Something a little different and for which I ask your indulgence.

[Atticus]

It is easy to get so wrapped up in the hate, greed, corruption and ignorance that today constitutes "politics" that I am sure it has adversely impacted the health of many on this board. Any discussion of Trump and his disciples is analogous to willfully sticking your head into a septic tank: it may occasionally need to be done, but you'd better come back up into fresh air frequently to take a deep breath and look around at the real world.

When is the last time you took a walk---not a fitness "power walk"---a stroll?

When is the last time you held hands with your spouse or partner or someone you love? How long since you actually said the words "I love you"? How long since you "just kissed" them?

Can you remember the last time you laughed out loud?

Trump and company are not normal people. Normal people, for the most part, are honest and kind and want the same things for their families that that you want for yours.
The "default" for normal people is tolerance and love, not discrimination and hate.

I'm going to pour a glass of wine, sit on the deck and listen to the birds. Later.

[kozar]

1. I just sent a mssg

to mr lebowski,, we are doing exactly this tonight, popcorn and an old movie while we all ( daughter,3 dogs, 2 cats) pile in bed and watch!!!


Koz

[elleng]

2. Well, I came inside a while ago after taking pics of the ospreys who live near me,

walked outside to do it; not far.

But then I return to listen to PBS NewsHour and now Chris Hayes' show, so not sure how 'well' I am.

Thanks for checking on us.

[NightWatcher]

3. Imagine the emotional release/relief the planet will experience when all things trump are over.

It will happen.

Imagine the global "ahhhhh". Enjoy that feeling tonight and through this weekend if you can.

[zipplewrath]

4. We still have a "date night"

For 30+ years we've had a Wednesday night "date night". No chores, no TV, no news. It does often involve wine, or cocktails. We talk about alot of things, mostly about our future plans for ourselves. It occasionally wanders into politics but mostly on a level of "where are we going" kind of thing. But predominately we talk about our own past, or our own future. It's kinda an important for us personally. Once a year we go on a 2 week vacation that is devoid of any contact with news or family or whatever. We make long term plans and review our relationship. Conversations extend over days. Basically it's our version of "new years resolutions". It works for us. Not sure it would work for everyone.

[SWBTATTReg]

6. Neat and smart! NT

[zipplewrath]

9. Thanks

I suspect the real purpose of the OP was to suggest that the immediate politics aren't as important as taking care of "ourselves" as well as those around us. It is a difficult concept because at various points in our lives it is really necessary to set our own needs aside and commit ourselves to a larger purpose. I guess I'm in the "balance" category. You do what you have to do, but occasionally you'll have to do that which interferes.

[LakeArenal]

5. My real life is great. Trump has no effect on it.

I’m very happy. Folks say it shows.

I’m moving to Costa Rica Sept 1.

LIG. Life is grrrreat.

[panader0]

7. Where in Costa Rica?

I spent a couple of weeks in Tamarindo and love the place, the ocean,
the mountains, the jungle, the creatures.

[LakeArenal]

8. Nuevo Arenal

With a view of the lake and volcano.

[babylonsister]

10. ...

[LakeArenal]

11. We hope so. It's all a bit daunting.

Thanks.

[babylonsister]

27. Think of it as a grand adventure.

Making new memories; it's what's on tap for the lucky ones.

[UniteFightBack]

12. I laugh out loud every day...or just about. nt

[Karadeniz]

13. Good, important advice!

[Claritie Pixie]

14. I took a stroll with my daughter about an hour ago. No phone.

We didn't really talk. The sky was a beautiful mix of gray white clouds tinged pink by the setting sun. In the distance we could see a storm cloud and hear the rumblings of thunder. The deer were out grazing and paid no mind to us as we walked pass. Mamas and fawns together, and the bucks off meeting under the trees.

Beautiful, peaceful night in my little corner of the world. Did my heart good.

[smirkymonkey]

35. I am imagining your lovely walk and re-living it vicariously.

You describe it beautifully and it makes me feel like I am there. It brought a sense of calm over me just thinking about it.

[Claritie Pixie]

39. I'm so happy to hear that!

Thank you for your reply.

[bucolic_frolic]

15. You make a good point

I've had a couple of respites this past week. Most remarkable is a couple of good night's sleep, and a feeling of being fresher when reengaging. The mind simply works better with rest. Give it a try!

