+ Apple streusel cake, Ricotta Bruschetta with Roasted Tomatoes, Late Summer Salad with Lemon Maple Vinaigrette, and Cream Cheese Chocolate Chip Cookies
Rebecca, I read this when you first posted it and have wanted to come back to it to read more slowly and thoughtfully. I despair at the blunt edges of the world in which we find ourselves, but Iām enough of a blind optimist to think that surely, somehow, we can build that bridge. What makes it so very hard is holding up the first plank with no one at the other end.
Well written, Rebecca. With our country split and divisive in so many ways, I can't see how much longer it will stand. You know, a house divided against itself cannot stand. In all my years on this earth, I have seen this country get worse over time. I don't believe or trust in a lot of people anymore. Yes, I have friends on both sides of the canyon but we respect each other's opinions without fights. I don't have answers either. But, for me, baking a cake or having ice cream is the answer to everything. Topped off with a good cocktail. And I'll drink to that.
Hello Rebecca, I am a Canadian, and have been living in New Zealand for the past 13 years. I do keep up with the news and what is happening around the world. It is a sad state of affairs to say the least. I appreciate your words. Very well written and said.
Hello Lucie. So nice to meet you. Thank you so much for taking the time to leave a comment for me. It's a sad state of affairs, indeed. On a completely different note, I really hope to visit New Zealand some day! It's very high on my list of places I most want to experience!
"And this, my friends, is where I feel our entire country is. Was it always this way and I just didnāt notice? We each live on one side of the canyon or the other and the view is very different there. We donāt speak the same language. The ātruthā and the āfactsā are in direct opposition. We are taught and presented evidence about how terrible it is over there. We are told, and we do the telling, that āthose peopleā are dangerous and evil. We believe that they spew hate. They believe the same about us."
How do we bridge that gap? And are we too late? I fear we are at the same time that I hope we aren't.
Cake and pumpkin seeds, on the other hand, are things we can get behind.
I truly loved reading your comments,Rebecca. I agree with all youāve said here; for a long time I have believed that religion is the evil spirit of the human existence. But we are all blessed with a sense of spirituality, I believe, that can only come with our love for each other, regardless of religious and political divisions. But sadly, this seems so faraway from us in our very divisive society.
Itās nice to read something on substack that has a touch of healing power instead of comments based on hate- even if I agree with them! Yes to cake, cookies and pies :)
āI would very much like to live in a world where everyone is free to come to their own conclusions about who they are and how they want to live and that includes gender and sexuality and reproduction.ā
Rebecca, thank you for your candor with your words of how it is in our nation/world at this time. I relate well to your story, my shift started with the 'Tao of Pooh' and there was no turning back.
In the community of women I work with we are working on building bridges. We are an emerging group of women and girls from all spiritual paths and economic backgrounds. We gather twice weekly for a quick 1/2 hour online check-in, we offer words of gratitude, speak a need, or even pray for self or others in pain and suffering. We then gather monthly in person with a theme to work collectively, we are intergenerational, support where and when can. As a group we volunteer to other non-profits, or to each other to help move project alone. We have been busy since Hurricane Helene last fall. We also host an annual 6-8 week class/training on how to host circles to bring our strengths to more sisters and families.
This is very encouraging to me Tara. You are doing important, valuable work! Possibly the most important work that can be done in this country right now.
I wonder that too, Rebecca. Was it always this way and I just didnāt notice? Is it this way in Italy too? I grew up in a catholic family and I met many of my very good friends at church. But it was never so divisive. Probably some Christians here would say itās because we werenāt following the teachings ācorrectlyā or something. But it just seems like there wasnāt (isnāt) the same level of extremism in Italy that I feel here. Or maybe itās just how my Italian family and friends are? Itās been a hard week .. a hard few months.. years? Everything feels so political and extreme. Sorry, I think Iām rambling.
Well said Rebecca. My heart goes out to you. I am very frightened by what is happening in the US.
Across the pond too, there is a divide. A divide I struggle to cross. I am part of it I guess. During the last election, the Reform constituent came canvassing and I slammed the door in his face. I have been shocked by the recent rise of outright racism. Was it always there? Do people just feel 'allowed' to say it now?
This is why I hide in my kitchen and make cake and pastry! I do not know the answer either, and I am so tired.
