Linda's Heart from Our Little Piece of Paradise!

Photo by Gustav Gullstrand on Unsplash

Spring Break in the mountains!

Most of my time here is spent writing and reading. This morning, I found a shared article from my dear friend in Austin, Gayla. Reading the article and a bunch of others by two writers new to me changed my mind about something important.

Matt Kerbel's Wolves and Sheep, on Substack, and Chris Bowers of Bowers News Media. Website www.bowersnewsmedia .com

For the first time, instead of hearing trash talk about Democrats or Republicans, their analysis of events and what to expect in the future from the current administration are eye-opening and reassuring, especially to those of us who are Democrats.

I rarely tell anyone that we're Democrats. I’ve lost decades-long friends, who never said a single word to me after I responded to an email from them, attacking Democrats. I asked, politely, that they not send anything political since we were Democrats.

Rude responses. Silence. Attempts on my part to resurrect the friendship? More silence.

Our West Texas town is predominantly red. I’ve learned not to participate in any conversation with political overtones. When an election turns out 5000 red to 500 blue…

Most of my friends don't care that we're blue instead of red. But something happened at school last week that stunned me.

I’ve been subbing at the High School for four years. Emma is an aide at the High School. Two weeks ago, she came in and sat down. We’ve always had a wonderful relationship.

She looked like she was about to explode. She told me how furious it made her about everything going on in the White House, and how hard it was to be in a school full of Republican teachers and students. When she stopped and took a deep breath, I hugged her and told her how glad I was she was a Democrat, too.

Emma's expression was a surprise. "You're a Democrat? I thought..."

Why? Because I never express my opinions or feelings, even to friends. I learned how painful it was to have a friend reject me. I’ve been afraid.

It was the last class of the day. Emma and her sweetie were behind me when we went to the office. I heard Emma tell him, "She's Democrat!"

I turned around, smiling, and said, "Lifelong." They smiled like they'd just learned I was a real person!

That experience taught me a lot.

I’ve never considered talking about anything political on Substack because I worried I’d lose friends and subscribers, and possibly get some really negative comments.

But, after reading article after article by Chris Bowers and Matt Kerbel, which weren’t antagonistic toward either party, I realized I have the same right as anyone to share my feelings.

I hope you’ll find Chris Bowers and Matt Kerbel and read their articles. I’ve added both to my list of recommendations, and I’ll be subscribing to Wolves and Sheep for $8 a month to get all of their articles. Subscribing to one is subscribing to both.

We have a place near Cloudcroft, NM in the Sacramento Mountains. It’s our little piece of paradise and my favorite place to write, read, and sit on the porch when it’s warm enough.

It’s spring break in our part of Texas, and my sweetie told me to spend this week soaking up serenity from the trees. I’ve been here four days.

Winter tends to hang around into March here, and the wind has been awful, so I haven’t been able to sit on the porch or go walking, as I’d hoped. So I’ve been working on a new edition of our pecan cookbook. I’ll let you know when it’s ready to publish, with a new cover and updated content. The book has 700 pecan recipes, from appetizers and main dishes to luscious desserts.

Between now and its release, I’ll share a few recipes to give you an idea of what the book(s) will contain. There will be several. Each will have all the different kinds of recipes, but no duplicates!

I promise I’ll not be silent on Linda Heart the way I have been in the past. I appreciate all of my subscribers! It’s time I show you how much.

Hugs and Happiness!

Linda