Halloween

 Time flies, even during the Pandemic of 2020

It's hard to believe 10 years have passed since my DR mission with such fun people in a wonderful country. Now I have to enjoy life much closer to home...no missions for me during the pandemic. And no gatherings as in my DR congregation...sigh...

I feel fortunate during this pandemic to live where I can safely walk and breathe fresh air. Many are not so fortunate.

I enjoyed seeing all the baby ducks along the banks of an inlet at the Palo Alto Baylands and was reminded that ducks quickly learn to swim and fend for themselves. Migratory birds find their way home.    Not so human babies. Too many have been separated from their mothers, perhaps never to be reunited. The following dilemma is inhumane and inexcusable:

[There has been] a wide-ranging campaign to track down parents separated from their children at the U.S. border beginning in 2017 under the Trump administration’s most controversial immigration policy. It is now clear that the parents of 545 of the migrant children still have not been found, according to court documents filed this week in a case challenging the practice. About 60 of the children were under the age of 5 when they were separated, the documents show."

an excerpt from a NY Times editorial states:

In the beginning of the pandemic we rallied, sending loved ones rolls of toilet paper and handing out fruit to delivery drivers. Now, living under a blanket of restrictions has become a way of life, a daily routine of risk calculation and caution. But cases are once again spiking around the world and many people have what some call “pandemic fatigue.” “The rituals of hope and unity that helped people endure the first surge of the virus have given way to exhaustion and frustration.” Everywhere you turn there’s a feeling of burnout, which is even more pronounced for essential and front line workers. The holiday season will be a challenge for morale. Jorg Klebingat, one of our church leaders told us 6 months ago:  "We are never stuck in our present situation.Don't ever tell anyone you can't teach an old dog new tricks. We are never finished or acceptable in our current state. We need to progress, move forward setting goals.   Pray specifically to help find the one. Be observant, looking for someone...to minister to. You might be the answer to someone's prayer."

Four beautiful Helen Keller quotes to give us hope at this time:

*Optimism is the faith that leads to achievement. Nothing can be done without hope and confidence.

*The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched. They must be felt within the heart.

*The marvelous richness of human experience would lose something of rewarding joy if there were no limitations to overcome.

*When we do the best that we can, we can never know what miracle is wrought in our life, or in the life of another.

The last presidential debate, October 22, between Pres. Donald Trump and former vice president (under Obama) Joseph Biden, moderated by NBC’s Kristen Welker, focused on six topics: the coronavirus, race relations, climate change, national security, American families and leadership. It was much calmer than the first one! Twelve days before Election Day, more than 47 million Americans have cast ballots, already surpassing the total early vote count in the 2016 election. Have you voted????

I left a big chunk of my heart in Chile when I finished my mission there 16 months ago, just before protests really heated up. 

‘An End to the Chapter of Dictatorship’: Chileans Vote to Draft a New Constitution

SANTIAGO, Chile — The protests started over a small hike in metro fares, then exploded into a broad reckoning over inequality that shook Chile for weeks. Hundreds of thousands of demonstrators poured into the streets, calling for sweeping change in their society, with higher wages and pensions, better health care and education.The movement soon seized on a vehicle for their demands: Chile’s Constitution. The existing charter, drafted without popular input during the military dictatorship of Gen. Augusto Pinochet and approved in a fraudulent plebiscite in 1980, was widely blamed for blocking change — and seen as a lingering link to a grim chapter in Chile’s history. On Sunday, just over a year after the massive demonstrations swept the nation, Chileans voted to scrap the dictatorship-era document and write a new one — a process that could transform the politics of a country that has long been regarded as one of the most stable and prosperous in Latin America. With 100 percent of the ballots counted, voters approved the referendum in a landslide victory, and 78 percent voted in favor of a new Constitution.

******************

The US Constitution framers were not perfect, but wisely allowed for the many compromises that were then, and will always be needed to form a "more perfect union" of our great new country. Our constitution calls for a commitment and passion for freedom, justice, equality, and unity amidst dissent. Vigorous disagreement, today and as at the signing, and in Lincoln's "Cabinet of Rivals", is the way to move forward towards the common good. We can disagree in politics, but not in life, as consistent with Gospel teachings based on the two great commandments: to love God and our neighbor. The worth of each soul is great. And with any reconciliation, there cannot be contempt, enmity, but respect, civility, care for the least of God's children, for both men and women, poor and wealthy, the educated and uneducated, and for all races, religions, creeds. We need all voices, but let's progress, not regress! Below, good news for the Catholic Church, thanks in large part to an open-minded pope....

