Good Riddance to 2017

in 2017This is the last day of 2017, a  year I will gladly watch disappear into the sunset.

This hasn't been a good year for me. I have had three eye surgeries, which caused me to miss two overseas trips. My 4-year-old air conditioning unit was struck by lightning and destroyed. It will be replaced at a cost of nearly $6,000. Hail damaged my tar and gravel roof, causing a leak in the kitchen pantry. The damage was small and easily repaired under warranty by my roofing company. But the damaged drywall in the ceiling still needs replacing.

On the positive side, I traveled to some new -- and some not so new -- places this year. I spent three wonderful weeks in Kenya at four different camps with three friends from the United Kingdom. I got to meet the 17-year-old Turkana student whose high school education I am sponsoring in Kenya. I encountered Dr. Iain Douglas-Hamilton, whom I had met last year, while at the wonderful elephant orphanage in Nairobi, Kenya. Iain has been studying, and working tirelessly to protect, Africa's dwindling elephant population for close to 50 years. 

My dogs remained relatively health, and I rediscovered the joy of reading (which I never really lost) thanks to my Kindle, which allows me to have some 120 books at my fingertips even when I travel.

Gun violence remains unabated, with new mass shootings reported on a regular basis. According to www.everytownresearch.org, 83 Americans are killed by guns every day. And yet Congress, deeply in the pockets of the NRA, consistently refuses to take any action to curb the slaughter. Congress even forbids the Centers for Disease Control to conduct a study of gun violence. All members of Congress are willing to do is offer their useless 'thoughts and prayers.'

Politically, 2017 has been a disaster for the environment, for wildlife, and for anybody who isn't rich and white. The ongoing shenanigans of the US president continue to be an embarrassment, and the failure of the Congress to address his blatant conflicts of interest and lining of his own pockets by his constant trips to his resorts is outrageous.

I am somewhat encouraged, however, by the rising tide of resistance to this dictator-in-waiting. I am hopeful that 2018 will be a rejection at the polls of any elected official, regardless of party, who continues to put allegiance to party over the good of the country and its citizens. 

Whatever your personal resolutions for 2018, let us each and collectively resolve to work for the betterment of our country, our planet, our wildlife and our people in need.

Happy New Year, everyone.

2017 On the Road

This year was good for travel. 
 
In January, I braved the snow, winds and very cold temperatures to make a return trip to Yellowstone National Park. The focus was on photography. We saw otters at play on a frozen river, bald eagles perched high in a tree, bison, elk, a red fox, coyotes and enjoyed the rare sighting of a bobcat hunting geese on a river. Sadly, although we spotted some wolf tracks in the snow, we didn't see a wolf.



February marked my first trip to Cuba, another photography outing. It was a wonderful experience and a welcome relief from cold weather. We spent time in Havana and in

Classic American cars are common throughout Cuba

Trinidad, where travelers were assigned to stay in privately owned homes. My hostesses were an adult woman and her mother. They don't speak English, and I don't speak Spanish, but somehow we were able to communicate. Despite the differences between our governments, the Cuban people are warm and friendly. Cuba is definitely a place I would return to. 




 
I missed a photo safari to Tanzania in April due to issues with my vision that required surgery on both eyes. I have signed up for this trip in 2018

The American military cemetery at Omaha Beach, France

I made my first trip to France in May, hiking in Normandy and Brittany, then spending a couple of days in Paris. It was extremely moving to visit Omaha Beach, where the main D-Day landing took place on June 6, 1944. I also saw Utah Beach, where my father's destroyer was sunk in the early hours of the invasion. From there we visited the American military cemetery high on a bluff overlooking the ocean. France donated the land for the cemetery, where some 9,387 American servicemen were laid to rest. It was a very emotional visit.

 

Black rhinoceros

The highlight of my travels this year was a three-week journey to Kenya. I was joined by friends from Scotland and England whom I met in Kenya last year. The animal sightings and photography opportunities were the best of all my five trips to Africa. We stayed in four different camps, each offering a unique experience. I also got to visit one of the orphaned elephants I sponsor at the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust in Nairobi. And while at the final camp, I was able to meet the Kenyan student whose high school education I am sponsoring.

 
My trip to Germany and Poland for a service project at Auschwitz was cut short due to yet another eye problem that required me to fly home for emergency surgery. I won't know until next summer what the vision will be like in that eye.

Fisher Towers

Utah was the setting for a photography trip to Arches and Canyonlands national parks. I love the austere beauty of the American West, and spending time photographing it with two instructors and like-minded photographers was a treat.

 




My second trip to Africa in 2017 took me to the northern African country of Morocco, a country that is far removed, both geographically and culturally, from the south African countries I have previously visited. The highlight of this trip was a sunset camel ride, followed by a night in a tent in the Sahara desert. Morocco is a progressive country with an ancient history and warm, friendly people. As a former French colony, French is spoken as much as Arabic, along with numerous tribal languages such as Berber.

