No, I haven’t had any problems on the blog with political comments. I try to keep politics off the blog. I have long time friends on Facebook that cannot seem to stop talking politics. Most of those who continue to post are obviously not happy with the current President. Not everyone is. There’s probably never been a president in the history of this country where everyone has been happy with the election outcome. It’s seriously time to let it go! Posting about the election results or something the President has done or said isn’t going to change anything. It’s likely going to keep you angry and in a state of turmoil. I hate to say this because it sounds bad but honestly . . get over it! Enjoy your life. Improve on the things you can change and try to ignore the things you cannot change.
January has not been a great month for me. My dad passed away a couple of weeks ago. It wasn’t a huge surprise. He was 91 and had some health issues but I suppose no one, especially a daughter who thought her dad walked on water, is ready to lose him. The last few years had not been great for my relationship with my dad. A family member terribly dislikes Vince and caused lots of problems and pretty much forbid my dad to talk to me. I will never understand it and I’m struggling to even forgive this person. It’s history. I cannot change it. I have to let it go. I’m doing better than I was a week ago, and I’ll be doing better a week from now. Time has a way of healing all hurts and wounds . . I hope.
My 96 year old great aunt also passed away this week. She is the one I’ve mentioned on here before. She lived down the road from my grandparents and she had a daughter close to my age so I would walk down there to visit. No phones, no bicycle, no traffic on the little dirt road. She was the last living sibling of my grandpa and he has been gone for about 20 years.
Maybe it’s because of these two recent losses in my life that I want to see and read and hear “happy” and not sad and angry. I fully understand that everyone has the right to post anything they want on their Facebook page or on their blog or anywhere. I’m not putting anyone down for doing that . . I’m just wondering why they’re choosing to give political issues so much space in their head!
Please think about what you’re posting, what you’re watching, what you’re letting consume your life or even reside in your head. It’s time for me to think about my friends on Facebook, and I fully understand that no one cares if I’m their friend or not. We all change. Our lives take different paths. I still follow people even though 20 plus years after we became virtual friends, we have little in common. I enjoy reading about their life experiences and what’s going on with them. What I cannot continue doing is seeing political rants from my friends on Facebook.
Life is short. Have fun. Make a positive difference in someone’s life. Don’t let the current news bring you down and rob you of your joy.
I decided a long time ago (so wise in my old age . . I almost typed “wide” instead of “wise” and that would have been more accurate!) that it doesn’t matter which channel you watch or what you read – liberal, conservative, supposedly factual with no bias . . there’s a slant to it. For a while, I would watch Fox and CNN and then decide what I believed to be correct, often something in the middle of what I was hearing. Then I decided . . why do I really care? I cannot change it and knowing it and fretting about it isn’t going to make me any better prepared or any happier. There is so rarely anything on the news that I NEED to know or that will improve my day.
Vince has always said I live my life through rose colored glasses. Maybe I do but I’d rather be happy and uninformed than know everything going on, especially things I cannot change (which is pretty much everything on the news) and be miserable, angry, or fearful.
Every single night, Vince asks me “What are your plans for tomorrow?” I tell him the exact same thing every day – play with Boots, Oscar and Cooper, cross stitch and fix you something to eat! Some days, I don’t cook. Today, the hospital has fish so we’re eating there. So, on the days I don’t cook, I will fix him a little surprise – yogurt with fruit, or heat up some brie and serve it with crackers and strawberry jam, make a pan of escargot – just some little something. Then I’ll say “My day is complete. I’ve played with Boots, Oscar and Cooper, cross stitched and fixed you something to eat!” We both laugh – my goals are so easily met! Even though I have my journal and my calendar, and I write down all my plans for the next day, about the only things that I feel like I MUST do each day are those three things.
Let’s all try to be happy and positive. Let’s be nice to people. Let’s be the best person we can be and, most of all, let’s enjoy life. It passes by way too quickly!
Debra Mcintosh says
What a lovely post, your daily goals are great
judy.blog@gmail.com says
Thank you! I love my daily goals. They make me smile each night when I recite them to Vince and they make me smile each evening when I tell him I’ve completed my goals. May we all have goals that are so easy to reach each day!
Patricia says
Thank you so much! Wisdom we all need.
Teri says
Thanks for your wise post. Condolences on your father’s passing.
judy.blog@gmail.com says
Thank you!
Diane says
Quite ironic that the ad at the top of your post pictured a man with a migraine headache. ,
judy.blog@gmail.com says
Maybe my blog post gave him the headache! 🙂
Kathy says
Thank you for the positive thoughts on the last part of your post. I am sorry for both of your losses and it is always disheartening to me when I hear of family issues that are so intense. You have a great attitude, but that doesn’t mean it doesn’t hurt. Keep up your daily goals- they seem to make your life complete.
