Just home from a trip to Ohio to meet up with three college friends.  More on that another time.  

I had the following in my emailbox from my friend, Marilyn.  Something to ponder.

We are called "the elderly." But that quiet label hides something most people rarely stop to consider. We are the last living witnesses of a world that no longer exists. 

Look at us and you might see gray hair, slower steps, and the patience that time teaches.

But listen to our story — really listen — and you'll realize something extraordinary.

We are the only generation in human history to have lived a fully analog childhood and a fully digital adulthood.

That's not a small thing. That's one of the most breathtaking journeys a human being has ever been asked to make.

We were born in the 1940s, 50s, and early 60s, into a world still rebuilding from the rubble of World War II. 

Our toys were marbles and hopscotch and card games at kitchen tables. When the streetlights flickered on, that was it — childhood adventures were over, and it was time to go home. No smartphones. No streaming. No endless scroll.

We built our memories in the real world. With scraped knees and laughter echoing down streets and friendships formed face to face.

In 1969, we sat in living rooms staring at black-and-white televisions as Neil Armstrong took humanity's first steps on the Moon. Hundreds of thousands of us stood in muddy fields at Woodstock believing — really believing — that music and community could reshape the future.

We fell in love to vinyl records spinning on turntables. We waited days, sometimes weeks, for handwritten letters to arrive. We learned patience because information didn't come instantly. Mistakes were fixed with erasers — not a delete button.

Then the world transformed.

Machines that once filled entire rooms shrank to devices lighter than a paperback. We went from rotary phones and party lines to seeing the face of someone we love on the other side of the ocean — instantly, on something that fits in a pocket.

We watched the birth of the personal computer. The arrival of the internet. The smartphone. Artificial intelligence.

And through every single shift — we adapted.

Not because it was easy. Because that's what our generation does.

We also carry the weight of history in our bodies.

We grew up afraid of polio and tuberculosis. We watched science defeat them. We witnessed the discovery of the structure of DNA, the decoding of the human genome, the transformation of medicine itself. We survived pandemics across decades — and kept going.

Few generations have been asked to absorb so much change in a single lifetime.

And through all of it, certain things never changed.

We still know the joy of a cold glass of lemonade on a hot afternoon. The taste of vegetables picked straight from a garden. The value of a long conversation that unfolds slowly, without a screen interrupting it.

We have celebrated births and mourned losses. Carried the stories of friends who are gone. Watched the world become something our younger selves couldn't have imagined — and found ways to belong in it anyway.

We are not relics.

We are living bridges between two entirely different worlds.

Our memory carries something the modern world needs — proof that progress doesn't have to erase wisdom. That speed doesn't have to replace patience, kindness, or reflection.

So when someone calls us elderly, we can smile.

Because behind that word is something remarkable.

We crossed two centuries. Witnessed eight decades of transformation. Walked from handwritten letters to artificial intelligence — and never lost our sense of what actually matters.

What Now for Democrats?

 

