Decency and Normalcy

    Fleeting as any generation may be, we live amidst certain constancies. Confrontation, conflict, is as certain as sea and earth. Forces collide.

     The American republic is ground zero for a collision that historians tell us is the most severe test of our existence since 1860, the cusp of the Civil War.

       Last week those who paid attention saw decency, normalcy and were transported to a reality far away from the toxic bedlam of Trump world. 
     The Democratic National Convention, the virtual edition, was effective, loaded with voices, faces, expression of hope, examination of issues and powerful in message. Obama and Biden delivered the best speeches of their careers. Kamala Harris crossed an historic threshold with dignity, force and intellect. The many other speakers were passionate and pointed. Because they were not speaking to a hall full of delegates, they were able to speak more directly, more one on one, to the heart and the mind. 
     As someone who began reporting on presidential politics in the late '60's and a veteran of decades of conventions, I found the virtual presentation to be more intelligent, focused,  and in depth than the circus like exuberance of the old school. Once those conventions served a purposed, but since the 80's they've become staged productions and big parties.
     The Democrats were the first in this modern pandemic to build a structure. We were imbued with family, earnestness, purpose, commitment to equality, a vision of caring, plans for healing and rebuilding, and the normal tradition of America aspiring to greatness and competency.  
      Now the Trump party will take center stage, and those fractures that divide us, and the forces of deception and fraud that threaten us will be in the spot light.

toxic 2020

     The bad year took a turn for the worse this week as the air on California's central coast was listed as the most dangerous in the world. It happened as smoke from fires to the north and south were trapped in a heat wave. Since midweek houses have been closed, outdoor activity was a no-no, and the temperatures set new high records.

    The milky sky was acrid and full of a fine soot and ash that covered houses and cars. Most of us who live on this side of the Santa Lucia Mountains do not have air conditioning. The mountains would normally be seen in this view, but have been obscured by the bad air. 

    A local air quality expert said it is the worst he's seen in his 30 years of measurement.  We take precautions, stay inside and know that soon this will clear, an inconvenience. But we share a concern for our fellow Californians fighting the blazes, evacuating, worrying about their homes, on top of the pandemic. 

tender mercies and gentle victory

   A quick trip to the shore, where the air is at least moving, presented a couple of sights worth sharing. 
   The green patina on this outcropping is visible only during seasons when the low tide exposes it. I took delight in the artistic shading of Providence.

   I marveled at this discovery of clay figures of some composition, set atop rocks on the shore. Someone, with care, added to the tableau of the Pacific shore. A thoughtful and creative kindness.

    And there was the joy of this duo. Notice the bend in one of the rods.

   Look carefully in the frame below and you'll see a trophy of this day of fishing on the rocks. 

   So, even as we journey on in this historic passage, there are moments of the normalcy we seek.
   Stay well, take care of each other.

   See you down the trail.

SHE SAYS-HE SAYS and A Few Diversions

   In this post, we'll open and close here-something good, something very good and nice. We need diversions, don't we?

  The other stories in the Kavanaugh confirmation coming up, but first a good bye------

one tough old bird

     Our little village tucked between the Santa Lucia Mountains and the Pacific lost a big force this weekend, Reggie Perkins at 92. Some of us lost a buddy.

    Here's an sketch of how tough Reg was. A few years ago he had a heart attack on Christmas Eve. He was back on the tennis court New Year's Day.  

     A WWII vet, he had been a battalion chief on the LA Fire Department. He helped build the Cambria Fire Department and served on the community governing board, the CCSD.

      He and his late wife founded a volunteer group that assists people in need or needing medical equipment, or trips to the doctor. They started the annual Easter Egg hunt. He was active in the American Legion and had been a long time treasure of the Odd Fellows benevolence lodge.

     On the tennis court Reg, who played up to only a few months ago despite knees that hurt him every minute, had one of the toughest drop shots in tennis. He chuckled many times as I ran like a banshee to get to the ball, only to watch his patented spin make me look like a fool. I was not alone.

     Reg was one of the founders of the "prayer meeting" that I was invited into about 12 years ago. A group of old boys meeting on someone's porch or deck at precisely 4:00 to have coffee and a cigar, if you were so inclined. Way back the group met on Wednesdays and Sundays. In the last few years the gatherings were on Sunday and wine had been added as well. As a new retiree in the village the tips, insights and history I heard from Reg, John Angel and the late Phil Allen, plus the jokes, made a newbie feel right at home. 
      Reg listened more than he talked, but when he said something, it stuck. These were truly old boys still full of life. 

     It was only a couple of weeks ago Reg was on my deck reminding me I needed to add cushions to my hard wood furniture. We all thought Reg would go on forever. He filled his 92 years and left us all with a target to shoot for. He will be missed.

     What you see in the frame above is the largest lemon I've seen. It was grown locally.  How big is it?

an appropriate pause

     In a lifetime appointment to the Supreme Court, the new accusations have to be taken seriously enough to be investigated and either tossed aside or validated. 

      What's the rush? Mitch McConnell considered a year a valid wait. The Kentucky wheeler dealer denied America's first African American President a chance to get even a hearing on his nominee. So, what's the rush now? Does someone sense American voters are fed up with Republican rule and acquiescence to the malignant narcissist and Russian stooge?

      More important than Republicans protecting their advantage is the fact the American public deserves resolution as do Judge Kavanaugh and Professor Ford. And the same goes for the more recent accusers and the Judge. 

       But there is an ugly strain in all of this. Some, on both sides of the political aisle, wonder if accusations this old have any bearing on the decision. The default position for many is, what really matters is if the judge is telling the truth. Well of course that matters. 

