Slight Detour: Thursday This, That; TBT

We've got cotton.

It's on the ground, it's in the air and it's everywhere.

With this being just the start of the cottonwood storm season, it will be tracked into the house, and it will stick to the carpet.

So, I'll be mowing cotton outside and vacuuming it inside.

Heck, we haven't even gotten past the pine pollen gusts, and now comes the cotton to tickle our noses.

Soon this year's edition of white clover will start showing up in the lawn where dandelions once dominated.

With spring comes a lot of beauty but there are also the nuisances too.

Some aspects of seasons never change so we just have to grin and bear it.

Along with the cotton, the first roses of the year have popped open.

Along the front of the Meserve Preserve, gorgeous wine-colored roses have started to appear while at the end of our driveway, I saw and smelled several fragrant white roses this morning.

So, when I get mad at the cotton mess, I'll just go to those bushes and smell the roses. Nice to have the option.

Today is the birthday of President John F. Kennedy. He would have been 108 years old.

Although he's been gone for 62 years, some of us still remember vividly and longingly his eloquence and his hope for America.

My older brother Mike has been tinkering with AI lately and, last night, sent me a summary of what he found when he asked for a perspective on me. It was actually pretty nice.

With that in mind, I decided to ask my Meta AI what thoughts JFK would probably express about our nation at this time.

Here's what Meta said:

That's a thought-provoking question.

Given JFK's emphasis on public service, civic engagement, and national unity, he might express concern about the current polarization and divisiveness in American politics.

He might also highlight the importance of leadership, diplomacy, and finding common ground to address pressing issues like economic inequality, healthcare, and national security.

Additionally, he might stress the need for a strong and independent press, as well as the importance of protecting individual freedoms and promoting social justice.

JFK was known for his eloquence and optimism, so he might also offer words of encouragement and hope for the country's future, emphasizing the resilience of American democracy and the potential for progress through collective effort.

His famous phrase "Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country" might resonate strongly in today's context, encouraging citizens to take an active role in shaping the nation's future.

Considering his vision for space exploration and scientific progress, he might also comment on the importance of investing in innovation, education, and infrastructure to ensure America's continued growth and global leadership.

Overall, JFK's perspective would likely emphasize the importance of unity, public service, and collective action in addressing the complex challenges facing the United States today.

For some reason, I was not surprised with this response. In my view, that positive outlook on America and the hope in its future all seems so distant these days.

I've never been so happy to see someone elected as President. I was 13.

I've never been so sad when a President die. I was 16.

I miss the JFK optimism that so inspired me in my youth. Could we have another helping, please!

It was so good for the soul and for the outlook.