OT/OOC

Over on Running Scared, the political group blog with which I am affiliated, both Tata and Ron talk about their fear in very real ways and what we can do about it. I too am afraid. I am afraid of a lot of things. I am afraid that our president will find a way to invalidate the election process either this November if the Democrats take back a majority in either the house or the senate, or next November in 2008 so he doesn't have to step out of power. I worry about the mess he's made of things- about Iraq and Afghanistan, and I have a very real fear that he will gladly try to blow away the country between his two war zones out of convenience. I very much fear that he thinks he is setting the world up for the book of Revelations Second Coming. And I know my tin hat is nice and shiny- for how else could I think such extreme things? But these are no longer extreme ideas. And that scares me even more.

I try to to focus on what I can do to help. Sign petitions. Demonstrate. And I try to help with other projects like the catnip pilows, and there's always more I want to do. I have my own fears and paranoias to deal with as well, from worrying about gas prices and how badly this is going to wwiden the gap between the rich and the poor, and I'm pretty sure I'm on the smaller side of the line, but not as bad I have been. I fear bumping into anyone with strong perfume as much as I crave human interaction, and that just messes me up.

My point is this fear is crippling. It cripples me personally sometimes, and it is crippling us as a country. We have to all get into a place where we aren't allowing our fears to control us. I try very hard to move beyond my fear, but it isn't easy. We have to move beyond the threats of Washington and beyond, and do what we can. Write our senators and representatives and even that asshat in the White House. Demonstrate when we can. But still, get on with living. Smell the flowers. Pet the cats. Play with the dog. And create our own things of beauty while we can.

On a positive note, I made the pattern for the portrait quilt last night. Still have the nagging headache, but my, it'll be lovely. I'll have to post pics when it's done.  ¶ 3:02 PM