Susquehanna
“God stands in the congregation of the mighty;
He judges among the gods.
How long will you judge unjustly,
and adopt the persons of the wicked? “
-- Asaph; Psalm 82
I went out for a walk with my dog a bit earlier than usual today, as I have the last three days. This allows for me to watch the entire impeachment hearings, from beginning to end, each day. The downstairs of the main section of my house is open, circling around an enormous central chimney with three fireplaces facing different directions, in the manner of a late 1700's stage coach station. Thus, while the trial is on, I can listen to the television while on the phone or computer, even when I cannot see the screen.
Yesterday, for example, I read with interest an OP/thread where a few community members called the hearing “boring.” I was thinking about that as Kelly and I ventured up the long abandoned turnpike's trail through the woods, where I have walked hundreds of times before. It is difficult for me to understand being “bored.” I could no more be bored during these historic trial hearings, than I could be bored walking on the old turnpike. In fact, I cannot think of a single time I have ever been bored, as my mind has always found plenty to ponder, no matter where I find myself.
I don't view that as either an advantage or disadvantage to the manner that other people experience life. But I will say that it was helpful for me, for example, when I used to get called as a witness to court cases when I worked in human services. I remember a co-worker unhappy when we sat for eight hours in the waiting room one day, only to be told to return the next day. Being paid to read a book seemed good to me.
My dog loves to follow tracks in the snow, and so soon we turned off onto an old logging road. Most of the tracks were from deer, with some from coyotes, fox, and various rodents. We encountered one spot where a rabbit had met its fate, when a bird of prey nailed it. From the size of the wing-pattern in the snow, I think it was a medium-sized hawk.
The majority of the tracks followed a small stream, in places but a trickle above ground, back to its source. It is one of two sources of fresh water that eventually enters my pond.. Since my childhood, I've been fascinated with the springs, streams, and creeks that can be found high up on the mountains in this region of upstate New York. I think that it is not just “wildlife” that has recognized their value.
About a decade ago, my son found a handful of pristine artifacts at the far end of a field across from the intersection of two rivers. These were all made from material found in Pennsylvania. Thus, I traveled 4.5 miles up the smaller river (heading north), to where two large creeks reach the river on opposite sides. I travel a distance uphill, approximately as far from the water as my son had been, until I found open springs that produce water year-round. There are huge boulders next to the springs. There, I was able to find some more of the Susquehanna artifacts, similar to those my son found.
More recently, I followed one of the creek 4.5 miles upstream, to near my property. Approximately the same distance up the mountain, Kelly led me to a the springs from the artesian aquifer that, like on the previous site, flows out from the edge of an enormous boulder. I will try to find out this summer if it, too, was an ancient campsite. I would expect Susquehanna artifacts, if it was.
https://wikivisually.com/wiki/Susquehanna_broad_projectile_point
Because one side of the boulder is covered by the mountain, I was able to stand on it, watching Kelly drink his fill below me. He is compelled to re-load in order to mark various trees and shrubs on our walks. Next he begins sniffing the various tracks in the snow, eventually funding what I assume are feral cats. A large number such “barn cats” live in the long abandoned barns from farms of a previous era on the mountain.. Just as their ancient ancestors did, these cats tend to visit sources of water about twice a day, to drink and hunt. Now Kelly is snorting into the snow to stir the scent for proper evaluation. Then he begins digging a hole in the ground.
I'm thinking heading home to prepare for the trial, when I think to myself, “Follow the water.” Immediately, I catch myself, and hope no one overheard me thinking that. Perhaps it would be better to be bored. Instead of following the logging road and turnpike, we head through the fields, brush, and woods, following to where the small stream gurgles into my pond. Kelly drinks there,too, as the constant flow of water has prevented ice from covering this section of the pond.
Thoughts about water continue to flow my mind when I get ready to watch the trial. As I wait for it to start, I am subjected to a clip of Jay Sekulow, the christian hypocrite-attorney that I find particularly offensive. And I think of the words of the ancient prophet Amos – who lived around the same time as the people who left those Susquehanna artifacts near springs – “But let justice flow on like a river, and righteousness like a mighty stream.” Amos is one of my favorite social justice warriors.
And as I watch today's hearing, I am encouraged by the Democrat's presentation. As powerful as it is, I know that many republican Senators – men and women who know that Trump is guilty as sin – will refuse to hold him accountable. These are the hypocrites that Asoph referred to in his song. We need to flood their offices with phone calls and e-mails. It is relatively easy to “google” any/every state capital, and find both a zip code and what county it is in, in preparation of a call being answered. Make them understand that they have more reason to listen to the public than the president. Let them know that there will be harsh consequences for supporting Trump, come their next election.
Back to listening to Adam Schiff!
H2O Man
= new reply since forum marked as read
Thanks for saving me the trip!
Classic bit and it reflects A&’s dynamite timing.
