Trump … self-described “VERY STABLE GENIUS” …

--- paid three million dollars ($3,000, 000. !) for a recount of the presidential results in the key battle ground state of Wisconsin last week, claiming that there was fraud and that he had won !

Yesterday the results came in. After ballots were counted and counted again Joe Biden decisively won Wisconsin by more than 20,000 votes.  It seems that even a "very stable genius" could figure out that it's a lot of money to be squandered on a lost cause.

Wisconsin certified Joe Biden today ! 

A breathe of fresh air …

 Yesterday I watched as President Elect Joe Biden introduced his cabinet picks. He gave a short introductory message and then had each one of them say a few words. It is obvious that they all have the qualifications and experience needed to fill these posts. Since some of them will require Senate approval the list may change but it was like a breath of fresh air to watch and listen to the seven of them.

They look and sound like “real” Americans … representing a cross section of our population. It's such a stark contrast from the Trump sycophants who bow to HIS wants and not what's good for the country. Also these seven picks made it clear that they would speak “truth to power” if and when it's needed. Joe Biden encourages that and it's what Trump wouldn't think of allowing.

I guess it's silly to get teary-eyed over a bunch of politicians but I actually feel like I can breathe again. January 20^th can't come soon enough for me !

Slope Point, New Zealand

Another interesting place found while on my random research. (Something I've been doing to try to get my mind off tRump and all his insanity.)

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Slope Point is a very apt name for this southernmost tip of New Zealand where the trees grow sideways and slope to the ground. It's all due to the heavy winds that occur all day every day.

Slope Point is sparsely inhabited, apart from the sheep that dot the landscape. Sheep farmers planted the trees to give their flock shelter from the immense strength of the wild winds.

My niece Wendy spent time in New Zealand and she told me that the same winds attack a waterfall near the Milford Sound on the South Island. Here you see how the waterfall is being blown backward up the cliff due to the high coastal winds.

These bridges aren't built … they're grown !

I've been doing a lot of researching lately. It's a great way to fill in the hours while isolating due to the Pandemic and here's an example of the sort of amazing things that I've learned.

Look at these two bridges. They are in the Northeastern depths of India and were GROWN, not built. It's in an area called Jaintia hills, a humid and warm area where a species of Indian rubber tree thrives. The Ficus elastica produces powerful roots and, although it takes many years, the inhabitants have grown many of these bridges.

Sometimes, the roots of the trees are simply pulled, tied, twisted, and encouraged by hand to merge with each other, until, over time, they form the desired architectural structure. Other root bridges have also been made by creating scaffolds and training the young roots out across these temporary structures.

As I said… it can take many many years to grow a bridge but that doesn't seem to bother this pipe smoker … he has all the time in the world !

 

 

My ray of hope …

Well it's been a rough 4 years for me as it has for many, but thankfully that is about to change. Of course, Trump is finishing his term in typical fashion by putting his fragile ego far above what is good for the country, but that is no surprise. What did surprise (and sadden) me was how many people voted for him. I've given that a lot of thought and am sorry to say that, other than just dividing our nation, I think it proves that racism is alive and active in our country. I think the “browning of America” is what so many dread but they know it's not politically correct so they keep it hidden and that is true racism.

So, what is my “ray of hope”? It actually comes from my granddaughter who turned 18 earlier this year. To say that she and her friends are politically active is an understatement and they have a big plus on their side. Unlike the older white generation they have grown up side by side with people of all colors, ethnic differences, gays, lesbians, people of wealth and poor people, AND, best of all, they accept each other. They believe in the power of youth to create social change and they are not shy about it.

So, keep it up Faye ! Your future, and that of the world, depend on the energy, wisdom and activism of those like you and Greta Thunberg.

 

U.S. PRESIDENT ELECT JOE BIDEN

 Doesn't that have a sweet ring to it? I feel like I can breathe again !

I hope the world outside our walls can forgive us for the past 4 years of isolation, hatred, denial and greed. This is not the America that I've cherished for years and I can't wait to become part of the big wide World again … with all of it's joys and sadness, quirks and challenges ! 

Totally disgusted ...

I cannot believe that a large portion of America seems to be happily slurping around in the swamp with the current President.  Whatever has happened to the soul of America???????????

God help us ...

 

         November 3^rd