Friday, December 18, 2009

'Tis the Season...

In Central Pa the practice of holiday decoration is somewhat toned down by our Mennonite and Amish neighbors who reject that "fancy" display. Although, there are plenty of others who are prepared to spend their money on electricity to run ferris wheels filled with Simpson characters in holiday garb. My favorite is the Santa on a Harley with huge(kick ass) boots, he better not come down my chimney.

Most of all I spend some time reading the signposts outside homes and farms that are supplied by religious publishing houses. They offer instant homilies -- something like the old Burma Shave signs along the road. I puzzle at the contradictions. They warn against sin, they proclaim that sinners are forgiven. They tell us only the "pure in heart" see Jesus and then tell sinners they can be redeemed. Are they saying that a simple renunciation of past ways by a really bad abuser, molester, robber, or drunk can open the door to heaven? Boy that must make the hard working, nose to the grindstone, never straying Christian pretty annoyed. Where's the justice if it takes so little to gain admission?

Of course if it makes sense to that set of believers, it's ok with me. I just would like to find a little peace on earth and common sense for all. Oh, and for the New Year? How about single payer and jobs for all who want them.

Wednesday, December 2, 2009

Another Celebrity Casualty

Just when I was thinking that nothing could disappoint me as much as the wayward ways of John Edwards, along comes Tiger. Grrrr! It's not politics, true. But it does demonstrate how easily celebrity can cause good people to forget their human obligations and think they can satisfy any itch with impunity. If you read Woods' website you can see that fans are struggling with his "transgressions"... half are saying they're still with him and half saying what a jerk he is. Most of all I think of the disappointment and confusion of kids who have regarded him as a hero.

A whole raft of politicians have shown themselves to be sexually promiscuous and oblivious of the consequences. They, of course, hurt more than partners or parties. They create even more cynicism and sometimes even alter the course of political progress by defiling their espoused causes. Ironically they're bait for celebrity media which created their aura.

Tuesday, November 17, 2009

Art and Other Things

Community show at the Greencastle Gallery 7 ... the show will continue through weekends in December and hopefully attract some buyers who think Art for holiday gifts will be worth more than some unnecessary "stuff" from Walmart, KMart, JunkMart.

Pleased to have an etching selected in a juried show (Chambersburg Pa miniatures) My two color etching of a faded sunflower "End of Summer". Many excellent entries (over 400 from all over the USA) and I'm one of the selected. This is the second time I've had a piece in this show and it certainly is a morale booster.

Hoping our upcoming visit to Maine will be a chance to draw and find new ideas for prints. I'm still looking for satisfactory and efficient ways to create multicolored prints in multiples on my equipment at home. It may be a break from the depressing politics of the US Congress.

I'm shocked by the Democrats who are so worried about losing their seats that they won't vote for programs that will give voters a reason to reelect them. The Republicans are ridiculous with their constant "no's" and worse. Voters should see there are no ideas from that source.From this vantage point I would say people are not enamoured of the Repulicans, they just vote the way they always have. Meanwhile Ms. Palin and her family and political adventures are the latest soap opera to divert Americans from what's really happening to them.

Wednesday, November 4, 2009

Not a good post election morning

The Democrats suffered two important losses in Virginia and New Jersey and locally our efforts to overcome a 2/3 Republican registration failed. Our few local candidates didn't get elected either. The Virginia governor's race was not a surprise. The candidate just didn't have it -- no spark, no ideas, no meaningful positive campaign. BUT...why didn't African American and young voters turn out on his beahlf to help out the President the elected? Beats me! The quick flip flopping of the American people is a mystery. Yesterday they vote for change and a new direction, today they're down on President Obama and his policies. I lay it all to no politics -- that is: most Americans have no overall political perspective and point of view and are easily swayed to respond to what appears to be the current problem.

What's the beef against Obama? He said he would go for health care reform and he has -- his try to build a concensus approach was a mistake. But even in his own party he has foot draggers that block his efforts. Do you blast him from the left? What do we accomplish by doing that? He has to fight the right who still spread lies about him even doubting his citizenship.

Friday, October 9, 2009

Congratulations Mr. President

Was I surprised that Barack Obama was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize? You bet! Was I pleased and thrilled? Yes! This president has moved our nation to the road of peace seekers. I don't know if he or we will succeed. The odds are not good, the opponents are often vile and dangerous. But no situation is intractable. People in other nations, caught in the unceasing horror of war, destruction and loss, must yearn for calm and safety. This may tell them the world is watching Obama and believes he is a true peace maker. This may be a message to have courage.

