How is Everyone Here Coping? I'm find it very hard these days..

[KoKo]

Last edited Tue Apr 23, 2013, 07:55 PM - Edit history (1)

What are YOU DOING to deal with what's going on?

Here's the kind of stuff we are doing: We are watching "All Creatures Great and Small" on Netflix. (Old PBS Series from very long ago)...for animal lovers everywhere...but I think folks today might find it "Dated" but, we find it comforting...

Then there's listening to MUSIC.....Oldies, Jazz Radio, stuff that's Nostalgia but gives us a sense of "comfort" from Days Past...for some reason.

I'm probably drinking a little too much "White Zin" ...than is healthy...but walking and exercising more...(but not enough) and trying to CLEAN OUT HOUSE of "non-essentials"...so I have a "Get Away Bag" for the Global Climate Change or the NEXT ATTACK wherever it comes from. Could be my local Nuke Plant Explodes or Chemical Train Wreck close to home that causes Fire and Damage.

I feel Besieged by "Forces Beyond My Control" and am feeling very ANGRY ...but also SAD about all of this.

I think many here TRIED for so long...and there is discouragement there. I'm NOT Giving Up Pollitcally....but, my spirit needs A BREAK!

SO....HOW ARE THE REST OF DU'ers COPING. I've been here SO LONG...that I feel there might still be a COMMUNITY HERE...and I want to hear from you...Especially the LEGACY DU'ers.. HOW ARE YOU COPING?

FUN/WEIRD STUFF/QUIRKY and even if you are KNITTING or VOLUNTEERING!

[OneGrassRoot]

1. KoKo....

I'm sorry you're feeling besieged. Yeah, chances are most of us are feeling a lot of what you describe here. Plus, a lot of us are likely just friggin tired.

But you're doing good to walk and exercise. That's a healthy way to deal with all the stress.

I look for good news. Literally. I seek it out. I don't ignore the bad, but I look for the good and it's there. And I share it.

That helps me maintain my sanity.

And I'm determined to start a Compassion Revolution. I'm working toward it each day as I can and hope to launch it soon.

A COMPASSION REVOLUTION.

To combat the Glenn Beck/Alex Jones/Rush Limbaugh world, and all the other batshit crazy, selfish, greedy, fearmongering that we're surrounded by each day.

That's how I'm coping.

More hugs to you.

[Tree-Hugger]

5. A Compassion Revolution

I like that.

[OneGrassRoot]

35. And I like your name...

[Tree-Hugger]

81. Thank you. Yours is awesome as well. :) nt

[noiretextatique]

15. love your revolution

it is much needed. please post more about it here when you are ready to launch.

[OneGrassRoot]

36. I definitely will...

I'm counting on DUers to help roll it out.

[noiretextatique]

37. will do

i'm all in

[nolabear]

62. Brilliant. Count me in. Doing something is wonderful coping.

[OneGrassRoot]

116. I will, nolabear!

[morningglory]

42. Watching "Goodbye Mr. Chips" with Martin Clunes on the You tubes (2002)

Very well done. Checking DU several times a day.

[dixiegrrrrl]

46. I had no idea he did a version of that movie...

and free, on YouTube, to boot.

Thanks!

[morningglory]

171. It was just put up on the tubes, and of course,

"everyone loves you, Chips." I am afraid I've already forgotten myself! Oh, dear! I surfed the tubes and found an old version of GMrC. When they kissed it was like two basketballs kissing: no chemistry. Martin Clunes can certainly make chemistry. We just got GMrC with Peter O'Toole today for comparison.

[KoKo]

91. yes...immersing oneself in what you are trying to do to "do good" is

inspiring and worthwhile. We do much political when we can trying to make small differences in ways we can gather with like minded folks to try to make that difference.

And...trying to make difference in what we can to fund Animal Rescue...and Refuge. It's little amounts and we "hope" it goes to the animals and not somewhere else. How does one know these days...but those little bits we can do we hope contributes something.

[OneGrassRoot]

115. Oh, that is such a wonderful issue to devote oneself to....

Talk about something that can be heartbreaking. I can't bear to see innocents suffer, but taking steps to alleviate some of that suffering is work to be so very, very proud of.

Good on you.

Wouldn't it be wonderful to have a huge sanctuary to take in all the creatures who need care and shelter? We need more sanctuaries. *sigh*

[NYC_SKP]

172. OGR!

Check my sigline...

http://www.democraticunderground.com/10023884126

[BlueToTheBone]

2. I find sitting to be satisfying.

This is a real message to each of us that there is no way to control what happens around us. The only control we have is over our own skin. It's very hard, I know, but it is the best that we have.

This is a transient universe, there is nothing that is static and nothing stays the same. I think you might want to draw your circle smaller and look closely at your relationships and build them to their highest. Sounds airy fairy? All we have to do is look at a rainbow and know that beauty is all around, but is unsubstantial, just like the rest of it.

[KoKo]

25. Definitely thinking of "drawing circle closer"...in whatever way it works...

Thanks...

[BlueToTheBone]

53. Yes, when the wider world becomes unmanagable

it is time to draw close to what sustains us; and I have only found the ones that I love and that love me all I can do when things are too much. We will live through this and become stronger because of it all.

[Nay]

3. Koko, sorry you feel so besieged. It's normal, I think. Here's some of the things I do:

1. Make sure to get a daily dose of cute animals on cuteoverload.com or a similar site.

2. Work in my garden, planting things of beauty and listening to the birds and squirrels.

3. Read mysteries where the bad guys get their comeuppance.

4. Go out to dinner regularly with my assorted friends.

5. I never watch TV.

[KoKo]

47. YEP...Doing this at Bedtime.. 3. Read mysteries where the bad guys get their comeuppance.

Before I turn out the light and Kitty starts her nudging...I READ...about those Good Guys...and then there are the DREAMS....which these days are very Convoluted..

[randome]

4. If you can watch TV and drink wine, you might consider that you have it pretty good.

There are plenty of people in Boston who are contemplating life without certain limbs at this moment so...

[Skittles]

20. that's what I do when I start feeling like it is all piling up

I think about other people and what I can do to help - that always makes me feel better

[Sissyk]

21. Me, too!

Time with family, friends and without tv. Time helping out at the homelss shelter and women's shelter.

Finding something (however small) to do for others every single day.

[Skittles]

26. there's always someone needing help

and sometimes it's just the friendly word / gesture kind of help that makes a person's day

[KoKo]

27. I have alternative media...and buy the cheap white zin....and this post is

about...what's going on ..(like Boston) and the Other Stuff being passed in our House and Senate that goes against my FDR/DEM soul...for history.

Just so you know where I'm coming from.

[Lordquinton]

59. Not to disparage anyone's current situation

but pointing out to people in despair that there are others going through far worse is a bad way to try and bring someone back from despair. If all that sadness is getting me down, having someone point out more to be sad about is just going to make it worse. Deression is a difficult disease to overcome, and we all need to be aware of it. Validation often works much better.

[galileoreloaded]

6. a lot of it is perspective

understanding that from the 20's to the late 90's and beyond, americans as a group exported the pain of their societal growth to brown people all over the globe. thats what gave you the pax americana you are lamenting.

those chickens are now coming home to roost.

the nostalgia that people feel is merely a manifestation of their insulation from the atrocities that were committed out of sight on their behalf and in their names.

[noiretextatique]

16. i like the way you think

there is much wisdom in what you wrote.

[Skittles]

28. WTF

you think atrocities are no longer being committed "in our name"?

http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2012/11/factory_fire_in_bangladesh_ign.html

[KoKo]

31. Definitely..."Chickens coming Home to Roost" and Globilization..."leveling"

ALL OF US...for the International Banking Conglomerate.

I feel Nostalgia for WHAT COULD HAVE BEEN...and I wasn't Isolated. I think there were people like Gore Vidal, Carlin, Ralph Nader (the most despised), Noam Chomsky...and others in the background...who worked so hard.

[FSogol]

7. A chickadee Mom is sitting on 2 eggs in one of my birdhouses & a tuffted titmouse is building

a nest in the other. The third one doesn't get used much since a flying squirrel likes to nap in it with his nose sticking out.

