LiDona Wagner

Friday, September 12, 2025

A World in Transition

A WORLD IN TRANSITION

Economically, today’s world is WORKERS vs BILLIONAIRES. On Labor Day in the US, there were over 1000 rallies in all 50 states. All were clarifying that it is workers who create an economy, not a small group of wealthy individuals. Globally, South Korea stood up for its workers who were snatched without warning from a Hyundai factory in Georgia.

Politically, today’s world is made up of Regional Alliances based on caring for all their citizens. Recently in the US, four west coast states have forged a partnership to ensure that their citizens have access to science-based information about health and available medicine. In Western Europe, countries in the European Union are bonded in support of Ukraine.

Culturally, the Solar Panel and Windmill have become symbols of a new era of cheap sustainable energy. The state of California gets 40% of its energy from solar and 20% from wind. Agrivoltaics (solar aiding agriculture) is cropping up all over the world, such as in Africa, Colorado, and recently in Japan where researchers announced that solar panels over rice fields have proven an effective way to grow a diet staple while also producing clean energy.

While oil and gas exporting countries (Saudi Arabia & Russia) and states (Texas) invest in clean energy for themselves, they are attempting to keep countries and states that need to import oil and gas from having the cheaper solar and wind power that is now available. The Trump administration has sold out US citizens, eliminating clean energy initiatives under President Biden and trying to get oil and gas companies to produce more just to keep making money for the already rich.

SUN DAY CELEBRATION - September 21

At the equinox on Sunday September 21, we all have an opportunity to celebrate the hope and possibility solar energy gives us for a livable planet. Here in Oregon we will have electric cars and bikes available for attendees to try out, along with fun activities for kids and families. To take advantage of Oregon's rebate option which ends at the conclusion of September, people can access the rebate by signing a contract to buy an electric vehicle ... no money exchanges hands that day.

Let's make SUN DAY as significant as the first EARTH DAY was.

Wednesday, August 13, 2025

MAKE A DIFFERENCE

Migration

Migration is both a gift and a problem. It has contributed to the spread of ideas, some vastly helpful and some infinitely terrible. It can and has led to an ever-expanding view of the world and the enrichment of the human knowledge base. It has contributed to advances in health and medicine that have expanded the evolution of Homo Sapiens.

A disastrous migration occurred when the Yamahaya tribes of the Russian Steppes developed a technology of horses, wagons and metal swords. They swept into Northern Europe, killing men and raping women as they first stole their agricultural crops and then the land itself. The Yamahaya established an illusion of blue-eyed, blond-haired, white-skinned masculine power depicted by Gods who control everything - including women’s bodies.

Since about 3000 years ago, this rape and ruin mindset has continued to march around the world, establishing a Western capitalist culture that marginalized and dominated non-white peoples. Using advancing technologies at every stage of humanity’s spread across the world, Western capitalism destroyed the natural relationship between humans and Mother Earth. Mediterranean Goddess cultures and their affirmation of Mother Earth were driven underground.

Mediterranean Goddesses Evolve
by LiDoña Wagner 2025

Goddesses

In the 20^th century, as women in different parts of the world gained access to education, awareness of earth-affirming goddesses reemerged. Female archeologists began to unearth physical evidence of ancient clay and bone goddesses and their significance. More recently medical historian Cat Bohannon has shown How The Female Body Drove 200 Million Years of Human Evolution. So why does medical research base itself on the male body?

While coal, oil and gas industries of patriarchal capitalism continue to contaminate the land, water, and air that gave birth to and sustain humanity itself, newer technologies have emerged that align with ancient goddesses and their connection with a nurturing planet.

Clean Energy Era

New clean energy technologies, especially solar and wind, ushered in the 21^st century. These technologies have matured and are rapidly spreading across the world, often in remote areas that have benefited from being ignored by Western capitalism. Every year these become cheaper to buy, easier to install, and more efficient in storage capacity and connectivity. Energy from solar and wind is now cheaper than that produced from coal, oil and gas. Moreover:

· Large solar arrays installed over water reduce its evaporation while simultaneously sending energy into an area’s electrical grid.

· Medium sized solar installations over grass land provide grazing for sheep and goats and energy for associated ranches.

