Democrats View Socialism More Positive Than Capitalism
57% of Democrats now view socialism positively
47 % of Democrats view capitalism positively
SUENOSDEUOMI'S RUMINATIONS AND PERSPECTIVE
Good News
Rate Of Death Worldwide
1/4th of the 80th
1/7th of the 70th
Poverty
90% Lived In Extreme Poverty - 10% Now!
Survival
95% Less Likely To Be Killed Than 100 Years Ago.
Life Expectancy
30 Average - Past
71 Worldwide - Now
80 In Developed Nations
Education
90% Read & Write
under 25 worldwide
Good News
Steven Pinker, Professor of Psychology Author,
on Real Time with Bill Maher 8.10.2018
Artist Braddy Romero Ricalde
Enchanted by the spirit of Braddy Romero Ricalde
from Peru
I want to offer a taste of his artistry:
To paint is to Outlive Oblivion and Time
The Images that emerge from the canvasses are born of the happiness of life,
the nostalgia of the good moments, the unique world of our dreams,
the enoblement of life and death.
My desire was to give form to the emptiness.
The subject represents someone who in the solitary time of older age,
is remembering a gift that she received in youth.
This depicts the emptiness that shapes the heart.
Object Of My Desire
To paint is like walking barefoot between the mundane
and the purity of creation.
The story of a father who cannot see his daughter
but each night she visits him in his dreams
to tell him secrets that he will write in letters.
After many years, these letters will become a book for blind children.
Feeding More Than Birds
An Epiphany About Aging
Inspired by the textiles of the Paracas culture of Peru.
The landscape of human emotions are never-ending worlds.
INTIPUNKU: PUERTA DEL SOL. An exhibition of art by Peruvian artist Braddy Romero Ricalde at El Museo Cultural, Santa Fe, July 1. -31.
Braddy Romero is an indigenous artist, born in a small town outside of Cusco, Peru. Aside from his work as a painter, he recently started a project to write, illustrate, and distribute bi-lingual children’s books (Quechua/ Spanish) for the children in the pueblos who do not have easy access to books— especially, books in their native language. His first book Catalina y La Unkuna Magica won the Peruvian National Competition for Children’s Literature in 2007. The Peruvian Department of Education published 4,000 copies of Braddy’s book to give out to local public schools for free.
Earlier in his career, Braddy won a competition sponsored by the International Development Bank (IDB) for the most promising young Latin-American artist of 2003 and given a solo exhibition at the Atrium Gallery of the IDB in Washington. He has also exhibited at the Museum of Contemporary Art (Cusco, Peru) the Mexican Cultural Institute (Wash, DC); Peruvian-Japanese Cultural Center (Lima, Peru); the Golden Gate Gallery (San Francisco, CA); and the Monic Golstrom Gallery (Chelsea, NY), among other venues.
If you have any questions or would like more information, please contact Cheryl Flax-Davidson at the above email address or by cell at 202-669-7918.
INTIPUNKU: PUERTA DEL SOL
GATEWAY TO THE SUN
Old Man - Garrett
Neil Young wrote his song Old Man for a guy just like Garrett, an old Ranch Hand that fixed and mended everything needed on a ranch. Almost 70 years old, he is too old to find work on a ranch, so he found a job at a hotel in downtown Santa Fe where they treat him well he said.
I loved that song in my youth in the seventies, when I had no idea how it originated and was barely able to comprehend the English words, but the feeling ...
March For Our Lives - Santa Fe
The tailend of a long line of protesters about to reach the plaza.
Hey-hey, ho-ho, the NRA has got to go!
Plenty of Pets
Glad that I left our aging Isabella-girl at home.
I did observe one tiny dog snapping at another exuberant tiny pup.
Comfort animals offered much needed emotional support
especially as we listened to New Mexican school kids
reading out loud the names & the ages of kids
victimized by gun violence.
I had tears in my eyes.
A 15-year-old girl that came over to sit with me on a bench
shared that a kid showed up at her school with a bomb - for the fun of it!
Since then she is scared. Only 3 more years before she can vote!
A girl sitting on the edge of a sidewalk, holding a huge sign that told her story
of a bomb scare at an airport that now has her scared going to school.
Yep, she confirmed to me she was afraid.
Shocking.
I never had to experience such fears, not growing up and not as an adult.
My generation, Boomers, failed these kids.
While we protested for peace,
we got discouraged by being ignored and did not push enough for change.
Loudest Silence in US Social Protest
Emma Gonzalez
6 Minutes 20 Seconds
of a bomb scare at an airport that now has her scared going to school.
Yep, she confirmed to me she was afraid.
Shocking.
I never had to experience such fears, not growing up and not as an adult.
My generation, Boomers, failed these kids.
While we protested for peace,
we got discouraged by being ignored and did not push enough for change.
Loudest Silence in US Social Protest
Emma Gonzalez
6 Minutes 20 Seconds
We Call BS on your inactions. YES!
