I realized that I had not posted in here, in a while, and opened her up and took a look.
I guess that I have been too busy " replying" to FB posts, or commenting on them, as well as writing my marginally infamous letters to the editor of the Orange County Register. Below is my latest effort, though I don't know if this one will be printed. It is after the terrible damage and death that Hurricanes Harvey and Irma has wrought upon Texas, Florida, and the Caribbean.
As I understood him, Summers was eager to dispel the economic myth that disasters were good for the economy. Fair enough.
Yet, he stood in favor of price gouging during such a disaster, as a fair and useful practice in a free market. Apparently his definition of a "free market" includes those who have lost everything risking being priced out of essentials like the gasoline needed to escape, or food and water to sustain life when all provisions they had are gone. A short version of this might be said to read, "If you can afford it, you can survive."
Or more succinctly, as Marie Antoinette was said to have replied when told the peasants had no bread, " then let them eat cake."
This second one is my answer to the Register editorial team asking if Trump was right to pardon the truly infamous , and without morals, Sheriff Joe Arpaio. (This one got published)
In a word , no. He was not.
He was within his legal rights, but skirted every convention, courtesy, practice and control ever put in place regarding pardons.
Pardon requests are usually submitted to the pardon office of the Dept of Justice which screens them and researches them, usually after a minimum waiting period of 5 yrs. Usually the convicted person has served time, and expressed remorse.
Trump issued his pardon prior to sentencing, thus all but negating the conviction unilaterally. He made clear in his speech in Arizona the day prior that he thought the sheriff was just doing his job, and that violation of the court order (forbidding him and his officers from racially profiling Latinos) was no issue to him. He made it clear he was taking care of his good friend Joe, whom he thought should have not been convicted. His disregard for the court order, ( and for the rights of the people being profiled as possible illegal immigrants) and issuing of the pardon even before sentencing, sent a message of arrogance and disrespect. And the former sheriff made it clear he had no remorse, and may even run for office again.
The blatant disregard for the rule of law was palpable on both their parts. It was not merely "somewhat unorthodox" timing, as you blandly put it.
Trump has made clear that he will do what he wants, when he wants, no matter the appearance or consequences. And also, apparently, no matter what the court has ruled. His supporters can only hope that the next person he sets free has not done something to compromise their own personal rights.
Thursday, September 14, 2017
Friday, January 27, 2017
Sad, mad, tired.
I am tired. Tired for a number of reasons. Tired of being angry at the despicable twit of a man and the people who elected him President It is, however, inescapable. Every day he bleats or tweets some new chunk of narcissistic and self serving crap, and signs (with a showman's flourish) yet another executive order to undo years of progress on so many fronts. Tired of being the only person of the loyal opposition reading my local newspaper full of letters of ignorance and smug condemnation of all things left of center. Writing my furious ( and often published ) letters to the editor when I just can't let something go by.
And in my fury of the state of things, I say and do ( like I always have), whatever I can to keep fighting against prejudice and ignorance.
And exhausted at the thought that the monsters have ( for the moment) won, and have encouraged the worst of our society to feel free to say out loud what they have thought.
And then saddened, even defeated, when comments are made, in print, on Facebook, on TV, to the effect of "who the hell do you think YOU are?" Or " thanks so much, its about time, where ya been”, or "what do you know about it, with all your privilege?" Well, I am pretty sure I have been right here, saying the same things I always have, supporting the same people I always have. I am pretty sure this isn't a bandwagon that I haven't been on before. And, as I responded to someone, although I haven't had to deal with it all my life, nor from the inside, I still hope to be a help to the work.
Part of the fight ( for reproductive rights) is very much mine. As old as I am, I also have dealt with my fair share of sexist crap. However, my life has never been in danger for who I am. And I get through my day to day life without being seen as a threat to life and limb or the very fabric of society.
But I care, and hate injustice and prejudice and will keep saying so. No matter what it looks like to either side, or how late they think I am to the party.
