A Nation Cries in Outrage

Chernobyl Reactor after meltdown.

"I remember Dan Rather saying about Chernobyl, 'If it weren't for the wind, nobody would know this story.' The wind was the person that told the story. Left to humans, it would have remained secret and hidden".. Linda Hogan

Not that long ago. Today we might say, "If it weren't for that iPhone, nobody would know the truth of what happened to George Floyd or Eric Garner or Ahmaud Arbery." 

A nation cries in outrage as another example of racism in our country is exposed. What do policemen like Derek Chauvin and Daniel Pantaleo think while they are in the act of murdering someone in full view of the public? Are they in an altered state and not aware of the consequences of their actions? Can they understand the pain they are inflicting? Surely they know they are in no danger with other officers standing by. They also know there are other means of subduing the suspect.

Daniel Pantaleo's chokehold on Eric Garner in 2014 caused an acute asthma attack, killing him on the sidewalk as he, too, pleaded to be allowed to breathe. Pantaleo was placed on desk duty and received full pay and benefits for 5-years until a Grand Jury failed to indict him. Only then was he fired from his job -- the only punishment. (I did read that his wife divorced him. Good for her!) Again, "if it weren't for the iPhone videos", we might not know the full truth of what happened. 

Punitive action appears to be taking place much sooner this time, as all of the officers involved in George Floyd's death have been fired and charges brought against Chauvin for the brutal act of kneeling on another human being's neck for nearly 9-minutes, all the while listening to the pitiful pleas from his victim that he cannot breathe. It may take a speedy trial and conviction on murder charges to put an end to the chaos and riots resulting from what began as peaceful protests across our nation. 

(Kent State - 1970 - The Guardian)

I cannot help but think of the 50-year-old Kent State shootings "Kent State Massacre" as I hear the National Guard has been brought in to try to control the riots now happening all over the country. That resulted in only four deaths at Kent State. However, the state of our country today is in such turmoil, and the rise of groups such as the White Nationalists, agitators, gun lovers, and racists insert themselves in protests at every opportunity to create even more divisiveness. I suspect that peaceful protests were the aim at first in Minneapolis, then those types infiltrated the original groups.

(Police Station Burns in Minneapolis - KMOV.com)

Most of us have much appreciation for law enforcement. Heroic deeds by most of them go unnoticed on a daily basis. It is a dangerous profession which takes brave individuals to lay their lives on the line. However, there are many "macho" types who go into police work thrilled to be legally carrying a gun and having the opportunities to show their strength and ability to use whatever force necessary to subdue "criminals". No doubt many -- as in all professions -- are racists at heart as well. Statistics bear witness to the fact that minorities far surpass the numbers of arrests, convictions, and residents of our prisons.

Recruitment of policemen should definitely include background checks of their involvement in any suspicious groups. (Maybe they do.) It goes without saying that those such as Derek Chauvin who have multiple complaints about excessive force should not be allowed to continue to serve. 

Of course, it's easy to sit back and observe and judge from the comfort of home and easy chair, watching with criticism what the TV cameras are projecting to our screens. We know that sensationalism is what creates ratings, so they will show enough that raises our hackles. Surely there are nonviolent protests about these horrific deaths. In the meantime, we can pray that something or someone -- certainly not the likes of our President, who does more to incite -- can put out the flames of injustice we are witnessing. Even a 12-year-old understands better than Trump.

Yesterday "Obama said. 'But we have to remember that for millions of Americans, being treated differently on account of race is tragically, painfully, maddeningly ‘normal’ — whether it’s while dealing with the health care system or interacting with the criminal justice system, or jogging down the street, or just watching birds in a park.'"

Words to remember.

Peace..

VARGA FAMILY STORIES - NUMBER I

I have recently heard from my late mother's half-brother I call Uncle Bobby - even though he is much younger than I. My mother's parents divorced when she was very young, and both remarried. My grandfather, Paul Varga, married a woman named Neva (I called her Aunt Neva as a child). They had four children and Bobby was the youngest. James Vernon was their oldest. My mother Viola, and her brother Bill were Granddaddy's first children.

My mother and dad separated and divorced when my sister and I were young. At those times, Mother would send us to live with relatives. Very few wanted to take on two small children at the same time. Granddaddy and Neva agreed two different times in my childhood. They lived at Mt. Shasta, California at the time. 

