The clematis is blooming like crazy! Such a gorgeous flower and a nice splash of color at the front of the house. I think they’re equally pretty when just about to open:
There’s your dose of pretty for the day.
We spent the evening with the news and with Rachel Maddow. We have a desperate fool in the Oval Office who is inciting violence, who is determined to start a civil war, and who now wants to bring in the military to harm American citizens. That is what a fascist dictator does. It’s certainly what his buddy Putin does. Putin, who Trump spoke to right before his phone call to the Governors.
Tear gas for a photo op. Tear gas trained on peaceful protestors. His phone call to the Governors was, to put it mildly, insane and rambling.
I don’t know what else to say except that we have sunk about as low as we can as a nation.
My heart is heavy, dear friends. I know you feel the same.
Stay safe.
Happy Tuesday.
I don’t believe he even went inside! VOTE VOTE VOTE him out. The trump family is a stain on this country. Send them packing. And may he then spend the rest of his miserable life fighting lawsuits. His grandchildren will learn in school … every day … what a disgraceful president he was. That makes me smile. Take care.
He will be on everyone’s worst president in history list. I’d add worst person in the world, as well.
Stay safe, Chris.
These are perilous days. My heart, my mind and spirit are in despair and yet I feel such rage and anger. I want to feel hopeful.
As Pres. Obama said get out and VOTE..
Take Care,
Kaye
VOTE, VOTE, VOTE! We need to get this piece of garbage out of office.
Stay safe, Kaye.
I agree that voting out all of the greedy racists is what we have to do this November. Thank goodness they have become so blatant about their hate – now we know where they are… and we can remove them from office. That is my hope. Thanks, Claudia, for your post.
I thought he’d really gone too far during his “dominate the streets” speech. Then he walked to the church and held up that bible…I felt sick. He has no idea what the words in that book mean. We must remove him in Nov.
We must!
He desecrated the Bible and all it stands for. I despise him. Stay safe, Marilyn.
He has looted our country. To think, if he’d been impeached and found guilty, we wouldn’t be going through this tragedy. Drain the swamp of all those cowards that are in lockstep with him. My heart goes out to the African Americans and ALL minorities that have suffered through this racism so evident in our country.
Amen.
That is my hope, as well, Ellen. Stay safe.
BTW – everyone should know – if you don’t already – and spread the word: white power group POSING as antifa called for violence on Twitter. I don’t want anyone calling for violence – but let’s make sure to blame the correct people. We will also learn that Trump’s comrades in russia are behind inciting violence. Donate what you can to Biden’s campaign!!!
Of course white nationalists are behind it. There’s really no Antifa. It’s a made-up Republican catch-all name. Thankfully, those with a working brain know that.
Well said and I feel EXACTLY the same way!
Stay safe, Cathy. xo
Hi Claudia, I know I don’t respond very often but this is too important not to. We as a country are in peril. Mr. Floyd’s murder is inexcusable. The protesters are not THUGS. They are people who are outraged and fed up with police brutality. We have a man in the White house that is on the verge of dictatorship. We must not let this happen. Please vote him out this November. Our lives and rights are at stake. On a happier note your home looks lovely. Very peaceful and serene environment. Just what we all need right now. April
“Thugs” is a code word in certain circles for black Americans. The THUGS are Trump and his henchmen.
Thank you, April. Stay safe. xo
i am sad and sickened …
by the actions of the pino (“president in name only”), looters and other criminals (including those four now-former police officers in minneapolis and what they did/didn’t do on may 25, 2020 … who all must be charged with murder in the first degree) to intentionally hurt and kill other people, destroy their hard-earned property and livelihoods and take away their rights and peace of mind,
by the pino using force against innocent people for a stupid photo-op (churches and bibles are beautiful, not stupid) and his own personal gain and by anyone mis-using peaceful protests as a cover for destructiveness and
by the choices of some people to still support the pino despite his divisiveness, to still in the year 2020 wrongly believe that people should be judged by the color of their skin and that “might makes right”, who blame the victims/survivors of institutional bias, hatred and other crimes and then teach that evil to their children.
i am hopeful because …
there are more good-hearted people in the world than bad- and, while He loves everyone (including sinners like me), God is on the side of goodness and will use the bad stuff for good reasons (“right makes might”) and
i can and we can look in our own hearts and see what we can do, must do, will do to make a positive difference in the world and our own neighborhoods, set in motion positive “butterfly effects”, donate to/ volunteer at life-affirming programs that help lift people up, we can listen to each other (especially the disenfranchised), peacefully protest, call/write elected officials and vote for change, (as was attributed to gandhi) we can “be the change you want to see in the world”), do what angela davis said a long, long time ago … “i am no longer accepting the things i cannot change. i am changing the things i can no longer accept” and we can pray.
