Fragility

Fragility is not always a weakness. It can be the direct result of living in an insane world.

Today began with another reminder of how fragile we are. The call came early; the voice was shaky and broken. I sat down. Another youth made the ultimate sacrifice. Another life lost in the crush of a society that refuses to walk away from inhumanity and senseless hatred. We’re living in a death wish that pretends to be civilization. And for some, suicide becomes the last resort and a final slap to the world that refuses to listen. 

This upside-down world filled with contradictions and dead ends are too much for many. They are the Ones whose empathy becomes the sword they fall on. The Ones whose question “Why?” is screamed into an abyss. The Ones we say “were not meant for this world”, instead of saying “we must repair the garden we have destroyed”. We carry on. We say prayers, raise money to cover burials and refuse to look deeper. Those closest to the departed will feel the sting of shame and the torment of guilt, but that should not be their burden, as we all have a hand in this human spider web. 

In a land where guns outnumber humans and children are taught their lives are political fodder, how could we expect anything else?

In a country steeped in empty faith with compromises and contradictions so great a camel could pass through the eye of that needle. We missed the boat of humanity. We prefer lies and excuses. We prefer beliefs of Santa Claus and heaven. We want sugar coated exceptionalism to reign. And the ugly truth is something we refuse to handle. Fear is and has always been the driver of this country, but today it’s on steroids.

But not for all of us. It has never been all of us. Some of us have always known better. And perhaps it is time for the fearless to lead.

For those unafraid of facing truth, let us recognize one another with dignity and compassion. Let us help one another. Love and peace are not only possible; they are our birthright. It requires a deeper dive and a willingness to accept and celebrate the incredible gift that is life. Help one another. We can do this.

LGBTQ+ Rights and Our Duty to Protect-2Download

Be Like Water; Be Persistent

Echo Valley Farm is in its twenty-fifth year. Years ago, I met an old man in our little town who asked where I lived. When I told him, he boasted that in one day they had taken down more trees on that property than anywhere he could remember. It’s funny how we learn unexpected truths. I saw his pride and recognized that talking about clearcutting was not a battle I could win – not this way. But since then, every year we purchase 75 to 100 saplings from our county conservation department. Now many red oaks, maples, apples, elderberry, burr oaks, white pines and spruce have found a home here. 

This year we chose trees that have life spans of 200 to 300 years, hickory and chestnuts. Their nuts may begin producing in five to ten years. The healing of the land continues. Over time I’ve learned that the deer will mow down every unprotected sapling. Wire fences work great, until the rabbits teach you how much they love to girdle the young fruit trees. So now another layer of protection is required to ward them off until each marvelous breathing tree is capable of withstanding the onslaught.

And this is the resilience and the persistence we need. We live in a time of reckoning. From the moment colonizers landed on Turtle Island, as Indigenous People recognized North America as Turtle Island, there has been a rush of exploitation of land, water, and people. This finite approach toward living is reaching its zenith and a swift fall will follow. Those in control who are willingly ready to destroy the earth and have no compassion for any being living here are outnumbered and soon will be outflanked.

Let us be like water; find a way around the obstacles. Healing is not only possible; it’s joyful.

With each passing year, I fall deeper in love with the forest that will one day be.

above photo: 25 year old spruce; 15 year old oak

below photo: 3 yer old red maple living in what will become a sugar bush

Take a Dive in the Deeper End

If your media intake is limited to FOX, MSN, CNN and the like, you’re being lulled into aggression or passivity. Facts in these arenas are designed to distract and divide. I want to direct you to your humanity.

In my seventh decade, I’m still learning about the exploitations and manipulations of the United States throughout its history, but better late than never. A People’s History of the United States by Howard Zinn is a great primer.

If you’re among those holding your breath in hopes that some divine hand will reshape the current course of insanity, I would tell you to stop wasting your time. There’s no hero coming to save the day. The hope is that we, as individuals and collectively, will take the time to learn how we got here and find creative ways to revolutionize our communities, our nation and the world.

If the fire in your belly has been all but extinguished, I would suggest to you to find the fighters among us who have not given up. The clear eyed, passionate truth tellers. The marginalized who are no longer controlled by corporate money and the empire. Free your mind and your heart will thank you.

Because we’re not born to be enslaved. We’re born to enjoy the magnificence of this creation. We’re not born to enslave others or to control their uniqueness in any way. We’re not here to destroy the garden, but to co-create with it.