      But I am one who thinks the behavior all those years ago matter as well, though it is complicated. It is possible that people can change. I think it is entirely possible that youthful and foolish behavior can be left behind. And we know  drinking can contribute to poor judgement and horrendous behavior--but....wrong is wrong, and violence is violence. Also, a patriarchal mind set is wrong and too often has been enabling. 

       The idea that "boys will be boys" is wrong headed and dangerous. That attitude permeates American culture and it was certainly in play at the time that Judge Kavanaugh was a beer drinking, hell raising, privileged preppie and Yalie. It was wrong and if we are ever to get fair and healthy in relationships between men and women we need to recognize it. It shouldn't have been condoned then. It cannot be condoned now. Should it bar him from the court? If it was something he did repeatedly, but now lies about, then yes.

       If Kavanaugh did not in fact act like a boorish, privileged drunk punk then it goes beyond what and how he described himself at the time. Still I'm sure boys who behaved badly have grown to be responsible adults and that may in fact be the case for the judge, unless he is lying now, embarrassed about his previous alleged behavior or too drunk to remember.
       He is where few people go, nominated to the Supreme Court and we have a right to know. Our right to know supersedes his privacy, her privacy, since she had made the accusation and certainly supersedes any thing Mitch McConnell wants.

      The last thing on this is fairness-fairness in this case and the historic issue of fairness in how women have been second class, abused and treated. I read this contemporary culture as being invested by women and men who say

time's up. We want to play by new rules.  We want to play by fair rules.

      I think there is enough accrued injustice and resultant anger that the old white men on the Judiciary Committee better realize what year it is and what fair now means. If Republicans behave as they did in 1991, they belong on the ash bin.

and now to the diversions

there are some things you just can't explain

no matter where you look

relax

at this age, and in this time, diversions are healthy

cheers!

      See you down the trail.   

WILL OBAMA JOIN THE CLUB? SUNNYLANDS

MID CENTURY MODERN 
WEALTH & POWER

     The angles are stunning.  The history is as well. Sunnylands, the extraordinary estate of the late Ambassadors Walter and Leonore Annenberg, awaits a first visit by President Obama.  
      (UPDATE-President Obama used Sunnylands as the
sight of a summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping June  2013))

      Every President since Eisenhower has visited or worked at Sunnylands.

   Built in the mid 60's the estate captures the essence of Modern architecture and style, worthy of study. It is now administered by the Annenberg Foundation.  Less than a year ago the first public visits began.

   The visitor's center provides an overview with superb large touch screen videos and history and a good orientation film. It also features a schedule of special exhibitions.

    The setting is majestic.  
    Sunnylands is now a retreat center for issues of critical importance. 
    Tours of the home are limited to 7 people and run on a limited schedule. It is worth the ordering of tickets.

    The grounds of the visitors center are a stunning sight. The Giacometti sculpture commands focus. 
     Some come to see to the visitors center and garden.

  Those fortunate to visit the home are offered a golf cart
ride over the Annenberg's 200 acre estate near Rancho Mirage.

    You are driven to the famous front gate that welcomed  Presidents, Queen Elizabeth, other royals and countless celebrities. 

     Extraordinary art and sculpture are abundant, including this from Mexico, opposite the front door.

    Photographs are not permitted in the mansion, decorated as it was when the Annenbergs lived here.   
    Included are digitally created replicas of the multi-million dollar art collection given to a museum. The furniture and interior decor have been studied and envied by professional decorators and collectors.

   The home is a masterpiece of the modern architecture  Palm Springs is known for.  
    The display wall inside this hall holds the world's most extensive Steuben glass and crystal collection.

   11 lakes were built on the 200 acres of desert, now an oasis extradordinare'. 

   A closer look at the pool deck reveals a piece of balancing art that reminded me of a raft.

   Ronald Reagan loved the place.  He spent 18 New Year's eves here.  Photos of those parties are a treasure of show business greats mingling with world power brokers.  The first State Dinner held away from the White House was held here.  

   The Chinese Pavilion was built on the golf course to provide a place for lunch.  The Annenbergs played daily.

   Leonore Annenberg saw a marble bench while traveling and had one created for the edge of the golf course. She thought it was "too white," so a hedge was planted to block it's whiteness from being seen at the home. Her choice of color for the home was a peach or pink.

   The sand traps on the course, built on a flat and arid desert wilderness, are deep.

     Eisenhower golfed here. The Kennedys were guests as were LBJ and Lady Bird. Richard Nixon withdrew to Sunnylands after his resignation. The Fords played here. Reagan and the Bushes worked and relaxed here.  Carter and Clinton were guests and partied or strategized here. 

     Frank Sinatra was married here.  Bob Hope was here often. 

     The photos in Walter's study are a collection of the famous and powerful, from the US and abroad.  The  Christmas cards from the Queen, the Duke, or the Queen Mum are alone a stunning display.  All of this has been available to we mere mortals for less than a year.  

      Sunnylands is now a foundation providing a high calibre retreat space for the world's more challenging political, educational or communication issues.

      This New York Times link provides a fascinating background.

      The Foundations hopes that President Obama will  use the calm, peace and beauty of the estate to tackle an issue before him.  Some have suggested it would be a great setting for congressional leadership and the President to deal with fiscal issues.  Maybe the vibe of all of those who preceded him would help.

       Sunnylands is a uniquely American experience. And you can't help but be dazzled by how the Annenbergs lived, out in their desert house.

       See and learn more by linking to Sunnylands here. 

       See you down the trail.