	Forwarded this email? Subscribe here for more Democrats Are Left With Two Primary Lessons It's time to come together — and for others to plan to get out of the way. JENNIFER RUBIN AUG 17   READ IN APP   Beyond the favorite legacy-media, conflict-driven, click-bait coverage (Progressives vs. centrists! Dems in disarray!), Democrats would do well to focus on two aspects of the primary season.  Abdul El-Sayed speaks at a rally after winning the Democratic nomination for U.S. Senate in Minnesota. (WOOD TV8) A time to unite against a common foe Losing Democratic candidates have demonstrated restraint, humility, and patriotism, rallying to embrace their opponents, some of whom bitterly debated hot-button policy issues. Contrary to the “Democrats are at each other’s throats” patter, Rep. Haley Stevens in Michigan, Rep. Angie Craig in Minnesota, and Francesca Hong in Wisconsin were among those who after their defeats swiftly adopted a unity message in service of cementing the pro-democracy coalition. Likewise, winning candidates (who had been viciously attacked in some cases by the losers’ backers and by partisan pundits) have been remarkably gracious in forging solidarity after tough fights. Hong, after a razor-thin defeat to Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley for the Wisconsin Democratic gubernatorial nomination, declared: “This campaign was not about getting one person into office. It is about building a movement for permanent affordability and a government that puts working people first. Our movement is strong, and the work isn’t done.” She added, “I fully support him and look forward to working with him to defeat Congressman Tiffany in November.” Crowley responded in kind: “We may not agree on every policy, we may not use the same labels, but we all want safe communities, strong schools, affordable health care, good-paying jobs and a brighter future for all of our children.” Magnanimity was evident in Minnesota as well, as Minnesota Reformerreported on the aftermath of the Senate primary won easily by Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan: In her victory speech, Flanagan looked to swiftly repair the fissures from the costly and acrimonious primary. She reminded her supporters that she and Craig are both proud Democrats despite their differences, and told Craig’s supporters she will work hard to earn their vote. Craig likewise stressed her “top priority” was winning in November. Even before election day, when the electoral handwriting was plainly on the wall, Craig said during the last debate, “We have an existential crisis in our nation with Trump and Republicans, and so I would be right by the lieutenant governor’s side asking my supporters to support her.” Craig continued, “The most important thing in this election is that we beat Republicans. That’s what matters.” Share And in Michigan, Stevens trumpeted calls for unity, telling Meet the Press NOW, there was “no drama” following the primary. She reiterated on CNN, “I’ll do whatever they want!” Stevens stressed she had not given up her values (nor need her voters) but nevertheless was fully committed to making certain the “big tent” held together. Michigan Democratic Senate nominee Abdul El-Sayed meanwhile continues his appeal to voters who opposed him in the primaries. In sum, facing general election Republican opponents who rank as the mostmorally objectionable, extreme, and blatantly racist characters ever to run for office, responsible Democrats are linking arms to capitalize on an election environment in which Donald Trump’s approval is cratering. Under such circumstances, Democrats and pro-democracy independents and Republicans should applaud those who prioritize defeating a fascist movement before it can do more damage. Frequent Contrarian contributor Simon Rosenberg, noting that “every flavor of Democrat had victories in the last few months,” observed recently: You’re seeing the Democratic Party in all of its glory and its diversity, what I call embracing the rainbow.... And in a change election, it’s really important that it looks to the public like we’re changing and we’re not just doing the same old, same old.... We needed to change. We needed to evolve and grow. We didn’t win the last election. And I think you’re seeing our party evolve and grow. That bodes well for the party’s chances in November. A time to move on Democrats (voters, donors, operatives, candidates) should understand that age, not just abstract “generational change,” will increasingly be an issue in national politics. Americans have watched two presidents suffering from glaringly age-related deterioration. They have witnessed the infirm former Senate majority leader’s long absence as the public had reason to doubt whether he remained sentient. Despite a batch of retirements, we are left with a Congress among the oldest by median age, with nearly a quarter 70 or older. Since 2023, “10 sitting members of Congress have died, all 65 or older, and a number of others have spent weeks and even months off the job in the hospital.” And voters keep telling us they are tired of geriatric rule. A recent NPR/PBS/Marist poll found: “80% strongly support or support imposing a maximum age limit for candidates” and 83% “strongly support or support limiting the number of times candidates can run for congressional office.” The waning patience with candidates who have hung around too long was evident in last Tuesday’s Democratic primary in Connecticut’s 1stCongressional District. Fourteen-term incumbent Rep. John Larson, 78, who had a seizure on the House floor this year, lost his primary race to younger moderate Democrat, Luke Bronin. Bronin bluntly argued that “this race is about energy and effectiveness and building a Democratic Party that is strong enough to defeat Donald Trump.” While praising those who served “for decades,” he emphasized that “we would be so much stronger as a Democratic Party if we had more leaders that recognized that part of leadership is knowing when to pass the torch.” Voters agreed. Other Democrats should pay attention. As The Connecticut Mirror reported, Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) will find it hard “to dodge questions about age and the calls for generational change that are sure to play a role in future campaigns.” (Blumenthal, shrugging off age as merely “a state of mind,” irresponsibly denies hard truths about aging.) He and senior colleagues in both the House and Senate should consider leaving on their own volition and decline to seek reelection in 2028. The age issue is most acute for Senate Minority Leader Charles Schumer (D-NY), who is nearing nearly 30 years in office. With his stooped posture and glasses sliding down his nose, he hardly projects the image of a vibrant party ready to turn the page. Criticism targeting his lackluster rhetoric, inconsistent record in confronting Trump, recruitment of mediocre candidates, identification with the corporate wing of the party, and rigid AIPAC dogma will fuel demands for a leadership makeover. Share The prospect of a leadership fight after the midterms or a strong 2028 challenger may force his hand. But he could decide to avoid messy fights, as did his longtime ally (and milquetoast Senate Judiciary Chairman) Sen. Richard Durbin (D-IL), who declined to run in 2026, allowing a talented African American woman, Juliana Stratton, to emerge as his successor. In sum, robust pluralistic democracy demands a flow of fresh faces. Voters ultimately decide when “enough is enough,” as they did with Larson. But, by announcing they are serving their last term, aging candidates could spare themselves and the party unneeded angst and give promising newcomers time to prepare campaigns. If they do, they will earn their party’s gratitude. The Contrarian is community-supported. Help fund bold journalism and critical lawsuits to stop Trump’s corruption by becoming a paid subscriber. Join the fight now.

Billings Farm

 Our very hot weather finally broke on Thursday morning just in time to take our oldest two granddaughters for a last hurrah summer outing.  I remembered that the library had a pass for the Billings Farm and Museum in Woodstock, VT and it was available, so that's what we did.

The pass gave us entry for free, a savings of more than $60 which we ended up spending in the gift shop! Right next door to the Billings is the Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller National Historic Park which is free admission but tours are extra.  We didn't manage to make a tour other than the Junior Ranger half hour excursion which the girls did as we walked the grounds of the Historic Park.  We plan to return one day for that as both girls wanted to see what a mansion looked like.

The best part of the day was the animals at the Farm.  

Patting the retired cow - a champion in her time - in the cow barn.

We saw a heifer born the day before! Alas no photo!

In the heifer barn:

Granddaughter #1 took over being the photographer and captured these shots.

Small animal barn:

Not a small animal!  Dan!

You can see what a beautiful day it was!

From the barns and garden we headed to the farm manager's house set up as it was in the 1870s.  Here are the items that captured her attention.

In the office:

In the kitchen:

Dining room:

Family Parlor:

Formal parlor:

Bedroom closet:

Water closet:

Under the house was the buttery:

These stain glass pictures in the windows were a special exhibit.  Granddaughter loved them all:

As we returned through the visitor center to cross the street to the National Park we briefly walked through a quilt show.

Here are the photos of the Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller Mansion that one day we will return to see inside.

It was a great day.  Much better than staying home and trying to keep them occupied.