Lessons that go past the headlines

When I started writing this column, I followed my usual pattern of checking the various news sources I typically follow that slant to the left, namely the New York Times, CNN, and MSNBC; and those that slant to the right, namely the Wall Street Journal and Fox News.

What I discovered was surprising. On some current hot-button issues there is seemingly at least tacit agreement across the political divide, and on others much less so. Then there is a news issue largely ignored.

First, the controversial stories where there seems to be some consensus.

The coverage of South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem’s shooting of her young dog was broad, and universally critical. If one of her objectives was to boost sales of her forthcoming book, she likely succeeded. Otherwise, and as a potential Vice-Presidential candidate, she bombed. Likely reminds many of us of the story of Mitt Romney having traveled with his dog on the car roof. It was a factor in his Presidential election defeat in 2012. Parenthetically, I would suggest that Noem’s state take down the television ads featuring her attempts to appear in person in various partial disguises to humorously boost their economy. Too bad, I used to like the ads.

First lesson: Don’t mess with dogs.

A more controversial issue, yet remarkedly slightly bipartisan in its coverage, has been the near universal criticism of President Biden’s withholding of weapons for Israel. An article published by CNN on May 12, “Biden faces bipartisan backlash on Capital Hill over Israel Ultimatum,” noted that, “Biden’s decision to go public with the ultimatum…was greeted with pointed criticism across the GOP spectrum on Sunday, and vocal concern among Democrats.” While Sen. Lindsey Graham has long been a President Biden critic, and the quote from him in that CNN article reflects his frequent hyperbole, his comment that the Biden decision was “the worst decision in the history of the US-Israel relationship” is only a bit overblown. Hopefully Biden will recognize that making such a decision, perhaps based in substantial part on gaining electoral advantages in key swing states, such as Michigan, is both transparent and damaging.

Second lesson: Michigan Wolverines cannot bite, but can vote.

A much more controversial perspective would be to believe that the media has developed a seemingly rough consensus that former President Trump will be convicted or receive a hung jury verdict in the Manhattan hush money case, but likely win on appeal. An article in the USA Today on May 11, “A Guilty Verdict? Donald Trump and Allies are bracing voters for the worst,” provides multiple perspectives: a DC attorney says “I don’t see anything good coming out of this for Trump…the question is how much damage it does”, and a law professor who finds “…the former presi

calm tranquility for nearly an hour. In fact, Oliver was so comfortable and relaxed that he nearly fell asleep. I had never experienced a kinship with a horse — or any animal for that matter — quite like this in my life.

Over the next two days, I spent mornings stretching out on a yoga mat followed by training time in the arena improving my horsemanship skills and sunny afternoons riding Oliver on muddy trails through the snow-capped Rocky Mountains. After the third trail ride, I was more in sync with my horse and with myself than ever before. Now, with little effort, I could stay present and grounded on the yoga mat and in the saddle.

But the ranch retreat still had one more lesson to teach. Fatigue had gotten the best of me on the first night the Northern Lights graced the sky. I slept through the entire celestial event of a lifetime. Not wanting to miss my second chance to witness the magic of the aurora borealis, a small group of us agreed to meet up in a dark field at the center of the ranch around midnight. Initially, heavy cloud cover obscured our view, so we agreed to regroup a half hour later before turning in for the night.

Feeling cold, I headed toward the fireplace outside the main lodge to keep warm. Oddly, despite the midnight hour, I did not feel tired at all. When I sat down in front of the fire, I took a few deep breaths of the cool night air. I was alone and surrounded by stillness. I did not feel the need to do anything at that moment. There was no “to-do” list swirling in my head. And for a half hour, there was silence. True silence. A silent landscape. A silent body. And most important, a silent mind. The voice in my head — the one full of doubt, judgement, fear, and endless lists — said absolutely nothing. For 30 minutes. Like it was the easiest thing in the world. Like I had done it a hundred times before. “Finding My Inner Cowgirl” revealed a path to inner solitude, a place I will be able to find whenever I need it.

I cannot imagine a better gift for Mother’s Day.