A Dream Deferred

 On Friday, November 1, I wrote a letter from the future, A Glimpse of Better Times, as written by my granddaughter. It showed an increasingly bright future, all stemming from Harris/Walz's victory.

Shockingly, that didn't happen. Americans chose the Orange Fascist instead.

I thought, maybe I need to rewrite that story, show all the horrible things that this despicable person and his Trumpeteers will do, and the damage that will reverberate for decades.

But then I thought, I can't write about that kind of nightmarish hellscape and put my Granddaughter in it.

I prefer to keep this sticker set and give it to her at the right time so she knows that it is not over but a dream deferred.

For her sake and the sake of all those I love, I have to pray that somehow we get out of this with a minimum of suffering and pain.

There is a lot to be pessimistic about. For those who think this was just a normal election with a normal election outcome - you truly do not know what you have done.

I despair. I find it difficult to be around anyone who willingly puts us in this mess. I fear about the effects not just to democracy but to the irreversible damage that will be done to our environment. I fear for the lives of Ukrainians and Palestinians. I fear for those who will be persecuted for their sexual identities and their open gender expression. I fear for those who continue to speak out and risk their well-being and freedom. I fear for the lack of women's reproductive health care. I fear for all civil workers, being led by absolute morons whose only intent is not to serve but to destroy and enrich themselves. 

I could go on and on. Yeah, a lot of bad stuff is going to go down.

But then, I look at my Granddaughter and know I can't surrender. I can't just give in to my grief.

It's hard right now.   Hard to be anything but angry and worried.   It's hard to be around those who sold this nation out.

But I promise you, my sweet, precious Retta, that I will fight these feelings and do whatever I can to make your future better.

It is not a dream ended.   It can't be.

It is a dream deferred.

Beauty in the Catskills!

 

It has been a while since I've blogged. We were on a trip to the Catskill Mountains in New York State. 

Why? To visit with my middle son, Doug, his wife, Paige, and my one and only grandchild, Retta Lockett Strait!

We were told she might not take to us right away - she could be a little shy around strangers (further proving the genetic link between us). She had seen us on Facetime calls, but it had been at least nine months since we'd last seen her in person.

We were wrong to be concerned. She took to us almost right away. She came up to Alison and play-tickled her. But the party only really got started once she tickled me, and I finally figured out what fifty-plus years of community theatre was getting me prepared for.  To be the silly Grandpa. She loved my reaction and was soon sneaking up to tickle me every minute.

We went outside, and she began to gather flowers, which Alison helped her do. But when it came time to give away her bouquet, who did she give it to? ME!

At two years and two months, she was talking profusely and in complete sentences. We sometimes needed Doug to help translate, but that was fine. When Doug was a toddler, he also spoke complete sentences, and I helped translate what he said to others.

She called Alison Meme (pronounced Mee-Maw), but mine was a little trickier. She was not quite ready for the G sound in Grandpa, so I became Hanpa or Hampa (Ham fitting with my community theatre persona).

After a few days, we were set to babysit Retta. Doug and us were concerned about how she would handle being separated from her father, as there were some tears and clinging over trying to be at a daycare playtime with many adults and other kids around. Doug told us she might be upset when he first left but that she would get over it in time (he hoped).

But when he left, she transitioned to us right away without any tears or fuss. She loved spending time with us and playing different games, including hide-and-seek.

Retta is very much an outdoor cat. She loved being outside, walking, playing, or helping with many of the family's animals—goats, chickens, and the family dog, Barco. When we went on a really nice community path, she was highly observant, noticing a wide variety of insects, birds, and even a snake.

The Catskills are a perfect place for this extra special outdoor child.

The temperature never really rose much above 72. There was some rain here and there, but overall, it was so much more beautiful and comfortable than sweltering South Georgia.

Someday, we dream that we can move farther north and be closer, experience better weather, and, frankly, a better political environment. Most people are nice here, but it does get difficult with the extremism that surrounds us.

It was a lovely trip, and now we're back.

Already planning for the next trip!

