Caffeinated Politics

Several events occurred today that put into perspective where we stand as a country and as individuals. How people express themselves at a time of highly fraught issues playing out hourly, and how we need to step back and find our personal comfort zones.

For at least 15 years, I have been a part of a classic country music online group, concentrating on music from the 1940s through the 1970s. I relate to the themes that, at times, develop conversations about songs that were performed and recorded before electronic instruments were added. Such as when Roy Acuff was determined to fight off electric guitars being used on the Grand Ole Opry. But this morning, I came across comments that were not related to music but instead about the dangerous actions of the Trump Administration.

I think Kent, Thomas Buskhagen, Phil in England, Andrew in Tasmania, John in Canada, Graeme Freeland, and Willem Agenant are all lucky enough not to live in our deteriorating hellscape.

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I was raised to trust and believe in the US – in school, in the army – but in under a year that has changed completely.

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Let’s hope we get back to “normal” before too long…over here we’re holding our breath, and waiting for the midterms..😕

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It’s amazing how many people hate Trump. Yet he got re-elected! I think somebody put insanity into our drinking water.

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Yeah, there are many reasons why people vote the way they do. Kamala’s sex and race lost her many points in racist minds. Too many people stayed home. Voting should be a requirement of citizenship, as it is in some European countries.

It was not the content of the messages that struck me, but the very fact that they were registered publicly. The frame of mind of a growing swath of the nation, who, before, had stayed silent have found that it is no longer possible. The consciousness of the nation has been lit with a calling to push back and stop the unconstitutional, immoral, unethical and callous behavior of this administration.

It took a second cup of coffee this morning before I noticed one of winter’s annual delights on Lake Monona. Soon, James and I were dressed and heading out with the camera in hand. We took along two books to be dropped off at our local Little Library box. We have four of them in our neighborhood. One of them is a miniature version of the house on the plot of land. Talk about carpentry skills!

But before we were even at the corner of our lot, a hearty hello came from behind us. A man we see from time to time (more so in warmer months) greeted us with, “Welcome to Spring.” It was, after all, 23 degrees. He lives 40 miles away in Blue Mounds, but loves this part of the Madison isthmus and often walks and talks with locals.

It was last year when he showed me how the leaves of our Pagoda dogwood, which has strong, fibrous veins, stay connected when the leaf is bent and stripped in one move of the green foliage. What is left is a skeletonized leaf. I had fun showing this to neighborhood kids as they passed while I was tinkering with flower beds. One boy wondered if he could take a few leaves and show his sister. Of course.

When I asked Joe what brought him to the lake this weekend, he said the news makes it essential to find a place where calm and soothing thoughts can be found. I could certainly understand. Then I pointed to what had drawn my attention.

The freezing, thawing, refreezing, and the pressure of ice create these incredible eruptions. These are small compared to what is in the offing.

It is imperative for people to stand up and speak out in defense of our nation, Constitution, and the rule of law and order. It is also essential that we find our center and relish in the small things that bring smiles and hope.

Fight hard for your nation and also seek that place of inner calm.