And what can one say about the Republicans? They have lost all sense of judgment. If I hated the President, I would say, "What a great honor for our nation. It shows that the world still believes we are powerful and can effect change." I would certainly avoid the tone of sour grapes that has tainted every message that has come from the Republicans. Even CNN notices that their form of participatory governance is to just say "NO!".

Some victories are in order and not the least would be greater participation of our allies and our sometime allies (China and Russia)in our efforts to get Iran and North Korea to the bargaining table.

Friday, September 18, 2009

Mother of Exiles -- What has happened to that sentiment?

Not like the brazen giant of Greek fame
With conquering limbs astride from land to land;
Here at our sea-washed, sunset gates shall stand
A mighty woman with a torch, whose flame
Is the imprisoned lightning, and her name
Mother of Exiles. From her beacon-hand
Glows world-wide welcome; her mild eyes command
The air-bridged harbor that twin cities frame,
"Keep, ancient lands, your storied pomp!" cries she
With silent lips. "Give me your tired, your poor,
Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,
The wretched refuse of your teeming shore,
Send these, the homeless, tempest-tossed to me,
I lift my lamp beside the golden door!"

by Emma Lazarus, New York City, 1883

L'shana tovah. We wish you a sweet and healthy new year.

Wednesday, September 9, 2009

Discouraged but not down

I have been so discouraged by the quality of the discussion of health care reform. Tonight's outstanding speech by President Obama buoyed my spirits and made me write again about the desperate need for people to develop critical thinking, as my neighbor said recently, to be able to analyze the arguments and determine the course of action that best meets their interests.

My husband and I were in a Friendly's restaurant recently (yes,when things get tough the tough eat ice cream). We engaged the waitress in a brief discussion and found out that she had no health care on the job and earned LESS than the minimum wage. We suggested that health care reform could help her. She told us she was very leery, didn't trust Obama. "Did you see the paper," she said, "now he's going to give a talk to kids and I just don't trust him." What does one say at that point to an otherwise nice person who is unable to advocate on behalf of her own best interests. Why was she so easily swayed by talk shows, TV news, etc.? Surely she knows that she needs health care coverage. Why doesn't she trust our president? I haven't figured it out yet. I know when I worked as a union organizer I was always astounded at the number of people who voted against the union. At least then I knew that the employer was threatening to close the shop, or move the job. Fear is a powerful force and that is what the interests have been using to scare ordinary people.

It's up to all of us to talk to people find the right responses and carry the day for health care reform. It will be a better country for it.

Friday, August 21, 2009

Our Troubles Can Instantly Seem Small

Please read this excellent story by Kristoff in The New York Times on the condition of women around the world.

www.nytimes.com/2009/08/23/magazine/23Women-t.html?em

Thursday, August 20, 2009

Enjoying the Challenge of Making Art

I'm struggling with the creation of a collograph print with color that will come from chine colle applications. In that process you apply various colored papers of appropriate weight -- instead of ink -- to provide color and texture to the image. The Totem art on this blog was created that way. This is still another approach to a less toxic printmaking technique and also quite satisfying. But it's still quite exacting and not easy to make multiples....I'm working at it and enjoying the challenge. I've created a mask that will cover one part of the image so I can apply background color without impacting the central image. Then the various papers will be positioned so that each adheres to the print paper. Here's the challenge: what kind of print paper will do best? What color ink will function with the papers? I'll post it when it's to my liking.

Tuesday, August 11, 2009

What is Americans for Prosperity?

Check out the Wikipedia entry for this organization. But here are some highlights from the Wikipedia entry for your information. They are the group organizing the town hall health care reform protests.

"In 2003, an internal rift between Citizens for a Sound Economy (CSE) and its affiliated Citizens for a Sound Economy Foundation led to a split in which the latter organization was renamed as a separate organization, called Americans for Prosperity."

"Its foundation's chair and founder is David Koch of Koch Industries, which runs oil refining and pipeline companies. Another Americans for Prosperity Foundation board member is Richard Fink, a Koch executive who serves as a director of the refining subsidiary. Fink helps control AFP's purse strings. He is president of the Koch-affiliated Claude R. Lambe Charitable Foundation, which gave AFP's foundation $2.2 million from 2005-06, according to the Foundation Center."

"On February 27, 2009, in collaboration with others, the organization sponsored a Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas and Washington, D.C. Tea party protest."

