Monday all day long
This is one of those days whenI’m tempted to shrug it off with the explanation, “All work and no play makesJudy a dull girl.” I have nothing outstanding to report from my day—or maybe Ido—and the national news did not inspire me to comment. One report I read wasfull of minute by minute reports of jury selection in the trump trial—well, hohum! I’m waiting for something blockbuster to break loose, or maybe at leastfor Stormy Daniels’ testimony. And, mostly I guess, I’m waiting to see what thedecision will be. You hear so many things—some pundits say this is the mostconsequential of trump’s trials, and other say it will be impossibly hard toprove that he had felonious intent. I’m not holding my breath. It seems to methe American public is going to have to consider, when they vote, not thesecases and their many delays which may well stretch out beyond our Novemberelections. What they must consider is the no former American president has everstood trial for a felony nor ever been indicted on 91 counts. Meantime, I amreally tired of trump everywhere in the news.
Otherwise, the internationalnews is discouraging. Netanyahu is promising revenge on Iran where, if I’m notmistaken, he started the pissing war that is taking real human lives. I oncesaw a map that showed Israel’s geographic place in the vast Middle East—it isbut a tiny dot. You’d think Netanyahu would realize the precariousness of hisposition, but I suspect he’s gloating because Israel’s defense network was ableto deflect most of the attack, which of course is a good thing in terms oflives saved. That doesn’t mean they will always be able to do so. To me, theyare like David and Goliath—only this time I’m not so sure David hasrighteousness on his side. I weep for the people of Israel and for the peopleof Gaza. I don’t know much about it, but I like the name of a group that sendsme emails: Win without War.
And Mike Johnson has stillrefused to bring before the House a bill that would aid Ukraine and Gaza. He isso in thrall to trump that he does whatever the former, twice-impeachedpresident wants. And trump apparently wants revenge on Ukraine because Zelenskyrefused to support his attempt to smear Biden during the 2020 election campaignand also is in thrall to Putin because he admires blind power. What a chain of thralldomthey present. And how directly they violate the principles of Americandemocracy. As for Johnson, I am tired of pseudo-sanctimonious Christians. Thereis no question in my mind that the American people at large understand theimportance of supporting Ukraine and, despite our long ties to Israel, thehumanitarian need in Gaza.
One of the things I’veincreasingly come to believe is that compassion and empathy are always moreeffective than punishment. I believe with all my might it holds true for ourwhole correctional/penal system which needs a massive overhaul. It is true inour treatment of the homeless—countries and local communities which haveresponded with compassion and provided homes and stipends for the homeless haveseen that some large percentage go on to build productive lives. What do weaccomplish by criminalizing those who would feed them, kicking them out oftheir encampments but offering no alternative. It is true for immigrants—in communitieswhere they are welcomed, they become contributing members of society. “We haveto stop criminalizing poverty.” When we yank lunch programs from children whoare food-starved, we create a rebellious segment of society; feed them, andthey become contributing members of our society.
Okay, I’m wandering aroundtonight in philosophical fields, and I am much more at home with the concrete,with specific facts. So I will say today I went back to Irene in a GhostKitchen, wrote a blurb and copy for Amazon. Then, with perfect timing, Igot the beta reader’s comments. Lots for me to think about as I dig into yetanother trip through the manuscript but basically good comments. He thinks it’sa book that will work. So now I have a project, and that makes me happy. Watchfor a cover reveal soon!
Tonight my friend Mary V. camefor supper. I had grave doubts what I intended to feed her—the spinach dish Ididn’t make for my chef friend last week because I had no spinach. Now I hadspinach, saved from my kitchen fail with spinach and scrambled eggs. Not a goodstart. But I chopped the spinach, added more salt, sauteed in butter and meltedcream cheese—which made creamed spinach. I heated heirloom tomato slices, piledthe spinach on top of them, and topped with grated cheddar. Ran the whole thingunder the broiler—it was delicious. Mary brought grits; I added marinatedcheddar, just a few cubes each, and cucumber salad, and called it a hodgepodgedinner. Mary called it a success.
So I have a positive reader’sreport, with suggestions I understand and can see will make the book better,and I have served a good dinner. I think I’ll go to sleep with happy dreamstonight. But no dog news. I leave you with this quote from Ann Lamott: Courageis fear that has said its prayers.
Sleep tight, my friends.
