Talking to an Empty Chair & Intersectional Feminism
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Today, my focus is on talking to an empty chair, what’s going on in the world, intersectional feminism, and banned books. Get a cup of coffee and sit a spell.
I have a funny story. The other day, I was in the bathtub with a facial cleanser in the palm of my hand. And for some idiotic, senior-moment minute, I put it in my hair. Have you ever done something silly like that?
I used to be able to multitask. I could actually think and do something else at the same time. That does not seem to be true anymore. I might be thinking about something, but if I’m not thinking about the facial cleanser in my hand, I’ll forget where to put it.
At least it didn’t end up in my mouth.
Maybe it’s all the chaos going on in the world right now. It’s certainly on my mind a lot. And I think even when I’m not actively thinking about it, it must be subconsciously bothering me.
I keep wondering when those in office will do something besides sit on their hands. Yes, I write to them and ask them why they aren’t doing something about the current state of the country.
But it seems to fall on dead ears.
Potted Plants:
I read recently that many governmental officials are leaving office because they are tired of being potted plants. Well, then, get up out of your chair, pick up your briefcase, and leave, because you do resemble a potted plant. You’re even gathering dust.
There are terrible things going on, violence has become a daily issue, and people are terrified. A woman with three children was killed.
Don’t they see that? There are surely windows in the U.S. Capitol Building. Are they closing the blinds and pretending they don’t see it?
Or are they trying to make us doubt what we see?
I’ve certainly heard of rose-colored glasses, but we’re not wearing blackout glasses.
I sit here in my little house, thankful to have it. Thankful for a roof over my head, warmth, and food to eat.
I look at my little winter-themed tree and the kitties and feel contentment. At least in this moment.
Well, now, one of the kitties just knocked over a big basket with a faux plant inside. They both took off running, so there’s no way to know which one is the culprit. Not that it matters.
Talking to an Empty Chair:
I sit and look at the empty chair across from me, imagining I’m talking to elected officials whose job it is to check presidential power.
“What are you thinking???” I say to the empty chair. Is your head in the sand? Do you just want to sit there and do nothing? Do your job!
Even in the future history books, the bad stuff, the despicable stuff that we all know is happening, will probably be scrubbed. I think they’re trying to rewrite history and even rewrite the present.
Books That Have Been Banned:
Books that were once thought perfectly acceptable to share shelves with other books for years have been challenged.
The Handmaid’s Tale
The Handmaid’s Tale, published in 1985, is a dystopian novel by Canadian author Margaret Atwood. The book is about the fragility of freedom and the dangers of extremist religion.
Actually, Project 2025 is a longtime conservative think tank that represents a rather dystopian view of the country. Women, keep your wits about you and keep an eye on what’s going on around you.
If you haven’t heard of Project 2025, you might want to educate yourself. More on that below.
Charlotte’s Web
Charlotte’s Web was published in 1952 by E.B. White. It was banned in Kansas in 2006 because the main character talked to animals.
Uncle Tom’s Cabin
Uncle Tom’s Cabin was published in 1852 by Harriet Beecher Stowe. It was the second-best-selling book of the nineteenth century. It was banned in the South as abolitionist propaganda.
To Kill a Mockingbird
To Kill a Mockingbird is a novel by Harper Lee and was published in 1960. It won the Pulitzer Prize in 1961. It deals with prejudice and inequality.
Well, are we going to pretend that doesn’t exist?
Intersectional Feminism:
What does intersectional feminism mean?
Intersectional feminism recognizes that different aspects of a person’s identity, like race, class, sexuality, and ability, intersect and overlap. That feminism must address these combined oppressions, not just gender inequality in isolation, to be truly inclusive and effective.
Women have always been marginalized. Here’s something you might want to read. It’s in Ms. Magazine: 2026 Declares Open War on Women’s Rights. It was written in December 2025.
The article is about the Heritage Foundation and its extension of the now-infamous Project 2025, a roadmap for replacing the rule of law with right-wing ideals.
Despite progress in certain areas, women worldwide still experience systemic, legal, and economic disadvantages. As of early 2026, women held only 64% of the legal rights that men held.
Ladies, if anything, the winds have changed direction and are veering off course, much like the turning tide. It’s moving us away from the progress we’ve made. Keep your wits about you.
