She's Back!

Willa Tries for a Selfie

I was puzzled to find these odd pictures as part of a recent download. Then I reconstructed the event: Willa went with me to town; I had my camera, lens up, on the seat beside her. Evidently she managed to hit the button and take our picture. 

I didn't hear the shutter snap, as I was listening to a book on tape. Next time I hope she gets her face in frame.

It's Beginning to Look . . .

It must be the season of peace on earth, good will to all.

The fella at the bridge has his Christmas display out . . .

And I've starting making some little child-safe, pet-safe ornaments . . .

In spite of the fact that the rose by our steps has put forth a bud . . .

And in spite of the really appalling anti-Muslim rhetoric -- and worse than rhetoric, physical brutality -- displayed by some violent, ignorant Americans toward any they perceive as Muslim.

I've done a bit of long-distance learning about the Muslims among us -- the women who are afraid to wear the hijab for fear of being singled out for abuse, the mothers who have to have talks with their children on how to deal with a hostile environment at school, the families who must think in terms of a worst-case scenario where all Muslims are rounded up   . . . or worse. HERE is an excellent, eye-opening letter from an American Muslim. I highly recommend it for all who, like me, are far removed from any Muslim communities . . . and, really, for everyone else.

It's heartbreaking to see the ugly side of so many Americans being inflamed by fear-mongers who would use that fear for their own political gain. The specter of Nazi Germany looms large in this peaceful season. Could it happen here?

I am heartened to see that at last many people are speaking out against hateful Islamophobia and calling attention to the good and peaceable Muslims that are a part of the fabric of our society. May the voices of men of good will drown out the shrill, hate-filled rants of the fearful. (One example from Russell Simmons HERE.)

 Peace be with you ~Asalam 'alakum ~ Peace on earth, goodwill to men.

No Captions Needed

Gearing Up . . .

Moving gradually into the Christmas season . . . planning menus, wrapping presents, making presents . . .

Packing away the fall decor . . .

It'll be another week before the tree goes up . . . but I'm almost ready to hear a Christmas carol or two.

Not As Simple As Black or White

The president's speech last night seemed to me eminently reasonable, rational, measured -- the sort of response I would expect from him.

 Not once did he hint that he was coming for everyone's guns. He did state that allowing people on the No-Fly list to purchase guns -- something  that many Republicans in Congress think is okay --  didn't make sense. 

He called the shooting in San Bernardino an act of terrorism and he cautioned again against demonizing all Muslims. He spoke of the dangers of getting involved in another ground war in the Middle East.

The right wing response was  sadly predictable -- to the point that I wondered if they'd been listening to a different speech. 

  

I've said before that I realize that each of us sees reality through our own filters -- upbringing, experience, education, prejudices, to name a few -- and I realize that my perception is surely tinged by my own filters.

But at this point in time, indeed for the past seven years, the polarization is so strong that our country is crippled.

What will it take to bring us together?  

As FDR said, speaking to the country during the Great Depression,"The only thing we have to fear is fear itself."

Alas, here and now that fear is being used to drive us apart and weaken the country.

And I think of another quote: "We have met the enemy and he is us."

(Thanks to Mario for pointing out that I was misquoting. Yes, it was Roosevelt, not Churchill that said that. )

Blue Benches and Cattails

Easily Entertained . . .

Spotted this sign on a SUV the other day and my imagination went wild.

Sensei Ninja Nanny-san will care for your little ones and teach them them meaning of respect and instant obedience. .

Nothing gets a toddler's attention quite like a throwing star just missing his ear when hurled by a black-clad attendant. 

Visit our dojo today and place little Liam or little Emma in the care of our superbly skilled instructors . . . attitude adjustment a specialty!

Okay, okay -- I'm sure it's not really like that . . . in fact, I expect a class in martial arts for young kids would be a lot better than video games or TV -- those electronic babysitters.

 But I do like the idea of a ninja turned nanny  . . . 

On a Welcome Sunny Day

Shock...Horror.. Disbelief... for the 355th Time this Year

The mass shooting yesterday in San Bernardino was, according to THIS ARTICLE in The Washington Post, the 355th this year. By the time this posts, there may well have been another.

As I'm writing this on Wednesday around 11 pm EST, it's not clear if the shooters were foreign or domestic terrorists. One shooter has been identified as Muslim and the hatred ("Round them all up!") is already surging. 

Funny, I didn't hear similar rhetoric about the recent Colorado Planned Parenthood shooter who has been identified as a Bible believer who felt all his sins would be forgiven.

I'm not sure it matters to the victims who are just as dead whether it was crazed ISIL supporters or crazed Americans with big guns and an agenda of some sort.

The simple fact is that guns, even military weapons of the sort designed for the sole purpose of killing a lot of people, are far too easy to obtain -- whoever you are.

And the response from many on the right? Again? 

 "If all those victims had just been armed . . ."

"Oh, and let's have a moment of silence and send our prayers."

Meanwhile, just hours before the San Bernardino shooting, a group of doctors delivered a petition to  Congress, urging a lifting of the ban that for almost twenty years has essentially blocked the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention from carrying out research into the causes of gun violence.

 It is these physicians' view that gun violence is a national epidemic, every bit as dangerous to national health as any disease that kills thousands of Americans every year. (Article  HERE)

As long as Congress receives massive donations from the NRA, our sick country will remain in thrall to the NRA and will never get better.

 A shooting every day has become the new normal.

Our country is in trouble.

A Shout in the Mist

Yesterday was grey and rainy but as I was driving in to Marshall this line of Bradford pears fairly shouted at me to take their picture.

I'm disappointed to see that my lens appears to have been fogged up ...

But these trees are such beauties -- and their beauty is enhanced by the repetition as they follow the curve of the yard.

Every year at this time, I make a plan to plant a line of Bradford pears somewhere on our place . . . and come spring there's always too much else to do. 

But I can always enjoy these.

Lee Smith and Miss Marple

What a treat! A friend brought me NEWS OF THE SPIRIT -- a collection of stories by Lee Smith that I had somehow never read.  And wonderful stories they are. (Lee Smith is who I would really like to write like.)  Her language (Southern) always rings true and she has a delightful sense of humor, whether she's writing about a college girl involved with one of her professors or an elderly woman in an assisted living facility who is kicked out of her writing group because she writes truthfully about the past. Very highly recommended! 

It may have been the story about the elderly woman that put me on a Miss Marple reading kick. I own almost all of the Marple mysteries -- in ragged paperbacks, some of which are held together by rubber bands -- but a while back there was a one day special on the Marple Collection for Kindle -- instead of $69 and change, I got them all for just under $7! (Thanks to Book Bub again.)

Miss Marple has always been my favorite of Christie's sleuths. Tommy and Tuppence are second. Hercule Poirot, while enjoyable enough, just doesn't bring me the same kind of pleasure, whether on the page or on the television screen.

Miss Marple pleases me because, despite her facade of a somewhat twittery old lady, she is as logical and cynical as they come. She is, moreover, completely ruthless when necessary. I loved her first through the books and then, oh then, I found the BBC series -- starring Joan Hickson. There can never be a more perfect embodiment of this fiercely competent  English spinster. Don't be led astray by later or earlier versions. Margaret Rutherford? Please. 

 As I was looking for these images I saw mention of a remake in which Miss Marple is much younger -- and a bookstore owner in California. I averted my eyes and scrolled on. The whole point is that Miss Marple, even as she ages and becomes frail (as in THE MIRROR CRACK'D) is still a force to be reckoned with. And the older I get, the more important that seems. 

Plus I really love Joan Hickson/Miss Marple's hats.