Ronnie, I remember way back when you were simply "Rocket," one of my few commenters, and I wrote something that outed myself in terms of my beliefs, and you said something along the lines of "what took ya so long?" in total Rocket fashion. You made me laugh, and you were right.
My comment on this piece is: Wow. How quickly you've stepped into honesty; I'm impressed and amazed and proud at your courage. I know you're receiving some flak for it -- which also explains why the combo Barbara/Me quote resonated with you -- and I'm sorry to hear that. Yet you gotta be YOU, and you know that there are those who love YOU. Including ME. Well done! I say, keep the authenticity rolling. Let 'er rip. xoxox
Oh! Thank you so much, Mary. I think I accelerated my move to honesty because more incidents continued to happen and they were annoying as hell, so I thought, it's now or never, so speak your peace. Of course, I'm not done yet. I've got plenty more to say. I wrote a draft for Part Two but my muse kinda jerked my chain because of my tone. I did get a bit out of line. The rest of you veteran stackers know how to "keep your cool" and back up what you say with evidence. I'm still learning. So thanks again for the encouragement, and the love. It means more than you know. xoxo
I think your intuitive sense is spot on... The Deep State is indeed running everything, and that's why nothing really changes. And I agree that the woman making copies was out of line. And I agree that your mother was right about not saying something hurtful just because it's true. And I agree that voting seems like a dirty trick, yes, my words on that, and well... I don't know which one of the gals in the photo of you and friend at a protest, but I was surprised to notice that whichever of you is on the right, looking at the photo, she looks like she could be me, a few years ago.
Hi, Word Herder! So nice to receive your comment here. "A good, clean, honest post", Wow, thanks for the kind words. I know our paths have crossed on substack a number of times. I always appreciate your remarks.
Well, that is me, (a younger me) on the right in the photo holding the white poster with the MLK, Jr. quote on it. I love hearing that you and I may have a similar history, or have followed a similar trajectory in our journeys to find, truth, justice and the "American Way". Now that expression is kind of an oxymoron. Would you agree??? LOL Thanks for reading my post, and commenting.
Ronnie, you hit it out of the park with this one! I absolutely loved it. And it's always a bonus when the writer is so witty. And authentic.
With all of my Sagittarius, you'd think it would be easy for me to let out truth bombs fly all the time. But my Lifepath 2 always wants to be a Peacemaker and keep everything copacetic. It's a conundrum...
Thank you for sharing the Dove story! I was finishing a post yesterday, and Clara, the Mourning Dove, was cooing the whole time. I think she was letting me know it was too long and tedious. So, unfortunately, she got cut out of the story. :( I love the peacefulness of those birds.
I also felt duped by so much of what you shared. And 2020 blew the lid off, and that's when my Sagittarius was released, big time. How could it not? These days, I sit back a lot and let everyone else duke it out. Time is too precious to get all riled up over everything. XOXO
Barbara, So glad you liked my story. The Dove portion was for you! Sorry it was so long in coming. I laughed out loud at you though, cutting the dove out of your story because you didn't like her message.!
This essay of mine has two more parts to come, probably over the next few days.
I understand your not wanting to "duke it out". That is really unpleasant. In fact, the few times I did kind of do that, I ended up "blowing my stack". And that was "no bueno", so
I realized I needed some guidance. It took a while to plod through it, but now I'm grateful to have substack as I way to rationally express myself, for the most part. LOL.
I haven't read your recent post yet, but I will soon, and am looking forward to it.
Oh, no! I would never cut Clara out because I didn't like her message! I shared the post with someone who thought I should make it into two posts (I should have listened), but instead, there was a lot of editing/slashing, and Clara got deleted. I feel really bad about that. But she was back this morning with her gentle coo. I tend to get too wordy in. my posts, in case you haven't noticed!
Also, I love that you put that in there for me! 🕊️ 💗
Ooops! I guess I misunderstood what you were saying about Clara. Of course, you wouldn't cut her out of your post, after all, she's part of your family there in the woods.
I also wanted to sympathize with you saying that it isn't easy having almost two opposing sides to your personality, the Peacemaker and the "truth bomb" dropper.
LOL. I struggle between the good girl perfectionist who wants to follow all the rules and the Maverick who wants to throw the rule book out the window.
Thank you for sharing this story. You have a wonderfully authentic voice Ronnie and reading your words is a pleasure.
