Good News and Bad News
—and Sticky-Uppy Hair
One of my favorite meditations, that I’ve listened to many times, is about mixed emotions. The meditation guide explains that it’s normal and human to experience mixed emotions at the same time—including those that are diametrically opposed. It’s normal to simultaneously feel upset and optimistic, overwhelmed and motivated, discouraged and empowered, or uncertain and hopeful.
Last Thursday, July 3, I certainly felt opposite emotions: sadness and frustration due to national (U.S.) events, and also happiness and excitement due to local (Tucson) events. Of course I have art to share related to these topics!
The Bad News
Last Thursday the U.S. House of Representatives passed the latest iteration of the budget bill which then went on to get its final signature. The bill includes cuts to food assistance and Medicaid—cuts that will potentially leave 3 million people without food stamps and 11 million+ without health insurance.
In what universe is it acceptable to take away people’s access to food and health care???
I will never understand how people can be so mean-spirited and hateful.
That day, a quote from The Lord of the Rings kept popping into my mind:
“What can men do against such reckless hate?”
- Théoden
When I contemplated creating art in response to the national news, my first inclination was to pair Théoden’s quote with a background of lots of angsty red and black and gray lines. However, I realized Théoden’s quote is only part of the story, as Aragorn answers Théoden with the suggestion…
“Ride out with me.”
- Aragorn
…which is what they do. If you’re an LOTR fan like I am you know that in The Two Towers, Théoden and Aragorn and their allies ride out on horseback to meet their enemies and triumph over the forces of evil that are threatening them.
So I decided to create more positive art using both these quotes.
I created a background of water ripples for this art because I was thinking about a Desmond Tutu quote I included in a recent post, about positive actions rippling outward towards those around you.
Even though in LOTR, Théoden and Aragorn et al. meet violence with violence, my art is absolutely not advocating violence! Aragorn’s words speak to me (as a pacifist) of the need for all of us to join together to take positive action to stand up for and support our communities—communities that encompass everything from your local neighborhood to the entire planet.
The Good News
On the same day of that national news, we here in Tucson had good news in the form of a quintessential summer monsoon storm—with wind whipping the rain at a sideways angle, 1/2” hail, and lakes forming in our yard (thanks to the berms Hubby’s created, which allow rainwater to be retained longer in our yard, giving the water time to soak into the soil and provide our planties with more water love)!
We ended up getting 1.6” rain total for that storm, way more than the 0.21” predicted! Flora and fauna (including humans) were shouting “Hooray!” and Hubby’s and my rainwater harvesting tanks and barrel collected over 1400 gallons of water!
Last year in June I created this Perpetual Journal art of our first monsoon storm of the season, showing the sideways rain. The rain looked just like this last Thursday, too!
My 2025 PJ art on this page shows a Saguaro covered with lots of fruits in various stages of ripening. I love the way these fruits stick up in every direction—it reminds me of Bert and Ernie with their sticky-uppy hair!
More good news: in my post last week, I noted we hadn’t seen any Gambel’s Quail chicks this year. The day after that post, Hubby & I saw one (only one!) Gambel’s Quail chick in our yard, which of course elicited a squeeeee! of delight from me! 😍
📖 Book Nook
I just finished another good illustrated kids’ book—this one was about John Lewis:
Fighting With Love: the Legacy of John Lewis by Lesa Cline-Ransome and James E. Ransome
John Lewis was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 1986, representing Georgia's 5th District, and served 17 consecutive terms! He’s considered one of the Big Six leaders of the U.S. civil rights movement, and passed away almost exactly five years ago, on July 17, 2020.
Note: I’ve included a link to this book at the Pima County (AZ) Public Library. Even if this isn’t your library, the link provides more information about the book. I’m a big fan of libraries and encourage you to look for this book at your own local library!
You may be familiar with this John Lewis quote:
“Get in good trouble, necessary trouble, and help redeem the soul of America.”
- John Lewis
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I always love what you do , Paula, but this was especially meaningful. Thanks!
Beautifully said, beautifully rendered. A keen, steady eye for all we hold dear is in this stirring post. Thank you, from the bottom of my heart!