GOOD FOR YOU!!! I'm not that brave and will, most definitely keep my feet on the ground! However, I am surrounded in the beauty of raising monarchs. So far, 4 have made their freedom flight...and I have at least 20 to go! It's the most amazing process in the world! I never tire of watching a tiny egg become a tiny caterpillar that eats and grows through 5 instars, pupates into a chrysalis and finally, bursts into the world as a stunning butterfly! Lucky me!
Uh oh, gotta call you out for your Education / Intellectual Elitist remark implying only the educated can Think for Themselves! This is a terrible mistake that many Liberals make which pushes many away from the Democratic Party. There are so many good smart people who haven’t had the privilege of a good or extensive education, but that doesn’t mean that cannot perceive the inequalities and fallacies of our system and society.
Antonin Scalea shocked me the most when he referred to the Divine when it came to our government! Yeah, there are plenty of highly educated intellectuals with fringe ideas - on both sides of the political spectrum.
Scalia on Presidential Power Being "Backed by God"
Scalia did suggest a divine element to government authority, particularly in speeches or writings referencing Romans 13, a biblical passage often cited to support respect for governing authority. In a 2013 speech, Scalia said:
“Government... derives its moral authority from God. Government is the minister of God with powers to avenge, to execute wrath...”
He was referencing Romans 13:1-4, which he used to justify the legitimacy of state power — including the death penalty and war. While he didn’t claim that the U.S. presidency was specifically divinely ordained, he argued that legitimate authority — including that of rulers like the President — comes from God in a broad theological sense.
This position alarmed critics who saw it as dangerously close to theocratic thinking or at odds with the U.S. principle of secular government.
Take your phone out and take pictures - risk free! There are many styles of wrist straps for smartphones available. Some with long lanyards to go over your next and others with just a small wrist strap. We were in the Galapagos on boats for a week and took many pictures with our phones secured by wrist straps.
Hi Joy, read your post as I was leaving for France! Love Annecy and amazed at your achievement ! Bravo! So encouraged, inspired and of course challenged to do more to resist the current insanity. Watched a French film on the plane, Goliath. Disturbing film considering I lived in the agriculture area of Normandie where corn wheat and flax were grown. Let me know if you have a chance to see it… going to the American Library in Paris Gala next week where the author Eric Larson Will be speaking. His most recent book is eye opening, The Démon of Unrest. I’ll be interested in what he has to say since some could say we are in similar times as those when Lincoln took office. Au revoir pour le moment !!
Oooh Salman Rushdie! Ezra Klein interviewed him recently on his podcast—fascinating! Have never been to Ann Arbor—can you believe? Or Detroit for that matter.
First I want to express my gratitude for your contribution to reality, sanity and humanity with your posts! While I don’t always comment I find them to be a great source of encouragement in these strange times we find ourselves. I had perfect weather my first few days in Normandie which is not always the case and then on to Paris for the gala. It was cocktail attire but it seems that many didn’t even achieve that level of attire! I’ll send a group picture. What was fun is connecting with a woman who had been part of a weekend writers retreat that I organized in our home in Normandie in 2012 and several other women who have relatives in Ann Arbor that I plan to meet with in the next few months. The library in the Automobile Club of France is beautiful. Eric Larson was the speaker and was interviewed and not very interesting but you can’t have a winner every year. Rushdie, Patchett, and Maureen Dowd were great. Others not so interesting. You’d make a great speaker!! You are articulate, humorous and honest! If you ever get close to Ann Arbor you must stay with me! Big hug 🤗 ❤️
Congrats on your parasail! Looks like it was well run in a place designed for easy landings. Love your photos, videos and of course your writing.
I did my first (and so far only) parasail in NZ when I turned 40 and was in the midst of a divorce I didn't want. Seemed like a good time to be brave, and I did choose a more adventurous life.
Wow! Amazing! I can’t believe you did that. I enjoyed the photos and videos of your experience. I really enjoy your newsletters and they are the first thing I read when I see your name in my inbox. Thank you so much for sharing your views and love of beauty with us. I live in the Bay Area but recently got a condo in The Pearl on NW 11th so I could easily visit my daugher in Portland. I would love to meet you some day. You are an inspiration!
What a totaliy wonderful entry. What an amazing assortment of life experiences. Total yes to Patrick Bringley book. BTW, he currently has an off-Broadway solo show which mostly consists of him reading from his book.
Off broadway--how fascinating. Such a beautiful writer...and open-hearted way of experiencing art. I am inspired. You may have to put up with me come fall...
Joy, you are now officially my idol. I am so impressed with your paragliding adventure. What an amazing experience. The scenery was gorgeous and the ride looked surreal. Since we are college classmates and the same age I can admit that I would never have the courage to do it but I loved enjoying it vicariously through you!
Sure, there are smart people in both parties with and without a college degree. Nevertheless, authoritarian regimes attack universities specifically and education in general because they need voters who are most likely to fall for their propaganda—non-thinkers.
Love your bravery in flight, delicious photos, and accurate, articulate assessment of the clown show regime. Great read.
Thanks Kelly. It was a hoot!
GOOD FOR YOU!!! I'm not that brave and will, most definitely keep my feet on the ground! However, I am surrounded in the beauty of raising monarchs. So far, 4 have made their freedom flight...and I have at least 20 to go! It's the most amazing process in the world! I never tire of watching a tiny egg become a tiny caterpillar that eats and grows through 5 instars, pupates into a chrysalis and finally, bursts into the world as a stunning butterfly! Lucky me!
What a thrill, Jan. The monarchs fly in your stead. Win-win!
