Demonstration, Marches, Cookie Making

The Women's March by Marietjie Henning (2014).  

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“Colorful demonstrations and weekend marches are vital but alone are not powerful enough to stop wars. Wars will be stopped only when soldiers refuse to fight, when workers refuse to load weapons onto ships and aircraft, when people boycott the economic outposts of Empire that are strung across the globe. ” ― Arundhati Roy, Public Power in the Age of Empire

“Returning hate for hate multiplies hate, adding deeper darkness to a night already devoid of stars. Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate, only love can do that.” ― Martin Luther King Jr., Strength to Love

“There must exist a paradigm, a practical model for social change that includes an understanding of ways to transform consciousness that are linked to efforts to transform structures.” ― bell hooks, Killing Rage: Ending Racism

In her essay about Xi Wangmu, Max Dashu writes that the goddess was seen as a personal savior, protector, and healer. The common people would parade barefooted with drums and chants to plead for her help. "This goddess movement alarmed the gentry, and the Confucian historian presented it in a negative light. He warned the danger of rising yin: females and the peasantry stepping outside their place." As with many uprisings from the poor, the wealthy and aristocrats put the people back into their social order by not sharing power -- not sharing love. 

A privilege I have as a citizen of the U.S. is the right to "freedom of speech;" the "right of the people peaceably to assemble" and the right "to petition the (my) Government for a redress of grievances."  On Saturday, I walked with the youth of American to end this gun violence. (SEE U.S. Constitution and read it.)

Marches in the U.S. have long been used to plea for justice and bring awareness to a cause. Mary Harris "Mother" Jones, organized child factory workers in 1903 to march in front of city hall in Kensington, Pennsylvania. She had them wave their maimed fingers and hands up in the air for all to see.  The children were able to change the laws; no one under 16 could work.  On the eve of President Wilson's inauguration (1913) the suffragist held a parade in Washington, DC which lead to violence and hospitalizing over 200 people. The police stood and watched as this happened.  It was to be a "march in a spirit of protest against the present political organization of society, from which women are excluded." It was the press coverage of the violence against the women which would be the key.  These women acted non-violently and this gained support from the public for their cause: to be able to vote.  However, it would take additional public acts to get congress to ratify the 19th amendment in 1920.  In May of 1963, African American children took to the street to help end segregation.  The press covered their march showing dogs and firehoses blasting water at the youth.  The youth wanted to make a difference and were willing to make a sacrifice that would change the course of history.

Molly Pitcher at the Battle of Monmouth

lithograph, Library of Congress.

My first "political march" was my annual city parade.  My brothers and I dressed dramatizing the painting "Sprit of 1776."  The picture of Molly Pitcher was out of the question: 1) the cannon was unattainable and 2) three kids under the age of 13 rolling a cannon 2.5 miles along the parade route would be problematic.  I was assigned to play to flute, because that was what I played in my 7th grade band.    We were celebrating our countries 200th year birthday.  My siblings and I knew our family's history: our ancestor was an officer in the Revolutionary War and the War of 1812.  We were  demonstrating the need for the continued fight for our freedoms identified in the Constitution.  We were growing up in the thick of the Cold War.  However, in high school my teacher asked, "do you think the Soviet Children want the same thing too."  It made me stop and think.  In the late seventies, people shied away from marching for a cause in my city.  I found another way; I wrote my first letter to my senator.

My next march political march wouldn't be until the late eighties.  I pushed my friend M in his wheelchair in the PRIDE parade: a straight woman and her dying gay friend.  M had always wanted to march in a PRIDE parade.  He wanted to publically state he belongs without being oppressed and ridiculed for his sexual orientation.  M was concerned about my helping him be in the parade; but isn't that the definition of a friend?  Isn't this how you show love?  Since that march, I've participated in women's marches, anti-war marches and this weekend: the youth's March for Our Lives.  There is something about being with a crowd wanting a change to make the U.S. a better and safe place and place where love is acted on.

~~~

Where is the Love (2003)

Written by will.i.am, apl.de.ap, Taboo, Justin Timberlake, Printz Board, Michael Fratantuno and George Pajon
Performed by The Black Eyed Peas

~~~

Bree Newsome 

At one of the local colleges this past week, I heard Bree Newsome talk about art and social justice.  Newsome, an artist, musician, and social activist, is known for climbing the flag pole in Charlotte, North Carolina to pull down the confederate flag.  Her act of civil disobedience followed the massacre of 9 African American's during a prayer meeting.  Newsome stated she was arrested along with a friend (white man), but her act also led to the flag being taken permanently down.  A key take-away from her lecture was everyone is responsible for making our world, our country a better and safer place to live.  Not everyone is called to put their lives on the line like Newman, but they are called to do something.  Newsome used an analogy.  The road to creating the beloved community is really a highway with many lanes.  Some are called to lay down their lives, others to write letters, others marchers, others creating posters and art, and others providing food and comfort for these activists.  You are only required to do something.

