Poet, you're absolutely right. Dems love to bray about change, but not many of us are willing to do the work. And it occurred to me when I bought a car recently that I don't have the financial wherewithal to do the work. At least, some of it. I can't afford a hybrid, much as I'd love to have one. So I settled for best mileage in my price range.

"My" David was doing simple lifestyle long before it was trendy. Partly by choice and partly by economic necessity. I have learned more about living with integrity in the ten years I've known him than all the years before. For example, he turns off the furnace pilot light in the spring to conserve a few bucks and also gas. We're on the energy plan for our water heater and heat pump/AC combo. David composts all our veggie matter. We have the smallest trash container our hauler offers, and sometimes it's not full. Recyle, recycle, recycle. Yup, yup, yup.

I'm trying to bundle my errand outings such that I don't make multiple treks to the same area in a week's time (longer where possible). Which helps to counter-act the immediate gratification dealie so many of us are used to.

Bragging? Ah, jeez, I suppose. But really, my intention here is to inventory what we're doing and looking at what more might be possible.

Next year, the veggie garden.

But all of this is essentially invisible to . . . pretty much everyone. And while it makes a wee difference, it's not speaking out to the power brokers.

I might have mentioned this before. But a couple of months ago, friend Margaret and I trekked down to Mankato to visit with Tim Walz. I have had such high hopes for him. And in the space of the five minutes we had with him, my heart knew they've gotten to him. He may or may not still possess the big heart and true spirit that drew me to support him. But he did more talking than listening (it was supposed to be a listening session), and he spoke in talking points.

These are not new things, I guess. But it feels as though the stakes are monumentally higher than ever before. Does every generation feel that way? Maybe. But this is the only generation I'll have. And while it would be the height of arrogance to believe I can fix it, surely you and I and Susan and others who care deeply are called to speak out, loudly and often.

George W. Bush has never been hungry or poor or afraid (except about protecting his own imperial arse) in his life. He has never served his country in the military. He is, in short, a piss-poor choice for leadership, living high on the hog while the little people scramble. And die.