Women's march a righteous cause for all of us

“We must not confuse dissent with disloyalty. When the loyal opposition dies, I think the soul of America dies with it.” 

— Edward R. Murrow

“Freedom is hammered out on the anvil of discussion, dissent, and debate. “

— Hubert H. Humphrey

“Free societies are societies in which the right of dissent is protected.”

                                                                                         —Natan Sharansky

AUBURN — Witnessing a sea of humanity snaking through the streets of our nation’s capitol during the women's march reassured me that common sense, dissent and freedom are alive and well in the United States.

If you have a gripe with what you just saw across America and in fine cities around the globe, writer letter or relocate to a nation ruled by despots who intimidate and murder citizens for their opinions and outspokenness. 

If the current administration can’t understand what just transpired on the streets of Boston and New York City, then it doesn’t comprehend the intricacies and brilliance of the United States Constitution and its citizens, who gave us an old-fashion lesson in civics this weekend.

I stand with all women who demand to be treated with equality and respect — in and out of the workplace. I have no problem with a woman governing this nation. As a liberal democrat from the great state of Massachusetts, I voted for Mrs. Clinton after taking issue with President Trump’s acerbic remarks directed toward a female candidate and President Obama during an ugly campaign.

I grew up with three sisters and learned quickly that they are a formidable force when they band together. 

Nobody in this nation should be considered a second-class citizen.

Being bitter about Clinton’s loss is a waste of precious time, but what I can’t understand is a president with a Twitter addiction and his disdain for the Fourth Estate — the press. Calling the press to a briefing and then admonish it over the reporting of the size of inauguration crowds is simply absurd. This is the same nonsense when the president reeled off tweets about SNL skits about him.

Should the current administration move the press out of the West Wing, does the president truly believe reporters are going to go away or news organizations will start pandering to him?

When the press is doing its job right, I know the nation is doing well and not sliding toward rogue status, where life is cheap and leaders are assassinated when their countrymen grow tired of being tortured. We vote our presidents out of office. It works better that way.

By the way, the press isn’t going anywhere. Whatever it takes, the Washington Press Corp will file stories from the Watergate or from a phone booth like Clark Kent. The press will continue to keep a watchful eye on the U.S. government and its leaders, who need to be held accountable for their actions. 

I think we sometimes forget our officials work for us, but we reminds ourselves and politicians every time we vote. That is why citizens were standing up for themselves this weekend. It is our duty as Americans and to the founding fathers of a country that embraces dissent and debate.

This nation has always been a work in progress and I would like it to continue moving forward no matter who is in office.

A gardener and the Boston Bruins hit pay dirt

“Gardens are a form of autobiography.” 
                                                 ― Sydney Eddison, Growing Older with Your Garden: How to  Garden Wiser as You Grow Older

AUBURN, Maine — The dirty deed is done.

I am not talking about the Boston Bruins dealing out a can of ass-whooping against the Pittsburgh Penguins. The Big Bad Asses from Boston won four straight, and I am confident the Stanley Cup is theirs just as sure as the late U.S. Gen. George S. Patton took Palermo and beat British Gen. Bernard Mongomery to capture Messina during the Sicily campaign in World War II.

Kudos to my beloved Bruins who have the skills, talent and the finesse to beat the Blackhawks for the Stanley Cup, which begins Wednesday night.

When I mention dirt, I am talking about my garden, which I planted last week. I also planted flowers next to the miniature windmill to brighten up the place, but I prefer plants you can consume at the dinner table.

I like really good dirt. I like the texture of good soil.  I enjoy eating fresh vegetables that grow in good dirt that is not polluted by fertilizers or pesticides. When I see that dark, rich black gold mixed with a year's worth of compost churn under the blades of a powerful tiller, I want to plunge my hands into the soil and begin planting.

That's why I like getting my hands dirty each spring. I have played in dirt all my life, and I think I am a better man for it.

