She’s a deep brown color amost a little purple and the fur on her back is a little longer and very wavy. Her snout is shorter and more blunted, but her personality is the same. She is super friendly and if a serial killer knocked on the front door. She’d imvite them in and show them where everything was.
I have 2 sons! However, I told them that if they decide to not have children, I would understand! I don’t want my grandchildren growing up in this world any time soon; maybe not at all! There’s too much work to be done to know that my grandchildren would have a great childhood. I don’t want my sons to pass this chaotic world onto my grandchildren. I respect you, and YOUR decision to do whatever you want to do in your life! I’m no better than you, or any other childless man or woman!! And I have 2 cats! 😉
I adore children but coming from a dysfunctional family of origin, needed to support and have faith in myself as a provider of income. I found a wonderful mentor and career that took my time 24/7/365 for years. I was productive and nurturing to cancer patients who returned my love and advocacy for them. It was my destiny as I was proven to be barren by physical health, not choice. I adore my cats, many over the years, and am forever grateful for their beauty and companionship.
I also had a dysfunctional family and didn't feel like I had the patience for kids, didn't want to risk messing them up like mine did to me. My husband is a professional Santa so I always say that I am Santa's wife, not Mrs. Claus - there is a difference! I don't dress up and deal with young children (well behaved children of friends for a short time is fine), especially when they're hard to understand as a partially deaf person.
An excellent collection of thoughts. It’s nobody’s damned business if I want to have children or not. I continue to be amazed at the Republican Party who seems to think it’s their right to tell other people what to do. With all due respect, F OFF!
DNA test revealed I have the critic fibrosis gene. So glad I made the decision not to have a child.
We are definitely a crazy cat household! Three inside spoiled rotten felines and two strays that have moved into our backyard. They lounge on our patio furniture and loll around in the flower beds.
We were on the Women for Harris call this evening. Wonderbar
Yes, me too. I LOVED the teenagers who spoke at the Gloria Steinem gathering, didn’t you? I also watched and was very inspired by the “White Dudes for Harris” call. There is a lot of positive energy in the air.
First of all, it takes a village. Where I live, we all keep an eye on each others' kids, even after they become young adults.
I had my only child very late in life after three miscarriages (one was twins). At the time I was also raising two step children who lived with us full time. We were a family of five with three cats, one large dog, three horses, my step daughter was on the equestrian show circuit and I travelled for business at least three times a month.
I cooked for the week every Sunday. Everything was cleaned, prepped, either cooked for reheating or marinating. Weekends were hockey, horse shows, football at one point, then rugby and ALWAYS a one hour supper in the dining room. It seems perfect, but it wasn't.
Retrospect is 20/20. There are many things I would do all over again; a few things I wouldn't. I've spent the last 10 years as a single (REALLY SINGLE DO IT ALL) mom.
How did I do it? I have no idea. Why did I do all that? I have no idea. I never stopped. Ever. I feel like I was trying to prove myself as an EPIC keeper of the home fires as well as a total ninja in the business world. I certainly had competition with the latter both with the opposite sex AND with other countries.
Now I have taken the time to re-craft my life and have embarked on a new career which I absolutely adore. My son is in the Forces so I see him only rarely. I keep busy. There is one cat left and I fear he will not be with me for very much longer. I am content but I often think of past days and where in the absolute heck I got all that energy. I can assure you, it has not been a perfect life.
Major takeaway? I would have taken better care of myself, both spiritually and physically. I am doing that now. But I'll never not notice a child in need, a mom in distress or a dad or neighbour who needs a hug. I have never given up on love. And I have absolutely no judgement on those who choose not to procreate. I wanted what I wanted, but others should be free to want what they want too and not be encumbered by those who pontificate with no real spiritual reason. I support all of this.
Well-said! As to, it takes a village, that phrase is the key. In a perfect world, we should all be supporting one another.
I am so sorry with you re your miscarriages. It’s heartbreaking & with twins, doubly so.
It does sound like now, you are taking the “me” time, which is so important. Re-crafting? Does that include your writing, that I am finding is exceptional?
And yes, looking back on life, my renewed (& oft forgotten pledge) is to be kinder to myself. Women, in general, need more of this self-care. :)
Beautiful and inspiring. Thank you for sharing, JBO. My own life has been so outside the “norm” that I sometimes wonder if I am living in an alternate simultaneous reality with plexiglass windows that allow me to peer in at what others are up to but not actually take part. If there is one thing I’ve learned to respect about humans it’s that we each have our own agendas and lessons. I don’t like to contemplate what those who want to control others’ bodies and minds are trying to learn. I just know that they are good reminders of what I have no desire to take part in.
