July 19, 2023
Taking note of the weather
around the world over the last few weeks—at least that part of the world that
is in the Northern Hemisphere—how can anyone not understand that climate
change is real, and that damage has been done by the most populous breed of rat
ever to live on the planet—human beings?
I’m getting tired of hearing
all sorts of lame and lamebrain excuses and conspiracy theories for what’s
happening outside around us. Some folks are afraid to face reality, and I get
that. When I was younger, I excelled in denial. That’s an attitude born of
fear, I think, and no one can deny that the uncertainty of the path ahead for
humanity over the next few decades can be a definite source of fear.
But there comes a point when
we have to accept what we are looking at with our eyes and experiencing with
our bodies. We have to stop listening to those who may have a different agenda
and take in what is. We have to accept reality and then figure out what
comes next and how we can best cope with it all.
I really do sense that there
are more people being realistic and working on the problem than ever before.
Progress is being made, albeit it slowly. And in the interim, as folks endure
days-on-end triple digit temperatures, it becomes a matter of coping in the
moment, and reiterating the steps one can take to be as safe as possible in
these sweltering conditions.
Stay out of the sun and stay
hydrated. We haven’t had as many overheated days up here in the “true north” as
a lot of you have had, but we’ve had a few of them. We’ve also been stymied by
rotten air quality because those darn wildfires are still burning. I’m grateful
that my husband has been willingly to listen to our daughter over the last few
weeks. Mindful of his COPD, she’s been keeping an eye on the outdoor conditions
and telling him when he needs to stay inside. He was reluctant at first to
listen, and even left the front door open on a really smoky day—bless his heart—but
he is listening, and he’s also putting off the chores around the house that he
would have done otherwise.
People are dying in this
heatwave, and some are hospitalized due to poor air quality. And not just here in
North America, but, as I said, almost everywhere in the northern hemisphere.
Watching the news each day, it
is gratifying to see people helping each other. We really are all in this
together. I’ve always believed that most people will help others if given the
opportunity.
One can’t watch the news and
not be moved by the number of folks having a hard time during these taxing
conditions. There are so many people in need, and so many who have so little.
I’ve spent a lot of time lately
being grateful for a comfy bed and a relatively cool house. I don’t take either
of those things for granted. I don’t believe that attitude will prevent me from
also being in want in the future. But it will prevent me from having any
serious regrets over not appreciating what I had while I had it. That right
there, to me, would be the epitome of adding insult to injury.
Tough times will inevitably
come, but they won’t come to stay. They’ll come to pass.
Friday will be my last
birthday that begins with a 6! Some of my loved ones have asked what I want for
my birthday, and really, it’s the same thing every year. I long for nothing
more than to be with my kids, my grand kids, and my great-grand kids. Family
means a great deal to me, and so do the friendships I’ve made. Not that there
aren’t things I’d like to receive, or obtain. It’s just that things don’t
matter to me nearly as much as people do.
And I know that’s not the way
I started out. When I first got married it was not uncommon for me to be in a
bad place, mentally and emotionally, because of the struggles we endured. But I’m
older now, and I know that those struggling times were also the best growing
times. Now, I don’t much focus on possessions, but people and I am grateful
that is where I am now.
That, all in itself, is a great
source of happiness for me.
Love,
Morgan
http://www.bookstrand.com/morgan-ashbury
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