Please VOTE.

“Obama/Biden are running on the strongest platform for women’s rights of any major party in U.S. history”

Eleanor Smeal, President of Feminist Majority


Check out the powerful video, addressing the prevelance of violence against women, at the above link. One in six American women will be victims of sexual assault in their lifetime.

Safety From Sprawl

A few months ago I read a fascinating story about a couple who, as a sort of performance art/experiment, squatted for several years in a mall, undetected by mall security. The story surprised me, not in the least that some people find shopping malls so attractive or interesting that they would purposely spend such time there. I can imagine myself doing it as an experiment, or doing it as a form of civil disobedience ... but these people did it for those reasons AND because they really enjoy the mall. Safety in conformity, in predictability, in climate-controlled environments. Huh. Check out their website here.

While I was home this month I did some processing of my own personal history. I drove along the new and efficient Sorensen Parkway, which cuts a clean route through North Omaha. During my childhood the Sorensen's path stopped short at a field just behind my home. A large alfalfa field, forest and stream ran adjacent to my suburban neighborhood. As children we befriended the farmer, rode on his tractor, woke up to the smell of alfalfa, played with the cottonwood seed fluff, and explored this peaceful expanse. Our home life wasn't easy, but both my brother Chris and I found freedom and creative expression out there. I wrote poems about the trees that I befriended, and deeply grieved when one old tree died. One of my most spiritually poignant memories was coming upon an adult deer while alone in a silent clearing of the forest; the deer and I examined each other for a long while in the dappled light. Chris, now a successful contractor, built countless underground forts. Mom took us berry-picking to the mulberry trees, and we labored over many batches of sticky purple jelly. Chris' dad built incredible treeforts, sandboxes, horseshoe pits, and bountiful elevated gardens. Together with our farm cousins we caught snakes or turtles, and charged the nervous neighbor kids to see our wild pets. Mom used a loud whistle to call us home before twilight.

Now that forest has been chopped down to make the "parkway", or autoway.

Our house used to back up to that lovely hill of alfalfa field. The children who live in it now look up to the back of a huge strip mall and parking lot. The cottonwoods are down. The raised gardens and horseshoe pits are long gone. A few spindly pines were planted, but not enough to cover the eyesore of the mall.

And this, my dear readers, is where we're going. A useless, forlorn expanse of parking lot and several big-box stores. I walked into the Marshall's with several septuagenarians, and considered making conversation. The looked like long-time Nebraskans. Could they empathize with my bewilderment and grief? Are there shopping malls now in the places that were once holy to these elders? Should I just get on with it, get over it, buy a pair of shoes and call it progress?


Yet this is what Nebraska can look like. A dear friend of mine bought a home near here, on the edge of Lake Cunningham. I'm happy for her future children, who might have the freedom to play in a park that won't be turned into a parkway. Perhaps her kids will work for true progress.

Homaha

This Autumn I've taken the chance to visit Omaha (my hometown) several times to visit family and friends. I'm so grateful for the reliable little car that gets me to and fro. As a bonus, the hybrid car runs on "fairy farts" (or so says our friend Adam).



My new sister-in-law Melisa invited my mom and I to her bachelorette party. We had so much fun and she has a great group of friends!

In September Chris and Melisa got married in Vegas (I like their low-maintenace style), and then threw receptions in Omaha in October. We were really blessed in that a lot of our family, including our Grandma, was able to attend the reception.

And many Aunts and Uncles!

Mom and I are so happy for Chris and Mel, and for their choice to support each other in this incredible commitment.

I also took some time to visit Nick's parents. One day my mom and Nick's mom and I took a lovely walk around a lake near their home.

And one more wedding! My dear friend Ellie, who was my "little sister" when we were at Mercy High School, got married! The ladies got together for a bachelorette...

And the wedding ceremony and reception! Ellie's husband Matthew is an extraordinarily talented glass artist. Their reception was at one of Omaha's art galleries where Matthew does his work.



What wedding reception would be complete without a hot dog mobile!

Much love to you all!

Liberty and Justice for All

General Colin Powell has endorsed Barack Obama in way that gives me hope; not just for Obama's presidential campaign, but also for our country. I have been deeply concerned about the Republican party's insults against Muslim-Americans, insinuating that if Obama were Muslim (which he is not) he would be unqualified for the White House. Republican leaders have repeated this vitriol, and Palin spreads it in her hate-filled speeches. What a bigoted thing to say! The Obama campaign, too, has shied away from visiting mosques or adequately acknowledging the support of Muslim-Americans. I am sad to admit that I think this tactic does not demonstrate courage or decency on the part of Obama's campaign.

Although many inter-religious and news organizations have brought up this issue, I am grateful for Powell's courageous and powerful voice.

GOBAMA!

Today we went to see Michelle Obama speak at a nearby university. The line stretched over 3 blocks long, but the event was well-organized and we only waited outside a little while. Look at this awesome van parked outside the stadium!


Mrs. Obama's speech was wonderful. It brought tears to my eyes to witness this historic moment. She will soon be First Lady! What an inspiring, wonderful couple who truly represents the "American Dream".


Because she spoke on a university campus, Michelle Obama was especially focused on harnessing youthful energy. She also acknowledged the fear that we have under seemingly impossible student loan debt. Both Nick and I served as AmeriCorps Volunteers. It was our full-time "employment", on a very minimal stipend. We struggle(d) to make ends meet while paying for student loans. After serving in AmeriCorps, we both had trouble finding meaningful, decently-compensated employment in our preferred field in social services. Now I'm again seeking work as a "community organizer". I hope, I believe, I pray, that Obama's presidency will help heal our nation after these disastrous eight years.

In Intergenerational Conversation

See this video at the link below:

Pete Seeger & Majora Carter on Environmentalism, Hudson River, Urban Renewal, Protest Music, Civil Rights.

In a Lower Manhattan apartment, one of the greatest living musicians and activists sat down with one of the country's newest great leaders.

Pete Seeger, with a list of awards and honors longer than the neck on his famed banjo, still works tirelessly at 88 years of age.

He spoke with Majora Carter, the young and indefatigable founder of Sustainable South Bronx, an organization that is re-shaping the neighborhood of her youth through pioneering green-collar economic development projects, about the environmental work he has worked at for more than forty years.

And while he's at it, he also finds time to sing a couple songs, demanding the film crew sing along, because it's not nearly as much fun singing to someone as it is singing with someone.