Been snowed in for the past week. Read a book (Rabbit’s Blues: The life and times of Johnny Hodges by Con Chapman) which provided me with a new phrase to use: “Can a Moose Crochet?” Watched the documentary Jazz on a Summer’s Day which is a great way to see Louis Armstrong, Mahalia Jackson, Dinah Washington, Anita O’ Day and other’s as they performed at Newport in 1958. Then I went outside and took some pictures. With lots of time to reflect…
I was not at the Capitol when things happened… I can only go by what I saw and heard and read; I am sadden by it. I would like to believe that the majority had good intent to have a peaceful expression of their views. However the actions of a few impacts impacts us all. I will not lump everyone into a single label because our future depends on seeing the value of character, truth and common ground.
I believe it is not weakness to strive to understand… I believe that respect for the flag is to strive to bridge this gap of what makes America great. For me it is not needing 20,000 in uniform to have a peaceful transition of power. Without understanding between us how can we return to peace?
So far the fact that I turn 65 in 2021 has resulted in lots of calls from folks wanting to help me deal with Medicare. I try to be polite before I hang up… Dealing with 2020 I feel was a higher priority. I got out my 1903 Underwood #4 and looking at the page it produced one would think it was much younger than 117 years.
At 117 my Underwood can create pages better than the words my 64 year old brain can think of. However the joy of using this machine made the words type special to me because I used this machine. Sometimes that is enough to make the day a day of joy and wonder.
At the start of 2020 I had a long list of things I planned to do. Then things changed and my biggest plan became to “just stay healthy”… so far so good and it means that I have had great success. With vaccines… there is new hope that 2021 will bring back a measure of “normal”. I even went out and pumped up the tires on my bicycle. I did not ride but 2021 is near.
I drove by my polling place to determine where I will park tomorrow… I could have voted early but like to vote on election day. I like to think I might discover something that will impact my choices…
I get email and text messages from both Major Parties…. they still want money from me. I find that how this request is made has impacted my thinking. Do I believe that the only way a candidate can win is my contribution… that the only hope for saving America is sending in $10.00 now? Both Parties say only we can save the country… which seems to mean the only way to save America is to vote… does not matter who you vote for because each party will save the country. But that is just me being difficult!
I would rather spend my time seeing if a movie called: “The man who killed Hitler and then the bigfoot” is any good… but instead I am going thru my sample ballot trying to make sense of the amendments to the state constitution and if the Judges listed on the ballot should be retained…
I understand that we can say something and have others interpret what we say in a manner that was not our intent. Today some have the ability to use words in a way that conflicts; but mean the same thing to them. I wish there was a dictionary to let me know when “good” is “bad” and when “lie” is “truth”. When “fact” is “fake” and when “Opinion” means what is said does not count.
What you do when no one is looking is what makes the world go round. I will continue to believe when someone mentions seeing a “double rainbow” not call it “fake news” because it easy to deny than to believe.
I will still look for 4 leaf clover’s because they will bring me luck.
I will not step on cracks in the sidewalks… not because it may break someone’s back but because it makes walking along a sidewalk more fun.
I will believe that good will will outlast bad. That honesty takes you farther in life than lies. That it is good to think of good…
I was watching the DNC virtual convention and I thought I understood what I was seeing… until the commentators started to speak. Then I learned all the things I missed and what was a “home run” and the many messages being sent. I thought I was watching a roll call and wondered why a running total was not on screen. In fact I still don’t know what the final vote total is (not that it matters). But perhaps years from now my mind will spark and understanding will be clear.
I have a great dislike of lunch counters. Not because I fear rejection or arrest. No one will beat me for sitting down and expecting to be served. But I grew-up at a time when this was true and deep down I tell myself I just prefer sitting at table. I never fail to appreciate that in 2020 without thinking or batting an eye I have freedom of choice. Some say there is no such thing as a free lunch… sometimes lunch has been bought for us and I am grateful for it.
For three decades I have ridden my bicycle across the state of Iowa. If the ride was a “go for 2020” I could say four decades. I miss that I will not be able to say this until 2021. I think of the world today and the world only one year ago. So much taken for granted, the ease of being together and able to visit; travel, shop without thought or mask. I also felt that the divisions would fade; and ways to goodwill would rise like a morning sunrise with ease… all would simply have a new beginning.
No Iowa ride this year… but in my thoughts and mind I see and reflex on all the kindness and fun I found in Iowa each year. Each year people from all over the United States and the world would ride bikes. It seemed to me this was “America at its Greatest”. The rider’s from the Air Force would be offering a helping hand. Bike repair workers, police, fire department, health care workers, people ready at all times; to support all. As sure as the sun comes up in the morning a good time could be found on the ride. Regardless of what is happening today I know that the best of America is in people’s goodwill and kindness to others. Just thinking about it makes my day hopeful.
