Saturday

There are so many things happening in our corner of the world. I helped set up an event today in our park. It was sponsored in part by the Friends. Eyes Wide Open. It calls attention to the cost of war. We had to set out the boots of dead Oregon soldiers, shoes representing dead Iraqis and thousands of prayer flags. Each set of boots had a picture ID and name and many had family memorabilia. It was touching the boots that made me cry. Some probably weren't the real thing but many were. And the impact was awful. I know we are fighting in wars around the world. I know in part we are trying to globalize freedom of choice and prevent blatant personal abuse. But the cost of each action is so final and so high. I wish the leaders of our country would have to meet face to face with the families of every single soldier who dies. Maybe then they would give more consideration to the hard choices. Reading history, it is obvious many wars are started and run by those who crave power. And many feel they must respond with war as they have no option that retains their dignity and rights. But must we really? I wish we could begin to evolve past some of this horror.
So all that was topping off a week that started with our beloved 15 year old doggie getting very ill. When we took him to the Vet . He passed out when they were treating him. They thought they had lost him right then. His chest Xray showed some bad things in his right chest. He was supposed to stay at the Vets overnight for antibiotics and observation. But I found out no one was going to be there at night so I brought him home, thinking this was going to be IT. Well, the old guy rallied again and is happily sniffing around. He isnt really well, and likely we are experincing our last times together, but we are glad his brown nose is snuffling us and he is snoring at the foot of the bed for awhile longer.
And for the good news, the weather is warm although we are experincing lots of smoky air. The first rasberries, zuchinni and sungold tomatoes are coming off the vine. We are well if contemplative. And Im losing the battle with weeds! Shucks.