6/22/2022

Dear Friend, JRB,

            What are you up to? It’s hard to tell from reading the papers. The only stories with your name in them are about your request to suspend the gas tax (which, by the way, is a bad idea – let’s protect the environment).

I don’t have time to comb the internet to get the story on your visit to the vaccine clinic yesterday. I presume you met some nice families, kissed a baby & made a joke. Undoubtedly you were in your element & delighted in telling everyone that you are first, & foremost, Jill’s husband.

            Speaking of spouses, it’s my husband’s birthday. Perhaps we will celebrate with some blueberry pancakes for breakfast. We often have strawberry shortcake in lieu of birthday cake. The impediments to making any kind of sweet-something include a) the heat, b) blood sugar issues & c) his state of mind, which makes it hard for him to have fun. What do you think? Should I make the effort?

            This AM I learned about the Wa people who live near the border of China in Burma. The women do a wonderful hair swinging dance to show their respect to nature & their vigorous enthusiasm and optimism. Apparently, the Was have had their own “mini-state” because they have an ethnic army that is 30,000 strong & they do a lot of business with Beijing. Unfortunately, folks grow opium there & they are known as a “narco-state.”

I’m telling you about the Wa, because I know you are worried about China & its growing influence. The Wa have come under that influence & if you want the world to lean toward democracy, you might see what you can do to help the Wa maintain their independence.

            BYBS,

            RCA