Dear President Trump, The Olympic Mountains looked stunning today. They’re covered with snow and there was both thick fog skirting their bases and low cloud cover hovering along their tops. Late in the afternoon when the sun was in the West it was illuminating the mountains and they shone like a ribbon between the gray … Continue reading New normals
Children
“defiance of something”
Dear President Trump, Before I settle down and tell you about my biggest learn of the morning I’m going to throw some popcorn thoughts at you. Here goes: I so, so wish that the WP (and other outlets) would stop saying what you “believe” as though they know what you believe. In this morning’s long … Continue reading “defiance of something”
Caring that we get things right
Dear President Trump, All sorts of things are going on in the news this morning. First, it looks like your trade deal with Mexico and Canada is getting a nice boost from Speaker Pelosi (fortunately after stronger supports for unions and workers’ rights were added). Second, despite your bogus complaints about the “do-nothing Democrats,” Pelosi … Continue reading Caring that we get things right
Family leave + ‘Space Force’ ~ OMG
Dear President Trump, A little while ago Laura read me your inane monologue from today’s Business Roundtable. I especially like the parts about how unflattering the light from the new light bulbs is and how they make people look orange. Your bit about being vain and not liking to be in light that makes you … Continue reading Family leave + ‘Space Force’ ~ OMG
Layers of existential threat
Dear President Trump, This morning as I headed home near the end of my walk I saw a coyote loping down the street. I’m pretty sure I’ve told you about previous coyotes sightings so the fact of coyotes roaming the streets around here isn’t brand new news. What is new is that this one was … Continue reading Layers of existential threat
Graced by a heron
Dear President Trump, Maybe it’s that it’s the Sunday at the end of a four-day holiday weekend or maybe it’s the time of year, but the day started out pretty challenging. First off, I overslept and was late getting to choir practice. Second, we didn’t have any of our actual tenors who can read music … Continue reading Graced by a heron
Kindness and calm
Dear President Trump, I hope you’re having a nice Thanksgiving visiting military people in Afghanistan. I really do hope this, both for your sake and for theirs. It was good of you to go and do that. There are other things I could say about you and the military, but for today I won’t pick … Continue reading Kindness and calm
Revolt until we get it right
Dear President Trump, Remember how the other day I offered a modest re-write of the first sentence of the Declaration of Independence, swapping in ‘people’ for ‘men’ and ‘we are endowed by Creation’ for ‘ they are endowed by their Creator’? Well, I’d like to move us on to the next major sentence fragment. It … Continue reading Revolt until we get it right
Out of the mouths of babes….. and grandmas
Dear President Trump, Sounds like you got an earful during your remarks at the NYC Veteran’s Day parade today. I’m sure some people there think you hung the moon, but there were probably more who’d prefer your view of the moon was from behind bars judging by the copious “lock him up” and “traitor” chants … Continue reading Out of the mouths of babes….. and grandmas
Women’s anger is still being weaponized
Dear President Trump, All afternoon I’ve been thinking about anger and how it continues to be weaponized against women who express it. As I was trying to come up with a way into this vast, touchy topic, it occurred to me that it might be instructive to list reasons why men get angry. So what … Continue reading Women’s anger is still being weaponized