On a weirdly side note- I dreamt about dachshund puppies last night!!! What a fun dream!
judy.blog@gmail.com says
Yes! Dachshund puppies would be a very fun dream.
Pam says
You have great daily goals! So sorry to hear about your losses. Sending you a big hug!
Cindy F says
My condolences on the loss of your father and great aunt. Even though you know it’s coming, it’s still very hard. I appreciate your thoughts on posting political rants. I’ve been off Facebook for some time and that’s one of the driving factors. I have friends on both sides of the aisle and I decided to just tune everyone out. There is so much to do creatively in real life instead of reading rants. And…..I love your daily goals!
judy.blog@gmail.com says
I think part of being a friend is accepting that we have differences. If my best friend hates or is allergic to seafood, I’m not going to fix it every time she’s here to eat. Same with politics. Don’t even bring it up!
Lori says
I love this. I think we all needed to hear something positive. ??
judy.blog@gmail.com says
Yes. Constant news and taking a stand against everything makes for a miserable life.
Kat in Tamale Land says
My prayers for peace and comfort for you and your family at the loss of your dad and great-aunt. {{{hug}}}. Time does help, and forgiveness does come as we pursue it through Christ.
Thank you for the reminder about our attitudes. (We always need those, don’t we?) We can choose… to walk in love, peace, kindness, joy, and changing the things we can for good, OR to rant and complain, stirring up anger and fear. I choose PEACE!
judy.blog@gmail.com says
Most of my family has their final resting spot up there by you.
gir says
I’m so sorry for your losses. I do agree with you- I’ve “unfriended” friends and family on Facebook. Just don’t need to be subjected to their negative posts. Thank you for your fun blog!
judy.blog@gmail.com says
Thank you!
Lynn Miller says
Agree completely. And you’re never going to change the way anyone else thinks. I like my rose colored glasses.
judy.blog@gmail.com says
I’m with you!
vivoaks says
Amen, Judy! You’ve expressed my sentiments almost to a T. 🙂 I quit watching news on TV years ago, because I realized it only made me mad and aggravated. I’m a much happier and more positive person without it! Plain and simple. I’m much less stressed and my whole life feels better.
I had an uncle who was 94. We talked on Skype (family Skype each Sunday evening…wonderful for connecting!!) on a Sunday evening, and Monday morning he died while getting ready for the day. Total shock. Yes, he was 94, but he was always so active. He died on the anniversary of my brother’s death…. Thank goodness I am from a family where we all got along just fine, with brothers and sisters as well as cousins and others, so there was never a time I felt bad about family. Quirky? Yes!! But we all were always there for each other. Now I’m one of the “Old Folks”. All my parents and their siblings are gone now. I am thankful I still had both parents until I was well into my sixties. (Dad was 99-1/2 when he died!) I hope my life continues just like theirs and I can continue to live life to the fullest till my last days!! Thanks for the upbeat comments to start my day!
Angie says
I feel the same way. I have a couple school friends that all they can post is how awful the current president is doing or what he’s done in the past. They only see one way and everyone else is wrong. I’ve often wanted to ask do they ever see anything good in the world or why always so negative but I know I’m wasting my time. I try to see the best and not focus on the negative. Have a good day playing with Boots, Oscar and Copper, cross stitching and of course feeding Vince.
Kathy Henderson says
I completely agree with you Judy. As a younger person I would get so worked up about politics, but many elections ago I decided that for my own well being, I would just vote and move on. Also I want to give my deepest condolences on your dad and great aunt’s passing. I also had several older family members pass recently. I wish you and your family well.
Kathy in California
judy.blog@gmail.com says
Yes! Do your research, pray about your decisions if you’re the praying type, cast your vote and move on! That’s really all we can do.
Mayme says
I’m so sorry for the loss of your Dad and Great Aunt. You are spot on about getter all stirred up about things we can’t change. It is a very snowy here in West MI this morning. Schools have been closed all week. The snow is cleaned up for now. Going to make cinnamon rolls and invite the neighbors over! Enjoy your day!
judy.blog@gmail.com says
Wish I was your neighbor! 🙂
Liz says
Judy – I am so sorry about your losses. I have a print from a friend – our mothers were very good friends. It says “Those we love don’t go away, they fly besides us every day.” The picture has a couple of cardinals, so every time I see a cardinal, I think about my mom and Bea.
I like your attitude about just taking life under your own rules. I try to have a goal for the day, but if I don’t succeed, I’ll just try again tomorrow.
judy.blog@gmail.com says
That’s a very nice and comforting saying. Thank you! Yes, there’s always tomorrow.