thanks for letting me get that out.
hope everyone has an easier day. stay safe in every way!
kathy in iowa
Thanks for sharing with us, Kathy. I totally agree. Stay safe, get better soon. xo
there has been several nights of looting, fires set to buildings and cars, other property damage and (worst of all) injuries to and deaths of people here in iowa during/after otherwise-mostly-peaceful protests against police brutality and racism … just as in every other state and all over the world … so no one really needed my lists of junk in the world and what i/we can do about it. but i keep dreaming (when asleep) and crying and wishing (when awake) i’d been in minneapolis nine days ago to run at and physically knock away from george floyd or kick in the head that now-former police officer/always a murderer (may God please forgive me for judging, but i saw in that video what i saw in that video). guess i just needed to get that out, too. thanks again, claudia, for letting me do that.
kathy in iowa
I said the same thing to Don. I wished I had been there. I like to think I would have intervened and stopped him. xo
i want to add (rather belatedly) that i am generally not a violent person. i don’t believe in/condone physically or emotionally hurting people or animals or destroying property…. but i am very, very upset about what george floyd (and too many other people) went through and the suffering and sadness of his family (their families), too … enough that i have repeatedly dreamed about trying to help mr. floyd and to say to you all that yes, had i been there that day, i would have consciously and physically intervened against the police (not “kick in” the police officer’s head, but kick him there to get him away from george floyd). i hope God will forgive me for that and use george floyd’s unnecessary death to lead us all to work towards true social justice for everyone because i am very scared for us all.
i hope you all are sleeping alright.
kathy in iowa
I am very non-violent, as well. But I would have done everything I could to stop those men from harming George Floyd. I don’t think God has to forgive you. Jesus would have done the same, Kathy. Take care of yourself. You’re recovering from this virus and you need moments of peace and quiet. Much love.
Love “pino” – kind of sounds like tiny penis. :-)
ha ha …
i take no credit for that word, chris. think someone altered the acronym rino (“republican in name only”) for the pino.
stay safe!
kathy in iowa
He is deplorable. Despicable. A total waste of skin. I cried when I watched those thugs on horseback running down protesters exercising their First Amendment rights. He, of course, only focuses on the 2nd Amendment. Always. That horrific photo op in front of the church was beyond believable. Holding up a Bible which we all know he has never read, just like the Constitution.
Voting is the answer, of course, but waiting FOUR MORE MONTHS to vote seems like an eternity. What he will do in these 4 months is going to be horrendous. And he doesn’t care at all. It is just another day in his Reality Show where he only worries about his ratings. But Putin got his way getting him elected, and we know he will do everything in his power to do it again.
He can’t read more than three words in a row. And he never goes to church, he just uses religion as a tool to get what he wants. I despise him.
Four more months does seem like an eternity. He called Putin. Putin told him what to do. And he did it. Because Putin is his boss.
Stay safe, Chris. xo
After yesterday I decided. IF IF IF he is re-elected I am moving somewhere out of the country.
We would seriously consider it as well.
You are so right! You said it all. His own advisers wouldn’t let him make a speech to the nation because he was not “in the right frame of mind”. Unfortunately , his mind is gone. I am praying for all Americans.
Yes. So am I. Meanwhile, 100,000 people have died from coronavirus, something that could have been prevented had he acted. He is a failure. As President, as a company owner, as a reality show host, as a human being.
I have lived in Detroit all my life. As a very young child, I lived through the 1967 riots. Fear and hatred overtook our lives. I respectfully refer to what is happening in our Metro Detroit Area as protests. Our cities and communities must stand up for justice and equality. My heart is breaking and my tears will not stop. Many of my elderly neighbors are also filled with anxiety and dread. They also remember 1967. But I refuse to give into the fear and hatred as my parents and family did in 1967. I hope that God hears all of our prayers and everyone decides that right is better than might. We must not allow ourselves to become victims of THAT man. I prey that every citizen goes to the polls and votes THAT man and HIS ALLIES out of office. He does not deserve to be called the President of the United States. He should forever be referred to as THE IMPEACHED president of the United States. Please pray that we all remain safe.
