Portland, Oregon

Portland, Oregon

Monday, January 16, 2017

A Mix of Things

The view from my patio.

Isn't snow supposed to melt? This morning I made an attempt to order groceries from Safeway's Home Delivery Service. Not going to happen. Their schedule is booked solid. We are out of a lot of things but not yet to the point of going hungry. May try takeout delivery if we're unable to get out in the next couple of days.  Bob had an appointment with the cardiologist this morning that we rescheduled for February. Enough already!
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I've been reading like crazy these past few days. It's no secret there are many things I admire about President Obama. One is his appreciation for reading. Here's the link to a fascinating article: President Obama on What Books Mean to Him. I encourage you to read it.
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Another interesting article is from The New Yorker: The Music Donald Trump Cannot Hear. The recommendation for this one actually came from a conservative journalist.

I found the closing paragraph powerful:

There's no point in studying history if we do not take some lesson from it. The best way to be sure that 2017 is not 1934 is to act as though it were. We must learn and relearn that age's necessary lessons: that meek submission is the most short-sighted of policies, that waiting for the other, more vulnerable group to protest first will only increase the isolation of us all. We must refuse to think that if we play nice and don't make trouble, our group won't be harmed. Calm but consistent opposition shared by a broad front of committed and constitutionally-minded protesters--it's easy to say, fiendishly hard to do, and necessary to accomplish if we are to save the beautiful music of American democracy."
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From what I'm reading the email inboxes of Congress are full. That is apparently not the best way to register your opinion. Phone calls, even if you have to wait, and letters are more effective. We must make our voices heard.

22 comments:

  1. That photo is beautiful. We were trapped for about five days once and ran out of toilet paper. A neighbor was able to share.

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    1. Toilet paper is one thing we will never run out of. Bob buys it from Costco in bundles the size of a Volkswagen bus.

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    2. Hahaha! You are so funny! And clever! I buy toilet paper the very same way!

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    3. So do I... now! We store it in the garage.

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  2. Snow I could get through. The freezing mist that has been falling all day, prevents me from even walking to the car!!!

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    1. Freezing rain is our weather forecast for tomorrow.

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  3. We are fortunate to have missed the snow and ice this time. Looks like we won't be dipping down below freezing again for another week. Sorry to hear that your weather mess is restricting you so severely. Hopefully the thaw will set in by tomorrow night.
    You mentioned in your comment yesterday that since we live in progressive states, writing, calling our congresspersons isn't going to help much. I know. I have thought about letting them know that I appreciate their work and stand behind them. What else can we do, Linda? I really would like to know.

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    1. I just ordered from Safeway's home delivery service but couldn't get a delivery time before Thursday afternoon. Hopefully we'll be able to get out before then but tomorrow's forecast is for freezing rain. Then we begin heavy rains for about a week which will be unpleasant for us but terrible flooding in a lot of places. Linda, I'm very concerned about freedom of press in this country. I'm also concerned that Trump is getting all the media time with his antics and there's no focus on Congreve and what they're doing. I feel helpless for a way to make my voice heard but I'm incredibly thankful to be living in a blue state. I'm picking out some Senators and Representatives that will be names I Google to see what's going on. One is going to be Senator Diane Feinstein for the Russia investigation. I have tremendous respect for her and she's on the front line of all this. She amazes me. It's hard to believe she is 83. I hope she's been mentoring young women through the years. Al Frankenstein has been doing a good job in the confirmation hearings. We're going to have to all become investigative reporters to stay on top of the facts.

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    2. That's Al Franken, not Frankenstein. No thanks to auto correct, I should have proofed what I typed.

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  4. Trump seems to do we;l with twitter! maybe twitter will work.

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    1. He would be smart not to Twitter. His tweets do not help him.

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  5. Loved the article about Obama views on books. I can't wait until he, Michele and Biden all come out with their first books after leaving the White House.

    My senator, Debbie Stabennow, is making me proud. And I agree with you about Al Franken and Diane Feinstein. I also have the same concerns about our free press. It's a cornerstone of democracy and if Trump gets his way, he'd drive them all out of business.

    I wish we could get delivery of groceries and fast food here. Pizza's about the only thing.

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    1. I hope Biden makes a few bucks when he writes his book. He isn't all that wealthy. He's one of the poorest among senators, congressmen and modern-day VPs. Not poor, but poor in comparison.

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  6. I just read the two articles you linked. The New Yorker article is especially compelling. I now, too, share your concern for freedom of the press, and more especially, the integrity of the press.
    I think it's time for me to make my list of Congressmen (or women!) to stay in contact with, and take up writing letters to the editor again. I too am struggling with how to take action.

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    1. I've decided I'm going to write some letters of encouragement. Two that I would suggest would be Pramila Jayapal, a new Representative from your state. The other will be Kampala Harris, a new Senator from California. On paper she sounds very good, possible presidential material. They're going to need support and encouragement.

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  7. I can't imagine being unable to get out for your groceries and supplies! Once, a few years ago, we were housebound with ice and incredibly low temps that had our water frozen for days! I remember when Louis Dean and I ventured out to Whataburger! It felt like we had overcome!
    However, your view from your patio would go a long way to bliss in my estimation. I love the very thought of that view and well remember the ones from my trips to Colorado in skiing season. That view reminds me of prayers and memories and experiences. I love that moment of looking at the snow and the feelings I would visit.....I have done a lot of deep thinking looking at views such as yours.

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    1. Have to admit the view is breathtaking. We do need food however. It doesn't snow a lot here and usually goes away quickly so I didn't buy up a lot of supplies. If I had it probably wouldn't have snowed at all.

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  8. I loved the article about Obama and books. I am going to miss him as President SO, SO much. I have not yet forced myself to read the second, but I will, just need one more cup of coffee.

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    1. I hope you will read the second article. I believe you will find it interesting. I'm in mourning over the Obamas leaving. After being spoken to and treated with respect for eight years I's finding it hard to accept being treated with so much disrespect.

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  9. That's a gorgeous snow photo. I do love snow -- the fresh, clean look, and the smell in the air. Eventually it all turns melty and dirty, of course, but everything's got a price, I suppose.

    I laughed at the toilet paper comments. That's part of the traditional hurricane stash, too. Some things are wants, but some things are needs -- especially now that the Sears catalogue is a goner.

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    1. My husband absolutely loves Costco. He is such a belt and suspenders guy that we have enough toilet paper to stock a neighborhood grocery store!

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  10. Having lived through so many Florida hurricanes, I am always stocked up on essentials and food. Arkansas is so mild this year, I probably won't need any of it but toilet paper doesn't go bad.
    I too will miss Obama. What a class act he was and what a crass act who will follow.

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