marta_bee | (no subject)

Merry Christmas, everyone. I hope you're all doing well and looking forward to fun with family and friends if you celebrate it, or perhaps just some time off if you don't.

Tomorrow will be a low key day. I do have some treats baked, including some Rolo-pretzel snacks that let me mush down gently after half-melting the chocolates in the oven. Which was nice. The big plans are I'm going up to Boston next week to visit Le Kid.

I'm really pleased with how I'm doing, politically, even compared to a week ago. I'm still definitely obsessing over it, but it's as much about things on the margins as the actual events. Like, Trump is making noise about trying to seize back the Panama canal, which is stupid and not even a legal option, but instead of getting swept up in all that I did a deep dive into the Wikipedia page on the history of the canal. And there's some fascinating but ethically questionable history of how we supported an uprising to help Panama break away from Columbia so they'd let us build it (Columbia was really resisting over national sovereignty). Apparently "nation-building" in Central America wasn't just a Reagan-era thing.

That's what I'm proud of: that instead of just getting angry or depressed, I'm at least channeling those emotions into curiosity about something I can learn about. Sometimes. Other times it's still a struggle, but baby steps. I've also been meditating, and trying my hand at praying for our politicians. Which logically I don't believe in intercessory prayer (I'll spare you all the rant), but psychologically it helps to focus on wishing good things for them.

Enough about that. I've been reading a Good Omens fanfic about Crowley and Aziraphale at the Nativity, which is really well written and teases at my heterodox side really nicely. Also, because I'm a nerd, I started reading the Federalist Papers on a whim and I'm six essays in.

Tonight I'm going to church then light-seeing with my sister. Then I'll probably come back and watch the Call the Midwife holiday specials. I think I'm up to the South Africa one.

Happy & Merry, etc., and I hope you all have a lovely break.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

happy holidays! 😘

You too! I hope you had a good one.

Happy Merry to you as well! Rolo-pretzel snacks, ooooooh. *snatches one*

They were delicious and easy to make. Highly recommended!

Have a good day!

I hope you had a good one, too!

Sounds like you're getting a better handle on not letting the political side of life send you into a spiral of doom scrolling. That's a nice gift to yourself this Christmas.

I have been steadfastly avoiding all news Christmas week and it's been marvelously peaceful.

I really don't think I'm doomscrolling. I'm checking in and seeing some things that I'd say are legitimately concerning, then stopping exposing myself. I am probably *thinking* about it more than is healthy (or helpful). But it's not like I'm marinating in bad stuff all day long.

I hope you enjoyed your news break! And hope you had a good holiday too.

I'm glad you are settling in and having a good Christmas. I think the more laid-back rhythm of the South will suit you much better over time. Travel safely and be sure to relax and enjoy the scenery on your trip. You'll be back home before you know it.

- Erulisse (one L)