One day, I’m writing about politics, politicians, and bulbus stercum (aka ‘BS’), words one might associate with politicians and politics, and — almost forgot to mention — I wrote an ode, too. Like odes written way back when in ancient Greece, the cradle of freedom. That’s what my ode was about… freedom and democracy.
And then, right after that, I’m writing about dry lawns, with patchy areas, the color of straw.
The dry grassy areas are around our California community, which I’m serving, as a volunteer, participating in various community functions, one of which involves communication.
Consider yourselves lucky, since you’ve been getting some rain, this year. Not nearly enough to fill your reservoirs, which our state of California, and other western states, seem to be draining.
We’ve had hints of rain, but that’s about all, as the drought continues to take its toll on our once green, lush lawns and plants.
So, I’m notifying local folks about dry lawns and watering restrictions. Managing expectations about the appearance of our greenery, which is beginning to show signs of – what should we call it? – drought-induced chlorophyll deprivation?
Hopefully, someday, the rain and chlorophyll will return, and enrich our lawns and foliage, once again. But maybe not this coming rainy season, which may not be very rainy, at all.
Already, the meteorologists are predicting Pacific Ocean currents will be diverting precipitation away from our California coast, to far northern locales, way up the coast from us. So, I’ll be stuck having to explain watering restrictions, straw-toned grassy areas and wilting Rhododendrons, I suppose.
This messaging I’m doing, getting folks to feel okay about weather-stressed foliage, isn’t like the corporate PR messaging I produced during my business career. And it’s taking much time and energy to write.
I should be amplifying my ode about cherishing freedom and democracy, and hexing dictators, practicing their demagoguery.
Hexing goes back many years, not as far back as ancient Greece, but back to the 17th and 18th centuries.
I should check to see if California droughts occurred that long ago. And if they can be hexed, too.
Harvey Radin is former senior vice president in charge of corporate communications and media relations, Bank of America Western Region. He makes his home in Redwood City, CA.