· In dry regions, even a small array of solar panels over crops will lower air temperature, increase humidity, and shield food plants from excessive sun. The energy produced increases a small farmer’s income. Called agrivoltaics, this form of crop production has taken root in parts of Africa and has spread into Colorado and Virginia. By 2030 this form of farming could account for 10% of global solar capacity.

The fourth largest economy in the world, the multi-cultural state of California, get 40% of its energy from solar and 20% from wind. No wonder the oil and gas industry, interested in profits versus people and doing what’s right, is trying to stop the advance of sources of clean energy.

Make A Difference

Maybe you don’t yet have solar panels on your roof and balcony or a small wind generator in your back yard (now available), drive an electric car, or subscribe to a community solar project, but you can use your voice and your vote to hold oil and gas companies accountable for the damage they inflict. You can raise awareness of the accessibility of clean sources of energy.

Monday, July 21, 2025

LONGEVITY vs RETIREMENT

Evolution Lizzie by Judita Paz 2025
Dreaming Lizard turns into a bird.

Transitions Are Important

. Every end is a new beginning. If I am fixated on what I’m losing, I may miss the new beginning.

. Make your life or it will be made for you … urgency can take over.

. There are developmental challenges over a life span … they are not preventable.

. In facing these adaptive challenges, there are no experts. Only you yourself can take them on and to do that you must look inside.

Nigerian Goddess of Life by Catherine Marsh 2025
Goddesses of Tea series - Water is the elixir of life.

Eight Areas to Consider

When Planning Your Long Life

SPIRIT / Purpose & Meaning
What is going to get you out of bed in the morning? Look at big questions like living with compassion and contributing to society. Reassess your purpose: Will you Re-affirm what you did before retiring? Renew it in some way? Reinvent yourself?

BODY / Having the Energy to Do What You Want to Do
Look at genetic factors. Address nutrition: Eat well but with no extremes. (Mediterranean diet seems to work.) Get Medical Care. Think about your Lifestyle. Consider your environment: Pets? Plants? Bar in the bathroom? Good Sleep Patterns Are Essential.

HEART / Self Observation
Live with Optimism. See Hope & Possibility. Be adaptable. Develop Resilience: Be able to Survive & Thrive. Practice Reflection.

Angel by Monique Mulbry 2025
Nature is the ultimate provider.

CONNECTIONS / Relationships Count

Develop new friendships. Deepen existing relationships. Prepare to say goodbye to those who are/will be departing.

MIND / Challenge Yourself

Think broadly and solve problems. Join or create elder social innovations such as The Third Act, Encore, and Raging Grannies. Two keys to good mental health: Setting a routine helps you meet difficulties as they arise. Engaging in creativity builds cognitive reserve (make art or music, learn woodworking, knitting …)

WORK / Contribute to Society

Your participation in society matters. Give your talents away through one form or another.

Hawk by Share DuBois 2025
Be observant. Life is sending you signals.

PLACE / What Do You Want to Belong To?
Ask: Is there a community that will support and challenge me? Will you stay where you are but make changes to your home? Consider moving to your ideal place? In either case, within 3 years people leave because they don’t feel that they belong or fit in. Where will you have a sense of Being Home?

MONEY / What am I saving for?
Live within your means. Plan now for the future because financial acuity is one of first capacities to go. You will need a lifetime stream of income.

Butterfly Spirit by LiDoña Wagner 2025
Where are you in the cycle of self-transformation?

The Sauce Is in the Details

Part of TIAA’s research included a survey of the results from two 80-year studies of persons who lived long lives, one on creative people and another on male graduates of a major university. The long-life creative people said, ‘You must be conscientious – mindful of time.’ Long-life male graduates said, ‘Relationships were most important and must be nurtured.’

One of the long-life researchers was asked, “If you could live your life over, what would you do differently?” He replied, “I wish I had paused and explored my options more often”.

This is a summary of a TIAA Research Institute webinar presented by Head Surya Kollari & Managing Director, Strategic Leadership Mark Saine.

Monday, June 23, 2025

Voice of the People 5

Instead of joining the (at least) 75,000 who rallied in the Loop, we walked up to be with our neighbors of at least 250 to vote for No Kings.

This event was organized by the residents of the Breakers senior independent living high rise. Jim T.