Today...

Leadership at its best.

It's kind of strange to live in Vermont right now, 

and be the only "green" state on the map. 

I should feel relieved and glad for it, 

but can't help a feeling of impending doom. 

Mizzen the Brave

The Perennial Delphinium is prolific!

I've actually never seen this plant before this year.  

Apparently I've always only seen the "annual" variety with the long, tall flower frond.

I love this version!

Back when less was more...

Birthday

Wow, today our granddaughter in Maine turns 11...and will receive her Hogwart's Letter, 
thanks to Gramie's best friend (who does them so convincingly).  

Here is the birthday girl holding her baby cousin who turns 1 next month.

Winning the Race

Wil took this photo as he and Root*Center*Son won a sailing race.

Maine!

We are headed to Maine to visit family briefly.  Probably the last time until next year, because of COVID and school being open.  I sure hope they don't end up opening the schools, but it currently looks like they will.

Early Morning Grocery Run

Butterfly Bath

Purple Bellflower

Red Lily

White Bellflower

In honour of Congressman John Lewis

DT may be only able to muster himself enough to allow the flag to fly at half mast for half a day in honour of this great man.  And what DT might say or do to denigrate Congressman John Lewis will hopefully be staved off by the request that he keep silence and "let us mourn in peace."  But there has been a proper tribute given.  Here is what President Obama said today about Rep. John Lewis:

America is a constant work in progress. What gives each new generation purpose is to take up the unfinished work of the last and carry it further - to speak out for what's right, to challenge an unjust status quo, and to imagine a better world.

John Lewis - one of the original Freedom Riders, chairman of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee, the youngest speaker at the March on Washington, leader of the march from Selma to Montgomery, Member of Congress representing the people of Georgia for 33 years - not only assumed that responsibility, he made it his life's work. He loved this country so much that he risked his life and his blood so that it might live up to its promise. And through the decades, he not only gave all of himself to the cause of freedom and justice, but inspired generations that followed to try to live up to his example.

Considering his enormous impact on the history of this country, what always struck those who met John was his gentleness and humility. Born into modest means in the heart of the Jim Crow South, he understood that he was just one of a long line of heroes in the struggle for racial justice. Early on, he embraced the principles of nonviolent resistance and civil disobedience as the means to bring about real change in this country, understanding that such tactics had the power not only to change laws, but to change hearts and minds as well.

In so many ways, John's life was exceptional. But he never believed that what he did was more than any citizen of this country might do. He believed that in all of us, there exists the capacity for great courage, a longing to do what's right, a willingness to love all people, and to extend to them their God-given rights to dignity and respect. And it's because he saw the best in all of us that he will continue, even in his passing, to serve as a beacon in that long journey towards a more perfect union.

I first met John when I was in law school, and I told him then that he was one of my heroes. Years later, when I was elected a U.S. Senator, I told him that I stood on his shoulders. When I was elected President of the United States, I hugged him on the inauguration stand before I was sworn in and told him I was only there because of the sacrifices he made. And through all those years, he never stopped providing wisdom and encouragement to me and Michelle and our family. We will miss him dearly.

It's fitting that the last time John and I shared a public forum was at a virtual town hall with a gathering of young activists who were helping to lead this summer's demonstrations in the wake of George Floyd's death. Afterwards, I spoke to him privately, and he could not have been prouder of their efforts - of a new generation standing up for freedom and equality, a new generation intent on voting and protecting the right to vote, a new generation running for political office. I told him that all those young people - of every race, from every background and gender and sexual orientation - they were his children. They had learned from his example, even if they didn't know it. They had understood through him what American citizenship requires, even if they had heard of his courage only through history books.

Not many of us get to live to see our own legacy play out in such a meaningful, remarkable way. John Lewis did. And thanks to him, we now all have our marching orders - to keep believing in the possibility of remaking this country we love until it lives up to its full promise.

RIP Rep. John Lewis

~ People.com

Gee, think we could do better?

New York Times article: 
Millions have lost their health insurance in pandemic-driven recessio
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/07/13/us/politics/coronavirus-health-insurance-trump.html?fbclid=IwAR05qLCcrhK34P29R_jFRiQjd_MNRGLDLZ-mCZHqhIC2GsJ9ywOyUyg0EA0

Mother Jones article: 

5 Million Americans Lost Their Health Insurance *During a Pandemic*https://www.motherjones.com/kevin-drum/2020/07/5-million-americans-lost-their-health-insurance-during-a-pandemic/?fbclid=IwAR2yD9_k6CKnxBpYv6Qu40x4e7GFwX0qaEYCR9yNuHGL36352IJ0y-vQE4E

Echinacea Yellow

Echinacea Red

Monarchs!

🌿🦋 We found two tiny Monarch caterpillars in our Pollinator Garden! 🦋🌿

     

The Sky before the Tropical Storm

Newly Minted American Cardinal

From ALAN:

TS FAY

See that light blue dot? That's my house. Fay's track is going right over my house! 

(The ❤️s are over the houses of my VT kids and grands.) I love weather!!

Perennial Delphinium

This plant in my garden is in honour of Eldest*Grand 

because she loves the colour blue. 


Waiting to see where this storm actually goes, but my house is on the track on this map.

Zephyr's BOOK with forward by Bernie!

Hero's Welcome in North Hero, Vermont (it's right where boats dock)

 See the benches?  Look closely!

COVID METRICS!

Click to: https://globalepidemics.org/key-metrics-for-covid-suppression/

to see how every state and county is doing, or any place in the world! 

This is constantly updated and it's fascinating and helpful.

Rowboat

Rose-Breasted Grosbeak

This is my favourite looking bird!

The other day it was in our Lilac (hence the photo), but Mr. Chipmunk kept climbing up the bush and leaping over to the feeder.  I only saw the Chippy, opened the window and groaned at him and Chippy left.  But Rosy stayed!  Rosy flew to the feeder to chow down, but Chippy returned.  I banged on the window so he left, but Rosy stayed!  A third time Chippy came back.  I opened the window and told him to vamoose.  And Rosy stayed!  It amazed me that the bird realised what I was doing. 

    

Independence Day

At 12:44 a.m. EDT the Moon will be full. 

There will also be a partial penumbral eclipse of the Moon, 

around the same time, visible from most of North America.

So, something happened on Friday...

"Our store is closed for the time being due to an emergency threat 

to the well-being of our employees"

On Friday, a person who was at our beloved general store here in Jericho 

threatened the employees there over the store's social distancing requirement. 

The owner promptly shut down the store, on a holiday weekend, losing much revenue, 

because he values his workers more than his wallet. We don't know when it will reopen.

I am shocked that this happened in our kind-hearted community at the store my family and I have loved for nearly 40 years. Locals will make sure the store remains solvent, as it is the heart of this community. And I certainly hope that the person who did this 

is caught, charged and gets the help they clearly need.

I wrote to Vermont Governor Phil Scott asking that he please make masks and social distancing mandatory in Vermont, so that it is expected everywhere and takes the responsibility  for the requirement off the shoulders of store owners and employees.  

I added that the leeway he gives now, 

leaves them and their communities terribly vulnerable.

When a plot to shoot up a school was foiled, he decided to enact gun laws.

I hope this jars him enough to issue a mandatory mask declaration.

Takeout: Dinner on the Porch

Rene’s Bluebells

The memorial for Thankful's brother Rene lives on!

Welcome July!

Farewell June!

The garden is DONE!

This photo was taken just as it began to rain.

Cedar Waxwing

46 years ago today, we said we do

listener and Wil

28 June 1974