ABSILVER's World

I sit here on the cusp of another Thanksgiving holiday. As I can figure this is number 56 as I was born the day before my first. I started to write about Trump, COVID, and how we got to where the world and our country are and I thought who in the hell needs to read about that!  So, I thought maybe the right thing to do, in honor of Thanksgiving, is to make a list of what I am grateful for. First, I am grateful for Frank, DaisyBelle, and Lucky.  We may not have the textbook family, but we definitely have found a home together.  I am honestly not sure how others survive without pets in their home when the humans we love have to put up with us every day.  Second, I am thankful we moved from Austin to Longview, TX.  We may miss Central Market, and even miss the walk around Lady Birdy Lake and our neighbors, but being in Longview near family is a joy.  It also took the pressure out of our life when the world decided to go a bit haywire.  We have a nice home, nicely updated with Frank's

I sit here the evening before another presidential election.  Four years ago, I was excited.  I had voted for Hillary, proudly, and was watching the polls and thought this was a great day for America.  I have to confess to waking up Tuesday morning with a gut feeling that something in the universe was not going the right way.  Without any doubt, I still am sure she would have been the better president and more qualified if not the most qualified president in my lifetime. So, although the polls all show Biden in a stronger position than she was, I worry.  Ok, it is my inclination to worry, but there is still a concern not only about what happens tomorrow but how difficult the current president will make certifying this election if it doesn't go his way.   Then, I wondered what could I do?  There may be 1 person in my network on Facebook who is undecided, maybe one more blog post would sway them the right way. Here it goes.. let’s make this simple.. here are the questions that I woul

We all can learn from DaisyBelle, about bias and tolerance. For many people, across the street or walking the trail, she is a mix of American Bulldog and Pit Bull.  There are words often repeated, about these dogs being violent and biting people and getting into tussles with other dogs.  Let’s be clear, she is a strong dog and we know it.  All dogs can be trained to bite and be aggressive from the chihuahua to the largest German Shepherd but these dogs of late are judged as rottweilers were in my youth.  But, there is another side of her.  Her breed was bred to be nannies and caregivers.  If you paid attention walking her you would notice how her ears perk up when she hears children.  You would see her gentleness and her joy in being pet by children or getting a chance to kiss them as we walk down the trail.  You would see her kindness with Lucky, our cat that she helped find, and how she runs into the yard to protect her if she thinks there is a threat outside.  You might be surprise

I sit here on a Saturday morning, in Longview, TX where there is a chill in the air, 47 degrees.  I realize for the first time in many years we are experiencing fall.  We lived in South Florida where the sign of fall is the beginning of early snowbird migrants for the winter.  In Austin, a bit south of, I don't remember the fall weather as sharp and crisp as it is here in Longview.  Daisybelle chose a shorter walk this morning in the chill, and we are all enjoying the change of temps as the leaves on the trees are beginning to show it is time to prepare for winter. It was around this time last year we decided to make a move.  We enjoyed Austin.  Work had been productive and our home and neighborhood were quite special, but Austin was changing quickly.  I felt the energy was more akin to San Francisco and that caffeine driven energy that I had experienced over the years.  I appreciate the energy it drives, the innovation, and creativity but honestly, I don't think it always dri

  A few political comments for a Wednesday. 1) After the debate, and before, there has never been a time in my life where voting is more important and that vote should be for Biden and Democratic candidates especially for the senate. We can prove that the American dream and constitution are stronger than a corrupt president and a republican party that is willing to do follow him for their gain.   We survived Nixon, Vietnam, and other crises in my lifetime.  Hopefully, come November 3rd we will be on our way to healing from these divisive times. 2) I am not pro-choice or pro-life, women should decide what is right for their body and neither I nor any government has any right to impose on their choices.   3) Democrats need to wake up, the federal courts are the third branch of government in this country and meant to be part of the original checks and balances in our constitution.  Who is nominated and approved at all levels of the federal system is important.  Very few cases make it to t

Why I am voting for Biden, and Democrats for the Senate and House. 1) Biden and Harris are the best to defend women's rights and to make progress on key issues including equal pay.    Make no mistake a Trump second term and Republican senate are the greatest threat to women and their rights.  Women are the only arbiter of what is right for their bodies.  We need a continued focus on bringing to light and combatting sexual assault, human trafficking, and the glass ceiling that continues across our country. 2) A Biden and Harris administration will work to address systemic racism and bring back civility to this country.   Systemic racism is real, read my interview with my great friend Cecilia to learn more ( https://absilver18.wixsite.com/blmfriendlychat )Trump entices and sparks the flames of hate between the races.  We as a society must stop denying the impact of systemic racism on Black American lives that originates back to the time of slavery.  We all must collectively work tog

  Life continues to be uncertain for me as it is for many.  Work is in the middle of a career shift , we have a new home with a bit of remodeling that is being compl eted.  There are a few external pre ssures beyond my control such as a pandemic, an election, and the weather.  Compared to many we are quite lucky but stress and dealing with life today is not always easy for anyone. S o it dawned on me as I walked DaisyBelle, yesterday, that she may have some lessons to share for dealing with these challenging times. Peo ple say dogs are simple and they go about their day with little care just wanting to be fed, walked, and an occasional pat on the head.  I don’t think that is necessarily true.  DaisyBelle is not just a bystander in our or her own life.   In fact, she is making choices and decisions all day that are not just focused on her and are seriously impacted by our moods, if we are sick, the weather, and of course if there are fireworks or loud noises nearby.     Join me as we r