[KoKo]

50. We bought a "Bird House" for Bluebirds... Three Generations have already Hatched...

and Maybe More. They are kind of secretive the "Blue Birds" (who were on endangered bird list years ago) but they are thriving where we placed our handcrafted birdhouse sold by this incredible "elder citizen" on the sides of the road here in NC and we bought his Bird House...(so pretty with even a handcrafted copper "round roof&quot and painted so that it's lasted three years with the paint without deterioration.

I think it's Three or More Generations of lovely Blue Birds have laid eggs and hatched young there. We have them flitting back and forth from our feeders. There are "four holes" and each generation picks out one of the holes. We are looking forward to the Fourth Hole. Bluebirds do "clean the nest out" of the generation before and that's why it's hard to figure out how many generations...but I know of at least three. However, the Female Blue Birds tend to be promiscuous...(liking many partners) and they can breed three broods in a Season...so we are ever watchful.

[FSogol]

117. I gave my Dad 2 new bluebird houses for Christmas. He has them spread out over his

whole property (a portion of an abandoned farm).

[KoKo]

157. They put them on Golf Courses too. Hope your Dad has luck we've had with

families moving in. It took us a couple of years...but now the Second Generation is moving in and flights back and forth into our hedge in a Suburban bakyard..(bordered by woods) seem to say they can move in close or do the Golf Course "wide open spaces" and navigate.

They are very fun to watch...btw.

[Tree-Hugger]

8. I'm sorry you are feeling discouraged

I have kids, so I throw myself in their world, play and get silly.

Get outside in nature as much as possible - bonus if disconnected from cell phones and internetz.

I belly dance - tribal style, which is extremely community/sisterhood based.

I have actually taken up knitting and crocheting. I am still in the "I suck" phase, but I'm learning. I have watched a bunch of tutorials on YouTube and they are very helpful. I want to learn to sew, too.

Watch kittens and puppies on YouTube.

Believe there is good in the world and be the good.

[KoKo]

57. I love what you are doing...! Thanks for posting this.. Sewing/Crafting and doing stuff

like that with the Younger Ones...gives me hope. We did a lot of that in the late 60's and early 70's and it was very worthwhile. We have to keep the "Creative Skills ALIVE!" They might be needed in the coming years, creatively...to be a resourse for "independence" when things "get tighter" with materials available. Those are SKILLS that shouldn't be let to languish just because WE ARE ALL ON COMPUTERS... There are Other Things in Life that have VALUE...and the value comes and goes... But... TIMES CHANGE... and skills in DEMAND often come an go in Value...

Learning to be INDEPENDENT...is something that we should never lose sight of and if we can each some of our children who have an interest that this is valuable and they shouldn't be ashamed of their interest is a good thing. It takes many different "skills" to survive and it isn't always Military/Sports/Wall Street Skills...but basic, grounding and creative, intuitive skills that make "The Difference." imho....

[Doremus]

82. I would add gardening to the list.

The fulfillment from growing fruits & veggies is good for the soul -and- your stomach.

[Tree-Hugger]

83. I agree 100%

It's very important to have a good variety of basic skills. Cooking from scratch and growing your own veggies and fruits are also another great example.

[Manifestor_of_Light]

97. Doing things with your hands is always good!!

Cooking, sewing, needlework, gardening.

[raccoon]

120. Smoking. nt

[silverweb]

9. Doing a few things.

[font color="navy" face="Verdana"](1) Avoid most news programs and most TV. The actual television itself was given away in 2007, and I only watch 1-2 favorite shows on line each evening. Reading is more rewarding, anyway.

(2) Music... and dancing when I feel like it, 'cause no one's looking. Pandora's on most of the time and programming my favorites is an ongoing project.

(3) Gardening. I have a tiny, tiny fenced "yard" with limited sunshine that I've been turning into my "secret garden," with herbs and partial-sun-loving plants. Another ongoing project.

(4) Eating right. I rarely eat out or have any kind of junk food. Ovo-lacto-vegetarian, healthy oils, multi-culture yogurt, lots of veggies, and lots healthy herbs and tasty spices (especially black seed, turmeric, and cinnamon, but a number of carefully selected others, too).

(5) Meditation. I've been practicing this casually for a few years now and it's become a necessary, very fruitful part of my life.

(6) Other personal projects. Started sewing again after many years and making my own clothes. I'm trying to get most of my fabrics from thrift store clothes, hoping to re-imagine them into a useful, attractive wardrobe. Another ongoing project.

(7) Cats. I have 4 of them, all rescues from my years in Mexico, who are a major part of my life, good for a lot of laughs and cozy companionship.

(8) My kids. They're both grown and I don't see them as often as I'd like, but thanks to modern technology, we're in close touch.

(9) Last but not least... beer. I don't drink, but there was a fascinating study published in The Smithsonian about how just a taste of beer, not counting any alcohol effects, causes a major boost in dopamine and pleasure/happiness reaction. I bought some Guinness lager and have started drinking just a small wine glass of it with dinner. Very nice.

Yeah, I'm coping okay.

[Texasgal]

10. I just bought myself a pair of

binoculars. My backyard backs up to a greenbelt. Lately, I've been in the back yard with my binoculars and a glass of wine looking at birds and other little animals.

It's very relaxing. I have woodpeckers, cardinals, starlings and painted buntings. Squirrels and even a grey fox I have spotted!

That's how I've been able to unwind lately. I am so glad that I indulged and bought myself these things! I love them!

[Sissyk]

23. That sounds lovely.

Yesterday, I shot three deer laying in the shade in my backyard. With the nikon. lol. Also, around here the fruit trees, dogwood, buttercups, etc. are blooming and make for gorgeous photos.

Crepe Myrtles are budding, along with rose bushes and easter bushes.

Yesterday, we had the deer, canadian geese, squirrel, bunnies, and the barn cat in the yard at one time or another.

[KoKo]

64. If you haven't already ..Check out Cornell U..Bird Watch Tallies...and

there's so much good Birding Back Yard Stuff.

We just got into it a few years ago...and it's wonderful. There's a Bird Count every year to watch how the Climate Change is affecting Bird Migration. We all tally the bird varieties/species and send it to them.

[LanternWaste]

11. I love All Creatures...!!

I love All Creatures...!! Once a summer, I re-watch either that or the original Upstairs Downstairs. Such a civility and politeness found in the British series' dealing with the Edwardian era as to never be found in American television.

Best coping mechanism I've found when things get to be too much is to go on a news black-out. Most of the time, it's only for one or two days, but I have gone as long as a week without paying any attention to news, current events, politics, etc.

Instead, I devote myself to personal correspondence, getting weeks ahead on the corporate blog (I get a monthly bonus for writing it), and my own writing and reading projects.

I'm lucky in that the vast majority of my friends are apolitical, and couldn't care less what the weekly political meme floating around is. They're great to go out with, have a few beers and a burger, and allows me to focus on family and friends rather than the imaginary constructs of politics we not only allow to direct our lives, but allow ourselves to feel stress... or even hatred because of, well... the imaginary.

[KoKo]

68. Thanks ...what you say ...some perspective.

finding different outlets...wherever it takes us. I was a big "Upstairs, Downstairs" fan also.

Have you ever seen "Dutchess of Duke Street?" It's a great one for showing what was going on with "class differences" at that time with WWI aftermath and how an "underclass female" managed to make it to Chef for King and turn that fame and cooking skills into making a career for herself running Hotel with Gourmet Food to Feed the King and (what we today would be making money off the 1% of Wall Street Crowd...to use to her advantage).

Netflix Brit/Edwardian Fans might want to check out: "Dutchess of Duke Street." I think it's still streaming. If you want to see CLASS DIFFERENCE with CLASS and how to overcome it...for Nostalgia.

[Knightraven]

12. Pretty good I say.

I get looked at by the local police a little more since I am a drifter. I just keep in mind that they are still a little spooked and I corporate.

ADD) I just keep doing what I always have done. Just doing things my way, to keep it from messing with me is the best way for me to cope.

