WHAT'S GOING ON IN THE WORLD?

 

(Letterpile.com)

   There is so much bad news now circulating, i.e., the ongoing war in Ukraine; the devastating hurricane in Florida and another currently looming; the famine in Somalia displacing millions, with hundreds of thousands already facing starvation; the brutal crackdown on protesters in Iran and Russia; the severe drought and flooding caused by climate change; the world's largest active volcano in Hawaii rumbling and threatening to erupt; recent seismic activity in California predicting that a large 7.0 earthquake is possible; wildfires, also brought on by droughts, destroying millions of acres of forests around the world; the warning of another pandemic of three different viruses happening at once this winter season, with pediatric beds throughout U.S hospitals already overflowing with sick children; states like Texas who are allowing guns to be openly carried without permits; and on top of all this, the current mid-term elections going on in the U.S. that are filled with lies, vitriol, and hatred. 

   "The evil tongue can be compared to nuclear weapons: its destructive force spreads in a powerful chain reaction and remains in the air for a long time, slowly killing off the possibilities of a healthy Market [of existence]." - Nilton Bonder

   

It is no wonder that some religions are positing the idea that we are fast approaching the apocalypse as prophesied in the Bible. When Putin threatens, even slyly, using nuclear weapons, he appears to encourage the likes of Kim Jon Un and the Iran theocracy to rattle their swords as well. It brings to mind Albert Einstein's quote "I know not with what weapons World War III will be fought, but World War IV will be fought with sticks and stones." STORIES WE TELL

   But then, as today is mid-term election day, America may be facing annihilation without waiting on foreign enemies. The results of this election may determine the future of Democracy and the freedom it affords us.

  "DEMOCRACY The death of democracy is not likely to be an assassination from ambush. It will be a slow extinction from apathy, indifference, and undernourishment.”- Robert Maynard Hutchins 

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   Some might say that one should avoid the "bad" news and focus on the good that is also occurring. Usually I would agree, but as Hutchins points out, ignoring the bad news can and often does lead to "apathy and indifference". Time is running out and we cannot afford to do nothing about the fearful happenings. So many of these happenings are due to climate change, and I have heard nothing or very little about this from the candidates on either side. Money and cheap gasoline will be of no use when droughts, hurricanes, wildfires, and floods have destroyed the earth's ability to grow food and have clean, drinkable water supplies. Crime will be even more rampant in our streets if the gun lobbies are allowed to support certain candidates. 

   I want my children, grandchildren, and now my great-grandchild to have a life free from all the lack and danger that is currently growing in our country. I pray everyone who voted shares some of my concerns.  I guess we'll see, won't we?

Until next time,

Marilyn

WHAT'S GOING ON? (In the family.)

Halloween is one of most people's favorite holidays, especially if they have children. Of course, it gives the adults permission to dress up as well. These are some of my family's fun costumes from years past:

This year, my great grandson Phoenix was introduced as the White Bunny...

While his mom Audrey was Alice in Wonderland...

And his dad Erick was the Mad Hatter...

Daughter Carajean (Genie) and son-in-law Branch (Grandpa) should win some kind of prize! This is the Ouji lady and Houdini...

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It has been a long, long time since I last posted here. So much has occurred I wish I had not waited so long. In August my daughter and her husband treated their whole family and their significant others to a fantastic trip to Spain. This was a "reward" for those who had graduated from various institutions this year. (I think there were three in their family.) They even took our precious new addition, Phoenix, along with them. They took hundreds of photographs and videos to document the beautiful sites they visited. 

(The Crew - Spain, August 2022)

One of the most important family events happened while on this trip. Ashlyn not only received her PA degree this summer, but the love of her life, Erik, proposed -- and she accepted, to the delight of the whole family! Upon their return, they enjoyed a huge engagement party. A wedding date has not been set yet.

