I’ve wondered what would it be like if we had a mountain view. The other day, in the early morning hours I was able to see it; I call it a gift from God. The clouds were so perfectly aligned and packed that it looked as if a blue mountain had just appeared. It was breathtaking, and I got my wish.
This post is mostly directed at people who live and work in the USA. It has to do with a topic that concerns me a bit, and affects me as well. If you are a published writer or a small shop owner, even if you sell your patio set (or anything) for over $600, it will affect you too. It is about the new laws under the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021. Why am I concerned? Well, for various reasons, and the first one is why are people not talking about it more, and why some people I have talked to do not even know about it (maybe because Mother Main Media is not reporting it)? Second, as I writer, and a small online shop owner, it will affect my pocket. Under the old requirements, (including 2021), a 1099K form was issued for your taxes if you made $20,000 and/or more than 200 transactions during the year (transactions varied by state so check your state guidelines). Under the new requirements, if you made $600 and above starting on January 1st 2022, you will be issued a 1099K and it will be reported to the IRS so you can pay your 2023 taxes on your small fortune of $600 plus. That is a big difference in amounts. For example, let’s say that from January 2022 until the end of the tax year, you sell a few books and you make $600 or more in gross income, you will be issued the 1099K, and will be responsible to pay taxes on that income. This will also affect how banks report your income, so it really affects everyone who has a bank account in the USA, and most people do. Banks will report to the IRS any transaction $600 and above, and don’t think that it doesn’t affect your savings account because it does not qualify as a transactional account like a checking account is. Under the new laws, a savings account will be treated as a transactional account. But it gets better, transactional accounts are not required to be insured by FDIC (Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation – what protects your money in case a bank goes kaputz). Other types of accounts will also be considered transactional accounts, see what I mean? Where is this really going?
Going back to my concern, what upsets me most is that every time I ask someone that I know (most likely) will be affected by this, they do not know or do not seem to care. How do you not care that your money/sanctity of your bank account will be monitored in such a way, and that it will be uninsured if it is labeled as transactional? Ah, but wait, most people think that taxes will go up for the rich and prosperous, sorry, but the definition of rich and prosperous has changed – you are one of them if you make $600 or more in sales, whether you sold your washing machine or your latest page turner. Somebody has to pay for all this – look in the mirror. Already 86 billion have been set aside to hire over 86,000 IRS employees who will monitor your riches. Need a job? Don’t you just love all that “rescue” power? By the way, if you have been selling on Ebay or Craigslist or Etsy or whatever, watch out you “non-tax payer criminal who abound in riches” because if you have been naughty, now you will need a tax id/number to keep selling or your selling account will be frozen. Remember, these venues must now report any gross sales over $600 or in the case of banks, any transaction over that amount, (deposits and withdrawals, yes, withdrawals too, because we need to know) – the treasure chest has been opened and you don’t have the key anymore.
How will this affect me, and most likely anyone who breathes and bleeds when poked? Although I am at peace with Uncle Sam (I have been a good girl, oh, lucky me), this $600 windfall might put me over the line a bit, resulting on a smaller refund, which is already tiny, or maybe pay something back. It all depends. Will keeping an online shop and ventures worth it if it is hurting more than it is being profitable? I will have to wait until 2023 tax season and see. Well, good luck you hardworking American, and may the force be with you. Now, don’t you be naughty, I saw that huge garage sale you had going on, you filthy rich citizen. Deposit that!
By the end of the year, I find myself looking back, reminiscing of the year, and years back. It is an exercise I welcome; it opens one’s mind and perspective. Whether good moments or less than good moments, it all makes up the big picture, an entire year that turns into memories. It makes me think of life as a staircase. You either go up or down, or sometimes you get tired and rest in the middle. Sometimes, you take one step and back up many, and sometimes, it feels as if you never took one single step, even when you have taken many.
Some people have more steps to take or climb than other people, or it seems. Once you take the first step, you want to go up, even when you don’t know what awaits. During the climb, one defines the staircase, its shape and style, its design, or maybe it has been already defined in part, and our job is to climb it, putting our own print and style on it with the decisions and indecisions we make. It may be winding or straight up, see through or solid, wide steps or narrow. It reminds me of a line from the old TV show The Honeymooners. Norton said, “Be nice to the people you meet on your way up, because they are the same people you will meet on your way down.” Falls hurt, ones more than others. Stumbles are scary, especially the further up you are.
