In spite of cold temps and intermittent gusts of wind blasting in off the Atlantic, the Valentine’s Day protest on Boston Common was well-attended. Three hundred? Maybe more? Ken thought five, but that seems a little high to me.
Such is my life that when Sarah Kendzior liked the photo of her quote that I posted on Bluesky, it was a little thrill.
The Embrace might be growing on me.
We’ve been rewatching the HBO series JOHN ADAMS. It opens with the Boston Massacre, so I wanted to go honor the five fallen men from that day, but the Granary Burial Ground was closed. It looked like pure ice in there.
The HBO show is really well-acted with lots of local scenery, but it’s a strange time to be watching. It’s not a balm or a distraction, that’s for sure. “A Republic, if you can keep it,” Ben Franklin famously utters.
The birth of independence. The sacrifices. The wrangling over how to express our ideals. Not perfectly done, but still.
All to get out from under the tyranny of a king.
Tonight I went to a birthday party. A small, warm gathering with interesting folks and good food. Snow falling outside.
In a living room full of eight people that I was meeting for the first (maybe second) time, SIX of us had attended the protest the day prior. Six! I’m not sure why, but that really made me feel good.
PS I understand needing to step away, take breaks. I hope our community holds though. It means the world to me.
Here is Marti’s sweater and pin for tomorrow.
Dee~ I’m so glad you had a place to go and stand. It’s fun to see someplace in Boston I’ve actually visited 🙂 The birthday party sounds soothing. And that Bird Photo…holy cow!! It’s fantastic. For me it is more alive and has more movement than the actual video (which is also great). I no longer know what the heck I need.
Nancy
I was so proud of you! John Adams is one of my favorite series. As much as Abigail was burdened by John’s absence, her letters still influenced his thinking.
Her influence really comes through in the series.
A crisp, cold day warmed by people who give a damn! It did my whole being such good to see your signs and K holding them.
Yesterday I spoke with one of my daughters and told her of my need to step back, take a break from commenting, catch my breath and she wisely said, “I know you Mom, you will take a break and be back tomorrow!” I’m back, feeling a bit sheepish that my break lasted less than 24 hours but then I thought, it is perfectly ok to pause and re-charge for these times require that we listen to ourselves, do what we need to do to replenish ourselves in order to keep on going.
Monday, all over the country, marches for “Not my President” day.” I won’t be able to attend the rally in Albuquerque but I have made a little sign that I will wear, all day, with those words.
I want a picture!
Photo of my Not My President sign pinned to an old, ratty green favorite Irish sweater, sent in an email. Will be worn all day tomorrow and possibly for many days to come!
Just learned that my daughters, who live in CA, will be in Sacramento tomorrow for the Not My President march. No word if grand kids will be joining them but it is so good for them to see their parents and Aunt standing up for what is right.
Absolutely.
I think the embrace works very well in 2025. Great post Dee. I haven’t had the heart to go to a protest yet but will (I’m sure) go to many in the months to come. Every day another horror.
Your art is the art of resistance and you are unwavering. Brava.
That picture of the blue sky with all the pigeons flying free … WOW!!! Another big shout out to each and everyone gathering in protest … WOW!! This whole post is filled with HOPE!!! Sending love ❤️
Lots more protests tomorrow!
Way to go, Dee. The fact that he was actually re-elected knocked the wind out of my sails, or, I should say, made plain my delusions, and I have been at a loss as to what to do now. It was great to see you out there protesting and it inspires me to do the same. I have only been in Boston once, but I recognize your pictures. It is fitting to protest there, and everywhere.
So much to love and relate to in this post. And the birds against the blue sky drew me in. Thank you. xo lesley