The news, and insomnia

 Lately, I've been sleeping poorly, nothing really new. But I've gotten into a pattern of waking at 5am after a fitful night. I turn off the cpap, get up, turn on the radio to NPR and lay back down, hoping for an hour or so more sleep. 

The news doesn't help. 

Ukraine....the war, Putin's veiled threats to use tactical nuclear weapons. The war's effects on the world, food shortages, inflation, two bags of groceries for $100 here. Not conductive to sleep.

Britain... since brexit, they've imploded. 5 Prime Ministers in 6 years. Vieing for Italy in government changes per year. Our closest ally, near collapse. 

And here...this, our country. It's unrecognizable to me anymore. We have lost what it means to be a democracy, and a sizable part of the country does not want a democracy. Tens of millions want a minority ruled autocracy, where the minority views, right wing, are the rule of law. 

Here's what I wonder...now, I could turn off the radio, silence NPR. I could stop looking at the internet, FB, the NYTimes, etc. I could listen to music, watch movies. I could make myself believe the events of the world outside my door had nothing to do with me. 

I could keep up the illusion, try to ignore the prices of groceries, gas. Not talk to my daughters about their fears for themselves in the new America. 

How long? How long before it can't be ignored? How long before there is a knock on the door, and two men with a clipboard ask if it's true I voted democrat? Did I ever know anyone in this country illegally? Did I know anyone who's gotten an abortion?

You tell me. 

 

Another post

Yes, it's been a bit. I'm still here, living now in Portland. I miss Montana, I miss the weather, not the people. Some, I have good friends there, but Montana has moved so far to the right politically, like the nation, I am no part of it. 

Portland is...so different than when Cary and I lived here, 1970-73, again in 76-80. The neighborhoods have become so...yuppified. No, more diversified, which I guess is a good thing. 

I posted some photo's at random...here's two from the Columbus day storm of 62...

ion

A guy sent this to me recently, from a Viet Nam group, he was a photographer for the Marines, he took this in '69...it's in Da Nang, the station hospital. 

Here's my son Henry, with the now 15 month old Nelly.

And the Adorable One, in the 7th grade this year chowing down on seafood on the Oregon coast

Not sure if I'll post more, but judging from the responses and views, it doesn't matter.

Hope all that see this are well.