AS BEYOND, SO UP CLOSE . . . Trump’s (possible) Triumph, Victories here too, plus woodland hike!

October 13, 2025

I am utterly amazed and thrilled at what Trump is apparently succeeding in spearheading. From various X posts I ascertain that this peace deal has been orchestrated over a long period time, with many nations involved, both Mideast and others.

Meanwhile, I need to concentrate on right here, right now. What is within my ability to “control.”

For one thing: I’ve decided to create a T-shirt with “UNLOOSHABLE” on one side and and on the other side, the word “argue” X-ed out with a big red X, and underneath that word, larger, and in an appropriate font, “RADIATE.”

This, thanks to dear friend Julia who used to live in the neighborhood and has now moved to the west coast; she has agreed to design it. YES!

And in the same vein, Carisa, who lives across the street, wants to start a T-shirt business with me, call it “Re-Frame.” Like that idea! She also has a couple of designs already. We sat on my front porch steps late yesterday and this idea bloomed into view; both of us excited, full of energy. YES!

And in a slightly larger vein, neighbor Bill Schaich, who patiently and steadfastly spearheaded the project to get and put Green Acres “toppers” on all our neighborhood street signs, has now completed the project, thanks to help from Mariella and her son Joachim, Margaret, and Dave, who all climbed the ladder, the crew working different shifts over a two week period. YES!

And even closer to home, i.e., in my own body, I decided to do my daily morning walk on a trail this morning, specifically a well used trail at Griffy Lake, about ten minutes north by car from where I live.

Scampi and I headed out there shortly after 8 AM.

This is a trail that I take often; not only is it in an In-Diana woodland which I treasure, but it also has a 200 feet elevation, which my nearly 83-year-old cardiovascular system requires (Today I trekked the elevation twice: on way out, on way back.)

Here we are already on top of the hill.

Now we’re about to come down the other side. Scampi way ahead, outta sight.

I’ve learned to trust that at some point he will stop no more than a stone’s throw ahead, look back, and wait for me, eyes alert, ears cocked.

On the way down now. I’m always amazed to see one tree cradling another that has fallen. In this case, creating an arch over the trail! (See Scampi, very tiny, way ahead, waiting.

Here’s the roots of that same tree. It always amazes me how shallowly rooted they are! (Apparently gigantic redwoods also have shallow roots.)

Here’s the horizontal trail at the bottom of the hill that leads upstream.

Today we stopped when the stream came into view. Usually, we keep going, on the trail down by the stream for a half mile or so. But today we headed back instead, to do another uphill trail.

The map. We did the hiking trail, and a shorter, steeper one not shown here.

A few months ago, I hiked around the entire lake with my son Sean, over 7 miles. That was an interesting experience, since the trail on the north side of the lake is extremely rough and uphill, even missing at times. I found myself clawing uphill. Laughing.

I love the trail system around and within Bloomington. Yesterday, Scampi and I did the Goat Farm/Olcott Park trail. Great fun.

Reflections on the suddenly announced Peace Plan for Gaza/Israel

October 9, 2025

I’ve tried to stay clear of anything to do with the Middle East, especially where it concerns Israel. The history of the region is so fraught with convolution!

(And whenever I do succumb to news about it, especially to news of how Israel originally pushed Palestinians off their native land, and how they now want to expand territory for Greater Israel, I cannot help but remember how pioneers in this country, did the same to Native Americans, killing their bison and forcing them onto “reservations.”

Where, in history, has this not happened. Who would ever agree to leaving their home without being coerced, forced, starved out, etc. Think of all the refugees now, crowding into Europe and still trying to get into the U.S. Think of how the U.S. has systematically, over decades, stolen natural resources in so many countries, while pushing the natives into poverty!)

Which is why I was surprised to find myself reading, all the way through, Naomi Wolf’s recent heartfelt post.

https://naomiwolf.substack.com/p/october-7

Frankly, the story of her personal involvement in the Middle East could not help but elicit my sympathy, empathy. So ghastly, the way human beings can be brainwashed,  demoralized, starved, dragged — into treating each other as savages.

So of course, Trump’s announcement yesterday, that both sides had not only agreed to, but had signed off on the first phase of the 20 point peace plan, a plan that he suddenly sprung on the world, with no warning, instantly activated my spidey-sense: “Oh hell, that’ll never work.”

It appears that Trump’s enigmatic looking son-in-law, Jared Kushner, has been an invisible presence there, along with Steve Witkoff both helping with negotiations to seal the deal.

How many other deals are being silently worked out in various global hot spots without our knowledge. And will any of them actually “work”? There goes my cynicism again.

Clandestine appears to be naturally more positive.

Because of course, as a lifelong, and at this point, extremely jaded peace activist, I cannot help but mutter “Oh yeah, let’s see how long that lasts,” knowing, or at least assuming, being so seasoned into cynicism, that it won’t.

Obviously, I need to work on myself, recognize where I am still holding on to fear. Because that’s what spurs my dogmatic judgments. Fear. F.E.A.R. (False Evidence Appearing Real).

It’s either Love or Fear, Ann. Choose! Think and act as if all that we have been dreaming of has already come true.

If enough of us do this, the massive ongoing global event stream will bend in the direction of our collective intent.