We are all trying to make sense in a world unwinding right before us, reshuffling relationships and shaking the very assumption-grounds we've stood on. I think it's truly remarkable that so many who are honestly assessing things, seeing through lies and letting go of worldviews not holding up, that there is still this very sincere, very human desire to share their experience. It's beautiful and inspiring.
I read this and thought of the book I'm currently reading: Elizabeth Strout's 'Tell Me Everything'. I really like her writing this is probably the 4th or 5th book of hers I've read. She pays attention to small moments of connection in the mundane, she reports on how lonely many people are and how challenging simple life is. She's very good at it, and you just know she has a good heart and mind.
At the same time, the Covid and Climate Narrative comes up, and somehow she doesn't get any of that. And that makes me sad, as a fan of hers. Largely because this is how big lies are reinforced, over and over, in novels and plays and movies. The lie gets repeated and becomes more and more 'real' even though it's still a lie. Sign.
Just this morning after reading her book for 20 minutes or so, I thought just enjoy it for what it is and let the rest go. Life's too short.
So, here's to the inevitable struggles of human life in 2025, (our big hearts are bigger than all of them) and here's to connection (becomes more precious by the day) and letting go too. (I suspect we'll all become experts at that.)
Best you to, friend. So glad you wrote this. XOX
PS - I so related to the copy-person. I'm surrounded by people who just assume you think like they do and see the word through TDS filters. What can you do?
Kathleen, I just want to add that I really related to your PS, about people just assuming that
you think like they do.... That was a hard one for me, at first, because I didn't quite know how to respond. Gradually, I started to challenge them a little, here and there, but it was never satisfying for me, because I could never really express my feelings freely verbally. Then I thought of making this substack do it for me. Of course, I have no idea if they'll read it or not, but at least I got it out there.
I totally get the lack of satisfaction in those exchanges, Ronnie. It's been one of the ongoing challenges for me as well.
I used to be good - I thought - at building communication bridges, so I could connect with just about anyone. Post covid, I realized that life was over.
Whole parallel realities were running side-by-side. The labeling and emotion behind it was so intense that once you were identified as a 'non-vaxer' or whatever, there was no openness extended.
It's definitely gotten less intense, but now I feel many of those who were most activated by the PSYOPS, are fuzzy about it. Almost memory-wiped. They don't remember how awful they were.
They are not outraged at the series of lies they were told. At the risk they took taking a jab, that wasn't needed.
I don't know if we'll see this apparent disconnect, reconnect.
I hope so. But I've let that go - any agenda around it. It's a different world, yet still the divine runs through all of it.
Kathleen, you can ramble on my stack any time you want! You say the most meaningful things that many can relate to, just like your assessment here of the "covid" times we all just experienced, and are still experiencing. Thank you for sharing those thoughts. Not sure either about the apparent disconnect, reconnect, but I'm sure "the divine" must have a plan.
I think I got off to a good start with this latest post, but now I may have to rethink some of what might come next. I didn't want to hurt anyone's feelings, but it seems I may have. I received a couple of other comments in texts from local friends. I'm sure you know how that goes. I wish everything wasn't such a struggle. Thanks again, my friend.
Kathleen, the same has happened to me so many times while reading a book or watching a movie post Plandemic. And being in the so-called "holistic health community," I was shocked to my core at how many so-called healers towed the line and helped push the agenda. Ditto artists...When this happens to me, I try to put myself in their shoes and think back to my thirties and forties and how I might have reacted back then.
Oh my gosh! Kathleen, what a beautiful comment. You've added so much more meaning to my story by complementing it with your thoughts and insights into our common struggles to have deeper connections with one another.
And, thank you for your reminders, you "keeper" you! (FYI to other readers, I call Kathleen the "Keeper of the Reminders" because she's so good at harvesting nuggets from what people write and then condensing them into an easy to remember phrase.) Thanks again,
Ronnie, I remember way back when you were simply "Rocket," one of my few commenters, and I wrote something that outed myself in terms of my beliefs, and you said something along the lines of "what took ya so long?" in total Rocket fashion. You made me laugh, and you were right.
