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.
I typed this twice, then noticed I missed typed Falcon as Dalcon and rhey for they. In life you can miss speak and you learn to live with it. I decided to let these words show typing in real time… has the same issue.
There are things you just know… does not matter if you if you lack any actual knowledge; you just know! A person is “bad” just because. It’s going to be a good trip (my gut tells me) and why bother checking things out (since it will only confirm what you already believe.) Some times what you thought would be “trash” is. Other time you got it wrong… and sometimes it is just not worth the effort to see. But if you never challenge your assumptions how do you know how close or how far you are from what is true. How can conversations take place if you know the other person has a closed mind? Who wants to see how closed one own mind is? Sometimes you just tip your toe into the unknown….
In my search for the best price of things… I often get outraged at the price!! Then find out I had “rushed to judgment”. I was looking for a book “From slavery to Freedom” by John Hope Franklin and found it in digital form for $93.75 and hard copies for less than $10.00. Only later did I realize that this text book had been out since the 1940’s with many editions. The digital was edition 9 (paperback $123.00) and the under $10.00 edition 3. It is easy to jump to conclusions when we don’t take time to consider all the context.
Last week the movie theater started showing movies again… all were old releases. This week one of the 6 movies being shown was made in 2020 the other five go back as far as 2009. The local JC Penney will not reopen… except to sale what’s left. The bowing alley has restarted the leagues (although I wasn’t fully ready to fist bump every time someone picked up a spare or had a strike). I may even go for a hair cut.
In my yard I saw this big hawk sized bird… but when I got my camera I was left with a squirrel to aim at. Such is the way things are you get what you can…
As I listen to voices today… I am struck by the fact the I see a United States that has improved so much since 1963. Yet I hear about how much it has not. That by now things should be better than we are right now. We have waited too long. It has been 57 years since 1963. In 1963 the view was it has been 100 years since…
In 2020 the crowds are more diverse than in 1963. The leaders (those in office, police, military is more diverse) and those who loot and set fire is more diverse. The response is “world wide” and if we keep our eyes on the prize and use the vote to cement change greater good for all can come from this.
What is equality to have all treated the same? Or to see the value of each person and to treat others in a manner we wish to be treated? In 1963 well dressed and respectful I could be removed from a store just for the color of my skin. In 2020 it takes more than that!
I find that every holiday brings a certain level of gratitude to my spirit and well being. I find goodwill and thoughts of others has a way of lifting clouds of doom and despair. It’s like that question: “list one good thing about?” there is always one thing good you can say… even if it may seem silly (good hair; dresses well) the fact that you can see more than bad may lead to a road of positive and what is wrong with that!
I like a good deal…some are like lemons and you can turn them into lemonade. Other deals are like a rotten apple and need to be tossed into the trash just moments before the garbage truck drives by. Sometimes a good deal is what you least expect… a sight you see in your car or a $4.99 typewriter or where a old movie leads you to.
