Five Simple Things (June 13)

Hello.

Here are five things this week.

1. These fireworks.

The Strawberry Festival was June 5-8 this year and we always do two things every year. Skylar and I go through the House of Mirrors together and we get a lemonade slushy. I don't like large crowds and the fireworks sounds get to us, so we don't stick around long. We do like our two traditions, and that is just fine with us.

2. This watermelon.

Along with strawberries being in season here it's also watermelon season. The stranglehold that summer fruits and berries have on me every year will never let up.

3. This news.

The Goodnewspaper has been a reading staple in our house for several years now. When politics were starting to get out of hand and mostly negative information being posted almost every day starting in 2016 I had to find a better outlet for the exposure to so much negative news. In our house we believe in the statement than everyone is equal to the next regardless of skin color, sexuality, and even political differences. But when those political differences target a group, it's no longer political, it's discrimination. The Goodnewspaper brings in all good news from around the world without making any one group feel marginalized. You can subscribe to this monthly, old school-type newsprint here. It comes in your mail and brings in some of the best stories from around the globe. I also post good news links on my Blue Sky profile. Every day I post 12 stories from around the world that bring in a bit of hope to a bleak world right now.

4. This list.

So proud!

5. These socks.

Anything with honey bees. Always.

One last thing:

We attended the No Kings protest near us this past week, and it was the first time I had attended any sort of protest. I am untrusting of our current government, and people around us who are okay with the current administration haven't said or done enough to convince me that they should be trusted. Not to mention, I wouldn't trust the judgment of those who are for the current administration on anything, anyway. Their logic is lost on the person over the party, and protesting that alone has given me a lot of pride in knowing we are definitely not alone. One main reason I have turned my back on the current government is the comments Trump made about the California wildfires. With our own people from Oregon being sent to help, he claimed, "Not a token of defense being made." What leader, or even a person put in charge of leading a nation, would even remotely make a comment like that? It is disgusting to know that people are proudly and without any reservations throwing on "Women for Trump" hats and "Make America Great Again" shirts and justifying these comments. Trump's hate of blue states not only affects those who vote blue, but it also affects those who vote red. But the people supporting this administration and making excuses for comments, especially the ones about first responders, are demonstrating stupidity in its highest form. They don't even see how supporting these statements from a man who has never even picked up a water hose to water a plant is a form of shooting themselves in their own foot. The types of behavior that are being allowed by people who voted in that direction are appalling. There is no way in hell these people would be okay with any of this had it been flipped in the opposite direction. The Trump family has gained a significant amount of money in the time he has been in office, and that fact alone should anger anyone. The "Don't Tread on Me" crowd has really become the "Tread on me any chance you get" It's disgusting, embarrassing, and disgraceful. I don't like to talk about politics on my blog, but speaking out about the corruption that is happening within our own country right now is the best approach. You're either speaking out against it, or you are on the wrong side of history and pretending not to understand for your "guy."

Skylar used the opportunity to write up an article for The Commuter Magazine at Linn Benton Community College. There was one guy standing across the street in a MAGA hat and shirt and Skylar went over to get his side of things. The guy said he was there just to make sure that no one started destroying property and were actually protesting peacefully. I found his view of our protest very obtuse and definitely mentality from listening to the current administration trying to drive a wedge between people. You can read Skylar's article here.

It was a great day and everyone stood up for their constitutional rights and it felt good to be part of something instead of just sitting by and complaining about how bad it has gotten since Trump took his second term. There were a lot of Trumps supporters that have now turned their back on his policies and attitude that were protesting with us. The No Kings protests aren't because we feel there will be a king in the United States again, but because of Trump's attitude about how he and others view our country. I would be incredibly ashamed if I still supported someone like him that doesn't even know what it's like to put gas in a vehicle, buy a gallon of milk, or even walk through a National Park, or go camping. The people that still support someone like him and think he knows what it's like to live like the middle class, or upper middle class, has no idea what they stand for then. Not to mention, those below those classes. I feel everyone should have the opportunity to live a good life, no matter where they fall on the social class spectrum.

Jeff Gates created this great poster for the No Kings protests. His artwork and features were perfect for the occasion.

I reposted this on my Instagram story. It is the streets of Portland, Oregon, and those standing up for what they believe in and protesting a dysfunctional government. The energy in these protests are incredible! If you never been part of something like this, January 6 doesn't count, then I highly recommend it. Peacefully protesting, no matter what MAGA people claim, doesn't include breaking into the Capitol and taking a shit on the floor, and threatening to hang the vice president.

My dad sent us a text to let us know that he was going to gather in Hot Springs, Arkansas, and attend the No Kings protests there. I am so proud to come from the background of two hardworking American people that stand up for my rights as a woman, stand up for the rights of gays, transgenders, and every single person being targeted by hate from the MAGA population backed by a racist, bigoted, selfish, discriminator currently occupying the White House. And every single one of the people in his administration that are unqualified to do their jobs, and the exact definition of DEI hires.

Positive affirmations this week:

Live your truth. Don't ever shrink yourself down to fit into a group of people. You only get this one life. Don't waste it on trying to be something you aren't around people that aren't even being themselves around you.

You can do this!🌈