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My youngest grandchild, Kelly, has two exciting occurrences recently. She finally got her real driver's license! Not that it makes dad and mom  - Matthew and Amy - very happy. Driving in Austin traffic is an adventure at best! Maybe worst of all it means that their youngest is growing up way too fast!  

Kelly has spent many hours this year practicing for a monumental performance coming up next month. She will be going to New York City accompanied by her mom and the entire Vandegrift High School Band and Vision Dance Team that she performs with. They have won many first place awards and were invited to perform this year in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade.

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Daughter Carajean enlisted the help of her brother Matthew after a raccoon found its way into her home through the doggy door! It managed to open a drawer that held dog treats before exiting, leaving a trail behind. I asked her how many raccoons they have caught to date in the trap that Matthew furnished. I gasped when she told me SEVEN! 

I recall Matthew catching one when he was young and begging me to let him keep it. No way! Here is a photo he took of one recently caught (and he told me he thinks it's cute!)

Speaking of Matthew.. I recently asked him if he had any "harrowing" experiences lately. (Not including the catch and release of above-mentioned raccoons!) I referred to an article he wrote for me in 2008: I Don't Know Why I'm Not Gray This is the recent response I got: 

"I was down $28 heading into the 18th hole. Feeling confident, I went double or nothing, thinking I would make par and my opponent would choke." 

"I lost. That's the extent of my 'harrowing' experiences lately."

Creating this post with all of the photos (different sizes from different family members) and wondering if the creators of the "blogger" site have been toying around with new ways of using it has been my most "harrowing experience" in a while. I think I will sign off for now. 

I hope your family has been as creative and had as much fun as ours has!

Peace and love

Marilyn

GOOD vs EVIL

"It is not necessary for good and evil to fight each other. Good embraces evil with love so that evil can be transformed, just as the lotus roots embrace the mud in order to produce flowers..".. Annabel Laity

"Of the ten worst mass shootings in America in recent history, five have taken place in Texas.."

• "The Gun Violence Archive has counted 214 mass shootings in the US so far in 2022." Gun Violence Archive
• The total number of mass shooting incidents in the United States in 2021 - 693

• 

  (Sidney Morning Herald)

  
  
  Five days ago we witnessed the latest U.S. mass shooting in Uvalde, Texas. It has been all over the news with vivid heart-breaking images. May the love for our American children overcome the evil of the gun manufacturers bent on profits. May love infuse the hearts of our politicians so that new gun laws might be passed that prevent these massacres from continued happening.

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While the above is uncertain, in many families there have been outpourings of love and loving occurrences to give us hope for the future. In our family alone, during three days we joyfully welcomed the following:

My grandson Branch Tanner Archer, IV had three graduation ceremonies at the University of Texas. He received a BS degree with honors in Environmental Engineering and Minors in Chinese and Philosophy (he speaks Mandarin). He was one of 15 "distinguished graduates" of Plan II, who "exemplify outstanding academic achievement coupled with strong dedication and service to fellow students, the program, and our community." He plans to pursue Philosophy in graduate school in Vancouver. (Dad, Branch T. Archer, III received a Master's degree in Electrical Engineering at UT this spring as well, but did not wish to participate in ceremonies!)

Daughter Carajean had to miss the last of the three graduation ceremonies as her daughter Audrey went into labor and mom wanted to be there! My first great-grandchild made his appearance on Sunday, May 22, 2022. Needless to say, our family is filled with pride over both of these happy events. The photo to the right is the first bonding of mother and son! Many more happy days ahead for both of them. Welcome to the world! Phoenix Rio Bohorquez, 8 lb 6 oz  And congratulations to the proud parents, Audrey and Erick Bohorquez.

It is my prayer that the love that these children and all the children of the world rightfully receive from loving family members will finally overcome the evil in the world and open the eyes and hearts of those in power who are able to implement necessary changes to accomplish this. I know that the generations that follow are already taking on the challenges we are faced with. My grandchildren, like my grandson Tanner, are determined to make a difference in the world. They are focused on environmentalism and climate change, and willing to do the necessary work to tackle these issues. May the members of our government assist them by doing the right thing today by starting with better gun control laws to protect the citizens of our country. Think of the precious children. Think of Phoenix!

