Leaf Pile

October's when San Francisco has one of it's famous warm snaps.  Sure feels like summer when that happens!

Back east, we'd be getting treated to colorful shows brought to us by the many trees that grow there.  That's one thing I do muss...the tree lined streets and piles of leaves, just waiting there for kid fun!

The smell of the leaves, tea-like and woody, called to me like a siren song...."Jump in me, jump in me!"  The temptation was always too strong and regardless of wardrobe or destination I could never pass up the opportunity to jump in the middle of it all!  Even to this day!  Of course I'd probably be arrested for being crazy or something....people my age just don't do that sort of thing.

Maybe that's why I'm here and not back there, eh?  Just can't conform to their way of thinking.  Yep, that's me....weirdo all the way!  But I'm happy!

So for today, Fifty Five Is the New Leaf Pile....some day I'm gonna find one again, and go for it!

Housekeeping

It's getting on that time of year again....beginning with all the ghosts and goblins of Halloween, the days are getting shorter and in some areas there'll soon be snow (if it hasn't begun already).

Global Crystal Ball   rcw 2010

It's hard to tell what's normal in weather anymore; winter in San Francisco used to be chilly and rainy....now it's anybody's guess.  Last year it was rather mild, the year before that was frigid cold and very rainy.  Of course Jack was away, so that didn't help.

But aside from personal inclement scenarios, truth be told I believe that global warming is occurring. Some people don't agree...or at least don't think that humans are mainly responsible.  Personally, I believe we are.  Who else? The cows?  In and of themselves, bovines-and for that fact all critters that I know of-help create green house gas.  But they don't cause the other noxious and polluting chemicals and byproducts...we do.

We can't deny it and do have to figure out how to change things.  Our country is divided on so many issues, and global warming is one of them.  One side thinks that we have to cut everything to the bone and go without technology to save the planet, the other thinks there's nothing wrong and that we should continue doing what we do.

Both sides, to my way of thinking, are wrong.  The first because it is too austere, most people won't buy into it.....especially if part of the austerity includes taxes on top of sacrifice.  The latter is wrong because it is just plain old fashioned denial through either ignorance or obstinacy-maybe both.

When trying to resolve a problem it's best to work with the facts at hand, at least for starters.  Try to see how to make the existing components operate in a way, that in this case creates resolution. Creating a valid and workable compromise is the goal.

In this case we have our future.  On piled on the scale of consideration we have, in pan A-the whole global warming contingency-lock, stock and barrel.  See? Al Gore's sitting right up there at his desk getting a massage.  In the other scale pan we have piled all things denying global warming.  This includes the big industries, politicians and lobbyists who have so far made a comfortable living protecting their interests.
Hmmmm.

There's actually another component not talked about yet in this illustration....Us.  Where are we, the regular John and Joan Does of this country?  Oh we're there, crushed under the weight of everybody else in each given pile. Ouch!

Somewhere beyond all these piles is the truth....the truth that we have to do something. Our world is ill and not getting any better.  We have to grow up, face some facts and make some changes

It's good that we're exploring space, planning trips to Mars and all that....but we can't leave good old Earth behind looking like a big pile of stinking rubble! That's just not neighborly! We got this place on a sweetheart deal; no security deposit, no hidden charges. The least thing we can do is clean it up before we move out!  That's only fair.

So for today, Fifty Five Is The New House Keeping-taking care of our home, the planet, while we still can.

Politics

Diamond Origami Paper  by rcw

The mid-term elections are just about here, and that means there's been a lot of fur and feathers flying!
I understand that politics is ugly business, sausage making and all that.  But seriously folks, it's gotten uglier and uglier.

Many people who voted for President Obama are severely disappointed in him; it's causing a lot of them to bail and throw their support to the "other side."

Meanwhile, everyone's so afraid of being politically incorrect that nobody knows how to really sit down and talk anymore.  Too much fear of accusations of racism, sexism or whatever other ism is going on. And it's a damn shame because communication is locked.

I don't know what to think any more, and I know I'm not alone.

For today, Fifty Five is the New Politics, in hope that something different does take place...something positive, enlightening and just for all.  But I won't hold my breath.

Keep the Faith

These are tough times, no argument there!  We have to hold on to something to keep us going....let us know that there is a tomorrow and a chance for things to change.  Faith is essential.  I'm not talking religion here, I'm talking faith.  That doesn't mean anything other than what it says.  Not Bible or Bagavad thumping-that's NOT what I mean by faith.

Simply put, Faith is believing in something...anything.  God...Yourself...a Tree....Whatever....

This video is a "Draft Song," that is a song that just kinda spilled out like that.  We had the cameras rolling and were fortunate to capture it.  We write lots of songs like this; just start playing and words spill out.   We have other examples of Draft Songs, some are up on YouTube.

I think we have to draw on our inner strengths to get through these hard days.  We have to find firm assurance in something bigger than ourselves....not because the preacher or teacher says so, but because it is the formula for survival.  Relying on the greater powers of Creation, the Collective Conscious, the Great Spirit....or even just the Self....there is a grounding, centering force that we can grasp and hold on to....it doesn't necessarily take the challenges away, but it helps us get through them.

It's fashionable not to believe in anything....but in that dark night of the soul, how many of us still cry out-in spite of our public indifference-to that forgotten source of power and comfort?  It's okay.
For today and for every day, Fifty Five Is The New Keep The Faith....cos if you believe, someone's gonna believe in you.

Diane Memories

Wylie T Katz, a gift from Diane

It's almost Diane's birthday....she's nearby and in my thoughts. 
Every once in a while, when things are particularly crazy I'll feel her hand touch my shoulder like in the old days...as if to say "Hang in there, kiddo. It's gonna be okay." 

Diane gave us Wylie after Ginger died...
She was so very supportive no matter how crazy I was....


She was, and remains, an incredible friend. It's hard to believe she's gone....so hard to believe she experienced all that, survived for so many years battling that damned Ovarian Cancer. Dear God, why? Why did she, why does anyone have to suffer?

I know, I know...we are mortal; diseases are part of the program and pain is part of it too.  But so is joy and love. Her friendship was one of those wonderful things of life. I miss her terribly.

For today, Fifty Five Is the New Diane memories, thinking of my dearest friend.