OT ~ Welcome to Saturday!
Sit-a-while
on swinging porch
where tin-dippers and
sweet water
in cool touches
meet lips
from hand dug wells.
We have also discovered aspects of Neanderthal behaviour that indicate that they were not cognitively inferior to modern humans, as we once thought, and in fact had their own rituals and art ~ Clive Finlayson https://www.amazon.com/Smart-Neanderthal-Catching-Cognitive-Revolution/d...
Good morning good people,
A single cell becomes a complete organism in six pulsing minutes of timelapse
Today the sun was shining
so my neighbor washed her nightdresses in the river—
she comes home with everything folded in a basket,
beaming, as though her life had just been
lengthened a decade. Cleanliness makes her happy—
it says you can begin again,
the old mistakes needn’t hold you back.
A good neighbor—we leave each other
to our privacies. Just now
she’s singing to herself, pinning the damp wash to the line.
Little by little, days like this
will seem normal. But winter was hard:
the nights coming early, the dawns dark
with a gray, persistent rain—months of that,
and then the snow, like silence coming from the sky,
obliterating the trees and gardens.
Today, all that’s past us.
The birds are back, chattering over seeds.
All the snow’s melted; the fruit trees are covered with downy new growth.
A few couples even walk in the meadow, promising whatever they promise.
We stand in the sun and the sun heals us.
It doesn’t rush away. It hangs above us, unmoving,
like an actor pleased with his welcome.
My neighbor’s quiet a moment,
staring at the mountain, listening to the birds.
So many garments, where did they come from?
And my neighbor’s still out there,
fixing them to the line, as though the basket would never be empty—
It’s still full, nothing is finished,
though the sun’s beginning to move lower in the sky;
remember, it isn’t summer yet, only the beginning of spring;
warmth hasn’t taken hold yet, and the cold’s returning—
She feels it, as though the last bit of linen had frozen in her hands.
She looks at her hands—how old they are. It’s not the beginning, it’s the end.
And the adults, they’re all dead now.
Only the children are left, alone, growing old.
A Warm Day ~ Louise Glück
"Nasa scientists have landed for the first time on one of the world’s newest islands, and discovered the three-year-old land mass is now covered in a sticky, mysterious mud, as well as vegetation and bird life.
"The volcanic island sprang up in the ocean surrounding Tonga three years ago, one of only three new islands to emerge in the last 150 years that have survived more than a few months." https://www.theguardian.com/science/2019/feb/05/mystery-mud-on-new-volcanic-island-baffles-nasa-scientists
In the sixty-three years
I have lived
some instants are electric:
the happiness of my feet
jumping puddles
six hours in Machu Picchu
the buzzing of the telephone
while awaiting my mother’s death
the ten minutes it took
to lose my virginity
the hoarse voice
announcing the assassination
of Archbishop Romero
fifteen minutes in Delft
the first wail of my daughter
I don’t know how many years yearning
for the liberation of my people
certain immortal deaths
the eyes of that starving child
your eyes bathing me in love
one forget-me-not afternoon
the desire to mold myself
into a verse
a cry
a fleck of foam.
Summing Up ~ Claribel Alegria
Evolving ...
Under the Volcano, bless you, rest in greatness, peace and love.
....
Wherever you are, have a wonderful day.
Comments
Good Morning, good smiley7,
you made my day to start with something amazingly mind-boggling beautiful all around.
Thank You. I love your work here.
https://www.euronews.com/live
Good morning, mimi,
ah, so glad you enjoyed; my pleasure to be here. Often, when i think of you, i recall wonderful times in Germany and Austria; such beautiful country. Happy and fortunate to have lived those experiences, special restaurants, music, art, brew gardens, and the mountains, those gorgeous mountains.
Thanks for being here and hoping you've a lovely day.
Smiley7, these are kind perceptions in your memory,
strangely I myself, having been away from Germay since the seventies and returning lately in late 2016, those Christmas Markets and restaurants and the 'homey feeling' of our social life, doesn't mean much to me. One the one hand I like the directness and bluntness of German 'discussions' on the other hand I am puzzled about their 'arrogance' and I feel attacked or 'met with silence'. Well, somehow I have to study all of these 'reactions'.
But I am at least relieved that you have some memories, that were not upsetting you. I understand the mountains thingy, I remember that the Rockies, the little I saw passing through them in Utah and Colerado, seemed to me 'stretched out and more flat' than the Alps. Over a year now I plan to hike through the Alps, but it hasn't materialized yet.
I start to read again (bit by bit) and read everything about Hiroshima, August 6th 1945, and the nuclear threat by Detlef Bald. It's full of interesting and serious details. I have lost so much time and strength for reading and learning in the nineties to the first two decades in the US, I feel ashamed about it. Next in line will be everything about WWI and Weimar.
Good luck to you.
(eidited spelling mistake)
https://www.euronews.com/live
Sending virtual vibrations for a splendid meet-up
on the West Coast tomorrow.
Vive la révolution and c99.
https://caucus99percent.com/content/orwa-meet-reminder
The Empire Reaches a New Low
[video:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p9yQTDHz-bg]
Bethany Christian Services Trafficking Migrant Children
No doubt this has been going on for some time.
