The Jewish holiday Rosh Hashana, as far as I've learned is a kind of of New Year's celebration that has the addition of engaging in retrospect over the past year, making peace with the past through forgiveness of self and others, and making amends if possible. Some traditions suggest making a list of 5 or 10 things you did wrong or could have done better, things you're sorry for, and taking some action to resolve or correct the wrongs. Sometimes all you can do is tell God. Maybe an apology is in order. And I'm finding out with all things Jewish, there's usually a feast involved, so I've got a stew in the crock pot. I looked for some new food to have the family try, another feature of Rosh Hashana, but we're all pretty eclectic already. I couldn't find anything that we have not tried, so I brought home the newest thing that we've all grown to love which is a basket of gooseberries. The new home is smelling pretty good right now. I hear the sounds of neighborhood children, and I am very grateful the the peace in our home. It's broken only with the barking of dogs once in a while. I have to walk out onto the porch and remind our Chihuahua, Nacho, to be a good neighbor, as silly as that feels or looks. I think he understands, and it makes me smile inside
The man I've grown to deeply love over the past 3 1/2 years is sorting though clothes he wants to donate. He's lost weight, and it's been staying off. He's also preparing for an interview tomorrow. He was able to come with me to the People for the Republic meeting last week. We also had a nice potluck get-together last weekend where we played Bocce (and I learned to play). My partner is a pretty good player already. We met new people and shared interesting stories. One man there had caught video of ball lightening that happened a few weeks ago during a storm that began some forest fires inland. I had brought Nacho, which had me a little more preoccupied with him at times. This month's homework for the group has me re-reading the Common Law Handbook for Jurors, Sheriffs, Bailiffs and Justices. So, instead of church today, I am home with these more introverted activities.
I think about Mom who isn't very far away with regards to actual, literal distance--not even a mile. Metaphorically, however, we may as well be hundreds of miles away. I share this dilemma with many others, driven apart from once-close family due to the devices of the war and disease profiteers. We are in a culture war, and I can only hope and pray that this phenomenon of punishing the messenger or misplaced aggression ends with distance. I also felt some tension last night at the reunion some. The last time I had any meaningful contact with any of them was years ago on Facebook. I've since left Facebook, and there's this awkward feeling you get when you have so much to say, but you're not sure if they're ready to talk about things that matter. Some still aren't and I don't blame them--what can you do? All I can do is prepare, stay healthy, and stay at peace. It got too loud with music and laughter for serious conversation anyway, so I'm glad I brought my partner. We were able to enjoy a drink and a light meal. I said hello to a few people and was pleased to see a few childhood friends who I'd often wondered about. One looked completely different than the boy he once was. One person looked the same as she always did. There was a nice homage for the members of our class who had passed away. One of the women who had put the whole thing together was a person I once had difficulties with because of an ex-boyfriend--silly, really. She kindly behaved as if it was forgotten years ago.
The picture above is the scene from outside the convention center where the reunion was held. It was about an hour away from sunset, and the air was a little hazy with forest fire smoke drifting from inland fires. Thankfully, we have the marine layer from the ocean that has helped keep our area cool and moist. I pray the DEW attacks are over and that the Alliance has all the information they need to take out the last of these hideous weapons--or take them out of the hands of the uni-party criminals using them. I trust in the law enforcement we have here, the Constitutional Sheriffs, many in our community that are hunters and regular Americans who see through what's happening.
Below are a few videos that encapsulate the times.
