Watching the Republican Convention

I am at a loss for words.  Everything I write sounds like a rant.  For more than a decade the Republicans loudly have said that up is down, green is red, shouting louder and louder blatant lies as truth.  Now, this year, the Republican Convention seems like a bad flu dream.  I am so appalled at the constant spewing of rabid hate, I just don't know what to say.  I keep looking for a story to tell but all I can think of is Pinocchio but that's too tame.  Maybe there's a Grimm's fairy tale that might shed light upon what is happening to our country politically.  I am at a loss for words.

Fifty Years

Fifty years ago today, Bob and I were married in a modest ceremony in my home church in Alhambra, CA.  Weddings were simpler then, we had a cake and cookie reception at the church.  Bob always remarks how accepting and modern he was to be married by a female minister back when it was not usual.  It's not comprehensible to me that so many years have passed.  We have been blessed with a wonderful life including three wonderful children.  We have been side by side sharing the load for two-thirds of our lives.  We have had many adventures.  We have both worked hard and accomplished al lot.  We took our three children and their families to a Swedish inspired B and B (Lillaskog) up in the mountains on the way to Yosemite, for three days last week.  We rented the whole place and did all the cooking ourselves.  Everyone helped.  The grandchildren frolicked, inside and out.  We all were happy and had a great time.  We went blackberry picking and Paul made two delicious pies.  The children enjoyed feeding the chickens our food scraps and collecting fresh eggs.  We went swimming at the local pond  (Rainbow Pond fed by the S. Fork of the Tuolomme River) complete with a waterfall and a cliff to jump off.   And we had a party completed by a sock hop with 50's and 60's music.  Those grandkids can really dance!!!  We all went into Yosemite where we enjoyed a lunch at the Majestic (old Ahwahnee) Hotel in the Valley.  Everyone, even the children, relaxed and enjoyed the food and the marvelous ambiance.  We all walked on to Mirror Lake, where Arne met Karna 8 years ago.  The children played in the water and climbed on the rocks.  As Bob and I watched, we were amazed at all that has happened in the last 50 years.  As the old folks always say, "I don't feel that old.  Where did the time go?"  It's been an amazing Fifty Years!

Overwhelmed

The events of the last week have left me feeling overwhelmed, silenced, without words.  I am so shocked and deeply saddened yet again by more police killing of black men.   I am horrified by the mass shooting of five white policemen by a black, probably mentally ill veteran.  Will this rage and violence never end?  We have worked so hard for so long, yet there are so many guns, so much incendiary verbal political violence and so much fear, injustice and racism still around.  Thank goodness for President Obama's words in Dallas yesterday which consoled and inspired me to hope Americans can do better.  These are difficult and dangerous times.  There are no easy solutions to the big complicated problems we have.  We need leaders who can call forth the better angels of our human nature and inspire us to work together for future that includes good for all people.  We can start by seeing the humanity in every person, however different from ourselves.  At a deep level we all want and need the same things - a safe place to live and raise our family,  enough food and health care, work,  a community where we are known and respected,  freedom to worship as we choose.  And don't let me forget a good education for every child to become the best they can be.  I hope we can keep our hearts open to each other, as Obama said so eloquently and not be distracted by hateful rhetoric providing easy answers.

Not Just Another Birthday

The day started like most any other day - make the coffee, get the newspaper.  It was a cold and very foggy morning.  But it wasn't just any other day, it was my birthday and not just any birthday, but my 75th.  I don't know what I expected turning so old, but nothing changed.  Change comes mostly so gradually I don't recognize it is happening until suddenly I do and am usually very surprised.   I got many wonderful phone calls, special cards and emails and many Facebook posts all wishing me a happy day.   I felt very feted!  The kids and their families and my best friend and her husband had all arrived by 5 o'clock, from as near as San Francisco and Palo Alto and as far as Michigan and the U.K.  Each addition brought their own unique zestiness and excitement.  Liam wanted "to work a job" with Grandpa in the workshop.  That attracted some of the girls too.  Later as we gathered for dinner, the level of chaos and excitement grew, like the energy in Ravel's Bolero grows to a crescendo.  I gathered the grandchildren  to decorate the cake and left them alone in their work with whipped cream and blueberries and pink birthday candles.  They did a great job and were so excited by the blaze of candles as the cake was presented.  They raced around and around the dinner table, squealing and laughing in great joy.  It was a moment I want to remember.  I have learned that each time we gather, each moment really,  is a special and unique event that will never happen again.  We ate cake, talked and laughed.  I opened presents and the children played with the Lego until we turned on the TV to watch fireworks in Washington DC.  The dense fog outside made watching anything from here impossible.  It was a most special day.  Having my loved ones here all of us together and so happy is the very best present I can possibly imagine getting.