Hi Everyone
When the terrible events of 9/11 took place, all the NATO countries quite properly regarded it as an attack on themselves as well as America. In fact, over ninety countries provided assistance with none of them asking for a refund or for USA's natural resources in payment. Perhaps the words of Franklin D Roosevelt should be remembered at this time when he said "The liberty of a democracy is not safe if the people tolerated the growth of private power to the point where it becomes stronger than the democratic state itself. That in its essence is fascism: ownership of government by an individual, by a group, or any controlling private power". Add to that the daily irrational, unbelievable and contradictory utterances of Trump and his puppets about a man who will lie and play with the lives of millions, including his own citizens, to achieve what he considers to be his. Now Trump is prepared to throw the Ukrainian people to the wolves, knowing that the pack will go on to threaten more countries in the future. When Trump believes that a group of American miners will act as a deterrent and security for the people of Ukraine against a further attack by Putin, then sorry America, but you have a complete idiot, and a dangerous one at that, as your leader.
You should of course be aware that this week was the first week of Spring while looking over our shoulder in case winter decides to make a reappearance. This first week of spring has brought us some much welcome sunshine and mild temperatures. In the garden, as well as watching the plants wake up, it is also that time to make a list of all the maintenance jobs that need doing. Now, personally, I have always looked forward to making sure that the sheds, greenhouses, summerhouse and decking are given tender loving care. When I looked at the situation this year, however, two things appear to have changed. Firstly, this past winter seems to have been particularly damp and wet and however much protection you apply, over the years wood begins to rot and what seemed a small job in previous years has suddenly begun to look like a much more challenging job. Secondly, it seems that middle age might just be approaching, when you have to stop for a break every half hour rather than every two hours. Wish us luck.
On our first visit to America, we hired a car for a few days in Portland, Maine. We returned the car to the rental company at the airport before catching a shuttle bus into the city, where we were spending the day. Unfortunately, we were unable to pay the bus driver as we did not have the right change, "No problem" said the driver as he directed us to our seats. A man sitting behind us tapped me on the shoulder to provide us with the change we needed. As the bus entered the city, the driver stopped outside a supermarket so that he could wait while I went to get the change I needed. Those two acts of kindness were just an example of the many acts of friendship and kindness we encountered on our numerous trips to America. We have many wonderful memories of our travels. Fortunately we did not encounter a man with an orange face and a funny haircut.
Just a Thought:
Trump would be "honoured" to meet Putin. As Putin said "He's my kind of guy, crazy, overweight and with a ridiculous haircut".
You know you are a gardener when you spend three months of your life growing tomatoes to save £3-46.
In life it's not where you go, it's who you travel with.
Brian
Comments