Uh oh, gotta call you out for your Education / Intellectual Elitist remark implying only the educated can Think for Themselves! This is a terrible mistake that many Liberals make which pushes many away from the Democratic Party. There are so many good smart people who haven’t had the privilege of a good or extensive education, but that doesn’t mean that cannot perceive the inequalities and fallacies of our system and society.
Antonin Scalea shocked me the most when he referred to the Divine when it came to our government! Yeah, there are plenty of highly educated intellectuals with fringe ideas - on both sides of the political spectrum.
Scalia on Presidential Power Being "Backed by God"
Scalia did suggest a divine element to government authority, particularly in speeches or writings referencing Romans 13, a biblical passage often cited to support respect for governing authority. In a 2013 speech, Scalia said:
“Government... derives its moral authority from God. Government is the minister of God with powers to avenge, to execute wrath...”
He was referencing Romans 13:1-4, which he used to justify the legitimacy of state power — including the death penalty and war. While he didn’t claim that the U.S. presidency was specifically divinely ordained, he argued that legitimate authority — including that of rulers like the President — comes from God in a broad theological sense.
This position alarmed critics who saw it as dangerously close to theocratic thinking or at odds with the U.S. principle of secular government.
Take your phone out and take pictures - risk free! There are many styles of wrist straps for smartphones available. Some with long lanyards to go over your next and others with just a small wrist strap. We were in the Galapagos on boats for a week and took many pictures with our phones secured by wrist straps.
Next time for sure…if I do it again… the leap isn’t cheap
Hi Joy, read your post as I was leaving for France! Love Annecy and amazed at your achievement ! Bravo! So encouraged, inspired and of course challenged to do more to resist the current insanity. Watched a French film on the plane, Goliath. Disturbing film considering I lived in the agriculture area of Normandie where corn wheat and flax were grown. Let me know if you have a chance to see it… going to the American Library in Paris Gala next week where the author Eric Larson Will be speaking. His most recent book is eye opening, The Démon of Unrest. I’ll be interested in what he has to say since some could say we are in similar times as those when Lincoln took office. Au revoir pour le moment !!
Oooh Salman Rushdie! Ezra Klein interviewed him recently on his podcast—fascinating! Have never been to Ann Arbor—can you believe? Or Detroit for that matter.
I saw him speak before the attack in 2018, a fascinating man.
The gala sounds like it will be amazing. I’d love to hear all about it. What will you wear?
Hi Joy,
First I want to express my gratitude for your contribution to reality, sanity and humanity with your posts! While I don’t always comment I find them to be a great source of encouragement in these strange times we find ourselves. I had perfect weather my first few days in Normandie which is not always the case and then on to Paris for the gala. It was cocktail attire but it seems that many didn’t even achieve that level of attire! I’ll send a group picture. What was fun is connecting with a woman who had been part of a weekend writers retreat that I organized in our home in Normandie in 2012 and several other women who have relatives in Ann Arbor that I plan to meet with in the next few months. The library in the Automobile Club of France is beautiful. Eric Larson was the speaker and was interviewed and not very interesting but you can’t have a winner every year. Rushdie, Patchett, and Maureen Dowd were great. Others not so interesting. You’d make a great speaker!! You are articulate, humorous and honest! If you ever get close to Ann Arbor you must stay with me! Big hug 🤗 ❤️
You are inspiring, in so many ways! May all your landings be as soft!
I have been lucky so far. Even my train misadventures got me to my destination in one piece, albeit a bit battered.
Congrats on your parasail! Looks like it was well run in a place designed for easy landings. Love your photos, videos and of course your writing.
I did my first (and so far only) parasail in NZ when I turned 40 and was in the midst of a divorce I didn't want. Seemed like a good time to be brave, and I did choose a more adventurous life.
To keeping the adventures going!
You sure did choose an adventurous life! I could NEVER have done what you did.
I think you could. It really wasn't scary--just sounds like it was.
SO COOL for You!! You really know how to LIVE! And, write!
Working on it. I am going for the gusto. No time to waste.
How wonderful Joy that you took the risk and flew! I've always wanted to go paragliding and you have given me new motivation. Looks amazing!
You totally could do it, and you'd love it!
Wow! Amazing! I can’t believe you did that. I enjoyed the photos and videos of your experience. I really enjoy your newsletters and they are the first thing I read when I see your name in my inbox. Thank you so much for sharing your views and love of beauty with us. I live in the Bay Area but recently got a condo in The Pearl on NW 11th so I could easily visit my daugher in Portland. I would love to meet you some day. You are an inspiration!
Sounds like you will be close by: I'm on NW 14th. I'll be home in mid-June. Get in touch.
What a totaliy wonderful entry. What an amazing assortment of life experiences. Total yes to Patrick Bringley book. BTW, he currently has an off-Broadway solo show which mostly consists of him reading from his book.
Off broadway--how fascinating. Such a beautiful writer...and open-hearted way of experiencing art. I am inspired. You may have to put up with me come fall...
Wow! good for you:) your flight looked amazing and fun!
It was! And you know how spectacular the area is...
You are brave, I would be afraid to do that. You certainly are adventurous.My life is dull compared to yours. The video was great.
It actually wasn't scary at all. My co-pilot was very experienced and I felt very safe.
Joy, you are now officially my idol. I am so impressed with your paragliding adventure. What an amazing experience. The scenery was gorgeous and the ride looked surreal. Since we are college classmates and the same age I can admit that I would never have the courage to do it but I loved enjoying it vicariously through you!
Honestly, it wasn't scary (and I'm the world's most physically cautious person). You could do it.
Amazing, Joy!! You inspire me.
Sometimes I surprise myself. It was a hoot!
Sure, there are smart people in both parties with and without a college degree. Nevertheless, authoritarian regimes attack universities specifically and education in general because they need voters who are most likely to fall for their propaganda—non-thinkers.