Joy--Two Hundred Fifty Years Later

I believe, were he alive today, Abraham Lincoln would be proud that we went to the polls and voted ourselves out of the crisis we faced. 
Oddly, I do not feel vindication; instead, I feel joy. We the People re-instated our purpose enshrined in Lincoln's words, in the countless ways we came together yesterday and voted for decency, honesty, our laws, and the Common Good of all, 250 years after we Declared Our Independence. 
Ode to Joy

Thank you, Americans, one and all! 

***

"Four score and seven years ago our fathers brought forth on this continent, a new nation, conceived in Liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal.

Now we are engaged in a great civil war, testing whether that nation, or any nation so conceived and so dedicated, can long endure. We are met on a great battle-field of that war. We have come to dedicate a portion of that field, as a final resting place for those who here gave their lives that that nation might live. It is altogether fitting and proper that we should do this.

But, in a larger sense, we can not dedicate—we can not consecrate—we can not hallow—this ground. The brave men, living and dead, who struggled here, have consecrated it, far above our poor power to add or detract. The world will little note, nor long remember what we say here, but it can never forget what they did here. It is for us the living, rather, to be dedicated here to the unfinished work which they who fought here have thus far so nobly advanced. It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us—that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion—that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain—that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom—and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth."

--Abraham Lincoln 

***

On Loudness

Louder and louder. 

Decibels dancing higher and higher. 

Pitch peaking. 

Is there a cacophony graph? 

How do you graph noise? 

Chaos? 

We vote. 

We don't know Tuesday's outcome. 

Yet. 

We stand together 

to face unknowables, 

for today is today, 

tomorrow is tomorrow.

 

We turn down the noise.

Our handclasps

reassure and help us

ride soundwaves together.

***

"I always just thought if you see someone without a smile, give 'em yours!" 

                                                                                    --Dolly Parton 

I miss Dolly.

***

How to Do It

They led the way and showed us how...

Hungary

Serbia

And now Brazil...

America needs your...

League of Women Voters non-partisan information for entire USA: vote411.org

***

After you vote and you're tired, completely maxed out on pixels and audio and video--soften the clamor...take a walk somewhere beautiful...

Take deep breaths, dream a little, then let's roar back! Together! let's make this nation, our whole good Earth a place for everyone, everything, everywhere, for all time.

***

VOTE, America!

That's what Saturday was about! While our rally site was cold and cloudy, with 20 MPH wind. We hung onto our signs as we joined the nearby assembled throngs. Alas, I didn't capture photos, but here's a pic from my sign-making for friend Sylvia and me...

Despite the weather, throngs came anyway. Even Elvis showed up. While my gloved hands, busily hanging onto my sign in the wind, failed to get pics of him, my friend Hobie got one of himself and Elvis that he shared with us...

We were surrounded by a creative oeuvre and positive energy flowing toward a better future for all of us, for humanity, for our world, for the Common Good everywhere.

***

Here's an American how:

From the League of Women Voter's Education Fund is their completely non-partisan website to help with every imaginable voting-related how-to across the entire USA:  vote411.org

***

Also Sprach Zarathustra

This links to a YouTube snippet. Also Sprach Zarathustra. Alas, it's copyrighted material, and my Mac says, "Nope, ya can't add that to your slideshow," though linking here is okay. Anyway, the link has great earworm potential to enhance my commentary on the transition to our destined, new, oldest energy sources. In any case, thanks for being here. 

***

For Days a Nor'easter Darkened the Skies

 

***

At Java and Friends Cafe

Keoni is visiting. He and I stopped in the Java and Friends Cafe in Pennsburg, PA, the other day. It was a happy sidewalk brunch with him, and a special enjoyment to discover this little establishment's special vibe. Keoni captured some images of it...

This is next to the stack of menus and cash register
where we placed our order.

Customers post notes...

Keoni, contributing photographer.

(Pssst...Keoni added the MA.)

I hope this brought a smile to your day. It sure did for me.

***