PERSIST

I will participate in the Women's March in Wilmington, Ohio, on Saturday, January 20, 2018, from 12:00 noon--2 PM, in front of the Court House.

The following is reprinted from Why I Am Marching: 

Last year, more than 4 million people across the globe marched in protest on January 21 for the inaugural Women’s March (which was not-coincidentally held the day after Donald Trump’s inauguration). Since then, there’s been a Women’s Strike, an onslaught of sexual-harassment allegations against powerful men, the rebirth of the #MeToo movement, and — unfortunately but not surprisingly — continued widespread discrimination against women and minorities.

There is still so much to fight for, and activists are hoping you’ll channel your rage into the second annual Women’s March weekend.

Save the Date: the Weekend of January 20

This year, there are more than 200 Women’s March events planned around the world for Saturday, January 20, as well as a few additional events on Sunday, January 21.

About the March in New York City

An estimated 400,000 people participated in last year’s Women’s March in New York City — and this year, another march is being planned for January 20 in Manhattan to stand up for the rights of women and minorities.

The New York City March is set to take place from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.that day, with a starting entrance point of 72nd Street and Central Park West in the Upper West Side. There will be a rally starting at 11:30 a.m. that day at Central Park West between 61st and 62nd Streets, followed by a march starting at 12:30 p.m. that will go past Columbus Circle, turn east on 59th Street, and then go down 6th Avenue to 43rd Street.

You don’t have to register, but it’s encouraged so organizers can give the NYPD a heads up about the amount of participants they expect. This march is expected to be the biggest of all the events planned around the weekend, with over 22,000 people already indicating on Facebook that they plan to attend (and another 77,000 people saying they are considering it).

About the March in Los Angeles

A march will be held in downtown Los Angeles on January 20, with organizers inviting all 750,000 who attended last year’s event to join again. The event will feature art, music, community booths and a number of speakers. Many celebrities — including Viola Davis, Natalie Portman, Connie Britton, Allison Janney, Laverne Cox, Larry Wilmore, Nicole Richie, and Olivia Munn — will be in attendance, alongside Senator Kamala Harris.

The Los Angels Women’s March starts at Pershing Square, with a rally starting at 8:30 a.m., followed by a 10 a.m. march to City Hall. Here’s a map of the route. Speakers and performances will go from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on the main stage on Spring Street.

Just like the New York march, you aren’t required to register for the event, though organizers would like if you did so for headcount and security purposes. Over 22,000 people have already said on Facebook that they plan to attend, and another 43,000 are considering it.

About the March in Chicago

On Saturday, the Women’s March Chicago will be hosting a March to the Polls event. Music and video for the event starts at 9 a.m. at Columbus and Congress, followed by an 11 a.m. rally and a 12:30 p.m. march to Federal Plaza. An estimated 250,000 people participated during last year’s march throughout Chicago, and this year’s event will be more about influencing future elections rather than protesting the new presidential administration, the Chicago Tribune notes.

About the Rally in Las Vegas

On January 21, thousands of people will come together in Las Vegas, Nevada, for the #PowerToThePolls event. Women’s March organizers selected Nevada as the place to commemorate the one-year anniversary of the event, since it’s a swing-state that will shape the Senate in 2018 and has recently experienced gun violence and sexual assault cases. The event will be held from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. that day — and will kick off a national voter registration tour.

Where to Find Info About Other Marches Around the World

This year’s Women March events aren’t relegated to major U.S. cities, of course. The Women’s March Alliance has a full list of events on its Facebook page, with protests planned as far away as New Zealand and Vancouver, Canada, as well as marches in most major metropolitan cities in the U.S.

What to Bring (and Wear) to March Events

March organizers recommend you wear warm, comfortable, and dry clothes — and of course, please be sure to check your local weather forecasts lest there be another winter “bomb cyclone” that weekend. You can bring a bag or backpack, but big bags are not encouraged for safety purposes. Organizers also suggest you bring water, and yes, you are allowed to bring an umbrella.