[Pepsidog]

16. Amen brother

[patphil]

17. Excellent commentary

I do all the thing you asked about nearly every day, including sticking my head in the
Trump septic tank.
The real world is where we actually live, not Trump world. It's necessary for our sanity to spend time in it whenever possible...where we can surround ourselves with, and embrace nature.
I agree that most people are normal, honest, and kind and just want to be able to live their lives without all the shit people like Trump spew forth into the air.
That is, as you say, the default for humanity.
Unfortunately, it's been too hot to sit on the deck, drink wine and listen to the birds.
But that will change soon.
Hopefully in November of 2020 we can get the septic tank pumped out.

Patrick Phillips

[NRaleighLiberal]

18. Happily, all 3 you mentioned today... And most days!

The orange asshole will not be allowed to hijack my life and my joy.

[Marie Marie]

19. I laugh as often as I can. Being blessed with a sense of humor has gotten me through a lot.

I also spend as much time in nature as I can. That always grounds me.

[tavernier]

20. I'm over it.

I only peek in a time or two over the day in case something major occurs. I have a life that brings me joy and peace. I’m still hopeful for our future, but time will tell.

[Nitram]

21. Every day.

[RainCaster]

22. A damn fine idea

I am sitting on a bench next to our koi pond. I'm feeding the fish while I throw a tennis ball for our GSD. It's pretty darn good.

[snort]

23. I tried it.

Goddamn birds are going Tweet Tweet Tweet!

[DAMANgoldberg]

30. This was going through my head when I saw this post...

#justsayin

[sprinkleeninow]

24. Judicious advice. I recently am attempting a discipline of drastically limiting

anything to do with 'him and his' in word, thought or visual. I refuse to allow them to wreck my being that's already been affected by my personal loss.

[LibDemAlways]

25. When my husband mentions something about some inane Trump tweet,

my standard response is, "Life's too short to worry about what that imbecile says."
I spend my days looking after my 96-year-old mother who has her share of issues. I'm also helping to plan my daughter's wedding, which gives me great pleasure. I enjoy a good laugh now and then, and look out for opportunities to help others. I have a childhood friend who has been in the hospital since November of 2017. Her husband, who has been a steady presence and rock, recently suffered a stroke. The mounting medical bills must be overwhelming, and I'm surprised his health held up this long. I mention this because their situation has given me pause, helped me focus on what's important, allowed me the opportunity to reach out and do what I can to help,and made me grateful for the life I have. The real world can be cruel and messy, but there is great beauty and goodness too. Thanks for the reminder.

[customerserviceguy]

26. Well said

We have to remember to focus on the good around us. Enjoy that wine!

[malaise]

28. Lovely post

We stroll more than power walk and the birds are everywhere including the water

[bluestarone]

29. GREAT ADVICE!

TY for your thoughts! SO TRUE

[csziggy]

31. My husband and I are taking three and a half months off

We're just over a month into our trip to the UK. We left Fort Lauderdale July 21 on the Queen Elizabeth went to New York, Halifax (Nova Scotia), St. John's (Newfoundland), Ísafjörður and Reykjavik (Iceland), and landed in Greenock (Glasgow) on August 5.

Since then we have driven around Northern Scotland and tonight we are in Inverness. Today we drove around Loch Ness. Tomorrow we're taking the train from Inverness to Kyle Of Lochalsh, all the way across the country.

While we catch BBC Scotland new sometimes, they do not have the fixation on politics that US TV does. Even with Brexit looming, the big news today was about soccer - both some match wins and a team that seems to be going bankrupt.

Most of the places we have been have not had good internet, plus some nights I am just too tired to try to go online. The only regular US political news I have gotten is from DU and that not very often.

It feels great!

Usually we visit museums, a RSPB reserve, or archeology sites, both of which involve some hiking. We are not pushing ourselves, doing short days, not very much driving and ending early. The most tense thing is my husband getting used to driving on the narrow UK roads - many are one track with passing zones so two cars can get by each other. Hair raising in the mountains!

[LuckyCharms]

32. I actually have a good laugh about 20 times a day.

But then again, I'm not right in the head.

