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All posts for the month June, 2020

When Not Depressed…

Published June 21, 2020 by Nan Mykel

When I’m depressed, nothing interests me. At other times I enjoy many things, as I reminded myself in a 1985 Journal Entry:

Among these are drawing, doodling. cutting and pasting (collaging), writing, browsing in the library or second hand book stores, singing, looking for Indian artifacts in a plowed field after it rains, brainstorming or discussing ideas with a friend, smelling the earth after it rains, looking at rainbows, feeling the warmth of a purring cat, exchanging soul gazes with my pet dog, sharing food with friends, lying out under the stars, reading aloud with an intimate, snuggling under the covers while the rain patters on the roof, singing Christmas carols, the lit Christmas tree, walking along the beach collecting gifts from the sea, attending a Quaker meeting, viewing a sunset, picking and enjoying flowers, speculating on strange encounters, watching a heart-warming movie… Now I would add reading on evolution and consciousness.

Doodling

I also think of the things I’m grateful for…Family; friends; curiosity; creativity; sleep; the ability to faint when physical pain gets too great; the lessening of fear of death with age; prolonged infancy developing into love; the “cooperative” gene; the “religious” gene serving to draw people together beyond family lines; mathematics, which leads us to believe that this is a rational world; the aesthetic experience associated with this world and its characteristics; the cherishing of nostalgic memories; the sense of peace associated with clinical near or after death experiences; the survival instinct which permits life on this planet to evolve; “emergence” –which unfolds what is and affects what is to be; the ability to read and write; consciousness–so that we can reflectively experience; and humor–the saving grace…

A surprising way to lessen depression–for me at least–is to go to Google and look at all the different species of birds. I accidentally discovered this method.

I also want to announce that I don’t intend to post any more until my helper arrives so I know how to control the site. Hats off to those still sufficiently nimble of wit to understand it.

THIS AND THAT…

The Climate Crisis NOVEL by Sweden’s Jens Liljestrand, translated and published this year, does two things well:  dares to envision the arrival of climate change and furthers the resilience of the family.  It’s  Even if Everything Ends, translated by Alice Menzies _________________ I WISH I’D WRITTEN THIS: I’m lanky, I’m tall With little fur at all…

Who What How…Why??

    Yeah, I know about evolution and believe in it, but…this is pretty hard for me to comprehend. Tell me this: When the “camouflage” matches the background, how does that come to pass?  Does the critter select a background to match its plumage or does the baxkground change to match>  And how does the…

Poem – Winning a War With Time

  NAN 87 And time’s short She might not remember Today, tomorrow, or a minute from now Something important for the next generation A central tremor waves the lines of each written letter But she’ll never surrender Just hold down the fort condo 1004A   Stockpile the ammo! Half a dozen pens and pencils Between…

Watching tv tonight…

Published June 20, 2020 by Nan Mykel

I was surprised to see so many attending the Trump rally in Tulsa waving signs that said “Make America Great Again.” I thought these people were supposed to be for Trump, not against him. Apparently they see a need for a return to greatness after Trump’s current racist anti-democratic reign!

Again?

From Bolton via Mother Jones

Published June 18, 2020 by Nan Mykel

(A recent Senate Intelligence Committee report cited an intelligence intercept of a communication from a Russian cyber-operative who described Election Night this way: “On November 9, 2016, a sleepless night was ahead of us. And when around 8 a.m. the most important result of our work arrived, we uncorked a tiny bottle of champagne…took one gulp each and looked into each other’s eyes … We uttered almost in unison: ‘We made America great.’”)

Dear Republican Senator

Published June 18, 2020 by Nan Mykel

To the point! I’m reblogging.

musingsofanoldfart

As an independent and former Republican (and Democrat) voter, I try to read and watch several validated news sources. They are validated, as they try to get it right and print retractions when they don’t. I also try to use an independent lens to see politicians for their good and bad actions and stances, regardless of party. Am I biased? Of course, we all are. But, my greater bias is favoring the truthtellers as I do not cotton to being obviously lied to by our elected officials.

