Simple Yet Complex

My grandson Diego, who is autistic, is in a program that includes working at a Walgreens.  He was proud to earn $10.  What to do?  Save or spend?  Spend on what?   It was his decision to make.

It occurred to me that somewhere in this small story are most of the complexities of life.
 

Thank Yoou, Gloria

 I'm going to call it the "Gloria Steinem Luncheon." Yes, the hostess was my friend Lisa.  She was treating us all as thanks for helping her recover from a serious leg injury.  As I looked around the table at the enormously attractive women, chatting about their full lives, I wondered if they knew how remarkable it was--and will always be--to me.

I'm not going to gloss over learning that a few were looking for work, or a change.  It's the opportunities here for them.  That's what Gloria imagined for us all ... and made happen.

Stories Everywhere

 Bre and Shantae do a wonderful job keeping my apartment clean.  Sensing that they are bright, resourceful women, I wanted to find out a little more about them.  Turns out, they are both writers!  (Was it fate?  A magnetic force?)  

They are both trying to squeeze in time to write their “urban novels”.  Recalling my time teaching memoir writing, I encouraged them to make room for their “writing selves”, no matter how “urban"  their lives can be.

As they packed up their brooms and supplies, I urged them to let me see their manuscripts.  What they had done so far. “We’ll bring it next time”, they promised enthusiastically.  Once again, it becomes evident that everyone has a story to tell.  And that encouragement is a powerful force.

Immortal

Thank you dear Natalie!  Your creativity has lifted your Grandma Joan's humble brownies to immortality via the pages of The New Yorker!  

Too Bad to be True?

 Bill is making a movie with Tony Goldwyn.  One of his more memorable acting roles was as Fitz, or Mr. President, on the long running TV series Scandal. I’ve been binge watching Scandal on Netflix for a few weeks now (yes, it does run on).  The episodes are so outrageous, so over the top,  that I just say “unbelievable” to myself over and over. I can’t turn away.

Except that this week the “unbelievable” is happening episode by episode when I turn on the news. The Graham Platner sex scandal repeats itself in seasons one through seven.   The mysterious illness of Mitch McConnell is no mystery to me.  Scandal has already explained it in the darkest way.

Political satire like Scandal and its counterparts, House of Cards and Veep, flourished during a time when Washington wasn’t so bonkers crazy.  We could take it.  Today?  It’s too creepy and scary when it’s true.

My July 4th

 

Yes.  I'm celebrating.   With Woody Guthrie and Pete Seeger.  With Eleanor Roosevelt.  With Howard Zinn, Paul Robeson, Ali and Buck O'Neil.  Yes.  There are so many wonderful Americans. Like you.  And there will be more. Why don't you pick your favorites and join me.

Our Promise

 1976. I remember our bi-centenial year as a festive one.  Len and I spent a few days in Boston which was all geared up for a great celebration.  On the Fourth, Kathy, Gerry and I hosted a glorious party in their spacious yard. The theme was:  Do Something You Would Only Do Once Every 200 Years.

Gertrude gave a rousing political speech.  Phyllis played the kazoo.  Annette, who had ESP, served as a fortune teller. 

There's a sad memory attached to that day too.  Very upset, Annette approached me in the kitchen.  "I "saw" that Mitzi's husband is going to die soon," she whispered.  She was right.

Now, as we approach our 250 birthday, I think of joy and sadness.  Would Annette whisper of the death of our democracy?  Or will a new generation of leaders keep America's promise alive?