[LeftofObama]

13. I run in a park that is 2.5 miles long.

One end to the other is 5 miles and get this....In the last 5 or so years they have reintroduced Bald Eagles here. Seeing them soar above me while I'm running sometimes just makes me smile.

[NRaleighLiberal]

14. Coping by turning off the TV first of all. Then - gardening,

cooking, writing, spending time with my wife, walking the dogs, listening to music - and understanding that sometimes you just need to step away from the politics and the internet and give yourself a break!

[KoKo]

93. Yes...it's good. We hauled bags of mulch this past weekend...replenishing

and all we can grow in our rocky part is to find patch of sun...good mulch and compost in one spot...but last year we had a great crop of Cherry Tomatoes that kept the salads going, plus some Basil, Oregano. Our trees have grown in and there's only patches of light...but, we make do with what we have and buying from our local supplier who does organic.

We actually had a better more productive Garden Crop when we lived in Connecticut years ago. the soil was filled with rocks which we had to dig out...but what was under there was good earth and we had more light in our yard. Grew wonderful Tomatoes (Big Boys, Better Boys) and Collards, Spinach, Green Beans and loads of wonderful tasting Zuchinni and Yellow Squash (that's before the hybridization made both the Zuchinni and Yellow Squash into the hard bitter stuff that they now are).

I find it funny that in Connecticut with shorter growing season we did better with native soil than here. But, we are happy we have the organic gardening sources. And our Cherry Tomatoes and herbs are a nice addition.

[NRaleighLiberal]

95. My Pennsylvania gardens (shorter season) far exceeded my Raleigh ones -

longer season here, but more disease, more critters, more blistering heat - not for the faint of heart!

[H2O Man]

17. I did a

sweat lodge ceremony yesterday. No one else was there. Building, then watching the fire was nice. I had filled the bird-feeders, and fed the Koi and other fish in the pond.

While in the lodge, I thought a lot about one of Gandhi's messages, that he repeated several times in his last three days of life: we need to be able to see ourselves as those who fear and hate us the most do. And we need to be able to greet those who threaten us, not only as our siblings in the human race, but as a manifestation of the Universal Life Force. It's a curious description from a man who wanted to "see God face-to-face."

[silverweb]

54. I like that.

[font color="navy" face="Verdana"]The environment and the meditation.

[KoKo]

73. Thanks...introspection and deep meditation...and that's what I'm thinking....

needs to be done ...thrown in...honing in on "BEING."

Many of us are trying to do it in different ways..."Gardening, Sewing, Crafting, Birding, Building, Home Tasking, Cleaning and Sorting, Digging in to our inner Passions from times past we Loved"...

Whatever...it's Music, Dance..Art....finding something to CLING TO...

My backyard and the birds...and some familiar "Mini-Series" or "Music" from times past is what I'm doing. But, it's interesting here the diversity of others coping in their ways, also.

But...there's angst...and it's a "changing time." So...if I could "sweat it out" ...I'd be there...because, indeed, there needs to be a "purging" of some of this. Not all of us can be that drastic...and that's what I was wondering. HOW ARE FOLKS COPING!

We are DOING WHAT WE CAN...that we CAN DO..to the best of our experience... Good Thing...to get it out and talk about it...how we are doing. I needed some help with this...because I don't have relatives or friends...who really can understand. I think others out there might be "coping alone" but finding ways to do it that works for them... I wanted to know how they are doing it...

[MikeW]

18. dark beer, smoked brisket that i just finished in the smoker and old 007 movies on dvd

[PDJane]

19. Meditation. Mindfulness meditation.

I'm in pain right now, thanks to changes in medication, and I'm in rabid bitch mode. Since it's easier to not get into discussions that throw my equilibrium off in the first place, I stick to friends who can be trusted to be understanding, avoid the television and the stupidity as much as possible, and keep most of my observations to myself.

I will NOT be afraid of terrorists or guns or bombers or other outrages. That's partly because I'm in Canada, and partly because I just refuse to fall for the ERMERGERD stuff. It happens, and it's damaging, but living a life afraid of everything isn't healthy.

[RobertEarl]

22. Dead fox across the road this morn

Thought it might be my cat.

Walked out and saw it was a fox. Stank. Eyes were gone and flies were feasting. You know, those big black flies.

Went looking for a shovel. Coming back I see a vulture yanking on the body. Back off and thank the vulture for saving me from the mess.

Few hours later, and several more vultures, fox has taken flight. The body of the fox is now soaring in the sky fueling the vulture's powerful wings.

Life. Goes. On.

[silverweb]

55. Well said.

[KoKo]

75. I grew up RURAL...My early "catching the Bus Days" had "Dead Possums"

with flies eating eyes out...worms...and disgusting stuff always at my bus stop under the GRAND OAKS spreading Branches in Southern USA. As a little kid...it grossed me out...and then there were the abandoned dogs...who feasted on the leavings of the dead Possums...and then there was the kid who found a dead female Possum who placed her dead babies in our rural Mail Box...that I found when I got the mail home from bus stop. I didn't know what to do...I turned my back and left them. My Dad..I think cleaned it out and the babies probably got killed for their "own survival" in his mind. I can't place judgement on his decision...whatever he did with that. It was in his mind to do what he had to do in that situation.

Yes...Life goes on...but, SOME STUFF...never leaves you...and sort of turns you in life to looking for better. Not the KILLING...but, that some stuff gets into the "soul" of some of us that makes us always want to care for the suffering.

[MadHound]

24. It is spring, sorta

We might be getting snow tonight But as always, spring let's me get caught up in nature in a major way. Put in the garden, mow the yard, work in the orchard and berry patch. Say hello to the returning birds at the feeder, watch the animals coming out for the year. Exercise, fresh air, music, friends, family, those are some of the ways I've always coped with tough time, that and take a break from the media, that always helps.

[Iggo]

29. 10 missed paychecks away from the street.

Last year I was 8 away, though.

So things are looking up!!!

[elleng]

30. Similar,

and the Dust Bowl is on PBS again tonight.

My music:

http://www.weta.org/fm/listenlive

[KoKo]

38. And..there's PBS...about our "401-K's on FRONTLINE..tonight"....but still

it's a depressing time...and finding ways to cope...without "killing ourselves through Drink and Drugs" which is the EASY way out........

EXERCISE...SELF DISCIPLINE...and maybe some MEDITATION...or whatever...

I just like to "Go Back in Time"....where it's comfortable for a moment or two. Some Joan Baez...Annie Lennox and such.

Wherever I can ZONE OUT... in TIME....(No...not Weed) just...peace zone out...in inner mind... on my OWN RESOURCES...

[elleng]

45. Right, but wish I had what it takes to exercise etc.

Fortunately have connections with 'old' friends, but not as many with family as I'd like. Brother meditates, but I never have. Fortunately I don't have to worry about 401(k).

It IS a difficult time.

[Jamastiene]

32. Nature

Nature is always my "go to" when it comes to coping with difficulties. It is my best solace. Trying to identify as many plants, animals, insects, and rocks as I can in my yard seems to make me feel a sense of peace. It is really the ONLY thing that has ever worked for me, even as far back as when I was a little kid.

[bigwillq]

33. I'm fine. Living my life. And loving it.

DU is not my life. It's a message board I post on to pass the time.
One should never take a message board too seriously.

[WCGreen]

34. Game of Thrones has been a great diversion for me...

I watch far too much TV but stear clear of Cable News.

I keep up on the news here and my local news station.

[KoKo]

76. So many DU'ers have liked "Game of Thrones"...that I want to check it out...

Not right at this moment...but, it's sounded like a keeper to watch!

I'm getting my news from ROKU BOX..International Stuff. I like not having to watch the endless commercials and seeing something different.

[MuseRider]

134. I would suggest you read the books.

Unless you have long amounts of time to just sit and read they will occupy you for quite a long time. I am a reader but because of everything else in my life that I have to do it took me a year to complete the series. Well, I stopped reading the last one towards the end because I did not want it to end but still, around a year if you don't just inhale the series.

