66 Comments
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Catherine C Hutchison's avatar

Picturing the frogs smoking in the afterglow made my day.

Dr. Sunita Merriman's avatar

Thank you! hysterical! profound! needed! Reminds me of my dental practice. It was a small team. 3-4 of us taking care of people who did not want to be there (at the best), or in pain and terrified. We had a deal. Only one of us could be having a bad day. The rest of us had to pick up the slack that day. We took turns. It was a fair system.

Gimena Anastasia Diaz's avatar

Dr. Le consulto lei que es de ayuda poder harer que las células cerebrales tengan neuroplasticidad esto es verdad!

https://substack.com/@luiseduardogarciaok/note/p-199410112?r=8hoxnv

jen parker's avatar

Thank you for being our person with skin on, Anne. The dark feels less scary with you here.

Katharine English's avatar

I love this: "fair is where the pony rides are." How is it I have never heard this before?? It's going into my regular backpack of analogies now. Thanks, Anne. We all needed this.

Jean Hoelscher's avatar

and my Grandma always said "Fare is what you pay to ride the bus" Love having two more analogies when I need them!

Andi's avatar

My husband always told our kids "Fair is where pigs win prizes"

Kathleen Paterno's avatar

oh Yes oh Yes. I often hold back my positivity because it seems so out of touch with the horrors. Your essay reminds me that its simply my turn to reflect goodness and that someone else will come to my rescue when I need it most. Mixed grille.

Ellen Ritchey's avatar

I so needed this today! (Actually, every day.)It helps to know we are not alone in our fears and frustration. And that simple acts of kindness are doable and make a difference! Thank you.

mmandich@comcast.net's avatar

While I'm living proof (as most of us are) that God never gives us more than we can handle, some days are simply bigger tests than others. Today is a test day. The report of a friend's brother being diagnosed with ALS, whom I've known since the early 70's. The elderly neighbor who suffered a traumatic fall, and is declining. So, what to do? I garden on our neighborhood medians; planting, just looking at new growth. Grounding myself. My neighbors know that I now compulsively pick up trash and green waste; I think they are in on the root cause. In difficulty, we water, weed, plant, sweep, encourage every living thing to keep up with the basics. even as keeping up becomes more challenging. Thank you for posting this message today.

Lyndie Blevins's avatar

Are you sure we are all not nuts on the same day? I pray that is true next November

Gimena Anastasia Diaz's avatar

Dr. Le consulto lei que es de ayuda poder harer que las células cerebrales tengan neuroplasticidad esto es verdad!

https://substack.com/@luiseduardogarciaok/note/p-199410112?r=8hoxnv

Peter Moore's avatar

Once my wife and I were staying in an AirBnB in the outer reaches of Long Island, and we sat down in the garden for an afternoon chill-out session. That's when a catbird took up a perch on a tree limb above us, and launched into a discursive song that rivaled any opera. So much music in its little birdbrain! It held up the sky for 45 beautiful minutes.

Patricia Ross's avatar

I know I won't be able to comment when my paid subscription is up, but I find myself urgently needing to tighten my belt so I won't become a ward of the state! But Glory Be, girl, you make me laugh. And although you might not hear from me for awhile, know I'm over here still in Marin County, staying sober, and laughing when it's increasingly hard to do so.

Dorinda Lambert's avatar

Just the right amount of reality and hope...I needed this today. Thank you!

Lesley B.'s avatar

So much to fight for. Let’s not give up everyone. We have each other and there are so many of us. Knowing you all care is my fortitude.

Pat O'Shea Burns's avatar

Anne, you gifted lady, thanks for your wise words and splashes of humor,

you are part of my soul medicine.

Sheila's avatar

What, even the birds are having sleepless nights?

I like the idea of their song changing the sky. And rejoicing with those who rejoice when one is one's self weeping is only rivaled in hardness by weeping with those who weep when one is rejoicing.

Catherine O'Kelly's avatar

Must have been a mockingbird! We don't have birds here where I live in the "interior" of California. They've given up on us. Well, in a huge apartment complex, there are no flowers with any nourishment, and probably not a lot of bugs to eat either.

We are getting crows now...not very welcome fellows. At least no ravens...or vultures!

Hey, thanks for your humorous columns, always a joy to read!

Mari Tamburo's avatar

Thank you, Anne.