Ehlana and Ethan:
Palm Sunday in our little town is a special church event; and our Pastors treat it as the celebration that it was during the actual event. That is intentional, because they want their congregation to feel a small version of the experience of joy and excitement that will contrast dramatically to the horrors that were just days away from happening to Jesus between that exuberant welcome and the crucifixion. The service was wonderful; the music celebratory; and everyone moved on from the church feeling the exact high that Pastor John evoked in us.
We kept those feelings with us through lunch and into an afternoon of fun with family and friends that included a bike ride that this time was on the trail that heads south of town toward the rail trail connection. That was a longer ride than we wanted to do today, but we headed out for an hour or so; did some exploring along the way and back again; and wrapped up with some back yard play time before we all split up for various dinner and evening plans. Ethan and I were with Mom and Dad for dinner and the evening; Cassie and Michael were busy with their nieces and nephews; and our best friends were hanging out with their own families again tonight.
Our dinner was grilled with cold sides; Ethan and I helped with the work on both sides of the meal; and then our evening included a Magi lesson; some family business work; and bath or Jacuzzi time that brings us up to right now. Getting some sleep is next on our to-do list, and we are tired thanks to the exercise and time-phased work; so let’s cover the world news and then call it a night.
The latest from the Iran war includes more attacks on both sides; and while the latest from Iran includes bombing of Universities and schools; Iran’s retaliations include attacks on aluminum factories and air bases. There are reports that at least one AWACS het was destroyed in Saudi Arabia, and if true, that’s another billion-dollar bill for our taxpayers. More talk of peace isn’t credible to us, but there are reports that other countries are making deals with Iran to get passage for their ships through the Strait of Hormuz. Our leaders are attempting to take credit for that, but we know it isn’t true; and economic deals were made – likely tolls paid for each passage. There was a meeting in Turkey too, but since Iran wasn’t involved; we doubt that those diplomats accomplished anything. A ground offensive is still more-likely than not; and there may be as many as ten-thousand more troops on the way to the region in addition to the thousands already there now. As we’ve mentioned before, that will be an insanely-stupid disaster if they try to do that; so we can only hope for someone to stop that plan before it is too late.
On the Ukraine front, one of the most-interesting stories of the day was about suspected Ukrainian drones crashing in Finland. If true, that would mean that Ukraine has been getting permission to use the airspace to send drones against Russia. Finland leaders are not saying much about those drones; which makes them look complicit in the war with Russia. That is a minor story compared to the actual death and destruction happening in Ukraine and to a lesser extent in Russia. It says something about world media to note that drones crashing in the wrong place gets more attention than all of the fighting along the front lines or hundreds of missile and drone strikes. That’s also a distinct difference between the top two wars going on right now; since all of the ‘pretty’ explosions and fires in the Middle East are still new and exciting while the fifth year of the Ukraine war is ‘boring’ despite the fact that those bombs, missiles, and drones are just as destructive as anything happening in the Middle East.
Okay, that’s enough for tonight. We need to get some sleep; so we’re going to get started on doing that right now.
Until next time, live with love, fellow Magi of the Light!
