Peace

Octo𝘣𝘦𝘳 17, 2020

We are coming close to the end of the planting season for Melissa’s succulents.  She has been making final decisions on what will have a chance to winter outside, what will go on the screened porch, and what needs to be kept in the house.  We have mounted the Velcro on the back porch and put up several of the panels to make sure our makeshift greenhouse will work.  We also cut and placed the nursery cloth for several of the succulent beds out front.  We have already had one scare, with the temperatures dropping into the 30’s on one night this last week.  These precautions need to be ready before the first frost. 

I remember religiously watching “The Monkeys” TV show when I was in Junior High.  I ran with a group of four boys and since there were four Monkeys, we styled ourselves after their characters.  We would even “walk down the street” shoulder to shoulder doing the crossover walk they did on their show.

The show aired on Thursday nights, which was also Ninth Grade night at the town’s recreation center.  The Rec had a pool table, foosball table, and ping pong.  There were also sofas and chairs placed in conversation pits around the room and a TV mounted high on the wall that let us watch shows.  This is where we all stopped and crowded around to watch our idols every Thursday night.

While the Monkey’s were king in Junior High, my High School was dominated by the hippies.  This included the ever-present peace symbol.  Melissa decided to plant several varieties of Hen-n-Chicks (Semper vivum) behind the Japanese Maple (Acer palmatum) tree that dominates the bed.  In difference to the unrest and divisiveness we have experienced during 2020, they were planted in the form of a peace sign.  Although they are all green as they mature, they will have variegated leaves for the central stripe, the right side are pink, the left side blue, and the bottom arch is green.  I can hardly wait to see them in full color.

𝗧𝗛𝗢𝗨𝗚𝗛𝗧𝗦:  At the end of every episode of The Monkey’s, one or more of the group would provide some deep commentary on events happening in the country.  I recall hanging on every word and lived for these thoughts more than the zaniness of the show itself.  Several months ago, I saw a rerun of one of The Monkeys’ episodes.  I happened to tune in just in time to watch the end of the show and the comments offered by Michael Nesmith (he was the more thoughtful one and wore the stocking hat).  I almost laughed as I heard his words.  Far from the insightful message I heard in Junior High, they now seemed like inane drivel.  I have often found my memories to be different than reality, or even from others who participated in the event with me.  I have also found my realization did not change how I had been impacted by the past.  Melissa and I have been trying to create some positive memories amid the turmoil of 2020.  I hope you are doing the same.  Do the work.  Change is coming and it starts with you.