Was just listening to David Frum talking about Trump's cabinet choices, Marc Andreeson influencing Trump with respect to tariffs, and current Canadian politics....I think you'd enjoy it..on the Bulwark...youtube.
Lots to think about in your article. Thanks as always.
Was disheartened to read about Christianity becoming trendy. I don't practise a faith, but have
Christian friends that I respect greatly. Their faith is about community and service. They're neither fundamentalists nor fashionable/famous.
Mainly I'm really pleased to read that you may have found a favourable outcome with respect to the family home in France. What will that mean to your life? Time split between two countries?
I doubt that that would have been in your thoughts when you started your intentional community.
I've been starting most days walking along snowy paths with Sam the dog, as we both investigate coyote tracks and beaver dams. More exercise follows with a fancy bicycle trainer that
lets me believe that I'm climbing the Galibier or Mt Ventoux...followed by time spent reading.
A quiet, lovely life. Pam suffers as the cold here actually hurts here. The beaches of Mexico have been calling to her...
Will greatly miss your posts but wish you the best in all things.
Thanks so much for the recommendation of David Frum and The Bulwark. Haven't heard of him before. Will check him out.
You and I are in the same boat when it comes to religion. I don't practice a faith either, but it's a bit saddening that Christianity is becoming trendy. (Mel Gibson was just on Joe Rogan within the last week or so, and it sure seems like he will be the next one "to find" Jesus. Not to mention that Denzel Washington just had a highly publicized baptism in New York over the holidays.)
Like your friends, my grandparents were very much Christians who gathered in the name of community, service, and faith. I hope the sudden trendiness does not detract from devoted Christians experience at church (and church events). I have a Christian friend who wrote me an email about having left her church of several years because they started a band and play loud music every service. Now, she's struggling to find a church that doesn't...sigh.
You're right: I have no idea what I'm going to do. Things are moving in our favor, but I don't want to count my chickens before they hatch. Knowing this bureaucracy, we're still a ways out from getting anything finalized. Documents need stamping by dozens of people all over the place it seems. Don't get me started on the mind-boggling nature of said beast! Dossiers! Dossiers! Dossiers!
I'm just a few months shy of going on a year that I've been based across the pond. For the time being, I'm staying put. It seems important that I be on the ground and available for whatever is necessary at any moment, regarding legal procedures. I've had the privilege of being Stateside for a very brief visit, but I've got a flight back this evening. Do I move my entire life, including my pets, to Europe in late spring? Do I move back to the US and just visit the house occasionally? Do I ask a cousin if he wants to move in with his growing family, and I have a little cottage built on the property to stay in when I visit? Time will tell.
Your life sounds like it's full of contentment and peace. A great way to retire. Glad you and Sam are getting outside and enjoying time together. I hope Pam is able to escape to Mexico, even if it's just for a short solo trip.
Thank you as always for responding to my musings. It's been great fodder, especially hearing about your adventures in the world these last few years.
Before I sign off: another reader recommended a couple of months ago that I keep this publication posted online so that I can return--even if in another capacity-- should I decide to once life calms down. So for now, that's what I'll do.
Like all your readers, I'm sorry to see this publication come to an end, but I fully understand why. I think you have succinctly stated the current situation, and your predictions are probably spot on. The Trump administration has a monumental task ahead, and cannot possibly fulfill all the promises made. The sticking point, I fear, is going to be reality. As an aging Boomer, I have little credibility, but I still have enough marbles left to observe the world I once knew becoming something very different. It seems to me that we are in what James Howard Kunstler calls "The Long Emergency" in the book with that title. In biological terms, we (humans) have exceeded the carrying capacity of the planet. Our civilization is built on resources that are being depleted at ever increasing rates. The "Climate Emergency" touted by TPTB is actually making it happen faster, as can be seen in the UK. The collapse will probably be like Hemingway's statement on bankruptcy: first gradually, then suddenly. I've managed to maintain my health to the point that reaching the age of 100 is possible. But I expect that TPTB will come for me long before that on the pretext that I am a drain on society. I truly hope I am grievously wrong, and am trying to light a candle rather than curse the darkness. In the words of Linus Van Pelt, "Stupid darkness!"
First gradually, then suddenly sounds exactly right, Jim. Or at the very least, most logical! It will be interesting to see how this year (and the following few) unfolds. I'm certain of nothing, skeptical of everything, and yet hopeful about the shifts humanity has been making.
