Heart Happy (cathy_edgett) wrote,
Heart Happy
cathy_edgett

Good Morning!!

I am reading a book about John Clare, a magnificent poet who is considered "the greatest working class poet that England has ever produced."  He lived from 1795-1864.    As he declined into mental illness,  he was placed in asylums.   When I read of his placement, I thought it would be atrocious and he would decline, and yet he actually lived in better housing and surroundings and had better food than he had at home.  Other poets drifted through, and though his mind was sometimes erratic, he continued to write. 

When Ronald Reagan decided we didn't need to care for the mentally ill, they were let out on the streets and we had a homeless problem.  During Clare's time in England, every county was obligated to furnish a place for the mentally ill.   Those who could afford it paid for their care.  Others were covered by the government.   Here we are, a country that was loaded with assets, and yet this is a group we are stingy with as to care.  Perhaps we could view them differently as they were beginning to do in the time of John Clare.  They were given a place to rest and repair.


I read that we are experiencing the fifth dryest January since 1850.   What a contrast to last year.   Amazingly, endangered Killer Whales are off the San Francisco coast.  They have journeyed south in their search for salmon.  There may be 63 whales spread out over 30 miles around the Farallones.  I'm glad they are here, and I worry about their survival.  Prayers for the whales just a little to the west of us right now.

A joyful day of sun and clouds!!
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