Recent Posts

51

Voicelessness and Emotional Survival Message Board / Re: N.

« Last post by Hopalong on April 16, 2026, 11:48:40 AM »

I can imagine how stimulating a first conversation with a T might be.
Hope your sleep regulates again and imagine it should.

Bravo to you, Meh.

hugs
Hops

52

Voicelessness and Emotional Survival Message Board / Re: Friendship Moments: good or bad

« Last post by sKePTiKal on April 16, 2026, 09:03:18 AM »

Grass & weeds are lookin' a bit scraggly. I've still got to prune one of the rhododendrons out front - but it's an approach with caution and a full can of yellowjacket spray situation. Ground nest. Plants are still quite small. It will be at least 10 years before things mature and look decent. Every year, I need to bring in topsoil and/or compost to spread around what I already have established.

Dig?! Ha! Work smarter not harder. The bobcat I bought has a series of useful attachments that I ordered at the same time. One is an auger - there is only a sparse layer of topsoil over a LOT of shale and bigger limestone/granite rocks here. It's been commandeered by Hol - who loves running it and the backhoe. So once I decide WHERE the elders go (avoiding paths of gas lines, water lines, and power - and septic) I'll mark and she'll make holes that I'll fill with topsoil/compost and then I will have to haul water because it will be out of the range of the hose. It's looking like I need to water already this week. April showers disappeared.

53

Voicelessness and Emotional Survival Message Board / Re: N.

« Last post by Meh on April 16, 2026, 12:38:52 AM »

Did the appointment. Had to be telehealth. Ended up being exhausted tonight and sleeping early now awake again.

54

Voicelessness and Emotional Survival Message Board / Re: Friendship Moments: good or bad

« Last post by Hopalong on April 15, 2026, 09:58:13 AM »

It all sounds so gorgeous -- so many functional plants that are beautiful in bloom. Amazing. Love the hedgerows idea too because it's so good for small wildlife and birds.

You're making your mountain a little Eden of sorts. It's joyful to read about. I will not enjoy reading about your back aching...how do you manage all that bending?

hugs
Hops

55

Voicelessness and Emotional Survival Message Board / Re: Friendship Moments: good or bad

« Last post by sKePTiKal on April 14, 2026, 02:10:47 PM »

These are shrubs; but they get tall. Think lilac bush.

56

Voicelessness and Emotional Survival Message Board / Re: Friendship Moments: good or bad

« Last post by Hopalong on April 14, 2026, 12:23:50 AM »

I wasn't thinking much about the pollen but was grateful for your windows reminder, Amber.

The second thing that drove it home was Pup sneezing a lot for the last couple days. We set off to take him to his "play camp" around noon and even though I'd just noticed pollen on the windshield, I stupidly cranked down his window for his traffic-supervisor post. He popped back in and sneezed about ten times. Now I'm keeping the screened door shut (sigh) and windows too. Poor little fella, I felt guilty.

I'm intrigued by the "green rooms" for sure. Are you growing elder TREES from seed or are they shrubs?

I'm enjoying vicarious gardening through your posts.

hugs
Hops

57

Voicelessness and Emotional Survival Message Board / Re: N.

« Last post by Hopalong on April 11, 2026, 07:34:03 PM »

Planning and trying. NICE verbs to read here!

Gaslighting? Not as nice, but we can gray-rock most attempts to choke or burn us, eh? That did sound like a specially dumb one, but you're too busy planning and trying to let it sideline you.

Carry on!

hugs
Hops

58

Voicelessness and Emotional Survival Message Board / Re: N.

« Last post by Meh on April 11, 2026, 03:16:57 PM »

-- Strange gaslighting this morning. Narcissist was saying I look like I have a foot injury etc. I mean it's just so bizarre sometimes.

What was I doing. Planning my week activities. Going back to trying to do something.

59

Voicelessness and Emotional Survival Message Board / Re: facing the world

« Last post by Hopalong on April 11, 2026, 01:10:31 PM »

Yes, horror to spare. It's real work to require it to leave my body, but I do.

Counterintuitively, one source of recent comfort has been WWII stories. I think because that was an era when we did the right thing, at much sacrifice. Morality was clearer then, despite how the war ended. The Greatest Generation humbles me and stirs hope still.

Reality is still my friend when it comes to information, and I still respect wisdom and genuine expertise, including institutions where they thrive.

I don't think we can ever go "back" really, but many young people also give me hope. Not the poor vapid ones on social media, but those with clear positive plans and the energy to fight for them.

Just noticed how often I said "still" and maybe therein lies peace. Back to "The Peace of Wild Things" by Wendell Berry. It's been below my email signature for years. A subliminal reminder.

hugs
Hops

60

Voicelessness and Emotional Survival Message Board / Re: Farm Journal - 2026

« Last post by Hopalong on April 11, 2026, 11:54:53 AM »

Thanks, (((((y'all)))))).

I felt a little foolish about all the hilarity I tried to wring from it. It's linoleum. But it was good that this got me a little more focused again on the BD. Big Declutter.

It's going to take a long long time, Lighter. Not just kitchen but throughout the house. It does help I have the nice young person who really needs the gig coming to work on it with me about once a week. Kitchen ain't complicated but my back is.

And brain. The sweet tax guy just called to let me know I'd brought all the wrong forms, so I have to excavate another layer or two to find the right ones. BLEAHHH.

hugs
Hops

PS - In a couple hours Pup's pal from over the mountain is coming for their playdate. I'm looking forward to it.