I enjoyed it a lot, watching it now. I do not care for the series on TV nearly as much as the books. Just an FYI and a suggestion to "take you away" for longer by reading them.

[KoKo]

154. OK...thanks. The "books are often better than Hollywoods Interpretation."

So I'll go with you on this one...and check out the books first. Thanks!

[haikugal]

161. For myself..

I read all the books and still love the series...I'm about to start reading the series again...lol. They are very entertaining.

[MuseRider]

163. Same here.

I would like to read them again knowing what I already know so I will be more able to really distinguish some things I just blew over earlier.

[SummerSnow]

39. I like to relax by doing jigsaw puzzles and watching cooking shows,play scrabble,play some Motown

[KoKo]

78. Ahh...definitely MoTown...

When I get the darkest...I pull out my Temptations Greatist Hits... Usually it's after I've done Springsteen's latest. But...I understand what you say. I can't get past those old times in my dark times. But also I like the new "Smooth Jazz" kind of radio stuff. Some of it is repetitive...but, in these times I often have time dealing with LYRICS that make me cry from the Oldies...and listening to "Soft Jazz or Classical" means that I can have the emotion on a lighter level than the LYRICS sending me into free fall with emotion.

Thanks...I need to get back to more "creative" stuff...that I used to do. I've been involved with Political Issues so long now and locally...and it's NOT GOOD to expect so much from politics to the detriment of ones own life experience for enjoyment! (I'm Lecturing MYSELF HERE...if you can laugh...because I laugh at my ownself for being "TOO SERIOUS)

[BeyondGeography]

40. Brahms violin concerto in D

The first movement has it all; sweetness, romance, dread, doom, fear, exultation. Have a 1949 recording of Yehudi Menuhin as soloist and Wilhelm Furtwangler conducting. It's pushing 65 and it's still the gutsiest and most moving version I've ever heard. Saw Lisa Batiashvili play it last Wednesday at Carnegie Hall with the Staatskapelle Dresden which is how I got into this lovely rut. If you're Boston next week and you are so inclined you can see the BSO led by Bernard Haitink conduct it.

[CTyankee]

119. funny. I just posted the adagio from it last night (I hadn't seen your post) and

was reminded that it had been mentioned here.

Leonard Bernstein conducting. I don't know the soloist but he was perfection.

[BeyondGeography]

121. Beautiful, thank you...I love it when Bernstein gets that blissed out look

He was a true godsend; gave us and the world everything he had.

An excuse for one of my favorite bits of Brahms:

&feature=youtube_gdata_player

As long as you can appreciate great music of any genre, you are alive...We have nothing to fear but hearing loss.

[CTyankee]

136. Ohhh, the clarinet is so lovely...

I nearly cry at Mozart's adagio

[Manifestor_of_Light]

140. Oh yeah!!

I have the Fritz Kreisler recording on vinyl, on Angel. I think it's from 1935 or so.

Do you have any Angel records from the 1950s that have a wooden dowel attached to the record sleeve, so you can pull it out? I have a few of those.

[BeyondGeography]

141. No, he replied with envy

I still have a fair amount of vinyl from the 50s-70s though. Look forward to one day getting a proper turntable so I can enjoy it again. In the meantime, as you surely know, there has been a flood of CD reissues of many of the old postwar recordings by label, conductor and performer. I am a total sucker for it and have spent a small fortune on these box sets. Love comparing the different versions of the standard repertory, some of which are in the same box (i.e. Menuhin/EMI has multiple versions of Beethoven's concerto).

Saw a documentary on Kleiber recently and he and a friend listened to 13 versions of Bruckner's 8th while he was making his own conclusions. That would have been fun to sit in on (for some of us, at least).

[Manifestor_of_Light]

142. Speaking of Bruckner...

I had a crazy landlady.
I used to play the Scherzo from Bruckner's Fourth in the middle of the night.
with the speakers facing face down on the floor.
I was upstairs.

[BeyondGeography]

143. I hope you screamed, "Release the horns," first

[Manifestor_of_Light]

145. Ha ha!!!

You're too funny!!!

[dionysus]

41. klonopin

[CountAllVotes]

43. Got rid of the 57 channels and nothing on

I now have basic service only and get about 12 channels.

That is just fine with me -- no more FOX news, etc. to contend with.

I don't miss it a bit and neither does my wallet!

I hope you are feeling better soon!

[Louisiana1976]

44. I relax by reading.

Mysteries and thrillers where the bad guys end up getting theirs.

[LWolf]

48. Coping?

1. I stay completely away from tv and radio "news" and talk shows. I have for 12 years now.
2. I read newspapers; scan headlines, zero in on what I want to know more about.
3. I listen to music that moves me. Oddly enough, I'll get a song stuck in my head and listen to it many times a day for a week, or two, or three...until the next song gets stuck.
4. I read copiously. Mostly fiction.
5. I turn off the phone when I get home.
6. I do my best to spend one of my weekend days at home alone, never leaving or interacting with others.
7. I hang out in the barn and listen to horses munch.
8. I play with my grandson.

Community here? There are still people that I can relate to, to one degree or another. It's not a haven, by any means. There are too many neoliberals, too many party enforcers, to find sanctuary. I don't express 10% of what I think or what I do here at DU.

[Blue_In_AK]

49. Major home remodel going on even as we speak. :)

Fresh new surroundings should give me a fresh new outlook (hopefully).

[roody]

94. Here too plus springtime gardening.

[SleeplessinSoCal]

51. I feel like it's detox time.

Detoxing, if you've never done it, feels horrible and you actually are sick. And then you feel better than ever. I think this because there's enough going on for everyone to be angry with somebody. And it's finally coming out that the Internet is a minefield. To me this is great news. How we respond to it is for another day.

[RKP5637]

52. It probably sounds arrogant, but some days I pretend I'm looking over a vast garbage dump at a

far away horizon. I can only do so much before it takes me under. I have to dissociate myself from it ... that does not mean I'm ignoring things, just working on maintaining my sanity ... I see so much absolute insanity in the world anymore ... at least I can keep mine.

[magical thyme]

56. dig in my garden

It got out of control for a couple years while I was back in school and working, putting in 18 hour days.

At long last, I have an opportunity of enough time off and just wet enough soil to dig up where the weeds and grass took over. There are actually 2 gardens, one 26x36 and one about 20x20. Plus I'm slowly clearing out a small area in the back where I will put in blueberry bushes. I have started a flat of seeds, trying eggplant, cauliflower, beets, and green onions this year, along with sugar snap peas, tomatoes, peppers, salad greens and maybe brocolli.

And I'm trying to get my arabian brat back under saddle. I started her last summer and everything went peachy keen until our last ride and 3rd canter, when she bucked me to the moon. It was 2 weeks before I was able to get back on her again for a couple tentative walks and walk-trots. This year is not looking promising. She seems determined to be a freeloader for life. Very talented, but the first horse I've ever met who just says "no." And she unfortunately has the athletic ability to say it in a way that I can't ignore. It seems I raised a spoiled monster.

And trying to save the $$ for a second horse. I need to ride...live to ride. Should have gone pro. I totally miss riding.

[zeeland]

85. The best thing for the inside of

a woman (man) is the outside of a horse. Your post brought back so
many memories. My Morgan mare the love of my life and my son's
Arabian that he started riding endurance on when he was 9.

You are very lucky.

[magical thyme]

131. well, luck can run both ways...

I lost the horse love of my life just 2 years after I got him, to barn envy. His hock was shattered in a "mysterious" accident. He was supposedly found out in the paddock with broken leg, covered in lather, when he was supposed to be in his (completely undamaged) stall eating breakfast. I was just 17 and about to head off to college with him when this happened.

I lost the 2nd love of my life, an arabian that I rescued and cared for for 22+, just over a year ago.

This mare is a tough, tough nut. Probably too tough for me, and I can't give her what she needs. I should have had what she needed, but I was defrauded when I bought his minifarm, so it doesn't have what we need, plus lost much of my life savings and haven't been able to sell it for close to what it's worth so I can start over somewhere else.

