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I often wake about 3 am and get up for a while. Settle down in the recliner with a cup of tea and pull up the day's Letter. I work through it and the comments, absorbed for an hour or two while the cat sleeps in my lap. So much to think about. The community here is at least as important to me as your writing. Complimentary. So much to reflect upon. Then once a week there is a rest. A beautiful picture to gaze at, gentle comments of caring and support. I read every one, heart quite a few. As a kid, I never understood that imposed day of rest each week, but here it seems exactly right. Thank you Heather and Buddy and community.

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In the olden days before artificial light, apparently people used to normally wake up in the middle of the night for a few hours, and some still do. My late mother used to read for several hours in the middle of the night while my father slept beside her.

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Yes, that's a great time to be up when there is little or nothing to distract one from thinking, reading, writing and even walking .

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I love this, fellow Vermonter, thank you! I feel the same. It was a very beautiful day and how lovely that HCR chose R&R and Buddy gave us a superb view of the sky.

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Fellow Vermonter here.😍

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This has become an important part of my online community. I am frequently amazed by the depth and breadth of experiences that are reflected here. Thanks for letting me be a part of it!

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Complementary.

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Happy Sunday, Becky. I mirror your daily routine except I have two cats!

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Another cat person...yippee! I have two also at the present time. Used to have three.....

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Fellow Vermonter here... I am often up in the middle of the night. I look forward to Heather‘s note somewhere mid- night..I often read and think at that time also. Northwest Vermont here

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Love this Becky. ✨

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I love that image of you at 3AM in your recliner with your tea and the cat on your lap while you read the letter.

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I am in NH at a horse bodywork clinic that I have wanted to do for a long time. It is the first time Ive been away from home since before Covid. I brought my travel trailer and am staying in an old farm field by a singing stream. I keep thinking about previous camping trips and realize there is no going back. So much has happened since and we are each changed as is our world. I ate dinner is a pretty down on its luck town in Trump country. Could hear jokes about rainbow flags coming from the bar. When I asked the waitress if They could leave the chicken off the pasta she screwed up her brow. I thought I guess not. Then she said I have to charge you the same amount in a very apologetic way. That hadn't even crossed my mind to ask to pay less. Then she came up with the idea of giving me extra broccoli and her face cleared. I felt a number of emotions over this exchange. Worrying about each and every penny is something I am fortunate not to have the burden of. How does that burden affect people in their every day lives? Their relationships? Their ability to share their gifts? How they feel about their world and their politics? What other burdens go side by side? A reminder to try to listen behind the noise on the surface as hard as it can be. And that I believe our party really does want to try to lift all boats, seeing that we all thrive more when we all thrive.

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Kim, I live and practice human bodywork in NH and initially thought to myself, "she must be up north" which those of us down south in NH who are not trumpers often consider to be trump territory. Then I came to my senses (not enough coffee yet) and remembered that this is the state that re-elected its republican governor and sent all dems to DC in the same election. In my rural area of southern NH, not only am I surrounded by horse farms where you could be for all I know, but , thanks in large part to gerrmandering, the libertarian-free staters represent us in the statehouse. We have rainbow flags and BLM signs (mine is regularly stolen) alongside fuck Biden signs. My point is how mixed in we are with each other but don't usually realize it outside the obvious lawn signs, flags, bumper stickers, hats and t-shirts. These are all good questions you ask and an important reminder to me to "try to listen behind the noise on the surface, as hard as it can be". Love that. Thank you.