If you want to remain silent and turn away from what’s happening, think about your daughters, your granddaughters, your nieces. What do we owe them?
Spring Planting:
In a few months, spring planting will begin. If the world is still tilted on its axis, anyway. We will gently push little seedlings into pots or into the ground, and hopefully they will grow.
We’ll walk outside into the sun and see time moving forward as the seedlings develop more leaves.
Did you know that the thirty minutes before the sun sets is called “civil twilight.”
It’s because it’s the brightest phase of twilight. And when there’s enough natural light for everyday civil activities like reading or working outdoors.
I hear that it’s supposed to snow this weekend. Kendra said she’d bring over homemade soup. I believe it’s supposed to be a version of that Olive Garden soup.
Well, I suppose it’s time for my cup of coffee. I’m going to thumb through one of my pretty Stampington publications. The images prove there is still beauty in the world, if only we look in the right places.
A vigilante with three children purposely put herself in the line of danger – for no good reason. That is why she is dead. Count me among those who have had enough of your spouting ridiculousness while whining, Brenda. You need a reality check. Bye!
It was only yesterday when I was looking for more crafts to do that I found Stampington publications! I had a lovely afternoon looking at all the magazines, of course I want them all but for now I will choose one. I just discovered the magazine Daphne’s Diary. It is more like a book with gorgeous textured covers and inside is so interesting with cutouts, and lots of ideas for crafting, baking etc. It is definitely different from any other magazine.
I bought mine from a book store, its quite expensive $25 Canadian but well worth it.
Have a lovely day Brenda with your beautiful cats.
I have not heard of Daphene’s Diary. I’ll check it out!
Very well written post – I agree with all of it! Every day there’s some new horror with the orange man. When I see the videos online of how ICE is brutally attacking innocent people – US citizens – dragging them out of their cars and their houses…makes me sick to my stomach. I can’t believe this is the USA.
And yes, I have done goofy things like you mentioned with the face wash. Umm, this is embarrassing but hilarious…I use a twice/weekly vaginal estrogen cream (Estriodol). I also use a prescription cream (Ketoconazole) as needed for when my seborrheic dermatitis flares on my forehead. Well, not too long ago, I reached for what I thought was the Estriodol. It was the Ketoconazole. Yes, I used it you-know-where by accident. Imagine my horror when I realized what I did! I immediately washed as best as I could and hoped I wouldn’t have any weird side effects – which I didn’t. Whew!
Melanie, I have used the same cream since my forties. Hell, being a woman, isn’t it?
This cream has been a game changer for me. I wish a doctor would’ve told me about it many years ago. That’s why us women need to talk about this stuff!
Hello Brenda! I wish you’d allow for counter points on your blog. I understand your point of view and being a liberal. However, I would assume half your readers are conservatives or independents.
I do have a question. You stated Trump is in decline. He very well may be. Did you feel the same when Biden was in clear decline? Did you speak up then? Also, Obama and Clinton used ICE agents as well in their administrations. Were you just as upset then? In fact Obama was called the “Deporter in Chief”. And what about the fraud in Minneapolis. Do you realize Somali immigrants on government aid are receiving more than the average social security recipient?
I do love your blog and read almost everyday. I do hope you let my comment go through.
Well written comment. I also remember when Brenda was boycotting Walmart for bad service. No longer is that true. The ads cover up most of the paragraphs I’m trying to read in the last 2 posts.
Please don’t complain about the ads. Brenda’s bulldogs will attack and tell you it’s your own fault and to make changes on your device. They will also tell you that Brenda needs the ad revenue. If ads are covering everything and popping up, just take it!!!
Ok, I’ll read the ads and not the post. Thank you Ricky.I didn’t know this is an option 🙄
Ad blockers in place and still happening. Oh well, I’ll try and translate. Been reading this blog from the beginning and for some reason have left because of conflicts with the blog owner.
As long as comments are written with kindness, I let them through, and I allow counterpoints, as long as they’re civil. I’m not trying to shut anyone out. To tell you the truth, I wasn’t watching Biden as closely because I didn’t feel the need to check the national news constantly. So I’m sure Biden showed a significant decline. I think anyone around that age probably would. I’m glad someone spoke up about it, and he was out of the race!
I think we all have senior moments like what you describe. I think our minds are just overloaded with so many thoughts and stresses that we just end up doing silly things by accident. I sure hope we’re not all going senile anyway, lol! Keep speaking your mind Brenda!