I am thinking this morning of what she needs to fix her attitude and (basically, somebody who can take her out with company for good cross-country riding to channel her excess energy into forward) and thinking I will offer her for sale at a reduced price for young pro who can give her what she needs. She is very pretty, very athletic, very talented, very high energy and very, very sweet as long as you don't ask her to do anything but eat.

[yawnmaster]

58. Minimize exposure to drama driven news - watching, listening and reading...

and that includes most news delivery methods.
(It also often includes here btw - we are not drama-free)

I'll carefully pick news sources and they are mainly online.
Most, by a large margin, of the television/cable news and talk shows are drama driven as they need to make money and the public is driven to watch by drama (or sex).
This is my opinion, of course.

Driving in the car, I listen to music or sports.

Reading escapist fiction is great.

[calimary]

60. Rock band management.

It's my kid's band.

Hope this works... He's the one on top! Baby's gonna be 21 next month. And he can sing like nobody's business!

[IMG][/IMG]http://imgur.com/agWHpuF

[Zorra]

100. You're very brave, Good luck.

I managed my band for awhile.

Again, good luck!

[calimary]

113. Thanks. I'll take every micron!

[LeftInTX]

112. He's good lucking!

[calimary]

114. Thanks!

He's certainly the apple of my eye (well, one eye anyway. The other eye is his sister's)!

[tularetom]

61. This house is 101 years old so there's always something that needs done

Plus we have animals that need to be fed and cared for. And I spend a few hours every week at one of the nearby dog rescue sanctuaries repairing fences or painting buildings or whatever.

But what I don't do is watch the news on the teevee machine. It just leaves me pissed off and I find out later (usually on DU or somewhere else on the interwebs) that it was all BS to begin with.

For me, the TV is all about escapism. If I can't find something decent on the dish I have a pile of Swedish detective movies on DVD that I can watch and understand without having to see the subtitles.

I don't get stressed by global events, by macro type things that I can't change. I do what I can and take things one day at a time. If the world is going down the crapper, it's going to do it with or without me worrying about it. It helps that I can sit on my porch in the evening sharing a bottle of wine with my wife and watch the sun setting over the California coast range. It also helps that I'm 71 years old and I've finally learned that all the stuff I used to stew about either never happened or didn't really amount to much when it did happen.

Call it coping, or denial or whatever, if I keep occupied I seem to feel a lot better.

[get the red out]

63. Paying attention to life

Or at least the fun things in it. Doing stuff with my dog, we do agility (poorly, LOL), and we go to obedience classes, and I take her to run and run in green fields at the edge of the city with my friend's dogs. My husband and I watch Science Fiction (Dr. Who is BACK) and cuddle with our dog on the couch. I've been increasing my daily walk while reducing the time I spend doing it, the exercise endorphins help a lot.

I am at a loss for what to do about this damned world and the splintering of our government and our country. I can't do anything and I don't see anything changing, that's how I have felt this week. I've just about given up on thinking about all those big things out there, as much as I can, and I'm focusing on life right now. This is really all any of us have, now. Might as well make the most of it, be the best person I can be in it, and try to enjoy it.

I also buy a couple of lottery tickets every week, if I win we're getting a really nice house (and another dog, but hubby doesn't know that part yet, I'll tell him that after we get a few million, LOL).

Knitting? LOL, I've got new yarn on the way, it was 40% off.

If the powers that be let me keep my dog, my husband, agility trials, and my knitting; maybe that is enough. I know I'm grateful for it. I'm grateful for my little life.

[WorseBeforeBetter]

65. Listen to WCPE Sacred Music Sunday mornings...

http://theclassicalstation.org/features_greatsacredmusic.shtml

Helps while reading about the latest Republican assault(s) in the N&O!

[ChazII]

66. Volunteering at two local food banks and like you

walking and cleaning the house.

[Demeter]

67. 5 minutes at a time, KoKo

I may not have such global concerns as you do...but there's enough particular madness / instability in my personal life to make up for it.

And we have each other. That really does help.

[KoKo]

103. Oh yes...the Global Concerns...true.. But, deep breaths..ease out slow...

I hear ya! And, all that work on SMW here on DU... Truly the value of that Group...on DU from Ozy on and your incredible Posts (on DU-2 after Ozy)along with the support from the SMW Group long standing there....has been an incredible resource for those who know about that "PART" of DU...who discovered it long ago, here, and learned valuable lessons about our Global Economy and Investing from it. It was and still is a DU Treasure. The links and info I got from "SMW" were invaluable and got me through the Dot Com Crash and what has come after. Investing, Globilization, Politics International and Investigation of "Our System."

KUDO's...!

[KauaiK]

69. I turned off the TV during Reagan; then bagged it out of the mainland...

when California elected Aaahhnold with the help of Rove. I fume, fret, feel angry, sad, ashamed, frustrated and still find it astonishing of what I have to go through just to get on a 20 min flight to Oahu.

DU is my primary source for news, commentary, sanity, support, information and hope.

[Tigerram]

70. tigerram

Its called Fly Fishing

[LiberalEsto]

71. Trying to mow the grass

I don't know how some parts of the back yard managed to grow up to 15 inches tall in spots, when I wasn't looking. But it did.

We have an aging electric mower that requires overnight charging. It doesn't have a lot of power, but there's no alternative. It is not easy to use under normal conditions; dealing with tall thick grass, last fall's leaves and the silver maple's zillions of cast-off branches is a bitch.

At least it keeps me busy and exhausted.

[awoke_in_2003]

72. Listening to Bridge Over Troubled Water...

the one time that Art Garfunkel deserved to be mentioned in the same breath as Paul Simon. He was the John Oates of the 70s.

[AAO]

74. The most defalting thing to me is feeling betrayed by those in positions of trust.

It's a helpless feeling to realize that this entire world is rigged for the rich.

[KoKo]

96. yes...that's what had me down...so much of it the past decade and more...

but, it's good to see on this thread how other folks are dealing with it and it's a perk up to realize that there are other things in life than getting to caught up in some of what we can't control at this point.

But, I'm not giving up hope that we shouldn't KEEP TRYING to make THAT CHANGE and difference that we need to do politically.

But, there have been good replies here, that I needed to hear about "BALANCE" that's a good kick in the butt...for the spirit to hear that it's good to just keep...keeping on with what one enjoys for the heart and soul...and to not get so down...when there are weeks like the past ones that seem like hard slogging with no end in sight. to try to perk up.

[AAO]

110. I'm 58 and getting older by the day

That's a pretty good distraction. I look forward to some good news. I think it will come. There will be a time when we will all be vindicated. I just hope to be around to see it.

[Warpy]

77. I have a lot of old BBC series from ages ago

and I find most of them pretty comforting because so many came from a simpler time.

That's what got me through this winter. Other than that I find I do much better as soon as we get rid of standard time and go back on DST. I'm a night owl and the more hours of light in the evening, the better I feel.

And no, it doesn't work to try to drug myself to sleep earlier.

[KoKo]

98. yep...I hear ya...

we have old VHS...we use the combo DVD/VHS player to play them. I live in hope that the Combo player doesn't die. I don't think they make them any more...or if they do it won't be for long. Those and Netflix...for the Dickens Re-makes...which have been good.

I'd drown myself in Dickens... Well...not actually...but, some of the latest remakes have been really incredible for losing oneself. I don't find them depressing but restoring sense of humanity of feeling and caring since he was writing about a 1% society. (and, it was truly worse than these days)...but if Repugs and some of their Friends have their way...I think we could get to "poor houses" because some Repug Idiot I think said that a few weeks ago.

[ErikJ]

79. Climb the mountains....

[SirRevolutionary]

80. This is for you KoKo

Everything is OK!

This is the #1 way I've coped the past few days, but I have many other mechanisms. Instead of watching the disgusting news telling you to remain separate and fearful, why not watch these guys? They're news too!

[KoKo]

124. That is so funny! Thanks ...it's just what I needed...

[SirRevolutionary]

149. Glad you liked it KoKo

Those guys will cheer anyone up

[KoKo]

153. It's "Monty Pythonesque" ....and really kind of relevant to Boston Situation

in some ways. I hope more DU'ers would watch it.. It "buffered for me" but I stuck with it and indeed..it's incredible in it's FUNNY...but with HUGE TRUTH...