And in my fury of the state of things, I say and do ( like I always have), whatever I can to keep fighting against prejudice and ignorance.
And exhausted at the thought that the monsters have ( for the moment) won, and have encouraged the worst of our society to feel free to say out loud what they have thought.
And then saddened, even defeated, when comments are made, in print, on Facebook, on TV, to the effect of "who the hell do you think YOU are?" Or " thanks so much, its about time, where ya been”, or "what do you know about it, with all your privilege?" Well, I am pretty sure I have been right here, saying the same things I always have, supporting the same people I always have. I am pretty sure this isn't a bandwagon that I haven't been on before. And, as I responded to someone, although I haven't had to deal with it all my life, nor from the inside, I still hope to be a help to the work.
Part of the fight ( for reproductive rights) is very much mine. As old as I am, I also have dealt with my fair share of sexist crap. However, my life has never been in danger for who I am. And I get through my day to day life without being seen as a threat to life and limb or the very fabric of society.
But I care, and hate injustice and prejudice and will keep saying so. No matter what it looks like to either side, or how late they think I am to the party.
Wednesday, November 9, 2016
So now what do we do?
49% of this fair country (my own uncle included) just elected the single most despicable candidate I have ever had the misfortune to see in a race. Smug, sexist, racist, entitled, privileged, morally bankrupt...actually bankrupt-several times. Dismissive, arrogant and full of crap. Lies about what he has said , even when it is on video. Crass, inciting, careless. Willing to say absolutely anything to score a point. And unrepentant when caught. It is all a plot, it is all rigged.
And then he won. He is going to be our next president. Or as my girls say "not my President ".
To get elected he promised to turn back the clock on LGBT rights, on women's rights, on basic human rights for people coming to this country. He is going to "take America back". From whom, for whom? From minorites, women, foreign born , to "give it back" to middle class white people? About whom our President elect gives not a tinker's dam. He didn't when he did business with them. They were little people he could bully into taking less than they were owed. He didn't care about the participants in his beauty pageants, whom he treated as property..
A name calling petulant child who tweets like spoiled brat at3am. This is who half of the country has elected. Why? Because he is different. Not a politician, not politically correct. Another way to say, rude, crude, insulting and has no idea what the hell he is doing. But hey he is a boss. He will just sweep in and give orders. Like a bull in a China shop.
Just what we need to meet wth world powers. Just what we need in negotiations.
And just who we need to appoint a Supreme Court judge.
So desperate for change are millions of my fellow citizens that they would elect a ham sandwich. And they did.
And then he won. He is going to be our next president. Or as my girls say "not my President ".
To get elected he promised to turn back the clock on LGBT rights, on women's rights, on basic human rights for people coming to this country. He is going to "take America back". From whom, for whom? From minorites, women, foreign born , to "give it back" to middle class white people? About whom our President elect gives not a tinker's dam. He didn't when he did business with them. They were little people he could bully into taking less than they were owed. He didn't care about the participants in his beauty pageants, whom he treated as property..
A name calling petulant child who tweets like spoiled brat at3am. This is who half of the country has elected. Why? Because he is different. Not a politician, not politically correct. Another way to say, rude, crude, insulting and has no idea what the hell he is doing. But hey he is a boss. He will just sweep in and give orders. Like a bull in a China shop.
Just what we need to meet wth world powers. Just what we need in negotiations.
And just who we need to appoint a Supreme Court judge.
So desperate for change are millions of my fellow citizens that they would elect a ham sandwich. And they did.
Sunday, October 30, 2016
I don't know what to title this one.
It is beyond my ability to truly wrap my mind around the sense of outrage that has arisen against people who dare to express their own outrage at injustice or unfair treatment, or , more especially, systemic inequality.