I also grew up right outside of Detroit and my Dad was trapped in his office (in Detroit) for three or four days during the riots. I remember them vividly, Nancy. Stay safe, everyone. xo
FAKE news. It was not tear gas, they were smoke canisters, because Trump walked to the church. Four officers killed last night, one shot in the back of the head. Two officers were run down by cars. One officer dazed and hurt after being beat up, and another laying on the sidewalk, after being hit with a brick! 12 police cars looted, (for guns) burned beyond saving. And you say he shouldn’t bring in the Military to help. Hell, lets just let the Thugs take over America, guess some people can just blame Trump. The one man who is trying to do what he can. Let’s get real, people, your hate for our President is over and above needed. I realize this is your blog, and you have every right to say what you want, and I know this comment will be taken down, but I just had to voice my opinion. Bonnie in Wisconsin
Wow. No thinking person ever uses the word “thugs” when referring to protesters exercising their First Amendment rights to bring attention to corrupt police practices. Did you also use that word to describe the idiots carrying their guns on the grounds of the statehouse in Madison a few weeks ago? Remember, they were the ones screaming that they be allowed to go boating and get haircuts?
Bravo, Kay.
to bonnie schulte in wisconsin …
this is not my blog (so, to blog owner claudia: please take down my comment if you want) and i am not trying to start an argument with you or anyone else, but i would sincerely like to ask …
in posts and comments here today and previously, do you see (along with criticism of the president, including my own use of “pino” today) condemnation of the violence, racism and brutality put upon people by some police, some citizens, some institutions (which are, of course, people), some elected officials and anyone else mis-using their power/abilities/opportunities? do you see here (and around the world) the massive grief and anger/support for people who are mourning, afraid and who have been intentionally disenfranchised and hurt physically, emotionally and financially (including the police officers you mentioned, the vast majority of whom were just trying to keep the peace and their jobs)? do you see the need for us all to help lift people up, for people with privilege (myself included) to check themselves and educate themselves and improve themselves in order to improve the lives of other, less-fortunate people? do you see the need to hold accountable elected officials, police and anyone else with “legal” power … for everyone’s sakes? do you see those things here (at claudia’s blog and all around this country and the world) … or are you only seeing criticism of the president? because that condemnation, grief, hope and work for a better world is all here. it’s everywhere. it’s not “fake”. and the needless deaths and pain are far, far, far more important than even something as dear as the right to free speech. because we all have that right, too, and because the president is not (in your words) “the one man who is trying to do what he can” (let’s just agree to disagree on his decisions, goals and methods, okay?), it’s also not going away until the world is better for everyone.
again, i am not trying to argue with you. i just feel the need to ask and i hope you will talk with me about this stuff (if that’s okay with claudia). thanks for listening to me. i will listen to you.
kathy in iowa
It’s okay with me, but I have asked Bonnie to move on and not return here. I find her views reprehensible and I don’t want that energy in the comments section of my blog. It was one thing before the election when one hoped people would see the light. It’s another after all that we’ve seen. If someone is supporting Trump, they are supporting racism.
I applaud you for wanting to discuss this with her, but my experience is that there is no ‘healthy discussion’ with Trump supporters. xo
thanks, claudia.
hope you have a peaceful night. :)
kathy in iowa
xo
It was tear gas and rubber bullets. It was planned and staged by Trump and Barr.
Bonnie, I will not tolerate this crap on my blog. Period. I am extremely disappointed in you. And you’re damn right. It IS my blog. I’ll leave this up so that people who aren’t filled with hate and want peace and racial equality can see just what you said.
If you support Trump, you support racism. If you support racism, you are not welcome here.
Do not come back. Go somewhere else where your views are tolerated. They are not tolerated here. This is my home. I would not invite someone with your views inside my house. I do not invite you here.
Thank you, Claudia.
Thanks for your support, Chris.
Our country is in disarray…my city is in disarray. That man was trying to kill us by ignoring Covid…now he’s trying to set the military against us. Where will it end? The only thing that I know will work….VOTE! VOTE!! VOTE!!!
He is a sham of a president, a phony in every sense of the word…there are not enough words to express how I feel about him. VOTE!! VOTE!!
He tear gassed his own citizens for a photo op….he used the Bible as a prop….despicable! Is there no end to his madness?? VOTE!! PLEASE…VOTE!!!
Agree with what you say. I think the virus and plans to contain it were ignored because the white supremacist thought only people of color would be affected. White people would be okay. And I do not read the Bible but I treat it with more respect than that!!
Amen. If you have to crawl through broken glass, VOTE this hateful man out.
I have no words. You have said them all. My heart and soul are heavy.
I love the beauty of your garden. I hope you find it healing.
