Fear = Loss of Love

Let me start with: Black Lives Matter.  This saying has always been obvious, but as I have grown older, and with the all that is going on, I am asking, “what does this REALLY mean?”  Well, it really isn’t about skin color; it’s about treating people the same, not jumping to assumptions, understanding that Black people have had more roadblocks put in their way, as well as denied opportunities given to every-other US citizen. Also, they are the only ones that came to the US in chains – African Americans/Blacks did NOT choose to immigrate to the “Land of Milk & Honey”. They were brought here against their will.  I have been reading/listening to the The Color of Law by Richard Rothstein.  It is not an easy read.  I had no idea of the local, state, and federal policies that were put into place to keep Black people segregated. I am including an NPR interview from 2017 with Richard Rothstein and NPR’s Ari Shapiro:

In the last 2 weeks, there has been so much going on in our “World”: peaceful protests (and not so peaceful riots), the COVID-19 pandemic, the unknown around schools opening in the fall, the fate of malls, stores, restaurants, theaters opening, etc. What about the fate of West Seattle & the Bridge? Lots of questions, and not many clear answers or choices. We are definitely in uncharted waters.

Living during a pandemic is craziness.  It’s Father’s Day weekend and there are no big beer fests and no big family gatherings; just quiet, at-home things…I am getting bored!  So, I thought I would go to the coast for 4th of July weekend – I would take my family, my 3 dogs and go romp in waves, sand, and beach grass!  It’s a pandemic – there will be loads of places to stay!…NOT!!!  I am so bummed right now.  So, am I the only one not going anywhere?

West Seattle Bridge – that darn bridge!  There are some bright spots with the bridge being out: West Seattle has housing inventory! It’s getting to be a neutral market – meaning there are enough houses on the market to fill the needs of the buyers, and prices are stable.  It’s getting back to that small community feel again and now is a great time to buy there, especially if you can telecommute.

On a happy note: my garden is growing, my lettuce and arugula are delicious, and my roses and flowers are blooming profusely.  I have started taking watercolor painting classes and am enjoying the sun setting later in the evening, with my glass of wine on the front porch and my dogs and paints.  If that sounds inviting, meet me on Zoom  every Thursday evening from 7:30pm – 9pm for Creativity & Socializing.  It is peaceful, friendly, and has some awesome camaraderie.