You’re also encouraged to bring a protest sign with you — check here for inspiration from some great signs from last year’s March events. However, organizers suggest that the signs be made out of paper, poster board, or cardboard — and you can use something like holiday wrapping paper rolls instead of wooden sticks, since the NYPD prohibits the use of wooden poles, handles, or sticks, as well as metal wires or handles.

This post has been updated.

RELATED

BACK IN THE DAY

During a recent gathering, several people wondered why our meeting had not been cancelled as there were school closings that day.  A contemporary of mine began reflecting on the way it was "back in the day", when we went to school, when we were "never shut down".

After listening to the criticism, I said, "There was no nobility in the risks that were taken for us to go to school."  My contemporary was shocked, obviously assuming that I would have been in agreement.  I said, "You'll never hear me waxing rhapsodic about the good old days because they were the bad old days to me!"

My contemporary harrumphed, "Waxing rhapsodic, huh?  You seemed to have learned a lot back then!"

I continued about how, as a girl, we had to wear dresses, and asked, "Who the Hell, had woolen clothing?  I sure didn't!"  We were allowed to wear pants underneath our dresses;  cotton dresses and Blue Bell jeans underneath. I can recall wearing a coat all day, even during lunch, and trying to write while wearing gloves.

The contemporary posited, "At least we didn't have to go to school after Memorial Day."  I answered, "They have air conditioning in the new schools."

I always wanted sweaters for Christmas presents.  Gerald laughed and asked, "Is that why I always get a sweater for Christmas?"  

Later, in relating the conversation to my brother Les, he began singing Dolly Parton's In The Good Old Days (When Times Were Bad).  

MLK DAY OF SERVICE

The Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was a vital figure of the modern era and a pivotal figure in the Civil Rights Movement. His lectures and dialogues stirred the concern and sparked the conscience of a generation. His charismatic leadership inspired men and women, young and old, in this nation and around the world.

Today marks the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. federal holiday. This milestone is a perfect opportunity for Americans to honor Dr. King’s legacy through service. The MLK Day of Service empowers individuals, strengthens communities, bridges barriers, creates solutions to social problems, and moves us closer to Dr. King’s vision of a beloved community.

Dr. King believed in a nation of freedom and justice for all, and encouraged all citizens to live up to the purpose and potential of America by applying the principles of nonviolence to make this country a better place to live—creating the Beloved Community.

The MLK Day of Service is a way to transform Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s life and teachings into community action. That service may meet a tangible need, or it may meet a need of the spirit. On this day, Americans of every age and background celebrate Dr. King through service projects.

The national Martin Luther King Day of Service was started by former Pennsylvania U.S. Senator Harris Wofford and Atlanta Congressman John Lewis, who co-authored the King Holiday and Service Act. The federal legislation challenges Americans to transform the King Holiday into a day of citizen action volunteer service in honor of Dr. King. The federal legislation was signed into law by President Bill Clinton on August 23, 1994. Since 1996, the annual Greater Philadelphia King Day of Service has been the largest event in the nation honoring Dr. King.

GROWING UP IN THE SOUTH

"THINGS I LEARNED GROWING UP IN THE SOUTH"  (see below) is a posting from a Facebook friend Carol Ann Robinson (the "Ann" is to distinguish her from another friend Carol Jo Robinson). 

I told her that I have heard some of the same things here in 

FAY-YETTE County:

          THINGS I LEARNED GROWING UP IN THE SOUTH

 

1.  A possum is a flat animal that sleeps in the middle of the road.

2.   There are 5,000 kinds of snakes and 4,998 live in the South.

3.   There are 10,000 types of spiders.  All 10,000 live in the South, plus a couple no one's seen before.

4.   If it grows, it'll stick ya;  if it crawls, it'll bite cha.

5.   Onced and twiced are words.

6.   It is not a shopping cart, it's a buggy.

7.   "Jawl-P?" means, "Did you go to the bathroom?"

