A Rant

 I am on a rant - again.  Two days ago 21 school children and a teacher were killed in Uvalde in Texas. This evening on the news report the newscaster questioned some children who were in the classroom and survived, and some parents and she said "Tis is a community still in mourning ....." STILL what the hell does she think, they haven't even begun to process this horror - they are in shock - the mourning and anger and grief and disbelief only begin much later - and in fact, will never end. How dare she say STILL in mourning.

And the gun rights advocates ----- I have no words.

And then this morning (NOT mourning, morning) on one of my favourite NPR shows, the commentator had a program about the violence against minorities.  The Asian Pacific atrocities, the Black atrocities, and now all these children are from a predominantly Latino community  -  yes, all these communities have suffered hate crimes, shootings, etc. especially in these last dreadful two and a half years.  What she didn't even mention was hate crimes against Jews who have also suffered shootings, beatings, vandalism, etc.  Why is violence against Jews often not mentioned or written about?   I am sorry if I seem overly sensitive, but this omission in itself feels like a form of anti semitism.

EVERYONE is suffering - as white supremacy reigns.  Let us acknowledge this. 

Once Again

Almost a month since my last post ... hence the title.  Once again it has been a long time between posts, and I know how everyone is hanging on with bated breath, desperate for another entry.

For those of you who have read between the lines - yes, indeed, I will be leaving the US of A.  I have been here for 42 years!!!!! Longer than I have lived anywhere.  42 years of being ambivalent - or, a term I coined, 'trivalent' (South Africa, Israel, and USA).  I am sure that being ambivalent, or feeling torn, or not quite at home, is the lot of any immigrant - no matter the reason for their immigration.   

I rent an apartment.  My landlords, who are sometimes here, and sometimes in their other homes, returned for the summer about a week ago.  Although legally I have to give a month's notice,  I told them 6 months in advance. Apparently it was the push they needed - they have decided to sell this lovely home, and are in the process of looking into all that this will entail.  They have lived here 42 years - and they are from England.  I have South African friends who have lived here 30 years.  They too have decided to leave.

I alternate between being exhilarated and anxious!  I have begun the process of clearing out my physical space, which I did when I moved to my present apartment  six years ago!  Books, beads, yarn, paints, - I am just skimming the surface.  Quite alarming to realise what one accumulates, again and again and again.

And I am by no means a hoarder!!!

I have alternated the clearing process with goodbyes to dear dear friends.  Last week I spent in Texas - a guest of a most precious soul - days spent with food and wine and spirits of all sorts - and ..... yes to the disbelievers, I really had a great time in Texas!!!!! 

I ramble on ...........