I have a few memories of those times, and I shared what I remembered with my Uncle Bobby. I told him I feel I don't know enough about my Granddaddy. Bobby answered me with many wonderful stories about him and their lives. I know my children will enjoy hearing about such a different way of life and a great-grandfather that only one of them ever met. This is Story Number One:

GENTLEMAN GRANDDADDY

"Your Granddaddy was the nicest, gentlest man I have ever known. He was polite and respectful to everyone, especially towards all women. However, he demanded respect from other men. The only time I can remember him cussing around Mother was when James Vernon came out of the bedroom into the living room on New Year’s Day, 1953 with your Granddaddy’s old 12-gauge shotgun. Mother, Dad, Evelyn, the cat and I were all lounging around the living room after eating New Year's Dinner, waiting on Mother to get our pie. She had made four different pies that morning and they were all lined up on one of the countertops in the kitchen. 

James Vernon Varga

"James Vernon stood there in the living room by the wood stove, which was burning really good because of the cold weather, and said, 'Well, I’ve got it fixed Dad!' He pumped a round into the chamber and the gun went off! What a loud BLAST!! The cat, which had been sitting on my lap, climbed up my chest, on up my face, launched itself off the top of my head to the ceiling, ran across the ceiling and came down somewhere in the kitchen, and it was GONE! Your Granddaddy said, 'Well, I’ll be God Dammed, James!!'  We all looked at Dad and it got real quiet as the living room started filling up with black soot and smoke, then we all burst out laughing, including your Granddaddy!

"James had shot a big hole through the stove pipe! The blast made a hole through the living room wall, came out the kitchen wall, sprayed all the pies with sheetrock, went through the kitchen ceiling, into the attic and out the roof! 

"Dad got up from his chair and put out the wood stove and went outside in the snow to get new stove pipe and put a tarp on the roof. Mom went into the kitchen and started cleaning up the pies and the mess. James sneaked back into his bedroom to put away his tools and the shotgun, Evelyn and I looked at each other and laughed until we cried. What a wonderful day after eating all that pie!

The highlight really was the cat!"

Uncle Bobby

I laughed quite a bit myself! Thanks a lot, Uncle Bobby.

Stay tuned for Story Number Two.

Peace and love,

Marilyn

SYNCHRONICITY II

It has only been in recent years that I started noticing a unique – to me anyway – series of “synchronicities” in my life. I first wrote about them in 2015. SYNCHRONICITY Some of those I repeat here.

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When I moved to Burnet, Texas in 2009 I met my delightful new neighbors. One family in particular captured my attention when I discovered that the wife, Audrey, had the same name as my first granddaughter Audrey. Then to my surprise it turned out that her husband had the same birthday as mine! November 11. Not the same year of course, as they were a young couple with two little boys close in age to my youngest grandchildren, who often stayed with me and developed a friendship with them. They also had two big Great Danes named Jade and Piper.  I had not heard that name used since the 1950s when a movie star name Piper Laurie was popular.

Vince and Audrey were good neighbors, their children adorable, and the Great Dane Piper and I became great buddies. 

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I moved to Austin in 2012. Imagine my surprise to find out my new landlord’s wife’s name is Piper. They have three beautiful children, and the youngest one’s name is Truman.

I have known of only two others named Truman that I can recall. The first we all know – the former President Harry S. Truman. After living here in Austin for a few years, I found out that one of my former classmates lived nearby in San Antonio. When I was working on a biographical handbook to give to my 1957 high school classmates at our 50th class reunion, there were several that we could not locate after so many years. The one I finally located in San Antonio was named (you guessed it) Truman! We have developed a friendship closer than when we had in high school.

About a month ago, new neighbors moved in next door to me. The husband’s name is Erick and his wife's name is Michelle. It just so happens that of my two oldest granddaughters, one is married to an Erick and the other one is in a loving relationship with her Erik.

A couple of years ago I connected with a distant relative from the Moragne side of my family who lives here in Austin. I discovered her by accident on the internet. Last month I got an email from her telling me that her family was going to celebrate on April 13th, the anniversary of the first Pierre Moragne arriving in the Americas. See AN EASTER BLESSING. This cousin’s name is  Michelle.

(Is the Universe telling me to expect good things from these new neighbors?)

I'm certain there have been many more "coincidences" that I cannot recall at the moment, but one last one.. Until my newest neighbors

moved in next door, I had a delightful friend live there, April is her name. I knew there had to be something synchronous about our friendship when we hit it off so soon after her arrival. Recently, it dawned on me. April's beau is named Oliver.  It just so happens, my first grandchild's middle name is  Oliver!  Now how many people do you know named Oliver?