"Americans for Prosperity is led by Tim Phillips, who was a former partner with Ralph Reed's Century Strategies. That organization became well-known when it was revealed in a Senate investigation that convicted lobbyist Jack Abramoff was laundering money through Century Strategies and Americans for Tax Reform to oppose legislation that his Indian tribe clients wanted to defeat."


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Americans_for_Prosperity

These are Very Scary People

My husband and I attended Senator Specter's meeting which has gotten wide coverage. It was a verrrrylong drive from Greencastle to Lebanon PA. 2 hours! When we got there we were told that people who arrived as early as 7 a.m. could not get in and of course we didn't either. We were part of a group of about 120 advocates for health care reform. (I don't know how many of our kind were inside). There were a couple of hundred opponents ... many of whom had come in this very fancy bus. They were armed with preprinted signs, they had chant leaders. It was very antiObama (one lady thought it was part of getting an antiObama group started to defeat Obama in the next election.) I think that's so! There were anti abortion people, people who thought babies would be killed and old people euthanized. There was so much misinformation it was stunning.

One young man in his twenties told us he had no health care but didn't worry about his health because God was taking care of his well being. I'd bet it's the emergency room, not the church to where he'll go if he's injured or sick. It was discouraging, until we left the demonstration and met a member of Specter's staff on the street who thanked us for coming, said Specter was supporting the public option.

Saturday, August 8, 2009

GRRRRRRR!

Can't get over the "brown shirt" methods of the Republicans and the right wing naysayers. I would bet that half of them need health insurance or are in danger of losing their health insurance or might any day find out that their costs are rising. But they think it's all right to break up meetings, shout people down, and even hang members of Congress in effigy. Is this the level of civil discourse that they want to teach their children? Is this the kind of community they want to live in? I notice that the quality of the online responses printed in our local paper is at about the same level: nonsensical connections, wild ideas, foolish name calling. Anything proposed by Obama or the Democrats is "socialism". Their call is to resist but never to put forth ideas that could solve the problem. Fact is: our nation is the only western industrialized nation where people go into bankruptcy because their medical bills break them.

Saturday, July 4, 2009

Summertime and the Blogger is Lazy

Lazy about blogging but not about gardening, cooking, and art. Part of a group show at the Washington County Arts Council Gallery in Hagerstown. Happy about the peas that survived the rabbits, the delicious spinach, the wonderful new potatoes and the glorious sunflowers. The garlic and onions are pretty spectacular too. Rain is to thank I think. The rabbits did demolish the swiss chard however.

Thrilled to have my daughter and family with us. We really celebrated July 4th with a good part of the extended family here. Just wonderful. The weather was so grand that I didn't miss the DC Fourth at all. Here it was sparklers, delicious food, good fellowship. And we watched the fire works on PBS.

Tuesday, June 2, 2009

Tell Your Senators You Want Single Payer on the Table

DAILY KOS posting May 30--Last week in Montana Baucus aides held town halls to talk about health care. They were trying to forward the idea that most Americans who get insurance through their work are satisfied with it.

Montanans weren't buying that. When it was time for audience questions, a gentleman stood up and asked his fellow citizens how many were happy with their employer-based health insurance. In an audience of about 275, less than 10 people raised their hands.

At another meeting, even though Sen. Max Baucus' aide insisted that consideration of a national single-payer health plan at this point would only squander a golden opportunity for health care reform in the United States, many of his constituents continued to object. "The word ‘insurance' does not equal health care," Janelle Kuechle of Polson said at a meeting here Thursday. "If I have to pay a $900 premium to have health insurance with a $10,000 deductible, that is not health care."

Monday, May 25, 2009

Don't Give Up on Single Payer Health Care

I love our President but.....it's time for us to put pressure on President Obama to consider single payer health care among the options for reform. Follow the rallies, organize for single payer options in Pennsylvania and elsewhere. Don't let the bad guys push us around. Single payer may not seem like a political option but it's as simple as this: you go to your doctor, you present your US health card, and the doctor gets paid by a state or local agency. He/she doesn't have to fight with for profit health companies for his pay. He/she doesn't have to argue about recommended treatment. Support single payer, lower your costs and raise your options.