The children of the world are my children. They are OUR children. Let us not forget that. Childless cat ladies love everyone's child. Even the children of heartless republicans who want to see immigrants drowning in the Rio Grande Yes I am looking at YOU.
Yes….When I was visiting classrooms regularly to do book readings I always left feeling like I’d found some more of my children. Getting hugs from them was THE best.
Jena, thank you so much for doing classroom readings. I taught public elementary school for 14 years and an author visitation and reading was always a special treat. I especially remember Rita Grauer and her book "Vasalisa and her Magic Doll". Vasalisa, of course, is a figure from Russian folklore. Rita retells the story and supplies her own beautiful illustrations. She signed a book to me and I cherish it. So thank you for your service, and right now I am going to look up some of your book titles💕
Awww thank you. My books are designed to teach emotional intelligence along with core literacy skills. I had the best time doing visits around the world. I also came up with programs to go with the books. I would still be doing both but got so tired of fighting a system that does not value EQ. I was repeatedly told that having me visit and work with the kids took time away from preparing them to take tests. Sigh….
You might enjoy the posts from Song Flight - a program I developed to help the 9 million Ukrainian kids displaced by the war: https://songflight.substack.com/
Oh my gosh, I and all of my colleagues were so tired of being told to teach to the test. It was during the administration of George W. Bush. 'No child left behind' was his motto. Ours was "No child's behind left'. The pressure on our students to perform on ridiculous tests was irreparable.
I will definitely check out songflight. Thank you💙💙💙
Thank YOU for validating my experience. I felt so bad for the kiddos and for a long time like a failure myself. Sir Ken Robinson was the one who first articulated the issues in education for me and I miss him greatly. I still occasionally let myself dream of doing some visits and recording them so others could join in. We did so many fun things - sewed kindness quilts, put on “Lead with Your Heart” plays, put out a Perfectly Not Perfect newspaper, painted kindness stones, and planted a Kindness Garden. We even drew and told the stories of dogs at our local shelter to help get them adopted. There is nothing like seeing the practical results of your kindness to inspire kids to do more. When I took it global for an 8-week program across 16 countries with 600 schools I learned the power of children’s creativity. They ALWAYS over delivered and taught me much more than I taught them. Sigh…you are making me nostalgic - lol.
We couldn't have children because my husband is a carrier of the cystic fibrosis gene. I felt much like Dolly Parton...that if we were meant to have children we would. If not, we would love the children we came in contact with in our lives. The insensitivity of Vance saying this impertinent misogynistic crap is disgusting and shows what a blithering moronic idiot he is...and then to add insult to injury dissing our beloved kitties! 🙄 I call Trump and Vance Dumb and Dumber now. Their combined misogyny and idiocy is staggering. I have not let our kitty Oona know about the hideous remarks. She is fierce but only 3 years old. I am afraid she would mistake any TV news cast of Dumb and Dumber and annihilate our television. Who could blame her. Great piece Jenna. Everytime I think these Weirdo idiots can't sink lower...they do. LET'S GO KAMALA!!!🔥🔥🔥
Much respect and big hugs to you and your husband. And lots of love to Ms Oona. Thanks to dumb and dumber, I don’t believe any of us will have to reach far to find our fierce. 🐈🐈⬛😼
Hugs to you and your husband. If there is one thing I know it's that LOVE has been radiated out into the world through and by you. And as for our kitties. I trust that they are above such human nonsense, but I do keep them far from screens. LOL.
Are childless dog ladies welcomed?
Oh heck yeah!
I’ll have to do some art with dogs and maybe some other critters -lol.
Whatcha got?
Oh , the most beautiful English chocolate lab. She’s 2 1/2 , and her name is Bosco butterbeans. A total goofball.
Love chocolate labs! But I had to look up the physical difference between American and British labs. Is there any difference in terms of personality?
I love her name. Bosco is a welcome addition to the Childless Critter Ladies Club ;-)
She’s a deep brown color amost a little purple and the fur on her back is a little longer and very wavy. Her snout is shorter and more blunted, but her personality is the same. She is super friendly and if a serial killer knocked on the front door. She’d imvite them in and show them where everything was.
LOL sounds like most of the labs I’ve met. She must be beautiful!
I have 2 sons! However, I told them that if they decide to not have children, I would understand! I don’t want my grandchildren growing up in this world any time soon; maybe not at all! There’s too much work to be done to know that my grandchildren would have a great childhood. I don’t want my sons to pass this chaotic world onto my grandchildren. I respect you, and YOUR decision to do whatever you want to do in your life! I’m no better than you, or any other childless man or woman!! And I have 2 cats! 😉
And I am in awe of those who have the desire and ability to parent AND wrangle two kitties - lol.
