AN EVEN CHANCE

Checking balance
Whatever happened to balance. In the past

we strove to live on an even keel. Admiring

and emulating those who taught us to avoid

extremes. Considering their options in order

to maintain an amalgam of perspectives fed

from a range of influences. However now it

seems that such an ideal of an open heart or

mind has been usurped by rabid extremism.

One where you must pick a side and never

waiver. A perspective which deems the very

concept of evolutionary thought as suspect.

Let alone learning from our mistakes. Thus

few if any are willing to meet half way.

Catch as catch can
Instead we opt to deny the obvious and reject

cooperation. And all who don't agree with us.

Such an approach to thinking not only limits

our options - it stunts any growth. Which is

exactly what is happening all across America.

Rather than gather together we choose to grow

further apart. The result is an ever widening

gap. The ultimate manifestation of dissent.

To the point where many of us have given up.

Rather than even attempt to counter irrational

dogma with common sense. Causing me to

wonder if we can ever truly become "The

United States of America." Are we doomed?

Room with a view
While considered highly opinionated by many - 

I'm always willing to consider any alternative.

And give everybody a second chance. That's

because I've seen our world and it's inhabitants

evolve. Changing their minds. thoughts, words,

and deeds. What was taboo is now embraced

by most. Hence whether we're willing to admit

it or not - most of us adapt to our circumstances.

The key is breaking down barriers rather than

erecting further obstacles to our growth. In the

end simply talking things out makes our world

a better place. And an even playing ground for

all involved. Can't we all have an even chance?

BUSTED

Opposites detract
As I write this blog a filibuster is about to be

held in the Senate. All because Republicans

fear a non-partisan commission focused on

the January Sixth Insurrection. Said archaic

parliamentary obstruction dates far back to

ancient Roman times. And while not outlined

in our constitution has been a practice in the

Senate since 1789. Yet said stonewalling was

rare until racists found it the perfect tool to

battle integration. Then of course you have

the Senate under the Mr. McConnell. Whose

goal is to vowed block all legislation but his.

Whether it's good or bad for this country.

What the muck?

So what are we the people to do. Citizens elect

leaders to do just that - lead. Which within our

democratic republic means meeting somehow

in the middle. Its very structure is designed to

facilitate detente, capitulation, cooperation, and

a common goal. Sadly in our modern political

climate neither the two shall meet. Both sides

preferring to point fingers as they volley barbs

across their great divide. Neither side willing

to give in. Let alone treat all with respect. The

result being an impasse. Such an impenetrable

political barrier handicaps forward momentum.

Sort of like a large, festering swamp.

Self inflicted goons
Sadly our leaders inability to work together is

a primary reason why Mr. Trump was elected

president. His promises of draining said rancid

milieu offered hope to many. Yet ultimately

his thirst for power drove him to join the party

- as in Republican. And thus embracing rather

than rejecting it's inability to get anything done.

Four years later, President Biden is attempting

to work across the aisle. To collaborate. Only

to find that nobody wants to lose. Hence we all

lose. How can America ever bust through this

archaic impasse? When we the people finally

decide to change our representation. It's time.

TOO MUCH OF A BAD THING?

Enough already
This morning a news pundit suggested we

Americans are willing to overlook Donald

Trump's crimes against humanity. In that

any controversy about the man is old news

post two impeachments, several House sub

committees, and an infamous Muller report.

Then of course there is his continued efforts

to promote big lies about 2020 Presidential

election results. As his Republican cohorts

try to make the January Sixth insurrection

disappear. Hence the fact that Donald and

his company are the focus of lengthy N.Y.

grand jury hearings is of little consequence. 

From bad to worse
In other words - the worst he gets - the more

jaded we become. Shocking as it may seem,

most have a very limited attention span. Plus

the majority of Americans willingly jump to

conclusions. Especially if they support their

opinion. Therefore more than half of us have

already convicted him. While the balance see

him as a victim of circumstances. While we

need to move on - it's important to hold those

who break our rules (laws) accountable. Thus

turning the other cheek or making Mr. Trump

an exception to all rules violates everyone's

rights. What happened to justice for ALL?