My mind, my heart (broken) and my hope (gasping for air) agree with you wholeheartedly. To me this division is not based on religion (from the Administrations side) thatās just the tool Trump used to prize his way into the most powerful position on earth. I believe in God, as do many liberals, and we navigate that just fine. This man has turned us all against each other from the perspective of Red or Blueā¦mutually exclusive. Thatās not our reality. Families have people from both sides (and that is fine, normal) but this is no longer Republican or Democrat, Believer or Nonā¦itās straight up Fascism and I hate to tell my learned friends across the aisle (of whom I used to be years ago) but he rode your YOUR train right into the position. He has now abandoned YOUR principles and OURS and is feeding on the carcasses with glee. (God I got dark there. Sorry guys)
I'd like to disagree with you friend, but I can't. What you're saying seems so clear to me and yet there are many, many people in this country who would point their finger at you and say the same. Who still believe that Trump is a champion of freedom. I do not know how to wrap my head around it and I certainly don't know how to form words that would bridge that gap.
Yes, maybe I was a little excited there, and not clear. I donāt blame the republicanā¦nor the democrat. I believe this man and his agenda have used us all to further his own best interests. He has fanned the flames of partisanship so that we canāt see our SIMILARITIES (which are many) The facts reveal that. But I am also aware that facts are not the basis of much of the discourse, which is the problem of course. I just listened to the Coffee Klatch with Robert Reich & Heather Lofthouse and they do a much better job of explaining this. It is not black & white. Nor Red or Blue. Itās strictly greed and power lust, and we have all been assigned our roles to give the King his top billing.
Thank you for your very thoughtful words Rebecca. We must discuss and recognize whatās going on, even when we want to hide. I appreciate you, my friend.
I appreciate your words and your truth and I agree. The divide feels insurmountable.
Rebecca, I read this when you first posted it and have wanted to come back to it to read more slowly and thoughtfully. I despair at the blunt edges of the world in which we find ourselves, but Iām enough of a blind optimist to think that surely, somehow, we can build that bridge. What makes it so very hard is holding up the first plank with no one at the other end.
Hugs to you, my friend š
Well written, Rebecca. With our country split and divisive in so many ways, I can't see how much longer it will stand. You know, a house divided against itself cannot stand. In all my years on this earth, I have seen this country get worse over time. I don't believe or trust in a lot of people anymore. Yes, I have friends on both sides of the canyon but we respect each other's opinions without fights. I don't have answers either. But, for me, baking a cake or having ice cream is the answer to everything. Topped off with a good cocktail. And I'll drink to that.
Cheers, my friend!!!
I am here for you, with you, rage baking my heart out.
If thereās a better way to deal with it, Iāve yet to find it.
Hello Rebecca, I am a Canadian, and have been living in New Zealand for the past 13 years. I do keep up with the news and what is happening around the world. It is a sad state of affairs to say the least. I appreciate your words. Very well written and said.
Hello Lucie. So nice to meet you. Thank you so much for taking the time to leave a comment for me. It's a sad state of affairs, indeed. On a completely different note, I really hope to visit New Zealand some day! It's very high on my list of places I most want to experience!
Thank you.
I hope your message reaches the people who need it in your country Rebecca.
"And this, my friends, is where I feel our entire country is. Was it always this way and I just didnāt notice? We each live on one side of the canyon or the other and the view is very different there. We donāt speak the same language. The ātruthā and the āfactsā are in direct opposition. We are taught and presented evidence about how terrible it is over there. We are told, and we do the telling, that āthose peopleā are dangerous and evil. We believe that they spew hate. They believe the same about us."
How do we bridge that gap? And are we too late? I fear we are at the same time that I hope we aren't.
Cake and pumpkin seeds, on the other hand, are things we can get behind.
I am in the same boat, Nica (pun intended). Are we too late? I fear we are and at the same time hope we aren't.
I truly loved reading your comments,Rebecca. I agree with all youāve said here; for a long time I have believed that religion is the evil spirit of the human existence. But we are all blessed with a sense of spirituality, I believe, that can only come with our love for each other, regardless of religious and political divisions. But sadly, this seems so faraway from us in our very divisive society.
