I began this blog way back when (2012) as another venue for the book reviews I wrote once or twice a week. I never expected to become a serious blogger, but then … 2015 happened! A lunatic came down a tacky golden escalator, said he was running for the office of president, and proceeded to denigrate people from all over the world, then said he could stand in the middle of Fifth Avenue in New York and shoot someone and he’d still be beloved. Needless to say, I was appalled and before I even knew it, this blog had taken on a new life … it had gone from book reviews to a socio-political blog overnight.
A bit about me … I spent my entire career as an accountant (CPA), though I would have much preferred a career in political science. However, I was raising three children on my own and didn’t have many viable options, so I did what I needed to. I am deeply interested in history and politics, am a humanitarian who would gladly take all the wealth in the world and distribute it evenly among all people … that pretty much makes me a democratic socialist. I am a non-believer, having been around for over 70 years and seen too much to believe that there is anyone, anything, or any grand plan of order in the world. That said, I don’t criticize others for their religious beliefs, as long as they don’t attempt to shove them down my throat.
I believe that the single most important issue facing all nations today is climate change, and that if we do not stop pandering to the fossil fuel industry, do not start learning to make some personal sacrifices to correct the damage we have already done to the environment, life on the planet will not survive past the end of this century.
I have known all manners of trials and tribulations from being homeless for a brief period of time to losing a child, but I still manage to maintain a sense of humour, although some days it is a dark humour. I share a home with my daughter and granddaughter, the two most important people in my life, and without them … well, life just wouldn’t be worth living.
And that’s about all there is to know about me!
Jill, I enjoyed our blogging friendship very much indeed. However I felt my blog had passed its best, and it was time for me to move on. I may start up again one day. All the very best Ji,, Hugs and Kisses
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As did I, Jack! I do understand, but I hope you will let me know if you start another blog someday … I will follow! Hugs ‘n kisses to you, Jack!
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I’m the producer of the video on Tracey Mason (From Gangsta To Guardian Angel). I wanted to let you know how much I appreciate you writing a post about him – he is doing very good work and deserves a great deal more recognition than he’s been getting. Thank you! And happy 2023…
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Thank you! It was my pleasure … he is indeed doing good work and deserved to be acknowledged! Thanks for letting me know, and a Happy 2023 to you and to Tracey as well!
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Wow, Jill. All the blogging awards, and you never mention them. But that’s okay. We already know how good you are.
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Just went to your home page and was directed to an old (2019) post on Greta T.
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Oh yeah … I forget that is my “pinned post”! I do have a new “About Moi” page, though, since PeNdantry nagged and nagged me to put one up after WordPress decided to eat my last one!
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I didn’t understand that one… 😬
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Hi Jill. You had an appointment with the Doc on Monday? What news?
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Oh!!! I’m sorry … I forgot that I promised I’d let you know. Well, the appointment didn’t happen, for the doctor was called out on an emergency and I have yet to re-schedule it. Next week is Thanksgiving, so I’m going to wait until after that. Sigh. So sorry, Brian … I meant to let you know!
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No worry. That appointment has been moved and moved back. Unbelievable. But you are feeling a bit better aren’t you?
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It has been re-scheduled more than once, sometimes my fault, but not this time, at least. Sigh. About one day a week I’m feeling better, but in all honesty, my friend, I think I’m losing ground overall. Nonetheless, I continue to believe in the concept of “mind over matter” and I push myself when I can. I’m planning to cook a full Thanksgiving dinner for us and our neighbors on Thursday … the turkey is already thawing in the fridge and I am determined to do this!
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Happy Thanksgiving…
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Thanks, Brian! And to you, if you celebrate it there. I now have a new appointment for the Tuesday after Thanksgiving … fingers crossed.
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Thank you. We don’t. Thanksgiving is a 100% American thing. But I do mention it to my American friends as I know its importance to you guys.
So that would be Nov. 29 right? 🤞🏻
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Yeah, it is one of those American traditions that survives, even though it is based on a lie. That feel-good story about how the pilgrims and the Indigenous People shared a feast together … is a lovely story, until you remember that after that, the European settlers stole the land from the Indigenous People, murdered them, and committed genocide against them. Sigh. We share our Thanksgiving dinner with our friends, refugees from Syria & Iraq, and it is such a great time that I wouldn’t forego it for anything. They bring to the table an array of Arabic foods, while I bring the traditional turkey/stuffing/sweet potatoes, etc.