8.   People actually grow, eat, and like okra.

9.   Fiixinto is one word;  it means I'm going to do that.

10. There is no such thing as lunch.  There is only breakfast, dinner and supper.

11.  Iced tea is appropriate for all meals and you start drinking it when you're two.

12.  We do like a little tea with our sugar.  It's referred to as the wine of the South.

13.  Backwards and forwards means I know everything about you.

14.  The word "jeet" is actually a question meaning "Did you eat?"

15.  You don't have to wear a watch because it doesn't matter what time it is;  you work until it's done or it's too dark to see.

16.  You don't PUSH buttons, you MASH them.

17.  Ya'll is singular;  all ya'll is plural.

18.  All the festivals are named after a fruit, vegetable, grain, insect, or animal.

19.  You carry jumper cables in your car--for your OWN car.

20.  You only own 5 spices:  salt, pepper, mustard, ketchup, and Tabasco.

21.  Everyone you meet is Honey, Sugar, Miss (first name) and Mr. (first name).

22.  The local papers carry national and international news on one page, but require 6 pages for local high school sports, motor sports, and gossip.

23.  You think that the first day of hunting season is a national holiday.

24.  You know what a "hissy fit" is.

25.  Fried catfish is the "other" white meat.

26.  We don't need no danged Driver's Ed.  If Mama says we can drive, we can drive!

27.  You understand these and forward them to your Southern friends and those who just wish they were from the South.
28.  You had jars of "lightnin' bugs" growing up.

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 3, 2

AUTODIDACTICISM

Today is my brother Duke's birthday.  I wrote the following about him in 2010:

            AUTODIDACT

One of my nephews called me with a problem he was having in his manufacturing engineering class at college. I told him that I couldn't help him as I was abysmally ignorant of the area and he said that he figured I would have had that kind of issue at work. I laughed and answered, "I had engineers to figure out that stuff FOR me!" I told him that he should call his Uncle Duke. He said, "But Uncle Duke didn't go to college." I said, "Well, he's the smartest guy I know about that kind of stuff." I then told him that Uncle Duke was an autodidact and my nephew said he didn't know what that meant and I told him that it meant "self-taught".  Michael, another nephew, was visiting and he overheard the conversation. 

A few weeks later, in talking to my nephew, he stated, "Boy, that Uncle Duke is smart!" He had indeed called my brother with the problem and Duke was able to help solve it.

A couple of months later, Michael and his girlfriend were visiting and Michael was telling her about the different members of the family who we were expecting to play poker that evening and I heard Michael say, "Yeah, my Uncle Duke is an autodidact!" What a pleasure to hear him explain to her the meaning of "autodidact".

It's good to know they can still learn something! It reminds me of the Mark Twain story of how at the age of 16 Mark couldn't believe how DUMB his parents were, but by the time he reached 21 he couldn't believe how SMART they had become!


FAMOUS AUTODIDACTS  (From THE AUTODIDACTS HALL OF FAME)

Louisa May Alcott
Henry Ford
Woody Allen
Benjamin Franklin
Hans Christian Anderson
Robert Frost
Maya Angelou
Bill Gates
Alexander Graham Bell
Ernest Hemingway
Elizabeth Barrett Browning
Steven Jobs
Truman Capote
George Washington
Grover Cleveland
Abraham Lincoln
Walter Cronkite
Malcolm X
Charles Dickens
William McKinley
Walt Disney
James Monroe
Bob Dylan
Florence Nightingale
Thomas Edison
Edgar Allen Poe
Albert Einstein
John D. Rockefeller

CUSTOMER SERVICE

Mona Lisa suggested, after my telling her that I was writing about our chocolate covered cherries debate, that I should tell of other complaints I have lodged.

