I was speaking with my son who is dealing with some challenging health issues. How do we meet what comes? How do we see this world that Trump and cronies are turning upside down? Life is a series of tests, and we test our response.
And now the days are shorter. This morning, I see stars shining in the sky, beacons prompting us to look within, and bring forth our own light in the dark.
Tomorrow is a huge day, No King’s Day. Today, a friend and I are making signs for the protest though I’ll be at my grandson’s birthday party, where snakes are coming to be viewed and held. Snakes aren’t slimy; they are our friends.
I’m with the Oscar Wilde quote: I think God, in creating man, somewhat overestimated his ability.
Let’s prove Oscar Wilde wrong as the country unites in connecting us all as constellations in the sky.
The beauty and intricacy of a feather Solids, hard and soft, share a niche!ReflectingStretching
Yesterday, with a sold-out crowd, we attended a documentary on Amy Goodman at the Berkeley Art Museum and Pacific Film Archive. It was inspiring and told with the blazing torch of truth. While the credits rolled, Patty Smith’s powerful song People Have the Power rang out. Tears come even now as I reflect on Amy’s life and the battles she’s fought to defend our democracy. The film isn’t yet out in full release. This was the third showing and it will show tonight at 5:30 at the San Rafael theatre for the MV Film Festival.
Keep your eye out for “Steal This Story, Please.” It’s a non-biased account of what’s gone on in the last 30 years in our country, in our name.
On one hand we have Trump and his cronies carrying out the destructive policies of Project 2025 and on the other we have the role model of Dr. Jane Goodall, who passed at 91 years old while on a speaking tour promoting and demonstrating curiosity, generosity, compassion, and courage.
In Marshall, we stayed in a home where a dock partially destroyed in a storm was repaired with new wood. The two woods, old and new, were combined just as our constitution is meant to withstand storms and adapt. Jane Goodall is the example we’re meant to follow, an honoring and recognition of all the creatures and the environment we share.
Repair combines the old and the newIntricacy in BracingHandrails in Support Looking down into the water – Art!
We’re in West Marin, in Marshall, on a house literally on Tomales Bay. I am bathed in the sound of lapping and waved in beautyas I sit on one continental plate and view another across the water.
What a contrast to reading Robert Hubbell today. Here’s an excerpt:
It is about whether Congress will retain its authority under Article I of the Constitution to lay taxes and appropriate funds through legislation. As of October 1, 2025, that remains an open question.
On Wednesday, Trump and his sidekicks announced billions of dollars in “cancellations” of funds lawfully appropriated by Congress. Trump has no authority to cancel those appropriations, but the GOP-controlled Congress is apparently willing to cede its control over the power of the purse—one of its chief constitutional duties.
But it gets worse. Not only does Trump claim the authority to cancel congressional appropriations, he also claims the authority to raise revenue through illegal tariffs.
He goes on and comes to this: If Democrats needed any further evidence that compromise with Trump is foolish, the president began canceling grants and projects in states that did not vote for him in 2024.
Withholding funds appropriated by Congress is unlawful in the first instance. But doing so to exact political revenge is among the most corrupt presidential actions in the history of our republic. The withheld funds do not belong to Donald Trump and should not be used for political purposes. Those funds belong to the United States of America, to be spent as directed by Congress.
Pelicans on ApproachBeauty soars and liftsRestingA seal swims by and we share a “Hi!”Gull on Patrol
This morning I couldn’t face the news so I went down by the bay for the sunrise.
I returned home to a poem by Catherine Pierce, “Earth, Sometimes I Try to Play It Casual”, which was perfect for how I felt. Why play it cool or casual when the nature we are surrounds, supports, invites, challenges, and abounds?
Mirrors along the pathMorning sky along the bayEgrets PlayAnd there is one!Here comes the Sun!Begin the day in Gold!
Yesterday Trump again showed his true colors to the world at the United Nations.
Given 15 minutes to address the UN General Assembly, he spoke for 57 minutes in a rant that will go down in history as cruel, embarrassing, false, and insane.
Heather Cox Richardson ends her column today with this: The United Nations correspondent for the Associated Press, Farnoush Amiri, reported that “[a] UN official said the UN understands that someone from the president’s party who ran ahead of him inadvertently triggered the stop mechanism on the escalator. The official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the White House was operating the teleprompter for Trump.”
We know that those Trump chooses to support and lie to him are incompetent, but who knew they can’t even ride an escalator without stopping it or manage to work a teleprompter. On the other hand, maybe it was purposeful, an underhanded way to stop him now so we can return to the well-thought out and considered values on which the country was founded.
Jimmy Kimmel was returned to us, and ended his beautiful monologue with the hope that the silver lining of this is bringing people from the left, right and center together to speak up for the First Amendment. He said he was touched by the speech that Kirk’s widow, Erika Kirk, delivered at his memorial on Sunday, in which she said she forgave the man who shot her husband.
“That is an example we should follow. If you believe in the teachings of Jesus, as I do, there it was. … A selfless act of grace, forgiveness from a grieving widow.” Kimmel said. “And if there’s anything we should take from this tragedy to carry forward, I hope it can be that and not this.”
Two rocks share a wave at Rodeo Beach yesterday.Surfers were out on a 94 degree day!
Yesterday I attended an all-day meditation retreat titled “With compassion, we turn the tide.” I can’t convey how it felt then and how it feels now, but I’m reverberating with the offering, the generosity and dedication of this group of nuns, and what each of us might bring to our lives and the lives around us. Here’s a documentary video to give a sense of the dedication a group of people choose in bringing generosity and compassion to their lives and the lives of others.
My son informs that yesterday was Pythagorean Triple Square Day!
9/16/25 is 3 square, 4 squared, 5 squared.
Yesterday I went with a friend to circle the top of Mt. Tam and discovered a Monarch Butterfly Creek Garden in Mill Valley.Fall is on the way!
The fog enters with dignity and graceA Hawk plays above Mill Valley with Tiburon and Angel Island beyondDowntown San Francisco is out of the fogLooking EastIn the GardenPumpkin Time
Today, a misty, slightly rainy day, I ended up above Muir Woods. I took the Ocean View Trail to the Canopy Trail down to Redwood Creek. After a visit to the cafe, I traveled up the Fern Trail back to the top. I offer photos of my journey.
In one tricky spot, I met three young people enjoying a snack. As I debated how to traverse the roots, one of the men offered two hands to help me down. I was reminded of years ago when on a hot day I’d walked from Pantoll down to Stinson Beach where, fully clothed, I walked straight into the Pacific Ocean and swam. When I emerged, a young boy stood there offering me a towel. Helpers abound.
Fog swirls across from the Mountain Home InnThe upper creek is dry in SeptemberFantasy frolics in the MistDwellings along the Stream One red rockBending to pass and rise up the Fern Trail.
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