Yep, the 29th, the day after my granddaughter’s birthday! I will keep you posted, and this time it’s a promise!
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So many things are based on lies… 😉
Let’s keep the good.
Sounds like you’ll have a nice Thanksgiving… 👏🏻
Your granddaughter’s birthday? Great. Happy birthday to her. And best wishes to you…
Hugs.
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More and more that seems to be true. Yes, we’ll keep the good … the turkey/stuffing/gravy/pumpkin pie …
Yes, granddaughter Natasha will be 28 next Monday! So hard to believe … where has time gone? She is still the light of my life and I’m so lucky that her mum (my daughter Chris) and she live with me … or I live with them. We are a perfect family, at least in our eyes! Thanks, Brian! Hugs to you!
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28? That may come as a shock, but to me, it’s a marvel to watch them grow. As goes with my grandson. His little sister needs a. bit of work on tantrums… 😉
Hugs back.
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I fully agree! It’s just that one day you look back and wonder where the years have all gone. Heh heh … the tantrums will go away soon!
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Where have all the flowers gone? 😉
https://www.google.com/search?q=where+have+the+flowers+gone&sxsrf=ALiCzsa-xH-MfKguAWjmILHIc4J6yUOTqg:1669314370540&source=lnms&tbm=vid&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwiY-svQuMf7AhXkM0QIHU7JBu0Q_AUoAXoECAIQAw&biw=1079&bih=642&dpr=2.2#fpstate=ive&vld=cid:9519727b,vid:ZgXNVA9ngx8
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My absolute favourite PP&M song!!! The one line, “When will they ever learn?” is one that I repeat over and over, but have found no answers. Methinks the answer may be “never”.
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Indeed. Never. Our generation was brought up on songs by Dylan, Baez, Seeger, PPM and many others. That seems to be all gone now…
“Sigh” as you say… 😉
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Agreed. I was just doing a bit of research on the Holland-Dozier-Holland songwriting team that, in my mind, defines Motown, and I said to Keith, “they just don’t make ’em like that anymore, do they?” I don’t even listen to today’s music … one friend keeps sending me things by groups such as Nine Inch Nails and telling me that I’m “stuck” back in the 60s – 70s, but I’m fine with being “stuck” … the music of those times makes me happy, as music should! Yes, they’re all gone now, but … they left us the legacy of their music that will last forever!
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Nine inch nails? LOL. They’re outdated already… I don’t listen to current music much either.
Today is SArah’s birthday, right? Happy birthday to her… 🎂
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Ha ha … thanks for telling me that they’re already outdated … I can’t wait to mention that the next time he sends me some of their music! I passed along your birthday wishes to Natasha and she smiled and said, “Thank you!”
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😉
I hope you had a nice birthday 🎂 .
How did the appointment with the doc go?
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Just listened to it again. A wonderful song. Did you notice how the young public (around the 80’s I guess?) knew the song by heart?
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Indeed, at one time even I knew it by heart! Maybe I still do …
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You probably do. Today is Tuesday right? best wishes with the Doc. (To begin with that the appointment holds…) 🤞🏻
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Oops. Canadians celebrate Thanksgiving too (though I myself do not). We just celebrate it the 2nd Monday in October (I think). Have to watch those 100% declarations. They’ll always get you in trouble. 😇
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(And there was no promise…) 😉
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Pingback: When September Ends | Take It Easy
Hi Jill! Just wanted to update you on the Gnome Homes. They continue to thrive in local parks, 7 countries and 11 states. To date I’ve made about 250, most of which have been donated to non-profits for fundraising purposes. They have raised many thousands of dollars which we are very proud of. To our surprise, they remain very popular. We thought the interest would wane after a few years and now 7 years later the Gnomes and their home continue to bring smiles to the faces of young and old. Take care and stay safe and healthy. Steve
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Hi Steve!!! It’s so good to hear from you! And I am thrilled that you are still making the gnomes, even more so that you are using them to help people! I think it’s about time for me to revive one of my old posts about the gnomes and their homes … people always loved them, myself included! Do you have any pictures of some of your more recent work? Keep on keeping on, my friend, bringing smiles to the faces of us all! Wishing you the best ever! Jill
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Hello! How would you like me to get photos of the Gnome Homes to you? I did send you a FB friend request.
