June - July 2022 holiday.

 A few weeks ago we had our two weeks off.  Welcomed my 'father in-law' who is now 90 years of age.

It was a difficult visit, a trip to the ER, father daughter conflict the stuff the life and families are made of.

Reminds me of a story recently told to me.  A man lay dying with his wife holding him in her arms.  It is expected, a long life lived.  He said to her suddenly, 'Dying is very hard work, I love you' and died.

 So while visits with relatives may be so very very hard for different reasons, sometimes they are the last visit you will ever have with them.  Be it your death or theirs.  

We were also able to  get away after his departure.  A few days and nights at Ashland, Oregon to see some plays and slow down.  We met up with my distant cousin, David Bones who at 80 is full of life and vigor despite whatever health challenges confront him.  I mark this visit as it had been so many years and I loved spending time with him and learning more about my mum's side of the family.  Those links with the past?  The links with what once was . . . are disappearing.  There soon will be no one to remember or care and such is life.  Still, we have these moments and they are dear to the memories of the living.

 After Ashland we decamped to the Family Ridge Ranch on the East side of Salt Point State Park. We return there this coming weekend.

    Globally, warming climates are accelerating.  Humanity will not reach target goals of lessening warming.  We are a failure to the world, to ourselves. 

    Fascism is on the march.  Many are predicting a Civil War in the United States with widespread looting, killing and god knows what the hell else. I fear this will be the case.  Trump may or may not return to power but DeSantis may be a more clear and present danger in the long run.  With the Supreme court packed with conservative 'Originalist' we are facing a tyranny of the minority.  The sweep of history is upon us and interesting times prevail. 

As for Vic and I we consider our own future, how long to continue working, what country to live in, how to maximize our health and safety.  In an uncertain and increasingly dangerous world it pays to have a plan and backup plans.