There are people challenging the status quo of hate and fear. I count myself among them. I seek out their wisdom. Not to follow or mimic, but to fuel my thirst for peace and justice, so I can carry on.

If you haven’t yet discovered Democracy Now, do it. And “Steal This Story, Please!” is an excellent documentary on the disciplined activism of Amy Goodman. 

Lastly, I have come to appreciate the independent journalists and creative minds on Substack. Many have been driven from corporate media of their outspoken criticism of inhumanity and injustice. Danielle Moodie, Wajahat Ali, Joy Reid, Jared Yates Sexton, Katie Phang, Trita Parsi and Alisa Valdes-Rodriquez are a few of my favorites.

Still other are artists and activists seeking community and the chance to be heard. Take time to catch the poetry, photography and heart of Mustava Santiago Ali and Justin Mott. You can find all of these and many more on my profile page at Substack. Discover and share the diversity of thought and will that is our right and our heritage as human beings.

When we know one another, when we see each other’s humanity, we will change course.

May 15 is the International Day of Contentious Objectors. You can listen to my podcast, Changing the Narrative with CO David Kopitske from the Vietnam War which aired on WDRT.

May 15 is also Nakba Day, which began 78 years of ethnic cleansing of Palestinian People. Let us help grow the movement of BDS to stop the genocide. You can learn more at Grow the Movement from Visualize Palestine.

The photo of Slave Narrative books was taken at Whitney Plantation.

What Every Gardener Must Know

There are things that show up in your garden that just should not be there. Wisdom tells us to pull weeds or put up a fence to keep varmints out early in the season. If we don’t, the effort it will take at harvest will be overwhelming and disappointing. 

These days I spend cutting wild rose and autumn olive in the orchard. Years ago, someone warned me that the wild rose could take over. I ignored his plea to take action. A little aromatic rose couldn’t be that bad, right? I was wrong. Like grape vine, the tentacles of the wild rose reach into the apple branches and are destructive. They tear through clothing and no animal cares to eat them.

photo: wild rose encroaching on a young oak….but not for long.

Not catching the encroachment of autumn olive on the perimeters was another mistake. Both invasives take their toll on the diversity of indigenous wildflowers and luscious greens. Now as I spend time clearing away what should not have been, I delight in the variety, and the increased abundance of wildlife tells me I am on the right path.  

Another bonus of tending the orchard is the respite from the madness that surrounds us these days. And I have to acknowledge the obvious. The seeds of colonial destruction and the cruelty of capitalism should never have been allowed to take root in the garden of the Americas. 

We must do all that we can, in whatever ways that we can, to stop the encroachment of ignorance into our lives and our communities. Truth telling and not recoiling from the backlash that will surely come is an antidote. Finding like-minded souls willing to forge a new way is essential. And key is the enjoyment of the discovery of what has always been: being human in this glorious home we call earth. 

Hope to see some of you here in Madison on Sunday, May 10, 6 pm. Independent journalism and beloved community. Carry on Amy Goodman!

To Bear Witness

Sometime during the course of the Wisconsin winter, I decided it was time to visit an old friend and to explore a bit of New Orleans. Amtrack is becoming my favorite mode of travel and it is a straight shot to the Big Easy from the Driftless. Nothing disappointed in the wonderings. Smiling faces, warm greetings, amazing food and vibrant colors told the stories of a city still finding its way after Katrina. The community spirit was deeply touching and the diversities of interwoven cultures and lifestyles were absolutely refreshing.

But it was on this day that the reckonings of the past brought the inhumanity of the present in sharp focus. We made the hour drive to Whitney Plantation. This is not your storybook wedding venue kind of place. This is, as our guide told us, a place to “become comfortable with the uncomfortable”. This is not a glorified walk through Antebellum South, where opulent displays of wealth hid the violent and cruel underbelly of slavery. This was a dignified accounting of the life of the enslaved, much of it told in their own words. And as I found myself drawn into the lives portrayed there, the parallels of modern kidnapping, detention centers and prisons became more relevant. The storylines of racism, sexual abuses, and of separated families, while enslavers continue to amass wealth, are far too familiar.

Yet what was most striking were the people who are keeping the stories alive. The caretakers of this place and of the memories. The ones who honor the names, the tears and the hardships and in doing so they offer us a chance to bear witness.

There is responsibility in witnessing inhumanity, should you accept it. It is to become human and then to find a way to be accountable.

That is our collective path to freedom. 