Pope Francis on Sunday named Wilton Gregory, the archbishop of Washington, a cardinal, elevating the first African-American to the Catholic church’s highest governing body, a groundbreaking act in a year when demands for racial justice have consumed the country.

Even with our fun traditional activities such as Halloween, we must learn to adapt and compromise. Vote, and then 

"trick or treat" with social distancing behind your mask...

 Fall 2020 is like no other!

Fall has arrived, though the unusually hot weather and dry winds still pose fire dangers in California. And October 17 marks the 31st anniversary of the huge Loma Prieta Earthquake in the San Francisco Bay area. We should all be prepared with food, water, cash, and other basic supplies just in case. Life today is so unpredictable!

Five of the six biggest wildfires were still burning in northern California less than two weeks ago...those beautiful vineyards of Sonoma and Napa counties. The number of acres burned has doubled in the last two decades. Smoke has spread thousands of miles away and has been a huge health issue. The increase in smoke threatens to undermine decades of air quality improvements across the country — improvements driven largely by federal policies (specifically the Clean Air Act), which have led to substantial health benefits for millions of Americans.

BREAKING NEWS October 16

President Trump reversed himself, approving wildfire aid for California shortly after his administration rejected the state’s request for help.

Gov. Gavin Newsom of California said Friday morning that he would appeal the denial — and had apparent success in persuading the president during their afternoon phone call. The disaster relief aid covers six major wildfires that scorched more than 1.8 million acres in land, destroyed thousands of structures and caused at least three deaths last month.

Russell M. Nelson, prophet and president of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day Saints, and other leaders urged us to raise the level of our acceptance and love for all of God's children and also to have a more uplifting approach to our political views and discourse. We know God is at the helm, and though He will not take away our agency, will not necessarily prevent natural and man-made disasters and illnesses, He will prevail and all will be made right in the end. It is up to each of us to be honest and careful in our choices and consider the bigger picture and how even small decisions affect all of us. Take time to engage with others and see the best in them.

Even young children (some of my grandchildren) can absorb the sweet Gospel messages.

Emmanuelle Charpentier, left, and Jennifer A. Doudna in Oviedo, Spain, in 2015.

It’s the first time the award has gone to two women, and Dr. Doudna is the first woman to win a Nobel Prize while she is still on the U.C. Berkeley faculty.It has been only eight years since Dr. Doudna and Dr. Charpentier — now the director of the Max Planck Unit for the Science of Pathogens in Berlin — co-authored their first paper demonstrating the power of Crispr-Cas9. Since then, the technology has exploded. Doctors are testing it as a cure for genetic disorders such as sickle cell disease and hereditary blindness. Plant scientists are using it to create new crops. Some researchers are even trying to use Crispr to bring species back from extinction. Crispr “solves problems in every field of biology.”

Dr. Doudna's lab, for instance, rushed to start doing coronavirus testing back in March. I have great respect for these women and for all who are making strides in science, especially at this time when a Covid vaccine is so crucial. I also greatly respect the women who dedicate themselves to MWEG. My daughter Emily Taylor did a zoom presentation this week on "Building Connection amidst Disagreement." She gave tips and steps for listening and sharing political and other views, so important at this election time. To be clear about your own and the other person's opposing positions is to be kind.  Check out her talk and others at the website.

Credit...The Nobel Prize in Chemistry was jointly awarded on Wednesday to Emmanuelle Charpentier and Jennifer A. Doudna for their 2012 work on Crispr-Cas9, a method to edit DNA. The announcement marks the first time the award has gone to two women.                   “This year’s prize is about rewriting the code of life,” Gora
Hansson, the secretary-general of the Royal Swedish Academyof Sciences, said as he announced the names of the laureates Dr. Charpentier and Dr. Doudna, only the sixth and seventh women in history to win a chemistry prize, did much of the pioneering work to turn molecules made by microbes into a tool for customizing genes — whether in microbes, plants, animals or even hum

Continue reading the main story

Memories of Independence Day 6 years ago in Guayaquil, Ecuador.

I suspect they were not able to celebrate like this during the pandemic!

Susy Molina in the center was my roommate. Hermana America Zuniga on the right is from Antofagasta, Chile. I was able to spend time with her and her husband at their home in northern Chile in 2018 when I served a mission in Santiago, Chile. It is wonderful to have friends all over the world. Friendships create bridges to understanding and a more peaceful world. Responsible voting also helps us be part of the solution rather than the problem in a complex world in disarray!

And don't forget your mask and social distancing . No one wants this elusive pandemic to last forever. We each must do our part!

 Fall has arrived officially, but warm summer weather continues.  This fall in Palo Alto no school buses run, no kids ride to school on bikes, no laughter is heard from the neighboring elementary school. Students are at home behind computer screens, hopefully learning something?

