Friday, November 08, 2024

My long-time friend Linda lives in California. Last night, she and I had a long conversation. We shared our emotions following the election and speculated about possible changes in the future, some of which would probably be unwelcome to many and others potentially beneficial to some.

I needn’t elaborate. We follow the news, are aware, have opinions. Essentially, the citizens have spoken again. Now, it’s appropriate for me to transition and be more accepting, as has happened often throughout my long history.

To that end, I am starting to read the recently published by Richard Dawkins, a British evolutionary biologist, zoologist, and science communicator. He’s one of the world’s great science writers and biologists.

Elaborating on Darwin’s findings, Dawkins explains the remarkable ways in which animals have overcome obstacles, adapted to their environments, and, again and again, through eons, developed remarkably similar ways of finding solutions to life’s problems.

He points to the untapped potential of DNA to transform and transcend our understanding of evolution. He hypothesizes that, in the future, a zoologist presented with a hitherto unknown animal who knows how to read its body and genes will be able to gather detailed descriptions of the world its ancestors inhabited. 

I am attracted to the critical themes of overcoming obstacles, adapting, and finding solutions to life’s problems–coping measures for stressful times.

Dear Friends: I’ll keep you posted. Diana

Thursday, November 07, 2024

Like a gigantic portion of other Americans, I suffered from PTSD and depression yesterday morning. This election outcome makes me think that the world will become crueler.

Mother Nature helped me get back on my feet. In the early afternoon, the weather became warmish and invited being outside. I gathered my horses and dogs and took them to a horse trail. There, we moseyed among the fall colors.

A horse offers perfect therapy. While on horseback, I’m highly attentive to the animal, its attitude, and how it’s moving, as well as to trail conditions and my surroundings. I’m also attentive to my dogs, aware of their activities, all nearby, and looking well. Those attentions disallow the luxury of focusing on anything outside my immediate orbit.

By evening, my mood had improved; my routines felt more normal.

Today’s weather is predicted to be fair again, and I might ride again this afternoon.

Dear Friends: We must accept significant changes, one day at a time. Diana

Wednesday, November 06, 2024

America’s presidential election is decided. The weeks and months ahead will be instructive.

I am off my part-time job today and tomorrow, giving my brain time to refocus. I’ll hang out and enjoy being home.

This will be an opportunity to explore some waiting, interesting-looking books that have escaped my attention.

I’ll also play with the horses and dogs if these are pretty days.

Dear Friends: Hopefully ahead, “It’s [not] going to be a bumpy ride.” Diana

Tuesday, November 5, 2024

The American election process will end officially tonight, but that won’t include a final voting outcome unless there’s a clear front runner. That’s unlikely to happen according to months of data from trending maps. Anyway, soon we will turn our aching heads toward whatever confronts us and hopefully, self-adjust and carry on.

I am suffering massive election anxiety. In this election the stakes are very high for all individuals. Aside from the world’s conflicts that demand leadership, America itself is on the edge, about itself.

America’s population has become very mixed, and White Americans are losing their traditional domination; men are worried about how changing women’s roles are challenging the future of masculiniaty; women are demanding freedom, beyond the home, to make life choices, and to work, create, and produce.

We’ll learn what America’s voters want.

Dear Friends: Today, I’m due early at work, and now wishing everybody well. Diana

Monday, November 04, 2024

Like other Americans during this election cycle, I am learning there is a “political sociology.” In our affluent society, it is about the influences of education, gender, race, and citizenship status in predicting national voting trends and this election’s outcomes.

I’ve been fascinated by political sociology, which studies power dynamics, social movements, political institutions, and cultural values. It illuminates how contemporary society shapes an election cycle’s challenges and opportunities. Current social forces impacting our social lives are shaping our political outcomes.

We’re keenly aware of America’s political battling forces. Our current society has efforts to get out the votes targeting potential voters based on factors like education, gender, and ethnicity. This is a new swing that needs understanding.

Following this election cycle’s ups and downs makes us aware of how we have changed both as a nation and socially. We are learning how and why our political and economic institutions are changing and recognizing what makes our population so divided.

Dear Friends: Soon, this election will be over, and we will be wiser. Diana

Sunday, November 03, 2024

It’s very early and light outside already. As one who will help open the department store today, I must start early to attack my home chores.

So, no “blogging wisdom” this morning, and I’ll see you tomorrow.

Diana

Friday, November 01, 2024

RFK Jr., in charge of Women’s Health? Really?

Women must vote exactly as their husbands do? Really?

Are Americans willing to resume living in the Middle Ages or, more realistically, those pre-MAs?

In this election battle, highly visible key Republicans are pulling out all the stops now, hoping to gain more male voting. Until recently, the competition didn’t seem like such a gender feud.

I’ve preferred to consider Americans more politically mature, surely enough to abhor our presidential competition turning into a battle of the sexes. But now, that’s where it’s at, a down-and-dirty fight.

Frankly, even from the very git-go, and way prior to his famous escalator ride, I wouldn’t have voted for DJT for as much as a dog-catcher. I see him as a disgusting person, and worst for his lack of embarrassment about being considered such. His popularity with some Americans has encouraged a rise of more “Take the wins and to hell with everything else!” types.

Americans are accustomed to hard-liners in Congress who have supported Trump. We now see posturing at the Republican forefront increasing wealthy and aggressive types, like Musk, Vance, RFK Jr. (Daddy is roiling in his grave!), and others.

Gender differences were critical for our species’ survival at various points in human evolution. Slowly, those times changed, especially over the last seventy years, when they seemed to be going at warp speed.

Changing times and prosperity continually are affecting our social and health lives. Accordingly, humans must adapt and adjust their perspectives. “Can’t we all get along?”

Individuals in a Democracy who understand and accept changes contribute more effectively to its ongoing upward evolution. Nowadays, living quality equals a Democracy’s quest to boost its productivity and manage its economics.

Dear Friends: Be sure to vote, for much is hinging on election outcomes. Diana