Photo by Elsa Hahne and found at Media – Whitney Plantation

Transformation

It’s easy to say, “We need transformation’; it’s yet another thing to be actively engaged in it. Transformation, by its nature, implies urgency to move from one state of being into another. Nature repeatedly shows us this. The butterfly is not alone in this emerging. Whether nature’s rapid transformations of insects and amphibians or the slow altering of the seasons, these shifts are essential for survival and the balance of life’s systems. And what are the consequences of not transforming?

Stagnation does not serve us. In traditional Chinese Medicine stagnation refers to restriction that hinders vital energy and ultimately causes pain and dis-ease. That’s why people seek movement in the forms of Tai chi and Qi Gong, to avoid stagnation and to maintain health’s optimum balance. And to a great extent it works.

But when we are identifying disease within our communities, our state and world, movement alone will not suffice. There must be clear thinking and honest assessing of the conditions causing our illnesses – literally and figuratively.

Wisdom would dictate that no single individual should be saddled with the obligation and responsibility of what we have come to know as leadership. Marx had it wrong, following is in fact the opium of the masses, organized religion is only a symptom. The giving away of our individual accountability to ourselves, our communities and the earth has led us to this imperiled moment. Handing our power to a leader brings a stagnation that we can not afford in this urgent time. Cooperation and community where everyone assumes responsibility to the whole is what is needed now. And that will be a transformative step that we have not yet tried.

Many of us prefer status quo thinking and are not prepared to rock the boat. Understood. There are people desperate to crown a new king to follow, both on the left and the right. Tucker Carlson and Pete Buttigieg come to mind in this delusional attraction. But transformation requires immediacy and I would say to you, if this is not your moment to be accountable as a human being, capable of clear thinking and decisive action, please step aside.

There are many brilliant minds and stellar hearts seeking to bring more than hope back to our existence. There are communities of people readying for the transformation needed for all of us to create better ways forward. Look to the ones creating community. Look to the ones invigorating more than resistance; look to the determined, to the unrelenting. The people refusing to accept ‘this is how it must be’. And maybe then you will realize you are an essential part in this massive shift – for all of us.

Be Like Spring

Spring is very clear in its agenda. New buds, new sprouts, new life must emerge past the old, the tired, and the dead. And in its exuberance, Spring is irresistible. The April rains, while a bit pounding this year, have already washed away much to be discarded. It is always exciting to see what has survived and what is being born again. 
And this is as it should be in our lives and in our communities. There are well worn paths that bring us sweet memories and comfort us and there are paths that do not deserve our footsteps. 

These are age old and simple truths: Give way to the new; fears and clinging to the past make us tired and weary.
Be like Spring. Be like the animals and birds shaking off the winter. Enjoy the nourishment that is meant to be savored and is especially gifted to us. 

And how do we know what must be discarded? Beliefs that tie us to separation are not worthy to be kept. Beliefs that cause harm to ourselves and to others should not be entertained.

It’s really very simple to ask, “How does this make me feel?” Anger and hatred consume our essence. The Nature of Spring has no time for this nonsense. It is buoyant with life for the living; and this is how we can be.

If the seasons teach us anything, we know renewal is welcomed. Too many of us, whatever our ages, are missing out on that possibility. Nature is a wonderful teacher. And recognizing we are not separate from her is a worthy first step. 

We live in an amazing area, the Driftless, with boundless springs and streams, forests and fields that wait for our appreciative footsteps to wonder. Let us feel it. Be like Spring.

Waking From a Bad Dream

When the evils of humanity come so close that you can feel the stench of their breath on your neck, you know you better wake from the nightmare. We can no longer wait for the right moment to counter the ignorance that has swept this country. Manipulated from the pulpit and driven by greed, perhaps enough of us have now understood that the “American Dream” has been the world’s worst nightmare, and we are prepared to change the narrative. As the president scores points with gamers on the oil market and the rest of us hold on for dear life, this roller coaster ride of destruction has seemed endless.

But the truth is we can wake from this bad dream. It will not be one action, one march or one election that will stop the tide of delusion. It will require that enough of us, wake to find that we are still here. That our hopes for ourselves and our children are still here. That our aspirations of peace and equity are alive and well. That our love of the Earth is defiantly refusing to allow the continued raping of our Mother. When enough of us realize there are choices that do not include “drill baby drill” or distance ourselves from the threats of annihilation that keep us in fear, we will change course.

We must find strength in our mutual history from those who have defied the lawless laws of corruption and have encouraged us to never give up. The fearless ones, who could see that the nightmare has an end – and worked tirelessly to show us the way. Not any one of us have the solution, but together we are the solution.

