My Potato Chip Theory

 Here's a good interview by Bob Dylan in the New York Times and I've always liked reading what he has to say about things because although he is obviously an highly inspired artist, he's also folksy at times with wisdom, reminding me of Mark Twain. But there's only one Bob Dylan, thank you.  

Bob Dylan's views re the younger generation, those in their 20's and younger, brought to mind my potato chip theory, which I've recounted with others as I reminisce, thinking of easier times of few choices.

You may call them "crisps" in the UK and I'm referring to those bags of thin potato wafers.  Here is an example of choices...young people...and a reason I think why we are in such a state of confusion, although there's no easy way out.  I'm quite serious.

When I was a child, a baby boomer generation, back in the early 1960's, we had fewer choices...about everything.  We had one type of potato chips in the grocery store, in bags...or at the corner store, whatever...I can recall only one type - plain salted.  We were excited to see the ripple chips next, which were ridged...but still plain salted.

The next few years brought a big change...BBQ potato chips hit the shelves!  You needed napkins for those as the orange salty residue remained on the fingers.  Paper towels were not yet invented, those rolled types.  Next in quick succession came along salt & vinegar chips, sour cream & onion.  Now thousands of brand and varieties of potato chips are on the market, including non-gluten, vegan, nonsalted etc etc. We didn't have those choices when we were children in our privileged societies, which made things easier for us.  We could go through the day without all those decisions every minute.  It's just too much now, and of course we're ruining the environment as we provide all these products, all purchased so corporations can compete with each other and have their days of power, acting like Julius Caesar or some other high profile historical figure.

Now the preteens and 20 somethings have thousands of choices of everything, from food items, to computers, to music sources....to politics.  They are not conditioned to make a correct choice...they don't know what a good choice is.  They were taught to trust their elders and everything is a good choice in their minds.  Everything is at their disposal.  They can't be led in one direction or the other.  It's not their fault.  They can't see a clear and correct choice. We did it...we are at blame.  Why?  Maybe because in our privileged culture we wanted the children to have a great advantage. Sensory overload, indecision, and confusion resulted.  

They have allegiance to no brand, no politician, no great cause.  In a way they are more free than we are.  It's just my theory, not a fact....but then everything is theory when you think of it.  We can prove nothing, not even in physics.  But then again, I don't believe in gravity.  I think it's a celestial "Push" spinning the Earth, not a "Pull"...and I'm not alone in this belief!  You can Google it!

World views

Today was a beautiful August day here at the resort, my home for six years  I'm having a nice time shutting out the world because I feel somewhat powerless during this pandemic.  I loved watching the grasshopper fly into my garden and land on a big green squash leaf.  I loved the bumblebee exploring every tiny blossom on my sunflower, and I know each flower will become a seed for me to eat.

I loved sitting at the beach by this lake and no one was there, except for a few paddleboarders and kayakers passing by, as well as mallard ducks.  The eagle came by for lunch again, appearing from blue sky and plunging talons into the water close to shore with a splash, lifting a fish into the air.

We could solve world problems step by step.  Unfortunately we don't have enough kind, intelligent people working together so...I can't see it. This world is a mess right now, now way to sugar coat it. 

First, we must accept nature as a superior force. If we were kind and smart we would see nature is the answer.  No factory farms, which will be future breeding grounds for diseases, no gmo's, no wet markets, no clear cutting forests, no more pipelines, no speciesism.

RESPECT.  Respect those who have tried to make our world better in past generations.  Yes, mistakes abounded and we evolve year by year.  In my opinion the riots have to stop.  It's like the worst behaviour coming out at the worst possible time. 

Go home to your families or comforts and count your blessings.  Anyone on the streets destroying property is raising Hell, literally imo. They are not thinking of the people who are trying to build things for them, people who want a nice, happy, life.  The hellraisers are not thinking of the taxpayers who will have to pay for repairs.

If people think they can do better, run for office and try to help that way.  I don't see anyone in America stepping it up, volunteering to run for President, except Kanye maybe.  Americans are so quick to criticize and blame, yet they don't want to volunteer to help.  They can't even wear masks or stop gathering on masse, most of them.  I don't even want to think of what will happen when Canada opens the borders.

