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.
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