Lights out
for Optiskeptic...
This is the two hundred and fourteenth post to the Wordery since I began this Substack on 6th July, 2023. At that time Russian aggression in Crimea had already grown into a full-scale war, which is continuing. The USA has stoked war for its own profit while the EU is as disunited as ever. The unified and peaceful Europe proposed in 1923 by Richard von Coudenhove-Kalergi in his manifesto Paneuropa, and actualised after part two of the European catastrophe by Schuman, Monnet, Adenauer, Spaak et al remains a tempting mirage.
I am going dark because USrael’s barbarous actions in the cradle of civilisation have destroyed any faith I had in humanity. Most people I know are self-policing, trusting, decent and kind to children and animals. I can’t say the same about the people who sit in power over us. I will resist: not by forceful opposition but by withdrawing my trust and belief in all who exert power over me - until they earn it.
All civilisations crash and ours will be no exception. The only thing that survives catastrophe is humanity. We shall need our Homers to carry the light through the coming darkness, but I doubt Substack is the medium…
You will be missed, sometimes it's necessary to break off, reset, rest. I've gone dark for a spell, but I will be returning to the light, maybe only with pictures of my garden, maybe a few words strung together. The world beyond my acre is distressing, and my words can't fix it, but I want to offer comfort, but for now, I need my time. My wee donkey had to be put to sleep on the morning of May 8th. Her battle with Cushing's disease came to and end, there was nothing more to be done. She was so brave. I laid down with her while she passed listening to my voice, and feeling my arms around her. It's one of those life changing events...she was more than just a wee donkey. I suddenly have more time on my hands, and I have a big hole in my heart where she continues to live in spirit with tons of memories. I'm spending time in my garden expanding flowerbeds, and while I'm digging, I keep feeling I have to go do something, and then I remember she's gone. The barn is empty and silent, her things are gathering dust, I still have to clean out what's left. Her ashes are in a lidded salt-glazed Lyons crock that I got from my mother's collection, she would've approved of this use. Just when I needed time to grieve, I get a summons to do grand jury duty...I spent all winter looking forward to summer and it's not off to a good start, but I'm trying to make the best of it. I've hit the reset button, and I'm waiting for my time to return to the light. Take care of yourself.
Thank you Laura - big hugs across the oceans, your words buoy me up...