Love and peace,

Marilyn

WE ARE FAMILY

Lately, it's been a busy time in our family. This past Saturday my late son Craig's daughter Hannah Young graduated from Southwestern University in Georgetown, Texas. Hannah has been academically accomplished since she first started school. Her grades were always outstanding, so it was no surprise she graduated with such honors as listed below. As a grandmother of seven it has been difficult for me to keep up with all of their educations and talents. I try, but mostly have to rely on asking many questions. Usually I can get information from their parents. I sent Hannah a whole list of questions recently. She informed me that she received her BA in Psychology, with Minors in Spanish and Political Science. She will attend the University of Texas Law School in the Fall.

I asked Hannah for a photo of her in her cap and gown. She sent the following photograph, which shows her wonderful sense of humor!

"I don’t have any in full regalia because it was so hot! I graduated Summa Cum Laude, Paideia with distinction, and my cords show the five honor societies I was inducted into in my time at SU: Phi Beta Kappa, Alpha Chi, Psi Chi, Pi Sigma Alpha, and Omicron Delta Kappa!" 

I know her dad was looking down on her with pride this day.  Besides her mother Dot, sister Miranda, and niece Paisley who came from Dallas, she had the following family members from her dad's side cheering her on!

Brother Cameron, Aunt Carrie, Hannah, Aunt Amy, Uncle Matthew

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I've written about my son-in-law Branch Archer in the past. He is a man of many talents and abilities. Only one of his many achievements is his swimming prowess. (See Would You Rather Be A Fish ) His rising most mornings at 5:30 AM to swim at the University of Texas is proof of his love of this sport. He recently swam at the "2022 U.S. Masters Swimming Spring National Championship" held in San Antonio. This 4-day event was for men and women in all age groups. There were even men in their 80s and 90s competing! Branch will be 63 years old June 1st and is now competing in the 60-64 year-old group. I suspect he may someday be in the 80-90 year-old groups!

Branch Archer - READY,                                             SET, GO!

       

                                                      

                                            

Branch Archer (TXLA) Age Group 60-64 USMS Profile | USMS Results

Individual Events

Event				Date	Seed Time	HT/LN	Time	Place	Points
103	Mixed	1650 Y	Free	Thu, 04/28/2022	19:50.23	15/4	19:33.66	2	9
8	Men	400 Y	IM	Fri, 04/29/2022	5:05.76	7/2	5:10.12	5	6
16	Men	100 Y	Back	Fri, 04/29/2022	1:07.38	10/4	1:07.58	15	0
26	Men	200 Y	Back	Sat, 04/30/2022	2:23.69	10/10	2:23.30	9	2
32	Men	200 Y	Fly	Sat, 04/30/2022	2:30.00	6/2	2:23.95	3	8
34	Men	500 Y	Free	Sun, 05/01/2022	5:40.66	9/10	5:38.10	7	4
Total		3,050 Y			36:37.72		36:16.71		29

Branch also swam in the relay races where his team won two 4th place and one 3rd place race. There are several videos of the races on YouTube. 

Since moving to Austin, Branch has remained busy not only continuing part-time as a radiologist for the clinic he is associated with in Amarillo, working virtually from home, but adding to his seemingly insatiable appetite for knowledge. He is in the process of obtaining a Master Degree in Electrical Engineering from the University of Texas. My daughter Carajean told him she was running out of wall space to put all of his framed degrees. I do not know most of the ones he has except a PhD in Physics and degrees in Computer Programming, which he taught for a while still practicing medicine in Amarillo. Besides all of his brilliance, Branch never talks "down" to us slightly less brilliant ones! He has a sly sense of humor and can make one feel right at home in his presence. 

I think you can tell I am proud of having Branch for a son-in-law besides the fact that he and Carajean have gifted me with three wonderful grandchildren. Who by the way have inherited not only intelligence from their mom and dad, but their good looks!

