Today is a day of mixed blessings...

    We all have a date on the calendar that holds more significance to us than any others; our natal day, the anniversary of our birth--our birthday!  Today is mine and until two years ago, it was fairly run-of-the-mill as a calendar date, with some embellishments.  It is the 12th day of Christmas, also known as Epiphany, the day when the Magi visited baby Jesus and also the date of Jesus's baptism by John the Baptist; it is the birthday of Joan of Arc (in 1412) and if you are a real history geek, you're sure to acknowledge the wedding day of George and Martha Washington way back in 1759.

    However, from 2021 and forever onward, January 6 is a day that is painted black in the history books; the anniversary of the Capitol Insurrection, a day when democracy stood on the precipice.  Today is the second anniversary of that terrible event.

    I remember my birthday in 2021 quite well.  It was cold, as Minnesota tends to be, but pleasant enough for a vigorous walk around Lake Harriet with friends, stopping for a picture with Minions to send to my grandson, Asher, who was currently enamored with those cute villain's assistants.  Afterwards we ordered pizzas and had a birthday picnic in the back of our van, eventually turning on the radio to hear about the unbelievable events occuring at the Capitol. The desecration of the people's house was stunning and frightening, but what we have learned, through the extraordinary efforts of the January 6 committee in the past 18 months, is nothing short of earth-shaking. 

    Yet, two years later, I continue to be in disbelief, in some ways as stunned as I was that day, halfway through a slice of sausage pizza.  While over 950 active participants have been charged, and many are doing time for their actions,  the ringleaders are still free and even more disheartening, are now declaring a bid for presidency again and are participating in the three-ring circle that is the House of Representatives election of a Speaker of the House.  

    How can this happen in our beautiful, wise and free country?  Answers are difficult to find, but over the next months I'm going to explore the sources of the situation and how an ordinary person can find her way through the minefield of politics going forward and reflections on the past decade's journey.

    I have neglected to write in this blog, for quite awhile, but it's a new year and I have new resolve.  Be back soon.