The year's travel itinerary wrapped up with a short trip to Palm Springs, California, for a hiking trip that included a long hike in Joshua Tree National Park. I was pleased to see that I was able to do 10-1/2 miles of hiking one day. I was very tired and a bit sore the next day, but I survived to hike again!

I have put together a full travel schedule for 2018, including to several places I haven't yet visited. See you on the road!

My Grown-Up Wish

This is my grown-up Christmas wish list. I wish that

• people don't hate each other because of their religion, the color of their skin, where they were born or whom they love 
• everyone who wants a safe place to live has one
• people no longer need to flee their country to feel safe
• the environment is safe from pollution and harmful exploitation
• wild animals are no longer hunted as trophies or for 'fun'
• Congress finds the courage to address the growing gun violence in America
• school children no longer fear being shot while getting an education 
• chronic hunger is a thing of the past 
• our elected officials finally put the best interests of the country and its people above the wants of the party
• violence against others, both human and non-human, is relegated to the dust bin of history

There is nothing I want or need for myself. I have spent this year getting rid of stuff (books, CDs, clothing and furniture) I no longer want, need or enjoy. This process of purging things from my life will continue in 2018. My focus now is on doing good where I can, and on having memorable experiences.

Whatever is on your Christmas wish list, I hope your holiday is filled with good times, good friends and good memories.

Banning Bows and Bells

Am I the only person who finds this very disturbing?

The University of Minnesota, where my nephew is a freshman, recently published a letter noting that:the following are forbidden:

• the colors red and green (too reflective of Christmas)
• the colors blue and white/silver (too reflective of Hanukkah)
• Santa Claus
• angels
• Christmas trees
• star of Bethlehem
• nativity scenes
• dreidels
• bows
• wrapped gifts
• menorahs
• bells
• doves

These items are forbidden because "they typically reflect specific religious iconography." This letter was supposedly written in the name of 'diversity' and 'inclusivity.' I know that things have changed a great deal since I was kid, but really? Since when does forbidding  customs practiced by millions of American Christians, Jews and non-religious people make it 'inclusive'? When I was in elementary school, we had a Christmas party every year. It wasn't a 'holiday party' or a 'winter party.' It was a Christmas party, and it included Christmas songs, cookies and perhaps a play about the birth of Christ.. 

There were two kids in my class, Miriam and Harry, who were Jewish. Miriam was the daughter of my piano teacher. During our Christmas party, Miriam and Harry would occupy themselves with something, I have no idea what. I'm sure they shared in the cookies. Their parents were educated professionals (Miriam's mother was a piano and violin teacher, and her father was a dentist).To my knowledge, nobody ever complained about being left out. One of my teachers explained to the class that Miriam and Harry didn't celebrate Christmas. That was it. No explanations other than that were needed. Nobody complained. My parents never discussed how unfair it was to those two kids that a Christmas party was held during school time and they didn't participate.

Apparently the University of Minnesota isn't the only college to ban references to Christmas and Hanukkah. I wonder what would happen if a student dared to wear a sweater with a snowman or Christmas tree on it?

I'm all for 'inclusivity,' but haven't we gone just a bit overboard in our drive to foster diversity and 'inclusivity'? Have we become so politically correct that we now need to ban certain colors or wrapped packages? Is it necessary to deprive a large group of people of its customs in order to include everybody else? Why not let each group celebrate its customs as it chooses? If Hindus wish to celebrate Diwali (the festival of lights), will they be forbidden to do so on campus? If pagans or Druids wish to celebrate Mother Earth or worship the spirits in nature, will that, too, be forbidden?

A Worldwide Audience

I am always amazed when I see where my readers live.

In 2017, readers in Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Czech Republic (Czechia), France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Kenya, Malaysia, New Zealand, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, S. Korea, Spain, Tanzania, Turkey, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom and Venezuela have visited this blog at least once. There were more readers from Poland, Russia and the United Kingdom than from other countries, aside from the US.

I often wonder how these readers found my blog. I would love to know so I can expand my outreach. And I would love to hear from my readers with their questions, comments and opinions. .

Wherever you live, thanks for visiting. Please share this blog, and come back soon!

A Heavy Heart

It's the holiday season, and I'm trying to get into the spirit by listening to Christmas songs.

But it isn't working. My eyes are filled with tears and my heart is heavy as I read about yet another dumped dog. This one is a black Labrador retriever, seven to eight years old, and nearly blind from cataracts. She is safe in an animal shelter for now. No one has come for her. Will she die, alone and afraid in a strange place she can't see, nameless and abandoned?