Itās nice to read something on substack that has a touch of healing power instead of comments based on hate- even if I agree with them! Yes to cake, cookies and pies :)
Thank you so much for taking the time to write these words, Sue. We may not have any answers but there is a comfort in knowing that we are not alone.
Excellent, Rebecca.
āI would very much like to live in a world where everyone is free to come to their own conclusions about who they are and how they want to live and that includes gender and sexuality and reproduction.ā
Itās what everyone should be entitled to.
And, cake.
Please see my Restack.
I love you and respect you my friend, whatever side of the Grand Canyon you want to stand on! š
I love and respect you too my friend.
Rebecca, thank you for your candor with your words of how it is in our nation/world at this time. I relate well to your story, my shift started with the 'Tao of Pooh' and there was no turning back.
In the community of women I work with we are working on building bridges. We are an emerging group of women and girls from all spiritual paths and economic backgrounds. We gather twice weekly for a quick 1/2 hour online check-in, we offer words of gratitude, speak a need, or even pray for self or others in pain and suffering. We then gather monthly in person with a theme to work collectively, we are intergenerational, support where and when can. As a group we volunteer to other non-profits, or to each other to help move project alone. We have been busy since Hurricane Helene last fall. We also host an annual 6-8 week class/training on how to host circles to bring our strengths to more sisters and families.
This is very encouraging to me Tara. You are doing important, valuable work! Possibly the most important work that can be done in this country right now.
I wonder that too, Rebecca. Was it always this way and I just didnāt notice? Is it this way in Italy too? I grew up in a catholic family and I met many of my very good friends at church. But it was never so divisive. Probably some Christians here would say itās because we werenāt following the teachings ācorrectlyā or something. But it just seems like there wasnāt (isnāt) the same level of extremism in Italy that I feel here. Or maybe itās just how my Italian family and friends are? Itās been a hard week .. a hard few months.. years? Everything feels so political and extreme. Sorry, I think Iām rambling.
Well said Rebecca. My heart goes out to you. I am very frightened by what is happening in the US.
Across the pond too, there is a divide. A divide I struggle to cross. I am part of it I guess. During the last election, the Reform constituent came canvassing and I slammed the door in his face. I have been shocked by the recent rise of outright racism. Was it always there? Do people just feel 'allowed' to say it now?
This is why I hide in my kitchen and make cake and pastry! I do not know the answer either, and I am so tired.
Same, same, my friend.
My mind, my heart (broken) and my hope (gasping for air) agree with you wholeheartedly. To me this division is not based on religion (from the Administrations side) thatās just the tool Trump used to prize his way into the most powerful position on earth. I believe in God, as do many liberals, and we navigate that just fine. This man has turned us all against each other from the perspective of Red or Blueā¦mutually exclusive. Thatās not our reality. Families have people from both sides (and that is fine, normal) but this is no longer Republican or Democrat, Believer or Nonā¦itās straight up Fascism and I hate to tell my learned friends across the aisle (of whom I used to be years ago) but he rode your YOUR train right into the position. He has now abandoned YOUR principles and OURS and is feeding on the carcasses with glee. (God I got dark there. Sorry guys)
I'd like to disagree with you friend, but I can't. What you're saying seems so clear to me and yet there are many, many people in this country who would point their finger at you and say the same. Who still believe that Trump is a champion of freedom. I do not know how to wrap my head around it and I certainly don't know how to form words that would bridge that gap.
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Yes, maybe I was a little excited there, and not clear. I donāt blame the republicanā¦nor the democrat. I believe this man and his agenda have used us all to further his own best interests. He has fanned the flames of partisanship so that we canāt see our SIMILARITIES (which are many) The facts reveal that. But I am also aware that facts are not the basis of much of the discourse, which is the problem of course. I just listened to the Coffee Klatch with Robert Reich & Heather Lofthouse and they do a much better job of explaining this. It is not black & white. Nor Red or Blue. Itās strictly greed and power lust, and we have all been assigned our roles to give the King his top billing.
Thank you for your very thoughtful words Rebecca. We must discuss and recognize whatās going on, even when we want to hide. I appreciate you, my friend.
I couldn't agree more my friend. I appreciate you!
This resonated so deeply. How do we build that bridge? I have no idea, but it feels like it's getting harder and harder.
I have no idea either friend. I'm not sure it can be done.