One thing brings comfort. If you don’t like where it is going, it is ok to turn back down. Eventually, you will reach the last step, and inevitably, you will think of the first, and all in between.
“I shall walk in a wide place, for I have sought your precepts.”
Psalm 119:45
Once the cold weather starts, inevitably, I think of Jack Frost and the old cartoons depicting the old man with long frosty fingers, so I wrote him a poem.
Jack Frost
Jack Frost all dressed in white
evil fingers freezing the land.
Dark winter, time has stopped.
On the land, hell just froze.
***
A prayer broke the mountain ice
A ray of light appeared above.
The host’s descent cold evil melts.
The land is thawed, is free once more.
Came across this very interesting video of Archbishop Vigano. In it he tells it like it is, and presents his opinion (and warning) according to his knowledge of recent events. The video is in Italian, however the subtitles are in English. The subtitle part that was missing because it points at the Vatican is translated in the description. I find it very interesting, thought provoking, and eye opening as well, so I am sharing it. It also reminded me of chapters in my book Sunrise Souls, when a Catholic leader of the church sounds the alarm, and works with the Divine and Dinorah to fight evil, which is trying to take over the entire planet and establish its reign. Another very bold move from this Archbishop who seems to put God and faith ahead of Vatican ideology. Make of it what you wish, but interesting non the least.
11/3/2021 Note: It looks like this video has been taken down. I am not sure of why because it was just the Archbishop speaking about what he believes and what he has seen. But this doesn’t surprise me at all. It seems that these days, anything and everything that has to do with an opinion, especially if it has religious connotations is canceled and removed from media. It is what our society has come to be. No more thinking for yourself, you have to agree with the global mentality or you are canceled and erased. Like Arnold Schwarzenegger said in one of his movies, “You have been erased.”
Sometimes, the cutest things just happen outdoors. I took this picture yesterday while I was talking on the phone. Life is full of precious moments.
Fearless – Without fear; brave. (American Heritage Dictionary)
The word fearless has been overused, thus becoming a “fashion” word, a word that people tend to use without discrimination, a cliché. It has become almost meaningless, just as the word love, used with disregard and abandonment (of meaning).
The American Heritage Dictionary defines it as “without fear.” Without fear does not mean in the absence of fear. One can be truly scared of something or a situation, and be/act fearless in the presence of the object of fear. There is no “fearless” without having known fear. It is a word that I take seriously, rather than “in fashion” because it pertains to something deeper than the outside persona, but more of the internal self, of the condition of the soul, and even spirit.
Fearless is rooted in spirituality, in the condition of the heart. I have been truly scared in some occasions but fearless at the same time. It has only been possible because my strength has come from Jesus, and not from my own efforts or disposition. Faith has a lot to do with being fearless, but also knowing that your supernatural strength comes from God, and that changes the whole meaning of the word.
“For God Had not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.”
2 Timothy 1:7
I try to find beauty in the ordinary, the day’s in and outs. A walk to the mailbox across the road while an everyday task is ever changing. I think it amazing and beautiful that a simple daily short walk is never the same when I care to look. God’s presence is in the little details that surrounds us, and the more I care to look, the more grateful and in awe I am. Here are some October’s treasures I found the other day.
I am sure that there were more treasures to be found, but I was just in and out, picking up some mail. God is good.
From time to time, my husband will make a wooden piece reminiscent of old days gone, when things seemed simpler, and things were handmade. It ends up on our shop – The Owl, Book & Candle. He loves working with wood; I think it is his call, although he loves everything about cars as well. His pieces are truly handmade. Over the weekend, he made this adorable pull toy, a kitty cat that he painted like one of our cats. All materials for this piece are recycled, the one thing that we try to do with most of our pieces. I am liking this one very much. When he retires, I can visualize him tinkering with pieces of wood and creating an array of lovely pieces reminiscent of yesteryear.
Above his desk, he has this picture and another one of the love of his life, not me, but a 1987 Fiero GT.
Fulfillment comes in many ways, and different for many people. Sometimes, we listen to the voices of the world telling us do this or do that, pursue this not that, and so much more. Sometimes, we become confused and feel purposeless because of this (I have been there at one point). To God, everyone of His children is important. Every person has something to give. The more we learn by living and by faith also, the more we are able to give and bless others, no matter the size of the contribution. In God’s eyes it is all valuable when it is given out with love and care.
Inkspeare 