13: At Work
1. I got a massage on Monday. It included a head and face massage with oil. When it was over, I glanced in the mirror and, looking Phyllis Diller, heard myself say, “Did I just get a massage or a new hairdo!”
2. Maybe I looked like Tina Turner.
3. Channeling REM: That’s me in the corner. The above photo was taken by my Dharmacratic friend Will at our local sister Women’s March. I titled it “Me at Work.” Watch a fun video of our nearly 200 marchers with homemade signs HERE.
4. Reign vs reins of power?
5. “I believe we are in a TRANSITION. And I don’t mean a presidential transition. I mean the transition that comes hard before any birth. We have got to keep moving. Keep connecting. Keep including.” – My friend Rosemary Wyman
6. You know it’s a pretty weird time that we’re living in when you find yourself looking up the word “fascism” – a political philosophy, movement, or regime that exalts nation and often race above the individual and that stands for a centralized autocratic government headed by a dictatorial leader, severe economic and social regimentation, and forcible suppression of opposition.
7. I also know the times have gotten strange, when one of my latest Facebook reply comments reads: I don’t need any uninvited instruction or proselytization. One person’s talking points is another’s propaganda.
8. I woke up one day last week knowing that I needed to find a favorite woman poet. All my favorites are men.
9. I made a mental list and then went to library to get a book of poems by Alice Walker.
10. My Commentary “Why I Won’t Get Over Trump” that was published in the Roanoke Times got 239 “likes” on my Facebook Wall and 98 shares, which went on to get more “likes.” I also received a love letter and phone call from people I had never met. Read it HERE.
11. My friend Ashera just asked on Facebook, “What are your best strategies for keeping hope and trust and faith alive in the midst of these chaotic times?” This is my answer: Being myself. It’s the best thing I can do for the world. I don’t tend to impose thoughts or plans on myself. I trust what I find myself doing. I trust my own instinctive heart and its connected wiring with all that is. I allow my fears and grief, and watch my feelings and reactions with a sense of interest. When I feel dark, overwhelmed and uninspired (which happens regularly), I question the truth of it, but let it run its course, remembering that something eventually always sparks my interest. I’m inspired by humor, beauty and the wonderfully unexpected. Even if inspiration is fleeting, I get a lot of mileage from it.
12. “We are a work in progress, but only when we do the work and progress.” – My Dharmacratic Poet friend Will
13. We love to Dance Because It Makes Us Happy!
______Thirteen Thursday
January 25th, 2017 10:13 pm
Finding a favorite female poet sounds like a great goal. Let me know who you find. I’d like to read her, too.
January 26th, 2017 12:45 am
Nice to see folks even older than me can still get it on. I hope to get there again some day.
January 26th, 2017 2:14 am
Yay for the 239 big-time likes about Trump! You are definitely not alone in you apprehension. I was telling clueless folks at work about that march n tried to get them to think about what their sign would say. I think mine would be: ” women work 3 time’s as hard, n should be paid 3 times as much!”
As I age it is tougher to get any job progress. I was making this much in the year 2000!
Minimum wage went up to $11 in Jan n I only get $0.25 for a raise after 10 years of listening to men getting more thereupon.
January 26th, 2017 10:27 am
9 always adored her always
January 26th, 2017 10:45 am
Love the picture of you in crowd!
#13 is the best – it makes me happy just watching it!!!
January 26th, 2017 5:11 pm
For female poets, may I suggest Nikki Giovanni or Maya Angelou? I wasn’t able to attend Madison’s march as I worked that day, but I know a couple people who were there, and a couple who were in DC. We also sold A LOT of pink yarn for pussy hats, and a ton of poster board and foam core for signs. They were expecting 50K for our walk, but place actual turnout between 80-100K!
Lastly, I have a new word for you: kakistocracy. It’s what we now live in. ‘-)
My T13
January 26th, 2017 5:45 pm
Loved the photo in #1.
Frankly, Facebook is the Devil. I am not on it because it’s so hard to be “seen” only by the people you want to “see” you.
What was said to you on FB was harsh, to say the least.
January 26th, 2017 9:30 pm
I’ve read both Niki G (and met her) and Maya A, like them but not as favorites. I know the K word and who it refers to. That Facebook comment was mine. I had to say to someone I think I later blocked.
January 27th, 2017 9:16 am
You might want to try Sharon Olds’ poetry. Adrian Blevins may also appeal to you. Locally, you might check out Jeanne Larsen or Cathy Hankla. And there’s always Mary Oliver.
I enjoyed your column in TRT. Thank you for speaking out, and marching. I wasn’t able to march because of my health but I was there in spirit.
January 27th, 2017 1:19 pm
I like Sharon Olds and Mary Oliver but not as favorites. I don’t know Adrian Blevins. Right now I’m looking at a Scottish poet name Carol Ann Duffy. My favorite poets are Richard Brautigan, Billy Collins and David Whyte. Enjoying William Stafford now too.