Black Lives Matter rose up over the sheer fact that a young black man is several times more likely than a white one to die in traffic stop. In what may appear to be a stand off, it is shoot first, ask questions later. A black man selling cds illegally dies for " resisting" , a white man who murders in cold blood is taken alive. A thousand different examples. The policeman says they had reason to believe the person had a gun. There was no gun, but they " believed " there was one. Thousands of daily examples of men stopped for being black in the wrong neighborhoods. It happens every day, and someone had enough. Black Lives Matter. Because they didn't say the unspoken " too" or the words , " just as much as white ones", the critics could not wait to say that ALL Lives Matter. Well of course they do, Einstein. That is the point. They all SHOULD, but it is obvious that in many cases black lives matter less than others. The idea was, in essence, how dare these people declare themselves ( more ) significant? If only they would behave, these things wouldn't happen. Uh HUH.
Likewise, a rising up of women in their outrage in the despicable treatment of women as objects for their use by Trump, and men like him, gave rise to the reaction, that , well why didn't they say so before? Seriously? In a world and a Presidential race where a crude, insulting, angry, arrogant jerk who makes fun of the disabled, catagorizes women by their looks, has bragged he can do what he wants because he is a star, and threatens to sue anyone who speaks against him, and claims media bias, while his female opponent is told to smile more, be less practiced and polished, made fun of for her laugh and her pantsuits, is called "nasty" when she answers back, are we supposed to believe that this is not still a male centric society ?
I do not know a single woman who has not experienced some form of sexism, if not out and out sexual assault. In my early career, I was asked why I should receive a requested transfer since I was engaged to be married, and would probably get pregnant and quit? At a later job, when told that my ambition was to be in Marketing, the HR guy laughed and said all those people were downtown, and that they were all men. Two later female bosses felt the need to be tough and heartless, because " you had to be a man in a man's world". And the examples go on and on, well into the present day. The casual cat calls in the street, the comments on their bodies, the unwanted attention on public transportation, the " smile, sweetheart, be nice" the comments on appearance that is fair game for female, never for males. Women who call out their aggressor are accused of being attention-seeking, trying to cause trouble, character assassination.
Trump is dismissive and insulting about women, yet claims that " no one respects women more " than he does. How he does not spontaneously combust when he says that? Or hit by a celestial lightening strike. His bragging about what being" a star" allowed him to get away with spoke volumes about his attitude toward women. Anyone who dismisses it as "just talk" misses the point. Women are not playthings, nor are they property to be disrespected in such a manner.
All this to say, that, in response to the growing legion of women coming forward, many ask why now? Why not then? And, the response that makes me want to throw things, that the world is turning on men . "These women" are conducting a war on men, are ganging up on the poor darlings.
Ahem, pointing out that being white and being male ( and being rich in many cases) gives one protection and, more often than not, advantage, in this world, is not waging war with those with the advantage. Nor is decrying unfair or downright criminal behavior "publicity seeking".
The coming forward of women to support the stories that his own taped words outlined ( and later tried to claim was just " locker room talk") is not a conspiracy. And Selma Hayek's, who has nothing to gain by it, coming forward to describe her own experience, is not a attention-seeking behavior. Why now? Because it is being denied now, and because it needs saying now. And because woman are feeling safe enough to come forward now.
In America, in this time, it should not need be said that our black citizens ( criminal or suspects or innocent) should have the same odds of survival as whites citizens. It should not need be said that women's bodies are their own, and back the hell off. But as long as it still happening ( which it is, no matter how deeply you bury your head in the sand) we will keep making noise, and refuse to take it any more. Just because it doesn't happen in your life, doesn't mean it isn't out there. It isn't war on those it doesn't happen to, it is war on those who do it.
