The World Has Become Too Much

Harvey, Irma, Maria.   Russians.  Kushners.  Kurds.  Erdogan.  Charlottesville.  Bannon.  Floods.  Rohingya.  Price, Zinke, Pruitt, Mnuchin.  Un.  Ryan and McConnell.  al-Assad.  Roy Moore and now Vegas.  He who shall not be named and other afflictions . . .  the world has become too much. 

I haven't blogged since mid-August, partly because of my civilian version of shell shock, a PTSD that unfortunately is not “post”; partly because Ann and I took off for a Scottish September.  Northern Scotland: chill, sheepish, windy, wet and wonderful!  Even ate haggis with breakfast eggs and porridge with cream, brown sugar and single-malt whiskey.  I'll never again eat oatmeal any other way.  (But reality intruded; Scot after Scot only wanted to talk about him who shall not be named.)

So, how do I deal with a world that has become too much?  Not by withdrawing as have some of my friends, turning off the set and trying to shut it all out.  Instead, I shall:

Express myself in art.  “Without art, the crudeness of reality would make the world unbearable.” George Bernard Shaw.  It’s time for me to finish Vladimir of Waiting for Godot, who I may re-name The World Has Become Too Much, and to turn to my vision of a 3-dimensional Ying/Yang in marble and brucite.

Support relief orgs.  I have no skills to offer Myannmar or Puerto Rico, but I have researched and signed up for monthly support for Americause.  The frequency of disasters, both natural and man-made, is apparently going to keep on increasing as we abuse our Earth; that’s why monthly, continuing donations.  There are other relief orgs out there, but do your homework; some spend too much on fundraising and PR, and too little on the ground, e.g., The Red Cross.  Guidestar is a reliable source (http://www.guidestar.org)

Get back out into nature.  Ann’s injured knee has constrained our hiking together, but this week I was refreshed and re-furbished on the Mason Lake trail, with my daughter and granddaughter Stoners, Amy and Corriell. 

Welcome the stranger.  Ann and I are beginning to explore how to assist in an ESL program, probably the one run by King County Libraries.  My daughter Amy and friend Michael inspire us. Speak up for and to immigrants.


Focus on state initiatives. States are taking the lead on health care reform, environmental protection, education and  infrastructure while Congress dithers and he who shall not be named does his hypocritical best to grab us by our privates and enjoy himself.  Support carbon pricing or a carbon tax.  And help Manka Dhingra get elected (http://www.electmanka.com/)

That's my five-step reach for sanity as the world continues to be too much; how will you stay sane?