As ever, I appreciate the regular engagement. It has been a real treat. Hearing others ideas and opinions, like yours, has led me to consider things I otherwise wouldn't have even thought of.
I am taking your advice: I will be leaving this publication here for the time being should I decide to return in the future.
Thank you, and all the best to you ant Mrs. S in 2025!
PS -- I think people write Boomers off too quickly. All generations have wisdom and worthwhile ideas to impart. Just because Boomers had it good for so long, doesn't mean they're not entitled to a seat at the table (as a lot of younger folks seem to think).
Great article, very informative and it made me think quite a bit. It is difficult to maintain an open and non-bias mind as we evolve, however, you did provide some tools to look out for. All the best in your future endeavors.
You're absolutely right: it's a continuous and conscious effort to maintain and open and unbiased mind as things evolved. It's something I strive for.
Thank you for reading and engaging, Chuck. I appreciate it. It's what made this publication an enjoyable endeavor while it lasted. Wishing you a wonderful 2025!
Like you I'm from Missouri on a lot of this. I do think we dodged a missile, Kamala, but frankly I'm amazed she got as many votes as she did.
I don't think the pendulum will swing sufficiently to establish something of a theocracy around fundamentalist Christians. And the pendulum could be completely detached should any number of international instabilities tip the US into a war it loses with concomitant failure of the dollar.
The "Magnificent Seven" (Trump, Vance, Musk, Ramaswamy, RFK, Jr, Hegseth and Gabbard) have got their work cut out, and a comparatively short period within which to show meaningful results.
Anything can happen and the pendulum is not at all securely attached.
Ha! I too am amazed at the number of votes she received, largely in part because aside from one debate, I haven't heard her string together two coherent and meaningful sentences since she became a US Senator.
Your response gives me a lot to chew on. The notion that the pendulum is barely attached is an intriguing idea, one that makes a lot of sense. It'll be interesting to see how quickly the incoming administration can right the proverbial ship before it inevitably hits an iceberg.
Thank you, as always, for engaging with me in such a well thought-out dialogue. It's been fun. Happy 2025 to you, Hugh!
Was just listening to David Frum talking about Trump's cabinet choices, Marc Andreeson influencing Trump with respect to tariffs, and current Canadian politics....I think you'd enjoy it..on the Bulwark...youtube.
Lots to think about in your article. Thanks as always.
Was disheartened to read about Christianity becoming trendy. I don't practise a faith, but have
Christian friends that I respect greatly. Their faith is about community and service. They're neither fundamentalists nor fashionable/famous.
Mainly I'm really pleased to read that you may have found a favourable outcome with respect to the family home in France. What will that mean to your life? Time split between two countries?
I doubt that that would have been in your thoughts when you started your intentional community.
I've been starting most days walking along snowy paths with Sam the dog, as we both investigate coyote tracks and beaver dams. More exercise follows with a fancy bicycle trainer that
lets me believe that I'm climbing the Galibier or Mt Ventoux...followed by time spent reading.
A quiet, lovely life. Pam suffers as the cold here actually hurts here. The beaches of Mexico have been calling to her...
Will greatly miss your posts but wish you the best in all things.
Alan,
Thanks so much for the recommendation of David Frum and The Bulwark. Haven't heard of him before. Will check him out.
You and I are in the same boat when it comes to religion. I don't practice a faith either, but it's a bit saddening that Christianity is becoming trendy. (Mel Gibson was just on Joe Rogan within the last week or so, and it sure seems like he will be the next one "to find" Jesus. Not to mention that Denzel Washington just had a highly publicized baptism in New York over the holidays.)
Like your friends, my grandparents were very much Christians who gathered in the name of community, service, and faith. I hope the sudden trendiness does not detract from devoted Christians experience at church (and church events). I have a Christian friend who wrote me an email about having left her church of several years because they started a band and play loud music every service. Now, she's struggling to find a church that doesn't...sigh.
You're right: I have no idea what I'm going to do. Things are moving in our favor, but I don't want to count my chickens before they hatch. Knowing this bureaucracy, we're still a ways out from getting anything finalized. Documents need stamping by dozens of people all over the place it seems. Don't get me started on the mind-boggling nature of said beast! Dossiers! Dossiers! Dossiers!