My comment on this piece is: Wow. How quickly you've stepped into honesty; I'm impressed and amazed and proud at your courage. I know you're receiving some flak for it -- which also explains why the combo Barbara/Me quote resonated with you -- and I'm sorry to hear that. Yet you gotta be YOU, and you know that there are those who love YOU. Including ME. Well done! I say, keep the authenticity rolling. Let 'er rip. xoxox
Oh! Thank you so much, Mary. I think I accelerated my move to honesty because more incidents continued to happen and they were annoying as hell, so I thought, it's now or never, so speak your peace. Of course, I'm not done yet. I've got plenty more to say. I wrote a draft for Part Two but my muse kinda jerked my chain because of my tone. I did get a bit out of line. The rest of you veteran stackers know how to "keep your cool" and back up what you say with evidence. I'm still learning. So thanks again for the encouragement, and the love. It means more than you know. xoxo
I have to say, I'm super-curious: what does an "out of line" Ronnie R. sound like? 😉
I will tell you, but not here. I'll text it or email it to you soon on Sunday.
Hi, I'm a first-time reader.
I think your intuitive sense is spot on... The Deep State is indeed running everything, and that's why nothing really changes. And I agree that the woman making copies was out of line. And I agree that your mother was right about not saying something hurtful just because it's true. And I agree that voting seems like a dirty trick, yes, my words on that, and well... I don't know which one of the gals in the photo of you and friend at a protest, but I was surprised to notice that whichever of you is on the right, looking at the photo, she looks like she could be me, a few years ago.
Thanks for a good, clean, honest post. ^_^
Hi, Word Herder! So nice to receive your comment here. "A good, clean, honest post", Wow, thanks for the kind words. I know our paths have crossed on substack a number of times. I always appreciate your remarks.
Well, that is me, (a younger me) on the right in the photo holding the white poster with the MLK, Jr. quote on it. I love hearing that you and I may have a similar history, or have followed a similar trajectory in our journeys to find, truth, justice and the "American Way". Now that expression is kind of an oxymoron. Would you agree??? LOL Thanks for reading my post, and commenting.
It's fun when we find others we feel we can connect with, have commonality.
Thanks for that! And yes, oxymoron... I think our gov is full of oxy morons, lol.
I liked the honesty of your writing, and just the general stance... Keep going! xo ^_^
And yep, I'm a She Dog, lol.
I’m grinning ear to ear!! I love this essay, these beautiful souls’ comments and you, dear Ronnie!! 🥰
I know !!!!!!!! They are beautiful souls, aren't they?
And so are you!!
I'm so grateful for all of you.
Now we'll see how the last two parts strike you.
Ronnie, you hit it out of the park with this one! I absolutely loved it. And it's always a bonus when the writer is so witty. And authentic.
With all of my Sagittarius, you'd think it would be easy for me to let out truth bombs fly all the time. But my Lifepath 2 always wants to be a Peacemaker and keep everything copacetic. It's a conundrum...
Thank you for sharing the Dove story! I was finishing a post yesterday, and Clara, the Mourning Dove, was cooing the whole time. I think she was letting me know it was too long and tedious. So, unfortunately, she got cut out of the story. :( I love the peacefulness of those birds.
I also felt duped by so much of what you shared. And 2020 blew the lid off, and that's when my Sagittarius was released, big time. How could it not? These days, I sit back a lot and let everyone else duke it out. Time is too precious to get all riled up over everything. XOXO
Barbara, So glad you liked my story. The Dove portion was for you! Sorry it was so long in coming. I laughed out loud at you though, cutting the dove out of your story because you didn't like her message.!
This essay of mine has two more parts to come, probably over the next few days.
I understand your not wanting to "duke it out". That is really unpleasant. In fact, the few times I did kind of do that, I ended up "blowing my stack". And that was "no bueno", so
I realized I needed some guidance. It took a while to plod through it, but now I'm grateful to have substack as I way to rationally express myself, for the most part. LOL.
I haven't read your recent post yet, but I will soon, and am looking forward to it.
I'll get back to you. xox
Oh, no! I would never cut Clara out because I didn't like her message! I shared the post with someone who thought I should make it into two posts (I should have listened), but instead, there was a lot of editing/slashing, and Clara got deleted. I feel really bad about that. But she was back this morning with her gentle coo. I tend to get too wordy in. my posts, in case you haven't noticed!
Also, I love that you put that in there for me! 🕊️ 💗
Ooops! I guess I misunderstood what you were saying about Clara. Of course, you wouldn't cut her out of your post, after all, she's part of your family there in the woods.