Black Lives Matter rose up over the sheer fact that a young black man is several times more likely than a white one to die in traffic stop. In what may appear to be a stand off, it is shoot first, ask questions later. A black man selling cds illegally dies for " resisting" , a white man who murders in cold blood is taken alive. A thousand different examples. The policeman says they had reason to believe the person had a gun. There was no gun, but they " believed " there was one. Thousands of daily examples of men stopped for being black in the wrong neighborhoods. It happens every day, and someone had enough. Black Lives Matter. Because they didn't say the unspoken " too" or the words , " just as much as white ones", the critics could not wait to say that ALL Lives Matter. Well of course they do, Einstein. That is the point. They all SHOULD, but it is obvious that in many cases black lives matter less than others. The idea was, in essence, how dare these people declare themselves ( more ) significant? If only they would behave, these things wouldn't happen. Uh HUH.
Likewise, a rising up of women in their outrage in the despicable treatment of women as objects for their use by Trump, and men like him, gave rise to the reaction, that , well why didn't they say so before? Seriously? In a world and a Presidential race where a crude, insulting, angry, arrogant jerk who makes fun of the disabled, catagorizes women by their looks, has bragged he can do what he wants because he is a star, and threatens to sue anyone who speaks against him, and claims media bias, while his female opponent is told to smile more, be less practiced and polished, made fun of for her laugh and her pantsuits, is called "nasty" when she answers back, are we supposed to believe that this is not still a male centric society ?
I do not know a single woman who has not experienced some form of sexism, if not out and out sexual assault. In my early career, I was asked why I should receive a requested transfer since I was engaged to be married, and would probably get pregnant and quit? At a later job, when told that my ambition was to be in Marketing, the HR guy laughed and said all those people were downtown, and that they were all men. Two later female bosses felt the need to be tough and heartless, because " you had to be a man in a man's world". And the examples go on and on, well into the present day. The casual cat calls in the street, the comments on their bodies, the unwanted attention on public transportation, the " smile, sweetheart, be nice" the comments on appearance that is fair game for female, never for males. Women who call out their aggressor are accused of being attention-seeking, trying to cause trouble, character assassination.
Trump is dismissive and insulting about women, yet claims that " no one respects women more " than he does. How he does not spontaneously combust when he says that? Or hit by a celestial lightening strike. His bragging about what being" a star" allowed him to get away with spoke volumes about his attitude toward women. Anyone who dismisses it as "just talk" misses the point. Women are not playthings, nor are they property to be disrespected in such a manner.
All this to say, that, in response to the growing legion of women coming forward, many ask why now? Why not then? And, the response that makes me want to throw things, that the world is turning on men . "These women" are conducting a war on men, are ganging up on the poor darlings.
Ahem, pointing out that being white and being male ( and being rich in many cases) gives one protection and, more often than not, advantage, in this world, is not waging war with those with the advantage. Nor is decrying unfair or downright criminal behavior "publicity seeking".
The coming forward of women to support the stories that his own taped words outlined ( and later tried to claim was just " locker room talk") is not a conspiracy. And Selma Hayek's, who has nothing to gain by it, coming forward to describe her own experience, is not a attention-seeking behavior. Why now? Because it is being denied now, and because it needs saying now. And because woman are feeling safe enough to come forward now.
In America, in this time, it should not need be said that our black citizens ( criminal or suspects or innocent) should have the same odds of survival as whites citizens. It should not need be said that women's bodies are their own, and back the hell off. But as long as it still happening ( which it is, no matter how deeply you bury your head in the sand) we will keep making noise, and refuse to take it any more. Just because it doesn't happen in your life, doesn't mean it isn't out there. It isn't war on those it doesn't happen to, it is war on those who do it.
I don't know what to title this one.
It is beyond my ability to truly wrap my mind around the sense of outrage that has arisen against people who dare to express their own outrage at injustice or unfair treatment, or , more especially, systemic inequality.
