It wasn’t what they said. Actually it was exactly that. It was not only what they said but the how of it. It was neither smart nor kind. The stolid and impassive back and forth seemed to go on for ages (because everyone agreed it had been ages)…and was in the end…all for naught. With thoughtful consideration, but not theirs of course, the process had even made all the learned benefits of The Ages for naught, as well.
It had been a protracted time of tug-of-war-words without substance. The discussions were crafted without the provisional hand-holds for relied upon stability. The answers, they thought, might be found in the confusion, the indecision, even the non-answers. They knew they were looking in the wrong direction, but that only amplified the made-to-order irksome question that had not yet been answered.
A few thought that was the worst part…not crafting a suitable answer, that it couldn’t possibly get worse. The majority knew it had become a no-man’s land of bottomless incompetence.
The worst part? The worst part was they could no longer remember the question, but just kept going…
Pinpointing the state of affairs and the dominating thought pattern these days. All bleak and sad. But your watercolour is beautiful.
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This painting is beautiful, I like the soft warm colors. Thanks for sharing.
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Missed commenting on this Raye. Read it late yesterday, the day we left (started to leave) the EU. Still feels like such a mad and destructive thing to do. Just keep on going, then.
Great slightly mad-hatterish painting!
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Yes! Mad-Hatterish….perfect description of the current state of both our affairs. I’m sure the mental intent of PEGGED was not unsimiliar to “nailed..it is so apparent what these machinations strive for” hence the transparency of the laundry pegged on the line. The line….yes, there’s that, too.
My best to you, Anne. Forward…..together.
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Wow. This is deep…it cuts deep, it mines a state of being, a way of thinking…em, not thinking, it mines the current state of affairs, . . . so eloquently.
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Thank you! I’ve read your comments on Keith’ post. It frustrates me to the beyond when health care for all seems to be the curtain closer in this country. So many across the world have this much needed benefit and we don’t? Why not….that is the first question that should be asked…and answered.
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Because the “Greatest country in the world” can’t afford health care for all, because then the insurance companies couldn’t make the enormous profits they’re making, profits which keep investment portfolios churning out 20% returns so that rich daddies can get richer and richer and richer. Well, that’s ONE answer anyway….grrrrr.
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Ah! That blue and yellow in the sky was painted with masterly control! One with less experience might have produced a green sky!
It’s a happy painting, and hopefully it makes you smile when you see it! By my work table is a hurriedly drawn smiley face on a tiny piece of wood. It smiles at me every time I sit there, and I smile every time I note it smiling at me. I forget about it until I see it, and I marvel that it has such power – just a one, two, three-stroke drawing…
The title of your post made me think of Kipling:
If you can force your heart and nerve and sinew
To serve your turn long after they are gone,
And so hold on when there is nothing in you
Except the Will which says to them: ‘Hold on!’
Hold on, Amiga… every man and woman makes a difference, especially the positive ones!
z
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This is truly a brilliant post, and hauntingly accurate to what we’re facing today. It’s really maddening and more than a little frightening. But, if nothing else, there’s always those beautiful clean sheets. 😉💕
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Clean sheets. Drain the new swamp. Similar conclusion: sooner or later everything gets hung out to dry…
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Qu’il s’agit.
That it is. Ipso fact. In hanging laundry out for all to see. Transparent as it is, these sheets, those debates.. Without clothes lines to peg laundry on no one sees the truth of what goes on beyond the house. Looking in to future, more lines and more pegs will be needed, me thinks. And good old fashion lye soap might just make a come back for those hard to get out ‘stains’.
Clothes pin on a line. Men and women on a tightrope. In the end, all working together to help the other along. That’s how it should be. Oh yeah. I agree.
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THAT. IT. IS. You so have it, Calvin. Transparency. Tightrope. Truth. And…not necessarily in order given. Thank you. Thank you. Raye
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This all reminded me, I did clotheslines along time ago, the graphic remains http://www.beyondplumcreek.com/theshed/clothesline_three.jpg, the words are somewhere, anyhoot it doesn’t matter.
And, of late I’ve been ‘pegged’ by the government and a lawyer. That might be construed as potty mouth, am sure you’ll delete if so.
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Love this…your colourful pegs. Is this a print? A commercial venture? Have you sold many? So taken…
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P.s. Hoping life trials (no pun) wil soon be sorted for you.
