Good Rain for Sunday

at least where I am

When I went out to pick up my Sunday paper from the driveway, I was pleased to feel the first sprinkles of the forecasted rain. Of course, having been born in England, rain was our friend—or used to be because as I tell my American friends, if we waited for it to stop before venturing out, we would never go anywhere. Of course, now with climate change so ubiquitous, I have no idea what the weather is like where I used to live. But when it is cool and rainy here, I always think “English weather” and have been known to share that sentiment with friends as well.

I just finished breakfast (and as usual, Sunday calls for something with maple syrup), and I couldn’t decide whether to sit down right away for a leisurely read of my local paper or begin writing my Substack post. Knowing myself well enough to realize that I detest having things hanging over me, I decided this obligation would have to come first. Funny when you think of it, though, because it is completely self-imposed. Perhaps that is from having been a self-employed contractor for all these years. Anyway, here I am.

First and foremost, I want to get something off my chest. While I realize that it has been just a political ploy, the recent call by a certain candidate to make IVF free set off all kinds of alarm bells in my head. While I sympathize and even empathize with those who go this route to pregnancy, I’m somewhat torn about the number of other medical miracles which would not be included. And as on old person on Medicare, it seems to me that there many needs we as a class have in common—care for our eyes, hearing, and teeth—none of which are currently covered by original Medicare. So perhaps our Government could begin to take into account the needs of far greater numbers instead of going for soundbites for a select few. And by the way, my neighbor asked me some questions about how much Medicare costs, which resulted in my remembering that I am actually paying a penalty every month because I didn’t sign up for Part B at the right time. So I was able to advise him to be careful when he turns 65 to do it properly. I’m not sure where I messed up, but I know I waited until age 70 to begin collecting Social Security. Okay. Rant over, so now on to more pleasant stuff.

I’ve been telling you about the Jonathan Blitzer book I am reading about Central America (by the way, it took me to get to page 258 to understand the title), and I realized that a neighbor of mine is actually from Guatemala. So yesterday I showed him the book and I shared that I had been unaware of the war and subsequent unsettled situation in that country. We got talking about his take on the immigration question, and he and I shared our horror of the facile spouting of one candidate. Then we commiserated that another close neighbor is all in for the “businessman” because he doesn’t seem to have heard the word “failed” which should always precede that.

Anyway, later I was chatting on the phone with a very dear friend who I was aware had years ago done some kind of trip to deliver medical supplies to somewhere. Well, it turns out she was in Guatemala in 2009. Quite a full circle day, I had, and she was able to dig out her souvenirs from that trip and noted that they had to have armed guards the whole time. She also felt saddened that some of the eyeglasses, for instance, were cast offs which may have been scratched or mislabeled as to strength. She noted that sunglasses might have been more appropriate particularly for the young people spending all day picking crops in the blazing sun. However, she and I are not going to solve the world’s problems at this somewhat fragile point in our lives. But we do still have voices and can inform our close circles of some of our experiences. I am particularly incensed about the backwards slide on reproductive rights, having spent a good deal of time and effort in the 60’s fighting for the passage of Roe v. Wade. To have its overturn engineered by the most despicable human being to ever stomp on the halls of power is particularly galling. Oh dear, I’ve started ranting again. I really meant to try to avoid politics for a minute. But perhaps we have so little time to steer safely through the headwinds that it’s okay to continue passing the word.

In fact, I could probably sit here all day and tell everyone how dire our situation is but I’ll get on with my Sunday routine. Of course, once I open the paper, I’ll again start proofreading everything I see. Words really do matter, and unfortunately they have become weapons of mass destruction. With practically the complete encyclopedia of human knowledge at the fingertips of everyone with a smart phone, none of us should remain ignorant of how despots take power. It is no exaggeration to say that we have a situation on our hands which requires extreme measures—including for many Republicans the necessity of voting Democratic this time around. I have quite a few friends for whom that is the only choice!

So, enjoy your Sunday doing whatever floats your boat, and I will do the same. One day at a time until Mum’s birthday, which is Guy Fawkes day, or most importantly, ELECTION DAY!

KEEP CALM AND CARRY ON