Yesterday I participated in a Sensory Awareness workshop in Berkeley. The pandemic brought workshops on-line on Zoom, and there can be power in that, but in person touch is a leap.
To begin, we brought one hand to our forehead, and eventually the other to the back of the head. Quite lovely, but then, someone else brought their hand to our forehead, and then, to the back of the head. A more profound and deep connection.
We held a bamboo pole to feel the pull of gravity, and the responding lift. We tapped each other’s backs. We sat back to back with another and simultaneously rubbed each other’s backs.
There were other experiments, other ways of awakening and touching into vitality, other ways of opening to play and returning to the spontaneity of childhood.
I’m with this now, the grounding vibration in my feet, signaling up to the top of my head, and deep into the core.
The poem Notes to Self above the Paradox Valley by Rosemerry Wahtola Trommer was read.
The whole poem is exquisite but I’m with how “You cannot shovel snow that is yet to fall.”
In 46 years of living here, I’ve never seen the fireworks right there in downtown San Francisco.This year I did, and it was spectacular. They shoot them off in two places so it’s quite a show with the fog adding a cooling taste.Music is played that matches the display. Quite emotional and stirring, especially this year when the Supreme Court is compromised and along with others is dismantling our democracy.
Music blares as people gather to celebrate. The fog moves in to listen. The sun adds her glow.BeautyAwe!A man proposes during the show!!6:08 the next morning!6:39 AM on July 5thAlong the walkway in San Francisco
The political news requires time in nature. Today I went to Cascade Falls amidst warnings to pack a go-bag. Fire season is here, and yet it’s beautiful as can be, and the truth is if a fire comes roaring I don’t think we’re going to “escape”, and so it is. Strange times as we navigate feelings of vulnerability amidst presence, beauty, and joy.
Fall into SerenitySun gives a pot of goldReflectImmerseDiverse
Looking toward San FranciscoCrabs scuttle on the rocksA friendly poseA gentle liftThe sea lion sculpture will be restored. Sculling in the morningLooking between Angel Island and Tiburon
I started reading Erik Larson’s new book The Demon of Unrest. It’s about the six months before the Civil War. He wrote it because it reminded him of today, and I’m drawn into it and see the similarities as to division.
I read Heather Cox Richardson as usual today and am struck by her emphasis on what Trump said. I never intended to bring politics into this blog but I feel things are at a critical point right now. There’s the Supreme Court corrupted by Trump and their recent decisions, and Trump’s connection with Putin. Read her today as I pull out a few paragraphs.
HCR: He said something else last night in his slurry of words that jumped out. Somewhere in his discussion of Putin’s invasion of eastern Ukraine in February 2022, Trump said: “Putin saw that, he said, you know what, I think we’re going to go in and maybe take my—this was his dream. I talked to him about it, his dream.”
HCR: In last night’s debate, Trump insisted that Putin never would have invaded Ukraine on his watch (although Putin in fact continued his 2014 assault during Trump’s term, and Trump tried to withhold support for Ukraine).
Last night, Trump claimed that the Ukrainians are losing the war and described how sad it was that their country is being destroyed (without mentioning that it is Putin’s unprovoked war that is doing that damage). He also significantly exaggerated how much money the U.S. has contributed to Ukraine’s defense.
So when Trump last night said about the 2022 invasion, “Putin saw that, he said, you know what, I think we’re going to go in and maybe take my—this was his dream. I talked to him about it, his dream,” it sounded as if he had been in on the Mariupol Plan. And when he talked about how the war needed to end, especially in light of Putin’s recent “peace” plan, it sounded as if perhaps he still is.
And he promised, yet again, that he and he alone could get Gershkovich released.
The Democrats need to rally, and when they win expand the Supreme Court to correct recent decisions intended to destroy our democracy. It’s not a time for division. We need to come together, yes, with discussion, but also with resolve to defeat Trump, Putin, and the Christian Right.
I feel Ruth Bader Ginsberg damaged her legacy by not resigning from the Supreme Court so someone with her leanings could be appointed. We are in dangerous territory with talk of replacing Biden as though we might want someone younger, we might not agree on who this younger person should be. That aside, President Biden was rated 14th by the 154 presidential historians who rated Trump dead last. They rated Trump the worst of all the U.S. presidents and that’s really saying something as they haven’t all been winners.
The Democratic party has always been complex as they work to embrace a multitude of people and viewpoints. The issue of age is key in this election, key on both sides. We celebrate this country’s independence next Thursday, July 4th. May this not be the last year that we do.
This is my last post on the debate, my last suggestion of a column to read. Because so much is at stake, because our democracy is at stake, I feel a bit obsessed with the debate. I, too, wondered why Trump claimed caring about the environment on the day his Supreme Court dismantled legislation to protect it.
HCR: Tonight was the first debate between President Joe Biden and presumptive Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump, and by far the most striking thing about the debate was the overwhelming focus among pundits immediately afterward about Biden’s appearance and soft, hoarse voice as he rattled off statistics and events. Virtually unmentioned was the fact that Trump lied and rambled incoherently, ignored questions to say whatever he wanted; refused to acknowledge the events of January 6, 2021; and refused to commit to accepting the result of the 2024 presidential election, finally saying he would accept it only if it met his standards for fairness.
I was by the marsh today before an eye appointment. A Snowy White Egret, Golden Slippers, circled about drumming up food in the water and mud.How does each of us focus and interpret what we see?
I watched the debate last night, all of it. What I saw is one man who lies and lies and lies and doesn’t answer questions about what he would do about child care, and who claims he is an environmentalist. If the world blew up with lies, it would have blown up last night.
Yes, President Biden stumbles. He let Trump’s lies get to him but that shows he is human, and we want someone with a heart in the White House. Having spent years in Toastmasters, I would have coached Biden differently, and wondered why he wasn’t told to slow down, and make one, two, or three points. I also would have said “my administration has done” to take the focus off of him, and onto the many people who support the running of the government.
A good quarterback thanks the team. This is not a one-man operation though we like to pretend it is. We want a frontman, someone who supposedly does it all but Ronald Reagan had Alzheimers and yet the country ran. I wish we could look at the content of what the Biden administration has done, and not a man who is rattled by a bully who lies. How many of us could stay cool amidst outright lies? Trump has made it clear he’ll put those who oppose him in jail if he wins. He almost makes it clear he won’t respect the vote count and system. He’ll try a coup again. This is frightening stuff, so let’s hope we can stay with the facts, and elect someone who cares.
I recommend you read all of Robert Hubbell today but I offer a taste.
Robert Hubbell: The hypocrisy and double standard is sickening. One candidate on the stage lied from start to finish. And no one is suggesting that he drop out.
Here’s my takeaway: Joe Biden learned a lot tonight. Every statement Biden makes from this point forward should include “convicted felon,” adjudicated sexual abuser, “hush money to porn star,” stolen classified documents, and Trump believing veterans are suckers and losers. Those statements are all true and they are what is necessary for Joe Biden to break through the constant stream of lies that spew from Trump’s mouth.
It is also clear that the debate format is broken. It is silly. It is unfair. But that is a topic for another night, not an excuse for tonight. In many ways, this is the start of the fight, not the end. Trump lied every moment he opened his mouth. We can deal with that when we are not constrained by two-minute alternative sound bites.
Hubbell suggests we donate to Biden’s campaign to show support, any amount shows support.Here’s a link to Hubbell’s Substack.
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