Why?

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As I’ve grown older, I’ve seen people I thought I knew turn to what I lovingly call the dark side of America. They bash the LGBTQ communities, think Black Lives do not matter (though they won’t admit it) and generally embrace the right-wing fascist talking points so many are fond of. Oh, and don’t forget Hunter Biden’s laptop! We have a former POTUS who is a full on traitor and is defying our laws; but don’t forget about Hunter’s laptop!

WTF has happened to their brains?!?!

I love my country. I love ALL of the people in my country. No human being is “illegal”, love who you love, live and let live.

So much pain and suffering in the world and they have embraced the culture wars as if that really matters.

If you and I knew each other when we were younger, please open your heart and mind. Start by exploring these writers for what really matters:

Ruth Ben-Ghiat

Ruth is a historian and expert authoritarians, propaganda, democracy protection.  Author of: Strongmen: Mussolini to the Present

Heather Cox Richardson

Heather Cox Richardson is an American academic historian, author, and educator. She is a professor of history at Boston College, where she teaches courses on the American Civil War, the Reconstruction Era, the American West, and the Plains Indians. She previously taught history at MIT and the University of Massachusetts Amherst.

Jay Kuo

Jay is an attorney,a dmitted before the Supreme Court and 9th Circuit. A.B. In Political Science (Stanford) J.D. (UC Berkeley). Board member, Human Rights Campaign. CEO of The Social Edge. Composer of Allegiance on Broadway.

Teri Kanefield

Teri is another attorney who has published a slew of articles that are all worthy of your time.

And then there’s this to consider:

#TBT to Family

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1987. Ryan’s first birthday. You wouldn’t know it from my photo but I had recently had a miscarriage, and my marriage was in tatters. I have so many memories; both loving and hurtful. This was in Texas and Mark’s Mom, Pat, took the photo. Family is everything.

Christmas (early) with Matt and IzzyB

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Matt and Isabella flew in and arrived on December 2nd. Matt needs to do some filming both here and in Los Angeles so he drove down to LA on Monday, December 12th. It was just IzzyB, Ryan and me until late yesterday (December 18th) when Matt arrived home. What an amazing time with her! She’s talking up a storm now and doing really good with potty training! We had so much fun together; my heart is so full!

Here are just a few pics from the visit.

She really loved the big, beautiful Christmas tree.
Sometimes the simplest things are the most fun!
I am not as exhausted as I appear! I love so much just hanging out with her! She’s so funny and smart! We celebrated Christmas a little early and she had so much opening gifts.

We had a lot of fun at the Seattle Great Wheel. Uncle Ryan was not enjoying it at all (afraid of heights, like his father), but IzzyB had a blast.

We also went to the Seattle Aquarium as well. Honestly, it was a bit disappointing compared to the other city Aquariums we’ve seen, including Denver’s.

IzzyB loved jumping from the couch to my chair.

And today they are leaving. Fortunately they don’t leave until tonight so we get one last day together.

izzyB and Uncle Ryan had a lot of fun!

I’m going to miss IzzyB (and Matt!) so much! My heart is so full to share this time with them both! IzzyB loves Grammy’s fav hat!

Isabella’s broken leg – September 30, 2022

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While playing on a trampoline, IzzyB broke her tibia.

Matt and IzzyB at the hospital, waiting for the doctor to take an x-ray.

Yep, broken tibia.
They gave her a turtle at the ER; she named him “Peter”. She’s a tough little girl, for sure.

UPDATE – Tuesday, October 4, 2022

IzzyB got her beautiful purple cast on today.

UPDATE – October 6, 2022

She’s relearning how to walk with it too!

Her father, Matt, posted this caption of the above video:

“BREAKING – area woman who broke her tibia less than a week ago is delighted to report that the ordeal has afforded her the opportunity to discover the joy of Blue Ray discs, an antiquated digital media format. she also has appreciated the overflowing effort of servitude dispe’s layed by her parental units in the way of extra and more plentiful refreshments, as well as an enhanced ability on their part to endure vocal abuse. she also wishes to express that no, no, no, no, no you may not sign her cast. you may, however draw a rocket ship, so long as it doesn’t look like a penis.“

UPDATE – Monday, October 10, 2022

She’s walking with her cast now! Woo hoo!

UPDATE – November 8, 2022

IzzyB is a *very* independent girl and decided she didn’t want to walk after she had her cast removed on October 26, 2022. They printed out the x-rays so she could see it was healed and she tried to throw them away! Here’s what Matt texted me when they visited the orthopedists’ office:

“There’s no medical reason she can’t walk. Between 3 MDs and 3 nurse practitioners, no one can figure out what to do next. It’s normal for them to be limping now, but not outright refusing when there’s no medical reason.

“She’s so stubborn it’s actually impressive” – said both NP’s

She’s been crawling or being carried around by her mom and dad ever since; that got real old, real quick!

Two nights ago, she randomly says “I wanna walk” and has been standing and putting weight on it ever since with support!

Here’s her friends at school helping her walk with support:

Larry L. Kennedy

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Larry was always there for me. When Regina and Vincent died, he brought his usual sense of humor and strong muscle to help get her house sorted and empty. He and Kyle have been married almost two decades (I think?).

After some recent health challenges, he experienced a fatal brain aneurysm and passed away this morning, September 27, 2022 at 2:22 AM. Kyle was by his side.

May his beautiful soul rest in peace.

Kyle and Larry – 2006
Larry and Kyle – 9-9-2011