The Decarceration

This morning, I read a few terrifying articles about Covid outbreaks in prisons.  It's time to get a move on with decarceration.  A few states have taken steps to increase compassionate release for prisoners, but it's been slow going.  I read about ACLU's 50 state blueprint for decarceration.  Indiana could save a lot of money in the long run by following this blueprint.  I wrote to the governor to encourage him to release people from prison who are vulnerable, close to release, and/or non-violent offenders. I also wrote to a Senator about supporting the Covid-19 Safer Detention Act.  Small actions, I know, but I'm doing my best and forgetting the rest right now.

The Celebrity

I was walking this morning when I saw this fine Clumber, Angus, and his human friend walking by.  I asked, "May I take a photo of your dog?"

The human friend was extremely accommodating, removing Angus' leash and encouraging him to pose nicely.  Angus seemed happy as well and wagged his stubby tail as I complimented his beauty.

Come to find out, Angus is a champion Clumber and has won recognition at the WESTMINSTER DOG SHOW!   I can't get over that I ran into a CELEBRITY DOG this morning, right here near my nabe.

As I walked away from my new pals, I got to thinking about our Clumber friend, June, off in New Orleans. We miss her carefree ways.  Husbandman and I feel strongly that June could be Best in Show at any dog show around.  It's time for #1 Son and Rachel to start getting June ready for greatness.  I think I will send #1 Son this book because I'm pretty sure he will need some help with this project. Everyone has extra time on their hands right now, so let's ramp up June's game and get her moving on down the road to glory.

The Testing

It's time to defund standardized testing.  During our phone chats, my dad keeps bringing up racial disparities on test scores.  He will not let it rest. I guess his news show blabs on about how our "failing public schools" perpetuate the achievement gap.  I try not to take his comments personally, but since I've been working in public schools my entire adult life, his criticism really sticks in my craw.  Give it a rest, Dad.  Please. Standardized testing sucks as a way to see how kids learn and how teachers teach.  I've told you that a million times. End of story.

The 27th Water Tower

I started hiking toward the water tower. If I could get there by sundown I would have the perfect place to bed down for the night.  12 miles. Piece of cake. 

My canteen was full. Not going to lie, it was heavy.   I'd been carrying the canteen with me at the office as part of my training regimen.  I didn't care about the comments from coworkers.  It's not my problem that they're missing out on the surprisingly refreshing taste of water from a metal canteen.  

I walked for six hours, mostly on the highway.  Cops passed but none pulled over.  They couldn't be bothered with a canteen carrying grey haired white woman.  

I stood under the water tower at last, staring up at its canopy.  I felt the magic of that place pouring through me like an electric current.  When the sky darkened and I finally saw that first star, I started climbing.  First up and over a chain link fence, then up the metal ladder to the way top.  I walked the circumference several times, running my fingers along the tank walls as I hummed my way around.  

I unrolled my blanket and blew up my air pillow, ready for my 27th night of sleep atop a Wisconsin water tower.  130 more to go.  Some of these would present unique challenges, but I only felt a calm confidence.  The whirring traffic below lulled me into a peaceful sleep. 

The Racism

A few weeks ago, I ordered a book from my local book store.  The book is called How to Be an Anti-Racist.  3 friends also ordered the book.  We want to read it together.  We've waited for weeks, and now the book store person says it's impossible to get the book right now.  I'm happy that so many people want to read this book, but still annoyed with the slowness.  I guess racism isn't going anywhere any time soon and there are other things I can read while I'm waiting.

NYT published a wonderful photo essay yesterday about all the protests around the country. Our town's protest wasn't featured, but at the end of the essay, every city that had a protest was listed with links to corresponding articles. My town was listed there and Indiana towns and cities were well represented.  I was happy that Martinsville had a protest because that town has a hideous history.  I clicked on the link to this article and was sad that some counter protesters attended the Martinsville protest.  They walked around with rifles and told reporters that they were there to protect statuary.  

My sister texted me last night that she was stuck in traffic in Atlanta.  She shared a photo of smoke billowing in the distance.  That smoke came from a Wendy's, where Rayshard Brooks was shot and killed by a police officer.  You would think cops would think twice about killing Black people but that's not how it works I guess. I don't know why it's taking me so long to figure that out.  Rayshard had 4 kids and another on the way.  Two days ago, he had brought his oldest daughter out to get her nails done because her 8th birthday was this weekend.  He didn't get to celebrate with her. He didn't deserve to get shot in the back while he was resisting a DUI arrest.  

 

The Clutter

When it's summer, I can get into decluttering.  Not always, but sometimes.  Husbandman and I have driven twice to Hoosier Hills Food Bank to donate books for their yearly book sale.  So many cars were in line to pick up food today.  Friends, these are tough times.

