Last of summer, first of fall

I hang onto summer as long as hard as I can, even though the first part of fall is typically beautiful in Michigan. Today is one of those days.

Life has simplified a bit since my last post now that ties to the cottage have been cut. Wonderful memories will last a lifetime but the worries of maintenance are gone. In a difficult year nationwide, many things have eased for me personally. Being home more has reminded me that I am happiest doing quiet things which include making cards and scrapbooking, knitting, reading, and I have learned to binge watch TV. That was a surprise to me, I never thought I'd enjoy it but here I am, an old dog with a new trick. 

I worry about the divide in this country and while the election can't come soon enough (get it over with!), the hurt between citizens won't heal anytime soon. I know there aren't people that I won't look at the same way again, not because their opinions differ from mine, but the way they have behaved. This is true on both sides of the proverbial fence. There are many whose basic beliefs I agree with but not the delivery. I am disappointed when either side, whether in a political, religious, or something as benign as Coke versus Pepsi adds unwarranted comments to their argument or claims that ALL of  "them" are wrong and NONE of "us" have ever made a mistake. I wish everyone in high school was required to take a debating class. They would learn to research BOTH sides of an issue and how to argue for each side. We routinely were told to flip and suddenly present the opposing view as if we hadn't just been arguing for instead of against.