Equal opportunity
Recently a mysterious envelope from the

Internal Revenue Service came in the mail.

With fear and trepidation we opened it to

find a congratulatory note from Mr. Biden

about recent covid relief. Having been the

focus of IRS intervention we know that it's

impossible to avoid the inevitable. So why

shouldn't Mr. Trump et al be investigated

for deferring his hare earned cash from our

nation's coffers? Can't our collective desire

to move on end with holding Mr. Trump

accountable? Or is over exposure a good

enough excuse to let him off the hook?!

Ain't that a kick in the head?

There I go again
Usually I'm an optimist. By my very nature

I consider the glass half full. Said positive

outlook enables me to overcome just about

any obstacle. However there are times when

positive intent doesn't cut it. As in the pain

from a migraine headache. Said process of

debilitation not only hurts like hell but turns

me into a negative nelly. During such times

nothing eases to pain - even positive intent.

Hence for the last few days I've been a head

case. Knowing that ultimately this too shall

pass. And that until that day of redemption

I'm destined to be absolutely miserable. 

Too much of a bad thing
Let me stop you before you attempt to offer

any home remedies, new meds, or the like.

I've suffered from migraines all of my life.

Hence I've tried everything. Soul numbing

medication. Vitamin therapy. Dietary edits.

Acupuncture. Meditation. Dark rooms. Sun

glasses. You name it - been there - done that.

All to no avail. Thus at least for me the only

way to survive such a painful interlude is to

grin and bear it. Waiting for the day when

suddenly the cloud lifts. Meanwhile simply

functioning is a battle. That said I'm doing

my best under such negative circumstances.

Light at the end of the tunnel
Honestly, my problems are nothing compared

to others. I can't imagine what suffering from

chronic pain or a longterm disability is like. It

is hard enough surviving a bad day let alone

an endless cycle of torture. All the reason that

to treat those out of sorts with the kindness and

respect they deserve. The older we get the more

one realizes how precious good health is. And

that once it's violated or threatened, life itself

becomes a tenuous struggle. So while my head

may hurt - I must remind myself that it could 

be worse. Therefore I'm blessed to be healthy

and soon... happy. Tomorrow is another day!

MONDAY MADNESS

From the get go
Mondays are always hard for me. In a past life

they were the kick off of a new week. Hence

depending on where I was employed I looked

forward to or dreaded the initial day of a week.

Now my Mondays are in a day off. "Me" time

to complete everything I couldn't finish during

the prior work week. Along with those chores

that must be done at some point. Like cleaning

out the fridge, grocery shopping, or scrubbing

the oven racks while said hot box self-cleans.

Necessary evils that most certainly are anything

but glamorous. Yet somehow the end results of

such tasks yield the ultimate in satisfaction. 

Where did I go wrong?
Part of me can't think of a better way to spend

the start of each week but on themselves. If

circumstances were different I'd be down the

block at Bergdorf's. To shop and grab lunch.

Or up at the Met to see the latest exhibition.

I also spent ninety minutes being pummeled

mercilessly on the massage table. All of such

indulgences are things of the past. Now my

thrill is doing laundry, grocery shopping, or

ironing. So help me... exactly when, where,

and how did things go wrong? Or is taking 

are of myself and Frank the ultimate splurge?

Could self maintenance be all about "me"?

Down and dirty
Few if any of us like housework. And yet there

is little more self serving than the joy of a clean

house. I actually enjoy dusting. Then carefully

rearranging whatever was moved in the process.

As stated prior - I love polishing silver in that it

guarantees immediate gratification. What I hate

is getting down and dirty on the lowest level - 

the floor. That could be because my knees aren't

what they used to be. But somehow I feel that

vacuuming, sweeping, mopping, and such are

beneath me. Thus I need an attitude adjustment

from the ground up. In the hope that I can rise

above my challenges before next Monday!

Stranger things have happened...