I also wanted to sympathize with you saying that it isn't easy having almost two opposing sides to your personality, the Peacemaker and the "truth bomb" dropper.
LOL. I struggle between the good girl perfectionist who wants to follow all the rules and the Maverick who wants to throw the rule book out the window.
Ditto!!
Thank you for sharing this story. You have a wonderfully authentic voice Ronnie and reading your words is a pleasure.
We are all trying to make sense in a world unwinding right before us, reshuffling relationships and shaking the very assumption-grounds we've stood on. I think it's truly remarkable that so many who are honestly assessing things, seeing through lies and letting go of worldviews not holding up, that there is still this very sincere, very human desire to share their experience. It's beautiful and inspiring.
I read this and thought of the book I'm currently reading: Elizabeth Strout's 'Tell Me Everything'. I really like her writing this is probably the 4th or 5th book of hers I've read. She pays attention to small moments of connection in the mundane, she reports on how lonely many people are and how challenging simple life is. She's very good at it, and you just know she has a good heart and mind.
At the same time, the Covid and Climate Narrative comes up, and somehow she doesn't get any of that. And that makes me sad, as a fan of hers. Largely because this is how big lies are reinforced, over and over, in novels and plays and movies. The lie gets repeated and becomes more and more 'real' even though it's still a lie. Sign.
Just this morning after reading her book for 20 minutes or so, I thought just enjoy it for what it is and let the rest go. Life's too short.
So, here's to the inevitable struggles of human life in 2025, (our big hearts are bigger than all of them) and here's to connection (becomes more precious by the day) and letting go too. (I suspect we'll all become experts at that.)
Best you to, friend. So glad you wrote this. XOX
PS - I so related to the copy-person. I'm surrounded by people who just assume you think like they do and see the word through TDS filters. What can you do?
Kathleen, I just want to add that I really related to your PS, about people just assuming that
you think like they do.... That was a hard one for me, at first, because I didn't quite know how to respond. Gradually, I started to challenge them a little, here and there, but it was never satisfying for me, because I could never really express my feelings freely verbally. Then I thought of making this substack do it for me. Of course, I have no idea if they'll read it or not, but at least I got it out there.
Thanks again for the support.
I totally get the lack of satisfaction in those exchanges, Ronnie. It's been one of the ongoing challenges for me as well.
I used to be good - I thought - at building communication bridges, so I could connect with just about anyone. Post covid, I realized that life was over.
Whole parallel realities were running side-by-side. The labeling and emotion behind it was so intense that once you were identified as a 'non-vaxer' or whatever, there was no openness extended.
It's definitely gotten less intense, but now I feel many of those who were most activated by the PSYOPS, are fuzzy about it. Almost memory-wiped. They don't remember how awful they were.
They are not outraged at the series of lies they were told. At the risk they took taking a jab, that wasn't needed.
I don't know if we'll see this apparent disconnect, reconnect.
I hope so. But I've let that go - any agenda around it. It's a different world, yet still the divine runs through all of it.
Sorry I rambled!!
Kathleen, you can ramble on my stack any time you want! You say the most meaningful things that many can relate to, just like your assessment here of the "covid" times we all just experienced, and are still experiencing. Thank you for sharing those thoughts. Not sure either about the apparent disconnect, reconnect, but I'm sure "the divine" must have a plan.
I think I got off to a good start with this latest post, but now I may have to rethink some of what might come next. I didn't want to hurt anyone's feelings, but it seems I may have. I received a couple of other comments in texts from local friends. I'm sure you know how that goes. I wish everything wasn't such a struggle. Thanks again, my friend.
Kathleen, the same has happened to me so many times while reading a book or watching a movie post Plandemic. And being in the so-called "holistic health community," I was shocked to my core at how many so-called healers towed the line and helped push the agenda. Ditto artists...When this happens to me, I try to put myself in their shoes and think back to my thirties and forties and how I might have reacted back then.
Loved your comment, friend! XO
Oh my gosh! Kathleen, what a beautiful comment. You've added so much more meaning to my story by complementing it with your thoughts and insights into our common struggles to have deeper connections with one another.
And, thank you for your reminders, you "keeper" you! (FYI to other readers, I call Kathleen the "Keeper of the Reminders" because she's so good at harvesting nuggets from what people write and then condensing them into an easy to remember phrase.) Thanks again,
Kathleen. xox
😘