Tuesday, June 9, 2020

CALIFORNIA DREAMIN'...












All the leaves are brown and
the sky is grey. 
 I've been for a walk 
on a winter's day. 

 These are haunting words 
from a popular song 
written in 1963.

 Now, 
the leaves are green and 
the sky is blue. 
It is spring time,
 with summer coming on fast and 
the year is 2020.

 There are elements of life now 
that are right in tune
 with those words.






When all those leaves were brown and 
the sky was grey,
 all we could think about
 was how wonderful it would be 
when the leaves turned green and 
blue skies appeared. 
 Then we could be happy,
 then we could love them and,
 mind you, 
they would still be
 the same leaves and the same sky - 
only the color
would change.






Wouldn't it be wonderful
 if it was just as simple 
as that? 
 All of the madness, 
all of the terrible rioting,
 all of the hatred 
towards our fellow human beings,
 could be wiped out 
just like a 
seasonal change?






We, the People, are in charge. 
 Now. 
 Not because of something 
that didn't set right
 with our ancestors, and
 was passed on and on 
throughout the generations.

 We are born innocent. 
 We can die smarter and 
more tolerant 
if we take charge of our lives and
 live them in the way 
that we should know
 is right and just.






Here I sit,
 in my sweet cottage, 
with my fulfilled  life, and
 it seems so easy for me
 to be at peace.

  Me,
 sitting here in all of my white privilege.

 There are those of us 
who can't and 
they must have my thoughts and deeds 
for a better life.

 There are those of us 
that won't and
 they must have my sorrow 
as they are so lacking
 in heart and soul.

 I would imagine 
thinking that you are so right 
about so many wrongs, 
must be a 
hard burden to carry.






These last few weeks and months
 have been devastating 
for our country and the world.
  Covid-19 
has taken so many lives, and 
now is bound to 
take many more,
 but systemic racism 
is another form of virus 
that has been here for
 too many years.

 Here in California, 
I am dreaming of something better,
 as most of us are, 
in every state and country.  
There is an answer buried somewhere, and 
it is up to all of us 
to try to find it. 

 Wouldn't it be amazing
 if it all could be put right and
 just be as simple as 
learning to live in this world 
only seeing people, 
instead of color?






Stay smart, well and wear your masks.



...Judy...



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21 comments:

  1. Thanks so much, Adrienne. I just saw some of the George Floyd funeral. It couldn't be an easy time for the family, yet they show so much grace..Stay well..xxoJudy

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  2. You said a lot in a simple, caring way. I just woke up from a nap, where I had been dreaming about dressing up and going somewhere fancy, not really my cup of tea, but in the dream I was looking forward to it. Then, I woke up and reality sunk it as to where we are in 2020. Every day is a gift and I want to not lose faith and keep trusting God to work all things out, for all of our hearts to be softened towards one another. There is so much to learn from each other regardless of skin color. So much to share about living our every day lives and what makes each other happy, what we care about, etc. God have mercy on us all. ~ FlowerLady

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  3. Lorraine, so beautifully put. I agree whole heartedly. Inside we are all the same and it seems impossible to me to discount that..Stay well.xxoJudy

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  4. Hi Judy. Nicely said. I wish this were a bad dream and we could all wake up tomorrow from the dream and only see peace, love and equality and no virus in our paths. We have survived many other big tragedies in our country in the past and I think we will survive this too. Thanks for sharing your sweet words.
    Hugs,
    Kris

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    1. Thanks so much, Kris. I agree with you and one of these days we have to wake up to a better world..Stay well..xxoJudy

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  5. So well and truly said Judy. I pray every day for this world to be at peace with each other. It seems like an impossibility... and I keep praying that God will have a hand in it somehow. I am so saddened by those who are are swayed by things they really don't even understand.. they are pushed and paid to go and riot and protest.. and in the process, ruin many peoples' lives. Like Kris said, I wish this was all a bad dream. I'm so glad you have your sweet cottage to find solace in. Take care... Marilyn

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    1. Thank you, Marilyn. It makes you wonder how we have all survived the problems in our world for so long. A lot haven't and that is what needs to be changed. If we keep trying, maybe someday we will get lucky..Stay well..xxoJudy

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  6. This is such a thoughtful, spot on post, Judy. Yes, we are born innocent but it doesn't mean we have to stay that way. Or ignorant, for that matter. Our world is a tough spot these days and only we can make it better, one person at a time.

    Something needs to change. It's needed to change for a long while. Why do we have to be hit on the head (or choked by the police) to remind us?

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    1. Thanks so much, Jeanie. The protests have been so much more this time. I hear ones who believe that this is it. This is the one that will change the world. I would think that the killing of all those little kids at Sandy Hook would have been enough to change the world about gun safety, but it didn't. I hope this one will but I am not holding my breath, but wouldn't it be wonderful if it did?. I would be more than willing to eat my words!.Stay well..xxoJudy

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  7. These lines really got me,

    There are those of us
    that won't and
    they must have my sorrow
    as they are so lacking
    in heart and soul.

    I categorize myself as a Humanist...whatever is the best for HUMANITY. And, what we have now---certainly isn't. Plus it seems to me at age 72...we have done this protest/burn/hate/lack of understanding thing before. And, it seems even worse now---because we should have LEARNED something by now, from an old Hippie!

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    1. Thanks so much, Sandi. You might have been a hippie, but you are not old! I am even before the time of the hippies. I've heard it said that this is the one that will change the world. Wouldn't that be wonderful? I sure hope it does but we have been disappointed so many times already. Hopefully, we will learn sometime..Stay well..xxoJudy

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  8. I just hope one day we all can get along. Just sad. Janice

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    1. Thanks, Janice. It is very sad and I hope the same thing..Stay well..xxoJudy

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  9. Hi Judy! You express so well what is on all our minds. What we are actually living. I'm glad for people who are demanding change. And for those willing to make changes. I'm glad for this place we have to share our thoughts and lives. Thanks for sharing, and for your encouraging visit. It's the silver lining!

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    1. Thanks so much, Jacqueline. Things have been going on like this for way too many years. We all have to take time to try to understand the other person's view of how life affects them. But it is all only words unless something substantial changes..Stay well..xxoJudy

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  10. Judy, I hope we can find a mutual peace with everyone here. It won't happen over night, but we can get some good things into law. Got to vote, people who are leaders got to run for office too. Our congress needs a shake up. But till then, let's all do our part to be kind and understanding. Blessings to you. I love seeing your pictures. xoxo, Susie

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  11. Thanks so much. That is our beautiful California poppy..Stay well..xxoJudy

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  12. Thanks so much, Susie. You are so right. To vote is our most precious right and within these times of Covid-19 voting by mail is the best way to do it. I hope that those states who believe that it is their rights to make it harder for anyone to vote wises up and listens to the people instead of certain politicians..Stay well..xxoJudy

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  13. Such a heartfelt post, Judy, and I so agree with you. This world could use a whole lot of love right now - everything just seems so awful. I think everyone forgets that we pay the salaries for all of these elected officials, the police, and all the rest. We deserve better from them all. Lovely photos and thoughts today. Sending hugs xo Karen

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    1. Thank you so much, Karen. Your words are so true. It seems so sad that nothing (starts) to get done until a fuss is made about it. We have been hearing hollow promises for years and still talking about the same problems. Just maybe all of the horror that has happened in the last couple of weeks will make something happen??.. We certainly can't fault any one of us for having doubts..Stay well..xxoJudy

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Your comments are so special to me...Judy