Tuesday, May 19, 2009

Straight Talk to Beat Crooked Reasoning

National legislation to curb credit card abusive rip-offs of consumers, and the Administration's new gasoline standards have drawn the usual crooked responses from business opponents. The credit card companies are suddenly worried about your ability to get credit and the car makers are warning of higher automobile costs. Credit card companies have been allowed to run wild with inexplicable charges, interest rate hikes and fees. They don't care if you don't pay, they don't care if you're lured into using your credit card like an open money pit, they just want to be able to make as much money off your irresponsibility as they can. They welcome non payers, they frown on prompt payers. Soooo how come they are suddenly so worried about your ability to get credit? Follow the money and you'll see why. If you're a smart consumer and a smart voter you'll tell your members of congress you want prompt passage and prompt enforcement date...give them at the most 90 days between enactment for the bill to go into effect. And meanwhile, cut up some of those credit cards.

The new gas standards will help everyone's personal economy ... the additional cost of developing the vehicle will be quickly offset by fuel savings. The Administration estimates that you'll get back the difference between slightly higher vehicle costs and today's vehicle costs within three years. And best of all it's good for the environment.

Isn't it interesting that conservatives always worry about the impact of Federal debt on future generations, but never mention the impact of global warming on future generations or, the impact of credit debt on families. Shame on them. But you don't have to fall for their crooked reasoning. Think straight!

Tuesday, May 5, 2009

Falling Wages, Failing Newspapers

I'm worried! How do you build a successful American economy when people's wages are being cut and the security they created throught their unions, their home equity and their health care benefits is constantly eroded. I'm not alone. NY Times columnist and Nobel Laureate Paul Krugman is worried too. See his column reprinted here. And most ironically the newspaper of record The New York Times, is about to create a terrible hole in American journalism by selling off or shutting down The Boston Globe, another preeminent newspaper. What do you think?


By PAUL KRUGMAN
Published: May 3, 2009
Wages are falling all across America. Some of the wage cuts, like the givebacks by Chrysler workers, are the price of federal aid. Others, like the tentative agreement on a salary cut here at The Times, are the result of discussions between employers and their union employees. Still others reflect the brute fact of a weak labor market: workers don’t dare protest when their wages are cut, because they don’t think they can find other jobs.
Whatever the specifics, however, falling wages are a symptom of a sick economy. And they’re a symptom that can make the economy even sicker.
First things first: anecdotes about falling wages are proliferating, but how broad is the phenomenon? The answer is, very.
It’s true that many workers are still getting pay increases. But there are enough pay cuts out there that, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average cost of employing workers in the private sector rose only two-tenths of a percent in the first quarter of this year — the lowest increase on record. Since the job market is still getting worse, it wouldn’t be at all surprising if overall wages started falling later this year.
But why is that a bad thing? After all, many workers are accepting pay cuts in order to save jobs. What’s wrong with that?
The answer lies in one of those paradoxes that plague our economy right now. We’re suffering from the paradox of thrift: saving is a virtue, but when everyone tries to sharply increase saving at the same time, the effect is a depressed economy. We’re suffering from the paradox of deleveraging: reducing debt and cleaning up balance sheets is good, but when everyone tries to sell off assets and pay down debt at the same time, the result is a financial crisis.
And soon we may be facing the paradox of wages: workers at any one company can help save their jobs by accepting lower wages, but when employers across the economy cut wages at the same time, the result is higher unemployment.
Here’s how the paradox works. Suppose that workers at the XYZ Corporation accept a pay cut. That lets XYZ management cut prices, making its products more competitive. Sales rise, and more workers can keep their jobs. So you might think that wage cuts raise employment — which they do at the level of the individual employer.
But if everyone takes a pay cut, nobody gains a competitive advantage. So there’s no benefit to the economy from lower wages. Meanwhile, the fall in wages can worsen the economy’s problems on other fronts.
In particular, falling wages, and hence falling incomes, worsen the problem of excessive debt: your monthly mortgage payments don’t go down with your paycheck. America came into this crisis with household debt as a percentage of income at its highest level since the 1930s. Families are trying to work that debt down by saving more than they have in a decade — but as wages fall, they’re chasing a moving target. And the rising burden of debt will put downward pressure on consumer spending, keeping the economy depressed.
Things get even worse if businesses and consumers expect wages to fall further in the future. John Maynard Keynes put it clearly, more than 70 years ago: “The effect of an expectation that wages are going to sag by, say, 2 percent in the coming year will be roughly equivalent to the effect of a rise of 2 percent in the amount of interest payable for the same period.” And a rise in the effective interest rate is the last thing this economy needs.
Concern about falling wages isn’t just theory. Japan — where private-sector wages fell an average of more than 1 percent a year from 1997 to 2003 — is an object lesson in how wage deflation can contribute to economic stagnation.
So what should we conclude from the growing evidence of sagging wages in America? Mainly that stabilizing the economy isn’t enough: we need a real recovery.
There has been a lot of talk lately about green shoots and all that, and there are indeed indications that the economic plunge that began last fall may be leveling off. The National Bureau of Economic Research might even declare the recession over later this year.
But the unemployment rate is almost certainly still rising. And all signs point to a terrible job market for many months if not years to come — which is a recipe for continuing wage cuts, which will in turn keep the economy weak.
To break that vicious circle, we basically need more: more stimulus, more decisive action on the banks, more job creation.
Credit where credit is due: President Obama and his economic advisers seem to have steered the economy away from the abyss. But the risk that America will turn into Japan — that we’ll face years of deflation and stagnation — seems, if anything, to be rising.

