I tried to prepare myself for this, the chance the US elections would not go in the direction I hoped. But honestly I couldn’t imagine there were that many people who would elect a bully, a liar, a vindictive clown who wants to blow up the world as we know it. And yet, here we are.

So how do I cope?

This morning, I dragged myself out of bed. Thank goodness David is of like minds, and he did not turn on the news (his normal early morning routine). I opened my laptop and deleted all emails that referenced news of any sort. I responded to a text message from my former foreign exchange student from France who sent condolences, and I sat in silence trying to figure out my day, my week, my next four years.

My father was an Army officer and and a lifelong Republican. But I know he would not have voted for this lunatic. I keep asking myself, what kind of people think he is a good idea?

So my plan is this- my morning routine will not include news. My evening routine will not include news. I need to do whatever I can to avoid seeing his face, hearing idiotic words come out of his mouth. I will take long walks, go sit by the river, calm myself in yoga, and take care of myself by eating well. And I will write.

David thinks we should protest, share our views, speak up. But this introvert may, in fact, struggle to engage in the world at all. At least for a while.

Peace and love…..

Well, I made it back to Virginia. I still (after 45 years) can’t call it home. Rhode Island is and will always be – home. I miss my morning sunrises on the pond.

Nonetheless, I’ve enjoyed connecting and reconnecting with friends here. And, yoga. I didn’t realize how much I miss the calm, peaceful, stretches and movements. This house has windows, and I love the light. And nothing is broken like in my 100 year-old grandmother’s house in RI.

This morning I went to my second yoga class, my Sunday morning church. I prayed to the goddess of strong backs and planned the soup I was going to make when I got home instead of meditating and clearing my thoughts. At least I wasn’t in anxiety-ridden Trump land. Oh, please, God, don’t let him win.

I asked Alexa to play “quiet, classical music” while I cooked. I never get a play list I like, but OMG I love this one. Songs I recognize slowly played to piano and violin. It’s rather like the tunes of the show Bridgerton. Now I need to figure out how to get Alexa to save the playlist.

One would think I could figure this out with a Master’s in Instructional Technology. But I have to say, it has all moved beyond me. But wait, I do love to learn. I love a project. I can see it now—I’m going to be planted on the couch for the next few hours.

Soup and music- not a bad way to spend a Sunday afternoon.