Anniversary

On February 22nd, I’ll begin the thirteenth year of writing this weekly blog. This doesn’t seem possible until I check the archive and notice that it is the size of a book, and not a slim volume, either.

As many of you may know, I began the blog as one small positive thing to do every week as an antidote to the horror of seeing America marching, more correctly running, into the second Iraq War. Never in my most vivid imagination could I have foreseen the perilous situation our country is currently in. Every day another piece of our precious Democracy slips away as lies, bullying, corruption, willful ignorance and disrespect become more entrenched.

My original intent for writing has become more important than ever. We all must find ways to keep our sanity in the midst of the insane situation that surrounds us.

A friend recently sent a quote of Jim Dine’s. He is a pop artist who isn’t. Although Dine emerged into the art world simultaneously with the pop artists, he is not concerned with the exteriors of things, but rather with interior matters. His most famous works are huge paintings and sculptures of hearts.

Here is the Dine quote my friend shared:

“I have come to terms with a lot of things, because, when all’s said and done, there’s really very little one can do about a lot of things. You just accept them. The point is you just have to keep on working and you just have to keep on living.”

I concur with all his words except for the “accept” part. So I will offer this corollary advice from a song that debuted in 1944, the height of the Second World War.

  • You’ve got to accentuate the positive
  • Eliminate the negative
  • Latch on to the affirmative
  • Don’t mess with Mr. In-Between

Click here to hear Aretha Franklin’s version.

 

 

 

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1 thought on “Anniversary”

  1. Mary–well, we hope you keep doing this forever!
    And yes, I’ve recently become a fan of Jim Dine.
    As for the Accept the Positive . . .
    I’ve always, always loved that song.
    xxxxevie

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