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I was born in a hospital in Portsmouth, N.H, in 1944, and was raised across the Piscataqual River in Kittery, Maine. Back then, the motto of NH was appropriately name "Granite State." I think the it was changed some time in the 50s or 60s to "Scenic." But when that guy from Georgia moved to NH and was elected, he had the motto changed to "Live Free Or Die." That was Meldrim(sp?) Thompson. Of course the mofo was a Republican. Libertarians are also called "Republican Light." New Hampshire has been the slowest state in changing its majority party toward Democrat. When I grew up in northern New England, ME, NH, and VT were all deeply red. Northern NH remains quite red today, and so do the northern and rural part of ME and VT. Much of those areas still think the only things to eat are animals and dairy. That being the case, small restaurants in those areas have nothing on their menus for vegans like me. Even here is south central PA, much of the so-called fare in many restaurants have little or nothing for us vegans and vegetarians. Also, in this part of PA, it's a lot like it was in northern New England back in the 50s = Deeply red. Please remember that old Chinese saying "Life is movement," and things change. I think a line from one of Bob Dylan's songs reads "Life moves slowly our here in the country."

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I worked at Portsmouth Hospital the first ten years of my nursing career, in the maternity unit, 95-05. And currently my daughter works in Kittery at a restaurant it sounds like you would like. I grew up in Exeter and you're right about Meldrim Thompson, I remember him, heartily supported by the Loebs who owned the Manchester Union Leader. All dreadful people who had a huge influence on NH politics.

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The great writer John Irving lives in Exeter.

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Granite State of Mind, by the Super Secret Project. Super funny y'all.

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Yes, they've done some great things, thanks for sharing and reminding me.

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It did not seem a good idea to say any v word! I am 97% vegan :)

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I'm in southern NH too. I understand your frustration!

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I probably shouldn't have said I was in Trump country. I can totally see that there might be a mix here. The more important point was after that. Thanks for your reply Beth!

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I love your post. Sleeping next to a singing stream sounds like heaven. Of extreme importance to consider the other’s life path, and financial constraints is a definite weight on most, I think, and must have impact on ability to be generous. I live in a seaside community full of fortunates. Recently asked to join the garden club and learned that their main focus is to beautify the few association-owned parcels, benefiting the fortunate who life here. No community education, no beautifying the larger community, food garden for the hungry, helping informed with garden chores. Sorry to ramble but coffee near your singing stream seems luxurious and takes my mind away from selfish. Maybe exercise will help. Haha. Enjoy your clinic! Sounds wonderful!

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Cary, unfortunately, your garden club invite is indicative of the 'haves'. They have climbed the ladder of success and pulled it up after them.

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Wow...”and pulled it up after them” really hits me :-(

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Yes, Cary, what those well-to-do's do is a part of environmental racism and apartheid. Also the poor of whatever color are force to live in the industrial areas where the air quality is bad. A good book to read is "Cancer Alley" by two women whose names I forget. They wrote about the are between New Orleans and Baton Rouge, Louisiana, which is about 70 miles long and called "Cancer Alley" by folks who live their because of the polluting factories along the Mississippi River there.

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My dream is to plant a variety fruit trees near the downtown area of my city to provide free access to nutritional food for the homeless and lower wage earners. Wanted my city to help. That sunk like a rock. I wish I had the funding to do such an endeavor in several parts of town and get volunteers to help with upkeep.

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Sounds like the Junior League. I never was a fan of that type of activity personally..

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*infirmed*

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What an interesting exchange between this waitress and you, Kim. More than meets the eye. Maybe if more of us "listen behind the noise on the surface," we can achieve some semblance of balance. We should at least try! Good to know another horse person on this page. Hope the clinic goes well for you both!

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Thanks to you, Lynell - it makes 3 of us! Well, 2 horse people & 1 no longer horse person - but its thought that counts!

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No matter, Maggie. Once a horse person, ALWAYS a horse person! Count Kathy Rizzoni as one as well. (We should form a sub-group?)

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Yes! If you can include an oldie with three 25 year old rescue mares. Also look for Aging Horsewomen group on fb

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I was just thinking the same thing Lynell!

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The sub-group is growing!!

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The part about once a horse person always a horse person.

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Another familiar name - and yes to sub-group.

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When I juxtaposition your "singing stream" with "listen behind the noise on the surface" and with Buddy Poland's "Good Morning," I find myself in a perfect place on this Sunday morning. Thank you!

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Thank YOU Ellen!

