May 2nd, 2026
Hello friends,
I am happy to be writing and sharing. At last, maybe the cold and winter season is past. It’s been a difficult fall and winter for me. My overall being is much more withdrawn during the dark days of winter but this past has been even more impactful. I truly love my job and the opportunities it provides but after 20 years, this most recent has been painful. You see, I am employed by the US Federal Government and my particular department has been shutdown for more than half the year since the FY26 started in last October. I am an excepted employee, which means I work even though there’s no approved pay or budget. To be clear, I knew that this is just part of the job. Not getting paid over the course of multiple weeks presents uncertainty and uncomfortable situations. I am grateful for support from friends and family, mostly thankful to God who taught me the value of saving money for cases just like this. Not everyone was as fortunate as I was, people struggled and it was difficult to witness. Again, thankful the community put its arms around us and provided needed food and gift cards for food and gas. It reinforced my faith in humanity to see people working together. As for now, a budget was passed just a few days ago and all seems right with the world, at least my little corner of it. Next budget needs to be ready and approved by October 1st, 2026.
I am enjoying my new hobby of reading. I use a wonderful app, Goodreads.com. I love it and it challenges me to discover genres out of my comfort zone. It’s a great community of readers.
Socially, I’m have not been out and about as much recently. The obvious reason, financially, I’m trying to be responsible. I do have a favorite restaurant (The Coachman) that I enjoy going to. It’s locally owned and the waiters and waitresses are amazing. The food is really good too.
I did start something new a few months ago. Two of my aunts and their kids started meeting once a month to enjoy a meal together. It has been amazing. If I am calculating correctly, three generations are represented. I only have two aunts, my mom’s older sister and younger sister, grateful I can spend time with them. If only my mom were still with us to enjoy the time together, but she’s always present in our thoughts and conversations. It’s a great way to stay connected to cousins, second cousins and family friends.
I hope this post finds each of you doing well. I will attempt to stay more connected. I am so very thankful to the followers of this blog, your support and encouragement are always felt.
Until next time…
There are moments
It feels unbearable
Times where I want to
Simply curl up in a ball
My skin feels prickly
I want to shed the emotion
All sounds are amplified
Different tones of torture
Heart racing, pulse rapid
Hold my breath, hold my ears
The weight is shrinking me
I need to breathe, can’t breathe
Think calm, picture calm
Close my eyes, breathe
Deep breath, in and out
Breathe, just breathe
Speak the name, God
That is my prayer, God
God is enough, just breathe
My rock, my redeemer, breathe
~Charlotte A. Robinson ©️
May 2nd, 2026 at 1640
The above is an attempt to explain how noise, no matter what it is, how it affects my entire being. The photo above is from my favorite activity every year, beach and the nonprofit breast cancer organization that is very dear to me, Pledge The Pink 🦩🩷🦩
~Peace To You~ Charlotte
Some things referenced above:
https://southcarolinalowcountry.com/fripp-island/
https://thecoachmanrestaurant.com/
https://pledgethepink.com/about-us/
https://apps.apple.com/us/app/goodreads-book-tracker-more/id355833469
DISCOVER 