Green grass, a whispering creek, a spring breeze. After a noisy, enthusiastic rally and march, I appreciate the quiet beauty of nature.
The march my sister and I joined was in Edmonds, WA. We were two among what has been estimated to be over five million people nationwide joining the “Hands Off protest on April 5.
The warmup for our march started at the Civic Center Playfield with lots of cheering and waving of signs. Our local travel guru, Rick Steves, inspired the crowd with a spirited speech. He tried out on us some quirky call-and-response chants he’d devised while flying back from Turkey the previous day. (I don’t know how he had so much energy. Maybe he’s become immune to jet lag from all his travels.
You couldn’t say it was a particularly long march. We started on Sixth, went down the hill on Main Street to the ferry landing and back up again. Not that far, but all that chanting and waving of signs and climbing the hill wore me out. It must be my age.
So, obviously, I was glad for a quiet, restful Sunday.
And grateful to be living in a quiet, peaceful neighborhood.
Unfortunately, while I was resting, getting together with my cousins, taking walks, reading, shopping, etc. more people have been fired, arrested, deported, and sent to a foreign prison, and world trade has been disrupted by tariffs and threats of tariffs.
There’s lots of work left to be done.
P.S. Yes, that is skunk cabbage in the first photo, and yes, it does smell slightly like a skunk. On the positive side: It’s one of the earliest flowers of spring. It has medicinal properties. And parts of it can be eaten.
Thanks for sharing your experience here. And kudos for going in the first place. Your photos of peaceful nature are delightful— a perfect counterbalance to the chaos in D.C.
Life is a balancing act: appreciating the good and fighting the bad.
Kudos and THANK you Nicki. These marches are so important. What infuriated me is that the news/press did not give them enough coverage. Enjoy the Spring – rejuvenation and recuperation. xo
When the Ukrainian people broke away from Russia in 2014, they had been demonstrating day and night for more than 3 months. It’s not easy to break away from an authoritarian government. Resting is necessary, and the spring is beautiful, but I’m worried about my grandchildren. And this week I’m expecting my second great-grandchild.
CONGRATS!! Each child/grandchild (and GREAT grandchild – wow) is a reminder of why we protest.
Good for you both, Nicki. Department Of Greed and Ego is right.
Trump doesn’t want to cut government waste. If he did, he wouldn’t be planning a military parade costing millions to honor his 79 birthday.
It’s a sad state of affairs.
I still can’t quite believe that that parade will take place, and yet, I can’t see who’s going to stop it.
Congraatulations on marching. We have even had demonstrations here in the DC area against Tesla. If I were a Tesla owner, I would trade it in! My naturalized American friends are leery of leaving to visit their home countries for fear they wouldn’t be allowed back in the US.
Going to nature for a calming influence is great until Trump decides to dig!
My sister knows someone with a Tesla. They’re afraid to drive it and can’t seem to sell it. My grandson goes to Georgetown Prep in DC. They have lots of foreign students who are boarders and hope to go home for the summer. I wonder what they’ll end up doing. Canadians are afraid to cross the border for a sports event next month which is usually a big deal. Anyway, life is complex. There is still much to enjoy.
I’d not heard of Skunk cabbage before… the mind boggles!
Kudos to you for marching. It’s a horrifying situation to be living through, but hopefully knowing that you stood up for your beliefs helps in a small way.
Are those photos of your garden? How lovely to have flowing water in it.
I just looked up skunk cabbage. It’s native to N. America. It’s been introduced into Europe, but it’s considered invasive there.
I live in a community of I think 36 houses. We share the gardeners who take care of what isn’t a big open space, but it’s lovely. The area I’m responsible is small. As you can imagine, this arrangement is popular with retired people.
Thank you for getting out there! Now enjoy the peace and quiet.
I’m loving the spring weather today.
Yes, the Hands Off March was powerful, but like you the connection with nature and with the many wonderful people and features of this community continue to help me do all I can to make a difference.
One march is just one march. If millions of people care, I’m sure they’ll come up with lots of ideas.
Good work marching and protesting and not giving in to apathy!
It’s hard to believe how fast so many things are being destroyed. Before long apathy could turn to despair if we’re not careful.
Thank you for participating Nicki! Yes, so much more to do!
I guess we should have paid more attention to Project 2025. It’s not too late, though.
Good to know that you marched and protested for all of us. What else can we do?!
Dori, who knows what will work. I guess we just have to try everything we can think of. I wonder if Republican lawmakers can be reached now that we’re heading into a recession.
Well done. An apt cabbage
I guess it’s not really a cabbage, but I enjoy seeing the flowers early in the spring. Do you see them in England?
Thank you, Nicki, for standing up in such a powerful way. You deserve a rest in beautiful scenery.
I’m spoiled with all the beautiful scenery here. At this moment, the birds are singing, the sky is blue, and my rhododendrons are blooming.