Seasons Greetings

[Above photo: The aftermath of a storm with 60 knot gusts, viewed from the cliffs at Two Lights State Park in Cape Elizabeth.]

23 December 2023

It’s the eve before Christmas Eve. Who knew I’d live so long?! Who knew in 1991 when the Soviet Union collapsed that the anticipated Peace Dividend wouldn’t materialize and that we’d be in the state we are in. I spoke too soon in my last post about the impending victory against the forces of evil in Myanmar, although it continues to seem likely.

It is difficult to see our shrinking from supporting Ukraine against Russia. The GOP, in tying an extremist immigration agenda to continuing aid for Ukraine and Israel, is once again befouling their own nest. The immigration issue has been with us for many decades, Republican and Democratic leadership alike.

History can help, I think. We used cheap Mexican labor for many years—and continue to—in our agriculture and other unskilled industries. We allowed them to come to the US, work like dogs for minimal pay, and then grant them nothing like residency or citizenship. Cesar Chavez let us know, lest we forget, that farmworkers were the only large labor group excluded from labor laws, which attempt to provide for safe working conditions and a minimum wage and benefits. George W. Bush tried to resolve it but couldn’t, as have many others failed.

My point is, immigration has increased as global warming and violence/corruption in their home countries has worsened. It is not a new issue. Separating children from their parents isn’t an answer, no more than is a wall. As we have seen with Israel and with our 50 year “War On Drugs”, physical blockade won’t stop determined and/or desperate people. Mass migrations are going to happen. Unless we descend into killing migrants, as if they were zombies or “rapists and murderers”, they will continue to come. How best can we protect them and our own humanity? Certainly, choking funds for Ukraine and allowing Putin to triumph is unacceptable. Lord, we are a flawed species!

I saw a Finnish film, “Fallen Leaves”, that is exceptionally engaging, moving, funny, etc. Wonderfully, wryly human. The Portland Museum of Art has a continuous film series that is fabulous, like a mini-Film Forum in NY. $7/ticket for a member.  And it’s ½ hour walk each way, so no struggle parking. I saw “Maestro” and enjoyed it but the above film was outstanding. I’m also a bit weary of watching brilliant, gifted narcissists, in film or on the news, parade their stuff, trampling others with little, or only episodic, regard.

We’ve not had a real snow, which worries me. I have at least two weekends booked for cross-country skiing, but I guess we can do winter hiking if there isn’t snow.

News alert: I finally finished the bottle of Trader Joe hair conditioner! The shampoo ended months ago. This was like that fable of the magic porridge pot, which kept churning out more and more and more until it flowed out the door and into the streets. It was good enough for my hair; I just got tired of it. Speaking of narcissim, I’m sure this is fascinating reading.

I’m making gravlax which I’ll take, with a fresh loaf of dense Danish rye (Zu bakery) and a mustard sauce, to my brother and sister-in-law’s home for the morning after Christmas. Their son and his wife are visiting from N. Carolina and it promises to be a good time. I’ll bring oysters with mignonette and shrimp for appetizers on the 25^th.  I plan to go with my friend, Polly, to her daughter’s home on Christmas Eve for that family’s traditional Chinese feast.   

I finished giving a third coat of paint to a large bookcase I built in the basement. I waited until Ari was passing through on her way to Florida and we carried it up the stairs. It turned out well and there is now plenty of room for books but it didn’t miraculously straighten up the rest of my house, as I had fantasized it would.

I walk, including a hill, every day.   A recent outing in Western Maine led us up a small mountain, a 1560ft ascent, which I managed with ease. Katahdin is in my sights for next summer. I have to take my time on the ups, but I’m rather pleased I still have it in me. And that I love it.

My nephews have moved, with their mom, to a lovely place in Portugal. It is rural with lots of nut and fruit trees and three houses, including a gorgeous renovated stone house from 1825.  They are a short drive from a village which is a brief train ride to Porto. I want to visit them this Spring. Ari is interested in going with me.  One of my students from Myanmar is now working for the UN in Geneva, so we may enjoy a European rail trip there.

Not a lot else happening here. I’ve joined the board of a non-profit that gives college scholarships to high school seniors based solely on evidence of their character. I think it will be interesting, even if it’s a small sample size, to do a long-term f/u study.  It would be a good screening filter for our politicians. What a place to start—Character.

I wish anyone who still reads this all the best in the coming year.