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Thank you, Steve!!! I only get on Facebook a few times a week to check messages and post my blog posts, so I hadn’t seen your friend request yet, but I just now popped over there, saw it, and accepted! Thank you so much … I am so happy to know that your gnome home project is ongoing and has expanded, not to mention that it is going to support good causes! I decided last night to buy a gnome home for my tiny postage-stamp garden that we fill with sunflowers each year! Best to both you and your wife! Oh, and my email is: dennisonjill@aol.com
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Great! We’ll send you some pictures.
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Thanks, Steve!!!
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I’ll do you a deal, Jill: you edit this page so it contains something other than the default ‘This is an example of a WordPress page’, and I’ll hit ‘like’ on it (whatever it says).
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I DID have a nice paragraph written there! It has disappeared! Apparently in one of their infamous ‘upgrades’ (read downgrades), WordPress got rid of it for me. I had no idea. I will replace it sometime this week … thanks for letting me know!
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Yeah… technology: isn’t it wonderful? I read somewhere once that computers would ‘make all our lives easier’. I’m still waiting.
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Yeah, I’m still waiting, too … but then, if the Internet were down for a week, I’d go crazy! WordPress has, of late, been trying my patience … every day it seems they change something that makes us have to spend a bit longer to insert a picture, schedule a post, etc. They are not practicing good customer service of late!
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This is turning into a long week. Longer for you, I bet, hope you’re recovering. Davidprosser suggested that I could maybe help boost your spirits by sending you an email, but I don’t have your address, so I came looking here for a ‘Contact’ page, thinking that might redirect to your usual email address. But there’s not one of those. This feeble attempt at humour will have to do, when you get around to reading it. No rush.
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Looking at the dates here
I think you misspelt ‘year’
There’s just three days to go… 😉
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OH DEAR!!!! I seem to have … lost an entire year! Wherever did it go??? And I also missed that 3-day deadline. Um … might I ask for a brief extension? Like … say … ’til the end of this week, Sunday September 25th? My humble apologies for my little snooze, or should I say for my missing brain cells? Thanks for the gentle reminder, my friend! Now, about that extension … ???
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By all means. In the grand scheme of things, this is a trivial transgression. But I would really like to see a proper ‘About’ page here; your site deserves one.
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Thanks, peNdantry! I shall try my best not to let you down again!
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DaruchmoH! Qapla’!
PS typo alert (sorry, I wouldn’t be me if I didn’t do this):
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Oopsie! My bad! Thanks for the heads up … I shall repair it now!
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Hello there …. Dear Kitty, Some blog nominated ‘It Is What It Is’ for an award. I’m paying it forward!! Know that you are valued and appreciated. Not intended to rush you in any way!! … https://hrexach.wordpress.com/2020/05/28/prestigious-penable-award-thanks-dear-kitty-some-blog/
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Many, many thanks, my dear soul sister!!! ❤
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On another note, hoping to brighten your day! It Is What It Is received this award!! Paying it forward!!
https://hrexach.wordpress.com/2020/03/26/vincent-ehindero-blogger-award-thank-you-dear-kitty-some-blog/
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Just because you’re so awesome and cool!! … ‘Bee Love Award’ …. “🐝 Thank you Dear Kitty.Some Blog 🐝 …. “!!
https://hrexach.wordpress.com/2020/03/06/bee-love-award-thank-you-dear-kitty-some-blog/
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Awwww … I LOVE this one! Thank you so much my darling friend! Love You!!! ❤
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Good morning!! Hi there, sweet one … love you back!! ❤ ❤ …. well deserved!
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💞💞💞
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Hello! my people, My Name is Naveen Bommakanti. I am a writer, poet and founder of breathetoinspire.com I have gone through your entire site and posts, there is so much passion, vibrations of love and harmony in every word of yours.
I was inspired by the way you put your beauty in such words. I felt couple of deep common values are resonated in my heart. Hope will be connected and share and explore the aspirations to inspire this world. 🙂
I look forward to having a discussion with you my beautiful soul
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On another note, I received a Blogger Award. I’m paying it forward because I think of you highly. Don’t feel pressured to create your own post. Just know that you are deeply appreciated …
‘Blogger Recognition Award’… Thank You …. Dear Kitty.Some Blog!
https://hrexach.wordpress.com/2020/01/29/blogger-recognition-award-thank-you-dear-kitty-some-blog/
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Thank you so much, my friend! I’m so far behind this week (computer crash, and other stuff) that I probably won’t have time to do a post, but I do so appreciate it!