Black Lives Matter rose up over the sheer fact that a young black man is several times more likely than a white one to die in traffic stop. In what may appear to be a stand off, it is shoot first, ask questions later. A black man selling cds illegally dies for " resisting" , a white man who murders in cold blood is taken alive. A thousand different examples. The policeman says they had reason to believe the person had a gun. There was no gun, but they " believed " there was one. Thousands of daily examples of men stopped for being black in the wrong neighborhoods. It happens every day, and someone had enough. Black Lives Matter. Because they didn't say the unspoken " too" or the words , " just as much as white ones", the critics could not wait to say that ALL Lives Matter. Well of course they do, Einstein. That is the point. They all SHOULD, but it is obvious that in many cases black lives matter less than others. The idea was, in essence, how dare these people declare themselves ( more ) significant? If only they would behave, these things wouldn't happen. Uh HUH.
Likewise, a rising up of women in their outrage in the despicable treatment of women as objects for their use by Trump, and men like him, gave rise to the reaction, that , well why didn't they say so before? Seriously? In a world and a Presidential race where a crude, insulting, angry, arrogant jerk who makes fun of the disabled, catagorizes women by their looks, has bragged he can do what he wants because he is a star, and threatens to sue anyone who speaks against him, and claims media bias, while his female opponent is told to smile more, be less practiced and polished, made fun of for her laugh and her pantsuits, is called "nasty" when she answers back, are we supposed to believe that this is not still a male centric society ?
I do not know a single woman who has not experienced some form of sexism, if not out and out sexual assault. In my early career, I was asked why I should receive a requested transfer since I was engaged to be married, and would probably get pregnant and quit? At a later job, when told that my ambition was to be in Marketing, the HR guy laughed and said all those people were downtown, and that they were all men. Two later female bosses felt the need to be tough and heartless, because " you had to be a man in a man's world". And the examples go on and on, well into the present day. The casual cat calls in the street, the comments on their bodies, the unwanted attention on public transportation, the " smile, sweetheart, be nice" the comments on appearance that is fair game for female, never for males. Women who call out their aggressor are accused of being attention-seeking, trying to cause trouble, character assassination.
Trump is dismissive and insulting about women, yet claims that " no one respects women more " than he does. How he does not spontaneously combust when he says that? Or hit by a celestial lightening strike. His bragging about what being" a star" allowed him to get away with spoke volumes about his attitude toward women. Anyone who dismisses it as "just talk" misses the point. Women are not playthings, nor are they property to be disrespected in such a manner.
All this to say, that, in response to the growing legion of women coming forward, many ask why now? Why not then? And, the response that makes me want to throw things, that the world is turning on men . "These women" are conducting a war on men, are ganging up on the poor darlings.
Ahem, pointing out that being white and being male ( and being rich in many cases) gives one protection and, more often than not, advantage, in this world, is not waging war with those with the advantage. Nor is decrying unfair or downright criminal behavior "publicity seeking".
The coming forward of women to support the stories that his own taped words outlined ( and later tried to claim was just " locker room talk") is not a conspiracy. And Selma Hayek's, who has nothing to gain by it, coming forward to describe her own experience, is not a attention-seeking behavior. Why now? Because it is being denied now, and because it needs saying now. And because woman are feeling safe enough to come forward now.
In America, in this time, it should not need be said that our black citizens ( criminal or suspects or innocent) should have the same odds of survival as whites citizens. It should not need be said that women's bodies are their own, and back the hell off. But as long as it still happening ( which it is, no matter how deeply you bury your head in the sand) we will keep making noise, and refuse to take it any more. Just because it doesn't happen in your life, doesn't mean it isn't out there. It isn't war on those it doesn't happen to, it is war on those who do it.
Black Lives Matter rose up over the sheer fact that a young black man is several times more likely than a white one to die in traffic stop. In what may appear to be a stand off, it is shoot first, ask questions later. A black man selling cds illegally dies for " resisting" , a white man who murders in cold blood is taken alive. A thousand different examples. The policeman says they had reason to believe the person had a gun. There was no gun, but they " believed " there was one. Thousands of daily examples of men stopped for being black in the wrong neighborhoods. It happens every day, and someone had enough. Black Lives Matter. Because they didn't say the unspoken " too" or the words , " just as much as white ones", the critics could not wait to say that ALL Lives Matter. Well of course they do, Einstein. That is the point. They all SHOULD, but it is obvious that in many cases black lives matter less than others. The idea was, in essence, how dare these people declare themselves ( more ) significant? If only they would behave, these things wouldn't happen. Uh HUH.