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Will, being the operative word. Me too. Need some closure, gear down and move along.
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Thank you….no, no, and no. Just tinkerings that came out some photographs of plastic colourful clothes pins on my line and accompanying verse. Your right, the hard edges and vibrating colour scheme on blue suggest a postmodern abstraction painterly bent. Somethings just seem to cry out, KISS ME KISS. -Keep It Simple Stupid.
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The convenient thing about forgetting the question is that one can simply change it to suit their answer.
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Astonishing event yesterday. The many members of the Republican Confident Bank yesterday not only forgot the question but got lost along their seven year road to anticipated success. You are right, David…success often times takes more than some are willing to give. R.
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Darling…..Well, I’ve run the gamut of politically correct and polite responses to yesterday’s comments and [yet again] another monumental government event. I either keep going and digress into fierce truck-driving bad bad language….or I keep that particular bag packed and stored underneath the seat to bring out at a later time. Right. I hear you talking. Except I don’t. Think about you from time to time (especially at chore time) and hope all is well with you and yours. R.
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1) Love the art. 2) Love the close: “…The worst part? The worst part was they could no longer remember the question, but just kept going…”. 3) reminds me of: The only thing I know about success at anything is that whatever it is you are doing, you need to take it a further step. It’s always further.
~ Beth Scupham, from “Shadows” in QUIDNUNC (http://curiouseverything.blogspot.com/2017/03/shadows.html)
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Well! Missy D….I do believe I want that special mirror you have in your house. When you come to visit would you please include it in your travel gear? Our Mutual Admiration Society is headed with full force in your direction…..! Thank you, My Lovely. XOXORRR
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You are, as ever, brilliant in both words and images, Lovely Raye.
And I love your new Avatar – especially given your text and what you are expressing. Frazzled, disquiet and, if I might say so, a wee bit of sadness in the eyes…
Wishing there were answers to the forgotten questions. XOXODRXOXO
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A nation should be judged on how it treats the Aged, the Infirm, and the Children. As one of the richest industrialized countries in the world, statistics show the United States does not fare well in either of those categories. I often wonder when our priorities became so indelibly skewed.
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I couldn’t agree more. We’re a tad better up here in Canada but there is way more room to improve, that is for sure.
You know, I wonder as well. Think the pendulum will ever swing?
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A nation could be judged on how it treats its old and its sick. That’s what I’ve always believed.
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Pegging out the sheets to carry the sunshine into the house and falling asleep on a newly made bed….heaven! One of several reasons, aFa, I moved from an apartment building back into a house…a cloths line! The crispness of the outdoors enveloping you as you drift off to sleep. Priceless….
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I like the color as it brightens the day …. which is something politics seldom does. There’s something about a clothesline that also makes me smile.
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Beautiful watercolor! Your words resonated with me, especially today, as they fight in Washington about just how much healthcare they can take away from us before we notice. I love the way you crafted your feelings of disgust at our current state of affairs.
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Looks as if we haven’t won the ballgame…but we did take the inning yesterday! I think the past two months have shown many throughout the world (obviously not enough of our own U.S. population) how extremely tenuous freedom and liberty is. Eyes wide open… Thank you so much for your comment. Looked at your posts and forgot to +like+….will take care of that later today. Again, many thanks. Raye
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Raye, this applies to so many things, but given the timing, I am applying it to the AHCA debate by the majority party in the House. Without underlying principles and fact based discussion, it is hard to find a suitable answer. The real question was never addressed – how do we provide health coverage to as many Americans on an affordable basis. Keith
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Seldom do I weigh in (publicly) on political matters, although they impact so many…and along with all the opinions forth coming….it becomes a crowded field I’m not willing to traverse. However, I am beside myself with the inane stupidity of all our representatives regardless of party affiliation. It only takes common sense to figure some things out. Common sense…a commodity sorely lacking in our current political climate. All across the board. I’m with you, Keith, and do pay attention to your blog/email offerings, and of course you know….you are preaching to the choir. Thank you for your comment. You and Hugh are The Reader of the Day! Many thanks. Raye
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Too kind, Hugh! Thank you….
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Thanks Raye. Twain said common sense is not all that common.
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‘Love your work!
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