NOVEMBER ELECTIONS 'N ME

Beverly's Notebook blog was started to keep in touch with a wide circle of family and friends. It goes to people in New England, in the East, South, mid West, Missouri and on the coast, as well as in England, Paris and Denmark. Readers are members of the Democratic and Republican parties. Included are Independents, Libertarians, members of the Tea Party, and a few Daughters of The American Revolution. Many are passionate about their political beliefs.

I would like to stay out of the political morass we are in, but I cannot do so. The discourse in our country at this time, is disquieting. It is hateful, and tears down institutions and people who have served our communities and nation well. As a result, I share with all of you who, along with me, are heirs of immigrants, something that my grandmother and parents reminded me of often. "Life is a constant fight that needs to be fought rationally and with passion for the truth."

In spite of plans that may have been less than adequate to meet the mess we are in, in spite of administrative judgement and appointments that I found troublesome, I will go the polls remembering words from the past that will help gain a more equitable, sustainable future for this country, my grandchildren and me. I will vote for the Democrats in November.

REASON & EDUCATION VILIFIED?

We live in a time when it seems plausible to vilify reason, education, research, and science. They are mistrusted and accused of not being able to relate to the "real world." I wonder? Is it easier to vilify new questions and findings rather than understand the challenges of our changing world? I may soon learn the answer.

I am planning a series for Washington University's College, of Arts and Sciences, Life Long Learning Institute on "The Politics and Science of Environmental Policy." The speakers who will help us consider some of those challenges are listed below.

ROBERT A POLLAK*,"Genetics and Endangered Species";
ANDREW R REHFELD*,"The 'Public Good' And The Environment";
DEBORAH CHOLLET FRANK, MO Botanical Garden,"Sustainability in The Garden";
BRUCE MORRISON,Great Rivers Environmental Law Center, "Protecting Flood Plains: Using the Courts"; BILLY HANDMAKER,Crossroads College Preparatory School, "Converting to The Green School"; LOIS SECHRIST, Sechrist Sustainable Consulting, "Introduction to Sustainability"; RABBI MARK FASMAN, Shaare Zedek Synagogue, "Judaism and Ecology"; DIANE B HERNDON, Monsanto Environmental Program, "Growing Food Sustainably: The Monsanto Challenge";
ALAN R TEMPLETON*, "Relating Human Genome to Endangered Species"; BROTHER MAURICE LANE, Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Help, "Religious Environmental Advocacy."

*Washington University in St. Louis, College of Arts and Sciences.

THE LADY SURPRISES US!

We expected her later, but she surprised us with a visit just a few days ago. Surprised us too because she arrived without any thunderous pronouncements but on a gentle breeze.

Just a glimpse of her and our steps were lighter, our days energized. Her presence brings a wonderful interlude after weeks of unbearable extremes.

Beloved as she is, she will leave soon and then return once again. She whispers before she goes, "Next time, I will bring color and stay awhile."

WHAT PRICE BIGOTRY?

When I hear about the immigration "problem" I think of my grandparents and why they came to this country so many years ago. Speaking a different language, dressed "funny," traveling with children, some infants, they came in steerage across an ocean, leaving their families behind. They came to make a better life for themselves and not even the fear of being denied entry here stopped them.

They and their children became citizens who became business people some of whom were successful, some not, and some worked for others. From this humble beginning, 6 generations of families now include doctors, lawyers, writers, scholars, educators, photographers, artists, publishers, charitable benefactors, and religious leaders.

In many ways, members of our family have contributed in large and small ways to our country in return for the opportunities accorded us. Even so, individually and collectively we have experienced bigotry and meanness without cause or reason. How unfortunate for all us, family and strangers alike, that we are living once again through a time of bigotry and meanness.

I wonder what price do we pay as individuals or country for bigotry?

CITY PARKS AND COLD BISQUE

St. Louis, Philadelphia and Paris remind me of each other. All three have long, gracious boulevards that are intercepted by streets from unique neighborhoods. Each has large, well known city parks and gardens. Enjoyable too in each is the surprise of finding a small city park in an unlikely place.

City Park here in St. Louis is such an oasis. It spans just two blocks and is nestled between staid government buildings and modern towers. Opened last year, the Garden displays modern and classic sculpture and fountains. Plantings honor Missouri's native foliage and represent the outline of the Mississippi River.

New this year is The Terrace View Restaurant which overlooks the Garden and the structures which surround it. Visiting there recently, we ordered a cold Bell Pepper and Tomato Bisque which helped, along with the sounds of people splashing in the fountains, overcome the uncomfortable hot afternoon.

SLOW DOWN! IT'S CHINA!

Every once in a while, I use a high tech shop for special printing jobs. The manager is a gracious, skilled manager from China. She has lived in this country many years but does go back to China to visit family. She was there recently. When asked what she thought of the modernization of China, she told me, "It is different, different than here."

She claimed that in China, placing an order for anything requires time to hold conversation and ask questions. "How will the product be used? What is its purpose? Who will use it? Here, people come in and just say, do this!" To me, the difference she was describing sounded like the great cultural divide between East and West.

Here we want as little conversation and few steps to get something done quickly. While in the East, time is taken to understand what needs to be done and why. When I left the shop I realized that I had taken the time for conversation I might not have had otherwise. I had slowed down!

HOT IS HOT!

Many native St. Louians are saying, I've lived in St. Louis all my life and we've never sustained this kind of heat for so long a period of time. Today, the St. Louis Post-Dispatch printed a graph by the National Weather Service that made me wonder.

In 1936, temperatures of 100 degrees or more were sustained here for 37 days. Yet, last year and the year before, we experienced only six days of sustained heat. This year, a good part of the country if not the world, is experiencing weather of more than a 100 degrees sustained day after day. It is hard to remember a time when people had no fans or air conditioners, unfortunately some still don't have either, as we are told to take precautions against the heat. But I do wonder how personal discomfort squares with history?

Whatever, it is hot!