September 23, 2023
Taking a deep breath and spending a quiet night with my family before the book tour starts next week, so no letter tonight.
My friend Peter Ralston took this image recently, and it feels perfect for this moment in a bunch of different ways. You will note that the building— and by extension, the flag painted on it— is under repair.
I’ll see you tomorrow.
[Photo “State of the Union,” by Peter Ralston.]
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Notes:
You can find Peter and his wife Terri at the gallery in Rockport, Maine, or here: https://www.ralstongallery.com/
The day that I made this image I went home and looked up the lyrics to The Star Spangled Banner. I was thinking of them when I was standing there with my camera. Check it out everybody, the words are haunting, dramatic, stirring and boy, do they ever ring true at this time in the trajectory of our great experiment in democracy. Democracy Awakening indeed....maybe re-awakening, or reviving, or renewing.......”the flag was still there” despite all that has been thrown at it of late. Thank you Heather for all you do to that end. You continue to “ask what you can do for your country,” and you deliver. Thank you......
Old farmer wisdom from the the midwest, don't worry about painting the barn, but make damn sure you fix the roof.
In 2024 we must fix the roof and get rid of the GOP rot. Then we can paint the barn.