I adore children but coming from a dysfunctional family of origin, needed to support and have faith in myself as a provider of income. I found a wonderful mentor and career that took my time 24/7/365 for years. I was productive and nurturing to cancer patients who returned my love and advocacy for them. It was my destiny as I was proven to be barren by physical health, not choice. I adore my cats, many over the years, and am forever grateful for their beauty and companionship.
Love this, Judith. So many ways to love and be loved. Feel the same about my cats.
I also had a dysfunctional family and didn't feel like I had the patience for kids, didn't want to risk messing them up like mine did to me. My husband is a professional Santa so I always say that I am Santa's wife, not Mrs. Claus - there is a difference! I don't dress up and deal with young children (well behaved children of friends for a short time is fine), especially when they're hard to understand as a partially deaf person.
Love this, Jena!
Just bought this, and six other Kamala 2024 t-shirts. My wardrobe for every day of the week for the next few months:
Good one, my sister!
As a dog lady with one birth-child and four stepchildren…I approve this message.
Sending you a hug :-)
Back atcha! 😊
Gee looks like you are just… acceptable in their eyes 🙄
Ogre see headline, Ogre ask cat. She say: "Meow! Purr...purr.." Ogre cannot argue with that.
An excellent collection of thoughts. It’s nobody’s damned business if I want to have children or not. I continue to be amazed at the Republican Party who seems to think it’s their right to tell other people what to do. With all due respect, F OFF!
+1. Kudos to all of you for choosing your path!
Yes and we know they don’t want to be told what to do, groomed , exposed to anything they don’t want. Such hypocrites.
It is so Handmaid’s Tale like that it’s spooky.
And yes, it’s no one’s business because it’s MY body.
And I have no respect for them because they have shown they don’t deserve it. F OFF indeed.
It’s creepy
I gather that the moron vance does not use "periods" in his name😵💫
Ejut.
DNA test revealed I have the critic fibrosis gene. So glad I made the decision not to have a child.
We are definitely a crazy cat household! Three inside spoiled rotten felines and two strays that have moved into our backyard. They lounge on our patio furniture and loll around in the flower beds.
We were on the Women for Harris call this evening. Wonderbar
Wonderful!!
Wunderbra, too.
Yes, me too. I LOVED the teenagers who spoke at the Gloria Steinem gathering, didn’t you? I also watched and was very inspired by the “White Dudes for Harris” call. There is a lot of positive energy in the air.
What are your kitties’ names?
Stanley, Bob, and Sweetie Pie
First of all, it takes a village. Where I live, we all keep an eye on each others' kids, even after they become young adults.
I had my only child very late in life after three miscarriages (one was twins). At the time I was also raising two step children who lived with us full time. We were a family of five with three cats, one large dog, three horses, my step daughter was on the equestrian show circuit and I travelled for business at least three times a month.
I cooked for the week every Sunday. Everything was cleaned, prepped, either cooked for reheating or marinating. Weekends were hockey, horse shows, football at one point, then rugby and ALWAYS a one hour supper in the dining room. It seems perfect, but it wasn't.
Retrospect is 20/20. There are many things I would do all over again; a few things I wouldn't. I've spent the last 10 years as a single (REALLY SINGLE DO IT ALL) mom.
How did I do it? I have no idea. Why did I do all that? I have no idea. I never stopped. Ever. I feel like I was trying to prove myself as an EPIC keeper of the home fires as well as a total ninja in the business world. I certainly had competition with the latter both with the opposite sex AND with other countries.
Now I have taken the time to re-craft my life and have embarked on a new career which I absolutely adore. My son is in the Forces so I see him only rarely. I keep busy. There is one cat left and I fear he will not be with me for very much longer. I am content but I often think of past days and where in the absolute heck I got all that energy. I can assure you, it has not been a perfect life.
Major takeaway? I would have taken better care of myself, both spiritually and physically. I am doing that now. But I'll never not notice a child in need, a mom in distress or a dad or neighbour who needs a hug. I have never given up on love. And I have absolutely no judgement on those who choose not to procreate. I wanted what I wanted, but others should be free to want what they want too and not be encumbered by those who pontificate with no real spiritual reason. I support all of this.
Well-said! As to, it takes a village, that phrase is the key. In a perfect world, we should all be supporting one another.
I am so sorry with you re your miscarriages. It’s heartbreaking & with twins, doubly so.
It does sound like now, you are taking the “me” time, which is so important. Re-crafting? Does that include your writing, that I am finding is exceptional?
And yes, looking back on life, my renewed (& oft forgotten pledge) is to be kinder to myself. Women, in general, need more of this self-care. :)
Thank you
I’ve been writing for decades, but 99.9% is private journaling and probably will remain so lol :)
Moi aussi:) minus a mini rant here & there.
