Elections Anyone?

Only 7 More Months Till November

In case you give a fig

There are many issues to be addressed before the November elections. One important one is to get our Democratic and Independent friends to vote this year. 

Here in California, one can vote absentee, (by mail), if they so request. That allows us to study the issues, ask questions, look up voting records of incumbent candidates to see if they represent their constituency, or their corporate masters.

If you have family members, friends, or neighbors who listen to talk radio and watch TV news to get their information, don't waste your time trying to wake them up! They have become right wing extremist Zombies

Clouds decorate Shasta Lake sky

Just remember that the divisions between Hillary and Bernie are products of the republican propaganda ministry. If they can get registered Democrats to stay home in November, they stand a better chance of getting their candidates into office.

For example; Bernie or Bust supporters plan to stay home if they can’t vote for Bernie. It is the right wing media machine that is stoking those fires of divisiveness. Don’t fall for it.

Get out and vote for every Democrat in every office from school boards to supervisors to city council on up to president. Our American democracy depends on us defeating the corporate controlled republicans at the ballot box..

The GOP War On Women Continues

Blue Dicks in the tall grass

White Men’s Feelings Get Hurt Again

Shasta Lake at the dam

Looking good at Shasta Lake this year. If we keep conserving and get the Beef Mega factories to move to some other state, California’s water supply will be okay.

3 stages of small flowers in one shot

Trump Supporters Brandish New Anti-Hillary Slogan “Trump That Bitch”

Ain’t that a peach

Tonight there were more state primary elections. Trump won the right wing crazy party primaries with 5 out of 5 states. Hillary won 4 of the Democrat primaries and Bernie won one.

The Donald looks to have a lock on being nominated as the republican candidate at their convention July 18 -21. Those jerks that promoted him and support his crude and vulgar personality deserve him. We don’t!

It looks like we will have Hillary. I think she is the best choice. I hope Bernie stays in all the way to the Democratic convention July 25 - 28. He has much to contribute to the platform and discussion that will benefit all of us.

Rag Top iris

I know I just made up a name for the above yellow Iris. It came to mind because last weekend was the Kool April Nights car show and cruise. It seemed fitting.

Now, let’s leave the politics behind and take a vacation on our own Caribbean, island paradise...

Today’s Video;

Capitalists Gone Wild

Stay Small

Stay Real

Succulent blooms in Dottie’s garden

I have personally been part of business ventures that lost their way through growth and expansion.

Sidewalk rose

Even favorite neighborhood restaurants and pizza joints tend to lose their essential comfort level (and food quality) when the owners begin thinking that expanding the dining room to accommodate more customers will create more profit.

Fly away jay

“Now with new locations throughout the area”. That means that the personal touch that made the business attractive is no longer part of the experience. The owners thought they would be happy letting someone else run the show so they could enjoy the good life. It didn’t take long before the business, faithful customers and profits were all gone.

Golden iris

I have several personal experiences with how even a small amount of greed can mess up a good thing. One example would be a little trio in Ashland, Oregon that only played weekends at homecomings, proms, Elks club dances and such in Southern Oregon and Northern California.

We were happy. We enjoyed playing together and people enjoyed our style. We made enough money and had the time and space to enjoy our individual lives and loving relationships. 

It was nice to have all week for things that were important to developing as human beings.

Succulent flowers

Eventually the day came when opportunities arose to make more money playing 5 nights a week at resorts, bars and hotels throughout the country.

I tried to explain that we were all happy doing what we were doing and our lives were rich with friends and lives in beautiful surroundings. I tried to share a bit of my experience in road bands. “There is a good chance that we will lose the spirit that brought us together when we go work for greater profits”

Sure enough, the “Gain the world and lose your soul” adage proved to be true. Somewhere in Montana or Idaho, I ended up telling them to find a replacement within 3 weeks because I was going back to Oregon.

Is this really Redding

Sometimes people don’t understand why I don’t _________. “You could make a lot of money if you _________”, they say.  I try to explain, as best as I can that I have already done that and I found out it wasn’t fulfilling.

I do appreciate their good intentions when they suggest ways to monetize my music, my photography, my artwork, my announcing, etc. I am happy just to be able to share what gifts and joy I have to share.

I recently entered the “Is this really Redding” bokeh photo in a contest for a chance to win a fancy camera lens. I got a couple of emails from the site where I sent it.

They say that it has achieved popularity and they added; “Have you considered submitting this photo to 500px Marketplace for commercial licensing? You'll earn an industry-leading 60% net of every license sold!”

I think I would rather stay small, feel real and enjoy my photography experiences, thank you.

Today’s Video;

Share Your Joy

No Fooling

Frivolity In America Crushed By Fox News

Flying wild canary

Cable news is a cesspool of anger and fear that keeps addicted viewers spending every free moment following the latest shitstorm. No time for frivolity or nuance.

Inner tulip revealed

If the TV propaganda isn’t enough to keep some people angry and fearful, they can always listen to hate radio “Obama Bashing” and other unhealthy junk food for thought.

Wild bee on Margarita

I didn’t hear or see anyone doing April Fool’s pranks today. I tried the old “There’s a spider on your head” bit, but it fell flat.

America has lost it’s sense of humor and I blame Fox news and talk radio for 30 years worth of nonstop right wing extremist propaganda. They have been the instigators and promoters of angry, ugly, intolerant, xenophobic, anti-Democratic, Anglo-centrist, gun toting vigilante ignorance.

Wild Canary

People are afraid to joke with co-workers. Hesitant to say hello to a person in line at the store. Not sure if they should go to a movie or restaurant or the mall.

After all; Who knows where terrorist Muslims, Mexicans, or alien immigrants will attack freedom next? Better to buy another gun, open a beer and watch more Faux news.

Red and blue poppies

Today’s Video;

Spider? April Fool? What?