LOL's...for a good watch. And given that Stephen Colbert and Jon Stewart do some similar...I assume we aren't on Terrorist Watch for watching it. After all if the Boston Bombers couldn't get FBI/CIA/DHS's Attention....I figure those of us who watch this will NEVER make to their Lauded Terrorist List.

Sheesh...they would come after DU'ers who Watch "Funny Videos from You Tube?"

[SirRevolutionary]

164. I'm sure we're on the list by default now after W

And only a small handful at the top manage to get off the list if they know someone. I think it's awesome how Danny (the older guy) just tears down the police and security with pure truth like you said. He's not really argumentative at all, just nice and calm, but they always seem to leave him alone eventually because they know he's being real.

[snappyturtle]

158. Thank you!

Can you imagine if this had happened in, oh, a certain
park in NYC by an OWS person? The British are so
civilized and were actually listening. What a unique
concept! Did my heart good!

[SirRevolutionary]

165. The younger guy, Charlie, kind of went off the deep end

at some point. Got into conspiracy theories etc, so I think based on their YouTube channels it appears Charlie and Danny kind of went their separate ways in time. There are videos of Danny at OWS London and different protests.

Charlie actually did show up in NYC once, but the video only shows them on one subway car and it's very short, not nearly as funny as the older ones.

If they had gone to Times Square, or Central Park and spread their same message, they would have been tazed, pepper sprayed, and jailed in a NY minute unfortunately. Really makes it seem like the UK takes their freedom of speech to heart, and the media here has nearly squashed our voices or we're too fearful to speak up anymore.

If you really want to laugh, look up Danny Shine or Everything is OK on YouTube, there's tons more but the best are with Danny IMO.

[Flipper999]

84. I'm working out more. The endless fuckery of the right wing gives me a lot of emotional "fuel".

Other than that, I am doing more yard work. Time in the sun and in the dirt seems to help my mood these days.

I'm also going to cut back on the alcohol intake. It screws with my fitness goals, and the temporary mood boost is always followed by a day of feeling crappy.

Try to keep your head up, and stick to your ideals. It's hard out there.

[Lydia Leftcoast]

86. I don't watch TV news at all, and I don't even like radio news

I listen to our local NPR stations, but I wake up to and work to classical (timed to avoid the hourly news update) and listen to The Current (sort of like a college radio station, only it's NPR) when driving.

Singing is a huge part of my life. I'm in two choirs.

When I watch TV, it's almost always either DVDs or streaming.

I read mysteries, especially those by British or Scandinavian authors. I find most American mystery writers to be shallow and facile, as if they've watched too much TV.

I do water aerobics three to five times per week and walk when the weather is nice.

I enjoy every chance I get to be out of the U.S. Since 2011, I've been to Scandinavia, Cuba, and Japan (twice), and except for being tired of living out of a suitcase, I didn't like coming home from these trips.

In Cuba, you're totally cut off from the U.S., which is a unique experience. No U.S. media, no Internet. All of us reported how well we slept and how refreshed we felt in the morning. I think there's some sort of underlying tension in the U.S. that is exhausting in ways we don't really understand. I wouldn't necessarily want to live in Cuba, but it gave me an insight into where my bad feelings came from.

I investigate the possibility of retiring overseas.

I volunteer in my church's meal programs.

[Spitfire of ATJ]

87. Putting in a lawn in Vegas....

So I'm spreading shit around.

[Hekate]

88. I'm walking away from the 24/7 "news" cycle more. TV off.

Ignoring more DU posts, just refusing to engage more of the time. Keep thinking about taking another 2-year vacation from the place and its pervasive toxicity, but have not yet done so.

Would love to take a drink or two, but recently was prescribed a medication that has warning labels all over it, and the pharmacist reiterated the warning. It's a worthwhile tradeoff.

I have some CDs of Pema Chodron's dharma talks that I have not listened to, and today I started them as "background" to the task I was doing, knowing that enough of it was going to get through to have some benefit. I was right about that. I hope someday to listen while sitting, but this will have to do for now.

Not getting out of the house enough, that's for sure, but when I get together with my friends I find that we all mostly just don't bring up the sadness and badness of the world. We know it is there.

Cleaning out my inbox -- there is just an overwhelming amount of political stuff in it, and I cannot respond to it all, or donate to it all, or contain it all. I have to let go.

Continuing to spend time with my grandson, now 8 1/2 years old. He can read now, but he loves to listen to my renditions.

That's it. I wish I could say I had taken up art or knitting or deep meditation or gardening, but... However the first week in May I will be on vacation with a friend, far far away from DU and the US news cycle, and it will do me a world of good to have that break.

Take a break. Like Donan's description of dropping everything for the Jewish Sabbath, everything will still be here when you return to the world. All the craziness. Hopefully the one thing that will have changed is your personal perspective.

Hekate

[FailureToCommunicate]

89. Take heart KoKo. First of all, things could be worse...

I'm serious. Count your blessings, it might help.

Here are mine:

My son, who I had strongly advised to go over with his buddies from college to be somewhere near the Marathon finish line...was dawdling and wasn't there when the bombs went off...

My brother, who spent a sleepless night as swat teams and police combed thru his Watertown neighborhood, was not near where the actual two street shootings took place...

We are heartened by the outpouring of sympathy for the victims and for support for our city, even as footage of funeral after funeral shows on the news...

We have NOT been turning off the news... Actually, finding out more and more what really is happening, helps the vague feeling of not getting the straight story. DU, and reddit, has helped a LOT in that regard...

Volunteering for a few community things - Senate campaign, church...


And then there are the personal things that help keep us chugging along:

Family mostly doing well...

Dancing (in long time street troupe with friends)

Running again. Maybe not Marathon caliber, but EVERYBODY seems to have taken to the streets since Patriots Day so it seemed like the thing to do...

exploring the Mediterranean diet... (red) wine is actually good for you?!?

And, of course, music...playing it, and listening to Motown and World

That my prescription, anyway.

Here's something to cheer you up:

<iframe width="420" height="315" src="

" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

[KoKo]

99. Indeed...things could be worse...it's been pretty bad lately though....

BUT.... Thanks! and yep MoTown....and Cool "True Love"...thanks for Video!

[FailureToCommunicate]

105. It's hard not to smile while watching that one...

[MuseRider]

90. Right there with you.

Spring should be here any time now, not today but today may be the last of the snow and temps in the 20's and 30's.

Garden, watching life renew everywhere. My wonderful critters. Other than that I am not coping real well.

My husband insists on watching MSNBC from Sharpton through O'Donnell. Blech. Can't stand any of it anymore. He goes from wanting to leave the country to wanting to get Democrats into office, even if they suck because they suck better than Republicans. Blech. I can't stand any of it anymore.

This constant outrage is wearing very very thin. The constant crisis mode is killing us. Our levels of stress are high because there is no freaking end in sight anymore and nobody to turn to who can or will actually do anything. At my age, not old but getting up there, and with my living situation I can't get away to do anything. I try not to think about it much anymore. I come here probably out of a long term habit and to see how people here that I care about are doing, not too many of them left anymore. There are a few here who I would consider community but mostly I don't recognize much that I want to be a part of.

I have my music and my animals and my farm. I am well set if I ever get the nerve to just tune out. Somehow I can't quite do that yet. I should. It just seems so wrong but really, I just want the last little bit of my life not to be dealing with all the manufactured crap to make all of us small and a few very wealthy and powerful. I can't stand to see the injustice of it all and it is so wrong, so very very wrong that it makes my soul hurt all the time.

We were so hopeful in the 60's and we tried so hard to make the world a better place.

[KoKo]

101. Yes...that's where I've been down quite a bit about...

Replies on this thread,though have made me feel much better... I've felt that DU lost it's community and humanity (not that it wasn't always a bit of a crash cart..).still there was a hard core group that did work for change from "experience" activism not from a "brand," catchy logo, marketing thing.