Snow fairies
This morning we awoke to 4-5 inches of snow

and temperatures in the high twenties. Causing

us to wonder how Frank's garden will survive

beneath said white deluge. A few weeks ago

my eldest daughter lost all of her lilac buds and

many other tender varieties to a very late frost

in Michigan. So we are not alone. Except that

"E" and her sister "M" are complaining of the

heat there and in Chicago. As we are literally

freezing our garden assets. All confirmation that

one never knows what's going to happen next.

Nor do we have any control over the weather

or our fates. Yet somehow life goes on,

Angels amongst us
A few days I got my annual birthday missive

from a dear friend in Colorado. However it

lacked her usual glad tidings. Instead there

within she shared that her husband had been

diagnosed with a cancerous brain tumor. And

that post surgery - he could not walk and was

about to give up. Suddenly a letter arrived in

the mail from a young lady whom he'd once

encouraged artistically. Thanking him for

"saving my life". Along with encouraging him

to continue to make a difference. The next day

he walked fifty feet. And yesterday returned

home where he belongs. A modern miracle.

Strangers in paradise
Who knows what tomorrow may bring? Our

only guarantee is that somehow the majority

of us will tackle whatever comes our way. 

Post one more frigid blast central Montana

will return to spring. Soon nature will self-

correct. Which is exactly what all of us must

do no matter what may happen. Like it or not

we've no choice. Thus my need to offer up

a pep talk to myself. And all who are patient

enough to read it. This too shall pass. Hence

miracles still happen. Who knows? Maybe

Mitch McConnell will see the light? Stranger

things have happened! Just wait and see!

REALITY versus PERCEPTION

Now and then
I have to admit I'm not surprised and hence

extremely disheartened. Since the January 6th

attack on our capital many Republicans have

changed their tunes. From Kevin McCarthy

on down a sizable number of our red leaders

have opted to revise their stories. Claiming

said event was either little more than a group

of tourists or the work of Antifa leftists. All

as video evidence of said events along with

their initial reactions show us the contrary.

Proof that some of us choose to see things

differently from what they truly are. Crafting

our own fantasies to usurp reality.

True or false
Which is nothing but a poor excuse for recent

video releases of police body camera footage

proving abuse and murder of black men. The

majority of which provide a visual record that

is contrary to prior police claims. Hence sans

said video evidence - some of us have literally

gotten away with murder. An injustice that is

an offense against ALL Americans. No matter

their color, creed, or class. However the truth

tends to be warped in our cyber world where

falsehoods are boldly celebrate as truth. And

facts are ignored or flatly rejected. The end

result giving criminals an unfair advantage.

All or nothing at all?
Recently someone asked me about a protest

held last June post George Floyd's murder.

The story is "ten" leftists held a Black Lives

matter rally. When in truth over forty local

patriots gathered to support liberty, justice,

and equality for ALL. Key principals upon

which our democracy is based. So tell me

how anybody could perceive patriotism as

improper? Assuming the worst of friends

and neighbors just because somebody said

so. Such misperception warps reality. Which

is exactly what our enemies want to happen.

Anything but the truth is to their advantage.

SPRING FLING

Here today... gone tomorrow?
Here in central Montana we've been amidst

a spring awakening. Lewistown's trees are

budding but still sans leaves. Our lilacs are

weeks away from blooming. The tulips add

new color on a daily basis. Our dual local

greenhouses are almost sold out of plants.

The result of weeks of warm weather. Thus

most of my family, friends, and neighbors

have filled their pots and garden beds with

annuals, vegetables, and tender varieties.

Which makes the next few day's forecasts

beyond terrifying. In that the experts say

temps will dip below zero for 2-3 nights.

Hidden treasure
Before I forget let me add that off and on the

forecast calls for snow Friday, and Saturday.

Hence as is often the case here in Lewistown

Mother Nature is showing us who is boss. It's

bad enough that our growing season is short.

But what's worse is that somehow every year

some cataclysmic natural phenomena sets us

back. Sometimes it's snow. Other times it's

a hard frost. And finally there is always the

threat of hail. And so locals leap into action.

Moving their potted prizes into their garages

and barns. As they cover their gardens with

tarps and such. And then silently PRAY.