In fact, I don't want to think of anything right now, except for love and good people who are kind, because I always say, intelligence and kindness go hand in hand.

A pic of me with birthday gifts last month and my gal pal, Cindy, at Brandts Creek.

August greetings

Happy Lammas or Lughnasadh !  A traditional day of marriage, which could be null & void within a year and a day if ceremony took place on August 1st.  I always thought if I got married again it would be on August 1st.  I wrote many years ago

At Lammastide when I will marry
Hawaiian ginger I shall carry,
My bouquet at Lammastide
When I become my lover's bride

Originally it was "gladioli I will carry" but I changed it to "Hawaiian ginger" after visiting the islands.

I'm feeling well.  We have a heat spell going on here & I'm glad to be at my place near the private lake on Indian land.  Who knew I'd make such a good choice years ago, to be protected a little bit from the pandemic hopefully on this property, whereas mainly all other lakes in the valley are public and really super crowded this BC Day long weekend. Here's a photo yesterday as smoke started to roll in.

When I lived in town, many people didn't know back in the '80's and '90's all beachfront is public and they dared not set up their umbrellas and blankets on the beach in front of houses.  Now, you could have a home where strangers sit in your yard at the shore with their items including personal bbq, not just walk past as they did years ago out of respect for your privacy.  Not here on Indian land, not happening!

Still, I look forward to getting a place on a tropical island, for wintering, if I live to see the day.

Besides, forest fire smoke is moving in, perfectly timed with the heat wave, because as always it's a neglectful human caused fire somewhere in the hills nearby.  At least I had a few days of clean air...if you don't take into account the haze of steady emission streams from vehicles of tourists and locals.  I like good classic vehicles though...so I can't talk.  I have a classic 77 Mustang and a newer Jeep...but I was here first...sort of...after the Indians. Perhaps the soul of a race car driver jumped into my body at the day of his death when I was born. I'm comfortable with cars, know the sounds, repairs, parts, etc.. I drive properly not recklessly.  Race car drivers are careful as well, they will tell you.

Yes I love humanity but people are acting a little more crazy than usual in their boredom of social distancing, wanting escape.   I'll be the next one to say "I can't breathe!!".  Seriously, let's work on the problems the pandemic has exposed and we'll be ok.

Here's a pic of my garden. My section is up to and including the iris speary leaves. It isn't so quaint, but produce is good.  I have tomatoes, squash, herbs, cukes, peppers, beans, rhubarb, raspberries, gooseberries, red currants picked, finished peas, spinach, and lettuce.  I have fresh cherries in the fridge and I'm going to make a big peach pie soon to take to Mom's, as I bought new huge pie pans.

Time to go sit by the lake in the shade for a bit, forecast 37C temp.  It's not a Purple Haze but a grey one.  I'll be content with my place in life at present and hope for a splendid future in my official government acknowledged retirement!

Who or what am I?

Here's who I am.  Long ago, or is it tomorrow in a galaxy we have 12 major constellations in a circular pattern seen from Earth.  Many more star patterns exist, but these 12 are historically significant. Why?  Chilliwack, a BC band from the 70's in lyrics "time is like a rubber band."  Time vibrates like a guitar string.  It's all harmony of the spheres, it's all sacred geometry.  Few care to learn about the basis of our lives so how are we to exist?

I love people, the Earth, and animals.  I hate speciesism, as this belief of superiority of humans will destroy us.  I try to help and I've seen some hope and improvement recently....  I love beautiful thoughts and beautiful everything.

If this is true re time vibrating, and we can't prove it, then we have an answer for the significance of 12, since beginning of recorded history.  In Chinese astrology we have the 12 palaces of the sky, Indian astrology same number of houses, and in Western astrology, same.  In the Bible we have 12 disciples and in Arthurian mythology we have 12 knights sitting at a round table.  The knights each signify a constellation, according to analysis of "Le Morte D'Arthur" by Sir Thomas Malory.

I've studied English Literature in university, ancient texts, and astrology for several decades. Linda Goodman's groundbreaking book, Sun Signs, published in 1968 helped bring the science and art of star signs to the public in a very basic way.

Now, who am I?  All I understand is I have no Earth in my chart, and if time is like a rubber band, I float on rays of sun, water, and air...but alas, I'm not really grounded.  I think this is the reason why I "gravitate" to certain people at certain times in my life.

