Hello, June! Who'da Thunk???

It's June. 

It's 2020, and things continue to be both uncanny and disturbing and even inspiring. 

"Who'da thunk it?" comes to mind as I reflect on our history through these first five months of this strange and epic year.

"Who wantsta thunk it?" might even be a theme for the next seven months. 

Wasn't it just two weeks ago today that my son said, "2020 hasn't been so good" after the home where he lives caught on fire?

That seems like SO long ago.

Of course, besides the fire, Willie was thinking about other personal losses, thanks to the "Who'da thunk it?" Covid 19 Pandemic which suddenly disrupted lives around the world. 

Since then, 24-7 coronavirus sadness has been replaced by 24-7 cultural madness in cities throughout this country. 

Who'da thunk we would watch video of a man allegedly murdered by police on TV not once but 24-7????

Please note that I used "allegedly" because I was taught as a journalist back in high school that those accused are "alleged" suspects of the crime until a court of law comes to a verdict. 

Yes, our nation seems to have turned upside down of late, but sticking to long-accepted and practiced principles still seems like a good idea to me. 

Who'da ever thunk that downtown Spokane would turn into a war zone just hours after my daughter passed through on her way back to Seattle which had turned in to a war zone overnight on Saturday.

But then again, who'da thunk that, after so many large and peaceful protests-turned into riots across the country, people would show up the morning after with brooms, dustpans and determination to clean up the mess left by violent sub-groups determined to destroy the peaceful but strong messages of citizens using their right to make a statement about what they perceive as a heinous act. 

I don't remember ever seeing this kind of positive civic reaction after the riots of our past historical uprisings.

It seems like SO long ago since the 100,000-plus death milestone in America early this past week was so quickly set aside news-wise to cover the aftermath of the death of a black man in Minneapolis.  

Could it be that so much is happening so quickly in our lives that even timelines seem warped!

I don't know, but I do know it's hard to wrap one's mind around everything going on in our world, seemingly 24-7.

The news continues to be beyond disturbing, but, happily, there are moments when we see simple images reminding us that life in general does move along in nice ways. 

Calves on green grass are still cute, and newly blooming flowers provide a sense of awe. 

A country dirt road accented by abundant foliage still gives comfort. 

A photo of 94-year-old Queen Elizabeth inspired me yesterday as I was scrolling through Twitter. 

Makes me want to go climb on my Lily today. 

Likewise, seeing photos of proud graduates and their families gives me hope that a time will come when all ugliness and sadness we have absorbed over the past few months, weeks and days can be set aside for even just one full day of reflection on ordinary people's life achievements and even on icons like the queen doing ordinary things they love. 

That's how our world operates, and as it seems to spin out of control, nature, our beloved critters and peeps behind the scenes always seem to maintain a sense of stability and give us some much-needed hope. 

Again, MAY JUNE be better than May!

Happy Monday. 

Queen Elizabeth back in the saddle, riding a pony at Windsor Castle where she has been semi-isolated in residence since the COVID-19 crisis.

Photographs of the 94-year-old queen riding Fern, her 14-year-old Fell pony, were released Sunday by Buckingham Palace. 

In the first public appearance since her coronavirus quarantine, the British royal wears a colorful head scarf, a tweed jacket and a determined look, bypassing a protective  helmet.

          ---USA Today