Gotta be honest

 I've never been a big fan of the Fourth of July;

too much privilege wrapped in a flag;

too much glorification of military might -

by people who went out of their way to avoid the draft

and military service

back in the day. 

 

I used to volunteer to work in the ER,

just so I wouldn't be available/required to watch our small town parade.

I've always been fascinated though by Grand Entry at a PowWow

and how seriously and lovingly their veterans participate.

 

 If ever a group of people had a right to complain about this country and how it treated them,

its our indigenous brothers and sisters.

Attempted genocide - check

Cultural erasure through boarding schools - check

Exclusion from mainstream society into remote poverty deserts - check

Lack of access to decent services - check.

 

Yet service and the opportunity to protect this land is seen 

as honorable and heroic.

They don't love our government -

which, lets be honest is made up of pretty flawed humans beings,

yet, they fight for our LAND,

Mother Earth;

its their home 

and they feel duty bound to protect it.

Their approach makes sense to me. 

I DO love this country,

the physicality of it -

from sea to shining sea;

its the government that sucks so often! 

 

I continue to be heartbroken by ways in which our current regime

AND our earth are being changed and deliberately destroyed. 

Freedom, Liberty and Life itself are on the line in ways

they never have been before -

at least not in my lifetime.

Heaven knows where we'll all end up. 

 Against that backdrop, 

it was hard to celebrate even the basic trappings of the holiday

although, 

at least this year,

 it was inside in AC, with no mosquitos around 

and a drink in hand.

 I've been scrambling for those glimmers of joy -

and they're definitely still

 out there -

                                Don't you love those rare shots that make it look like you're 

both a great gardener and a great photographer? 

When you were actually just standing in the driveway and got lucky?! 

 

I took a quick trip up to see where the Missouri River joins the Mississippi River;

its a MO state park - and frankly, it was underwhelming.

 

Not without beauty of its own kind

but also not what was expected.

Especially with a drive 5 miles deep into a cornfield.

and what seemed to be away from the river! 

Truth be told,

 the road also leads through what can only be described as petrochemical alley.

 Whatever you do, don't light a cigarette.

 

You finally get to a parking lot and then, down a short trail -

there it is.

The Missouri River on the right,

the Mississippi River on the left.

That's it ...

No metaphors about how two great powers come

together without fanfare;

just water seeking its own. 

With more corn and soybean fields on the way out.

Oh well,

it got me out of the house 

and away from playing with paper,

making more anthropomorphic creatures. 

 I also thought two of Edward Hooper's paintings could use a refresh.

 

 I recently discovered my 'art practice' philosophy.

 Thank God for these two;

they always keep it real. 

 Keep creating and finding joy, my friends.

It's gonna get rockier. 

Just over here grabbing JOY

 which doesn't negate

 for a minute

the HUGE BS Bill which could negate health care 

for millions,

 a bomb strike by a leader of another country as corrupt as ours is,

human beings -who sought out this country for a better life -

as did most of OUR relatives, generations back -

now being handcuffed by masked militia and sent to prisons

in foreign countries with no accountability or due process

and lets not forget zip tying seniors

IN WHEELCHAIRS

for the crime of exercising their freedom of speech.

 

Just when you think they can't sink any lower,

they find a new rung on the evolutionary ladder.

 

So, just a reminder

 Despite all things political,

beauty remains

 and is a stunning reminder that even the current regime

can't destroy all the 'good' that is out there!

Friends who are master gardeners get out there,

playing in dirt in all our Midwestern heat,

creating harbors of beauty. 

and invitations to look for even more beauty in backyards.

When I saw THIS piece of what looks to be a pile of confetti on Instagram,

it was love at first sight.

Such a great reminder that there's something to celebrate

every day -

as long as you look for it

and stay open to ways to surprise and delight yourself!

 

Hope renewed

I know this feeling won't last forever

but, boy, does it feel good 

for right now!

The much needed reminder that you're not alone;

that you're not the only one that thinks our country is seriously out of whack;

that the cruelty which is SO the point of the current administrations policies 

do NOT represent who the majority of the citizens in this country are;

the possibility, no matter how slight, that there will be an end,

a reckoning,

of this terrible period in our history.

 

My sign was ready.

And, after much debate - and an ongoing argument with my brother,

I painted over the NO Dic tator sign and replaced it with

No Mad King.

There were several protests planned in our area and I went to the closest one.

I had every intention of joining the larger event downtown several hours later,

but between my health, the heat and symptoms of dehydration,

I opted for AC and home instead.

 Luckily, there were thousands of people to cover for me.

 

St Louis turned out in glorious style.

 

It was heartwarming to see.

I know I'll be returning to these images in the months ahead -

reminders that there are like minded people out there IN DROVES

who object to what's being done in our names, 

to our country

in the coming 3 years -

oh god, that's a long time!!

 

Soaking up every glimmer of joy I can to get through.

 

Art Boy had an exhibit in Kansas City last weekend

and, on opening night, sold 7 of his paintings.

I was SO pleased for him.

Had a quick visit with him before he headed west again.

Stay cool out there!

And grab your joy where you can find it!