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No worries!! Just know I really appreciate you … 💞💞
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I’ve just read two posts so far and I already think you deserve that award! I am virtually awarding it to you, too 🙂
I do want to find out more about you. I seem to be checking the wrong About page…
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Thank you so much!!! You’ve made me smile tonight! And welcome to Filosofa’s Word. This is mostly a political blog, but I do have non-political features most Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays, so I hope you find something to love here!
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I already did — Maya and Greta. I’m sure I’ll find out more 🙂
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Hi Jill, hope you are doing well! I have a couple of questions and I was wondering if there was a way I could contact you, such as e-mail? If not that is totally fine. My question is about how I can continue to grow my audience on my blog as I feel as if I reached a point where I am not growing as much anyway or as much as I expected. Thanks 🙂
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Absolutely!!! My email is dennisonjill@aol.com Feel free to email me any time! I will be happy to give you as much help as possible … I remember the early days of my blog. I remember my sheer joy when I reached 30 followers!!! 😊
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Wonderful! Thank you 🙂 I have sent you an email
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I received your email and will respond soon … the holiday has put me a bit behind. 😉
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All good!
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Hi Jill, long time no see as they say… I need to contact you privately about something I found online yesterday. wp.gradmama@yahoo.com. Please send me an email. Thanks. (holding my breath waiting for the election, I already voted absentee, took the ballot to the board of elections. Not that I don’t trust the post office…) Pat
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Yes, it’s been a few weeks, I think! I did email you, and received yours in return … I have since responded … I find some humour in it, myself!
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it did spook me when our blog names popped out suddenly…someone took time to drop into a “blog chat,” do some evaluation, and was moved to send an actual report to Disqus. It reminded me of a possible writing assignment for a student class. Yah, right, I really am an old school conspiracy theorist. 🙂
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Admittedly, it was a bit eerie, but the more I read, the more I found humour in it all. Some people apparently have too much time on their hands!
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Yep. I can see where this type of “round up” of a few contributors in a certain circle could make for an interesting student writing project.
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Maybe, but if I were a teacher, I could think of more intellectual pursuits! 😊
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The assignment would be to visit a chat room or other online source, choose several participants and write a story relating them in some type of relationship.
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So glad Ellen connected us, Jill. Looking forward to getting to know you 🙂
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Same here! 😊
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Jill…you are one of my very favorite bloggers. I really aligned with your political views and I just recently went through most of your music choices you post. I have loved them all and the words are often so very appropriate to the times.
I found one of my very favorites and it’s Into the West…Annie Lennox. It was in the last Lord of the Rings movie and is so fitting I think and a beautiful if not melancholy song. Give it a listen and see what you think.
I love the way you put the lyrics with the song.
Thanks
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I thank you SO much for your kind words!!! It makes it all worthwhile … not to mention brings a big smile to my face! 😊 Thank YOU, dear Mary, for a much-needed boost. I will check out the song by Annie Lennox … it doesn’t ring a bell, but then I am horrible about song titles. Thanks again!
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I just looked at the lyrics again and it probably is not for the current times. It’s more a love song about death really. Still it’s a good one, but probably not for your blog. I am a big Lord of the Rings fan and Harry Potter.
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Hi there, sweet friend!! I’d been missing you … come to find out, stepped over to your blog and I wasn’t following you anymore!! No wonder … but I didn’t do it!! The WP did …. hugs!! Love ya! Hope all is well … ❤
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Whew! I was afraid you were mad at me over something! That happened a while back with Hugh, too … all of a sudden he wasn’t seeing my posts and discovered he was no longer following me. I’ve noticed several of my regular readers that haven’t been around for a while … I wonder if that’s the case with them, too? It’s a conspiracy by the republicans to rob me of my friends!!! 😱 I’m so glad you’re back … I’ve missed you!!! ❤ ❤ ❤
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Never mad at you!! Never … I notice you continue to be my music sister!! Love ya lots!! ❤ ❤ …
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I’m so glad, for I count you among my closest friends! And yes, once a soul sister, always a soul sister … in music, in life! Love ya back, dear one! 💕
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💞🙏🏽💞
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Same here, dear friend!!
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I have been unknowingly kicked off Jill’s blog 3 times in 6 years. It makes me wonder. I have also had a few other blogs that I have occasionally been kicked off. I suspect it is intentional, I just don’t know how it would be done. Some blogs it takes me a while to discover. Jill’s blog I know right away it is gone.
