Spring!

The redwing blackbirds and grackles are back, the canvasback ducks seem to have headed north, and we saw crocuses in three different places (without even going to the patch we already knew about). Also, it's sunny and in the low 60s.

I like this. Tomorrow is supposed to be much the same, which should mean it will be a mild night for the candlelight vigil. I'm a little concerned that the organizer seems to be planning to float candles downriver--from the salt marsh--but I suspect we can talk people out of doing anything stupid.

Spring!

The redwing blackbirds and grackles are back, the canvasback ducks seem to have headed north, and we saw crocuses in three different places (without even going to the patch we already knew about). Also, it's sunny and in the low 60s.

I like this. Tomorrow is supposed to be much the same, which should mean it will be a mild night for the candlelight vigil. I'm a little concerned that the organizer seems to be planning to float candles downriver--from the salt marsh--but I suspect we can talk people out of doing anything stupid.

*grumble*

I would just like to note
( possible grossout behind cut )

(Also, and unrelated to the above, detachable handles can look a lot like candles at a quick glance.)

*grumble*

I would just like to note
( possible grossout behind cut )

(Also, and unrelated to the above, detachable handles can look a lot like candles at a quick glance.)

Peace vigil

The nearest manifestation of the worldwide 7 p.m. local time candlelight vigil for peace was, literally, across the street.

About 15 minutes in, cattitude climbed up onto a wall and counted heads, getting about 120; since there were people he couldn't see and some arrived later, we're guessing 140 or 150, not counting the dogs (who didn't have candles). There were no speeches. People just stood around with candles, and talked a bit with those they knew. We got to say hi to the local organizer, because we walked into the park at the same time: a man named Steve who lives in the building next to ours. A freelance reporter asked me if I knew who'd organized it, and after three or four tries I got him together with Steve. Eventually a group started singing, quietly. At first I couldn't tell what they were singing; I identified it when they switched to "We Shall Overcome", and joined in. I left after that, because I no longer felt that I was a safe person to be playing with fire.

Someday, maybe, but I didn't think I'd have to sing that song my entire life. [Edit: The problem isn't with the song: it's that I would like to live in a world where I don't have to spend my entire life protesting because the government is doing stupid, dangerous, and sometimes criminal things.]

Peace vigil

The nearest manifestation of the worldwide 7 p.m. local time candlelight vigil for peace was, literally, across the street.

About 15 minutes in, cattitude climbed up onto a wall and counted heads, getting about 120; since there were people he couldn't see and some arrived later, we're guessing 140 or 150, not counting the dogs (who didn't have candles). There were no speeches. People just stood around with candles, and talked a bit with those they knew. We got to say hi to the local organizer, because we walked into the park at the same time: a man named Steve who lives in the building next to ours. A freelance reporter asked me if I knew who'd organized it, and after three or four tries I got him together with Steve. Eventually a group started singing, quietly. At first I couldn't tell what they were singing; I identified it when they switched to "We Shall Overcome", and joined in. I left after that, because I no longer felt that I was a safe person to be playing with fire.

Someday, maybe, but I didn't think I'd have to sing that song my entire life. [Edit: The problem isn't with the song: it's that I would like to live in a world where I don't have to spend my entire life protesting because the government is doing stupid, dangerous, and sometimes criminal things.]