My Weekly Reading

 Today is my middle son's birthday. Douglas Redwine Strait is 39 years old today! He is an environmental scientist and lives in the Catskill Mountains. More importantly, he is an amazing human being, kind and caring, warm and generous.  

He is also a devoted father and a wonderful husband. He and his partner Paige are supportive and loving.

He is raising my one and only grandchild, Retta Lockett Strait. The parents don't want social media pictures of her, which seems very wise given today's environment. So I can't show you what she looks like. Trust me - she is beautiful, intelligent, sweet-tempered, curious, and loving.

Our recent two-week visit with them was a highlight of my life. Even though I wasn't a Grandpa until age 66, Retta was worth the wait!

The thing I look forward to the most (besides plotting the next trip to see her) is being able to read to her through the magic of Facebook Messenger (or whatever it's called).  

I am planning a reading tonight, hopefully from the book pictured above. We have books where I have a copy, and she can look at a copy at home.

There is so much I am struggling against. The cruel war on the library and the LGBTQ community here is disturbing and exhausting. The fact that we are still fighting these battles in 2023 is depressing.  

I am trying to improve my physical condition, and it's difficult. It's vital that I check my progress each day, but it can be very discouraging, as it was today.

I'm used to quitting or withdrawing when I feel rejected, but as difficult as it is, I can no longer afford to quit when I get negative news.

But enough of that.

Tonight I get to read to my Granddaughter!

Huzzah!

T. M. Strait

All Kinds of Storytelling

 

I love storytelling. All kinds, all forms.

I read. Classics, history, biography, science fiction, fantasy, mysteries, thrillers. Just to name a few. In addition, I read comic books, graphic novels, magazines, current events, and blogs.

I watch. TV and movies. I don't binge hard - seeing full seasons in a day or two. But I slow binge and see a variety of stuff. I see an episode or two with Alison on most evenings. Recently we finished Season 4 of Orville, and when that was done, we saw the first season of Mayfair Witches (based on the Anne Rice books). Last night we started House of the Dragons, the Game of Thrones prequel. And, yes, I've read the book the series is based on, Fire and Blood, by George R R Martin.

I watch an episode of something after Alison goes to bed (she likes to get 7 to 8 hours of sleep, and it's difficult for me to sleep much more than 5 or 6). I've started Station Eleven, a series dealing with the aftermath of a virus that wipes out most of the population.

I also watch silent movies. I watch them for about ten or fifteen minutes, so they take me a week or so to see. The most recent I've seen is The Passion of Joan of Arc.

You can laugh at me all you want, but I've picked up watching the soap opera Days of Our Lives. I skip over chunks of it - I don't care which character is schlepping with another character. But the show has fantastical elements - resurrected characters, brainwashing, visits to heaven, purgatory, hell, and a mad scientist. There are whodunits, and I love a good mystery.

I perform. I've done a hundred or more community theater productions. I love being a Lector and Intercessor at church. Recently, as a lay episcopal minister, I've even been able to do a couple of sermons.

Most special of all, through the magic of the interwebs, I've been able to read stories to my granddaughter. I've also been able to read to children at our local public libraries. 

Someday, I would like to do podcasts and/or audiobooks. I possess the voice and talent - I do not possess the technical skills. Maybe someday I can find somebody to help me with that.

Until next time,

T. M. Strait

Peek-A-Boo Blogger

 

It's my new favorite thing.  Reading via Facebook Messenger to my granddaughter in New York.  I get two copies of a book I want to read to her and send one of the copies off to the Catskills.

Sometimes she pays close attention.  Sometimes she does not.  But it doesn't matter.  I get to see her, and she gets to see me.

I am counting the days until we get back to New York.  She is becoming more mobile every day.  She is slowly building a vocabulary.

Would I like her to be closer?  Yes, of course, I would.  Do I appreciate where she is at, with loving parents living in a beautiful setting?  Absolutely!

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I have recorded Inherit the Wind, the classic about the Scopes Monkey trial, where a teacher is put on trial for teaching evolution.