But seriously...you have to laugh. We would just fade away without joy.

[PatrickforO]

33. We grilled tonight and watched the clouds scudding across the blue sky.

And last night, I looked out the window, and through a triangular gap in the branches of a couple of nice oak trees, I saw a single red rose.

[mnhtnbb]

34. I walk every day with my dog

and we pay special attention to the environment as we do. We greet people. Some want to stop and pet her or ask what kind of dog she is. The point is that we connect with other people every day and she often brings a smile to the faces of strangers. When I got her 10 years ago I had hoped to train her as a therapy dog, but she didn't have the personality for it. Now, given that we live downtown and encounter people on our walks every day, just her looks alone are able to give people a moment of feeling good when they tell me what a pretty dog she is.

I am a widow with no interest in finding another romantic relationship. The days of handholding and "I love you" are gone.

But I do laugh every day. I read a lot. I watch comedies. I listen to comedians. I go to plays, concerts, and the ballet. I travel a bit. All those activities bring me joy.

And every day I watch the skies changing outside my floor to ceiling windows from my high rise apartment. I posted a thread about these Summer Skies in the Photography group with a few shots I've taken this summer. https://www.democraticunderground.com/103671961

[smirkymonkey]

36. What kind of dog do you have?

That is my one unfulfilled dream in life, to have a dog. I look at dogs the way I imagine other women look at babies. My heart just bursts with joy and the longing to have one in my own life. They make me so happy.

I am lucky to live in a neighborhood with a lot of dogs and I have recently moved into a building that allows them, however I am not financially stable enough or home enough to provide proper care for one. For now I am just a loving auntie to my sibling's Black Lab and Swiss Mountain Dog and the other doggies in my building/neighborhood, but someday I hope to have one of my own.

Anyway, sorry to go off about dogs, I was just thinking about how lucky you are to have one who is so special.

[mnhtnbb]

37. Snowy is a mix.

I was told when I adopted her as a rescue when she was 3, that she was part Golden Retriever and part American Eskimo. I call her my little white wolf. When she was younger she was more all over white, but her fur has turned more golden as she has aged. Her head shape is definitely American Eskimo. She has the laid back personality of a Golden Retriever. Rarely barks. Friendly to other dogs. Happy to live with cats. She is a good apartment dog because she has always loved walks and there is no other option in an apartment building. She will be my last dog, though, because I want to be free to come and go, to travel, to spontaneously go out for the day without having to make plans for someone to walk her or work around her walking schedule. I don't know how much longer she'll be with me, as she is 13 and has a heart condition that makes her susceptible to sudden death.

Here's a photo of her after a snow/ice storm a few years ago when I lived in Chapel Hill and I could let her out off leash on our dead end street because no one was driving due to road conditions.

[smirkymonkey]

38. Awwww! She is beautiful!

I know what you mean about having your freedom though. If I had the money for a dog, that would mean I would also probably have the money to travel more and I wouldn't want to leave my dog home alone for such long periods of time. It's such a dilemma.

Thank you for sharing!

[ismnotwasm]

40. Interesting

I’m very active, I walk or use my treadmill, garden, do a little landscaping in my yard, more to do but I’m enjoying results this year. I work full time.

My husband and and I have always been in love with an intense and almost desperate love and desire, compounded by the fact he has Multiple Sclerosis and, well, we are getting older. We tell each other I love you nearly every day.

I laugh all the time. I laugh so hard with my husband or kids or co-workers or friends sometimes I can’t breath and tears run down my face.

And when I laugh AT someone, I usually need to do a cruelty check.

Like the time of one of my grandsons first communion, where it’s customary to give a gift. My husband, bless his heart is not religious and certainly not Catholic.

He went to a yard sale, and fond this 2 foot wooden carving, hard painted wall hanging of Jesus. Blood and all. It’s very well done and quite realistic

It may be the ugliest thing I’ve ever seen.

My daughters face was the best. I had to walk away I was laughing so hard.

Nobody wanted to hurt his feelings, my daughter made me stop laughing, told him is was a perfectly appropriate gift for a first communion and my son in law hung it in a place of honor on their wall. (He probably likes it, can’t always tell with him)

It was still funny, but handled so kindly.

So yeah, it always comes down to the small things as they say.