Category Archives: Social Issues

February 15, 2025

day 45 ~ and we wait & day 46 ~ affirmations

By Kat Myrman
Spent several hours in the office space where I worked for 7 years before the pandemic sent me home to work remotely. It felt like a ghost town, but was a haven in the storm where I was able to recharge our generator batteries. Thankfully we didn’t need to use them for more than a few hours. in case you missed it… a huge glimmer her and gratefulness for access to resources.

Some random thoughts as I catch up on the past two days 

day 45 ~ and we wait

blackout 

the prospect of one more night
of bitter cold, of darkness, of death
our tropical fish succumbing one by one
it’s an unbearable burden 
my best attempts to sustain us
woefully inadequate but I keep fighting
the warm-blooded souls under our roof
huddled, hanging on to the promise
that the services we depend upon
will be restored before day’s end 
heartened by activity, tree removal 
and utility trucks, in the neighborhood
trust slipping away by the hours 
as darkness once again swallows the light

but I digress…
is this what it will be like
In coming years as safety nets
are eliminated, as our country crumbles
as the loyalists of the king are rewarded
and those of us opposed or other are
excluded to fend for ourselves…
must prepare, must be better prepared 

huddled under layers of clothes and 
blankets I close my eyes in hope
that at least this night the light 
will break through, that power will
be restored, that we will be safe again
and then
a sputter, the hum of electronics, the
computer screens flash on, the printer
reboots and the heat growls to a start
i lay motionless, while the grid surges 
wondering if it is temporary or real
…waiting…wondering…waiting
hoping…as the room becomes warmer
a sigh, a full breath of relief … such relief
short lived, as my mind rudely intrudes must be better prepared…must prepare

~kat

An update. Just lost a few tetras…the other fish held on!
day 46~affirmations 

repeat after me…

I’m still here
I matter
I have value
I am worthy
I am brave
I am a survivor
I deserve respect
I deserve to be happy
I deserve to be free
I am smart
I am compassionate 
I am kind
I am light
I am love 
and yes I am here…I AM SO HERE!

Peace, love, and glimmers of affirmation to you, and remember, you are a magnificent soul. 

~kat

7 Comments   |  tags: , , , , , , | posted in 2025, Challenges and Writing Prompts, Digital Art & Photos, free verse, Life Lessons, List Poem, Poetry, Random Thoughts and Musings, Social Issues, Spirituality

February 12, 2025

day 43

By Kat Myrman 
planning off the grid 

chickens…maybe a goat 
or two…a donkey, a cow
I’m thinking that should do
the time to be prepared is now
we’ll need a garden, jars for canning 
candles, and bulk bins of beans, 
flour, grain, necessities, basic things
to self sustain these latter days
pro activity’s the way survivors 
thrive, while making do with
what’s on hand we’ll make it through
we’ve known plenty, we’ve known want
life‘s not always been a jolly jaunt but
don’t you fret, at least you won
the vote you cast can’t be undone
your guy, dictator for a day, lusts 
for the power to take away all 
safety nets, all social norms
his vile band of misfits swarm
to steal the bounty for themselves 
karma sucks you know, and hell
is raging here on earth, it’s sad
you never believed it could be this bad
chickens…maybe a goat 
or two…a donkey, a cow
I’m thinking that should do
we’ll make it through

~kat

In times like these, crazy thoughts keep me up at night. Things like, how can we mitigate the rising cost of food…eggs in particular or so I’ve been told are a major concern… like toilet paper during the pandemic! As the prices soar they should at least be gold.  No more environmental protections, no more regulations to keep our food and water safe. No medical research, no education department, no more wokeness. Diversity doesn’t exist! Wipe those policies from the books, rewrite history. Make the “others”disappear. Take all those treasures gutted from our hallowed halls to an offshore bank. Tax the masses for more. it’s a nightmare that keeps growing more real. But, on a bright note…you knew I would get there, right? As a survivor, I know what to do. Prepare as best I can for the worst and hope for the best. That’s your glimmer for today. be prepared…and hope. And be kind to others and yourself. 

Our electricity has succumbed once again to the snow and ice. I write to you this evening on a fading phone battery and by candlelight. The total darkness that surrounds me only adds to the drama and gravity of this moment in time. But unlike power outages past, this time I have a small generator and a space heater to keep us. This time we were prepared. We’re going to be okay…

Peace, Love, and Glimmers of Hope and Resilience to you and yours!

