“Tere” means hello in Estonian. Greetings from Estonia. I am in Tartu where my father lived, and where my ancestors are buried. I am poorly studying the Estonian language in an intensive course at the University of Tartu This gives me a fantastic opportunity to feel the emotions and frustrations Read more…
Yesterday I arrived in Tallinn, Estonia after a grueling day and day of travel. Or maybe it was day and a night. 26 hours from the time I left my sister’s house I was finally in Tallinn. Estonia is ten hours ahead of California in clock time, so my overnight Read more…
For the last two years as we have struggled through this pandemic,. We have lost the people we loved most. We have tried to stay healthy and deal with every changing information. During this period, I have observed two types of people. There are those who think in terms of Read more…
As I reflect on the events of January 6, 2021, and big lie that has been spread by the former president, I wonder why so many people believe that the election was rigged and why they thought that an insurrection was the answer. We’ve all had to deal with presidents Read more…
I think of 2021 as the year everyone died, even though my beloved friend and honorary sister, Jennifer Simpson died in December of 2020. Jennifer was the Queen of Grief and my guidepost through the world of grief. Since then it has been an avalanche of death and suffering. Yes, Read more…
The Atlantic magazine interviewed Ryan Williams from the Clairemont Institute whose goal is restoring the principles of the American Founding to their rightful, preeminent authority in our national life. The article, entitled “The Conservatives Dreading—And Preparing for—Civil War” is available online. I have been going over the article in my Read more…
As the world watches the bungled evacuation of American Citizens, US Allies, and at risk Afghans from Afghanistan, the horrors of similar bungled issues from the past are dredged up and we are emotionally vulnerable. The Fall of Saigon, the partitioning of Berlin, the fall of eastern Europe to the Read more…
As I watch the fall of Kabul, I am reminded of the fall of Saigon and the people I have known over the years who got out on the last flights and how it scared them. I think of the people I have known who escaped after the fall of Read more…
I have a very close friend, an honorary brother, who has been in ICU for 109 days as of today. For the last 2 1/2 months he has been on a ventilator. I am his health care power of attorney. This ordeal is torture but as long as he wants Read more…
This year is shaping up to be multiple smaller gatherings and/or camp outs over the July 4th prayer for world peace. Some of these gatherings will have an emphasis on COVID-19 safety protocols, others perhaps not so much. Many people may chose not to gather. The idea is not to Read more…