steinharterm

I never get tired of this

I live in Maine. Not full time (at least not yet), but a little more each year. I’ve been coming up to this little island – Deer Isle – for over 50 years, since my mom and dad stumbled on it and found it more attractive than the usual tourist haunts. They had grown tiredContinue reading “I never get tired of this”

Bye Mom

My mother died yesterday. She was a good mom. She was a good grammy. She was a wonderful wife to Dad; she was his ‘Dolly’. She was a very nice person. The last few years were frustrating for her, as she had to move into a Memory Center. She got excellent care, though, so myContinue reading “Bye Mom”

I want my dog to live longer

I listened to a song by this name on Spotify today. It was by Curtis Salgado and Alan Hager. I am not familiar with these musicians, but….I want my dog to live longer. I think some of the saddest days in my life so far are when we lost our beloved family dogs. Some haveContinue reading “I want my dog to live longer”

Guns, fucking guns

I just don’t get it. I realize it’s a flaw in our democracy in the US but to have more guns than we have citizens is fucking ridiculous. We have school shootings on a regular basis (this week it was in Texas) and 50 people (Republican senators) block any attempts at new legislation because theyContinue reading “Guns, fucking guns”

Nationalism

Nationalism bothers me. Too many people believe that their nation is more important than others, and the good of their nation supersedes all else. In reading Walter Isaacson’s wonderful biography of Albert Einstein, I discovered that this brilliant scientist developed a taste for current affairs in addition to physics. He was a pacifist, against warContinue reading “Nationalism”

They made it out

Okay, after 36 hours of radio silence, I finally heard that the boys made it out of Ukraine, were in Munich and heading home. Apparently they were followed and were worried that their conversations were being listened to, so there was no dialogue. They successfully deliver the 7 duffle bags of medical supplies, first aContinue reading “They made it out”

Helping (3)

I got a text from the two young men today. They made it to Lviv, from Krakow, and were appreciative of the help from so many to ensure they got there safely. I also got a call from their Dad, my friend Alex, who is proud, relieved and still scared…it’s not exactly the Ukraine heContinue reading “Helping (3)”

Helping (2)

My friend Alex’ two sons made it to Poland the other day. When they got to Krakow, they checked into a hotel with their 7 duffle bags of medical supplies, thanks to donations from many of us in USA. The transport they were counting on to get across the border and to their relatives inContinue reading “Helping (2)”

helping the blue and yellow

I am consumed by the news from Ukraine. I know that many are, and should be. That son-of-a-bitch Putin is causing an extraordinary disaster. Everyone is writing about it, of course. My story gets a little personal. One of my best friends – let’s call him the Big Tuna, as that was a nickname whenContinue reading “helping the blue and yellow”

How to help?

A friend who blogs (more effectively and more often than I) wrote recently about circles of influence and circles of control. She spoke of an outer ring which houses the big issues that keep us up at night but which we have no control over. This might include (for me anyway) unprovoked war in Ukraine,Continue reading “How to help?”