SIXES AND SEVENS

  Or rather simply confused and still racked with fear, of the known and unknown. Still, a spark of hope grows brighter - at least politically. As for Nature, well, she certainly seems a bit ticked off at Florida and plans to slam it but good! Apparently, Nature knows, even as too many Floridians do not, that DeSantis and Rubio are not the best picks and yet here they are. Even as so many election deniers were trashed, these two came rolling in. Bad news indeed.

The good news was that the prediction of a "red wave" was to go unfulfilled. The threats to our democracy shredding plaints of election rigging did not go over well. Apparently there remain a distinct number of sane Americans who know the truth and voted accordingly. However, it remains a sad, bitter dangerous fact that too many election deniers are hanging on, remaining in positions of power with nefarious plans intact. Our democracy remains in a state of peril, existential threat and we must remain alert and defiant of any plans afoot now or in the future to remove our rights, turn this country into an American version of Hungary and its nasty ruler. But thank heavens, the GOP MAGA crew is in a state of 'catatonia' according to some political pundits. Long may they remain there, sink deeper even into it.

It remains yet unknow whether the GOP will gain control of the House and Senate on federal and state levels. Along with their maniacal plans for 'revenge', taking off after Democrats and any American who opposed them, violence advocates are comfortably absorbed into current GOP   thought. It is their weapon of choice.

Yes, we have made great strides, with the repudiation of many threats to American democracy, but the threat remains, continues apace.  Vigilance is required. Right to choose seems to be validated by the people with hopes now that the Stone Age GOP dominated state legislatures will reconnect with the populace and act accordingly. We hope. We pray.

Meanwhile, life imitates art and Nature reflects the roiling uncertainty and threats of violence as soon to be Hurricane Nicole barrels down upon Florida's heavily overdeveloped Palm Beach area. Tens of thousands have been evacuated, uncertain of the future. We ourselves are in NY, watching worrying, trying to figure out how bad will it be? Will our condo be okay? Will our friends and neighbors be okay? 

 Capricious weather, so late in its timing, reminds us that there is related, reflected capriciousness and imminent threats in the most unnatural equally violent world of politics. And we had better pay attention. 

Let us all hope, pray, remain one with our countrymen, hope we are on a better path, that more and more will begin to fathom how deep we were, and remain, in the throes of inconceivable peril, environmentally and politically.

Let us all track the path of the storm Nicole and hopefully avoid too much danger to life and limb, to destruction of infrastructure. Let us be able once again finally to stand as a leader in and to the world, reassure them that we are back and here to stay. That will only happen if we keep a sharp eye on the snake oil dealers who mesmerize with their words and chants.  If not, well, just look around at our tattered and torn nation, the threats to our democratic state. Right there. Still there. Still living. Not fatally wounded yet. 

It is upon us to do so.

May we all be safe through the hurricane of Nature and the hurricane of life.