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"Be still, my heart..." -- Homer's Odyssey
When I was young, preparing to vote for the first time in a presidential election, my father said, "Don't forget -- presidential elections are never about any single issue. They are always about the Democratic Party moving this country forward towards becoming that more perfect union. So don't be belly-aching if your issue isn't at the front of the line."
Then, when I was a young man, Onondaga Faithkeeper Oren Lyons told me that in each cycle of generations, there will be one great threat to democracy. He said that it is up to eavh generation to stand strong and say, "Not on our turn."
Now I'm an old man, and think about these things in the context of this year's presidential election. There are at least a dozen issues that rank as "most important" to me, and as I pull weeds in my garden, I am able to understand that all of those dozen issues are connected at their roots. Thus, while we might be in different sections of the garden, and yanking different maga weeds out, it is all one united effort.
For much of my adult life, non-white women have been the backbone of the Democratic Party. Especially black women. So I am mighty happy that there is a cleared spot in our garden, that is producing VP Harris as our next president. And I'm delighted that this reality has the invasive maga weeds shaking at their roots. For this is a wonderful thing.
Each of us has, as we are entitled to do, our own favorite politician for her to select to run on the ticket. I'm glad that we have so many qualified people for her to chose from. The most important issue, in my mind, is that she picks the one that is able to add the most to the ticket. And I trust VP Harris to do exactly that.
I am old now, and about to engage in one of the greatest pleasures I have had in this long, often strange life. I'm bringing a selection of produce, along with some toys, to my grandson's house. I want this country to be at its best potential for him and his generation. He will be two next month, early in his cycle as I approach the end of mine. I do look forward to telling him at some future date that in 2024, there was a presidential election rooted not in any one single issue, but in good people sharing a common goal.
Finally, my grandson loves the Ronettes. You should see that boy dance to the above song!
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Wild blueberry
(6,984 posts)Filled with wisdom and joy. How fun to see your grandson dance!
Feel like we all can dance and laugh a bit now with Kamala in the race and energy shifting positively.
I love that she laughs.
Thank you, H2O Man.
Easterncedar
(2,879 posts)Nice.
H2O Man
(74,696 posts)The shift in energy is so encouraging! There is renewed strength in our party, and it spills over into other areas of life. I like seeing people being positive and laughing. And I have to admit that I enjoy seeing our opposition recognizing that we are going to beat them come November.
MagickMuffin
(16,712 posts)Most of the weeds in my yard are beneficial, however, I do have hemlock and I delight in pulling them up and disposing of them. I discovered years ago pulling them up without proper protection can cause toxins to spread throughout your body. Much like the maga cult living in close proximity to me, I know to wear protection when dealing with toxins. And another annoying aspect of hemlock is after it flowers they turn into tiny little stickers that cling to everything. Again maga weed!
Purslane is an excellent and beneficial weed I deliberately brought plants home with me rescued from cracks in the pavement wherever I see them. They are delicious in various dishes. Horseherb, Spiderwort, Cleavers came up naturally, transplanted them around the yard.
I feel like our country will be in excellent hands with our up and coming Democrats. When Ive seen them during committee meetings and they are prepared and expose their counterparts as complete imbeciles, I have restored faith that our party is gonna be alright.
And you have helped lead the way as well! Passing on the knowledge you have gained through our elders is truly a blessing and privilege. Thank you for sharing your insights and journey with us.
H2O Man
(74,696 posts)Decades ago, I used to help an old man who knew every "weed" out there. He was originally from the Black Hills, but had lived here long enough to know what grew here, and what it can be used for. He lived largely off the land, but made some money working with leather and doing odd jobs. He lived in a tipi, until some drunk teenagers destroyed the lodge and stole a lot of his belongings.
After that, he spent some time in an apartment. He was miserable there. The last time I saw him, his health was failing, and he was heading out to the land of his birth to die. I think about him while working in my herb garden.
Saoirse9
(3,758 posts)I always love your Thoreau-like musings.
I am pulling some weeds bits at a time and fertilizing some. I am loving the energy we're getting with the Kamala campaign.
Have fun with your adorable grandson and teach him how to dance in the garden!
I just got off the phone with an old friend, who was recently released from the hospital. We talked about gardening. He is no longer physically able to garden, and misses it. He had been among the top wrestlers in the country while in college, so we also talked about his matches and my boxing. Being old can be fun ..... though young people likely think we set the bar kind of low!
I'm going to hang out with my grandson tomorrow, too. He is so much like his father!
Easterncedar
(2,879 posts)Thank you. I hope its ok with you if I share this? It hits all the right notes, especially for us gardeners, and is helpful, too, for people with a narrower perspective, whether in terms of issues or time. Really one of your best, and I admire every word of every one of your posts.
I am honored that you would think this is worth sharing. So thank you!
One of the things I love about gardening is it keeps me in touch with cycles. I've been thinking about cycles lately. When my daughter got married in June, I did the ceremony. (I can do weddings in this state, and had done my son's a few months before.) My daughter & son-in-law had picked a sacred site that people had visited for at least 10,000 years. In part, I spoke about cycles, as my daughter will give birth to my granddaughter soon. Nothing on Earth makes me happier.