Napping & Doing Away With Limits
[Humankind] extends his control by instruments
which enable him to devour distances
and to multiply the output of his effort in time;
but he is
always and only one.
However, instead of accepting his limits,
he tries to do away with them.
He aspires to act upon everything
and by knowing everything.
-excerpt the Ethics of Ambiguity by Simone de Beauvoir
A while ago I watched the opening ceremonies for the winter Olympics taking place in Beijing. 
Fixed in memory is the image of Vladimir Putin seated alone, overlooking the ceremony, as the athletes from the participating countries entered the arena marching behind the flags of their respective countries. Putin, the president of Russia feigned dozing as the Ukrainian team presented their flag, passing across his field of vision.
In the not so distant past we lived in Mundelein. At that time we contracted with Oaksana to deliver a biweekly cleaning service to our home. Oaksana, was experienced at her craft. As the months passed she became a friend to my wife with whom she exchanged stories of family. Oaksana and her husband were native born to Ukraine. I recall that her family continues living in the country of her birth.
Oaksana contributed to our well being for a number of years. She is a decent human being.
The connecting link between a single American citizen, an immigrant from Ukraine and the president of Russia is the Russian Army of some 125,000, give or take a few thousand, with tanks, self propelled artillery, and armored troop transport which is amassed on three sides of the Ukrainian border. It is up to Putin if and when to attack. General Mark Milley, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff said that Kyiv, the capital of Ukraine falls within 72 hours of an assault…
Oaksana, our friend and Vladimir Putin.
Across the millennia of the passage of time, one thing is unchanged. A small country stands to be eviscerated by a larger neighbor.