Wednesday, April 29, 2009

Time for an Update

A break in the weather gave me plenty of good opportunities to plant seeds and enjoy the birds that are flocking to our bird bath and beautiful dogwood. It is really great to have warm weather again and even though seems to be a sometime thing. The promise of a bright tomorrow keeps us going. Great fun and fellowship in working with other Democrats on an earth day garden near I 81. Staying in touch with nature really does give one balance.

I also celebrate the 100th day of President Obama's administration. What a joy to have an articulate, smart and informed president. That gives me a sense of security even if the objective economic situation can only improve gradually. Thanks to the Wall St. gang we'll never regain our lost retirement income (too old now). But we intend to work hard to make sure we all have health care coverage. Obama may need the full four years to get it done. I hope it comes sooner.

Wednesday, April 15, 2009

Rainy and Cold

It's hard to be upbeat when it's been so darn cold. Too damp to dig in the garden. Happily the daffodils and forsythia are lasting longer than usual in the frigid climate. It's got to be impacting consumer spending as well. Nobody is buying digging tools, seeds, plants, fertilizer, etc. while it's too wet to work the soil. Of course I've never thought an economy built on personal spending was a good one. We need to be spending in a communitarian way -- for better facilities for our young and the old; for better medical care for everyone; for great schools and universities. But the "teabag" parties show that people really don't want to spend collectively, else they would be rising up and demanding health care for all. As for me on this April 15, I'm happy to pay my taxes and hope, as President Obama has said, for a more equitable tax structure. People think income taxes are the problem, in fact it's sales taxes that impact the poor and working class the most.

Sunday, April 5, 2009

Cherry Blossoms, Daffodils and More


It's here! My daffodils are up, the wind flowers are bending in the breeze, and we've just returned from seeing the wonderous cherry blossoms in DC. Great to also be there as my grandson "starred" in Willy Wonka.

Thursday, March 26, 2009

Another Man Done Gone

What a difficult week. This head is a refrain from a famous Odetta folk song and that's how I feel learning that worker and folklorist Archie Green has died at 91. I recommend his "Only A Miner", stories and songs of the mines, and this post from the rural blog Daily Yonder: http://www.dailyyonder.com/archie-green-1917-2009-called-labor/2009/03/24/2015

A Wonderful Mentor is Gone

Professor John Hope Franklin has died at the age of 94. It wasn't as if I didn't know that one day age would catch up with him. But if anyone should have been granted immortality, it would be Dr. Franklin. His writing of history blazed new trails, as did his life. http://www.duke.edu/johnhopefranklin/ I was privileged to be a student during his tenure as Chair of the History Department of Brooklyn College. He defended me when an overzealous President tried to suspend me for my civil rights work. He recognized me many, many years later when he gave the Jefferson Lecture at the Library of Congress. We met on and off in DC over the years. I grew through his books and public statements. He created an intelligent awareness of the debilitating heritage of slavery and discrimination from which our entire nation suffers. Everyone should read his book: "Mirror to America" (an autobiography).

Sunday, March 22, 2009

What a Great Party!

Our children (all adults) and grandsons put on a wonderful celebration in our old neighborhood in DC at a wonderful new restaurant. We had many of our oldest friends and neighbors along with new friends from Pennsylvania. Good food, fun conversation and a delightful celebration of our anniversary (40) and my birthday (not talking). You'll get a hint from the poem that follows. We can only say than you, thank you, and thank you again for the party to our kids!

I’ve stayed at sixty much too long
Hugging the walls of the decade
Reluctantly changing the number on the door each year as I passed through
Looking backward at what might have been, should have been,
Sadly remembering the ones who have gone, missing their solace,
their knowledge, their balm.

