Mud Season: Pull Up A Chair

crossposted at firedoglake 29 March 2008

Hey firepups! Hope you're shaking off the tail end of winter and getting some sunshine at last. When I lived in Boston we used to say we had six seasons: spring, summer, autumn, winter, more winter, and mud.

It's a different kind of mud-filled season--as progressives we've been going through a rough period of political bickering. I like to think that firedoglake has held together as a community better than some other places during this time.

This might be because we are intentionally kind to each other, embrace new people, give a lot of thought to how the community can evolve, and spend a lot of time getting to know each other.

Wouldn't it be great if we could all take a vacation together? An Alaskan cruise maybe, or rent out a small island in Hawai'i for a week. Ready to go?

I thought it would be fun to share summer vacation ideas with each other, whether real plans or big dreams for the future. Where are you going, what are you planning to do to relax and renew your spirit?

Let's hear especially from new folks and people who read but don't comment much--this is your chance to jump into the lake with us!

So if you're tired of the Mud Season, join me in dreaming up some great plans. Here, let me pour you a cup of coffee or tea, have some of these homemade cookies, and pull up a chair.... 

Lovely photo from nunavut

Good Fences Make Good Neighbors

Have you ever fantasized about that problem neighbor? The one who makes so much noise, parks his car right in front of your house, has the wild kids or pets?

And in this fantasy, the offending neighbor shows up on your doorstep and says he is sorry about causing the problem. Yeah, right like that's ever going to happen.

So while I was ruminating on how loud the downstairs neighbor lets her entire family slam the door, enough to be really frightening, I hear a knock on my door. Sure enough, it is the mom. She is sorry.

We have a lovely chat, I ask if there is anything I am doing that annoys them, and she offers that they can hear me in the kitchen. This makes sense as there isn't any carpet in the kitchen, and when I wear shoes in there it probably is loud for them. A truce was declared, and I think we can see the possibility of a friendship.

Good fences make good neighbors [h/t Robert Frost, a favorite of mine]

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photo by crowolf

Happy Birthday

One of my kids' birthdays today.

Wishing you much happiness, joy, love, and exuberance!

Do you like the cake?

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photo by pinkcakebox

Grateful for Friends

Rough weekend. Thank you to my friends who once again are there for me. Shoutout to my FDL buds and George Saylor especially.

A belief in the power of love and reconciliation among people who love each other but fight, that will carry the day.

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photo by pippyxox

The Doctor Is In

Moving down the checklist, found a regular doctor, a dentist, and an allergist. All were able to see me right away, like within 48 hours. Some kind of miracle happening here.

I remember last fall being concerned about if I could find new doctors, then realized Hey I'm going to be living within walking distance of Stanford Medical School. This should be the very least of my problems! Find something else to worry about!

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photo by A.M. Kuchling