I am of the constellation Cancer, with an emphasis on my 8th house, the house of death, sex, estates, and taxes among other things.  I have Scorpio rising, (birth hour is necessary to calculate rising sign) and I've had to literally fend off unwanted attention from members of the opposite sex all my life. Men who I wanted, I didn't have a problem.  My 65th birthday is on the 12th...and age doesn't make a difference to anyone, except that I've experienced much of the same things as others of my age which helps me to mature my nature.

It's for these described reasons, if you get me, and other reasons including my recent melanoma, I don't have time for anything but true people anymore.  I don't want a boyfriend, I want to have a healthy fulfilling life with people who are with me because we can nurture each other to be our best, creative, imaginative selves.

I don't think we have an answer to the pandemic.  People want to stubbornly resist learning from nature.  Even the plants know what is toxic and what is nourishment, to the body and spirit.  The birds of the sky, the fish, the trees and the water and air "know" what is toxic and what is nourishment.  The only species who don't instinctively know is the human species.  We continue to fill our minds and bodies with toxins and pollute our world.

Maybe someday, the creator, whoever or whatever that may be, will solve it all.  Until then I will continue to follow my own truth...floating.  I don't want your money, your possessions, or your soul.  I want to find answers and oh yeah...have enjoyment in life!  That's all.  Bette Davis sums it up perfectly, except it's going to be
More than a night!

And it's time the USA citizens became a touch less egocentric, maybe?  They don't need no education... they need some education about everything.  You can't blame the pied piper...he has his finger on the pulse.

Doing the right thing

I'm thinking of a story Roger Waters told, on a Twitter video a few days ago...about his mother and the advice of doing the right thing.  I find great comfort in those words.  The world can be a mixed up place of misplaced values everywhere and it can be a great place if we choose to make it happen. Passion and intellect!

Right now, are people doing the right thing re "Black Lives Matter" and huge protests or are we perhaps doing some harm through large groups marching during a pandemic?  Are some of these people bored of quarantine?  Looks like they want to support a cause & get a social gathering out of it at the same time, standing up for injustice. I'm becoming doubtful and cynical sometimes, regarding motives, but I like to stay cheerful.  Maybe protesting is the right thing at the wrong time?  I don't know.  You're always going to get the hooligans ready to burn and destroy things, then the taxpayer foots the bill.

Doing the right thing is almost comparable to "Do No Harm" the mantra of ancient physicians.  I just saw a video on Twitter where a whale jumped out of his barren concrete water enclosure and the comments eluded to the whale was self harming, like trying to kill himself.  Are people, though well meaning, so convinced of speciesism they are attributing human characteristics to animals?  No, the whale was doing everything according to survival instincts...to exercise his muscles, as he would in the ocean and in doing so leaped out of the enclosure as if trying to find a better place...okay if you look obscurely, maybe death is a better place but I'm certain not the intention.

Thinking of the band Pink Floyd, Roger Waters was and is Pink Floyd, from beginning to now. The proof is in Wikipedia, and I always thought so because no one could write lyrics and music like Roger Waters...no one, not even Paul & John of the Beatles imo.

I'll tell you why I think so in another post sometime, or someone can just ask me, maybe Roger! Dream on, wouldn't that be great.  It's all to do with nature, alchemy, physics and many other things I don't really understand but I try to learn.  Not only is Roger Waters the founder of Pink Floyd, he is a very strong person to stand up to claims by others. He's truly a special man, with kindness not even understood by some people.  I think I get it.  Then again, I'm a Sheep in Chinese astrology, and so is Roger, Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, except they are all 12 years older than me.  What a grand time that was, back in 1943, all born within months of each other, all fantastic British musicians and artists.  Wow, what was in the stars during that time?  I like astrology and astronomy, just like the ancients.

Bye for now, I'll write more soon.  My garden needs watering at home in BC and the days before the Solstice are lengthy, so I have time before the mosquitoes arrive at dusk.  One thing I love about the tropics, no mosquitoes, gnats etc to plague me all evening.  Oh Canada.  I want my tropical paradise at least part of the year....after the pandemic!  Last year's garden end of May, with wild pink roses and the north field. This year just blooming now, a bit later.

