This morning we fed Roxy and then took her out for a wee and poo. She then watched us quietly leave the house without her and I'm sure she was quite confused with this odd turn of events. For one of the first times since the stay at home order started we decided that we would do our own shopping. Not that we don't appreciate our neighbors doing weekly grocery shopping for us, but it felt so good to get into the car and take off on our own. It wasn't much, but it was good to get out.
The problem with getting out is that we are quickly reminded of how ugly our once beautiful city has become. Homeless encampments everywhere and these are the homeless that choose to stay that way. They are offered help but turn it down, preferring to live in a tent city where drugs and thievery are a way of life. Our neighborhood chat group called "Next-Door" is a constant stream of reports about cars being broken into, bicycles stolen, large items stolen from backyards and front porches. They are frequently quite bold about it, going as far as waving at the homeowners surveillance cameras. Just the other night, a homeowner went down to the encampment three blocks from our home and retrieved his bicycle that had been stolen the previous night. I imagine more people are going to start doing the same as we get little if any help from city police.
Our once beautiful city center is a disgusting boarded up ghetto, the Justice Center completely fenced off with eight foot steel fencing and police guarding it's perimeter 24/7. Nine days of protests for the sensless death/murder of George Floyd have been peaceful but then are followed by a riot that involves rioters setting fire to businesses, vehicles and more. It is all well covered by the media showing white rioters smashing through store fronts and looting, with very little control from the police. We watched the Apple store being hammered on until the large glass building front crumbled and dozens of looters entered and then came running out with arm loads of computers and cell phones. It was horrible to watch. How is this sort of behavior helping the cause? George Floyds brother gave a live talk the next day asking that the riots and looting stop, that this sort of thing will not bring his brother back.
We have lost all faith in our city's governing body like we have lost all faith in the sorry and embarrassing sloth of a President. Every day it is more and more evident that the world we knew has disappeared.
While we toiled away making sure that the gardens were made tidy for all those guests that will not be coming this year, Roxy slept the afternoon away in a nice shady spot were she could keep an eye on us both. Being in our garden takes us away from what is going on all around us. Perhaps when the the pandemic is gone, the riots have stopped and we come out from our hidden gardens, life outside will have improved. My head is full of doubt but my heart is full of hope.
That is so sad to read. Of course, we have read about what is happening "in America" but to hear it on a personal note is really sad. I hope things do improve when the pandemic is gone. I know how lucky we are down here. Love the photos of the garden - a peaceful sanctuary.
ReplyDeleteI have stopped thinking that it couldn't get worse because then it does.
DeleteI am sorry about what has happened in the place you call home. The riots and looting have been heartbreaking (and so many other emotions) to watch. I live near Washington DC, and have to admit that I was worried about rioters defacing the monuments, etc., and I was grateful that they didn't. But I'm out of town on an overnight trip, and my hotel that should be full, is practically empty. I do wonder what the summer will bring for all of us. Our gardens truly are a sanctuary at these times.
ReplyDeleteBe well, my blogging friend.
Thank you Kim, stay safe in your travels.
DeleteThe pleas to rioters will fall on deaf ears, because for them it is not about Mr. Floyd.
ReplyDeleteIt's about chaos and what can they get for free.
I am glad you and yours are safe, Doc. May God bless you and watch over you all.
You are exactly right Linda.
DeleteYour gardens are a peaceful respite from all of the turmoil happening in our world. Even in our small little town, the protestors have been marching on the town square for days now.
ReplyDeleteI am tired of all the whining, tired of all the fighting, and disrespect for the nation's monuments.
I worry what kind of world my grandchildren will grow up in.
Stay safe dear friend, I smiled when I saw the word "wee", as you know we say that in the Motherland...not pee. :)
~Jo
Reading a city's sad state in the paragraphs of your beautiful pictures is sad. This whole country is a sad, second class nation. The opportunistic looters are despicable. The tent people are not. They are the bottom 1%. When you and I were out in the working world, the average president of a small company generally earned 30 times what a manufacturing line worker earned. Do that math, and it was a living wage, top to bottom. The division president of a Ford assembly plant generally lived in the same community and his plant of workers all owned homes and had health insurance. Today's wages and wealth, all the way up to the top ten percent, could be bought out by the top in a minute. My heart breaks for the tent people. Should they go live in the desert? It's a lose-lose mentality that has flowed through this country. I don't know the answer, except losing the orange cheeto is a good start. OK, I'm off my rant now. Thank you for your beautiful gardens. Life just doesn't stay the same, does it?
ReplyDelete