Ban Assault Rifles
If it were up to me, ban all weapons,
but having to accept the 2. amendment right
we will settle for a ban on assault-style weapons.
Military-style weapons do not belong in civilian hands.
No,
the majority don't want all weapons banned.
We want effective & enforced background checks.
We want the loopholes that allow for illegal gun sales blocked.
We want recent legislation reversed
that allows for those with mental disabilities to own guns.
Most important we want the see the political will in our politicians
to do what it takes to stem what amounts to a public health crisis,
gun violence.
We support further studies on the matter,
but not on cost of delaying legislative action NOW.
Yes, guns are weapons of destruction.
Guns kill.
Knives & cars can kill but are not designed for such,
are not as effective in killing as weapons are.
Guns are not toys.
Ownership of guns needs regulations.
Same as ownership of vehicles needs regulations.
Guns are fun for some,
I urge those to put their entertainment aside
in favor of safety for us all,
especially for our kids.
2016: NRA: $1,053,050 Total Contributions
$1,052,550 - 99.0% to Republicans
Top Republican Beneficiaries: Senator Marco Rubio & Ted Cruz
2018 NRA: $309,168 Total Contributions 97.7% to Republicans
Support Senator Sanders' current bill
S.2095 - Assault Weapons Ban of 2017
Bernie Sanders supported a ban on assault weapons since 1988!
Change The Culture - YES!
Slash the bloated military budget - YES!
Vote! Vote! Vote!
live via our Mayor Alan Webber @MayorWebber
Dwuno Son
Dwuno Son, Dutch/Indonesian bohemian,
wore her own hand-painted shoes and self-styled dresses.
A Taoist & frequent consulter of the I-Ching,
Dwuno opened my eyes to the unnatural of social imprinting
& opened my heart to the magic & the mystery of the invisible.
wore her own hand-painted shoes and self-styled dresses.
A Taoist & frequent consulter of the I-Ching,
Dwuno opened my eyes to the unnatural of social imprinting
& opened my heart to the magic & the mystery of the invisible.
In conversation with me in Den Haag in 1986.
Mentor and dear friend that had a huge impact in my life.
#InternationalWomensDay
Sumo Is Missed
Sumo's passing bewildered me. Witnessing death is powerful, so irrevocable, so final, such a demarcation of time before and after.
At first, his absence was palpable, it seemed to permeate our space.
I would glance at the spot in our home where he had passed on and felt - a spaciousness that I did not want to attach any quality to, it just was. It was odd, but it also felt sacred.
I got busy, seemingly intent on setting things in order and on demarcating time. Beddings got washed and remade for the three of us. The floor got moped, vet documents got reorganized, incense got burned and Isabella got to go out on the retractable lead frequently. This was one lead I ceased to use after I tumbled over my bike when I used the lead's handle to break my bike when an oncoming car had threatened to get too close to Sumo who was running alongside, about 9 years ago. I had worried about Sumo's unpredictability potentially threatening me on my bike, but Sumo was always good, on his perfect behavior when out and about with me. It was my own panic that had caused that fall.
Isabella loves the extra give on the retractable lead, this girl is all smiles when out and about and people notice. She gets quite a bit of attention if not given freely, she will ask for it, from strangers. Amazingly Isabella is just about as happy as she can be. She no longer lags behind, in order to allow for Sumo to take the lead. She knows where she wants to go and it is now up to me to adjust to let her have the lead after about a decade of my pups following me. That was our deal, I take them just about everywhere, but for them to come along, they had to follow ME. I have rarely gone anywhere without my pups over the last 11 years. So I struggle a bit with letting Isabella set the pace as this girl has got a good nose and likes to sniff endlessly in one spot. But watching my pups, they never got mad at each other for such things, they just adjusted to each other and to me. I struggle with getting irritated when the air is frigid, I want to reach a sunny spot but Isabella got her own agenda. It is a give and take and we are doing great on the whole. I have made it a point to give Isabella more attention, take her out a bit more often and to different places. I use our van more frequently on errands now so she can come along. Today Sunday, with parking free downtown, we made it to the plaza where we had not been in a while. Isabella knew exactly where she was and headed toward crossing the street to show up at Overland Sheepskin where they treat doggies very kindly. Bright eyes, waggly tail up, big grin she was waiting to get acknowledged and sure enough got a treat. I appreciate those friendly gestures from so many strangers that chose to notice this girl and be kind to her.
Meanwhile, when I open a banana or peel a tangerine I miss Sumo's bright, expectant eyes looking up at me in hopes to get a bite. Contemplating that I will never again ride my scooter with Sumo is tough. It is something I really loved. It is an image I had that propelled me to go look for a canine companion. One to take along on adventures.