Peach Chakra

At the Market by Louise Moillon (1610-1696) Painting is a private collection

“Believe something and the Universe is on its way to being changed. Because you've changed, by believing. Once you've changed, other things start to follow. Isn't that the way it works?”  ― Diane Duane, So You Want to Be a Wizard

"When you reach for the stars, you are reaching for the farthest thing out there. When you reach deep into yourself, it is the same thing, but in the opposite direction. If you reach in both directions, you will have spanned the universe.” ― Vera Nazarian, The Perpetual Calendar of Inspiration

“Through the practice of meditation, when the mind is quieted and the emotions are calmed, the Soul shines forth in all of its glory.” ― Genevieve Gerard

~~~

Last week I took a break, but I still thought of peaches.  In my quest for mixing the perfect peach color with paint, I found that there are many shades of peach: red-orange color.  You must be knowledgeable of each color's undertones.  Meaning, is the red made up of red tones or violet tones?  Your choice of yellow depends on the tones: Like goes with Like.  

In my google search for mixing colors, the peach chakra appeared.  (Chakras and mixing paint colors? I'm trying to figure out the connection.)

As you are aware, there are many chakras in the human body.  Most people are familiar with the seven.  The peach chakra is located within the heart chakra.  You have to pull away the green and you will find it in the center.  This chakra is associated with your soul.  It is your connection with the divine source and the universe.   It is a place of love and joy mixed together into a peaceful bliss

The peach chakra reminds me of the story of Xi Wangmu's peach orchard.  Her peaches took 3000 years to ripen.  Eaten they gave one immortality and access to the divine.  But, what if you didn't have to wait 3000 years.  What if you had access to bliss by meditating through your peach chakra?   

~~~

Wild nights - Wild nights! (269)
by Emily Dickinson (1830 - 1886)

Peach watercolor by Sharon Foster.  

See and Buy her art.  

Wild nights - Wild nights!

Were I with thee
Wild nights should be
Our luxury!

Futile - the winds -
To a Heart in port -
Done with the

Compass -
Done with the Chart!

Rowing in Eden -
Ah - the Sea!
Might I but moor - tonight -

In thee

~~~

Artural: Art + Ritual

Auntie Grace's Peach Cobbler is bliss especially warm and with ice cream:

1/2 cup butter

1 cup of flour

1 cup of sugar

1 teaspoon of baking powder

1 cup of milk

2 cups of cut up peaches without skins

Preheat oven 275 F

1.  Melt butter in a baking pan on the stove (9 inches by 13 inches dish)

2.  Mix flour, sugar and baking powder together in a separate bowl.  Stir in milk until there     aren't any lumps.

3.  Dump this into the melted butter pan.  DO NOT STIR.  

4.  Sprinkle fruit on top.  DO NOT STIR THEM INTO THE MIXTURE.

5.  Raise temperature of the oven up to 350F

6.  Bake 50-60 minutes or until the cake is lightly brown on top.

Longing for Peaches

Florence Dunbar Tending the Garden by

Evelyn Dunbar (1938-1939) 

“The flavor the came to me was a luscious Sincerest peach that I once had in California. This heirloom variety needed time to ripen on the tree to achieve its peak flavor. Unlike other peaches that were picked unripe so they would ship more easily, Sincerest peaches had to be eaten right away. But they were worth it- fragrant, luscious, juice-dripping-down-your-chin perfection.” ~~ Judith M. Fertig, The Memory of Lemon

“Life is better than death, I believe, if only because it is less boring, and because it has fresh peaches in it.” ~~ Alice Walker, Home Girls: A Black Feminist Anthology


"The peach-bud glows, the wild bee hums, the wind-flower wave in gladness." ~~Lucy Larcom

Its a blue sky sunny day in March, but don't let that fool you into wearing a sweater and shorts.  It is in the high 30s.  By the time March rolls around in Ohio, I long for spring and the fruit of summer.  I was walking home from work this past week, and I noticed that the crocuses and daffodils leaves are pushing up out of the ground.   The effect inspired me to purchased tomato and pepper seeds to start in the house. Spring is coming.

A characteristic I share with Xi Wangmmu, we are gardeners.  Her garden is filled with peach trees; mine vegetables and raspberries.  Those who are gardeners carry similar characteristics.  We have patience to let a fruit ripen in the sun; can see patterns in the weather and try to understand what our plants may need to grow; and have a vision of what to outcome will be like--tasting a sun ripened tomato basil salad with mozzarella cheese, balsamic vinegar and olive oil.  

~~~

The peach tree on the southern wall 
by Christina Rosetti (1830-1894)

The peach tree on the southern wall 
Has basked so long beneath the sun, 
Her score of peaches great and small 
Bloom rosy, every one. 
A peach for brothers, one for each, 
A peach for you and a peach for me; 
But the biggest, rosiest, downiest peach 
For Grandmamma with her tea

~~~

Chinese painting: peach blossoms

Artual (ART + Ritual)

Peach Blossom Song (Chinese Folk Song)
Arranged by Yoshiharu Morokuma