I've also organized one linen closet shelf each day this week.  One more shelf to go.  Victory shall be mine.  I have too much stuff and it's my responsibility to clear it out.  I told Husbandman that I'm getting rid of things that don't bring me joy.  He said, "That's kind of a high standard, isn't it?" He may have a point.  At this rate of decluttering, we'll eventually be surrounded by emptiness.  We'll only have each other.  And our television.  And our computers.  And Harriet the Tarantula.  And basically that's it.

The Defunding

I've been reading about defunding the police. At first I didn't understand what that meant, but I've read some articles about defunding and now I'm on board.  Defunding the police has been already attempted in various places around the land, resulting in some unique plans and projects. One of my favorite places on the planet, Minneapolis, is going to defund their police department.  People in Minneapolis will be happy to know other communities are having success with their defunding projects.  Here's something I read in the NYT.  I'm hoping my town will defund the police soon.

Has this been done anywhere?

Some cities have already made changes to policing. In Austin, Texas, 911 calls are answered by operators who inquire whether the caller needs police, fire or mental health services — part of a major revamping of public safety that took place last year when the city budget added millions of dollars for mental health issues. In Eugene, Ore., a team called CAHOOTS — Crisis Assistance Helping Out on the Streets — deploys a medic and a crisis worker with mental health training to emergency calls. Camden, N.J., revamped its policing in 2017 with officers handing out more warnings than tickets and undergoing training that places emphasis on officers holding their fire.

The Review

I'm writing a book review right now.  I'm not crazy about the book, but it seems mean to review it too negatively.  People worked on this book. Maybe they did their best. On the other hand, does anyone really care what I say about a book?  People can read it if they feel like it.   Right now a plumber is in my house.  He's talking very loudly to Husbandman about a leak in our basement.  I'm not happy to hear him say that we have "thick walls" and "rotten copper." He keeps saying "rotten copper" over and over again. This is not going to end well.  I can tell I'm not going to make progress on my book review today with all that's going on in the basement.  I'm super annoyed. I wish this guy would leave. I've never encountered a louder plumber than this guy. 

The Science

 If I could back up the bus and do my life over again, I'd probably be a scientist. I'd buy beakers and bunsen burners with my babysitting money.  Melt things and grow mold.  Dig up fossils and dinosaur bones in my backyard.  Bring my microscope out to the canals of Dade County and search for paramecia.  I'd keep bees in bee boxes and bring earthworms into my house to study their family dynamics.  I'd live among blue herons and learn their language.  I'd offer myself up to be the first to test the flu vaccine each year.  I'd always wear a lab coat.  In college, I'd study chemistry and developmental neuroscience and paleontology.  Later on, I'd raise my family in a Biosphere, probably in Antarctica.

I'm happy with how things turned out, but sometimes I wonder if opportunities were lost.

The Petition

I've been thinking about Breonna Taylor.  When she was murdered, I was in the midst of a crazy time and I didn't pay attention. I knew something had happened, but I didn't go out of my way to find out more.  After George Floyd was murdered, I finally spent some time reading about Breonna, who was murdered in her bed in Kentucky because the cops barged into her home with a no knock warrant.  Wrong apartment.  Wrong apartment building.  Also, the police had already arrested the person they were looking for earlier in the day. They shot Breonna at least 8 times.

2 states have outlawed no knock warrants, but all states must.

Breonna was an emergency room technician.  She had plans to be a nurse. There's a petition here to sign for Justice for Breonna.  I vow to pay more attention to victims of police brutality from here on out.

The Fifty

I feel a special allegiance with the Kronos Quartet because my friend Janet is their manager and has been lo these many decades.

When I was a young teacher, I worked near the KQ office.  I would work after school for a few hours and then walk down to Janet's office and we would head out into the city to have some fun.  Or, sometimes I'd help stuff envelopes or do some other little task while hanging out waiting for Janet to be done with her job. One time my sister and I worked at the merch booth at a KQ gig. Long time ago.

KQ has grown from those days and as you know they're a global phenomenon.  A gift to the world, I believe.

This past week I've been listening to their work on their Fifty for the Future page.  In the 50 for the Future project, Kronos commissioned 50 works from 50 composers, from all over the world.  The pieces are all available on line and the scores are there as well, so musicians can play the music if they feel like it.  It's a beautiful project.

KQ also has a project for thirdlanders they've just piloted, where KQ comes to play, and then a teaching artist comes into classrooms for several weeks, exploring the creative and cultural meanings of works from the 50 repertoire.  It's a beautiful program and I've enjoyed learning more about it.  Here are some of my favorite pieces that might be a comforting distraction to you if you're feeling tired right now:

At the Purchaser's Option.  Rhiannon Giddens
Knock.  Joan Jeanrenaud.
Journey of the Horizontal People.  Raven Chacon
Pencil Sketch. Yevgeniy Sharlat

There are many more pieces available at the 50 for the Future webpage, along with some great interviews with the artists.  50 for the Future has turned in to my pandemic passion.