The Trial of Derek Chauvin in the Death of George Floyd

 As one of the most important trials in the last several decades, it is difficult to turn away from what is happening right now. Yes, the trial just got underway but I am guessing there will be day-to-day, probably hour-to-hour coverage on this situation. We all saw Chauvin kneeling on Floyd's neck for over nine minutes; the assumption of innocence seems impossible. But what goes on in the courtroom remains to be seen.

As an outspoken liberal Democrat, I am worried about this trial, about the outcome. There is no verdict that will bring peace and unity to any part of any faction in this country.  Maybe peace and unity is not what will create change, but violence and dissention will not help anyone either.

We will wait and see what happens. The world will wait and see what happens because this is not just an issue in the USA. Violence against people of color is rampant throughout the world.

More commentary from this one solitary person will be forthcoming as the trial progresses. 

Peace, please.

Flowers, Part 2

 Here are a few more flowers that I have posted on Instagram in the past two weeks. 

For You: Free Flowers!

While we are all trying to feel better, to be positive, it is still quite difficult.  World-wide, thousands die every day from Covid, people still live in poverty, children are still left stranded at the border. Yes, vaccines are coming, a little of the Covid anxiety is abating and flowers are starting to bloom everywhere but we don't always see the prospect of loveliness. In my daily walks, I have lately made a conscious effort to look out for the new blooms and it is surprising how many one can find: weeds, wildflowers, well-planted sidewalk beds. For the next several weeks I will be posting a photo every day on Instagram (jagjulie68) of one of the flowers I captured on my phone. Once a week or so I will post the week's flowers here on the blog.  I hope they give you a small moment (or ten seconds) of tranquility and a glimmer of hope that beauty can still be found.  

In no particular order, here is what I posted this past week:

 

This week last year. So long ago.

 The last road trip I took was this week last March.  Drove south down 101, spend a couple of nights in Monterey, a night at a great hotel in Atascadero, couple of nights in Santa Barbara (hotel room across from the beach!) and a night in Paso Robles.  Paso was hosting an amazing light show called Sensorio which consisted of more than 58,000 LED lights spread over 15 acres of field land.  The lights slowly changed from white to red to blue and green, and because this was in the Before Times, people could walk along paths through all of these lights. It was stunning, as you can see below.

Once my brief but beautiful road trip ended, I was back at work for my regular 4 day shift.  My last day was March 17, St. Patrick's Day.  That was the last work day I experienced.  As of March 19, California shut down.

Going over some of the photos makes me realize how lovely simple road trips can be. New scenery, new adventures, hanging out with a friend in SB, eating, drinking, talking, new hotel rooms and a fantastic light show.  There is a road trip in my near future; not sure where yet, but I am sure of its reality.

View in Santa Barbara from my balcony and walking the beach.

Light show above  and when you purposefully wiggle the camera below.