This is one of those days when I’m tempted to shrug it off with the explanation, “All work and no play makes Judy a dull girl.” I have nothing outstanding to report from my day—or maybe I do—and the national news did not inspire me to comment. One report I read was full of minute by minute reports of jury selection in the trump trial—well, ho hum! I’m waiting for something blockbuster to break loose, or maybe at least for Stormy Daniels’ testimony. And, mostly I guess, I’m waiting to see what the decision will be. You hear so many things—some pundits say this is the most consequential of trump’s trials, and other say it will be impossibly hard to prove that he had felonious intent. I’m not holding my breath. It seems to me the American public is going to have to consider, when they vote, not these cases and their many delays which may well stretch out beyond our November elections. What they must consider is the no former American president has ever stood trial for a felony nor ever been indicted on 91 counts. Meantime, I am really tired of trump everywhere in the news.
Otherwise, the international
news is discouraging. Netanyahu is promising revenge on Iran where, if I’m not
mistaken, he started the pissing war that is taking real human lives. I once
saw a map that showed Israel’s geographic place in the vast Middle East—it is
but a tiny dot. You’d think Netanyahu would realize the precariousness of his
position, but I suspect he’s gloating because Israel’s defense network was able
to deflect most of the attack, which of course is a good thing in terms of
lives saved. That doesn’t mean they will always be able to do so. To me, they
are like David and Goliath—only this time I’m not so sure David has
righteousness on his side. I weep for the people of Israel and for the people
of Gaza. I don’t know much about it, but I like the name of a group that sends
me emails: Win without War.
And Mike Johnson has still
refused to bring before the House a bill that would aid Ukraine and Gaza. He is
so in thrall to trump that he does whatever the former, twice-impeached
president wants. And trump apparently wants revenge on Ukraine because Zelensky
refused to support his attempt to smear Biden during the 2020 election campaign
and also is in thrall to Putin because he admires blind power. What a chain of thralldom
they present. And how directly they violate the principles of American
democracy. As for Johnson, I am tired of pseudo-sanctimonious Christians. There
is no question in my mind that the American people at large understand the
importance of supporting Ukraine and, despite our long ties to Israel, the
humanitarian need in Gaza.
One of the things I’ve
increasingly come to believe is that compassion and empathy are always more
effective than punishment. I believe with all my might it holds true for our
whole correctional/penal system which needs a massive overhaul. It is true in
our treatment of the homeless—countries and local communities which have
responded with compassion and provided homes and stipends for the homeless have
seen that some large percentage go on to build productive lives. What do we
accomplish by criminalizing those who would feed them, kicking them out of
their encampments but offering no alternative. It is true for immigrants—in communities
where they are welcomed, they become contributing members of society. “We have
to stop criminalizing poverty.” When we yank lunch programs from children who
are food-starved, we create a rebellious segment of society; feed them, and
they become contributing members of our society.
Okay, I’m wandering around
tonight 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 Ghost
Kitchen, wrote a blurb and copy for Amazon. Then, with perfect timing, I
got the beta reader’s comments. Lots for me to think about as I dig into yet
another trip through the manuscript but basically good comments. He thinks it’s
a book that will work. So now I have a project, and that makes me happy. Watch
for a cover reveal soon!
Tonight my friend Mary V. came
for supper. I had grave doubts what I intended to feed her—the spinach dish I
didn’t make for my chef friend last week because I had no spinach. Now I had
spinach, saved from my kitchen fail with spinach and scrambled eggs. Not a good
start. But I chopped the spinach, added more salt, sauteed in butter and melted
cream cheese—which made creamed spinach. I heated heirloom tomato slices, piled
the spinach on top of them, and topped with grated cheddar. Ran the whole thing
under the broiler—it was delicious. Mary brought grits; I added marinated
cheddar, just a few cubes each, and cucumber salad, and called it a hodgepodge
dinner. Mary called it a success.
So I have a positive reader’s
report, 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 dreams
tonight. But no dog news. I leave you with this quote from Ann Lamott: Courage
is fear that has said its prayers.
Sleep tight, my friends.
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