Mary says
Love your post! Sorry that it included the news about your dad and your great aunt, but your thoughts about politics and peoples negativity are spot on. A friend just spent a couple of days in the hospital because they thought she had a heart attack. After having a cardiac cath they decided her pain was just from stress. She and her husband spend hours watching all of the political mess that’s on tv. We watch very little tv and none of this political stuff. I did all I can do about what’s happening the day I voted!
judy.blog@gmail.com says
days when I encounter someone who can’t walk away from the news or who can’t stop talking about it, I tell Vince .. they need to learn to cross stitch but it could be quilt, garden, read. There are so few hours in a day and and so much fun stuff to do, I feel like people who choose to spend so much time on stressful and negative news/thoughts, etc. really need to “get a life”.
Sue Edberg says
I am so sorry about the passing of your dad. It is hard to lose a parent. I know, I’ve been there several times. Congratulations on this positive and upbeat message. I have several friends who I am about ready to unfriend because of their negativity and hatefulness. I keep saying, “get over it”. I want to hear positive things. Life passes too quickly. We need to enjoy it and not hold grudges over things we can’t control.
judy.blog@gmail.com says
Yes! Thank you for saying exactly what I feel.
Teri says
So sorry to hear of your loss. Thoughts and prayers to you all.
cindy says
Dear Judy, i am so sorry to hear about your dad’s and aunt’s deaths. It is so hard. Deal with what you can and what brings you joy and ignore the rest, especially during this time. I am still finding my joy in quilting and love that i can do so. God bless you and keep you. cindy
Carolyn says
Oh Judy, I’m so sorry to hear of your father’s passing. We’re coming up to the 2nd anniversary of my dad’s passing on the 29th and I still can’t believe he’s gone. Also, my condolences on your great aunt. It’s been a rough year for you. I’ve gotten to the point that I’m avoiding the news as well. I just can’t let myself get aggravated so much again. I spent 4 years last time being upset and basically losing my job because I wasn’t a believer and I don’t need the stress triggering my pain anymore! I think I need a pair of rose colored glasses! I love your to do list! Thanks for the cheering post!
Joyce says
I’m so sorry for the loss of your father and great-aunt. We are never prepared for those losses even when we know it’s coming.
I have some family members who have the opposite political beliefs than me. If I can tell it’s going to be a rant, I quickly scroll by it. I don’t need or want the negativity! I also refrain from posting anything political on social media. I’m not going to change their mind, and they’re not going to change mine, so lets not get into it. Life is too short to fuss about stuff like that anyway. Everyone would be happier if they would play with a dog or cat, eat yummy food and engage in a fun hobby! 🙂
Carolyn Sands says
Judy, I’m so sorry for your losses.
Dottie says
So sorry about your Dad and your great aunt…..it’s always so hard losing family. I’m sure you have a lot of GREAT memories.
You’ve shared so many great thoughts and make so much sense about not letting FB posts, media comments, etc. “live” in our heads.
geemasews says
I agree completely about the politics. I “unfollowed” a friend today because she posts such negative political memes. I am so sorry about your family losses. I lost my Dad 10 years ago and I miss his voice every day. He wasn’t around much when we were kids but he made up for it when the grandkids came along. I love to read your stories with Vince. You and he are much like my husband and I were before he passed.
cafrn says
Judy,
So sorry for your losses. It’s hard to lose people you love. I agree with you 100%. Life is too short to be miserable. Your daily goals are both great and enough.
Hang in.
Cheryl
judy.blog@gmail.com says
Thank you!
Paula Nordt says
I’ve been long term substitute teaching for a while, so just catching up on your posts. Love your attitude about news, politics, and things we cannot change. My sympathies on the loss of your dad and great aunt, also. January is a mixed bag for me with the deaths of my mom, greatly beloved father-in-law, and mother-in-law years ago, but also the birthdays of two of my grown children (many years ago) and one granddaughter.
Pat D from KS says
I’m sorry for the loss of your dad and aunt. Those losses are always hard, even when expected. Besides missing them personally, so much history and wisdom is lost when that older generation passes.
I agree with your views on political fb posts. Sometimes I’m tempted to ask certain fb friends if they realize they are presenting themselves to the world as angry, unhappy people – so different from the way they are in person. But instead, I just quietly scroll on past the political posts.
Finally, I love your daily goals – consistent, simple, and achievable!
Deb says
I am so sorry to hear of your dad’s passing. I’m also sorry that your relationship suffered because of others in the family. I was glad to read that you do the same as we do – we don’t listen to news, and try to avoid the negative commenting from everyone. We can’t do anything about it & just want to have a more serene ‘rest of our lives’. Everyone just seems to LOVE being upset & angry and addicted to their phones for the ‘latest’…instead of being kind to the people sharing the road with them, talking to family at dinner (phone off), etc. Unplugging from a lot of things really helps! I keep doing my quilting, working around the house, reading & enjoying the shows from overseas (we watch BritBox, Acorn, etc)…pleasant to see other parts of the world. I hope the rest of this year will be a much less stressful one for you and that you reach that level of serenity, too. I truly enjoy your blog, Judy – thank you!