What you say about our "Idealism" for those of us of a certain age/experience. We may take it harder than the younger ones because we are thinking of our LEGACY...what we Did to Do Good and to leave the world a Better Place... And, there's some sense of loss there that is nagging at us in particular that makes these times tougher for us with our perspective.

WHAT YOU SAY, YES!...that's the frustration:

"We were so hopeful in the 60's and we tried so hard to make the world a better place."

[roody]

92. Besides walking shelter dogs, I'm

investing what I have in making my home sustainable: Greywater, fruit trees, solar, and more.

[Zorra]

102. I'm doing awesome, but I'm sure things will get better soon.

Sending you some o dat, KoKo ~

[KaryninMiami]

104. Limiting TV news, meditating, red wine...

Had to make a decision to watch only one news show a day- usually Rachel which for me is a huge decision- they are like crack for me but I just got overwhelmed - enough already. Although I am still watching Jon Stewart most nights as well I confess. Between the upsetting political news, violence in Boston and Texas, discouraging lack of progress with guns and immigration- it is indeed spiritually and emotionally exhausting. And for me, it's coupled with major stress from working at a toxic place that I need to depart from so I am also immersed in transitioning to a new career which at 55 is not an easy process.

So I'm focusing on shifting. Cleaning out stuff and giving away things I don't wear or need. I'm meditating every morning. Eating more mindfully (ok drinking a bit less mindfully but had to give up pot since I may need to go on job interviews!). Listening now to a book on tape - Abraham Hicks- Law of Attraction - powerful stuff= -re-reading it after 20 or so years.

Then, for fun- I downloaded the first 2 seasons of Girls from HBO on Demand and every night I've been watching 2 episodes. Learning about 25 year olds in NY City and enjoying it immensely. Will find another fun series next to download and do the same. No more non-stop nights of MSNBC. Enough.

And- as part of the creation of the next chapter of my life- I am deliberately focusing on the beauty of the place I currently live - every day- reminding myself that I am fortunate to be here and that it could always be worse (Bush could still be president!) and that having faith that we are all part of this big global shift - I truly believe that- and that even though it may not appear that things are changing fast enough- they really are indeed moving towards the light in a positive way. Think about it. The next generation will not even be considering marriage equality or marijuana reform. Doubt they will even be stupid enough to smoke tobacco or drink diet soda. Hopefully GMO's and fracking will be gone too- not sure but we can hope, right? Sure there will be other stupid stuff- but those things will be done.

Have faith and as the saying goes- meditate!

[Manifestor_of_Light]

106. The vibe out there is very agitated/mixed.

I ask the checkers at wallyworld how they are, and make sympathetic noises about how hard they work, and try to make them laugh. And we don't have any choices in shopping.

I do not engage people in actual conversation anymore. There are too many angry people who believe everything Fox News tells them. And they don't understand anything. They are busy scapegoating whoever they think is causing all the problems--blacks, illegal immigrants, foreigners, liberals. They think the President will take away their guns, or the poor people will leave the cities and steal everything in the country. I can't tell them anything. They are dogmatic and ignorant. They call people socialists and communists and don't know what the definition of those words are.

I pet my cats, study Spanish and do gardening. It's been cold and rainy. Spring has come but we also have cold weather and rain alternating with 87 degrees and sunny.

[Lifelong Protester]

107. You are not alone! We are all trying to cope, that is for sure.

I am trying to:

Take a walk after work every night
Enjoy the ritual of tea every night
Baking muffins on Sundays to have with tea
Reading "Catherine the Great" by Massie (and being glad I don't live in Russia of that time)
Watching "Two Fat Ladies" (cooking show)
Watching BBC shows on PBS (love Doc Martin, and Hustle)

Seeking out LOL Cats here every Sunday!

Trying to tune out the bad news stuff,even if that means turning off MSNBC. I watch Jeopardy whenever I can!

[Skip Intro]

108. Be happy. Time is fleeting.

[MrMickeysMom]

109. Well, I'm up to my ass in local stuff...

My world is pretty much a political race, which, when experienced on the local level has the habit of making the outside awfulness appear to hang over you like a Halloween neighborhood. The local "fight" can be best summed up by "the old guard" keeping newer, progressives out of their well guarded turf in what was controlling this community. People in power are certainly having a hard time hanging on to what hasn't worked for years and has helped drain local resources. Those who don't pay attention to the news are swayed with the lies and deceit. Those who want change are still fearfull.

It's a strange time... and just to be re-elected locally. But, it parallels what probably has been going on at a MUCH deeper level in the state in which I reside.... The local climate helps you understand how people in general have been affected by Zombie National political figures, futures for their children and distrust. The distrust starts from the national figures and it always trickles down.

I feel isolated... I read more... I am talking to many people, again about local issues, but it always reflects to the much large world we are dealing with.

Something has to give. We are going to loose so much if we stop fighting.

So, how am I coping? I come to DU when I don't reach out to my immediate circle. I have a deeper dialogue with my siblings, who are baby boomers, like me. I want my mommy, but she's in my memory now. I occasionally hear her in my own voice.

[KoKo]

126. Same thing here, locally, politically.

what you say is what is going on where I am...and particularly worse with the Repug take over from weak Dems in both State House and Senate. Getting "involved" has not been rewarding....but, it's important to keep trying, although a break from it to keep sanity is definitely needed in these times:

The local "fight" can be best summed up by "the old guard" keeping newer, progressives out of their well guarded turf in what was controlling this community. People in power are certainly having a hard time hanging on to what hasn't worked for years and has helped drain local resources. Those who don't pay attention to the news are swayed with the lies and deceit. Those who want change are still fearfull.

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

111. Watching our cat whose only worry is getting fed on time.

A "dumb" animal who is wise enough to know that worry solves nothing and that life goes on.

[HappyMe]

118. I just go on about my life.

I don't have the tv tuned into news shows all day. I tend to be a 'count your blessings' kind of person. You can't live in a constant state of alarm or sadness, because then I don't think you are living at all.

[panader0]

122. my small garden helps me maintain a degree of sanity

It needs me. I love watching seeds that I've planted become plants.
I've got tomatoes, bell peppers, jalapeno, habanero, watermelon, cantaloupe, strawberries and onions.
Oh yeah, some herb too.
The best thing for me is working. I've been in construction for forty years, and this economic slowdown has made work hard to find.
I've got a 24X36 garage coming up-I'll do the entire building from the ground up, so that'll keep me in beer money for a while.

[woo me with science]

123. Thank you for this thread.

[KoKo]

130. All who replied here and shared their experiences...made me feel a whole lot better....

I don't feel as alone.

[G_j]

125. depleted,

we must take care of ourselves. I honestly don't know anymore. What is happening here NC is simply terrifying, yet I am too burned out to really deal with it very well. Who has the time and energy to fight the insanity 24-7? It just gets worse. I realize the anger, sadness and fear are all depleting.
Thank goodness for music in my life, it's become a revolutionary act on its own.

[KoKo]

127. Yes...NC...

what a disaster... There's some push back...but, will it be enough? I feel like it's a scorched earth policy being waged. That's big part of what had me so down along with the disappointment about leadership that many of us share.

[G_j]

132. how can we ever progress when we have to continually

run around putting out fires? Scorched earth is the right term, and the play book is being followed in many states. There is very serious damage happening outside the beltway. Trying to constantly put out fires is draining.

[KoKo]

155. It is...especially when we were promised "So Much" and we worked so hard all these

years to earn it. THEN......

[G_j]

166. NC is/was making a comeback

now they are tearing it down as fast as they can. Probably one of the best things to do now is plead and beg to get people voting. Redistricting and low voter turnout is what got us here in Buncombe county.

[CTyankee]

146. This must be why art is so often banned. Art has magic in it and can drive some people

insane.

But it can heal and inspire and that is why we crave it and we seek it and why artists cannot help themselves but create that art, whether in paint, music, dance, theatre/film or literature.

[G_j]

147. absolutely

and I have seen caring community develop around music (as music is generally a shared endeavor anyway) Both caring and community are revolutionary these days.