Sometimes they are embarrassing, those common senior moments.
Brenda, you have such a beautiful voice. I thank God you are now using it to help save our county!
Have you thought about publishing this! Your words need to be spread far and wide.
I believe places like Huffington Post would love the opportunity to publish such wise and uniting words.
Thank you! I’ve stopped worrying about people getting upset and just writing what I want to write.
Im a long time reader of your blog but never commented. THANK YOU so much for speaking out about these ghouls in Government. It is abhorrent what is happening and so many are turning a blind eye and trying to explain away the atrocities with bible verses taken out of context. It is disgusting, disheartening and exhausting. Also, there are bots that scour the internet looking for key words on social media and blogs and leave terrible comments. I suspect a few found you in your recent post. Just know it may be AI rage baiters and not real people behind the nasty comments. (Still upsetting and rude) Keep up the good fight, Brenda!
Thanks for telling me that. Maybe you’re right.
I enjoy your posts because you show us how to be thankful and enjoy the serenity of our own cozy little houses. We need to concentrate on what keeps our spirits up in our homes and communities. Please prepare for the impending storm and stay safe and warm everyone.
Thanks, Cindy!
I wanted to add this comment separately….I have often felt in my life, that things might be so different if women would truly support each other and help each other as they should. It is still mostly a man’s world…and unfortunately, a lot of that is because the evil men are supported, and supported well, by some women. My daughter, fighting so hard to try to protect her children, has largely been failed by women…men too…but what is wrong with these stupid women?? They apparently have no cares about the suffering and abuse other women and GIRLS…BABIES even, suffer. My daughter has been failed by women “judges”, and lawyers both, in court. There really is no check and balances. However, some of that is probably because that state must be a pedophile haven. Not many arrests of those organizations, like we have heard about in Florida and other states…question I have is WHY??? Our daughter has just one class to finish this term and then takes the bar. She has mostly A’s….and let me tell you she is motivated!!! I worry over her safety…cause the evil ones are glad to kill and they will not like facing her in courts, etc. She is not sure where she will go first…but you can rest assured, there is one mama bear with cubs who will be doing all possible to get SOME THINGS fixed at least. She was CREATED into this warrior BY THEM…EVIL MEN…PEDOS…and all helping them. She never even considered going to law school until she saw how badly the courts are run there. She has 2 degrees already and a good career. She does not NEED the job…but someone has to do it. I wish I was younger and could help more. I do research at times for her…and help how I can…but I am also a 24/7 caregiver. And growing old…and with health issues some…but so long as we can, we must fight whatever evil we see. And for crying out loud…SUPPORT the rights of children and women to be protected from abuse!!! These are our sisters!!
You’re right, Elizabeth. They are our sisters, and we need to support them. Hurray for your daughter for taking a stand and getting herself out there!
Learning what is indeed the truth of a matter is indeed almost impossible. We have a few that we think are very correct about at least some of what they report. One is in England (heh, would not listen to many from there, as they are as deep, or deeper, in trouble than we). I am certain we do not know even half of the truth. And tho’ the president is not someone I would be married to, nor totally trust…his predecessors brought a huge truckload of the problems on us. So actually, not sure ANYONE can fix it. I wish. There are those who seem to understand way more than me that say our country is going down ere long. And also, if you watched youtubers, there are several doctors who claim from the physical issues they can see in him, he will not last the year. Then what?? It is sad in this huge country that there are not better choices to run it. I personally think if enough people would repent of their sins and try to behave better, and do as GOD told us, HE would heal our land. But either way, one day a perfect world will, at last, be in place…but GOD will have to do it. I look forward to that.
I too think he is ill and they are covering it up. And I imagine the problems trickle down from every administration, regardless of party.
The woman killed by ICE was just was just a few miles from where I live. Nearly everyone I know either hates ICE or refuses to talk about them. Our church has taken a stance to support, and in many cases feed, our community members who live in fear. The original plan was that ICE would export criminals who are not citizens. But when you send 2700 ICE agents to one city they get a little bored and have to create their own drama by profiling anyone who looks illegal. They are being pulled out of cars, phones slapped out of their hands, and taken to a holding cell while they “sort it out”. 75% of the arrests are not felony criminals. If they have any arrest record it is usually for traffic incidents. The legal citizens who are arrested are eventually sent on their way after being frightened and often with broken car windows or ruined phones. I fell like I’m living in a dream. How could the USA become this way? Thank you for addressing this horror and allowing me to talk about it.