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It’s happened a few times to me before too. I wonder 💭
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If Kavanaugh is confirmed today, I will be totally convinced that the leaders of this country have sold their SOULS TO THE DEVIL (in a manner of speaking…) And in the process they have sentenced this country to a horrible, uncivilized future. I haven’t been this depressed about it since the damn election. I really thought we were better than that. I keep hoping people know the difference between right and wrong and kindness and hate. So sad about all this. Sorry. Didn’t want to post this on your blog. I’m just whiny today.
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It’s okay, my friend … never be hesitant to rant on my blog … I do my share of it. We have come to a point that the future seems dire. We lost the executive, we lost Congress, and now it seems that we have lost the Supreme Court. What all of that may well mean is that the Constitution is now “null and void”, that it may have been shredded. Like you, I am depressed, I am actually sickened to the point of being unable to eat, but … and this is important … BUT … we cannot throw our hands up in despair and call it quits. We cannot succumb as the Germans and Italians did in the 1930s. We must keep fighting, even on those days that we don’t believe our voices, our fight can make a difference, for you just never know what seed we might be planting, but if we give up, we do know what the outcome will be. I urge you to hang on, my friend. My email is dennisonjill@aol.com if you ever want to vent privately, or just chat. Now, smile … c’mon … just a little one … you can do it! 😊
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Well, you got my attention with that remark about Germany and Italy. I guess I’m going to have to pull myself together and dig up some more rage to get me through this fiasco. Thanks for the email, I’ll drop you a note sometime! ❤️
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My prescription for this angst is a good book, some good music and a bottle of wine! 📘 🍷 🎵
And then, dust yourself off and get back into the fight! 🙂
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Hey, Jill,
Just thought I would draw your attention back to this above omment. You have of late gone down the wrong rabbithole. Hopefully, if you listen to yourself, you will find your way back to some clean air, and clear sight.
LuL.
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Hi Jill, you can reach me at nikkojii at triptychacf dot com. I check it at least twice a day. More at the moment. 😦
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Okay … thanks!!! I didn’t see this until I just commented on your comment, but I will keep you posted on email from now on. And thanks for being his friend. And mine.
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-hugs- Friends are precious.
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Very much so!!! ❤
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And mine is dennisonjill@aol.com
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Got it, thank you. Btw have you heard from him today?
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Not since this morning. I just sent him my 4th message and told him that if I didn’t hear within a few hours I will either contact the paramedics again or his daughter. He can be angry if he wishes, but I am scared to the point I cannot eat or sleep and I don’t know what else to do.
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Me neither. 😦 I just checked last night’s email and it came through about 9.30pm my time. That’s 2 hours away. That’ll be about 10am in Liverpool. So sort of close. Maybe contact Yvonne if you have contact details for her.
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I do, and that is my thought also. I’m going to give him a few hours, though. It is 4:00 a.m. here, and 9:00 a.m. there, so maybe 3 hours.
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Ugh. You need sleep too you know. 😦
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I know. But I cannot. Not until I hear from him. Sigh. Hey, the upside is I’ve cleaned out my pantry, my fridge, and lost 4 of the 2 pounds I gained over Christmas!!! 😀
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LMAO!! I’m all for silver linings but you’d better not tell him in case he generously helps you do more spring cleaning. 😀
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Good point! 😀
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No email. 😦
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I just sent you an update.
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Thank you. Received and replied. Now get some sleep!!!! -hugs-
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I really like your blog.
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Thank you so much! I hope you will return again!
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I promise to return. Thanks for following my blog.
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I have nominated you for the One Lovely Blog Award.
https://dialogueftdepths.wordpress.com/2016/02/24/one-lovely-blog-award/
Whether you accept, or not, I still think your blog is pretty cool! 😉
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Pingback: One Lovely Blog Award | Dialogue from the Depths
Hi Jill!
I’ve recently nominated you for a Versatile Blog Award! You’re by no means obligated to participate. I just want to let you know that I have really enjoyed your blog and, if you’re so inclined, feel free to pass it on!
http://thelonelytribalist.com/2016/02/19/award-post/
Cheers,
Moose and Michelle
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I included you in my recent review! Please see the following link!
http://aopinionatedman.com/2015/11/02/weekly-blog-reviews-5/
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Thank you so much!!! And thanks for the review … it was great and I really appreciate it!
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I have nominated you for the Liebster Award. This award is for new bloggers who are getting started and have less than 200 followers. It is also to give other new bloggers recognition for their writing and that is what I am doing. So if you would like to participate go to my blog here: http://wtfaioa.wordpress.com/
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