That is why your support of this reckless president is troubling. It troubles me that he is so cavalier with the truth, that maybe, he does not know when the truth stops and the marketing schtick begins. But, this is not news, as five biographers of the president have noted he has a problem with the truth. And, the Mueller report (which I…

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WRIT SANS MUSE

Published June 18, 2020 by Nan Mykel

Haven’t heard from her in a while.
Corona virus’s got our tongue.
I refer of course to my muse and
me. I put my ear down to the floor.
Writing without her I abhor.
She’s either dead or deep asleep.
Well, I know she likes friends, and
since I’ve been lax with too much
time in quarantine, I go down
the stairs with tea and toast to find
her slumped, her cauldron cold–
dead, or perhaps she’s only old?
Hearing me, she lets out a yell;
which tells me that my muse is well.
She breathes fire and cauldron boils,
paying off her former toils.
The look she gives me is rueful, but
then cackling she rubs her hands
and shoots at me with rubber bands.

BACKSTORY: I labored long over a similar verse but lost it into the computer gizzards. It was lost but the idea kept haunting me, so I decided to publish the above without my muse participating. Perchance another day she’ll help me do better. If I lose this one too, I’ll acquiesce…..

MORE PERSONALS

Published June 16, 2020 by Nan Mykel

Who woulda thought it:

No wonder we say the word more than write it! According to Word of the Day, when I think I’m saying “Rambunctious” I’m really saying “ Rumbustious.” (Means Boisterous or unruly.) –This is an evening of my life post. My daughter points out that rambunctious also exists in the dictionary. Oh well–she beats me at Boggle too.
During my old-folk’s self quarantine, I’ve taken to reading old unread yard sale books on my own bookshelf. Therefore last night I learned the history of smiling from Desmond Morris’ The Naked Ape. It seems a friendly “mutual aid system” was developed by the higher primates (monkeys or apes) to aid mutual grooming. The system involved “a rapid lip-smacking movement, often sticking its tongue out between each smack…The lip-smacking action has evolved as a special ritual out of the repeated particle-tasting movements that take place during a bout of fur cleaning.” (Italics mine)…At this point we engage in grooming talking to maintain social togetherness–“How ya doing…Nice day today.” Just thought you’d like to know…
 
 

POWERFUL REBLOG from DAISY IN THE WILLOWS

Published June 14, 2020 by Nan Mykel
Image: Franceska Woodman

When I think I’ve escaped the past
I know my Ma doesn’t drink alcohol and she Sort of kicked me out without kicking my ass.
My daughter cried
Tatiana didn’t meow
I came back to the place where I thought I would relapse
I went to buy cat food
shop was closed
memories of that drug dealer who shine bright with implanted teeth
£4000 inclusive holiday
I could have gnashed
Instead I congratulated him for his holly wood smile with panache .
Using my money to fulfil another dream — one more ticket off off his bucket list

Its so sad
I’m back in the house
haunted by ghosts of the past.
Mother wouldn’t let me in
steam off on a legal poison
Get Sleep with Prosecco & a gin with a 60 pence glass .

Daughter cried I packed my bags
I saw her cry for our cat
I packed up all my bags
And walked out like an immature twocker
with a dirty rash.
DIDI WANT TO SCORE THE GREATEST OF THE GREATEST OF SNIFF?
Nah, all I wanted was freedom & to sleep without alcohol and illegal grass or bash.

Here I sit in darkness not happy to be back.
I have a packet of lamberts and Prosecco I’m NOT interested in drinking until I’m befokkered.
I want sleep
Forever forgotten all thoughts that made me high
Making drug dealers run for corruption , greed and bite so compared to ash Wednesday like sinners driving by.

My bee she cried for my Tatiana
I left
Guilt came flooding for sleep in a bed
where my inner whore rode the men who treat me like trash
Except my soul mate …

He told me to fuck off and I gladly said
Fuck you
Went to the shop
Closed
no
cat food.
Found spring water tuna-I

Felt Less guilty

felt less crass .

Went against the momma bears rule.
I’m a wild flower with an instinct to rebel from life rules .
THE FALLEN ANGEL WITH INVISIBLE WINGS
If chickens could fly higher I’d fly higher than the dragon from the land of sniff ready to rape
& Chase
fOr an extra taste.

In coma 5 days x another 5
In a coma I remembered the alien abduction
Their torture made me atone to live life differently
I’d even believe in mom’s anointment of Jesus Christ.