Corona Days

The coronavirus is a silent sniper.  It is a crown shape ironically and controls the world.  I'm doing my best to stay inside or away from others outdoors and social distancing everywhere.  BC and my community is doing well in our efforts to flatten the curve, and I admire people for caring so much about others and trying their very best to follow the guidelines. I go to our local grocery store, keep my distance as others do the same, recoiling suddenly if we get too close like we've encountered Dracula.  I wash all the groceries & packaging, deliver some to my Mom a couple times a week, and we spend time together although 2 meters apart.  I think these safety measures everywhere are important and should be adhered to patiently.  I'm concerned the US is opening up things too soon.

If I look at my post in November of last year "Renowned in Battle" I see foreshadowing of this world crisis.  Everything was speeding up to a blurry vision of what the world should be.  We were careless, competitive to the extreme ...over nothing, and oblivious to the direction we were headed.  All of us.  When a celebrity's endorsement of a nail polish or athletic shoes is supposed to motivate and inspire us, we're in trouble.  It's all frivolous.

So...I buy the athletic shoes and I am the best athlete and make millions of dollars?  Is that what I'm supposed to think?  I don't know where all this obscure belief in values was leading...

Now, think of this.  We can't sit shoulder to shoulder at an athletic event for maybe many months.  Consequently, we can't afford to pay athletes millions of dollars.  Sport should go back to what it was supposed to be.  Just sports, to watch, for fun.  Not for billionaires to own sports teams for their own power trips.  It's all vanity, just like the good old Bible says.

Another thing which is the basis of everything.  Freedom.  We must learn that any confinement leads to disease and sickness.  Animals, plants, people, don't thrive when confined.  An exception I must make here is jail for dangerous criminals.  They have to be confined as we don't have any alternative.  In superhero comic books, we'd send criminals to another planet.

But...we can't dominate and confine animals.  Every time we try, nature tells us "no, wrong"...not morally, just plain wrong for survival.  Evil is the opposite of live.  Evolve is love both ways.  You can evolve for the good or for the bad.

Wet markets with exotic animals are wrong for survival of the world.  Factory farming is wrong as well.  So are fish farms, intensive farming with chemicals and pesticides, sunscreen with ingredients killing coral reefs, air pollution...wrong, wrong and more wrong.

We can't go back...ever.  We must move forward and think of the serenity and good strong values we were supposed to enjoy on Earth.  We have released a Lex Luther type of virus upon the Earth, worthy of a Superman story.  I think the coronavirus started in China at a time when protests for democracy were beginning to have a huge impact on the country.  Coincidence?

 A superbug was bound to happen because at the core of it all, wet markets with exotic animals confined in horrific conditions is evil.  Not caring about innocent creatures is evil, and Chinese government  is raising the middle finger to the rest of the world repeatedly in the attempt of world domination.

China was a good culture hundreds of years ago.  They gave the world Chinese astrology, and a rich history.  But... it's all corrupt.  Just like Lenin and communism in Russia at the time of the revolution.  Why didn't Lenin's followers go to trial for killing the Royal Family?  War crimes should always be punished, no matter when.  Now with the WHO and China we need to see accountability.

I don't know what will happen in the world...but I don't think we've learned the lesson yet.  I'll try my best on Earth...that's all I can do.  The power of One.  That's all it is.  That's all we have.

Updating the latest health news etc

Hello, it's Pipeline Protest Day.  Oh wait, it's been every day for awhile.  I'm glad the Wet'suwet'en are standing their ground and others are helping across Canada.  I felt sorry for them standing alone in the cold of Northern B.C. when this protest began.  I cried and asked God to help them.  If you try standing in the cold, not recreation skiing, or moving about you would see how difficult it is to stay warm.  They are more than brave.

I've mentioned my connection with First Nations in previous posts.  I live on their land, in a condo leasehold where many white people live as well.  Right now all of us have to pay a levy, imposed by our strata council, not the Indian band, to upgrade our water plant on the property.  Yes, we process our own water.  Quality of water is a big issue on many First Nation reservations.  The government reserved postage stamps of land for all the First Nations and then colonial settlers to this day destroy all the land around, affecting water quality, air quality etc.