But now it’s time to take a giant stride into the waters that remain
(As if I had a choice)
Admit myself into the next house, the next street,
Allow myself to ricochet from one year to the next like a piece in a pinball machine
Just hoping that I’ll win the game, not fame, just time

Thursday, March 19, 2009

It's Spring Again!

This year my vegetable and flower beds are in better shape thanks to more careful fall cleanup by my daughter and son-in-law, and of course my grandsons. I've added some mulch to the beds and started some seeds. The little green guys are sticking their heads up and soon there will be daffodils. I already have enjoyed the white snow bells and the brilliant but tiny blue scilla siberica. I'll put my peas and garlic in next week when the soil dries out a little more. The Philadelpha garden show was definately an inspiration even though I know I'll never have the displays and elegant designs they featured. It does make you aspire to be a better gardener.

Thursday, March 5, 2009

On the Generosity of Friends

“Every man must decide whether he will walk in the light of creative altruism or in the darkness of destructive selfishness.” Martin Luther King, Jr.

We have recently been the beneficiaries of extremely generous acts by a friend of ours. She likes to drive, it's true, but she'd gone beyond the call to drive us to and from an airport more than four hours away. She's driven a group of us from Greencastle to Philadelphia for the flower show. She's a wonderful friend. I greatly appreciate her gifts. Her actions make me think of this quote from Dr. King. This commentary on personal altruism holds true for politics as well.

Each member of society must decide whether or not they will advocate the generous policy that helps everyone or,instead, demand the lowest taxes, the most mean spirited programs, and the least communitarian solution to our problems. As for me I was raised by my parents to believe that our work on earth is to make a change for the better, no matter how small. I'll continue to try.

Thursday, February 26, 2009

Michelle's Sleeveless Dress

My first reaction to seeing Michelle Obama in her sleeveless dresses was, "Oh, I remember when I could wear a sleeveless dress"...and that's how the image of public figures is filtered by our own experiences. The first time I realized that I had lost that well toned look was when I saw a photo of myself at an event when I was the chair of the dinner. I was about 50. Much to my shock I saw this flabby upper arm. I reacted by going on an immediate diet and attending two more classes a week at our local Y. But it didn't help. The damage was done. Now, with the help of Yoga and weights I've restored a little of the muscle to that part of my body, but it'll never look like Michelle's.

Why shouldn't she wear a dignified sleeveless dress like the one she wore to the President's Congressional speech? And, what would make Republicans yearn for the Barbara Bush look (dowdy) or the Mrs. Reagan look (uptight and emaciated). I guess Democratic women come under fire (remember the criticism of Hillary's hair?)because they stand for all uppity, independent women. Well, get used to it folks. There's two little girls growing up in the White House who are likely to have their own unique sense of style.

Tuesday, February 17, 2009

How Do I Feel About Motorcycles?


So now both my daughter and son-in-law are proud owners of bikes. Of course, unlike others around these parts, they've suited up in super duper safe outfits and helmets. I know my son in law is very happy to have his sweetie engaged in his favorite activity. I can't complain about danger since not one offspring of mine has cautioned me about scuba diving. But I do have a little nagging concern about the "others" on the road. Stay safe dear ones and be as happy as you look in this photo (see woman on the left) which I stole from my son in law's blog.

Under the Sea


Next time you walk on a beautiful beach consider the world beneath your feet. Here's one of the beautiful coral formations I saw on my scuba dives off Desecheo Island, Puerto Rico.

Wednesday, February 11, 2009

Returned from the Deep...

...75 feet below the surface of the Caribbean Sea that is at the fabulous dive site of Desecheo island in Rincon Puerto Rico. If you are a diver you must visit and dive with Taino Divers. They know every inch of the island's dive sites. It makes one realize that when you visit a place near the water you are only seeing half the world. Beneath you are vast forests of coral, wonderful fish and larger animals and small creatures that creep, navigate and flow under the sea. I'm determined to learn more about the growth and specialization of coral. Hopefully I'll have some photos from a fellow diver to add to this blog.

Many returning snow birds were in Rincon. All lost the bulk of their retirement savings but carried through on their plans and came to Rincon again. It's a great community and I especially enjoyed the book club discussion made up of Puerto Rican and Mainland folks...Ferre's "Eccentric Neighborhoods".

Before we left our daughter gave us "A Team of Rivals" by Doris Kearns Goodwin ... wonderful reading about Lincoln and his cabinet of political opponents. It gives us good perspective on both current politics and the media of Lincoln's time and how it relates to the way politics are reported today.

Hope people are still reading this blog after more than a month's hiatus. I enjoy the comments and the emails.