Thorns of roses
Thorns of self destruction.
Alone with my cat — my husband won’t come back-
My child is probably still crying.

I’m alone again
I can’t complain
This was my choice.

I want to sleep
Dream of our family home
help those who shouldn’t live a history worse than orphans blurred vision live on the African continent
Not their decision.

I didn’t relapse. I didn’t want to get high. I had a drink because I needed to sleep and I’m on sleeping medication 5 days a week out of 7. I’ve asked my doctor to take me off 15 mg of Nitrazepam that I had been since 2007.

It three weeks since I tried to take my life and nearly succeded , maybe Life is not finished with me yet because my family were told to prepare for my death, brain damage or me being paralysed

PERSONALS

Published June 14, 2020 by Nan Mykel
2020-06-14 00:45:17
NAN MYKEL

I’m trying to write a verse called “Pinching Petunias” but am having trouble because when I go to write I keep hearing the tune of “Waltzing Matilda.”

I still can’t wrap my head around “algorithm” and “meme.”

When did the term “Juneteenth” happen?

One day, if I live long enough, I will regret wasting all this time during self quarantine.

I’m super angry at Trump for wanting our Postal Service to charge us more. Will he privatize it in late September?

Praise the Lord for Obamacare!

In Trump’s next incarnation I hope karma will make him African American.

Where have you seen these: JSONXMLPHPVCFQR. Answer is Gravatar, and I don’t know what they mean. Does anyone?

Election 2020

Published June 14, 2020 by Nan Mykel

If Trump loses in November, he will thrust the US into a legitimacy crisis

Written by Nancy LeTourneau / The Washington Monthly June 12, 20202.7K

One month ago, the polling aggregator at RealClearPolitics showed Joe Biden with a four-point lead over Donald Trump. As of Wednesday, that lead had jumped to eight points. Additionally, Gallup reports that Trump’s approval rating has dropped ten points in the last month. In other words, things aren’t looking very good for the president’s re-election….

Failing to win a second term would brand Trump as a loser, something his narcissistic ego cannot tolerate. Even more importantly, it is very possible that the president could face criminal charges once he is out of office. So he’s picked up the mantra of a rigged election once again.

This time, Trump is signaling that if he loses in November, he will create a crisis of legitimacy when it comes to our electoral process.

“Given that the president has been making unsubstantiated voter fraud comments for years, I expect that these comments will continue,” said Richard Hasen, a professor of election law at the University of California, Irvine. “The comments are very worrisome because they increase the chances that the president’s supporters would not accept the election results as legitimate should he lose in November.” BrianKlaas suggested that we need to be prepared.We don’t know whether Trump will be reelected. But, as we head toward November, you have to ask yourself: If he loses, would it be more surprising if Trump graciously accepts defeat and congratulates his opponent or if he claimed to be the victim of a rigged election and a “deep state” plot? The answer seems clear.

But how do we prepare for something like that? Some of us remember the crisis of legitimacy that happened after the 2000 presidential election. But in the end, Al Gore recognized the danger such a crisis would pose to our democracy and conceded the election to Bush. We can all debate whether or not that was the right call. But we’ll never know what kind of chaos would have been unleashed if he had refused to do so.if-trump-loses-in-november-he-will-thrust-the-u-s-into-a-legitimacy-crisis

Much as we’ve seen over the last few years, the backstop to all of the president’s destruction of norms lands in the lap of the other two branches of government: Congress and the courts. Our founding documents gave us an outline for how Congress can remove a president from office, but they don’t address what the legislative body can do if he refuses to leave. Moreover, time and time again congressional Republicans have refused to stand up to Trump. Would a crisis of legitimacy change that?It is difficult for me to imagine the Supreme Court validating an attempt by Trump to deny the results of an election. But then, I never would have expected it to stop the counting of ballots in Florida in order to hand the election to Bush. So that’s a tough call.

I’d like to believe that American institutions could withstand a test like the one we are very likely to face in about five months. But the Trump era has made me much more cynical than I used to be about that kind of thing. I see a very dark cloud out there on the horizon and the reality is that there’s not much we can do to stop the storm from coming. I honestly don’t think that Trump will win the election. But based on what we know about him, it seems clear that he will not “go gentle into that good night.” The only thing we can do to prepare for something like that is to be honest about what we see coming.