I'm quite certain my melanoma is the result of changing atmosphere due to air pollution and other downgrading of environment by Big Oil.  I had my 2nd surgery on my arm 3 days ago and it's difficult to stretch that arm to keyboard type this post.  I'm fairly confident that chunk of melanoma is gone, but I don't want to think ahead.  If you see this blog and my Twitter drop off to nothing, you know why!  I might be in the Great Beyond.  People around me seem surprised I joke about it...but I can't stand the serious faces.  It's my way of coping.  I've been playing mainly healing droning one note music from the Spa channel of Stingray cable tv while I do my yoga.  The low drawn out notes are my favorites.

Love, you know my number in Winfield.  I just want to see you soon...in case tomorrow never happens.  Think about it.  In the meanwhile, I carry on with selling Mom's house and tending to her as we had surgeries the same day...her 2nd incidence of "molanoma".  I don't want to say "killing 2 birds..." saying.  I know jokes have limits!  We have to stay happy.

New Year in Royal B.C.

Happy New Year of the Gold Metal Rat!  We're in the midst of an Arctic front which swept into the valley with gusts of northern wind on Sunday.  Today with windchill the temp is -27C.  Weather here is the news of late, and I've been following reports about the Meghan and Harry move to Vancouver Island...possibly that's what they'll do.

It's a solid start to 2020 for me.  I feel happy & busy.  Mom's house is on the market for sale because we want to downsize and buy a condo for her in a senior's building, with a dining room to dine with others if she cares to, some meals provided...or she can make her own food in her own kitchen.  At her age, nearing 91, it's difficult for her to be in her house with snow all around.  If she slips as she tries to clean the sidewalk it's game over I'm afraid.  Of course I've arranged for help with her house inside and out for several years but she still insists on doing things herself, outdoors included.  Yikes. But it's too much now she says.  I cared for her yard and my own garden last few years.  Finally she admits lately it's just too difficult after all her friends in the gated community have passed away.

Mom being 2 years younger than Queen Elizabeth and a few years younger than Prince Philip, I can appreciate the great effort and dedication to family by all these elders.  Mom and the Queen are so old and they try so hard.  Aww, how can't some people see it's mean and irresponsible to leave? I think if Meghan and Harry wanted to move with baby Archie, they could have been patient, carried on helping the family, and waited until the Queen and Prince Philip passed away at least. Just my opinion, not a fact okay?

I majored in English Literature (many years ago, excuse the grammatically incorrect sentences sometimes) and I appreciate English history...and world history actually.  I'm fascinated and I think everyone who enters the Royal family in marriage in England should have a complete understanding and appreciation for the history.  You know the saying "A little knowledge is a dangerous thing"?  In the exodus of Meghan and Harry and baby Archie, the saying may be applicable.

As well, the British newspapers are an example of  English power of the pen.  English are the masters, including the tabloids which are actually quite humourous.  You have to be able to laugh at yourself and not take things so seriously.  I'm sure if the British tabloids wrote about me, I'd have a good laugh...the way the writers portray current issues.  Actually, it's better to be a bit ridiculous rather than dead serious in our world at times, don't you think?

Let me offer a bit of information about Victoria and Vancouver Island, as a person born and raised in B.C.  My sister, rest in peace, lived in Victoria for a few years after attending university there, and my niece, same...U of Vic and current resident 12 years.

Victoria and Van Island are tougher than it looks.  Scenic, yes, but still some remnants of British ways and class consciousness.  You have the people who go for tea at the Empress Hotel in Vic, or you have the ex-hippies living off the land "up island".  You have the residents who manicure their lawns with scissors in the posh neighborhoods (yes, I'm not joking)  and you have the vegans in rural areas, the ex "granola girls" of Quebec with their sandals on. And all over you have your tourists, especially from Pacific Rim with their cameras.

Mainly, another old saying "the grass always looks greener on the other side" applies here.  Yes, the grass is very green on Vancouver Island, lots of rainy days.  But the grass is very green in England, too.  Is a move the answer?  I think if one gets along well with people, one will tend to get along anywhere.  If one doesn't get along with people in an area where one lives, why will things change in another area?

I'm all for progress and welcoming new ideas, new people etc. But act in haste, repent at leisure.

Happy 2020!!!