I do. But not today. Today I’m heartbroken. xo
We have several houses in our neighborhood sporting signs that say they back the police. Right or wrong, I guess. I’m also guessing they either are or are related to officers. Whenever I drive past those signs I remember Diane, a black woman I worked closely with when I was assistant to the provost at George Washington University years ago. At the time she had a son who was in his upper teens. And she feared for his life on a constant basis. This was in 1984.
It’s past time for this to end.
Kay
I back good and non-racist police. I don’t back police who are racists. Why do people put up signs making a blanket statement like that?
Thank you to Kathy in Iowa, for your comment to me. Everything you have said, rings true. You asked if I see…When I wrote “fake” I see the news media, and you must agree to some extent ,anyway, none have said anything about our President, unless it was to blame him, run him down, and never have they shown him respect., since being elected. I have lived in this world for 81 years, and I see , you can bet I see, how can I not….I have seen more hurt and grief than you can imagine in my lifetime. But I have never seen any president, and there have been some, I didn’t agree with, but I did show respect. People lived and worked together after WW2. We all worked together. I have black friends, and white friends, and they all,are fine people. My son is a former Marine, and he fought next to black men, and white men. Color does not make a difference, when a man loves and fights for this country. People who choose to kill, trash our cities, stores, and do not follow a curfew set in place…(Looting at 3:00 am) to me, are just angry, and think that they have the given right to loot and destroy. I feel grief… I feel a whole lot of grief and even more sadness. I am also angry, but I do not choose to upset, or kill, or trash any other person’s property, or to cause them injury. A comment above said I am not a thinking person because I used the word “thugs” . What would you name these people.? I do not respect them… These are not the protesters. What is the way to control them? I wish I knew, but something has to be done. I pray for our country, and I pray for this President. I pray for all of us, that this unrest will all end. I pray to God every single day, to watch over our loved ones, and all loved ones. It is what I am able to do. With regards…Bonnie
bonnie …
i’m going to keep this brief out of respect to claudia and her wishes … but i want to say thanks to your son for his service to our country and i’m sorry for whatever hurt and grief you’ve experienced.
i repeatedly asked “do you see …?” to make the point that we all must try to see what is happening in the world and in our own minds and hearts and those of other people in order to acknowledge both the problems and the good things in those places … and then be willing to work together if there is to be any hope of improving life for everyone (i know “improving” can be very subjective … and yes, that some media are more about opinions than facts. i also know there is always reason for hope). while i am no fan of president trump, i recognize (see) he is a human being who has a big job and can’t fix everything himself … we all need to work towards social justice in its many forms. i pray he allows God to lead in his life and i certainly do not wish him any harm. just as i want and pray for those same good things for you and the rest of the world.
kathy in iowa
ps to claudia … thanks again.
That’s part of the problem…the “Bonnie”s of the world. Thank you for saying goodbye to her…good decision!
Hopefully, better days are coming. I want so badly to believe we’re at the bottom of the barrel, but still not sure if there’s a bit more to sink:::((((
I admit it. I will no longer tolerate any of that kind of talk. Anyone who feels that way is not welcome here. Thanks Priscilla.
Stay safe.
The Bible teaches us to pray for everyone. Our loved ones, our enemies and our leaders. Lord, I wish to pray for the president of our country. Please Lord, don’t let him continue to suck the life out of this country. Amen.
Thank you for your post. My heart is sad. For us, for our country, for my grandchildren to growing up with all this hate. I am so afraid we will have 4 more years of “him”. He makes me sick to even hear him talk. My heart is heavy tonight. So very sad.
Mine, too. We have do everything we can to turn out in numbers so great that he loses by a landslide. Thank you, Louise. Stay safe.
What has become of our country under the leadership of this #@%&ing excuse of a man? I am so sick and sad and angry that he is responsible for the decaying of human respect/compassion/tolerance that we are ALL entitled to. While still adjusting to life with Covid, the horrible events of last week leave me heavy hearted and drained. I cried while watching our Flint Police Chief set aside his and his officers’ protective equipment during a recent protest, in order to “join” the protest against Police brutality, hugging members of the community, assuring us that police brutality has to STOP! My husband who is working from home doesn’t know what to say when he sees me spontaneously crying over how burdened it all makes me feel. I miss my kids and grandkids. I thank God for his gift of Natures beauty. Take care. Be safe.
I understand, Penny. I feel the same way. The world as I knew it has disappeared and I want it back. Stay safe.
Hello Claudia, the world has gone crazy here in my country, while deaths by covid 19 only increase, the president is only interested in protecting his family from bandits. Today when asked about the fatal victims of the disease he just said “Death is the everyone’s destiny¨
Oh no. That is appalling, Edis. He sounds like Trump and I know they are much the same. Please take care, my friend, and stay safe.