Today is July 4th, Independence Day, the day we stop to enjoy a summer picnic or barbecue and celebrate our great nation with a parade and fireworks, yay us! Only not so much anymore. It no longer feels like we're the home of the free and the brave. The United States of America is now a place of hate, greed and ugliness.
I've never been a big flag-waver, but at least I felt some pride in what my country stood for ("in our America"), what the generations that came before fought for. Now I fear for what the generations coming after are going inherit. This America is no longer one I recognize.
What does this photo have to do with the day? Nothing really. Other than I've always loved her expression. She knows bullshit when she hears it. She suffers no fools. She knows what really matters. BTW, this is not one of the many plant-based black and white photos Andrew has given me over the years. Nope, I picked up this one up myself, back in my 20's. She looked like the kind of older lady I hoped to become one day.
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Although I recognized that it was almost inevitable, I was particularly disappointed to launch the holiday with the orange guy's bloated bill favoring billionaires. Thankfully, it's been relatively quiet (albeit not silent) on the local fireworks front so far even if California's already had at least 3 major firework accidents, each apparently resulting in one or more deaths.
ReplyDeleteI was holding out a small bit of hope the bill would fail, of course there was very little chance of that happening. Last night was very loud here, I just hope they got it out of their system.
DeleteI feel the same. I'm not celebrating the fourth either. I love this country and its ideals, but more and more I am coming to realize that, despite the mythology, this nation was founded with the idea that might makes right and that everything is permissible if you have enough guns and money. It saddens me to see that Americans are so glib about giving up their civil liberties in exchange for cheaper eggs (which they still don't have.) They are going to learn the hard way that those with money and power have nothing but contempt for those who don't. I keep telling myself that the darkest hour is before the dawn. These are dark times, but hopefully a better construct will emerge eventually. Even the most brainwashed of Americans will take note when their belts keep getting tighter and tighter.
ReplyDeleteVery well said.
DeleteHello from the pizza oven that is Phoenix right now. I noticed that one of my garden watering pails was a frequent stop for birds, so I’m setting up a fountain for them (and of course, for me). I was looking for inspo and came across your website. I guess I shouldn’t be surprised or disappointed that you made a political statement here. But I am. I’m not a fan of this administration either. But I also was not a fan of the last one, and our government in general. But having now visited or lived in over 50 countries now, including some extended stints overseas, I’m very grateful to be here. We are blessed to live in the USA. Happy 4th!
ReplyDeleteThere was a brief time I considered moving to Phoenix (I have a brother there), I am so glad I did not. I like sunny and warm, a little hot. But what you all are enduring over the summertime is beyond that. I appreciate your perspective as one that has lived in other countries, that's certainly something I have not experienced.
DeleteYes, summers can be tough, but I'm growing the plants I love like citrus, figs, pomegranates, sapotes, mulberry and sugarcane (which I think is a highly underrated garden plant). So all good.
DeleteNo celebrating here either although we rarely do. I detest noise and fireworks anyway. Phillip
ReplyDeleteOMG... so much noise! Supposedly illegal, yet going on loudly until almost 3am. I just don't understand it.
DeleteThat is 1 great photo. The cleared land, the shovel laying on the ground behind the lady, the trunk-protecting tube at the base of the little tree, the carefully made--windbreak? Sun protection? for the newly planted--Avocado(?)--is it the first tree of their new orchard? The lady's expression--is she looking at her husband? Her child? A newspaper reporter? She seems to be waiting patiently, privately bemused, as if the photographer has to fiddle with the camera. She did not plant the tree--the knees of her pants are clean. Is it spring and a bit chilly, because of her warm sweater? Is it Sunday after lunch, and the massive job of planting out the orchard begins Monday morning?
ReplyDeleteSo many questions!
As to celebration, me neither.
I am thrilled you enjoyed the photo and love the ideas you postulated.
DeleteWhat other era of American history was better? When were we, as a country, more tolerant of racial, sexual, ethnic, etc. difference? When did we have less poverty, more education, more technology? If you struggle to answer these questions, consider that you might be catastrophizing.
ReplyDeleteThis probably explains why you're feeling like you do: https://www.astralcodexten.com/p/the-psychopolitics-of-trauma. (No, it's not partisan.)
I'm not sure our technology is making our lives all that better. There is not a single body of water in the world that is free of PFAS and microplastics. Cancers are
DeleteThank you for your comment. I think back to just a few years ago when health insurance was something all Americans had been given access to, when a woman had the right to chose what happened to her own body and her future, when gay marriage was legalized, when people weren't being snatched off the streets by ICE agents because of their skin color. As for the three things you mention; poverty, education and technology. The homeless situation here in Portland is pathetic, and who can afford higher education these days? Only the very wealthy. As for technology, I definitely enjoy what technology has made possible, but I do fear where it's headed. AI terrifies me...
DeleteWe used to have President that were not convicted felons.
DeleteYes that right there. So very true, just that makes a mockery of it all doesn't it? Then there's the pardoning of all the criminals from January 6th.
DeleteI am not celebrating either. I am frustrated, angry, and yes, sad. I am 79, and having to live with this misery now is not in any way what I expected. The environment is one of my biggest concerns. However, not supporting and helping the less fortunate is also really bothering me. I could go on, but I won't! I love the photo of such a pleasant looking lady!
ReplyDeleteI look at my grand niece and wonder what her future holds. So many things I thought were changing for the better have been repealed.
DeleteSo right. I feel the same about my great-grandkids.
ReplyDeleteWas not feeling celebratory at all this 4th of July. Everything is so messed up and just wrong. It’s all going in the wrong direction and it just keeps going day after day like some convoluted nightmare. And it’s happening so quickly! I don’t consider this catastrophizing it’s reality and it sucks. That being said, A little girl once told me there’s always hope. I never forgot it. There is always hope.
ReplyDeleteAgreed, it's not catastrophizing if you're paying attention. And there there is always hope.
DeleteBeing a naturalized American I don't dare to comment.
ReplyDeleteI don't think many people are in the mood to celebrate this year.
ReplyDelete