Thursday, February 11, 2021

Because... Birds.

 
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 
 
Click to enlarge
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
 
 

Wednesday, February 10, 2021

It's Narcissus Not Narcissist, Dummy!

 

"Rare indeed is the seed who can bury its nightmares
 and still stem and blossom into it's wildest dreams."
 
~Curtis Tyrone Jones
 

 
I could say a lot about the opening arguments of Trump's Impeachment trial, but fuck me,why? I'm so sick of this stupid nightmare. He's out of office and he's putting on a laughable defense all the while inciting, Insurrection: The Sequel, for March 4th. This could have all been over with before he left office, but McConnell held out for this week. Why did McConnell do that? Perhaps to help gin up March 4th? What's March 4th? Apparently that's the day all real presidents are sworn into office. It's history, look it up, LIBTARD! Sorry, I was channeling a Qanon idiot for a moment there. As I mentioned, he is out of office, this Impeachment trial is expected to last a week or so, then there is whatever fresh HELL is about to take place on March 4th. After that, I hope the name Trump will simply go live on a farm in upstate New York, where it can roam free and live happy, like pets and humans, all do one day! If you get my drift.

But in the mean time...
 
Paperwhite Narcissus 
Woodbridge Ecological Reserve
Lodi, California
Nikon

 
~Carly 

Tuesday, February 09, 2021

Just Past Mid-Winter

 

"This was all in the making a long time ago. You had as much control over these events as a leaf does in the time of it's falling."
 
~Nitya Prakash
 
How about that, a quote about leaves that I don't think I've used before. I hope I remember it, because I really think I will use it again in autumn. Right now, however, it is still winter, which is very nice, but I haven't given up on autumn yet. I find myself still looking for those colors, where I feel alive, energized, and at my very best inside myself. This winter has been warm, so the blossoms are waking up, and I can appreciate that too. Everything in it's time and place. It's just the further away from autumn we get, and as we move into the relentless days of heat that won't end, and when there isn't a migratory bird in sight, the less attached to my surroundings I feel. But I am just beginning my journey of watching birds, so perhaps something new will help me find a bridge. I sure could use it.
 
~Carly