Day 3676: Shocking

My husband Michael and I have been watching Deadwood, which was considered shocking when it debuted in 2004 for its extremely profane language. I assumed the language wouldn’t be shocking now but, much to my amazement, it still is.

Why is the language shocking to me? I think it’s because of the shocking anger and cruelty of several of the main characters. Somehow, despite all the anger and cruelty around us, it’s still shocking.

While I work towards acceptance and peace of mind, I’m grateful I still find some things shocking — shocked seems better than numb.

Do you see anything shocking in today’s blog post?

Okay, you bitches, here’s Randy Rainbow and his latest masterpiece about shocking behaviors in the USA House of Representatives.

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Thanks to all who helped me create this shocking post, including YOU.

Day 3674: Bots

Last week, I chatted with a Jane Austen bot, who was witty, polite, and interested in my college thesis (which was about judgment in the novels of Jane Austen).

Because I knew she was a bot, I didn’t return for further conversation. I do prefer interacting with non-bots after all (even if they’re not as interested in my thesis).

Do you see bots in my images for today?

Because I’m not a bot, I’m feeling angry and sad about the latest mass shooting in the USA. I wish the non-bots in Congress would do more to prevent this ongoing and horrifying loss of life.

Here’s what I find when I search for “bots” on YouTube.

What are your thoughts and feelings about this bots post?

Human thanks to all my non-bot readers, including YOU.

Day 3658: Speakers

Speakers are all over the news lately. What speakers can you find in today’s blog post?

This speaker assumes that someone will speak up about National Cuddle Up Day occurring simultaneously with National Bean Day.

Here’s what I find when I search for “speakers” on YouTube.

Thanks to all the speakers that helped me create today’s blog post, including YOU!

Day 3628: Overreacting

I notice that I’m overreacting these days about

• filling out forms (like renewing my passport),
• mistakes,
• aches and pains,
• ongoing decisions I need to make about our shower remodel,
• money issues,
• all the things that could possibly go wrong everywhere,
• imagined criticisms and slights,
• my weight,
• TV shows,
• people who don’t vote the way I would,
• the news cycle, and
• the weather.

Do you see overreacting in my images for today?

Here’s what I find on YouTube when I search for “overreacting.”

If you are overreacting, you’re not alone.

Gratitude modulates my overreacting, so thanks to all who follow my daily reactions in this blog, including YOU.

Day 3602: Waiting

As I was waiting last night for more results from the USA mid-term elections, I posted this on Twitter:

If you’re waiting for quotes about waiting, here they are:

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Do you see waiting in my images for today?

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Traditions are important, and shit you not — I traditionally refer to this song when I talk about waiting:

I’ll be waiting for your comments about this “waiting” post.

If you’re waiting for my gratitude for you, here it is.

Day 3599: What I’m watching

Here and now, I’m watching the lunar eclipse through my window. As I watch the moon disappear, I know it will reappear again. I wish I felt that confident about eroding rights in the USA.

Later today, I’ll be watching people in remote therapy sessions and at my local polling place. In the evening, I’ll be watching the news after the polling places close. Depending upon the results, I might take a mental health break by watching Joan, who seems to spend a lot of time watching me.

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Here are other things I’ve been watching lately:

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I’m hoping that many Daily Bitches (like me) are voting in this election.

Here’s the first thing that shows up when I search YouTube for “what I’m watching.”

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I’m watching those I love with gratitude, including you.

Day 3597: How things are going to turn out

As much as I try to appreciate and dwell in the precious current moment, it’s hard not to wonder and worry about how things are going to turn out.

When focusing on how things are going to turn out interferes with my ability to appreciate the present, I redirect my attention, over and over again, to being here, now.

Nevertheless, I do wonder how things are going to turn out today, tomorrow, and on Election Day this Tuesday. I worry about how things are going to turn out for my son Aaron and future generations. I hope Americans turn out in record numbers to vote this time.

I don’t know how the future will turn out, but I do know how things turned out yesterday for me, because I

• got my hair cut by the fabulous Mia,
• went for a beautiful walk with my beautiful friend Barbara,
• spent time with other humans and cats I love,
• had delicious food, and
• made some final decisions about the repair work to our home.

Let’s see how this blog post turns out, shall we?

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It turns out I found this on YouTube when I searched for “how things are going to turn out saxophone.”

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Thanks to all who helped me turn out another daily blog post, including YOU!!!!

Day 3594: What the hell is wrong?

Lately, I’ve been waking up in the middle of the night unable to get back to sleep. What the hell is wrong?

The polls in the United States, the week before Election Day, are indicating that fear, anger, and short-term reactivity can too often win out over long-term context and reasoning. What the hell is wrong?

There is evidence everywhere about the devastating effects of climate change, but individuals and governments are not focusing on working together to mitigate this. What the hell is wrong?

Other countries in the world have instituted effective solutions to the issue of gun violence and yet the USA is unable to follow suit despite the unassailable data about this. What the hell is wrong?

Speaking of unassailable data, so many people are swayed more by conspiracy theories and lies than by data and facts. What the hell is wrong?

In the last week, every time I check my Twitter account, I’ve lost more followers. What the hell is wrong?

In the last month, because of intermittent problems starting my yellow Honda Fit, I’ve replaced the key battery, the car battery, AND the alternator, and now my mechanic says I need a new starter. What the hell is wrong?

I apparently have redirected my anxiety about all the above (and other things I can’t control) to obsessing about trivial decisions related to our shower repair and remodel. What the hell is wrong?

I help others develop effective coping strategies to manage stress and yet I often have trouble practicing what I preach. What the hell is wrong?

What the hell is wrong with my images for today?

What the hell is wrong with men making dinner most days? As you can see from my husband Michael’s latest delicious concoction …

… nothing is wrong with that.

Here’s what I find on YouTube when I search for “what the hell is wrong?”

What the hell is wrong with asking for comments about this what-the-hell-is-wrong post?

What the hell is wrong with my expressing gratitude for all those who help me create this daily blog, including YOU?

Day 3593: Tranquility

In the week before the U.S. midterm elections, I am searching for tranquility.

Can you find tranquility in my images for today?

I’m very aware of stress on National Stress Awareness Day, so I’m going to search for “tranquility” on YouTube.

Ahmad Jamal’s music has given me tranquility and much more over the years, so thanks to him and everyone else who helped me create this Tranquility post, including YOU.

Day 3586: Scared

I’m scared about

• the USA midterm elections,
• the future of this country, and
• the future of the world.

When I’m scared, it’s difficult to focus on the gifts of the present moment, even though there are many around me. I will take a breath and try to be less scared, here and now.

Are you scared by any of today’s images?

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I’m scared of stupid people voting awful and greedy liars into power. If they do, I’m scared that we’re dead.

Here’s “Scared” by the Tragically Hip.

I’m not scared of any reactions you might have to this “scared” post.

Thanks for keeping me company when I’m scared — that helps!