Saturday, June 27, 2020

politicking

I'm sorry about the lack of posts in June, and I thank the folks who have touched base in one way or another. I appreciate it very much. We are okay here, but it's been a tough month.

As long-time readers know, I rarely mention politics on this blog, and I don't intend to change that - twitter is where I do "my politicking" (in the words of the old Davy Crockett theme song). But this past month has been a very dark time in America, and while I've resisted writing about it here, I've also found it impossible to write about cheerful things.

So I'm just going to say this.

As a Very Serious youngster, I cut my political teeth early: on the Nixon years and Viet Nam. Protests and Kent State. Watergate. One of my first public performances (did I ever mention that from the time I was about 15 I used to write music and carry a guitar everywhere?) was at a concert on a city Common, encouraging Latino voter registration. I was too young to vote, but I could sing. So I did.

One good thing about coming of age in such tumultous times was that it set my political frame of reference wide. When Nixon was reelected it threw me for a loop, but it also pretty much surprise-proofed me in terms of politics.

Until 2016.

I've never entirely agreed or disagreed with the actions of any President, even the ones I've been most inspired or most disturbed by. But prior to 2016, I never imagined experiencing another presidency as deeply flawed at that of Nixon. I thought I had lived through the worst American presidency of my lifetime.

Now, after more than three years of near-daily moving of the decency goalposts by the GOP, the list of transgressions by the current administration is too long for me to even begin to enumerate, nor do I wish to. The unimaginable has become our daily fare, and there is no bottom. There. is. no. bottom.

Sadly, it seems to me that the UK is on an alarmingly similar trajectory. Still behind the US, but not by very much, I'm sorry to say. Not anymore.

But what's all this in aid of, this grimmish blogpost that perhaps no one will read (which is understandable and perfectly fine)?

It's this: I'm trying to get myself over the hurdle of non-communication that began in my mind when protesters were tear-gassed for a photo-opp by a would-be dictator holding up a Bible.

A Bible.

As a citizen of the US, I have a responsibility to pay attention, to seek information from valid sources and make careful judgements and decisions - not to look away and throw my hands up and leave it all to someone else. I have a responsibility to do what I can, however little that may seem to be. That's how democracy works, isn't it? I believe it is.

But despite the horror of recent weeks and the likelihood that it may well get worse before it gets better, I am also trying to find enough peace in my own heart that I can return to writing and posting photographs here. I miss sharing the little miracles of ordinary life. I miss our conversations in the Comments and emails.

I wrote this tonight to try to find my way back. I hope I have.

And for anyone who is still reading, thank you.

~~~~~





25 comments:

  1. I wrote a comment and now I'm wondering if it's disappeared....????

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    1. Sorry, this is the only comment that appeared. If you can bear to rewrite it, please do - it's always good to hear from you :)

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    2. I, of course, wrote a comment that was stunningly brilliant. It was witty, it was spot on, it told the truth and I was quite proud of it. And now I can't remember a word of what I said!
      I do know I said that your post was very well written. We all have a responsibility to do our part and make the world a better place, even if it's only in our own small sphere. If everyone did that we'd all be much better off. Being educated on the issues, whether they be political or regarding our health, or regarding race and religion is not only our right but our responsibility. I try to stay away from politics on my blog because I, like many others, feel there needs to be safe havens for people to come to. On the other hand, it's sometimes impossible to NOT say something because by not saying anything we are giving the impression that we're okay with what's going on. It's a hard balance.
      There - that's a second stab at a comment. I'm sure my first one was far more brilliant!

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    3. Thank you so much for coming back with a second comment that is "witty, spot on, and tells the truth." I think you can feel quite proud of this one, too :)

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  2. Nice to have you back. I find your drawings and photographs of the livestock and plant-life very comforting and will hope for the same for you. I grew up in the same time as you and also thought I had seen it all until 2016. It's hard not to react and respond to all that. But hanging on to things that are important to us is needed too. So I hope you will be back here often. And I hope to see more of Piper soon too! That face...

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    1. Thank you, kayT - I appreciate your perspective very much.
      And keeping Piper going - she turned 17 this Spring - is a big part of what keeps me going every day.

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  3. I've been worried about you and glad to see you trying to get back in here. I try to keep politics other than gotv out of my blogs, too, while I offer bits of comfort, ordinary doings. Otherwise I will feel the bad guys have won.

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    1. I think this is the 2nd political post I've written, out of 790...I'm comfortable with that ratio ;)

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  4. I meant that my part in stopping the bad guys is to celebrate daily ordinary events and sights. not sure I conveyed that, so here's try #2!

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    1. It's okay, Liz, I got that the first time. I was just responding to the "politics" part :)

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  5. Speaking of which I am about to go out and get a picture of the candy roaster squash trying to take over the world. Well, you did warn me!

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    1. LOL. Mine aren't taking over the world, but they do seem to be quite happy. I check on my plants every single day. :-)

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  6. I've been checking in and glad to see you. These are trying times to be sure.

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    1. Thank you, Jane, I appreciate your concern, and your comment :)

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  7. I hear you.
    I had all I could do to hold myself back from ranting on my blog.

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    1. If I start ranting on my blog it will be time to stop blogging.

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  8. Glad to see you. I unfortunately agree with you that things will get worse before they get better. It would be so nice to be wrong...

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    1. Thanks, Sally. I always hope for the best, but preparing for the worst seems sensible - and I don't even know what the worst can be this time. There's just so much.

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  9. I hear you also. There are days when I get upset that more people do not see what this man has done to our country. It isn't right and yes, I am afraid it will get worse.

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    1. It is very hard to understand. I don't understand it at all.

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  10. Oh Quinn, and here I thought you were just busy with goats and dog and writing and garden stuff! I too feel very sad--and angry-about what has happened to our country. And like you try to avoid being political on my blog, but it's not easy. I want to rant and rave and cuss but I guess that wouldn't be fittin' for a granny. So I try to share the everyday good things, as other said, to bring a little light to a dark world. Sending love and hugs!

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  11. I'm as stuck writing a comment as you've been about posting - so I'll just second Magpie's Mumbling. Glad you're physically OK in these difficult times, and hoping that the natural world that surrounds you, the goats, the cats and Piper keep you grounded. Take the time you need, but know that a whole bunch of us will be overjoyed when you have the heart to post again.

    Be well -
    Chris from Boise

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    1. Thank you, Chris. It may be more pictures than words for a while, but we'll see.

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  12. I am as shaken as you are. So I bury myself deeper into my oh-so-very-small sphere where I try to be kind to animals, raise awareness of wildlife's needs, and a few other small things. We like-minded people will find our way through this. I just hope that the would-be-dictator can be controlled before he becomes a real one.

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