I'm a little verklempt. — One Red Chair Studio

I was going to post something else today, a bit more red-white-and-blue, but now I am pissed.

We have for our lifetimes, mostly, said and believed this is the best country to live in. I’m not so sure any more of that. Having traveled far (if not wide), I’ve seen some other places whose citizens, I am sure, believe the same about their country and look pretty good to me, too. I realize everyday life is what matters, and a traveler doesn’t see that. But I’m betting that all of those places, their citizens can go to parades (I mean, c’mon), the movies, school, grocery stores, concerts, and church and feel pretty safe. If nothing else, this is one reason I am feeling less patriotic today. I won’t even go to the notion of women’s choice and privacy, an unextreme notion held in all of those countries. I won’t even count that almost half of us continue to spout nutsy theories or refuse to read and learn enough to move away from them. I won’t even go to the ridiculous chasm separating the very rich and the rest of us…or the wealth that buys those we (try to) choose to represent us. Or the inability to pass bills that solve problems or provide a better life for every person, no matter their station in life. No, I won’t go there.

I have few complaints about my personal day to day life. I am lucky. I don’t let the gun madness we are currently in keep me from pursuits, because it truly is beyond my control. (And out of control.) My gut still loves my country, but my brain is recalcitrant. I hope it gets better. I will try to help. I am very worried. And I don’t even have grandchildren whose future to fret about.