We are headed east toward Bend for a week. The pass is iced and slippery this morning, so we are waiting until midday to leave.

I am troubled by the political news this week and appalled by any suggestion that we are headed toward a civil war. We are founded on a notion that good men can rule themselves and arbitrate their differences in a rational and democratic manner. We cannot give in to the casual suggestion that violence is the solution to our differences. With these troubles in mind, we are headed into a clear sunny day. Whitman wrote, “Keep your face always toward the sunshine – and shadows will fall behind you” and we are taking his suggestion literally. I only wish that more folks would take a day or two to just breathe and enjoy the sun warming their faces. Tempers might cool and reason might begin again.

The bus is loaded. Annie has seen her bed go on board and so waits at my chair. As soon as I click my lamp off, she will jump up and head for the door, eager to be on the road. I am hoping that once we turn to the east, into the morning sunshine my pensive mood will ease. We have a difficult time ahead. Breathe deep.

“This is what you should do: love the earth and sun and the animals, despise riches, give alms to everyone that asks, stand up for the stupid and crazy, devote your income and labor to others, hate tyrants, argue not concerning God, have patience and indulgence toward the people, take off your hat to nothing known or unknown or to any man or number of men … re-examine all you have been told at school or church or in any book, dismiss what insults your own soul, and your very flesh shall be a great poem.” ~ Walt Whitman

Blessings

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