My garden will feature summer squash (from seed), egg plant, zucchini, 18 tomato plants, broccoli, lettuce, Swiss chard (from seed), spinach (from seed), and carrots (from seed). My garden is like an old variety show from 1970s, and the stars are vegetables.

But I must warn all amateur gardeners that varmints are out and about and will wreak havoc on all green thumbs. The groundhogs have already bushwhacked my place, and my lettuce seedlings took a hit. I have now placed a bounty on the furry bastards. These nuisances better be looking over their shoulders.

I am not sure about our climate this growing season. April resembled March and May looked helluva lot like April. June has been an up-and-down month that continues to confound me. The monsoons are upon us and I am hoping my garden will hold up this season.

Farmers understand they are at the whim of nature and there is not a damn thing gardeners can do about it, either. The little varmints like aphids and Japanese beetles will come to know the swift hand of natural poisons.

So we roll the dice and take our chances, hoping our gardens yield a bumper crop that saves us some dough and provides us our recommended daily serving of organic vegetables.

Gardening is a dirty business, but amateur farmers like us have to do it.

Besides, we are going to love our vegetables. I guarantee it.

A walk in the woods and thoughts about an old friend

 

    POLAND, Maine - The weather is absurdly warm, but as long as our oil furnace is silent and I am not contributing to the wealth of greedy speculators and Middle East corporations, I welcome the strong sun and melting snow in March.

    To celebrate this salubrious March day, we ventured into the cool Maine woods at Range Pond State Park - which has 1,000 feet of pristine shoreline and clear, cool water surrounded by miles of hiking trails. Take your bike or stroll the walking paths at Range. It doesn't matter; it is all good for your health.

    This oasis, which lies just 10 miles outside the Twin Cities, is a great way to beat the summer heat. The lake is fine area to try your hand at fishing and check out gawky loons that saunter past you. The hiking trails are shaded by tall pines.

     The ice is just starting to melt, but the sheet of white slushy stuff is quite a contrast against the searing sun. Winter always lingers in this state, and its calling card is stubborn ice and snow that lies in the shady areas of the woods until April.

     The two-mile hike brought us to the sandy shore where we found a vacant bench drenched in shade. We enjoyed the cool breezes off the icy water as we washed away our thirst with a cooler full of water.

     Anthony tossed rocks and dipped his legs in the frigid water to cool off as the mercury reached the 75-degree mark.

    Spring arrives on Tuesday, but New England just might skip that season and move right on to summer with temperatures hovering around 80 degrees during the middle of the week.

     There was a sparse group of Mainers who also thought it would be a pleasant way to spend a hot March afternoon near a lake encased in ice. 

     Just think, in another month and a half, all of us will immerse ourselves in Range's cooling waters to take cover from summer's impending heat.

Blast from the past

     It is amazing how many walk people in and out of our brief lives. 

     Ken Freeland flew right into my airspace at Norwich University nearly 34 years ago. We have been friends ever since and frequently reach out to each other as the decades have rolled past us.

     We became roommates at the Vermont military school for the five months. For some reason, we became friends in the first five minutes. Throw in John Connor and we became the Three Musketeers who had one helluva a time trading barbs and sampling fine booze in our cramped quarters. We were three comedians who gave the Norwich establishment a run for its money.

     Ken is a character, but that could also be said of me. Somehow, we mesh even though we are different. I guess that's why they call it friendship, which has endured for over three decades.

    Marriages don't last that long, and yet, our friendship was forged in less than a year.

     Last week, Ken left Connecticut to travel to Maine to purchase an expensive dog — and grace the Blasi household with a visit.

     I was honored.

    That last time we saw each other was seven years ago, which was far too long gap in our friendship. We have always stayed in touch by email or telephone.

     His visit was important to me. At this stage in my life, when many friends and family have died the past two years, I try to keep my channels open with people who actually give a damn about me and are still above ground.

    Well, his visit did me a world of good, and it was great to share a beer and reminisce about our glorious past.

    I think we will be seeing more of each other because we both understand we are all short-timers in this grand universe.