I know that this is just light-hearted fun for most people. However, I have given thought to my own coincidences and why they might have occurred. Always, they have been accompanied by a blessing or blessings of some kind. Some I may not have recognized at the time, but looking back it's much easier. One of the most recent ones is from my friendship with April. She works from home, and is a gifted technical writer for a government agency. Not very long after we met, she got in a bind with a work overload and needed someone to help out. Just to check her work and do some light proofreading, which I was happy to do. I tried to resist any payment, as being needed for something at my age was really a boost to my self-esteem. However, she paid me generously as well as becoming a dear friend. I really did need the money, and it has enabled me to be something of a blessing to others at times.

Searching for memes regarding synchronicity to accompany this post, all of a sudden one appeared with only the numerals 11:11. As that is my birthday I had to go to the site and read an article regarding it. In all my years, I've never heard that this is supposedly a "spiritual" number. My mind is still trying to absorb some of what I read. This is definitely illuminating, and may be the source for another blog post. 

Happy coincidences,
Marilyn

Springtime During COVID-19

Yours Truly

Son Craig

Last month my family that has descended from the first Pierre Moragne to arrive in early America toasted at the same time the anniversary of that date even though we were all in lockdown mode due to the COVID-19 outbreak. We took these photos to share with other Moragnes across the U.S., each toasting in our own way! Water, iced tea, wine, and beer!

Daughter Carajean

Son Matthew

Yesterday, which was Mother's Day, I was tickled to have all of them show up with their families for porch visits. (Well, almost all of them - minus three of the grandchildren who were not available). They staggered the visits so there was room for all to stay comfortably socially distant. There were lovely flowers and gifts, one of which would surprise most folks.. Son Matthew has turned out to be a fine cook, and for Mother's Day the entree happened to be filet mignon. He surprised me with one of them right off the grill in time for dinner! Matt knows I am complaining of late about having to cook for one... His delicious treat will actually be enough for me to have at least two or three meals! Hint: you don't have to wait for a special occasion to share one of your grilled treats, Matt.

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This is the second year in a row that birds have inhabited the same nest in the eave of my front porch. It's above my front door and visible through a high window in my living room. I've read that birds nesting over your front door means "good luck"! This year as I have been sitting on my sofa more than usual, I watched a pair of little birds coming and going for a few weeks. I was so excited when I saw tiny heads pop up over the edge of the nest. I took the following photo through the glass on the day after Easter. These sweet little ones flew away from their nest one at a time over the next three days.

I searched the bird books in my library without success, seeking to find my resident birds. A Google search of images was of no help either. The nearest to resemble them were barn swallows. Mostly because their nests were similar. When my granddaughter visited yesterday I asked her help on identification. You see, Audrey - among her many talents - is a "birder"! Here's a photo of her in 2013 with bird in hand!

As we all sat on my front porch yesterday, the little mama bird flew from one tree to another in the yard. She was visibly upset that we were so close to her nest, and she was fearful to approach it until after everyone left. Audrey had easily identified it as an Eastern Phoebe! This is what the adult looks like.

 

(I wish I had been able to photograph it, but when I took my photo for the family toast I dropped my camera and broke it!!)

She was obviously nesting again. Imagine my surprise this morning when I saw a little head pop up as the adult bird flew up to the nest.. bug in beak! She already has another brood. Less than a month after the first ones fledged, there is at least one new chick in the same nest. 

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I love to see the significance of events relating to the circumstances of our lives. As so much sickness and death happening in the world today tends to depress us, how life-affirming it is to watch new birth occurring in nature. Trees and flowers budding and birds hatching in the tiny world I'm confined to lift my spirits. 

Celebrating ancestors and family and sharing so much love, it's almost impossible to believe anything so catastrophic as the COVID-19 pandemic is swirling around us. Believe it we must. At least until a cure or vaccine is available. Until then, treasure your porch or yard visits, stay home if at all possible, and when you must go out, wear your masks and keep a safe distance as required. 

Look for the goodness surrounding us on a daily basis. You cannot help but notice the kindness being demonstrated by so many. Even commercials have a quiet peacefulness to them (except for a few loud insurance, car, attorney, and pharmaceutical ads - one really cannot miss them). The generosity of so many corporations and individuals, both private and celebrities is heartwarming. The creativity exhibited by people stuck at home gives one faith that we will survive and be better for the isolation. Everything is changing, and will be permanently changed, I think for the better. 

(New Scientist)

While we count our blessings living in the United States, let's don't forget the third-world countries. I fear that we have not been shown enough of their sufferings. Imagine not having running water, much less enough food to eat. They need more than our prayers, they need as much in the way of donations as we can spare.

Share your thoughts of your experiences during this time of difficulty. This may be the most historical event you will live through. Write them down - the good and the bad. You'll feel better for it. In the meantime, smell the flowers and listen to the birds sing.

Peace, love, and good health,

Marilyn