Looking out the window of a train that’s headed to Ukraine’s capital Kyiv, there’s many sunflowers glowing in the sun. Did you know that sunflowers are the Ukrainian national flower? Helen Keller once said, “Keep your face to the sunshine and you cannot see the shadow. It’s what sunflowers do.”
Another great woman, a patriotic Ukrainian recently had a great quote about sunflowers as well, this one a little spicier. As Russian troops started invading her town of Henychesk, this fearless woman confronted the soldiers and offered them sunflower seeds. ”You’re occupants, you’re fascists! What the fuck are you doing on our land with all these guns?” said the woman. “Take these seeds and put them in your pockets, so at least sunflowers will grow when you all lie down here.” She basically told the invaders that when they eventually die here, at least something good and beautiful would come from their bodies. The sunflower has now become a symbol of resistance in Ukraine. Just like sunflower seeds need soil, Ukraine is currently in the dirt, but we hope soon they’ll be facing the sun just like their national flower.
The Ukrainian people have suffered so much, so when there’s a chance to talk about something jovial, let’s do it.
Opened up the curtains this morning to see Ukrainians standing in front of the postoffice in a line that literally wrapped around the block.
First thought, “wow, there’s a lot of people right outside my window.”
Second thought, “wow, I should really put some clothes on!”
It turns out, they were queuing at 6:00 a.m. to buy a newly released stamp.
On February 24th, the Russian flagship Moskva, and Putin’s personal pride of his fleet, started an assault on Snake Island and its grand total of 30 residents and 13 border guards. Heavily outgunned, this was the communications on that day.
Russian warship: “Snake Island, I, Russian warship, repeat the offer: put down your arms and surrender, or you will be bombed. Have you understood me? Do you copy?”
Ukrainian 1 to Ukrainian 2: “That’s it, then. Or, do we need to tell them back off?”
Ukrainian 2 to Ukrainian 1: “Might as well.”
Ukrainian 1: “Russian warship, go fuck yourself.”
A Stamp:
First thought to be killed but actually captured and later released, Roman Hrybov, the potty-mouthed patriot is now a national hero.
Almost two months later on April 14th, the Ukrainian military sank the Moskva, once thought to be indestructible.
The Ukrainian military and its people are resilient and like a postage stamp, they’re going to stick to something until they get there.