My heart is heavy a lot these days. Our country is being torn apart by the sociopath in the White House. We are inching toward an unwinnable nuclear war with the equally mad ruler of North Korea. The so-called leader of the free world has just ignited more hatred in the Middle East by his ill-thought decision to recognize Jerusalem -- a city revered by all three major monotheistic religions -- as the capital of Israel. The man-child in the White House and a Congress are filled with people who care only about making themselves and their rich pals even richer. It matters not if their actions hurt the majority of Americans, or whether they damage or destroy our leadership position in the world..

Our environment and our wildlife, even animals in Africa, are under attack from this mob of greedy, heartless, soulless people. Hibernating bears are shot as they sleep in their dens. Wolves are killed by poachers and get away with it by claiming 'self defense.' Dogs and cats continue to be brutalized, with the criminals getting off with a slap on the wrist, if they are caught. Gun violence continues unabated, while the Congress sits on its hands and collects its payments from the NRA. Pedophiles and sexual predators get elected to office, but only if they are Republicans. Democrats accused of sexual assault get hounded out of office, while the Republican party lines up to endorse and throw money at its perverts running for office.

Congress is now turning its sights on reducing Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid and possibly veterans' benefits next year, all to pay for its recent tax cuts to corporations and the wealthiest 1 percent of Americans. And as California burns, the recently passed tax bill will eliminate the deduction for personal losses due to wildfire, earthquakes and other natural disasters.

We have lost our humanity. We have no compassion or concern for others. Yes, I know there are good people who work to help those in need, who rescue animals and try to protect our public lands. But we are far outnumbered, and outspent, by the forces of evil. How can those who seek reasonable, rational measures to at least attempt to reduce gun violence possibly hope to win against the millions of dollars in bribes given to members of Congress? How can those of us who want to protect our public lands from mining and drilling hope to compete against the billions of dollars of the oil and gas industries? Simple: we can't. 

The beautiful hills of southern California are a raging inferno, with more than 750 homes destroyed, more than two dozen horses killed and 200,000 people forced to evacuate. Meanwhile, the Republicans are behind a bill that would remove the income tax deduction for losses arising from natural disasters such as wildfires and earthquakes.

It's hard to be happy and joyful with all the negativity, nastiness and evil all around us. So celebrate if you can. For me, there will be no Christmas decorations in the house, no holiday baking. There will no family celebration this year.There will be nothing but some Christmas music (I have more than 40 Christmas CDs). 

People got us into this mess, and people working together can get us out of it. Let us hope that next year will find our country in a better position.

The Arming of America

Another shooting. More senseless deaths. And still more useless thoughts and prayers. No actions to stop the violence. No discussions. Not even a vote to allow the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to study the problem. Just more useless thoughts and prayers.

Two high school students were shot and killed at Aztec High School in northwestern New Mexico in early December. Details are still being released, so the identity of the gunman and his relationship, if any, with the students he murdered is still unknown. What is known, however, is that when these students headed to school that Thursday morning, they and their families expected them to return home after school.

Gun violence research came to a screeching halt in 1996, when the Republican-majority Congress threatened to remove funding from the CDC unless it stopped funding research into firearm injuries and deaths. As usual, the NRA was behind this move. And as usual, it won.

Meanwhile, the Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act of 2017 is working its way through the NRA bought-and-paid-for Congress. This bill, HR 38, would amend the federal criminal code to allow a qualified individual to carr a concealed handgun into or possess a concealed handgun in another state that allows individuals to carry concealed firearms. 

In addition, the bill specifies that a qualified individual who lawfully carries or possesses a concealed handgun in another state (1) is not subject to the federal prohibition on possessing a firearm in a school zone, and (20) may carry or possess the concealed handgun in federally owned lands that are open to the public. 

So if I go hiking in a national park, I now have to worry about running into some clown with a concealed handgun? Now that's a comforting thought.

I guess the NRA has to get its money's worth from its paid employees in Congress. But as a private citizen who has not had a need to own or fire a weapon in more than 65 years, I am not thrilled about this latest piece of pro-gun legislation. This is just one more thing that saddens me. 

We are at the point where even studies of what contributes to gun violence can't get funded. What is the NRA afraid of? This isn't about taking away guns from people. It isn't about violating their Second Amendment rights (although I question how many gun owners are actually part of the 'well-regulated militia" the amendment refers to in granting gun ownership right. It's about common sense. It's about keeping guns out of the hands of the mentally unstable. 

I'm tired of the old mantra that we have enough gun control laws on the books, and that criminals don't follow laws anyway so new laws won't work. If that's the case, why don't we get rid of laws that prohibit drunk driving, since people continue to drink and drive? Why not remove laws against bank robbery since people still rob banks? 

I can't afford to buy my own politicians, so I guess there is nothing to be done. All we can do is wait for word of the next mass shooting. The next school shooting. The next shooting at a concert. The we, along with members of Congress, can once again offer our thoughts and prayers.