a book, Democracy in America

I read the book Democracy in America, by Alexis de Tocqueville(1805--1859).It is online.

It's interesting compared with what is going on here. As I read it, what attracts me is how people think and act. I pay attention to the spirits and views of ordinary people, rather than political events. I like to see the world through ordinary things. This book provides an angle and some examples.

I realized long time ago that democracy is not just about a regime or social system. Democracy is the attitude of people. It is how we see the world and ourselves. It is self-respect and respect for others. Democracy resides in our own heart, and guides our behavors.

Equality is at the core. Just like the author writes, "equality of condition is the fundamental fact from which all others seem to be derived...".

Sadly, most people in our society haven't realized the value of equality. They think of themselves as being either superior or inferior. It is totally the outcome of being misguided.

Things are changing rapidly here, along a different track, or more precisely no track at all. No one can tell what will happen next. I guess if one day we finally obtain the dream of democracy, most likely it is very different from that of other countries. We have so heavy burdens on our back, from the past thousands of years.

石油是怎么形成的

Dinner time.

Yuan asked me how oil was formed...

"Well, oil was formed from the remains of sea animals and..." I said.

"I see. " she said. "No wonder they always put up a SHELL sign at gas stations."

Winter Solstice--2:22am

Today is the winter solstice, the shortest sunlit day of the year. This day, in the northern hemisphere, we are tilted farthest away from the sun.

We celebrated the winter solstice when I lived in the countryside years ago. We would make an ear-shaped food on this day, to wish we go through winter safely and well. According to folklore, eating it would keep our ears from freezing. We know that, as the coldness accumulates, the coldest time of the year is coming. But, days begin to lengthen, and warmth is just ahead.

苹果房子

苹果房子

一天，小仙女要去cǎi gòu。他提着小筐子，很神气。他cǎi了蘑菇又cǎi菜，还ná着小网捉蝴蝶。小仙女把这些东西放在家里……
I found the writing when cleaning the bookshelf. Obviously Yuan wrote it when she started to learn characters. She also painted a big apple beside these words!!