The movie is one of my favorites, and it is particularly haunting me now, with unpleasant parallels occurring where I live.  Florida is even worse.  

I find these never-ending culture wars deeply depressing.  This can't possibly be how Jesus wanted us to spend our time - on the persecution and vilification of marginalized communities.

Many of my fellow citizens must feel they are without sin - as they hurling stones with reckless abandon.

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My knee and leg and foot pain have diminished.  Part of that is time, but it also may be medication, and when I am done with the current course of drugs, then I may know whether I am truly better.

The people at church were kind enough to help me get a new chair for the church office.  It is ergonomically designed, and is perfect for sitting in.  I am so appreciative.

Until next time,

T. M. Strait

New York State of Mind

Pictured above are Alison and Benjamin.

Welcome to the Catskills!

My middle son, Doug, and his beautiful wife, Paige, moved from the Atlanta suburbs to New York last September.  They have a cabin on several acres in the Catskill mountains.

They have expanded their agricultural interests, including fruit trees and many planted fruits and vegetables.  I was able to swipe some fresh strawberries on the vine.  Tasty!  

Of course, our trip up there was not just to see Doug and Paige, as lovely as they are.  No, there was a little something more.

IT WAS TO SEE MY BRAND NEW GRANDDAUGHTER!

RETTA LOCKETT STRAIT

Two of my three sons, Benjamin and Doug.

I can't show you pictures of her, but trust me, she is gorgeous, the sweetest little baby I ever did see!

Just over three months, she smiles and responds. They sing a song to her about being the littlest wolf in the wolfpack and then sing "A-roo!" Retta will often repeat what they say.  It's a rudimentary imitation, but nevertheless, she is repeating it.  First word Mama and/or Dada?  No, it's a wolf howl!

I was able to read to her.  I'm not entirely sure what she got out of it, BUT I did hold her attention.

They got me a t-shirt that said " I'm not retired...I'm a professional Grandpa!" That is a shirt I will wear with great honor and pride!

The pictures that I do have were given to me by Alison.  They are from a nearby park called Pratt Rocks.  

I did not go on that trip.  My knees were still aggravated, and I was unsure how they would respond to the climb.  I took Prednisone, and that helped limit the pain. However, nothing was going to stop me from seeing my granddaughter.

The food was amazing, most prepared by Paige, including Pad Thai Ew and two types of chicken salad; we also had huge bagels (each big enough to feed a family of four) and some delicious ice cream sandwiches from a local dairy store.

It was a wonderful trip; we're already plotting how to get back there soon.  

I really am looking forward to being part of my granddaughter's life.

Thank you, Doug & Paige, for inviting us up there!

See y'all again soon!
 

Easing On Up

 

I'm back!

Well, it's still something I need to take day by day, but the good news is, my foot and knee pains are substantially reduced.

Don't get me wrong. I still need to use caution. And that means I'm still not back to my desktop as much as I want. And I'll need to watch the time I'm on it and take breaks -walk, move, whatever's needed - so it doesn't accelerate again.

I was able to enjoy my trip to the Catskills to see my Granddaughter. My foot doctor gave me something, Prednisone (which, trying to recall off the top of my head, I usually call PregnantZone), a steroid-type series of pills that at least kept my pain in check during my visit.

Even though I can't show pictures of her, I hope to be able to write a post soon about the trip.

We're going to be checking into my desk and chair and see if we can't come up with a more ergonomic setup that causes less pain. I'm not sure how to come up with the right thing, but I'm hoping we can get some guidance to a more comfortable solution.

Besides my Grandaughter, I hope to write soon about my son Benjamin's trip to Sweden!

Other topics I hope to get -

 - the miseries of lawn care

- the terrible, no-good, awful Supreme Court

- the overwhelming evidence of Trump's guilt

- supporting the strength and diversity of our public libraries

- another trip across the streaming universe

- and let's not forget the magnificent dog on the Otto-Man...Boss-A-Man!

Well, I probably should get up now.  Here's a blessing for you - most of my posts should be much shorter now!

Until next time.

T. M. Strait