Open Door Healing

Well, at least one of my Substack notes now has 1.2 thousand likes, has been restacked 31 times and I have 22 subscribers now. I used to get 2-4 likes on my Substack notes, which are mostly pictures of my garden, and my animals. Who knew that posting a picture of my kitten Shadow in a plant would go viral? Now my phone is constantly lighting up with someone new liking it, or my other pictures or commenting. I read an article on Substack that one should reply to every one that comments. And no, I am not a movie star now, but I have been found out, and honestly, I think I kind of liked it the other way, because, well, there is a little pressure now to produce good stuff, and by no way am I stating I put junk up there, I just feel there are expectations now, from people I don’t even know. And who is putting those expectations on me? Well, me of course. What happens if they don’t like my other posts? What if I offend someone? Although I don’t know how I could offend when again just pics of my flowers and animals, this morning’s was my goat, Gracie Marie eating my flowers. I did have quite a few comments from people who saw the picture of Shadow and commented that the plant was dangerous to cats and I have been grappling to reply in a general note that I have had that plant for 15+ years and none of my cats have ever eaten it, but I also think that has to do with the fact that my cats are indoor/outdoor, so they have access to all the fresh grass, cat nip etc they want. My daughter cannot keep live plants as her cats never go outside and so they are looking for something fresh. I think that has a lot to do with, but again, I don’t want to offend anyone, so I answered those people that commented, “Thank you for the information. I have had a stern talk with him.” I am not a veterinarian or an expert in animal husbandry, but I have always let my animals be animals. I have had horses, donkeys, goats, ducks, rabbits, chickens, dogs, cats, hamsters, fish, lizards and I’m sure a few more I cannot think of. My philosphy is animals are smart, much smarter in the ways of nature than we are and left to their own instincts they will not eat poisenous things. All of my animals, currently a donkey, goat, chicken, dog and two cats are all free fed. Food is available to them 24 hours, and the dog and cats can go in and out the doggy door as they please. The chicken is free range and only gets put in a kennel at night for her protection from Mr. Fox or any other hungry critters that roam at night. So why do I do Substack and WordPress? I want to be noticed, I want others to see my world, and maybe bring joy or perspective to someone that help them along their day. Maybe something I write about the struggles with my mom and her Alzheimer’s will help someone else be a little softer, understand more. My cousin Sharon called this morning, we don’t usually talk, but she thought she had done something wrong with my mom and she wanted me to know about it. Her mother, my Aunt Petty, died a few weeks ago. I had told my mom when Petty went into the hospital, but Petty never woke up from the surgery and passed away a few days later. I didn’t tell my mom because I didn’t want to upset her, it seems that when a family members die, she dies a little along with them, and we’ve had quite a few deaths in the last several years. In one of my mother’s lucid moments she called my cousin and asked how things were, and Sharon didn’t know I hadn’t told her. Mom cried and got very upset. Sharon then messaged me to let me know. No problem. Mom did not mention it the next time I saw her. My mom called Sharon again yesterday and asked how things were, and Sharon said ok, they were all adjusting, and then mom continued to question her, she didn’t remember Sharon telling her about Petty. So mom got upset all over again. Sharon called a health care friend who told her it was ok, and if mom called again, not to tell her. Sharon called me this morning to let me know about the conversation and I assured her it was ok, and told her a few more things that were going on with mom just so she would understand a little of what I was going through. So why do I write? It is theraputic for me. I was just going to write about my Substack post, and then it came pouring out. I hope it helps someone along their journey. Here is the picture that made me Substack famous! Wishing you a beautiful day. Blessings.

I don’t remember planting this!