If there is anything that reminds us of the beauty of nature it’s watching a magnificent, color-blazing sunset over Puget Sound.
Des Moines Marina seems to have a sunset fan club from all over too because carloads of people show up most evenings when there’s a spectacular sunset.
Living nearby I am blessed to end many days watching that breathtaking sight of skies filled with designs that only the heavens could create and display.
The gathering of fluffy white clouds formation seem to be playing peek-a-boo with a setting sun that is bathed in brilliant colors. It’s time to be quiet, thankful, and marvel at the good Lord’s natural beauty we too often take for granted.
Walking in Beach Park or Des Moines Marina is a wonderful opportunity to meet other folks, too. It’s a truth I can readily attest to, having lived here for 50 years and enjoyed lots of good walks with friends and my little dogs.
There was Rags, a little black-hair darling of mixed heritage with a tail that never stopped wagging. My childhood German Shepard dog, Gretchen, my protector, and much later Rex, a Norwegian Elk Hound who guarded the family, followed by many years with beautiful Shih Tzu, Miss Daisy, and now enjoying 7-great years with my much-loved little Shih Tzu companion, Miss Katrina.
Hurricane Katrina hit into the Deep South when my dog was born seven years ago so the breeder named her Katrina. Unlike a hurricane my Katrina is mild, mellow, and loves most everybody and other dogs. She’s a natural socialite.
Wouldn’t it be a better world if people practiced liking each other as much as they seem to like finding fault? And that brings us to a whole different world than pets. It’s what’s going on right now in politics and truth.
In today’s continuing world of wars and signs of human hate on so many levels, it seems the dark side of “money that rules” surrounds us and is sadly encouraged by questionable politics.
Huge donated private money seems to govern elections. Where does that leave average America workers to make best use of their vote? Will our vote even be an effective vote? Have we, the people, carried forward the value of pilgrim’s sacrifices to find and maintain freedom – or has it been lost to cash and elections?
How did something so good get so messed up? Leave it to greed! If money had been the main decision-maker decades ago for Abraham Lincoln he may not have been president. What a loss and history could have changed.
Seems to me the only way to improve elections is for “The People” to vote in a new election system that sets the same reasonable, dollar amount budgeted for each candidate to spend and no more. Once that budget is gone, it’s gone. No rich friends and sponsors money allowed, other than donations to the original candidates officially set budget. Keep it simple and accountable. Look for volunteers.
Why do candidates need hired speechwriters to say what the candidate should be saying with their own words? The person voters want to see and hear from is the person who wants that job. What do they believe must be done, why and how they are best for the job - in their own words.
If the candidate can’t express themselves to the American people in their own words about their skills and goals from knowledge and the heart, how will they speak as an elected USA representative overseas?
Oh, for the good old days of great political speakers such as dedicated Abraham Lincoln who could win a crowd with words of knowledge rather than words disrespecting an opponent.
Do we really need to hear what the other guy does wrong to make the accusing candidate look good? Do speakers have to put the opponent down to bring themselves up? Is that action a step up, or a step down? How about candidates telling voters about the positive decisions and plans they will bring to office and the changes that will make. Negative is not needed.
Any candidate who wants to make life-changing decisions for the American people should come with clean hands, not beholden to big cash donations, and do so self-governed with unselfish motives.
Our sons and daughters are fighting for that freedom, just as the “Great Generation” and others before.
The day this war is over and our young folks are safely home will be a welcome sunset celebration. Meantime look for true beauty in local sunsets.
Today’s Thought: “Words have no wings, still they can fly a thousand miles.