Most recently Minnesotans taught the power of “we the people”. May we realign with our humanity however we can. 

Ten years after her murder, indigenous leader Berta Cáceres remains a beacon of hope in Honduras

“She Didn’t Die, She Multiplied.”The words and vision of slain human rights activist, Berta Caceres, reverberate throughout this podcast on Changing the Narrative. Bryan Rogers shares his passion for the environment and humanity in his role as Environmental Justice Director for The Webb at Milwaukee’s Walnut Way. The overwhelming number of data centers springing up in Wisconsin require a statewide and organized resistance to protect our water, our communities and our health.

Stand Up

Social media was abuzz prior to the nationwide March 28th rallies. There were legitimate concerns over allegiance with Democratic leadership that still refuses to accept that the vast majority of people want the US to stop funding Israel’s war machine – and to admit we are complicit in genocide. I understand those critiques and agree. In deciding my attendance at the rally, I weighed heavily the pros and cons. Being invited to emcee the Madison No Kings Rally, made my decision for me. I could have my say. And I was impressed with the speakers also invited for that day. The event challenged every nay sayer, in a good way. I am very glad I said “yes”and proud to be among everyone who attended.

Some people have asked to hear my opening – so here it goes. And you can find the full hour of amazing speakers below.

“When our humanity is under attack, what do we do? Stand up fight back.

When our dignity is under attack, what do we do? Stand up, fight back.

When our love is under attack, what do we do? Stand up, fight back.

First, I want you to look around and take in the tapestry that we are. Feel the courage and the kindness that we share. There is an attack on our humanity occurring daily. It manifests through ICE raids and separating families; it happens through the incessant war industry that’s always searching for targets instead of working towards peace. 

And it is in the destruction of our home, the earth, with unnecessary pipelines, and data centers destroying our health and our communities. 

Both parties have created this moment and it is incumbent upon us, “we the people”, to restore human dignity, compassion and trust.

You’re not sheep. I have sheep. I know the difference. Sheep are wonderful, but we share something that sheep don’t have. We have the ability to choose. By being here, you are choosing hope over despair, empathy over disregard, and action over ineptitude.

We are the ones refusing to let ignorance win. You and others who couldn’t be here or are gathering in over 100 locations in Wisconsin, are stepping up to be frontline.

We’re the defenders of our mutual humanity, regardless of our differences. We are here together to show each other how powerful peace can be, and I, for one, love you and thank you for your efforts. 

There are 50 grassroots groups, non-profits and pro-democracy organizations participating in this event. Find some that resonate with you and get active. You are needed. 

Speakers and speeches from March 28 in Madison.

They include: Paul Smith, United Turtle Clan, Oneida Nation; Sinceree Dixon, League of Women Voters; Ajak Johnson, Badger Collective; and Rev. Judge Everett Mitchell, Solid Rock Baptist Church

Photos from NO Kings Madison

Over 10000 in Madison on March 28. Over 70,000 throughout Wisconsin.

Embracing Life

Sometimes it takes great courage to get out of bed in the morning. The weight of circumstance has shifted the balance of life. But this is not a time to cower and hide. This is the time to embrace life. 

Spring is gradually replacing winter. That is its nature. And it is our nature to appreciate the warmth and to be amazed at the green sprouting up. My sheep devoured dry hay all winter, now go in search of the moist green shoots and I am happy for them. They are wise. They understand time.

Memories come. Some harsh, some sweet. But can I let go of the bitter, can I accept its teaching and move on? Can I trust that the lesson taught was valuable and that it deepened my capacity to live more fully, or simply regret?

Because true living is not automatic. We are not robots. We have choice. There is nuance. We have the opportunity to discover something new and miraculous with every moment. 

We can bear witness to the power of life, but even more satisfying, we can co-create with it. We can enjoy the dance and allow it to be unique to us. 

I know the weight of circumstance has brought despair. I know it has brought doubt. We are being led by people who have forgotten the preciousness of life. And there are far too many in influential places who echo the insanity of the ignorant. The voice of humanity is being suffocated, but only if we let it. This is where courage comes in. This is where remembrance comes in. Hold those moments close, when you witnessed life’s kindness and beauty. They live within you still.  

We have choice. That is where freedom lives.  Embrace Life and walk away from fear. 

Meet Thelma and Louise. They were the first sheep at Echo Valley Farm. They lived for eighteen years. When I bought them and they went into the back of my SUV, I said “You must be Thelma and Louise – and this is your last ride.” We all lived up to that. Sweet memories.