Editor’s note: Karen Harris Tully is a writer who lives in Raymond and has agreed to keep a journal to share with Daily World readers during the odd and uncertain time we’re all navigating.

Dear Journal:

I love quotes. One of the first books I read to my babies, as much for me as it was for them, was “Dance First, Think Later” a book of quotes to live by compiled by Kathryn and Ross Petras. It was fun and interesting (and not a baby book that I was sick of at the time.)

“May you live in interesting times” has been said to be an ancient Chinese curse, but apparently isn’t. The best I can find is that it comes from a British politician claiming a Chinese diplomat told him it was an ancient curse. However, the closest actual Chinese quote translates to: “Better to be a dog in times of tranquility than a human in times of chaos.” Feng Menglong, 1627. I’d really rather be human in times of tranquility, wouldn’t you?

I’m relieved the election is over. I’m relieved and yet concerned that some in our government haven’t accepted the outcome yet, concerned that chaos could still be sown before a peaceful transition of power in January. Those claiming fraud have still not come up with proof, and I doubt the lawyers will either, but I’m trying to have patience. I’m trying to move on, and I’d really love to get back to a time when politics wasn’t so exciting.

My degree is in political science and economics, so I’ve always found politics interesting. But these past few years have been too interesting. I’d rather politicians didn’t play around with people’s lives, and what we sometimes forget is that decisions politicians make have real consequences for real people.

Which leads me to another mis-attributed quote: “I don’t know how to explain to you why you should care about other people.” This one feels so perfect for this time that it’s been attributed to Dr. Fauci, but it actually comes from YA author Lauren Morrill in 2017. She wasn’t talking about Covid or masks. She was pregnant at the time and talking about the attempt to repeal the Affordable Care Act, an attempt that’s still underway, with no replacement healthcare plan in place.

All around me, people are more interested in politics now than I’ve ever seen, and while it feels chaotic, I think this is definitely a glass half-full. People are caring not just for themselves but for other people, folks they don’t know and groups they don’t belong to. I want peace and tranquility from our politicians yes, but more than that, I want the awareness and caring about every American to stay and grow. We do live in interesting times. But more than that, I hope we work to live in caring times.

Song of the day: You’ve Got a Friend, James Taylor

Karen Harris Tully is a novelist living in Raymond with her husband and two small children. She writes sci-fi/fantasy for teens and adults and can be found at www.karenharristully.com.