Modern education is little more than toeing the line for the capitalist pigs.
Guerrilla Liberalism won't liberate the US or the world from the iron fist of capital.
Good morning, Aspie;
would enjoy a close-up conversation with the *&^%$#fuckers responsible.
Good morning, Aspie. I recall a big flap about xtian
"adoptions", being tantamount to trafficing during one of the Haiti catastrophes. It should come as no surprise when one looks at the mission and ideology of so many of the xtain grouops to "teach" and "convert" all the world. It should also come as no surprise when you look as the US government's institutional culture. The indigenous population of the US was subjected to this openly and purposely throughout the history of this country and it continues right down to this day.
That, in its essence, is fascism--ownership of government by an individual, by a group, or by any other controlling private power. -- Franklin D. Roosevelt --
Not surprising in the slightest.
Just another reason in a very long list as to why culture as we know it should be abolished entirely.
Modern education is little more than toeing the line for the capitalist pigs.
Guerrilla Liberalism won't liberate the US or the world from the iron fist of capital.
Not sure
what you mean by "culture". I suspect our problems may stem from a lack of culture.
George Carlin has an interesting take on this.
My question too after watching the video
was whether this was the same group who snatched kids in Haiti. Terrible!
Marilyn
"Make dirt, not war." eyo
No words.
If this is true
it should be "breaking news" on every news outlet. If this is true it indicates a mind-boggling level of corruption and depravity. Not that my mind hasn't already been boggled ever since 2000 with an almost daily horror story.
I don't know a single person who would condone this type of act. Who are these people? What kind of monsters? Who forcibly takes children away from their parents?
Where are our journalists? Oh, right, making $30,000 a day selling out our country and the planet.
This is like when Native American children were kidnapped
and sent to an all white school. Not sure if they too got Xtian education, but the mindset of many Xtians is that the children's souls need saving. What give them the right to do this? American Exceptionalism of course. And their Gawd.
Scientists are concerned that conspiracy theories may die out if they keep coming true at the current alarming rate.
Look what our allies the Saudis are doing
Saudi Arabia accused of helping citizens charged with rape & child porn to flee 8 US states
Scientists are concerned that conspiracy theories may die out if they keep coming true at the current alarming rate.
True
the abduction of native american children is recorded in our history, but this is happening now. I can't just say, oh well, this has happened before. It doesn't seem to me that most people are OK with this. Perhaps I just don't know the right people. As G. Carlin said; "It's a big club and you ain't in it".
It can't be breaking news because no Russians have been alleged
to have been involved.
That, in its essence, is fascism--ownership of government by an individual, by a group, or by any other controlling private power. -- Franklin D. Roosevelt --
Of course!
Silly me, how could I forget our #1 criteria for breaking news.... Rooskies. Actually our only reason for breaking news.... Rooskies.
Would not surprise me in the least
if Bethany, de Vos, Jeffery Epstine, and pedogate are all tied together.
Neither Russia nor China is our enemy.
Neither Iran nor Venezuela are threatening America.
Cuba is a dead horse, stop beating it.
Good morning, smiley ~~
Perhaps if we had survived as Neanderthals instead of Homo sapiens, we wouldn't have been so violent and destructive. Quien sabe?
Have a beautiful Saturday, folks!
"The “jumpers” reminded us that one day we will all face only one choice and that is how we will die, not how we will live." Chris Hedges on 9/11
Good morning RA;
guess we may need a DNA test :). Sadly, had to cancel planned trip to view their paintings in Spain. Someday, maybe.
Beautiful day back at you.
Good morning, Smiley. Waiting for the sunrise and sipping
coffee. Thanks, as usual, for getting things off to a good start. Rainy, and cold for here, but also farmers' market and there are weekly rituals to restore and maintain, plus fresh caught salmon. Time to get a new office/desk chair too, so we will be out and about.
Have a great day and weekend.
That, in its essence, is fascism--ownership of government by an individual, by a group, or by any other controlling private power. -- Franklin D. Roosevelt --
Good morning to all
Such a cute neanderthal. Thanks for the poems. Wind chill at 9 today. May need a fire.
Cheers
question everything
Thank you for a beautiful, gentle start to Saturday, smiley7.
You said no one was hurt, but I hope you are recovering emotionally from your accident. It's a hard thing. Sending all good thoughts to you this morning.
If you don't mind
I second your sentiments. You said it perfectly, I can't say it any better.
I'm missing my writing.
Trying to type a couple hundred words with one hand is annoying. At least this is only for a week, then I can start using my right hand in a "Limited" fashion.
So far the little I can do with it is help open bottles. But I learned today I have no problem whatsoever shaving left handed. Now to learn to do it with a straight razor. (Buh Bye safety razors, you're useless after three shaves, and I'd rather strop than replace)
[video:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZQMCEpbEWcA]
I do not pretend I know what I do not know.
Good morning, detroit. Borrow a smartphone or tablet that
has "listnote" on it. Dictate your writing, then share, by e-mail or other, with your main computer when you are up to speed to edit.
