Gooseberry Trickle

 

We all have them. Those places we fondly remember. For many Minnesotans it is “ Up North”. Every summer my family would spend weekends at my Uncle & Aunt's cabin. It was great. With my cousins there I always had someone to hang out with. One of the iconic attractions in Minnesota is Gooseberry Falls. I went there with my family and with friends. While it is farther up north than the cabin it is part of those “Up North” memories.

We can talk about climate change over and over, but perhaps it is its effects that are up close and personal that will finally make the reality of it sink in. Minnesota, like so many other areas of the country, is in drought. As I've posted about before. So, what? Can't we just wait a bit and the rains will come back and everything will be fine? Possibly, if it doesn't go on too long. But what happens if it doesn't turn around? What happens if this change becomes permanent? What happens to the plants and wildlife? What happens, ultimately, to the people?

Gooseberry Falls, before, the short version.

Gooseberry Falls, before

Gooseberry Falls, before, the longer version with narration.

Gooseberry Falls, before with narration

Gooseberry Falls, 2021.

Gooseberry Falls, 2021

Is this really the world we want to leave for future generations? Gooseberry trickle?

Citizenship

 Over the past two days I have seen two news stories that have resonated on this July 4^th.

The first was about a group of people sworn in as new American citizens. Their home countries were varied, but they all chose to come to the United States to try to build a new life. Some are already serving in our military, one built a life giving back to her adopted country through medical service as a nurse. She was the first person to get the Covid-19 vaccine outside of the test groups, making history and again serving her adopted country with her leadership.

The second story just occurred early this morning in Massachusetts around 1:30am. It involved a group of armed men wearing tactical gear who were stopped alongside the road refueling one of the two cars that were stopped. They were noticed by passing police who stopped to see what their situation was. The details are sparse at this time, but the gist of it was that these men told the police that they were not anti-government but were not subject to the laws of the United States. When the police first arrived some of the men fled into nearby woods, but others stayed. Eleven were arrested. The obvious question was what was their intent? That remains to be determined.

So I asked myself, what does it mean to be a citizen of the United States? It isn't just about taking advantage of services or opportunities if they are offered, it is about giving back, it is about taking responsibility in making our country a decent place for all of it's inhabitants. Which of those two groups of people embody those qualities? Many in the first group already appear to. The second group? Not so much.

I also ask, why are we seeing more of the second types of people crawling out of the woodwork? They have always been here, lurking in the weeds. But we are seeing more "we are above the law" types of behavior.  The Jan. 6th attack on the Capitol was that type of event, as was this.

Watch this story out of Massachusetts and decide, is it the far left that is the danger to our country or is it the far right? No one is above the law if they are truly a citizen of this country. We all bear responsibility in keeping our country safe. As you enjoy July 4^th, remember that it has more meaning than shooting off fireworks. It is the duty of us all, we the people, to make sure we elect officials that will show loyalty to the Constitution, not one man, and who will put the good of the country first before party.  It matters.

Happy July 4^th!