Life is verdant on the California central coast and in a year that was not supposed to deliver much rain.
The Phillippi gauge anchored in a raised garden bed has captured 31.13 inches here on the ridge. Thoughts of the years of drought have been soaked in 24 rain events thus far.
This is most rain since the 2010-2011 rain season that produced 37 inches. A deeper dive into the wonderful wet after first giving attention to caring for the young ones.
The Phillippi gauge anchored in a raised garden bed has captured 31.13 inches here on the ridge. Thoughts of the years of drought have been soaked in 24 rain events thus far.
This is most rain since the 2010-2011 rain season that produced 37 inches. A deeper dive into the wonderful wet after first giving attention to caring for the young ones.
about the next generation
photo by John Stanley
elephant seal colony at Piedras Blancas
photo by John Stanely
sea otter family in Morro Bay
photo by John Stanley
so, what do we tell the kids
about this man?
What do I say to my grand daughter? I'm lucky I've got time to ponder this, she is one. But what do parents and grandparents say about a man who behaves like a loutish delinquent?
- How do we teach honesty when the President is a serial liar?
- How do discourage bullying when this man verbally abuses others, mocking even those with challenges?
- What do we say about appropriate behavior when the President is a sexual predator?
- How do we stress the importance of education when this man says he does not read and demonstrates time and time again he doesn't know history?
- How do we explain that despite knowing this, some thought he was worthy of the nation's highest job?
- How do we tell our children the President is not a role model and that he represents the worst of human behavior?
- How do we explain our Democratic Republic to them when a man who the majority of people voted against is undertaking policies the majority does not approve?
Have you wondered how this man will affect personal behavior as well as history?
trump truth or lie
"I comprehend things better than just about anybody"
President Trump
Did he say that?
Do you believe it ?
Well, he said it.
Fascinating to note that Judge Grouch can be offended by the man who would make him a supreme court justice. "Disheartening and demoralizing" he said of Trump's attack on the judiciary. When was the last time a nominated Supreme spoke ill of the Chief Executive? Yes, these are historic times.
but we breath deeply and focus
Yes, there have been slides and road closures. That comes with living on a shelf between the Pacific and the Santa Lucia mountains
but water tables are recovering from years of drought and mountains, hills, grazing slopes and gardens offer a green so rich as to dazzle
and many of us save, conserve and simply appreciate a precious resource.
February and March can be heavy months in our rainy season. The 37 inches that fell in 2010-2011 came in 43 rain events. 21 of those events happened from February to June, 8 in March alone. At this early February juncture our 31 inches may yet grow.
See you down the trail.
Darn, for a minute I thought you were talking about Bill Clinton.
ReplyDeleteI remember needing to share and explain with our daughters during Clarence Thomas hearings and later during the Lewinsky affair. Both of those were disgusting and difficult but pale in comparison to the predatory history of Trump. Still two, or three wrongs, do not make a right. We are all flawed people, no one is perfect but there are so many character disturbances and warning signs in this vulgar man.
DeleteThink I am being unfair? Spent a hour doing a video search and see and hear this man in his own words. His comments and behavior toward women alone are telling as to how he is unfit. Then spend some time looking at how mental health experts discuss his behavior, speech patterns, ticks and etc and you realize if he is not mentally ill, his ego is such that it impacts his ability to reason. I know we are told not to engage those who are supporters of him because they will fail to regard him critically. This is a much more serious concern than policy, or politics. This is sanity and character. History shows us how men who match his personality and flaws behave when they have power. I know you are a man of faith. Pray for him.
I think you're being rather kind here, Tom.
DeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteNo they may not be ideal role models, but they do command attention. That leaves us with the task of explaining how we do not want our children or grand children to grow to emulate that kind of behavior or personality. That in turn begs the questions, then why and how is this person so important and wield so much power? The whole thing creates a disconnect that is a form of dysfunction.
DeleteI'm glad I don't have small children in my life because I couldn't find anything nice to say about our president. He's a terrible role model for our youth.
ReplyDeleteAmen!
DeleteA great piece Tom about values and how we all are the patterns that younger types look towards. We have 5 grandchildren between 12 and 18 and all of them ask remarkably penetrating questions. We will get that opportunity this weekend with 3 of the 5. The fun and challenging part is to encourage deeper thinking and analysis on their part by not giving easy answers but rather asking more questions built on their initial statements. They do GET IT in many ways, but the conversations help all of us to become more learned and mature...all of us. Thanks again for doing what you do. Best wishes for the abundant rains you've gotten in CA.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the advice and guidance. Until she is old enough to pick up on all of this, I think I will attempt to emulate her innocent joy in seeing the wonder of life.
DeleteFor many years, probably since Ike, our presidents have been the source of jokes rather than emblematic of serious respect. And well before that, politicians have been described as closer to the back end of animals than the front. Will Rogers, Mark Twain, Al Capp, and many others got it right. So how do we explain to kids? We say, "Look elsewhere than politics and sports and certainly capitalism for role models, since each is all about winning no matter how you win."
ReplyDeleteGee, how could I have forgotten Walt Kelly on that short list of wit and wisdom regarding politicians?
ReplyDeleteRogers and Twain are particular favorites. And speaking of Kelly, oh how I miss Pogo. That was daily reading during my growing years.
Delete"We have met the enemy, and he is us"
DeleteIt's simple, Tom. You tell your granddaughter President Trump is why you speak Spanish and we all live in Mexico.
ReplyDelete😸Si.
DeleteOh and by the way, your back yard is gorgeous, if a bit cluttered!
ReplyDeleteI'll direct your comment to customer service, who also happens to be the master gardener.
DeleteTom
ReplyDeleteWhat I tell Fiona, the youngest g'kid, 6 years old, when she hears her mother and I talking about this unworthy figure, is it's not her job now, it's the adults job. Her mom and I and others like us need to fix it. For now, her job is to go to first grade, have fun, read, play with friends, learn, read Laura I. Wilder and get dirty outside. When she's older, she can hold us to account, but for now it's her job to be a kid.
My opinions on what we should do is not something I'd discuss on the internet.
Cheers,
Mike
I'm hopeful that by the time she is aware of all of this the vulgarian will be gone, sooner rather than later. By the way our girls loved the Little House Books.
DeleteAs for your last comment, I understand!!