Before it's too late
If nothing else this seasonal torture is a not

so gentle reminder to smell the roses while

we may. Along with the harsh reality that

patience is a key skill when gardening. No

wonder our neighboring ranchers are more

than jaded. Suffering from advanced cases

of post traumatic stress syndrome caused by

weather related destruction of their crops.

Yet lest any of us forget - there is nothing

as glorious than spring in Montana. When

our prairies and mountains turn green as far

as the eye can see. Only to soon turn brown

in the summer's heat. Enjoy it while it lasts.

CRAZY TIMES

Crazy ain't it?
Honestly - you couldn't make stuff up like this

if you tried. The current recount in Arizona is

being conducted in a stadium known as "The

Madhouse". Which is adjacent to the "Crazy

Times Carnival" held on the state Fairgrounds.

As of now amateurs, conspiracy theorists, and

Trump loyalists are conducting a hand recount

of Arizona's 2020 presidential election results.

Examining each ballot under a microscope to

insure the ovals have been manually filled in.

Checking that the folds are proper. And also

exposing them to infrared lights to see if there

is any bamboo fibers in the paper. Nuts huh?!

Looney tunes
All per the bidding of elected GOP honchos in

the Arizona State House. Who are if nothing

else obviously sore losers. This last ditch effort

being not only an assault on our democracy but

an endangerment of our freedom, liberty, and

justice. As with most things insane one hopes

that this soon shall pass. That somehow rational

thinking will usurp extremism. However such

a positive result requires ample time, patience,

and perseverance. Fortunately history always

reveals the truth of revisionist times such as

this. Hence I'm optimistic that sanity will in 

the end prevail. Or am I the one whose nuts?

Crazier things have happened
All of this insanity can be traced back to one

lunatic. A megalomaniac whose lies warp the

minds of many Americans. Unable to accept

reality Mr. Trump is perfectly willing (and

possibly able) to destroy our democracy. All

in order to prove that he's a winner not loser.

If that weren't crazy enough an army of his

acolytes freely embrace his falsehoods. As

Albert Einstein once said -  "The definition

of insanity is doing the same thing over and

over again while expecting different results.

Hence we'll continue to be subjected to such

crazy antics until we finally put an end to it.

I HEAR YOU...

Noise pollution
Recently a friend lost patience while waiting

in line to order a cup of coffee. A gentleman

sitting on the far side of the joint felt a need

to aggressively spout his conservative views

to all within earshot. The result was not only

intrusive to all but offensive to some. Hence

when my buddy had enough - he told said

ranting red type to "put a lid on it." Sadly it

seems we're living in what must be deemed

a cultural shift. Where courtesy and decorum

are usurped by arrogance and rudeness that's

forced upon others in the name of "freedom". 

Thus there are times when we must speak up.

Garbage in - garbage out
Often I find myself dreaming of kinder, gentler,

and quieter times. Especially when it comes to

modes of transport. Here in central Montana

many men feel the need to over compensate for

their short comings. Thus those who probably

sport the smallest of male accoutrements drive

about in massive trucks. Apparently their only

way to get a rise is by gunning big engines sans

mufflers. Obviously tone deaf they apparently

assume misery loves company when they drive'

about town. Leaving behind a trail of air and

noise pollution. Damn rules of the road - they

run it! So it's their way... or ear plugs.

Ear and now
It's not just those big wheels. Here in town

many movers and shakers travel via souped

up mini vehicles or motorcycles. Zooming

up and down our city streets at noise levels

that require ear protection. Assuming that

their thirst for speed usurps other's need to

sleep. Or enjoy their back yards. Hence all

I dream about is the day when electric rides

replace combustion engines. A fantasy given

we locals protest rather than embrace change.

Therefore it is highly doubtful that things

will quiet down in Montana. Physically or

politically. Why not we listen to each other?

7th Day Surprise: GET FRESH

Plant a seed...

Spring is here and so it's time to tend one's garden.
Starting anew means a fresh start.
Who knows what the outcome will be?
However whatever happens
something is sure to blossom.

CAN YOU DIG IT?