It is of great concern to me that art and music have been cut with school budgets.

[CTyankee]

148. this is tragic to the max. Children are artists first and foremost and we all know this if we

have raised them. Children dance and paint and play make believe long before they do much of anything else. They dance and act and water color with great joy...why don't we recognize this as a basic human need and act accordingly?

[G_j]

167. the arts

are a key factor in a brains development.

[KoKo]

156. Some ART reveals Truth in depictions that PTB really don't want to deal with...

I see that ART and Liberal Arts are no longer accepted as part of the "Algo/Math Whiz" Generation. The cuts in Education seem to verify that. Art, History, Music.

Our President seems to feel Math triumphs over all. And the cross overs in Biological Science, Physics, Chemistry....are trumped by Wall Street Math Superiors.

I'm being simplistic...and sorry...should give links for this.

[Zorra]

128. Where the Gathering will be in 2013

The 2013 Rainbow Gathering will be in Montana.

[G_j]

133. +1000

[KoKo]

160. Zorra...something about "those days" was so HOPEFUL...compared to now...

So much Music, Creativity, Art and Home Arts and Communal Spirit.

It was a wild time...but it was REAL.. So much these days has some Ethereal Unreality to it...it's like a Dream Gone Wrong...or bordering on NIGHTMARE... Walking through Sludge...stuckness.

Just my humble opinion.

[Zorra]

170. Unfortunately, I don't know how to sincerely respond to that

without consequently appearing to be a world class blissninny of woo.

I have a unique cultural background and a very strong connection to the natural world, which has led me to have a perspective that experience has taught me makes it difficult for me to relate what I believe about existence and power effectively.

I can only perceive how it works for me.

[JustAnotherGen]

129. Hmm

I just came back from a week in Costa Rica. Mentally I'm fine - but it's really making me 'nag' my husband to move to the home on the side of out a mountain in Southern Italy we already own. We just need a few more plumbing fixes and I want to live there - were the air is clean and I can walk up the hill in back of my mother in laws house and get fresh spring water right out of the side of the mountain.

[duhneece]

135. "Better Angels of Our Nature" raised my spirits

It is unusual for the subtitle of a book to undersell it, but Steven Pinker’s “Better Angels of Our Nature” tells us much more than why violence has declined. Pinker, a professor of psychology at Harvard who first became widely known as the author of “The Language Instinct,” addresses some of the biggest questions we can ask: Are human beings essentially good or bad? Has the past century witnessed moral progress or a moral collapse? Do we have grounds for being optimistic about the future?

I am a sick puppy, get to feeling such despair & hopelessness at moments that I HAVE to listen to or watch some spritual, even new-agey (even corny, sometimes) Deepak Chopra or Carolyn Myss or on fb, some of the 'positive messages' pages...

And then, get with friends to hold a "We Trust Women Roe v Wade Commemoration rally" or write to my congress critters or write a letter to the editor or see how I can help the local Democratic party or organize a county fair booth with an ANTI-drug-war message...or go home and be a recluse for awhile and watch/listen to those positive messages.

[hfojvt]

137. what is so hard about "these days"?

Do you mean a week ago, when 3 people died and 100 were injured somewhere?

Or are you talking about the 800 who have died and the thousands injured in car accidents in America since last Monday?

Mostly it seems like there's nothing new. I am upset by the betrayals of 2008 and 2012, but most other people do not seem to care.

Life goes on, and I am mostly counting the days until I can retire from the job I hate. Tomorrow my chant will be 3 more years and 48 weeks. But I need to stop counting that way - the weeks are going by too slowly.

[Arugula Latte]

138. Purging things from your home is so mentally calming.

Few things make me feel better than dropping off a load of unneeded (by me) "stuff" at a donation site.

And cats ... I kiss their fuzzy heads about 50 times a day.

Wine -- Love it, but I'm trying to cut down.

Exercise -- always a good thing. Combined with music it's even better.

[CTyankee]

152. I want to drop off stuff but it is so daunting to me! I feel defeated before I even start!

I have tried and tried to reduce clutter but my husband is something of a hoarder, so I am frustrated at every turn! It gets to me sometimes...

[Arugula Latte]

168. Hmm ...

I wonder if you took the strategy of just gathering a box full every week, or two weeks, whatever works for you. Every week (or whatever) drop off a box. Get the low-hanging fruit first -- stuff that is so obviously trash or not needed or duplicates, etc. Don't feel like you have to do it all at once. Just start slowly, but keep doing it steadily.

This might not work, though, because I've never lived with a hoarder, so you might have some obstacles I'm not aware of. Worth a try, maybe. Good luck.

[llmart]

144. With age comes wisdom (sometimes).....

I'm guessing that I'm of the same age as many who posted their responses to your question. I don't watch much TV except for PBS and not the news. I get my news from DU so I can pick and choose what I want to know more about.

I'm going to be 64 in a couple of months and have always been politically aware and involved, but as I got older I realized that at this juncture of my life where just about every day I hear about someone my age dying, I need to finally concentrate on enjoying my life and the things I love the most which are books, music, time with kind and caring people, my two grown children, my dog and most of all - nature. It has been my balm my entire life and I am trying to spend some quiet time each and every day enjoying the smallest joys of nature. I've also taken a part time job at a beautiful greenhouse where the season for flowers is just starting. I don't know if these old feet will be able to tolerate it, but the beauty of working with flowers will hopefully compensate for my sore feet at the end of the day.

I have also learned to disengage from people who bring me down. I have no room in my life for that sort any longer.

By the way, for those of you who turn to old PBS series and who love gardening too, watch the old series "Rosemary and Thyme". I get it from my library. It's about two women who are gardeners but always find themselves in the middle of some murder mystery. It's very cute and done by the BBC. The scenery of the gardens alone make it worthwhile watching.

[ileus]

150. Go to work come home take the kids to practice and games.

Fishing, Biking, Dirtbike riding, gardening...ect typical stuff we've always done.

Has anything really changed? I recall doing the same basic activities as a child in the 70's and early 80's...

[liberalmuse]

151. Drinking. A LOT.

Basically numbing my brain. There's only so much bullshit one can take. Ignorance is indeed bliss.

[FreeJoe]

159. Things are OK here

I have a steady job that I love. My wife and kids are happy. We have a great social network. Yes, there is a lot of bad news, but I try not to dwell on it and focus on the positive things in my life. The kids are both enjoying soccer and we love the local soccer community. My wife volunteers at the local elementary school and is making a very positive difference in people's lives. I've been enjoying working with Habitat for Humanity and doing a lot of volunteer photography/videography work for the schools and local groups.

[Whatisgoingon]

162. I understand!

Like you, I love to listen to music, or watch old shows (my guilty pleasure is old "Dark Shadows" episodes courtesy of Netflix). I also probably drink too much white zin, or other wines. DH has the TV on WAY too much, which is very depressing.

I agree with others here - turn off the tv/radio/computer. Go outside for a walk, look at the animals - do they really care about Faux News?

Of course, ignorance isn't bliss - we all have to choose our battles. I contribute what little I can to causes that seem to be honest and helpful. I treat people the way I would like to be treated. If I see an injustice, or rudeness, I speak up.

A lot of times, I feel like I am alone in this world - but then I see posts like yours. You are not alone.

[Samantha]

169. I watch a lot less of politics on cable

THAT HELPS A LOT. I also have gotten out some old movies and CD's. I try to remind myself life is more than politics. I constantly remind myself when I get down that these days are a lot like the days when Newt Gingrich was Speaker of the House. He constantly challenged Clinton, as if he, Newt, was the President. And of course, the impeachment only lent to the misery. When Ken Starr decided to post the official report on the Internet (then still a rather new concept) and included a picture of Bill Clinton's penis for the world to observe, thinking he was truly going to embarrass the President of the United States, I left the Republican party. I could no longer tolerate being associated with a party that did that type of thing. And so I became a Democrat and I knew almost from the beginning, that was where I had always belonged. It is very ironic that out of complete and total misery, the best political thing in my world happened to me.

Sam