I COUNT everything!  This is, I realize, a part of my OCD!  I had a box of bobby pins and it had the quantity of 100 listed on the label.  There were only 96.  I returned them to the store (it was Revco) and the Manager asked, with some incredulity, "You actually counted them?" Offended, I answered, "Of course I counted them!"  He handed another container to me and I proceeded to count them right there in front of him.  There was a shortage of three pins.  He returned my money and told me to keep the bobby pins. 

My Black and Decker food chopper was damaged because a date from a box of Dole "pitted" dates contained a pit.  I called the Dole 800 number and I was instructed to send the empty box;  I received a check for $10.00.

I return any aerosol cans that quit working which still have product in them.

We had gone to the Warehouse Club and one of the items I purchased was a box of 1,000 packets of Sweet 'N Low.  During the trip home, Gerald asked, with amusement, "Are you going to count them?"  I answered, "Of course not!" He laughed and said, "Oh, yeah, you will!"  I protested, "I don't HAVE to count them!"  After he had gone to bed, I was in the kitchen and I had the packets on the table and had several piles of 100 counted when I had the eerie feeling that someone was watching and there was Gerald peeking from the dining room. He said, "I KNEW that you couldn't help yourself and that you would count them!" 

I have had a number of people ask for me to return items for them.  One person suggested that the stores might become suspicious of me for returning too many items.  My brother said the stores probably have pictures of me posted as a warning. I am pleased that I have also influenced others to demand their rights.

One of my nephews was twelve years old and had a Tootsie Roll Pop without ANY Tootsie Roll inside. My brother told him that he should be like Aunt Sue and complain, which he did. The really smart Quality Control person who answered the letter wrote it in an appropriate style to a young person and sent him a box of Tootsie Roll Pops and encouraged him to share it with his friends and told him to get in contact with him if he had any further problems.
  

NATIONAL CHOCOLATE COVERED CHERRY DAY

January 3 is National Chocolate Covered Cherry Day.  As true connoisseurs, my friend Mona Lisa and I have an ongoing debate whether Queen Anne, Cello, or Brach's supplies the best product.  She prefers Queen Anne brand and I prefer Brach's. 

One of my holiday presents from Mona Lisa had the admonishment:  "Do NOT open until January 3!"  

Sometimes we have argued about candies  contained in boxes of Whitman and Russell Stover assorted chocolates, but have agreed that there are not enough in those boxes for a true sampling. 

In the 1960s, I was eating a chocolate covered cherry from the bottom of the two layers in a box of Brach's Cherry Cordials.  You know that expectation-- how your salivary glands are anticipating the exquisite sweetness of the cordialing flowing onto your taste buds--imagine the shock as I popped the candy into my mouth, it was as dry as the Mojave.  The candies on the top layer of the box had been divine.  I spit out the offending candy and I broke apart the next piece and it was also DRY and each of the successive ones of the bottom layer were also dry.

I wrote a letter of complaint to Brach's and the Company graciously sent coupons to me for FOUR boxes of Cherry Cordials. Talk about heaven!  Mona Lisa suggests that my being impressed by that good customer service has clouded my judgment.

In the letter, it stated that there had obviously been a problem at "the warehouse" to have caused the problem.

Years later, when it was part of my job to answer customer complaints, you can bet that I used that "warehouse" excuse to my full advantage.

YOU'RE GOOD; TOO BAD YOU'RE NOT NICE

Gerald's grand niece Aron posted on Facebook that Santa had touched her butt.  I answered with the following:

In the 1970s, your Uncle Gerald and I were shopping on the 6th floor of Downtown Lazarus  and I was dared to sit on Santa's lap.

When I whined to Santa that, "I never did get that electric train I always wanted, and I was always GOOD!"  Santa answered, "But you weren't NICE!"

As I arose, that dirty old man pinched my ass!

However, now you know the provenience of Gerald's oft-used remark, which I'm sure you've heard him say:  "Sue, you're GOOD;  it's too bad you're not NICE!"

HAPPY NEW YEAR, 2018