[If you’re seeing this in your feed a second time, it means I screwed up the first attempt, which was supposed to include the original message from a 2016 post. Bear with me, guys.]

Well, it’s that time again, and things are as dire as many of us had predicted a year ago, if not worse. Aid to foreign nations has been cut; expenses to the UN have been cut (and as a result, they have had to cut their own budgets and are in danger of needing to give up the lease on the Geneva building), and I don’t even know if that’s the worst of it. But I still believe that this message – the reason for the season – is an important one.

I have ideas on blog posts, but I can’t do much right now. I’m recovering from foot surgery – which, okay, I’m on my butt, but I’m also on some drugs that are not necessarily conducive to doing my best thinking (despite the fact that I could use the word “conducive” back there – don’t be fooled!). I’m okay; I’m healing appropriately, according to my doctor, whom I just saw yesterday; I have the support of my loving husband, my sweet baby girl (my cat, Missy, and our other three cats, Bobby, Isis and Ella), and some amazing friends; and when I start coming out the other end of this, I hope to get back on the horse.

Please take care, of yourselves and each other. I’m starting to think we actually will get through this. (If you’re not American, I can only apologize for myself and for the good people of this country who did not vote for what we have in office, and there are many, many of us. And we are just getting started.)

Happy holidays.

The following is the original message from the 2016 post:

I was doing rite to Hathor, the Lady of Love, today (i.e. December 16), and something came to me. Maybe it isn’t earth-shattering, but I wanted to share it with you guys.

Whether you think the reason for the season is Jesus, Yahweh or coaxial tilt, isn’t the real reason for the season love? Love to whatever deity you pray to (if you don’t pray to anyone, no worries, just keep reading), love to family, love to friends? Isn’t that why we send cards and give gifts at this time of year?

So I wish you all, my readers, love. Go out and spread love to everyone you meet. ‘Tis the season.

Happy Holidays!