Spring has Sprung!

It is the long awaited first day of Spring!
During the early hours of the morning the sun reached the equator on its journey northward toward the Tropic of Cancer. This was the first sunrise of Spring 2021 from my backyard.

I'm planning a kind of compass flower bed for the backyard. Yesterday I marked the center spot for the flower garden with a wooden stake. The plan is to replace it with a sundial. I was up early enough this morning to mark sunrise at the equinox with a smaller stake and will also mark tonight's sunset. I'll do the same for the summer and winter solstice. With this morning's sunrise pretty much due east, I could probably predict the solstice markings by moving north and south 23.5 degrees, but I'll wait for the actual sight verified marks.

It was just below freezing at sunrise this morning and that looks to be the last overnight freeze in the forecast for the season. That means it is time to plant flowers and over seed the lawn. So much work to do and money to spend! 
So far, I am enjoying the work. I am finding myself more aware of the earth's energy and I feel like I am in sync with it. It's weird to be aware of the energy flow that transforms seeds to plants that produce flowers or food and then return energy to the soil in decomposition and the cycle repeats. Observing the process and feeling the energy flow are different things. Perhaps it's just the awareness that comes from having the time to meditate and contemplate the world around me, but it is pretty peaceful and satisfying.

Sunny and 58 (14c) is the forecast for today, so I should be able to get some outdoor work in. I take it pretty easy and try to enjoy it more than looking at it as a task that needs to be accomplished or conquered. Even so, there is plenty to do and the days are not yet that long so I'm going to fuel myself with a good breakfast and get busy.

Happy Spring to all my Northern hemisphere friends!
And Happy Autumn to my friends and family Down Under!

John 

Election Day!

The polls are about to close in the Mid-west.
I voted this morning and then made a 400 mile drive to Central Illinois.
I am thankful that we are able vote for our government representatives. I do think that we may all be better off if we somehow managed to shorten the campaign season and made it a little less divisive.

I do not like the political labels that are assigned to voters. I get Democrat, Republican, Independent, Libertarian, etc. But the assignment of liberal and conservative don't always fit very well. I consider that I am theologically conservative, fiscally moderate, and socially liberal.
I would say that I am a small government Democrat (even though I am still registered as a Republican). I do recognize the need for government service and there are social programs that need to be taken care of.

I don't understand the GOP that on one hand says they want less governmental regulation and then on the other hand, they push for more regulation on LGBT rights, religious rights, health and reproductive care, etc. What are you standing for -- less government or more regulation? I think it comes down to less regulation over our stuff and more regulation on your stuff.

I can identify with some of the issues that are considered conservative but am rarely considered to be conservative. And I am opposed to some of the issues that are considered to be liberal issues.
There was a time when politicians were able to look at issues rather than party lines. Crossing party lines for issues that benefited your district of state was common. Today, the party disciplines members by withholding funding or committee assignments for crossing the leadership. When you get a candidate from a certain party, you can expect them to hold to the party line.

Given the divide within the major parties, I anticipate more former Independent candidates (like Sen Sanders) running in party primaries in the future.

Whatever your party, whatever your label -- we are all Americans.
Let's act like it.
It will be OUR president that gets elected.
It will be OUR congress that gets elected.

Let's be grateful for our government and our voice in how it is administered.

John <><

Gentle, Overnight Rain

I awoke this morning to the sound of a nice gentle rain shower.
I like the sound of a nighttime rain.
And I'm a big fan of night rain showers.

During summertime droughts, I often hear people say that they're praying for rain. I ask them to pray for it to rain at night!
Hey! Why not?
I figure you might as well ask for what you want, right?
If it rains at night, we get the moisture the dry land needs and we can still have an enjoyable day outside. Win. Win.

Today, I am thankful for the gentle rains that replenish the water supply, and provide for nature.
This weather system looks like it will be with us for the day. I don't think we are expecting much more rain, just overcast skies, cooler temps and maybe, an occasional shower.

I hope that your week is off to a good start.
It's Monday. but I'm retired so I don't mind a bit!

John <><