Many Happy Returns

A few weeks ago while walking on a jungle trail in Costa Rica a small round rock caught my eye. It was lying on the edge of the path like a little round potato, maybe 2 or 3 inches across. I put it in a pocket and brought it home.

At home I saw that there were patches of moss clinging to the rock. I’ve started soaking it in cool water for a few minutes every morning, which inspires the moss to straighten up, unfurl, and display some green. I love this.

#moss

1. All the (Democratic) candidates are okay; the only important question is who can win.

2. Sometimes I think we can’t win without a candidate who revs up the young ones and the POC, hi Kamala, Cory, Pete, Julian.

3. Sometimes I think that the defining feature of the past 2.5 years is anxiety, so that we only win with a candidate who exudes stability and comfort, hi Joe.

4. If I happen to remember the Kavanaugh hearing, all I want is a woman candidate, hi Eizabeth.

5. Also, sometimes I frame the question in terms of my second cousin L____. Although L has been a Republican, I think she would vote for a Democrat who she did not perceive as an extremist, hi Amy, Kirsten, Sherrod.

What do you think, nonexistent readers?

Stay tuned, nonexistent audience, for photos from Costa Rica.

I generally assume that no one looks at this except me, but just in case –

I am updating my webpage.  If there is something you think should be publicized, I will consider it.

My biggest regret in life is that, although I worked for 50 years before retiring, I never had a job where I got to run from room to room shouting “Clear!” Or maybe I’ve just watched too many crime shows about the FBI?

Like a soup that is only checked intermittently, my mood this week is stuck in the narrow range between simmer and furious boil. For the first time in 67 years, my blood pressure is elevated. I’m just so mad. Kavanaugh is a liar! He is a partisan, sexist liar who doesn’t have the temperament for Chatham County district court! and so on.

And I’ve been So Grrr Mad at the Senators presiding over this naked power grab. How dare they! They are not playing fair! Right.

And exactly why is this surprising? Why exactly would I expect anything else? When have Overlords ever played fair?

There are several political realities that I want to set down, for whatever good it might do.

1.  The general, overall, structure of voting in this country dictates that we will always have a two party system, unless that structure is changed.
2.  The two parties, although they may have certain weaknesses in common, are not “just the same” or “equally bad.”
3. Election results are almost always close – a victory of 53 — 47 is a landslide victory.
4. Therefore, your vote really does count, because turnout is often/usually the key factor.

Retirement is starting to feel really real.

Count down every day to Inauguration Day in US, with your own customizable countdown clock.

Source: How many days until Inauguration Day in US?

We can’t wait that long.

#impeach

This shawl has found a happy home.

#knittersofinstagram

Waiting for the ferry to San Juan Island.

Hazy skies due to forest fires.

At present we have no national leader, no actual commander in chief – the person filling the position of “president” lacks any knowledge or understanding of world history, geography, or politics. He has no experience or understanding of the structure of our government, the legislative process, or the relationships among the branches of governnent. No understanding of the dances of diplomacy, compromise, or negotiation. No patience, maturity, or ability to see events from any perspective except how he imagines the event will affect the way others regard him. And no interest whatsoever in learning or changing.

The present situation is awful enough on a dull day. But, what if there is a serious crisis of some kind, any kind? What if circumstances arise in which we need a national leader or a commander in chief?

Truly, we are like small children left alone, hoping the house doesn’t catch fire.

This is a corner of the house where I grew up. I have always loved the color.

I have had a set of chakra stones in the back of a dresser drawer for years. I have no idea what chakra means or what the stones are supposed to do. I have mocked the whole idea of healing crystals because it sounds so improbable. But who knows?

At the zoo!

Just a reminder – despite all the news articles, Trump did not, in fact, make any changes to the military’s policy or practices with respect to transgender servicepeople (boy, isn’t THAT an awkward word).

All he did was post a few tweets on the subject.

During my 45 minute commute to work, blog entries seem to spring up fully formed, articulate, humorous or insightful, and perfectly composed, only to be promptly forgotten as soon as I park.

No more!  I am determined to post a little more often than the ‘never’ that has been the rule for awhile.  Stay tuned.