NO KINGS? HOW THINGS CHANGE OVER TIME

Running at the No Kings march? No, but . . .

Things change slowly that feel like warp speed looking back.

One day you’re a marathoner in Seaside cruising down the road.

Feeling good, looking good, before hitting the wall.

Then it’s all about recovering and finishing big. On the sandy beach.

Ugh.

After that I went home and hobbled around for a week.

It felt next to crippling.

Years later I learned what crippled really felt like.

 

 

Its funny how life includes so many different challenges to overcome, but overcome we must.

I’m sitting in my fancy chair tapping it out on a nice laptop before starting the day beyond my lovely garden window with two cats in the yard.

I’m abandoning the warmth and comfort of my old age for the mean suburban streets of protest?

Damn right.

My wife is taking part in the No Kings march, which means I’m taking part in the No Kings march.

Married life says do things together, if there are any questions. Besides she was going whether I went along or not.

We discussed a plan: Stay on the edge of the crowd and hustle from one cross street to the next. If things take a turn we’ve got a sure getaway.

She’s not worried and says I’m overreacting.

 

Things Change With Saturday Goals

I’m taking a break from my usual schedule, donning my olive drab Army shirt with my name over the right pocket, and doing my civic duty.

I’ll drag down to the Burnham for the No Kings march and follow along.

Sounds kind of sheepish to me too, but that’s the deal.

We parked in a free lot a short walk to Universal Park where a big crowd with signs gathered.

 

 

A few minutes later the group moved in slow step toward Main Street and turned left at the liquor store.

 

 

Heading south down Main, some marchers climbed the entry wall and found a perch that suited them.

 

 

The rest of the peaceful protesters lined both sides of Hwy 99 West all the way to Watkins Ave.

 

 

We pulled out before the rush back to the cars and headed home.

I asked a question for the group:

What would you do if we were sitting in Elmer’s and a group of masked men charged in and snatched the waitress who has worked there for twenty-nine years and remembers us when we come in?

Is it a hard question? Too hard? Are there consequences with the right answer?

How far are we expected to go?

I was willing to march.

What’s the next challenge to overcome, because overcome we must.

It’s part of the citizenship test.