Dolly Appreciation Day

The reason I wrote a post in April about Dolly, (SMALL TOWN THERAPIST ON WHY I'D RATHER HAVE DOLLY,  APRIL 4TH )was because I wanted to sent my love and admiration to Dolly Parton for many reasons. Glad I did now that she has died. I'm glad I said what I had to say, which most people are saying---how much I loved her. 

First and foremost, I greatly admire Dolly's incredible charity work, still do. This is a woman who has single handedly given away billions and most of it to little children though the Dollywood Foundation. This charity of Dolly's focuses on education and literacy with the Imagination Library. That organization gives books to parents with children under 5 years old. What an invaluable gift! This is just part of the good work Dolly has done, every day since 1988. You got to love and admire a woman who loves people over accumulating vast fortunes.

Probably many of us have forgotten that Dolly contributed millions to the COVID-19 vaccine research and disaster relief. I am still grateful. I was very worried about all of us over 70 years old, it seemed that that disease was coming for us. Many older folks were dropping like flies and especially the medical establishment was desperate and crying for help from this terrible plague. Most of the  deaths occurred in the South, where there's high poverty rates, limited access to quality food and little health care available. Into the disaster came Dolly with her generous contribution to the research that came up with the vaccine. Thank you team Dolly!

Sadly the current administration has it's emphasis on funding a stupid war, cutting services and monies for the poor, and enhancing the billionaires of the world.  I believe the current administration is purposely bilking our treasury, leaving us in horrific debt and this is against the law and our constitution. We the people demand a refund! Do I believe T and his minions will dutifully pay back the money they've swiped? No I do not.

Get up Stand Up, Stand Up for Your Rights!    Bob Marley 1973

I wish we had more Dolly's, Oprah's, Taylor's and MacKenzie's in our current government and in the world. We need kindness, decency, enlightenment and generosity in all governments. Sadly, instead we have completely unqualified people in our administration. An example would be RFK and his band of misguided anti-science people, out to eliminate vaccines. After our lesson from being unprepared for the COVID pandemic, why allow people to believe that vaccines are scary and harmful?  Take measles, please! 2,800 cases currently in the U.S. Sad but true. 92% caused by lack of vaccines. 

Let's celebrate Dolly with song and spirit. We're meeting at our courthouse in Friday Harbor this Saturday to protest but also to spread the joy of music. Dolly and Bob Marley would be proud. Join us!

susansmagicfeather 2026 Susan R. Grout

SMALL TOWN THERPIST ON BEING ENOUGH

Sisters and nieces at guitar camp

 

Kathy Bullock has a 4 octave range 

I just returned home from guitar camp and although exhausted from a boat load of fun, I'm still reveling in the joy of the gathering. There's nothing that can compare to the greatness of singing in four part harmony with a group of like minded people. Glorious is the word that comes to mind.

Another word that comes to my mind, and perhaps yours sometimes, is "enough."  One of my tragic flaws is I believe I can never be enough or do enough. I strive, oh how I strive, to do and be enough. But, somehow I feel I always fall short. One of the lessons I brought home with me is the song "Enough" and I am repeating "I am enough" to myself. Right now I'm filled with joy! 

This revelation came about with the help of one of our music teachers, the magnificent Dr. Kathy Bullock of Kentucky. Kathy led two classes. One was 'Gospel' songs and the other class the 'Songs of Freedom.' Kathy taught us to breathe properly, to reach our notes with our breath and to opened our mouths wide. What a force of power!  Internally and externally for me and all the class members. 

What's amusing is when I think of the word enough, and think of little children and infants, it never occurs to me to think "are they enough?" So where did this start for me? If this is one of your flaws, where did it start for you?

As many of you who have read my book remember I am one of six kids in my family. My mother at times was overwhelmed and didn't have the temperament for a large family. Blame the mother. Well, not quite. My Dad was a restauranteur and worked ridiculous long hours to keep the restaurant afloat and successful and wasn't home often to help our mom. Blame the father. I was second oldest of six and I was really good a worrying about my mom and dad. Blame myself. 

"One's task is not to turn the world upside down, but to do what is necessary...with due consideration of reality."                                      Dietrich Bonhoffer

Here's a partial list of how to solve the problem of constant worrying.

1. Reassign anxiety as excitement to give you extra energy.

2. Learn to read your body signals, for example---slow your breath, exhale or sing.

3. Live fearlessly every day, ask yourself what's the worse that can happen? If that is scary, can you ask for help?

4. Imagine a good outcome. 

5. Use the serenity prayer, or realize there are things in your control and out of your control.

6. Distract yourself with a good friend, especially the ones who are funny.

7. Go for a walk outside, hug a pet, do some reflective writing, take a shower or bath, and listen to music.

8. Work on letting go, last time I checked I wasn't a goddess, I learned some things are completely out of my control.

9. Be kind to yourself, the ancient human brain is wired for fear--- to be alert for predators. 

9. Train the brain, to be supportive and soothing, "we'll be fine." Have mercy for yourself.

10. Always be aware and amused about your life and the world. Oh yes, swearing helps.

Because of our over scheduled, high pressure society, especially now, daily dark troublesome news, people can be in a constant state of alarm. Do your best, with what you have, for who you are....or something like that.

Have mercy for yourself.

Having joy with sisters and nieces at guitar camp

Personally I want to sing every day!  I want it to always be 75 degrees and sunny and have the lovely rain showers only at night! I want every child to be given a kind and loving home and the end to poverty! I want the end to war! I want all my family and friends to remain healthy and never die! Well, that was fun. I can do the singing every day part. 

When Kathy sang the song "Enough" to us on the last day of class, every single one of us was reduced to tears. At one point someone started passing around toilet paper and a roll of that toilet paper came sailing across the room to a young woman who was trying to stifle her tears. We laughed uproariously. It was a loving class that I will never forget. I'm so grateful.

Actually, that's my job--- to love. Every day get out there and love. Kathy Bullock raised the temperature of that love in the class and I want to spread that joy. I am enough and so are you.

susansmagicfeather   Susan R. Grout 2026