~kat

17 Comments   |  tags: , , , , | posted in 2025, Digital Art & Photos, Essays, free verse, Life Lessons, Poetry, Random Thoughts and Musings, Social Issues, Spirituality

February 7, 2025

day 38

By Kat Myrman 
TGIF

It’s Friday
Nine to five ends now
time to breath

~kat

Sometimes it really is the little things that matter most. Like today. It’s Friday, it’s payday…TGIF…I had several fellow employees repeat this sentiment to me throughout the day. We’re all hanging by a thread it seems. But little glimmers of this truth remind me that there is still so much to be grateful for. Grateful.…and celebrating the small stuff. No sweat! 

Peace, Love and TGIF Glimmers to you. Let the breathing commence! 

~kat

6 Comments   |  tags: , , , , , | posted in 2025, Digital Art & Photos, Essays, Haiku, Life Lessons, Poetry, Random Thoughts and Musings, Social Issues, Spirituality

February 6, 2025

day 37

By Kat Myrman 
a good rain

beautiful cool rain
drenching earth where seedlings rest
anarchy at bay

~kat

I love a good rain. The sound of it on my metal roof. The occasional lightening flash. The rumble of thunder. This morning gave us a good rain. Cool, cleansing, the air fragrant, smelling of wet soil and green. It was enough to help me forget, even if only for a moment, the chaos happening in the world. I needed a reason to celebrate today.

We had a really good rain this morning. Spring is just around the corner. Nights are getting shorter, days are growing longer! Wow!!! I carried this joyful feeling with me as the day grew heavy. It helped to remember normal in moments of overwhelm. 

You may not be a fan of rain. But there is likely something that brightens your mood and lightens your step. Pay attention. Make a mental note when those glimmers grab you, and tuck that feeling in your pocket to keep you throughout the day. More than ever we need to celebrate every good thing and tiny victory. It’s a win-win especially when you feel like an underdog. 

Peace, Love, and Glimmers to You. Did I happen to mention this morning’s rain storm to you? Ohhh… it was glorious! 😊

~kat

11 Comments   |  tags: , , , , , , , | posted in 2025, Digital Art & Photos, Essays, Haiku, Life Lessons, nature, Poetry, Random Thoughts and Musings, Social Issues, Spirituality

February 5, 2025

day 36

By Kat Myrman 
nothing personal

‘twas nothing personal, you lied
it was your right to choose a side 
but that’s the problem, don’t you see
your choice, your win, affected me
‘cause we don’t live in normal times
our future teeters on the line 
and freedom is a fragile thing
a president is not a king
you cast a witless, selfish vote
informed by lies, disdain for woke
I thought I knew you, I was wrong
you chide me now to get along
it saddens me, I feel betrayed 
the price is high, this choice you made
I can’t agree to disagree 
there’s nothing to discuss you see
I must now work to set things right
I’d hoped you’d join this holy fight 
already there is hell to pay
the world will know the truth one day
and you will too, one day you’ll see
that no one wins if all aren’t free

~kat

Since this all started just a few weeks ago, something has been brewing in me. Deep disappointment in family and friends who voted for the chaos we’re now experiencing are gloating now…cheering on the cruelty, delighting in owning the libs. I tried to tell them things would be bad. They dismissed me as a sore loser. But even I am floored by how bad things have gotten in such a short time with no check in place and no end in sight. My wife and I are shoring up for what might be coming. Gathering our important papers, planning a consult with an attorney to shore up our partnership should this government cancel our marriage of 25 years, 17 of them semi legal on …off..the on again legal. We’ve experienced the hostility that comes from good ‘Christian’ folks who consider it a sin to serve us in restaurants or to treat us with compassionate care in hospital emergency rooms. I’m trying to keep my wits about me. Preparing for the worst hoping for the best. We just want to live out our last years in peace. 

But as I said, the fact that people I know and love voted for this has troubled me. This may not be a typical glimmer, but writing is a healing release for me. Putting the words down in a poem lifted a weight off of me and in a small way gives me strength to press on. I share it here because I have learned that I am often not the only one feeling these emotions. And so I’m reaching out to you, if you’re feeling it too, to let you know you are not alone. 

Peace, love, and glimmers to you.

~kat

P.S. You are not alone. In case you needed one last reminder.

15 Comments   |  tags: , , , , , , , , | posted in 2025, Digital Art & Photos, Essays, Life Lessons, Poetry, Random Thoughts and Musings, Rhyming Couplets, Social Issues