Dear Maria,
Finally—Saturday was a hit-the-jackpot kind of day that
makes short work of memories of rain and humidity and the heat index. Bluebirds
fluttered about their condo, and Max galloped around the backyard nearly all
day. As usual, as you know, I will temper my delight with the knowledge of the
roller-coaster ride weather-wise that is coming this season. But, for that one
day….
You know I have kept my nose out of the daily news mostly since
my retirement save for science stories and some sports. The headlines are
dosing enough, and without a television, the noise is my life is mostly music, birds,
dogs, and some traffic. Oh, and the occasional jet coming in from the west.
Right on cue: A small plane is buzzing overhead. So, those
too as well.
The ongoing violence in the Middle East fills columns and propels
the yap-fests, of course, but the radical Buddhists in Myanmar determined to
crush Islam in their nation is the story that to me screams volumes about the
horribly mistaken notion of exclusivity.
Make others’ othernesses a monolithic monster and the hatred
begins. All Muslims are…, all Democrats are…, all billionaires are…, all
Russians are…. Seven billion individuals
on the planet and folks are hunting for oneness?
I did see that a fatwa condemning ISIS came out of Saudi
Arabia—yes, I read it. My hope, which is also so very far-fetched, is that
every young person in the world between 18 and 30 will decide that enough with violence
already. Naïve, I know.
Hold on for a moment. Pulse good, bp holding steady. I have
good books to read, good friends to visit, and a supportive family. Scotch is
on the shopping list, along with some potting soil.
Life is good.
Hope the turn into October feels like some forward progress
for you. Holiday madness looms soon enough.
Yours, srk
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