(The south pastures in their summer glory. Mermaids and heavenly discs crafted here, evoking the magic of oceans we sailed. A smile beneath a beret in Marseilles, or a view of a Monument in silhouette along a Wall. A day of blessings!)
We could start with the usual insightful liturgy on the lunacy abroad in our fair land. There is plenty of it, as usual. Amanda, our watch-attorney, left us a yellow sticky-note to remind us to stay away from topics of palpable interest. This was a morning that radiated goodness, and we felt there was no need to touch on the certainties of challenges to come.

Most of the Writers Section is down by the Fire Ring still luxuriating in the long lurch from slumber to the light of a rising day. It is a morning for counting blessings rather than the muttering of curses. We have basked in the accomplishment of those who preceded us in this vale of joy and tears. We are reminded on this morning that we have been blessed more than any generation in the human experience. We have lived long enough in the American Century we shared to count those blessings in a comfort unimaginable to those who have gone before.

We have counted the troubles coming, including the ones annotated in the intentionally-created narratives this week. They are deliberately crafted to swirl among us. Amid those tales of woe, we have been permitted by focused effort to prepare to the degree we can. Imagine the contrast of the years! As children, we were taught to “Duck and Cover.” The concept of the use of weapons of mass destruction has been with us always in our short time on this lovely planet. But the idea of their actual use is now an almost casual note in the usual Morning Manifest of Mounting Mutiny against- or in favor- of Fate itself.

It could mark one of those periodic turning points in the history of our species. Could we see it amid an economic collapse that could match or exceed the events that occurred after 1929? It may, but the blessings of our time came despite desperate times. Financial Wizard Jamie Dimon of JP Morgan-Chase ventured into Weather Reporting, our normal stock in trade. He says there is a hurricane coming. We have prepared life-vests and umbrellas to the degree we can. But like the remarkable reign of Elizabeth 2 we celebrate this weekend, we have enjoyed one of the better epochs in a million-odd years of species and social development. To share the reign of a magnificent monarch whose time on her throne exceeds all the others of her line? We have been blessed indeed.

So, there is evidence of a blessing, regardless of what is to come. The weather- the dreaded changing climate touted in shrieks of fear- is superb this morning and manifests a bounty of pure and unalloyed good. It calls out with a feeling of being blessed in a manner that exceeds the natural optimism of clear skies, abundant water, low humidity, and a lessening of the relentless pain. That last is a remarkable thing, since heat and oppressive moisture swells and stiffens things to a moderate but constant red-tinged discomfort. Cold brings a sharper and more intrusive version of it, thrusting jabs with each once ordinary movement.

Today, the warmth is a comfort. The meteorologic factors combine a certain blessed aspect of a rich and pleasant sense of unity with a kinder world.

Outside? The farm truck is near full of gas, which is available even if a bit expensive. Our children, those that have them, have decent educations, no debt in getting launched, and have the same day in which to interact with their own children, one of the great blessings in life. In the case of some, there is the unique and amazing opportunity to create them.

On The Farm, the Chairman has expressed no concern with nagging debt. Things have a general sense of organization and maintenance. There is no urgency associated with anything on the “to do” list. As a group, we exist in peace with laughter. We have rounded things up, examined what is necessary now and accomplished them. If necessary, the end of existence is not that big a deal. We were blessed, did our share to preserve what was, and will deal with what the foolish bring us and depart as circumstances require. With our heads raised and a salute to those who will press on.

Counting blessings? Yeah. This is a grand day to celebrate. There will be challenges to come. But to have been given this chance in this world to live as we do, to have shared love with those we did, and to have seen enough of this world to judge how good it was. That is a list of blessings in itself.

So, counting blessings this morning. Whatever is left of it, and how the coming storm unleashes the fruits of the folly, it is a day of thanks. A day when blessings can be seen. And felt.

Copyright 2022 Vic Socotra
www.vicsocotra.com