Cosumnes River
Lodi, California
February 6th, 2021
"Some people are very competitive in their birding. Maybe they'll die happy, having seen a thousand species before they die, but I'll die happy knowing I've spent all that quiet time being present."
~Lynn Thomson
Birding With Yeats: A Mother's Memoir
Black Phoebe
Stockton, California
February 10th 2021
Nikon
Okay, so the second day, of the second impeachment, of Donald Trump happened yesterday, and all I can say is, the current GOP is made of up nothing but soulless monsters! If I didn't quite think it before, I do now. It's a devastating thought that half our government wouldn't care if the Democratic party was completely scrubbed from the earth. And tell me, considering that is their hope/wish/goal, what exactly does that mean for the rest of us? I was raised in a staunchly liberal democratic household in the San Francisco Bay Area, but that is not what makes me a staunch Democrat today. Critical thinking does. A skill taught to me by my father.
It wasn't enough to know what you think, you had to know why you think it. What set of facts lead you to the conclusions you have formed, and can you see other sides to the argument, even if you can't adopt them to your conclusions? It seems like such a simple formula, but apparently, it isn't. The number one defense coming from the insurrectionists, during their legal proceedings is, "the devil made me do it" defense. In this case it is Donald Trump walking in the devil's shoes. They believed they were saving America, when in fact, they were manipulated into doing his dirty work, just like so many before them. See: Michael Cohen. He at least tried to warn us.
The insurrectionists are displaying a small amount of critical thinking in their actions. They answered a call to arms from Donald Trump. They came to the capitol to "Stop The Steal." The problem is, while they knew what their purpose was that day, the allowed a man to dictate all facts. To form the narrative with repetitive false claims and promises of rewards. And lets not pretend that the shadowy figure of Q didn't play a huge part in this mess. He is not really being mentioned in this. Trump and Q"s efforts culminated in one of the darkest days I have seen as an American. The election we just had, had every chance of going Trump's way. We came very close to living under a true fascist regime. And who know what would have come next? Is there such a thing as a modern fascist party? Fascism with just enough democracy, that it can hide it's darkest corners?
Yesterday left me shook. I watched never before security tapes of January 6th. Folks running for their lives. Police officers begging for back-up. Police being beaten. A man stalking Nancy Pelosi with the eerie diabolical taunt of, "Hereeee Nancy." We all recognize that tone coming from a man, don't we? All under the guise of 'patriotism." My heart is broken. I am scared of March 4th and the possibility of what might occur. And I am angry that this is who and what America is now, or at least half of it seems to be.
But all was not lost yesterday. I took a few minutes, and stepped out onto the porch to do some photography of birds in the front yard. To my delight there was a Black Phoebe, and a Blue Jay. The jay alluded me but I finally got a decent shot of the Phoebe. Unfortunately, they weren't in the yard long, because of loud noises, and folks moving about, but that's okay, because there is another chance today. I know that every day gives me a new chance to live the best I can. I am lucky to have that. I will let them give me refuge again, because birds do that for me. Actually nature in general does, but right now, it's the birds. There is a rooster somewhere in the neighborhood, and this morning his songs make my heart sing along with him!
I will be okay, because... birds.
~Carly
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