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Sounds like a really good time. Have you heard of Anna Blake? She has a blog & before Covid traveled all over doing clinics. You might enjoy the blog.

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Hi Maggie. I am an avid follower of Anna. Have been to a couple of her clinics ( so fun) and active online as well. She has been instrumental in changing ( and helping) how I work with horses.

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Shes great! Wish I had known about her when I still was involved with horses. I'm sure her clinics are fun & must be life-changing for a lot of people (and horses).

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Hey, Maggie. Yes! I have been reading Anna's blogs since about 2010! I think of her as the Heather Cox Richardson for horses.

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Yup I know YOU are - you are responsible for my finding this blog! Many thanks.

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Oh, my goodness. I just remember telling Kathy. Sorry about that!

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If you told her on Anna's blog - that was likely where I saw the link.

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Thank you to Buddy, both for the photos and for his hard work, rising before dawn and casting off to set and haul traps, so that so many can enjoy succulent, sweet lobster. And to you, Heather, thank you for providing context and perspective, day after day, as we try to distill the onslaught of news in what so often seems like an upside down and inside out world. I’m so glad you take a break at least once a week.

Tonight, as I returned on the ferry to the little Maine island where I live in the summer, the sight of the enormous, stunningly beautiful July moon took my breath away. It hung low on the horizon, fully illuminated thanks to its perfect alignment with the sun, its brilliant reflection stretching across the water. Truly awe-inspiring. The news keeps rolling on, but tonight, the world stood still for me, as I gazed at the wonder of the full moon.

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It is named as the first moon of the summer solstice. It is called the Full Buck Moon. I find it beautiful also.

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Drat! Didn't get to see it here. Heavy overcast and rain for three days now. We need the rain more than my crystals needed the moonlight.

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That’s ok Charlie. Somewhere the full moon energized the rain that fell on your “neck of the woods”. Sayings are so amusing, are they not?

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It's also called Thunder Moon.

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OK...here's what I want to know. If Buddy "brought home his work" and it became dinner, did the kids whine "lobster AGAIN??!?"

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LOL, Carolyn. If so, I wanna be adopted!!

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Where’s your little Maine island ?

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Three Sisters? ;) (Nora Roberts reference)

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Thank you . A small Maine island sounds delightful !

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One of many in Casco Bay, not too far from Portland.

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Thank you

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When words are not enough, Buddy provides yet again the evidence that our planet is indeed worth saving. Is there any doubt?

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Your words together with Buddy’s beautiful picture speak so true! Thank you 😊

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'Morning Lynell, thank you for your words!

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Good night Heather & Buddy. Thank you for keeping us afloat.

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Thanks for the beautiful picture. My heart cries out to be near water and here I am living in a desert.

On a positive note, after a few bad weeks, my husband has snapped back and seems to be doing better.

Just in time for our 26th anniversary.

And even though we don't celebrate stuff anymore, it sure is worth shouting to everyone that I am married to my best friend who makes our journey so much easier.

I told my son after my divorce from his dad, to make sure that when you marry, you marry your best friend. Even though I love his dad, I never really liked him and knew that I could never really confide everything in my heart to him.

Life is so much better when the path you walk is shared with someone who wants to walk the same path.

Have a great day.

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Your post is a beautiful tribute to 26 years of following your heart. It put a smile in my heart for the day. You may not celebrate stuff anymore but isn't cherishing a form of celebration? You're doing that every day. Blessings on your anniversary and each day.

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One day back in '92 a friend who went out with ditzy but attractive women, and was frustrated questioned me about the fact that his relationships never worked. I told him a spouse should be someone who would be a best friend if she were male. Two years later I went to his wedding; 27 years later, they are still happily married.

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You have a great day as well. An irreverent thought past through my mind as I read HRC post, saw Buddy's picture, and read the chatter of followers: And, on the 7th day she rested ... 😇

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As Ram Dass said, "We are all walking each other home." How wise of you, Beth, to choose your best friend! Happy anniversary!