I was sad to lose several friends this past week, along with Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, powerful voice for justice and women's rights. One final barrier broken: She is the first woman and the first Jewish person to lie in state in the U.S. Capitol. Who will replace this remarkable woman? President Trump is determined to have his choice confirmed before the November 3rd election.

I left with smokey skies in the Bay Area and headed to Pinecrest, a 3-hour drive from here, in the Sierra, where the smoke cleared early this week. Nearby Yosemite National Park is closed due to the many area fires still burning. I spent 4 wonderful days hiking, swimming, boating in the lake and relaxing with 2 siblings, spouses, and family, all from San Diego. My sister Irene and family have not missed their Pinecrest week in 29 years!

My cup, as well as my brother Brion's, felt full...so nice to be in the mountains with fun people! and 4 lively dogs! and very few others.

The lake is being emptied through the dam leaving just enough water  to freeze, so the level is lower than in the summer, and the crowds have left. So refreshing is the sound of the river rushing down the hill. The national forest & park were closed recently due to fires.

A fellow senior missionary in Ecuador shared a photo of the young women of our ward performing a traditional dance. May we build positive and uplifting memories and treasure our positive images of this strange and challenging pandemic time. I'm grateful for more time for re-connection with family and friends, albeit virtually, more time for reading and reflection on what is truly important to me: justice, mercy, commonality, the ways that differences can help us grow. I am especially grateful for small and simple things that bring me joy. I recognize that many are suffering greatly, but hope they can find a measure of peace also.

None of us will forget 2020. This barbed wire hula hoop is an interesting metaphor! Ouch! Covid pandemic, fires, hurricanes, economic crises, election divisions, racial and civil unrest, education challenges, and more....

School days are not what they were in the 1950's or even in early 2020. Whether to go to school or learn on-line is a tough question!

In Palo Alto and many places it's online education.

 1

Children, adults and especially teens are social creatures

In Indonesia (and elsewhere), students reported the home-learning program to be even more stressful than regular classrooms. Some of the common reasons for this went along the lines of: "Normal classes may have been difficult, but having friends makes it so much more manageable and less stressful. Online classes take out the benefits of having friends to socialize with and being stuck alone with nothing but assignments." Teachers also struggle to manage online learning.

Below, the remains of our beautiful local church Camp Lehi in the Santa Cruz Mountains.

A message from our local leaders:"When you combine the fire, the quarantine, the civil unrest, and other personal losses that many of us have experienced, it can be overwhelming. In the last general conference, Apostle Elder Holland gave a talk entitled “Perfect Brightness of Hope.” This quote from his talk captures our testimony, 'I testify that the future is going to be as miracle-filled and bountifully blessed as the past has been. We have every reason to hope for blessings even greater than those we have already received because this is the work of Almighty God, this is the Church of continuing revelation, this is the gospel of Christ’s unlimited grace and benevolence.'   While these are turbulent times, we know the Lord continues to be involved in the little details of our lives. He knows what we are going through individually and as a church, and He will use the circumstances and experiences to strengthen us individually and collectively."  We love you and hope that you and your families continue to see the Lord’s hand in your lives."

If you or someone you know is struggling with discouragement or depression, especially at this time, here is a short (11 min. video)

https://youtu.be/IrNqGqy5kbQ

Smoke has polluted our skies, though pollution makes for spectacular sunsets...the sun is a giant red ball each evening before a red moon arises.  Where are the clouds with a silver lining?  Again generous donors step forward to help  evacuees and those many who have lost their homes. Added to the smoky skies, Labor Day weekend temperatures in the San Francisco Bay Area were record-breaking. In Palo Alto we had 2 days of 106-7 degrees!

My first get-away during the pandemic has been a trip to Reno. 

Notice the smoke layer, the fire progressing eastward and the blue of gorgeous Lake Tahoe...

         The El Dorado fire near Los Angeles added to the air pollution

The first day at the Truckee River, the second day in the morning on Mount Rose with the smoke coming, then Lake Tahoe cloaked in smoke (normally one can see across this crystalline blue lake). We swam anyway...so refreshing.

We loved having the chickadees eat seeds out of our hands

We swam and paddle-boarded and enjoyed the lake despite the smoky skies. And met people from all over, including Brazil. Coincidentally 

my son's grandmother-in-law, Aurea Lima, just turned 97. She is full of life, and love for family and friends. It is unbelievable that she had the coronavirus and was able to recover. She is an amazing lady who lives in Curitiba, Brasil! I was honored to stay in her home in 2006.

In California, the skies are all cloudy/smokey all day

In Utah, the skies were mostly blue....

The Carlstons...some of my Utah grandchildren with my son-in-law