Of course, Debby! That is so sad. I think they’re causing chaos, so there’s a reason he can invoke martial law and keep the midterm election from happening.
Thank you for writing this. You are one of the very few blogs that
will comment on the injustices being done by trump and the GOP
in your country.
You have such a wonderful blog Brenda.
🇨🇦❤️
I was afraid to write this for a long time, because I’ve had hateful comments in the past. But I must acknowledge this.
You Go Brenda…We Need Your Voice!
We are so close to losing our country. Every one of us has to stand up in every way we can before it is to late.
Please, women here, unite. Unite with other women and speak up – yell out. Together we can have a voice that can’t be defeated by the greedy, corrupt evil that is trying to extinguish our great Democracy!
I agree completely. I am having a hard time today because my husband who is in early cognitive decline is a news and weather junkie. The TV is always blaring. I have a hard time escaping it because to get to anywhere in this house I have to pass through the family room. I am having bad dreams that interior my sleep.
I’m sorry. That’s why I just have two streaming subscriptions. No news channels.
Brenda, this is very well written. I feel the same way about our current situation. Seems like those politicians sitting in WA don’t do anything. They’re just a mouth piece for the big chief. We do need to wake up before they take everything away from us.
We’re under a winter storm warning here in TN. Everyone is scrambling to the grocery to pick up the milk, eggs, bread and choice of beverage! I’m snug as a bug and will remain so until this awful weather is gone!
I’m looking forward to the Springtime planting. Can it come faster?
Hope you have a great rest of the week, don’t go sliding on the ice and snow.
Thank you! I’m staying in. Had grocery delivery from Walmart on Monday, and I’ll be snug as a bug in a rug too!
Another wonderful post, thank you! Brenda, I feel like you’re becoming even more of what we need today! ❤️❤️
I’m just getting up in the morning, like I used to do, and writing off the top of my head. Posts like this don’t have to be planned out and take a lot of time, so I can write more of them. It’s just me and my laptop. Let me know if you have suggestions. They’re always welcome!
Hi Brenda
I am Canadian and terrified about what’s going on in the US right now.
Thank you for speaking out about what’s happening.
I follow and truly enjoy your posts.
A little happiness and sanity in a crazy world .
Stephanie
Hi Stephanie, I’m terrified too. Especially since the Senate and the House are sitting on their hands and not checking presidential power. He’s running the country like he’s king. It shouldn’t be this way.
The world is definitely tilted on its axis – I say that all the time! Sadly, many have buried their heads in the sand and just don’t seem to see it.
Due to health reasons I very seldom get out of my home and I’m very content right here. I’ve mastered the art of home delivery. Quite frankly I have little to no desire to go out and manage to keep myself busy all day, every day. All because the world is tilted on its axis.
Hi Darlene, I don’t feel the need to go out either. It’s all I can do to handle what’s going on in this country, not knowing what will come next. I just take care of myself and kitties and keep my house cozy.
A lot of information and truth written here!
As for multitasking, I believe as we age our mind moves to wandering. Therefore, too many thoughts in a snap of fingers leave the original task behind. From the living room to the bedroom, the original purpose was shelved behind many thoughts rambling.
A friend said to me “Leave your feet where they are planted”. Meaning, stay in the moment, enjoy the trek to a room for a reason, without the mind leaving along the way? So hard to do these days.
I’m trying to do that, think about what I’m doing, but oftentimes my thoughts get derailed!
Brenda- how did your hair turn out? Have you discovered a new beauty regiment- that I need to try?😊
I have all of the books you listed except the first one. We found Charlotte’s Web behind the removable panel in the attic. The others were bought from a thrift store. I just read a book written by Harper Lee titled Go Set A Watchman it was written in the 1950s but wasn’t printed until 2015 the year before she died. We are expecting a snow storm this weekend. It was 0 degrees here this morning but that didn’t deter my Siberian Husky Kassie from lounging on the porch. Have a peaceful day Brenda.
Wow, you found it behind a removable panel in the attic! Sounds like it was left there for you to find. I hope you have a peaceful day as well.