BIDEN’S JOURNEY LEFT: Tomasky via Ravitch

Published June 13, 2020 by Nan Mykel

The following is a partial reblog of a posting by Diane Ravitch, linking with

Michael Tomasky JULY 2, 2020 ISSUE n.y. review of books

Bernie Sanders suspended his presidential campaign on April 8. It’s easy to forget, preoccupied as we all are now with the coronavirus and protests across the nation against police violence, what a precipitous fall this was. For a brief period after his smashing victory in the Nevada caucus on February 22, it was almost universally assumed that he would be the Democratic nominee. “Bernie Twitter” was ecstatic. Folks I know in the moderate wing of the party were beginning to make peace with the idea and preparing to support the independent Vermont senator’s bid for the White House.

Joe Biden
Joe Biden; drawing by Tom Bachtell

Then on February 29, exactly one week after Nevada, Joe Biden crushed Sanders in South Carolina. Three days later, in the March 3 Super Tuesday primaries, Biden won ten out of fourteen contests, many by quite large margins. And that was that. I’ve been writing about Democratic primaries since the 1988 race, and I don’t recall a single one in which the apparent end result flipped so emphatically and suddenly.

It’s hard for any politician to make the mental admissions to oneself required to end a presidential campaign; for a candidate like Sanders, who called for political revolution and seemed to have victory so near that he was surely daydreaming about the list of speakers at his convention, I imagine it was particularly hard. The struggle to accept defeat extends to supporters—perhaps doubly so with some of Sanders’s strongest supporters, who vocally detest the Democratic Party, people who call themselves liberals, Joe Biden, Elizabeth Warren, Barack Obama, and basically anyone who isn’t Sanders (or Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez).

But even as some of his supporters were digging in their heels, scrambling to knock Biden out, Sanders himself was suing for peace. Faiz Shakir, Sanders’s well-regarded campaign manager, told me that, as the senator ended his campaign, he made clear that cooperation would be the order of the day. “Senator Sanders asked me and [longtime adviser Jeff] Weaver to reach out to our Biden friends and see what would be available if we were to bring these worlds together,” Shakir said.

The friends in question were Ron Klain and Anita Dunn, two establishment Democrats. There are actually two lefts within the Sanders orbit. One I would call the “outside left,” the hard-shell “Bernie-or-bust” contingent referred to above: younger, more New York–centered, strident, and absolutist. The “inside left,” which includes people like Shakir, who has a Washington pedigree—he has worked for Nancy Pelosi and Harry Reid—sees value in urging the moderate (and elected) figures left. This group does have respect for people like Klain, a frequent and fierce critic of Donald Trump on MSNBC who, as Obama’s Ebola response coordinator, showed the world a few short years ago that the United States of America actually knew how to contain a virus.

In fact, the lines of communication between the campaigns predated Sanders’s dropping out. As the virus descended in the first half of March, the two camps negotiated the mutual canceling of events; they agreed before the last pre-lockdown debate, on March 15, to replace a handshake with an elbow bump. Through late March, as the toll of illness rose, they generally kept each other apprised of their actions. After Sanders withdrew, the discussions between the two turned more toward substance—and the extent to which Biden would be willing to adopt pieces of the Sanders agenda. Thus were formed the six task forces that the Biden campaign unveiled on May 13. These eight-member groups cover the economy, health care, immigration, criminal justice, climate, and education, and each is co-chaired by one Biden supporter and one Sanders supporter.

The left-wing presence on many of them is remarkable. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez co-chairs the climate panel with John Kerry. Representative Pramila Jayapal of Seattle, a major Sanders backer, co-chairs the health care task force with Obama surgeon general Vivek Murthy. The economist Stephanie Kelton, a top Sanders adviser and proponent of Modern Monetary Theory, which holds that the government should pay for major new investments like the Green New Deal by printing more money, is on the economic task force. The task forces, I’m told, have a threefold mission: to publicly recommend the policy positions that Biden should run on, to guide the writing of the party platform, and to inform the transition, should Biden win the election (assuming there is an election, or an uncorrupted one). It stands to reason that some of the members of these task forces might also fill important slots in a Biden administration. READ MORE VIA LINK…

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