Likewise, a rising up of women in their outrage in the despicable treatment of women as objects for their use by Trump, and men like him, gave rise to the reaction, that , well why didn't they say so before? Seriously? In a world and a Presidential race where a crude, insulting, angry, arrogant jerk who makes fun of the disabled, catagorizes women by their looks, has bragged he can do what he wants because he is a star, and threatens to sue anyone who speaks against him, and claims media bias, while his female opponent is told to smile more, be less practiced and polished, made fun of for her laugh and her pantsuits, is called "nasty" when she answers back, are we supposed to believe that this is not still a male centric society ?
I do not know a single woman who has not experienced some form of sexism, if not out and out sexual assault. In my early career, I was asked why I should receive a requested transfer since I was engaged to be married, and would probably get pregnant and quit? At a later job, when told that my ambition was to be in Marketing, the HR guy laughed and said all those people were downtown, and that they were all men. Two later female bosses felt the need to be tough and heartless, because " you had to be a man in a man's world". And the examples go on and on, well into the present day. The casual cat calls in the street, the comments on their bodies, the unwanted attention on public transportation, the " smile, sweetheart, be nice" the comments on appearance that is fair game for female, never for males. Women who call out their aggressor are accused of being attention-seeking, trying to cause trouble, character assassination.
Trump is dismissive and insulting about women, yet claims that " no one respects women more " than he does. How he does not spontaneously combust when he says that? Or hit by a celestial lightening strike. His bragging about what being" a star" allowed him to get away with spoke volumes about his attitude toward women. Anyone who dismisses it as "just talk" misses the point. Women are not playthings, nor are they property to be disrespected in such a manner.
All this to say, that, in response to the growing legion of women coming forward, many ask why now? Why not then? And, the response that makes me want to throw things, that the world is turning on men . "These women" are conducting a war on men, are ganging up on the poor darlings.
Ahem, pointing out that being white and being male ( and being rich in many cases) gives one protection and, more often than not, advantage, in this world, is not waging war with those with the advantage. Nor is decrying unfair or downright criminal behavior "publicity seeking".
The coming forward of women to support the stories that his own taped words outlined ( and later tried to claim was just " locker room talk") is not a conspiracy. And Selma Hayek's, who has nothing to gain by it, coming forward to describe her own experience, is not a attention-seeking behavior. Why now? Because it is being denied now, and because it needs saying now. And because woman are feeling safe enough to come forward now.
In America, in this time, it should not need be said that our black citizens ( criminal or suspects or innocent) should have the same odds of survival as whites citizens. It should not need be said that women's bodies are their own, and back the hell off. But as long as it still happening ( which it is, no matter how deeply you bury your head in the sand) we will keep making noise, and refuse to take it any more. Just because it doesn't happen in your life, doesn't mean it isn't out there. It isn't war on those it doesn't happen to, it is war on those who do it.
Saturday, July 9, 2016
A Summer Saturday
I forced myself to get up early this Saturday, in order to watch my beloved Wimbledon. It has been a very long week at work, with long days and impossible deadlines, and more tasks than any one person can do. I am weary of others telling me, "well, I am out of the office (on vacation, on the road, at a conference...) so I need you to handle this". Meanwhile I have a stack of things that must be done before I go on vacation, that I despair of getting done, and have no idea who or how to train someone to be the back up for the backup girl. See job description, " maid of all work," and then some.
So, I got up, tired, and watched the Women's final ( you go, Serena!) and tried to perk up. Then the Men's Doubles( no Bryan brothers, sigh.) and mostly felt like I just wanted to go back to sleep. Two days off from work means I don't have to answer the phone or email, but I need to get a couple of work things done in order to be able to face a week of crushing volume and short deadlines.
