able to live in its beauty. I am grateful, every day that I breathe this salt air and eucalyptus around me, enjoying the deer, the turkeys, the squirrels, et al. My husband and I walk up the lane to the mailbox, every day, and praise our fortune, to be where we want to be. That said, it is heartbreaking to know that so many have so little joy. And frustrating that the country that we live in, and love, is lead by such a mean-spirited tyrant, who would take away what little joy they have. I write about happiness, and about times of grief. I love my little life, and just want the best for all of us, as I am sure you do as well. I love your writing, Sue!And I’m grateful you come to my little corner of Substack, and read mine, too!💕
As I get talked out of cutting some limbs on a tree for which I would have to scramble up a ladder and threw down branches with a tiny chainsaw, my husband says, don’t you know how old you are?
My bones say my age, but my head won’t let me listen, as well as I ought to. Giving voice to memories of the past when one brother of yours was fighting and the other was opposing. It reminds me of every family I’ve ever known and brings it all up to the present.
My two adopted brothers a few years younger than me are also on the opposite side of the spectrum. One is Cherokee the other very challenged Japanese American. Can we love them both I can, but there are parts of them which I have more because of the difficulties they have given the family and the people they have her physically as well as mentally and emotionally
I love that pink-checked gingham bikini. ( I rocked orange checks -- a one-piece with ruffles on the butt.) Such a sweet nostalgic story here, Sharon. It was a fine line, wasn't it, between two well-loved brothers with polar-opposite views. This whole political scene now has robbed me of two friends and one family member who are just so unfathomably "wrong" it is hard to even talk to them anymore, I feel such pity for them. It is like they have been abducted and transmogrified... I suppose they look at me with equal disdain. I hate what is happening.
Yes, the days of suntan oil and beach bods was a lifetime ago....and we have changed in many ways. But our basic values have not. And, as we grew, so did the threat to those values. It should be simple, but life (and people) are not. I feel what you say, Sharron. Losing the people we love, to this insanity, is heartbreaking.
Thank you, MR GLEN, for your thoughtful comment! I appreciate, so much, that you understood, so well, what I was saying, and connected to the time in which it was written…and to the present. Again, thank you so much!
Beautifully written, Sharon. Thank you for sharing.
Thank you, C.J.! I’m so pleased that you dropped by the Gopher Farm!!
It was my pleasure, Sharon!
You are living in paradise. When you recognize that the outside world and its problems is mostly "outside," it's easier to fight it off. It's that world we can actually control: the animals, the redwoods and surf, the stewardship of past generations' legacies. These immediate things we can control. That tumultuous world outside is beyond us. And it will eventually change to something else, for better or worse. No era has ever been free from strife, just our awareness of it. Like you, I take shelter in my fenced garden, listening to the noise of the neighborhood, but staying within what's under my control and joy. This was a good story. Thank you. We both lived in a beautiful those troubling time. I like to call it a pivotal era.
Thank you, Sue! I appreciate your comment. I grew up in this little town of beaches and redwoods, and it brings me so much joy to be able to still be able to live in its beauty. I am grateful, every day that I breathe this salt air and eucalyptus around me, enjoying the deer, the turkeys, the squirrels, et al. My husband and I walk up the lane to the mailbox, every day, and praise our fortune, to be where we want to be. That said, it is heartbreaking to know that so many have so little joy. And frustrating that the country that we live in, and love, is lead by such a mean-spirited tyrant, who would take away what little joy they have. I write about happiness, and about times of grief. I love my little life, and just want the best for all of us, as I am sure you do as well. I love your writing, Sue!And I’m grateful you come to my little corner of Substack, and read mine, too!💕
As I get talked out of cutting some limbs on a tree for which I would have to scramble up a ladder and threw down branches with a tiny chainsaw, my husband says, don’t you know how old you are?
My bones say my age, but my head won’t let me listen, as well as I ought to. Giving voice to memories of the past when one brother of yours was fighting and the other was opposing. It reminds me of every family I’ve ever known and brings it all up to the present.
My two adopted brothers a few years younger than me are also on the opposite side of the spectrum. One is Cherokee the other very challenged Japanese American. Can we love them both I can, but there are parts of them which I have more because of the difficulties they have given the family and the people they have her physically as well as mentally and emotionally
Simplifying sounds simple, doesn’t it?
It is and decent thank you Mrs. gopher farm ❣️
I love that pink-checked gingham bikini. ( I rocked orange checks -- a one-piece with ruffles on the butt.) Such a sweet nostalgic story here, Sharon. It was a fine line, wasn't it, between two well-loved brothers with polar-opposite views. This whole political scene now has robbed me of two friends and one family member who are just so unfathomably "wrong" it is hard to even talk to them anymore, I feel such pity for them. It is like they have been abducted and transmogrified... I suppose they look at me with equal disdain. I hate what is happening.
Yes, the days of suntan oil and beach bods was a lifetime ago....and we have changed in many ways. But our basic values have not. And, as we grew, so did the threat to those values. It should be simple, but life (and people) are not. I feel what you say, Sharron. Losing the people we love, to this insanity, is heartbreaking.
Wonderful post Sharon! I love you my sweet baby sister! 💕
Thank you, Sue! I appreciate your support, and I love you back!
Thank you, C.J.! I appreciate the restack. Your support means so much!
Thank you, MR GLEN, for your thoughtful comment! I appreciate, so much, that you understood, so well, what I was saying, and connected to the time in which it was written…and to the present. Again, thank you so much!