Burnt Chocolate Stories

Part of being human is making mistakes. Some of us have no problem owning up to them. Others feel they would lose their authority, or feel diminished, if they admitted they had taken a wrong turn. Saying 'I'm sorry' or 'I screwed up' or 'I made a mistake' are words I've said more times than I can count. It's a freeing experience for those who have never tried it. And I think it creates a strong human connection and provides the opportunity for forgiveness. Why am I thinking about this today? Mostly because there are hundreds of thousands, maybe millions of people, neighbors and friends, who supported Trump in his early days and might have regrets today. Unsure of what to do or say, they remain silent and perhaps feel ashamed. And that's sad for themselves and for the rest of us. I admit I'm also a little sheepish about bringing up the topic, fearful it might lead to blows. At the same time, I think it's worth the risk.  The funny thing is...

This past week has been both terrifying and an awakening. We've been here before and if memory serves, we survived and thrived. We will do it again. It doesn't matter whether the tyrant is a mayor, like Richard J. Daley of Chicago, or a governor, like George Wallace of Alabama. In the 1960's, we watched on our little 12" television screens in horror, as the Selma marchers were beaten and sprayed.  In the 1970's, I remember seeing the west side of Chicago in flames as angry, disenfranchised citizens burned down their neighborhoods. The yippies marched from Lincoln Park through the elite, near north side, smashing car windows and screaming vile epithets at the police. The Vietnam war finally ended in 1975, but left millions angry and adrift.   I'll grant you, we've never had a felon as president before, but we will survive this travesty. Trump told us who he was and what he would do. Anyone who has been surprised by his actions hasn't paid attention. Demo...

 My brain is a muddle this morning. Through no fault of my own, there was a water leak into my apartment on Thursday that has left me with noisy machines interrupting my sleep. So I'm tired today and worn out from the noise inside my apartment and outside in the world. What do I worry about? Nothing that I can do much about. I worry about the damage being inflicted on all of us by a totalitarian nutcase who just can't seem to have enough power, money and control. Years ago, a man who made 400 million dollars a year was asked in an interview if he felt that was enough money for him. His answer? No. Imagine how many yachts, airplanes, and villas the man must have had and still, not enough for him. What a miserable way to live your life. I think Mother Nature has become impatient and angry with us for not appreciating her gifts and allowing the worst among us to take over. What was Covid, if not a way to keep us chained inside so the skies could clear? Freezing temperatures here ...