Formidable Forces
Is the Answer Blowing in the Wind?
The wind has been blowing ferociously hard the last couple of days and many days throughout the spring. There’s been a wind advisory for the last twenty four hours with gusts up to 40 mph. Rolling Acres is on a hill, we feel the full blown force of a south wind. We are relieved when the wind changes to the north – the wind break protects us when the it comes from that direction. The wind break was planted years ago with government funds to help stop erosion.
The southeastern view from the front porch reveals a hazy, murky landscape. I can see dust in the air and wonder if it is coming from Kansas or even farther away. I recently witnessed a dust devil in a field as I was driving down a gravel road. It was huge; in the middle of it was a person on a tractor planting seeds for this year’s crop. The newly planted bare fields of soybeans and corn have little resistance to hold the soil against strong southerly winds. The tractor driver probably won’t have to worry about the wind negatively impacting the production of corn due to weather and bad farming practices; it looks like Washington will be sending out government payments to help cover the cost of lost income.
In the farmyard the early spring flowers try to stand strong against the powerful, formidable force of nature. Many times after a bout with 30 mph gusts, the yard looks disheveled as if a tornado had tried to form; dead limbs, corn stalks and leaves from last years harvest are strewn everywhere. Our ancient fence catches all of the debris that has been blasted from the vulnerable, newly planted field across the road.
I empathize with the plants, shrubs and trees attempting to hold onto their roots because nearly everyday I try to withstand the derecho force that is ripping apart the roots of my Midwestern upbringing; the core values that I grew up with in rural, small town Iowa. Throughout my childhood and into my teens I learned from school and from my parents the importance of our democracy; voting, running for office, supporting candidates who uphold the Constitution of the United States of America and to be grateful that I live in a country that cares about its people.
Being buffeted by political decisions made one day and changed the next, by watching video of people being snatched from their cars and homes by masked, armed, supposedly legitimate, law enforcement and witnessing the arrogance and disrespect for the rule of law is mind boggling. Just as a fierce wind has no respect for anything that gets in its way, our current governmental officials, in the name of efficiency are having a devastating effect on so many people.
Overcoming confusion, anger and fear about what is emanating out of Washington D.C., our nation’s capitol, is a monumental task some days. The abandonment of programs that have been in place to help those who need help is outrageous.
The Veteran’s Administration is being downsized and will end up providing less medical care and housing for those who defended our country. Services are being consolidated or eliminated while the person in control of our country and his cronies are putting together a $92M military parade to serve the needs of an egomaniac, a man who did not serve his country when others were called. An insecure rich white boy who was able to scheme his way out of his public duty. The money should be spent on taking care of those who take care of us.
We Iowans have learned to accept that our Midwest region is prone to high winds, tornadoes and derechos. The force of gales that can change lives in seconds is a reality that we must deal with.
Are we willing to accept the formidable political forces that are changing our lives everyday at the state and national level? Change is not always easy. Change that hurts people and our environment should be unacceptable and unallowable. Are we willing to speak out against injustices instigated by people who ignore the rule of law and our Constitution? Or do we watch as the destructive winds blow over us and hope for the best?
I’m sure you hear or saw reports of the dust storm across Illinois and Indiana 2 - 3 days ago. We watched that gray/brown cloud ahead of us as we went to a grandson’s baseball game in Macomb, IL. Thursday.
I was caught up wondering about our “ modern” farming and other land use practices that you know so much about as I watched that dust storm.
Well said, Denise! Let's listen to the song, gather courage to face the raging winds of destruction, and join together to RESIST! RESIST! RESIST!