Boldly Go

Hi everybody.

Doing OK?

These are difficult times for sure, but you are not alone. Writing here every day has been good therapy for me, and so has walking, of course. I hope you're finding something to do to help keep you healthy in body, mind, and spirit. There are people who need you. 

I have been so encouraged and inspired by the people calling and posting and marching and resisting. This place is worth saving and people are really trying in spite of significant obstacles. 

That being said, I have had my fair share of moments of despair and despondency. 

Last night for dinner, I made this recipe, which we call Chicken Chicken because of how it's written in the printout. It's really really good, and has been in my rotation for a while. I don't mess with the cashews. I DO make the coconut rice. I also throw in additional vegetables that I have on hand (last night I had broccolini). Highly recommend, but be aware it takes a lot longer to make than advertised.

Anyway, we don't usually eat in front of the TV, but last night we got a late start on dinner, so we ate while we watched our nightly episode of Star Trek. We're in the middle of Season 2, and last night's episode was The Omega Glory. 

Let me tell you this is one of the silliest episodes of the whole original series. You're welcome to look up the plot. I was kind of laughing all the way through it.

But at the end, for reasons that would take too long to explain, just before it's time to kill Kirk, Spock, and McCoy, one of the alien enemies comes marching into the room with an American flag. At this point I audibly gasped. Then, a few minutes later, they pulled out a copy of the Constitution, and Kirk gave a dramatic speech, and by the end I WAS IN TEARS. Because of freaking STAR TREK. 

Here's what Kirk said. Ignore the weird Star Trek words and concentrate of the meaning of the speech:

Look at these three words written larger than the rest, with a special pride never written before or since. Tall words proudly saying We the People. That which you call Ee'd Plebnista was not written for the chiefs or the kings or the warriors or the rich and powerful, but for all the people! Down the centuries, you have slurred the meaning of the words, 'We, the people of the United States, in order to form a more perfect union, establish justice, ensure domestic tranquillity, provide for the common defence, promote the general welfare, and secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity, do ordain and establish this constitution.' These words and the words that follow were not written only for the Yangs, but for the Kohms as well!
CLOUD: The Kohms?
KIRK: They must apply to everyone or they mean nothing! Do you understand?

I mean. The timing of this episode! 

So, yeah, I'm not in the greatest place mentally if Shatner can make me cry. 

The John Lewis book I'm reading for Black History Month is wonderful. It's broken into very short chapters and I read a couple each day. Yesterday I read this on On Courage, and wanted to share it with you.

This morning, I took Rufus for a short walk and then continued on my own. It's a beautiful day, albeit a little too windy. 

Now, I have to go to the dentist. I would almost rather drive on 695 in the dark, but it's never as bad as I build it up to be in my head. 

Here's a video of the speech because the text is hard to read:

Onward.