BlueDreams

I think this is a topic I don't have any patience with when it comes to sadness about changes to. It probably didn't help that I just came off of being as big as a house with baby and finding myself overheating when temps went over 70 basically the entire summer. There were times I couldn't wear my garments at all and made several compromises to make them workable for even short periods during the day. Or that I still have had hot flashes post partum. Or spaz spotting. And chronic yeast infections. Or a plethora of lady issues that really could have been helped by the new styles rolling out. It was like I was getting a sampling of all the common problems women face with garments styles in a 6 month period. I would have loved an inch or two less fabric and skirt/slip styled garments. I'm not just happy. I'm excited for this. For all the women like me who would have had to suffer or compromise with the garment on the regular. I feel good for future me who's still very heat sensitive. And I feel no shame in admitting that I'm excited to be able to put on sleeveless outfits. I have an Etsy wish list of things I either want to buy to try to sew just waiting. I never enjoyed maintaining a version of modesty that was never something I really believed in to continue something I truly do. What I can say is I sincerely wish there was space where you could feel comfortable participating and engaging with temple covenants in the way that suits your interpretation of things while maintaining space for how I sincerely view and engage with the temple covenants. That's probably not feasible, but I do wish for you to have space to engage with something I think we both deem sacred. With luv, BD

It likely crosses city boundaries. There are 3 spanish speaking wards in Springville for example. One in each stake. Language wards are often not as geographically centered as are English wards. It wouldn't surprise me if the mapleton members go to either springville or Spanish fork stakes rather that a mapleton one specifically. Or if the article confused wards with branches or other small details tatted would make this clearer.

And I can still appreciate its significance/wisdom in a very different context. 🙃 Besides Star wars is known for it's universal spiritual/cultural themes around light and dark; good and evil. With luv, BD

Really appreciated this quote from one of the survivors that I ran into today: From this article

I disagree a little with @bluebell. I don't think it's not the "I'll kill you for your beliefs" it. It does play a part. But I don't think this would have had nearly the impact if it wasn't a) a larger figure within the MAGA movement who wasn't directly a politician and b) it was graphically video'd. Millions saw his death in detail and as much as we claim numbing to this....I don't think we really have. I haven't seen a single video of a child graphically being killed for any of the mass shootings that entailed children. Or basically any mass shooting, TBH. It makes it less visceral and more abstract emotionally. It's not right, but its human. So, for example....plenty of black men had been wrongfully or questionably killed by the police. A number of those were captured on usually grainy video (which was already increasing awareness and social rumblings). None had the prolonged and dramatic filming that Floyd's had during a time where people were even more online than usual. It made the experience more real. Even if all of these are equally real in terms of weight and loss. With luv, BD

The answer isn't found in talking or not. It's learning how to communicate with respect and dignity. To see humanity in what we deem as "them" or "other." To share our disagreements and concerns without losing site of people not like us. To take accountability and acknowledge fault on "our side" as easily as we can another. To understand different views. To avoid broad brush strokes. If we can't, then we'll perpetuate the cycle of violence we're currently stuck on. Kirk wasn't the first. He won't be the last if we can't recognize where our speech and actions go too far and lose sight of human dignity. With luv, BD

I think of her often when I paint. When her hands started to make it difficult to do so, she asked me if I'd want her oil paints and mailed it to me. She is/was a kind soul. I'm glad her struggle with dementia is finished, but she'll definitely be missed here in the meantime.