That, in its essence, is fascism--ownership of government by an individual, by a group, or by any other controlling private power. -- Franklin D. Roosevelt --
Good chilly morning
Well back to more seasonal weather this weekend after 80 degrees on Thursday....another record setter.
Today is a lunch gathering and music with friends. We used to gather in the evenings and play until the morning hours, but those days have slipped by. Now it's mid day gatherings and home before dark. Music and friendship are the constants for now.
In retrospect the decades pass quickly.
[video:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AnWWj6xOleY]
Hope you all have a good day...
“Until justice rolls down like water and righteousness like a mighty stream.”
That Albert Finney
clip is chilling, as is that movie. RIP Albert Finney.
Thanks for the OT!
Especially nice poetry as always.
Haven't been here much the past couple weeks being sick and/or busy.
Hope everyone is well and staying warm!
Marilyn
"Make dirt, not war." eyo
'morning smiley7,
a cold, hard rain falling with snow levels dropping to 500ft. overnight into tomorrow. We are at 2100ft-ish.
SO! For all my smugness at Avoiding the polar vortex and Laughing at it, we'll get a few MORE inches of snow overnight to go with the 7inches of snow from late Last weekend.
Big Baby, indeed!
Hah!
Ya got to be a Spirit, cain't be no Ghost. . .
Explain Bldg #7. . . still waiting. . .
If you’ve ever wondered whether you would have complied in 1930’s Germany,
Now you know. . .
sign at protest march
Good morning smiley...
and you all. Rain here. 30 some odd inches in Australia. Shades of things to come as things warm up. Thanks for the ot and have a very good one...
Day 9, Black History Month: Marie Johnson Calloway
Marie Johnson Calloway has been exhibiting her "sculpted paintings"—polychromed wood renderings of everyday African American heroes—for more than three decades. Born Marie Edwards in 1920, Calloway was raised in the then-segregated city of Baltimore. Working as a public school teacher for a decade before attending Morgan State College, Calloway completed a degree in art education in 1952. In an effort to escape segregation, she moved to San Jose in 1954. … Calloway became active in the civil rights movement during the 1960s, becoming president of the San Jose chapter of the NAACP, where she worked closely with various industries, corporations, and school districts to provide equal job opportunities to minority students.
https://hammer.ucla.edu/now-dig-this/artists/marie-johnson-calloway/
The basis of her work was mixed-media assemblage
She received a Bachelor of Arts Degree at Morgan State College, Baltimore, Maryland. She moved to California in 1954 and received a Master of Arts degree in painting from San Jose State University. She attended Stanford University as a Graduate Studies Experienced Teacher Fellow. Calloway was the first woman of color to teach in the San Jose Unified School District. She has taught at San Jose State University, California College of Arts and Crafts and at San Francisco State University, where she received a Doctoral equivalency. She retired from teaching in 1983. She presently lives in Oakland, California.
https://www.moadsf.org/blog/marie-johnson-calloway-stolen-heart/
Proud Sister
audio clips here of her talking about her experiences
https://www.thehistorymakers.org/biography/marie-johnson-calloway-40
exhibitions she was involved in
The Fantastic and Revelatory Story of Art and Black LA https://hyperallergic.com/59017/now-dig-this-moma-ps1/
11 African American Artists Who Helped Shape The Civil Rights Movement
https://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/06/05/civil-rights-art_n_5420940.html
Back when I was involved in the Women’s Caucus, the Bay Area was a small place and we met across it as needed. The work was a pleasure and the women amazing. Though never in Santa Cruz because I was the youngest and no one wanted to drive over the hill. Once we met at Marie’s house up in the Oakland hills. Shortly after we arrived Marie asked me if I could look at their computer – it was not working. Hmmm… So, helping organize the women’s art world was not enough. I had to fix computers too. A small passing thought. Seriously, I would have crawled through broken glass for any one of those remarkable women. And a mac, well, so off I went, Check list in my head for broken - plugged in, shutdown, reboot, etc. I checked the plug and yay for easy. It was out. Heh.
edit
Stop Climate Change Silence - Start the Conversation
Hot Air Website, Twitter, Facebook
Hola, Smiley--saw a comment
some time back about you taking antibiotics, so wanted to stop by, and let you know that I hope you're well by now. Then, just now, saw a comment about your 'accident'--which I apparently missed reading about. So, more than ever, hope that you're feeling/doing much better.
Your Saturday essays are such a delight. Very much look forward to joining you Guys more regularly, once things settle down a bit. Hope to have some info to post (next week) about the healthcare systems in a couple of countries that we're look at (expatriating to). More and more, looks like, when it comes to healthcare, 'we' (folks in US) are truly being scr*wed by our lawmakers and/or the PtB.
Everyone have a nice rest-of-your-weekend!
Blue Onyx
Everyone thinks they have the best dog, and none of them are wrong.
I like you just the way you are
Hey, these threads live, learn, grow in heartfelt words, sentences complete asking and sharing, guiding and gentle. Free in conversing,
pretty cool, ain't it?