Wanda Nesloney says
Judy,
I’m so sorry for your recent losses. That is hard having no contact with your dad. I am truly sorry.
I’m glad the election and inauguration is over and we can move forward.
So to share some good news that you are partly responsible for, I am getting a dog, first time we’ve had a dog in over 30 years!! Now for how you are partly responsible is sharing your dogs in your posts and showing how much love you have for them. I’ve decided to get a Standard poodle, I love the breed for their looks, brains, and the fact their nick names are velcro dogs! I had one set up to pick up last week and the seller changed their mind after we had made plans on what time to meet that day. I was crushed to say the least, but now I know that was for the best as I’ve found another I think will be a much better fit for us. We pick her up on the 8th of Feb.
judy.blog@gmail.com says
YAY!! A new dog is so fun (and so much trouble). I’m so excited for you. Our neighbor has two Standard Poodles and a friend in Texas had two. They were like children – so well behaved, so sweet and so pretty. I think you made a good choice and I hope you will share lots of puppy pictures with me.
Bunny says
First, let me say I am so sorry to hear about the loss of your Father and Aunt. It is such a lonely, hard and confusing road to walk down, losing a parent. Losing anyone, really, but losing a parent stings so much. I lost my Daddy in 2022, way too soon, as he was only in his 60’s. I am in my 40’s, and I wonder if it would have been easier had I been a decade older? I feel like I’m not old enough to have that wisdom yet. Maybe I am, and maybe I do have it, and just don’t realize it. We also lost our precious dog in 2024, at the age of 16, and that knocked the wind out of us. It will be a year next month and we are still trying to come to terms with that. As for the rest of your post, of only wanting to hear and see happy things, I so totally get that. I’m right there with you. I don’t know if it’s the waves of grief I’m riding, or just plain old political fatigue since 2020, but I am so over the anger, hatefulness, the evil and the ugly. (I left Facebook all the way back in 2012 if you can believe that!) My escape has been reading blogs, starting my own blog, mini scrapbooking, mini baking and cooking, working in my craft room, and learning to quilt. My husband and I have taken some very fun day trips around our area, and we have jumped head first in watching old tv shows. (We also got rid of our cable in 2012, so we don’t keep up with current TV/movies) And when I say old, we are in our Gunsmoke and Death Valley Days era. LOL! I do wish you some peace and comfort, quiet days, and enjoyment in the little daily things. That’s truly where the things that bring you comfort are. Blessings to you! -Bunny
JackiesStitches says
I’m so sorry for your losses Judy. I’m even more sorry that someone stepped in between your relationship with your dad. I lost both of my parents very close together – my dad died in his sleep the night after we buried my mom – and not a day goes by that I don’t feel them inside me, guiding me.
judy.blog@gmail.com says
Oh, my! That’s a lot of loss at once. Thank you for your kind words.
Danielle says
I am so sorry for your losses. And so sorry that one person could cause so much turmoil in the lives of several – many? – people. Unhappy people always seem to have to share their unhappiness with others. But now you no longer have to think of that person any more, and you can dwell on the love you and your dad shared.
judy.blog@gmail.com says
You are so right. Having that person in my life has made me more determined to never treat anyone that way. Thank you for the kind words.
crluvs2quilt says
Judy, I just read this post today. I am so sorry for the loss of your dad and great aunt and the heartache of time lost in the relationship. Our family is so very important to us. Just before Thanksgiving, I had a niece that had a hemorrhagic brain bleed and died. She was just 72. I now have 3 siblings over the age of 90. I think we just thank God for what we do have and don’t dwell on what we don’t. I love your positive attitude. You care about what matters the most. Like you said a lot of things are beyond our control so don’t dwell on them.
judy.blog@gmail.com says
So sorry about your niece. Life seems short, no matter how long we have. Three siblings over 90? Good genes or they’re all doing something right – probably both!
Linda in NE says
I’m so sorry for your recent losses. You have a great attitude about all the politics…I’m trying. All that we all can do is vote & then hope for the best, so we’ll see.
Amy says
You have my deepest sympathy. I lost my mom on the 26th of January after a long hard fight with dialysis, heart attacks and infections. My sister and I did the cooking and running for her. But she was able to take the taxi to dialysis still on Jan 8. Her little body could not fight the staph infection any longer. Watching her pass for 2 1/2 weeks was the hardest thing we have had to do. I am praying for you and hope you can find peace.
judy.blog@gmail.com says
I’m sorry for your loss too. Thank you. It all’s hard – much harder than I had expected.