Posting will resume in November 2025
Holiday Decorations
Many years ago, a neighbor asked me to removed a 4 foot autumn scarecrow, (overalls, shirt and hat) because her husband was terminally ill, and it reminded her of death.
I removed it within the hour. I didn’t question her or try to change her mind. The scarecrow was a yearly display other residents enjoyed. Nobody complained to me when I took it down . Those that approached me were as sympathetic as me.
PTSD. You don’t know what might bother you or even understand why. Even if you don’t have PTSD, anyone can be bothered by something. That may be simple to other people or feel silly, but to the person triggered, the discomfort, to varying degrees, can be severe physically and mentally.
Unfortunately for me, a particular display I don’t like, that makes me uncomfortable, has been put outside where I see it every time I walk out my front door. In other places, it doesn’t bother me.
I didn’t ask that it be removed. I asked that it be hung elsewhere, facing away from my front door, and/or not hung until 2 weeks before Halloween. It has been up since at least mid September.
My requests have been denied, as expected.
So I found a way to deal with it. My discomfort decreased until I arrive home from an errand today and see somebody positioned the display in such a way as to be in my face even more than just hanging there. I sent another email to management to ask that the display be hung without gestures.
PTSD. About the bothers. When a trigger happens, it does not go away quickly unless it can be stopped or removed. The discomfort can take a long time to subside. The episode is a painful time for a person with PTSD. It is in many ways similar to adjusting your life to avoid panic or anxiety attacks.
If you are confronted with a situation that bothers a person, with or without PTSD, try to reach a compromise, be compassionate, and fair. Please, don’t laugh or be dismissive towards the person suffering.
Adding. Non visual disabilities are often difficult for people to grasp because they have no evidence to help them identify, to understand.
Non visual disability persons have to speak up for others to learn. However, that can mean explaining more about their condition than a person should need to. Reactions differ. I don’t use my PTSD condition. I believe a person voicing their discomfort should be enough.
Laughter and anger aren’t good reactions in response to anyone voicing their discomfort.
Day 297 of Week 43 October 2025
Hello to the last weekend of October 2025. Can you believe we are already at the door of November? It is wild! I'm happier about November than I was about October.
The first couple of weeks of the 10th month, I was not feeling well. News, Allergies and digestive issues put me in a slump of blahs. I kept going as tasks piled up, stuff went undone, missed opportunities blurred like a bird in the corner of my eye flying by the window. That was only a week ago, but it feels like a year ago.
Age is not the issue. Young people can have slumps of blahs as well.
For all ages, I believe, that eating right and exercise are the keys to the city of better health.
I do calisthenics along with a few other exercises, (when I remember to do them). This morning, I discovered the reason I have lower back strain so often is that I hold too long/tighten muscles before the release. Duh on me.
In winter, being smart, lotion is my friend. Dry elbows bug me. They have to be smooth and well cared for. If I was on a blind date and saw a crackly old ashy elbow, then I would have to make an excuse to leave. It wouldn't really be a lie because gagging would be an issue.
🐦🐻🍁
Last week I put out a small amount of bird seed. My deck is a bird's food source. As soon as the temperatures drop, the birds are there looking around. I wait until a hard frost or few just in case there are bears roaming around.
Have a Smooth Weekend!
Bake a pumpkin
Make homemade soup
Browse colorful scarves online
Tell a maple leaf a funny story
Draw a forest with a full Moon
Shop for a new house plant
Sing to your front door
Rainy Autumn Thoughts
The early hours out my window here in Vermont have been mostly dark with rain clouds. A few minutes ago, I saw blue sky. Now, I need to put a lamp on. Outside it is windy and raining again. Once the blustery episode passes, blue skies will return. 
I hear thunder. The moody atmosphere builds. I take another gulp of hot chocolate and glance out the window. Most of the trees are at peak while a tall maple shows only the first tinges of gold. I will miss the gray sky when the blue returns.
The mood of the daylight darkness stirs thoughts of Edgar Allen Poe, a cozy corner on the sofa, hot chocolate, and a good book (or film). Escaping into the creative literary world is the umbrella we hold over our souls to keep our feelings from washing away from lack of attention. Care for me, whispers to us as the chill, we know is out there, makes us shiver.
More thunder. The sky is clearing, lighter, less gray. Branches wiggle instead of sweep through in the air. There is a steady drip sound on the patio. The weather radar says, Hold on there just a minute.
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