Commonalities

I was so afraid to start this blog. First, the mechanics of it which my husband took care of and presented it to me. Then I had to write. Write what? What would be the title of the blog? What could I possibly write about that would interest anyone?

One of the first things I wrote about over 30,000 hits ago was How To Eat A Concord Grape. Every fall the numbers go up and I get comments from kids I knew in grade school whose parents helped western NY grow its vinifera business, even my grade school music teacher who sent me a book about cooking with grapes and highlighted the recipe that most resembled her Concord grape pie.

Having a blog is not just about hearing from people from “home,” it’s about meeting people with similar interests. Living in a community that rents to short-term folks out for a ski or summer weekend, we meet a lot of interesting people and have something in common, whether it be work or food or nature.

Traveling in different countries and remaining open to the cultures and people it is easy to discover that however different we think we are, we’re more the same. I didn’t meet a Black person until 9th grade and we became fast friends. I didn’t meet a Jewish person until after college and it was years before I met an Indian. Now I have Black, Jewish, gay and lesbian friends, female and male friends that make my life more complete.

Our supposed “melting pot” of cultures is breaking because of hatred of the beliefs of others who certain folks deem to be “different” thus unworthy of being “American.” Even US citizens are tarred with this hatred, beginning with our President. What used to be Republican vs. Democrat in this country (I always welcome other parties) has become ugly. If your only platform for election is airing negative ads against your opponent you don’t deserve to be elected.

Call me a sap or a true American. Yes, this past weekend I watched part of The Glenn Miller Story. Of course they sugar-coated everything from the band to relationship to the military in WWII (or perhaps they didn’t). But they stood up for the USA, courage and patriotism. To the soldiers who have fought on our behalf I believe they fought for their country, the USA, not for pockets of it that they liked.

As long as our young people are in harm’s way anywhere in the world, we must remember that we are a nation. We have much more in common than we know about the “strange” neighbor who moved in down the street. He may be Muslim. She may be divorced with two kids. We’re all American so you can take over that casserole or plate of cookies and welcome your neighbor. You’ll find your neighborhood changes in a positive way very quickly. Cheers, Dee