I'm just a few months shy of going on a year that I've been based across the pond. For the time being, I'm staying put. It seems important that I be on the ground and available for whatever is necessary at any moment, regarding legal procedures. I've had the privilege of being Stateside for a very brief visit, but I've got a flight back this evening. Do I move my entire life, including my pets, to Europe in late spring? Do I move back to the US and just visit the house occasionally? Do I ask a cousin if he wants to move in with his growing family, and I have a little cottage built on the property to stay in when I visit? Time will tell.
Your life sounds like it's full of contentment and peace. A great way to retire. Glad you and Sam are getting outside and enjoying time together. I hope Pam is able to escape to Mexico, even if it's just for a short solo trip.
Thank you as always for responding to my musings. It's been great fodder, especially hearing about your adventures in the world these last few years.
Before I sign off: another reader recommended a couple of months ago that I keep this publication posted online so that I can return--even if in another capacity-- should I decide to once life calms down. So for now, that's what I'll do.
Happy 2025 to you, Pam & Sam!
Like all your readers, I'm sorry to see this publication come to an end, but I fully understand why. I think you have succinctly stated the current situation, and your predictions are probably spot on. The Trump administration has a monumental task ahead, and cannot possibly fulfill all the promises made. The sticking point, I fear, is going to be reality. As an aging Boomer, I have little credibility, but I still have enough marbles left to observe the world I once knew becoming something very different. It seems to me that we are in what James Howard Kunstler calls "The Long Emergency" in the book with that title. In biological terms, we (humans) have exceeded the carrying capacity of the planet. Our civilization is built on resources that are being depleted at ever increasing rates. The "Climate Emergency" touted by TPTB is actually making it happen faster, as can be seen in the UK. The collapse will probably be like Hemingway's statement on bankruptcy: first gradually, then suddenly. I've managed to maintain my health to the point that reaching the age of 100 is possible. But I expect that TPTB will come for me long before that on the pretext that I am a drain on society. I truly hope I am grievously wrong, and am trying to light a candle rather than curse the darkness. In the words of Linus Van Pelt, "Stupid darkness!"
First gradually, then suddenly sounds exactly right, Jim. Or at the very least, most logical! It will be interesting to see how this year (and the following few) unfolds. I'm certain of nothing, skeptical of everything, and yet hopeful about the shifts humanity has been making.
As ever, I appreciate the regular engagement. It has been a real treat. Hearing others ideas and opinions, like yours, has led me to consider things I otherwise wouldn't have even thought of.
I am taking your advice: I will be leaving this publication here for the time being should I decide to return in the future.
Thank you, and all the best to you ant Mrs. S in 2025!
PS -- I think people write Boomers off too quickly. All generations have wisdom and worthwhile ideas to impart. Just because Boomers had it good for so long, doesn't mean they're not entitled to a seat at the table (as a lot of younger folks seem to think).
Great article, very informative and it made me think quite a bit. It is difficult to maintain an open and non-bias mind as we evolve, however, you did provide some tools to look out for. All the best in your future endeavors.
You're absolutely right: it's a continuous and conscious effort to maintain and open and unbiased mind as things evolved. It's something I strive for.
Thank you for reading and engaging, Chuck. I appreciate it. It's what made this publication an enjoyable endeavor while it lasted. Wishing you a wonderful 2025!
Wow, Hell of a post. Kudos!
Like you I'm from Missouri on a lot of this. I do think we dodged a missile, Kamala, but frankly I'm amazed she got as many votes as she did.
I don't think the pendulum will swing sufficiently to establish something of a theocracy around fundamentalist Christians. And the pendulum could be completely detached should any number of international instabilities tip the US into a war it loses with concomitant failure of the dollar.
The "Magnificent Seven" (Trump, Vance, Musk, Ramaswamy, RFK, Jr, Hegseth and Gabbard) have got their work cut out, and a comparatively short period within which to show meaningful results.
Anything can happen and the pendulum is not at all securely attached.
Cheers!
Ha! I too am amazed at the number of votes she received, largely in part because aside from one debate, I haven't heard her string together two coherent and meaningful sentences since she became a US Senator.
Your response gives me a lot to chew on. The notion that the pendulum is barely attached is an intriguing idea, one that makes a lot of sense. It'll be interesting to see how quickly the incoming administration can right the proverbial ship before it inevitably hits an iceberg.
Thank you, as always, for engaging with me in such a well thought-out dialogue. It's been fun. Happy 2025 to you, Hugh!
Happy trails!