Happy household. It’s no one’s business how people
Decide to be happy
Beautiful and inspiring. Thank you for sharing, JBO. My own life has been so outside the “norm” that I sometimes wonder if I am living in an alternate simultaneous reality with plexiglass windows that allow me to peer in at what others are up to but not actually take part. If there is one thing I’ve learned to respect about humans it’s that we each have our own agendas and lessons. I don’t like to contemplate what those who want to control others’ bodies and minds are trying to learn. I just know that they are good reminders of what I have no desire to take part in.
P.S. what’s your kitty’s name?
Oscar. He’s da bomb. End stage renal.
https://substack.com/@authenticcanuck/note/c-63821023?r=g9nh6&utm_medium=ios&utm_source=notes-share-action
Proud to be on that list, thanks Jena!
I prefer "child free" to "childless" 🥰
Yes and of course the hypocrites have ruined more words and labeled us when they really should be working on their own lives.
Well said, DeeDee!
The children of the world are my children. They are OUR children. Let us not forget that. Childless cat ladies love everyone's child. Even the children of heartless republicans who want to see immigrants drowning in the Rio Grande Yes I am looking at YOU.
Yes….When I was visiting classrooms regularly to do book readings I always left feeling like I’d found some more of my children. Getting hugs from them was THE best.
Jena, thank you so much for doing classroom readings. I taught public elementary school for 14 years and an author visitation and reading was always a special treat. I especially remember Rita Grauer and her book "Vasalisa and her Magic Doll". Vasalisa, of course, is a figure from Russian folklore. Rita retells the story and supplies her own beautiful illustrations. She signed a book to me and I cherish it. So thank you for your service, and right now I am going to look up some of your book titles💕
Awww thank you. My books are designed to teach emotional intelligence along with core literacy skills. I had the best time doing visits around the world. I also came up with programs to go with the books. I would still be doing both but got so tired of fighting a system that does not value EQ. I was repeatedly told that having me visit and work with the kids took time away from preparing them to take tests. Sigh….
You might enjoy the posts from Song Flight - a program I developed to help the 9 million Ukrainian kids displaced by the war: https://songflight.substack.com/
Oh my gosh, I and all of my colleagues were so tired of being told to teach to the test. It was during the administration of George W. Bush. 'No child left behind' was his motto. Ours was "No child's behind left'. The pressure on our students to perform on ridiculous tests was irreparable.
I will definitely check out songflight. Thank you💙💙💙
Thank YOU for validating my experience. I felt so bad for the kiddos and for a long time like a failure myself. Sir Ken Robinson was the one who first articulated the issues in education for me and I miss him greatly. I still occasionally let myself dream of doing some visits and recording them so others could join in. We did so many fun things - sewed kindness quilts, put on “Lead with Your Heart” plays, put out a Perfectly Not Perfect newspaper, painted kindness stones, and planted a Kindness Garden. We even drew and told the stories of dogs at our local shelter to help get them adopted. There is nothing like seeing the practical results of your kindness to inspire kids to do more. When I took it global for an 8-week program across 16 countries with 600 schools I learned the power of children’s creativity. They ALWAYS over delivered and taught me much more than I taught them. Sigh…you are making me nostalgic - lol.
You are now my sister❤
And you never know which child you may have left a mark on if not all of them. 🌸
So true. I hope they remember me with affection.
💛✨️💛
We couldn't have children because my husband is a carrier of the cystic fibrosis gene. I felt much like Dolly Parton...that if we were meant to have children we would. If not, we would love the children we came in contact with in our lives. The insensitivity of Vance saying this impertinent misogynistic crap is disgusting and shows what a blithering moronic idiot he is...and then to add insult to injury dissing our beloved kitties! 🙄 I call Trump and Vance Dumb and Dumber now. Their combined misogyny and idiocy is staggering. I have not let our kitty Oona know about the hideous remarks. She is fierce but only 3 years old. I am afraid she would mistake any TV news cast of Dumb and Dumber and annihilate our television. Who could blame her. Great piece Jenna. Everytime I think these Weirdo idiots can't sink lower...they do. LET'S GO KAMALA!!!🔥🔥🔥
Much respect and big hugs to you and your husband. And lots of love to Ms Oona. Thanks to dumb and dumber, I don’t believe any of us will have to reach far to find our fierce. 🐈🐈⬛😼
Thank you✨️💛✨️
Hugs to you and your husband. If there is one thing I know it's that LOVE has been radiated out into the world through and by you. And as for our kitties. I trust that they are above such human nonsense, but I do keep them far from screens. LOL.
HUGS and yes - Go Kamala GO!!!
HUGS Back to you Jena✨️💛✨️