And the world is not a pretty place this week. Two young black men were shot by police in, to say the very least, questionable circumstances, which were videoed. Not surprisingly, protests rose up. One in Dallas was seemingly under control under the carefully watchful eyes of the Dallas police. Then some idiot ( not the right word, it will come to me) started shooting the Dallas police force. As if that helps police all over the country be less likely to shoot first and ask questions later of the next black young men they stop. It is so very sad( again, not a strong enough word) that families of color have to instruct their sons on how to carefully react to a police stop, however unjustified, so that they may live. And I am infuriated that some knee-jerk jerk's first reaction is that if they only had followed direction, if only they were respectful, and on and on, ad nauseum. Really! You think not following directions is the issue here?
I try to remind myself that my problems are not life threatening, and the state of the world is something I can do my best to change by my attitude, by my words, by who I elect.
Then I made myself some strong tea and French toast and ate my spirit up a notch. And again remind myself that my personal problems are not life and death, that I am in position to make a dent. Not a huge dent, but a dent. By my words, spoken and written , by my support of those who can make a bigger difference than I can on my own. Certainly by speaking out against the hate and fear. Even if it is only with my letters to the editor. Someone will see them, maybe someone will think.
One starfish at a time.
So, I got up, tired, and watched the Women's final ( you go, Serena!) and tried to perk up. Then the Men's Doubles( no Bryan brothers, sigh.) and mostly felt like I just wanted to go back to sleep. Two days off from work means I don't have to answer the phone or email, but I need to get a couple of work things done in order to be able to face a week of crushing volume and short deadlines.
And the world is not a pretty place this week. Two young black men were shot by police in, to say the very least, questionable circumstances, which were videoed. Not surprisingly, protests rose up. One in Dallas was seemingly under control under the carefully watchful eyes of the Dallas police. Then some idiot ( not the right word, it will come to me) started shooting the Dallas police force. As if that helps police all over the country be less likely to shoot first and ask questions later of the next black young men they stop. It is so very sad( again, not a strong enough word) that families of color have to instruct their sons on how to carefully react to a police stop, however unjustified, so that they may live. And I am infuriated that some knee-jerk jerk's first reaction is that if they only had followed direction, if only they were respectful, and on and on, ad nauseum. Really! You think not following directions is the issue here?
I try to remind myself that my problems are not life threatening, and the state of the world is something I can do my best to change by my attitude, by my words, by who I elect.
Then I made myself some strong tea and French toast and ate my spirit up a notch. And again remind myself that my personal problems are not life and death, that I am in position to make a dent. Not a huge dent, but a dent. By my words, spoken and written , by my support of those who can make a bigger difference than I can on my own. Certainly by speaking out against the hate and fear. Even if it is only with my letters to the editor. Someone will see them, maybe someone will think.
One starfish at a time.
Sunday, May 1, 2016
Mothers Day and many more
I am looking forward to this Mothers Day and seeing my Mom, who is always so happy to see me. She is 84, 85 in December, and I know she is not immortal, but neither can I imagine my world without her physical presence.
I am reminded that the last Mothers Day that my father was alive, was one in which we had no idea that he would die of cancer before the year over, indeed that by Fathers Day, we knew that we would likely lose him before the next one, which we did. He was gone by October, just after his 75th birthday.
I will go to this Mothers Day aware that it could be the last I have with her, and fully expecting that she will live a very long time. But appreciating every celebration.
I am reminded that the last Mothers Day that my father was alive, was one in which we had no idea that he would die of cancer before the year over, indeed that by Fathers Day, we knew that we would likely lose him before the next one, which we did. He was gone by October, just after his 75th birthday.
I will go to this Mothers Day aware that it could be the last I have with her, and fully expecting that she will live a very long time. But appreciating every celebration.
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