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Thank you for SHOUTING OUT, Beth. It is good to hear that your best friend is better. Happy 26th Anniversary. Maybe you can find a couple of beautiful pictures of water and celebrate while looking at the water and each other. Cheers!

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Best friends are the best. Happy 26th, Beth!

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Buddy is a gift to all of us. He keeps you happy - and thus, we all gain. Live life now Heather - it’s over quickly.

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"beauty will save us" Dorothy Day

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A little reminder that Neil Gorsuch and the Supreme Court didn(' get it all wrong in the last years. A great deal of Oklahoma is still Indian Treaty Land and the treaty is still in force.......to quout the said Justice......

“On the far end of the Trail of Tears was a promise,” Gorsuch wrote, alluding to the forced relocation of the Cherokee, Choctaw, Chickasaw, Creek and Seminole nations in the 1800s. “Forced to leave their ancestral lands in Georgia and Alabama, the Creek Nation received assurances that their new lands in the West would be secure forever.”

https://www.washingtonpost.com/national/complete-dysfunctional-chaos-oklahoma-reels-after-supreme-court-ruling-on-indian-tribes/2021/07/23/99ba0b80-ea75-11eb-8950-d73b3e93ff7f_story.html

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From the NYT.

June 15, 2020

WASHINGTON — Justice Neil M. Gorsuch is a profoundly conservative jurist and one of the two appointments President Trump has made to the Supreme Court that Republicans expected would fundamentally shape it to their liking for a generation.

But on Monday, Justice Gorsuch, 52, led the way on one of the most sweeping L.G.B.T. rights rulings in the court’s history, protecting gay and transgender people from workplace discrimination and confounding those who thought he would be a reliable conservative on those issues.

.”

Justice Gorsuch has repeatedly said he is a staunch believer in “textualism,” in which judges look only at the written words of a statute rather than the intent of the lawmakers who wrote them. In Monday’s opinion, he said the words of the Civil Right Act were clear.

“When the express terms of a statute give us one answer and extratextual considerations suggest another, it’s no contest,” Justice Gorsuch wrote in the opening paragraphs of his opinion. “Only the written word is the law, and all persons are entitled to its benefit.”

His ruling was no surprise. The text was clear.

https://www.nytimes.com/2020/06/15/us/politics/gorsuch-supreme-court-gay-transgender-rights.html

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Thank you, H.A.

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Stuart, Hearing about Gorsuch this Sunday morning -- did you have to? Ok, he remembered all the way back to the 1800s. What a sport.

My apologies to Creek Nation for all the USA took from you.

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Sorry Fern...i just happened on the article and wanted to see how the story was progressing.

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I like the story of another correct Gorsuch decision that came after the one you pointed to regarding Creek land. I was in no mood for Gorsuch early this morning and wrong to snub a positive decision on his part, which was followed by another. Good reporting, Stuart.

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A bright spot, thank you for sharing!

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...and needed to share it with us!

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Definitely something to celebrate! Now how will he rule regarding other broken treaties with the Native Americans?

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Oh, Dr. R, this was such an absolutely perfect July day! I’m glad you got to enjoy it. I also did not listen to, read, or watch much of the news. We need those mental breaks! What a beautiful photo! We spent the day walking on trails of George Patton’s old place in Topsfield, Ma and Appleton Farm in Ipswich, MA. The day was beautiful from sun up to sunset and beyond.

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Have a wonderful night and thank Buddy for taking such a beautiful picture to share with all of us!

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The 24th is our monthiversary and today was particularly sweet since we're camping our way through the West and had a day-after-Yellowstone drive through Wyoming. Thanks for the stunning picture, Heather; only sorry I can't share some of the rocks, trees, mountains, magpies, and bison we've been seeing out here.

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These pictures will some day get me to Maine

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You will not be disappointed

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Beautiful! Have a lovely Sunday everyone!

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Thank you, Linda Mitchell. Hope you have a lovely Sunday as well.

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Good choice Professor…the news can wait…enjoy!

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Thank you both, Heather and Buddy. You always leave us better off.

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