Tanner will be graduating from UT in a couple of weeks, which I will post next. In August their daughter Ashlyn will receive her final PA degree, following in her mother's footsteps. Their daughter Audrey, married to Erick, is to present me with my very first great-grandchild in less than two weeks. She and Erick are also among the multi-talented, intelligent members of the family. 

Audrey and Erick

Having just experienced a wonderful Mother's Day, I couldn't resist posting about family. Of course, this isn't all of them, but then, I never tire of writing about them as you can tell by my previous posts. Until next time....

Love and Peace,

Marilyn

A HOLY WAR?

The sights and sounds of war continue to fill the media, no matter where we look, read, or listen. The sight of so much destruction fills our hearts with dread. As someone of the age that remembers the newsreels of World War II, and has vivid memories as a young child kissing my father goodbye as he climbed into the taxi at night with a duffel bag over his shoulder on his way to join the war, the current war in Ukraine fills me with dread. Korea and Vietnam were as terrifying as well, but for some reason this seems much worse. Seeing so many cities reduced to piles of rubble brings up memories of the Nazi devastation of cities across Europe. 

The refugees fleeing Ukraine bring back images of those trying to escape many war-torn countries. It is somehow easier for me to relate to the Ukrainian people, perhaps due to the whiteness of their skin. They look like me! As they flee in record numbers, some never able to return to their homes or family members who have stayed behind to fight the oncoming Russian forces, I find myself asking how on earth they have the strength and courage to make that trek. Mothers with small children and babies. As a mother, I remember the work involved with tending to little ones on a daily basis. Diapers to change, bottles to warm, food for nourishment. We don't see pictures of moms stopping along the way to change a dirty diaper or breastfeed a crying infant. The small children seem so brave, even stoic. I think they must be in shock and I long to comfort them. 

(unherd.com)

The latest count of those who have left Ukraine for safety is four million. Countries such as Poland are beginning to feel the pressure of so many more people in need of shelter, medical care, and even basic necessities such as food and medicine. Thank God for the people, charities, and organizations around the world that are doing their best to minister to the unfortunate victims of this monstrous invasion and the monster behind it. It is hard to believe that Putin claims to belong to the Russian Orthodox Church (Moscow Patriarchate) since childhood. A Christian church! How can he sanction the devastation he has brought upon the Ukrainian people and live with himself? Does he somehow equate what he is doing with a Holy War of some kind? That he is "saving" the Ukrainian people by bringing them into the fold of what once was the old Soviet Union? Who knows. I feel certain his military advisors have not told him of the bombing of the building clearly marked with a big Red Cross on the roof. Or the number of civilians - even children - who have been killed, or the loss of his own soldiers who's bodies have been left behind. If he knows, and continues this brutal war, then he is the modern version of Hitler.

(Alexei Druzhinin/TASS)

Putin crossing himself. What is he thinking? That this is only a good photo op? He can certainly see the camera.

(Alexei Druzhinin/Pool Photo via AP)

                                                        

(9news)

Besides the devastation of Ukraine, we are also privy to images of the protesters against the war in Ukraine being arrested and dragged off the streets of Russia. It is almost a death sentence in Russia to speak ill of Putin or any of his exploits. It most certainly can result in a prison sentence. Human beings are the same everywhere with their desire for freedom. Physical freedom is number one. Russians are a long way from experiencing the freedoms that exist in a democracy. Why have they allowed this dictator to remain in office? Are their elections just sham? Probably. However, if enough younger generations continue to seek a life free from fear of even attempting to have a change of regime, maybe Putin can be removed from power. Maybe when the sanctions begin to affect the average citizens, they will rise up and have the courage to use their numbers against such a destructive, self-serving, oligarch-favored government run by Putin and his cohorts.

In the meantime, let us stand behind what our President Biden and all the peace-loving nations are doing to assist the brave Ukrainians in their strong resistance to the evil destruction of their country.