Death has a way of peeling away what is nonessential and exposing what is or is not. I have been feeling my isolation as I feel the lack of emotional support in my life. The kindest response to my sharing of the news of Sumo's passing came from a supervisor at one of our grocery stores, a Dutch woman with whom years ago I would share the trails at our dog park on occasions. Maybe it is our common European background along with our similar age that allowed me to actually feel the authenticity of our interaction that soothed me like no other. Life goes on. Spring shows signs way too early for us up high at 7,000 feet. I hope of planting green grass over Sumo's burial site as Sumo loved grass, not just for self-medication but he seemed to truly enjoy eating some greens, so grass seems most befitting for his resting site.
Sumo Will Be Missed
Sumo, still professionally groomed in March 2007
when he joined our household.
Sumo looked so cute & cool in his cooling Koolhat
that holds moisture and matches his red Doggles
protective eye gear intended for riding on 2 wheels.
Isabella at Sumo's side supporting him in his discomfort
as he was breaking in his brand new Doggles
for a ride on bike the very next day.
Isabella was a great teacher to Sumo,
showed him how to sit, lie down, in short the ropes,
with enthusiasm and kindness.
Sumo used to be a vigorous chewer.
Sumo gave me attitude on our first extended trip
as he discovered that muddy paws are not allowed in the van.
Cozy with Isabella under a beach blanket
as we returned from our trip to Colorado in our VW van.
In his element at the dog park off-lead
up while I am walking down in the arroyo.
Ahead as usual
looking down & across the arroyo at our dog park.
Happy pups romping off-lead at our huge
and very diverse dog park often twice a day for years.
We loved that lower, less busy trail, but not during summer
when the likelihood of encounters with snakes increased.
For the last few years, we walked more in the Railyard park
which greatly increased chances for chasing bunnies & squirrels.
February 13th Sumo past away.
He had a big tumor in his belly.
Probably Kidney Cancer.
March 2017 the vet did not expect for Sumo to live to June.
I believe CBD oil helped Sumo live until yesterday.
He was doing so well in December/January
I had gotten hopeful we might have yet some time together.
Sumo amazed me with his adventurous spirit.
Where Isabella-girl might hesitate,
he would move forward, eager to explore.
Sumo was all about adventure.
Escaping the confines of the neighbor's yard
exploring our neighborhood on his own,
that is how we were gifted with Sumo.
In this, he always reminded me of the Maltese breed
those little dogs that roamed the streets of Malta.
They were not lap dogs originally!
Sumo used his size to his advantage
as when ducking under to avoid eager, bigger dogs.
Our little Yorkie/Poodle/Maltese was loved,
not just by our Isabella who was besotten with Sumo,
whom she followed enthusiastically,
who was the apple of her eye.
Loved not just by our Pretty Kitty that stalked Sumo
to his very last night - for cuddles.
Sumo attracted the interest of all kinds of dogs
often to Sumo's dismay.
Sumo was foremost a hunter and explorer,
relationships ranged secondary,
except for a few chosen ones.
Sumo was such a male.
Sumo was more discerning in his affections.
Shames was one of his favorites.
Sumo just could not resist this little, white, fluffy cutie.
Sumo would try to attach himself to one,
male or female, either would do, and try to mount it.
This made for hilarious chases across the big field of our dog park.
Sumo would show his enthusiasm for my home cooked meals
by jumping & twirling up into the air, cute.
Sumo loved fruits, including apples, banana, tangerines,
even pineapple, but surprised me by a liking for asparagus.
Meat dishes of course ruled.
I learned to enjoy preparing meals for my fury buddies
and no longer minded the handling of dead flesh too much.
Sumo hated egg whites.
Adamantly refused, at first, but he got over it.
For years, Sumo would compare his dish with that of Isabella.
I made it a point to be fair to them to the best of my ability.
This got a bit trickier as they grew older
and their needs changed and diverged more.
Sumo at last in his preferred sunny spot
where he passed on with Isabella by his side.
SUMO
October 4, 2005 - February 13, 2018
I managed to borrow a shovel from an unknown neighbor
and buried Sumo in our yard
where 20 years earlier our cat was buried as well.
My choice to treat Sumo's passing
as an inevitable, natural event, rather than a disease
feels right to me.
Since Sumo's death,
I have been in a frenzy of activity
trying to set things in order,
trying to mark the monumental change
that just occurred.
The floor got a long overdue mopping.
Bedding and towels got washed and changed.
Isabella's new tags finally replaced the old ones.
Records got reordered for each of my furry ones.
I used a retractable lead for today's walk with Isabella.
I arranged for a refill for Isabella's thyroid medication.
I have given Isabella lots of attention - and treats.
She got to lick out lots of tiny containers of Sumo's food,
all of which he had refused in his last 36 hours.
She got to lead on lots of short walks.
Isabella had a great day yesterday, to my surprise.
She seemed more perplexed by my digging in the yard
than by Sumo's actual passing.
Today she seemed a bit puzzled,
did a lot of sniffing on our walks.
I imagine she noticed still Sumo's scent.
We all slept on our bed together,
something I really needed.
I wanted them near me.
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