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.

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. 

 

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. 

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.  

DJT IS A LIAR

SENOIRS FOR TRUTH

THE RIGHT TO FREE SPEECH

RIGHT TO FAIR TRIAL

I WILL BE HEARD!

NEVER FORGET!

VOICE OF THE PEOPLE #4

 

PEOPLE POWER

AGAINST FASCISM

SERVICES AT STAKE

WAKE UP

MAKE A DIFFERENCE NOW

VOICE OF THE PEOPLE #3

ICE OUT

NEWSOM: NO PROBLEM

NEIGHBORS

FREE PALESTINIANS

DEPORT TRUMP

VOICE OF THE PEOPLE #2

 

REMOVE 

IMPEACH

JAIL

SELL

RIDICULE

VOICE OF THE PEOPLE

In over 2000 popular NO KINGS demonstrations on Saturday June 14 in all 50 states The People Expressed their Voice.

For the next five days I will share photos I took during the event in Eugene, Oregon. Each day will highlight photos of a theme I witnessed:

1.        The Stakes are High

2.        Remove DJT

3.        Resist ICE

4.        Protect Democracy

5.        All Generations

Participants from all walks of life carrying their chosen messages demonstrated the awesome reality of our nation’s commitment to multi-culturalism. 

THE STAKES ARE HIGH

MOBILIZE 

Christy Walton's ad in the New York Times & local newspapers

SPEAK UP

People and Themes of the Day 

BE HONEST

Current Administration Does Not Reflect My Values 

                                          

RESIST NOW

We are NOT a nation of woman haters

 

CORRUPTION, CHAOS, CRUELTY

With the clarity that the Trump Republican regime is deadset on TAX CUTS for the wealthy and HEALTH-CARE CUTS for the many, a recent editorial by Rahm Emanuel in the Washington Post hit the nail on the head: his Democratic slogan for 2026 is Republicans are about CORRUPTION, CHAOS, AND CRUELTY.

Wise Woman, Founder and Chair Emerita of Emily’s List, Ellen R. Malcolm, put it this way: Trump is Extreme. Craven. Chaotic. Destructive. Morally Bankrupt.

In April, Pramila Jayapal  - Washington state representative to the US House - recognized this reality and began holding online resistance training for those who want to learn how to combat this assault on our democracy. 

Two images from this training spoke to me. The first one shows that to create a movement for a new society, one needs only nudge a friend, colleague, family member, contact over a tiny bit from being in the Active Opposition to being in the Passive Opposition or from being a Passive Ally to becoming an Active Ally. 

In the 2024 election Trump Republicans moved urban males from neutral or passive DJT allies to active allies. Democrats moved rural passive allies or neutral voters to active allies for a free society for all people. 

While Democrats didn’t move enough rural people into active voters to offset the (temporary) gains of Republicans, they moved enough neutral and passive allies that the Resistance to the Trump Republican regime TRIPLED in 2025 following the election over that in 2017.

The second image comes from Michael Beer, Co-Director of Nonviolence International. His picture of the Pillars of Power reveals the warfare DJT and GOP government / DOGE is waging against all other pillars of power in our society. 

At the same time, the take down of Tesla (Musk) by active consumers waging a resistance movement, shows that the mobilization of ordinary people can stop even the seemingly most powerful in their tracks.

Resistance movements have shown that 3.5% of a population needs to be mobilized to prevent the takeover of autocrats.  We are not there yet, but ... 

• The April election of Susan Crawford to the Wisconsin Supreme Court proved the power of grassroots people to overcome that of Musk’s millions, ensuring that Wisconsin will have clean bias-free electoral maps.
• Likewise, the recent Nebraska election of Democrat John Ewing, Jr to be the first Black mayor of Omaha, reveals that grassroots localized campaigns can build on decades of forming coalitions and credibility as a public servant.
• 51% of voters disapprove of what morally corrupt DJT (and his GOP supporters) are doing. 

So, there is more work to do. But, if we each get out there and nudge someone we know to wake up just a little bit, our efforts locally will have a big impact on preserving our democracy.  We can move beyond corruption, chaos, and cruelty. 

YES WE CAN!

Choose Your Action

 FINDING ONE'S VOICE

RADIATING FROM FOUR CORNERS

THREE DEEP ON EIGHT WALKING PATHS

SPREADING OUT TO POPULAR PLACES

YOUR TURN NOW