Peace to all,

Marilyn                      

NEWS VIEWS

Heartbreaking images appear on all major news TV stations as well as computer websites. People crowded into subway passages and cars as sirens and bombs rage overhead, bloody faces on citizens injured when missiles were fired upon their homes. Mothers frantic with fear for their children as they huddle in dark spaces. Buildings collapsing and on fire. Massive numbers of people crowding ATMs for money to aid in their escape from the war that is fast moving upon their heels. Sadly, it has now been necessary for the government of Ukraine to plan conscription of all men ages 18-60, and prevent them from leaving the country. Draft Possible in Ukraine

(CBS News)

It is difficult to avoid mention of what Putin is perpetrating in what he considers a country still a part of Russia, not a current elected democratic society that was once a part of the old Soviet Union. The threat of nuclear war raises its ugly head again. Putin himself hinted at such. There is no easy answer to stopping this evil man’s attempt to spread his power and increase his domain. It makes one wonder which country he will invade next. He must be stopped now. God help us if NATO has to send in troops. Stricter sanctions to strip the Russian oligarchs of their money invested in other countries, as well as sending them home to Russia may be enough to sway Putin's mission to increase his power.

NOTE: 15 minutes ago, as I write this: "The U.S. will join the European Union in sanctioning Russian President Vladimir Putin, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and members of the Russian national security team" ..ABC News

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It is difficult to concentrate on writing this. Things appear to be happening so fast in other corners of the world. I like to think "good stuff" is happening as well as the frightening war news. I took a quick look at a breaking news site and sure enough, there is a bit of good news. It seems that Biden has nominated Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson to be the first Black woman on the Supreme Court, thus fulfilling his campaign promise to do so. Now for the stubborn GOP to confirm her nomination.

(Image by J.A. Karshon)

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Today is a new day, however, the events in Ukraine are continuing as the Russian army encircles Kyiv and thousands attempt to flee the country. I cannot believe the voices we hear from some of the U.S. citizens - some members of Congress going so far as this: ".. a small group within the Republican Party — heavily influenced by former President Donald Trump’s stance toward Russia — has criticized President Joe Biden for opposing Putin’s designs on Ukraine, with some going as far to say Russia has a right to invade.." Voice of America. But then I couldn't (and still can't) believe how many in our country trusted someone like Trump to run our country.  

I have a strong imagination. I witness scenes in the news of mothers with small children saying goodbye to their husbands as they leave Ukraine to places unknown to them. Not knowing where they will sleep that night, and not even knowing the language spoken there, I easily empathize. Having heard a personal story of Russian brutality and also living through a time when my family and I lived in fear of Russian missiles Tell Your Stories, My imagination flashes scenes from those times and the relief I felt when we were spared. 

Being of Biden's generation, I realize that the younger ones in our world may not share the same references to past events that threatened the security of even the United States. Shame on the far right pundits who trivialize the invasion of Ukraine and even idealize the madness being perpetrated by Putin. Calling him a "genius" makes them idiots in my book.

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I watch a lot of television other than the news. Then I have to be aggravated by the intrusive commercials on broadcast stations. My thumb automatically reaches for the mute button. I particularly hate all of the ads broadcast by attorneys. They never mention their ability to assist in estate planning, wills, or other legal issues. No! Every single commercial consists of telling -- sometimes yelling -- about the money they have received for their clients who have been injured in car accidents! We used to have a name for these attorneys -- ambulance chasers. It also used to be against the law for them to advertise on TV. The same was true about physicians at the time. Things have really changed in advertising, and not for the better!

Occasionally I happen to see something different that catches my eye, and I become a fan:

To end on another favorite TV commercial of mine -- this one gets my toes tapping:

It has taken me two days to write this. Ending with these two upbeat videos puts me in a better mood than I was when I started. Sometimes I believe that music could "save the world'.. or at least it could soothe the savage beasts of war!

Peace and prayers for Ukraine,

Marilyn