Charest Family on the Web Posts

statue of liberty with winnie in front posing as the statue. Photo taken October 2010
Winnie Under the Statue of Liberty

Estimated reading time: 2 minutes

Last Christmas my oldest nephew, Terry, gifted me a one-year subscription to “Storyworth.com.” This is a service designed to get people writing about themselves, in response to questions the subscriber selects. Storyworth poses a new question every week, and at the end of the year compiles all answers into a book.

I’ve been pretty good about answering the questions. Some have forced more introspection that I’m used to. Which is probably a good thing. One question that I’ve just finished answering deserves to be posted here, in consideration of the current wave of national xenophobia.

This is my answer to the question of “Who Inspires You?”

Family Stories

Train wreck at Montparnasse 1895, a metaphor for trump's cabinet nominations.
Trump’s Cabinet Nominations

Estimated reading time: 2 minutes

I have been horrified by the train wreck of trump’s nominations for leadership positions in his future administration. While I did not expect much integrity or competence from anyone willing to work for trump, these cabinet posts nominees already exceed my expectations.

Both of my North Carolina senators are Republicans. So, I guess I shouldn’t expect too much of them. But in the fleeting hope that they have some integrity, I decided to write them a letter expressing my feelings. So, here is my open letter to my senators on trump’s nominees.

Opinions & Commentary

beating my head against a wall, Photo by Ba Tik from Pexels: https://www.pexels.com/photo/man-punching-gray-wall-3754243/
Beating My Head Against A Wall

Estimated reading time: 3 minutes

Just like clockwork, I’m hearing Democrats mouthing the tired old tropes of “if Trump and the Republicans screw up badly enough, people will start electing Democrats.”

Oh, Really? So, what will it take?

Opinions & Commentary

Woman kneeling in a desert screaming, titled "Furiosa"
Furiosa

Estimated reading time: 4 minutes

I’m still trying to process Tuesday’s election loss to Trump by an actual majority of American voters. I’m also watching the inevitable Democratic circular firing squads looking for someone to blame. “Victory has a thousand fathers, but defeat is an orphan [1].” So, Democrats are busy looking for that orphan.

Meanwhile, I see one major cause for this horrible defeat. Democrats lost this election, and lost so badly, because too many American are not getting our message. For a variety of reasons, we’re losing the messaging wars.

  1. J.F. Kennedy, The Socratic Method []

Opinions & Commentary

Scales of justice. Photo by Sora Shimazaki: https://www.pexels.com/photo/judges-desk-with-gavel-and-scales-5669619/
Judging Ourselves

Estimated reading time: 3 minutes

Today is the last chance American’s have to vote for our future and our President. Do we want a fascist-lite morally corrupt convicted felon who was sued over 4000 times for not paying his bills? Who went bankrupt four times, each time profiting while his investors lost everything. Banned from running charities in New York after stealing from a children’s cancer fund. Who has credibly been accused of multiple counts of rape and pedopillia. A man showing clear signs of malignant narcissistic personality disorders and age-related dementia?

Or do we want a woman who is an accomplished former prosecuting attorney, former California State Attorney General, former Senator, and current Vice President to one of the most successful Presidents in our generation? Who also happens to be a black lady and daughter of immigrant parents.

Amazingly, according to polls, as of last week one third of our nation’s voters had not yet made up their minds.

Opinions & Commentary

Crumbled democratic institutions. Photo by Uğurcan Özmen: https://www.pexels.com/photo/ancient-stone-monuments-in-historical-site-29055855/
Our Democratic Institutions

Estimated reading time: 5 minutes

Way back in 2016, after Trump “won” the presidential election through minority vote, there were a number of experts on authoritarianism speaking out on the results. One particular writer, Masha Gessen[1], summarized three principles:

  1. Believe the autocrat.
  2. Don’t be taken in by small signs of normality.
  3. Your institutions will not save you.

Gessen was absolutely correct, and his predictions are still playing out eight years later. Especially, “Your institutions will not save you.”

  1. Gessen, M. (2020). Surviving Autocracy. Riverhead Books. []

Opinions & Commentary

Ron and Winnie Charest at Pikes Market, Seattle, Washington
Ron and Winnie Charest at Pikes Market, Seattle, Washington

Estimated reading time: 8 minutes

Winnie and I recently returned from a week’s vacation in Seattle, Washington. It was a great week. We had a chance to visit with one of our nephews, explore Seattle and the lovely surrounding parks, and attend another Navy reunion. The reunion was the primary reason for making this trip.

Family Stories In the Navy

Ron performing Sea Trials of A Slayer Max Propel 10 Kayak
Ron Performing Sea Trials of A Slayer Max Propel 10 Kayak

Estimated reading time: 14 minutes

Last October Winnie and I added a Native Watercraft model “Slayer Max Propel 10” pedal-drive kayak to our fleet. We’ve used this kayak several times since, enough for me to post a review.

Although these pedal drive kayaks are designed for serious fishing, my review will not be on the fishing capabilities of this boat. My review is written for kayakers who are pedal-curious and thinking about expanding their kayaking fleet.

On The Water Reviews

Debbie Harry, By Private Stock Records - Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=127961384
Debbie Harry, Lead Singer for Blondie

Estimated reading time: 2 minutes

We can’t always be walking around outraged about all the bad stuff in the world. Once in a while, we need to refocus on the good things that come along. Even if those things are few and far between. So, for today’s focus on the good, I present a musical interlude with Blondie.

Just For Fun

The inside of a beautiful Catholic church. Photo by Pixabay: https://www.pexels.com/photo/empty-cathedral-seats-and-hallway-with-lights-turned-on-208277/
The Hollow Splendor of A Catholic Church

Estimated reading time: 2 minutes

Recently I answered another Quora question on religion. While the answer dredged up another hurtful memory, it also seemed to resonate with numerous Quora members. So, for the pleasure of my many readers I will report my answer here, with additional bonus commentary.

My answer relates how a Catholic Priest once compared being a prostitute to a Protestant, knowing I was attending his Mass and knowing I was a Lutheran.

Family Stories Quora Re-Posts