MONDAY MUSINGS: 11K MILES IN 3 MONTHS

MONDAY MUSINGS: I know many of you are shocked when you hear of my particpation still in Couchsurfing but wait 'til you see what rolled in Friday night. This British Couchsurfer Ray actually lives in the Netherlands.

This trip over the big pond he bought a 'motor bike' during his stay in Mexico and has put 11,000 miles on it in 3 months! He also spent 2 whole weeks at Burning Man. 

He might have an idea of where he is heading but it depends on who he meets along the route. Friday, he was stopped at a vista and visited with some bikers who told him about the large annual motorcycle rally: Bikes, Blues, and BBQ  in Rogers. Arkansas, so he detoured.

I knew this 'chap' was going to be interesting. He did not disappoint. He is very articulate with a much older soul than his 35 years, as he recites Keats when the mood hits him. Women beware. 

We had some very interesting conversations. The most interesting was him worrying that we should not talk about racism since he thought we disagreed about the U.S. 's institutionalization of race. He felt that was nonexistent in Europe. I think sometimes one doesn't recognize their own country's bias. Seriously, England's hierarchy and history of colonization is deeply rooted within our country. 

This all stemmed from our stop at Central High's National Historic site which ironically we found locked. What? Yes, the government shutdown now had disrupted our plans.  The Clinton Library would also be closed. He stated this is a very monumental time in history.

But Central High School was open due to a 20th reunion so we could go in and see the Little Rock Nine's photos from the past and today and their mascot which inspired other stories...

Fortunately, the Mosaic Templar Museum was open and there was a new exhibit re: Emmet Till. If you are in town, you definitely should go check it out.  More food for fodder.

After a drive through downtown and en route home we stopped at the Turkish Food Festival, tasting about 7 different delcious savory and sweet items, enjoyed the music and crowd of a truly muticultural event.

You can see we made the most of it...

Opening one's doors can bring a variety of experiences...

Ray, Fare thee well on all the paths you will take!

FOTO FRIDAY: THE VINES 4H CENTER

 

FOTO FRIDAY takes us out to Ferndale to a special place. This the Vines 4H center where a handful of Master Gardeners helped add some fall to the 40 tables for the annual banquet and silent auction ...

What a lovely setting for conferences!

TBT: YE PROTESTETH TOO MUCH, NOT.

 TBT: Other countries experience protests every week and yet here in the U.S. we are way too complacent. 

We are better than this and we need to speak up and let our voices be hard. Calling/ writing our legislators, donating to candidates who support the programs that help all of us to be a better country in caring for all of our residents, and yes, getting out in the streets and letting our voices be heard. We need to get everybody to vote because our interests are not being protected. 

These pics were taken in 2014... here we are 11 years later still needing to voice these same concerns... 

MIDWEEK MUSINGS: BALANCING OUR LIVES

Unfortunately keeping a balance in our lives is not always easy. However, if we ignore it for too long, it becomes even more difficult to regain. 

 I am still working on my studywhich needs to be straightened before that youngest grandchild arrives this month.

Monday's Q&A at the Clinton Center was about a country that has ignored regaining balance, fiscal balance that is, since 1999.

Yep, that country would be us as in the U.S. and we are all going to be suffering the consequences unless certain measures are taken.

An overflowing room welcomed Monday's guests Douglas Holz-Eskin, American economist, a Bush policy adviser, President of the conservative think tank American Action Forum, and Secretary Janet Yellen, first woman as a United States secretary of the treasury (2021 to 2025) and chair of the Federal Reserve (2014- 2018.) who also led the White House Council of Economic Advisers. 

Maya Magueras moderated the evening and as last time monopolized a bit too much of the conversation. It's nice she is knowlegeable but we wanted to hear more from our guest speakers.

L to R :Douglas Holz-Eakin, moderator Maya Magueras and  Secretary Janet Yellen   

The discussion was re: our country's debt and interest, and its threat of losing the confidence of the world market, while at home saving the Americans 's endangered programs like seniors' social security and health programs such as Medicare and Medicaid. Education needs to change to also prepare young people with careers to help combat Climate Change in addition to the technological fields. 

Reforms need to happen with the IRS, taxes but where the real fraud is...

Balance is mandatory. It can not be delayed any longer now that we are talking about being trillions in debt.

None of this will be easy but bipartisan participation is crucial in our government. This is where both sides come together again for the greater good. It's where both sides make it work, not that's ideal. We have no other choice...