Blossom

Tea For Two

I want that look. 

& isn't it perfect for a rainy, cold day in April? I think, yes. 

Blossom Photo

Aww

They make me so happy.
Even if they still have a lot of work to do on their 'silly photo' poses.

Noted.

via, stayfancyfree

Over Winter, but Not Complaining ...

Growing up in a place that has winter, you learn to avoid self-pity. Winter is not a personal experience, everybody else is just as cold as you, so you shouldn’t complain about it too much. You learn this as a kid, coming home crying from the cold, and Mother looks down and says, “It’s only a little frostbite. You’re okay.” And thus you learn to be okay. What’s done is done. Get over it. Drink your coffee. It’s not the best you’ll ever get but it’s good enough.

- Garrison Keillor

Need/Think

"And while many people around the world do not share the conditions and comforts we enjoy in America, don't let that fool you. Many of them do not need all the material things we think make us happy."

- Gail Shore, founder of Cultural Jambalaya in the Twin Cities 

via Women's Press - Your Thoughts March 2011

Attend This

Celebrate the 100th International Women's Day in St. Paul at Soaring Toward Gender Democracy: A Community Dialogue Event, Celebrating Refugee & Immigrant Women for Change

Tuesday, March 8th from 3 - 6:30 PM at St. Catherine University (remember to RSVP to RIWCNOW@capiusa.org by the 4th). The event is free and open to all, there will be performances, art, speakers & small group discussion. Come, surround yourself with those who believe in the strength, beauty & future of refugee and immigrant women. 

Show up & you'll know at least one person (hint - it's me). 

Letter! Book! Stickers!

It's well known I love mail & ma'pen pals.
& it should be known that I love Kim.

So, mail from Kim - is terribly exciting. & let me tell ya, I was not happy about having to find some obscure UPS hub until I saw that lil'rocket man.

The thing about Kim is she always seems to know how to - bring you back.
After bringing a close to the hazy rock & roll world of Keith Richard's LIFE, Kim gracefully swooped in with Not for Sale by David Batstone (a signed copy) to bring the reality of human trafficking back around into my hazy world. Like a true friend should. I cannot wait to read it. & I cannot wait until 2012, because that's when Kim told me I'm coming to visit her.

I stand with PP

I stand with Planned Parenthood because:

All women, no matter what their economic status - deserve quality health care services such as pap smears, preventative immunizations/screenings, prenatal healthcare, contraceptives & STI testing.

Not to mention - a safe haven for resources on body image, pregnancy prevention/testing, sexual assault & domestic abuse support services. 

All men deserve an affordable, safe, quality resource for cancer screening and sexual health / contraceptive services. 

I felt more comfortable with my Planned Parenthood OBGYN - then any other Dr. in my life. 

All women have the right to decide when they want to become mothers. 

An attack on Planned Parenthood is an attack on the rights and equality of women.  

It's not only about abortion. 

If Planned Parenthood was an organization focused on men's health - there would be no fight.  

I believe in the fight for women. 

It's very likely you know multiple individuals who have at some point in their lives used Planned Parenthood services.  

When women are able to take control over their own bodies, the poverty gap is reduced.

& so is the gender gap.

I can go on. But I think you get it.

If you're a woman. If you care about a women. If you believe the Government should back off uterus'. If you believe that the contraception for wild horses is less important than quality sexual healthcare services for women (that. is. real). If you believe in the equality of men & women. Or, simply, if you want to continue being my friend ... Stand with Planned Parenthood.

Again, Stand with Planned Parenthood
Again? Okay. Stand with Planned Parenthood

& ask yourself,

Would the world stand by if it were men who were dying just for completing their reproductive functions?

- Asha-Rose Migrio, UN Deputy Secretary General, 07

& start reading: Fair and Feminist

Save Service

Can you believe that we've gotten to a point in this world - where we have to fight to save. service.

Service, as in - a act that is done by one person or a group that benefits another person or group etc. etc.
Umm. I'm speechless really.

Here's the deal, according to saveservice.org,

On February 19, the House of Representatives passed H.R. 1, legislation that would make deep cuts in government spending for the rest of the fiscal year.  The measure – which eliminates the Corporation for National and Community Service and its programs-- passed 235-189.  Click here to learn how your Representative voted.

The House vote is just one step in the legislative process. The bill has been sent to the Senate for their consideration, and the Senate and the President will have opportunities to shape and influence the final spending package.  But it is up to us to make certain that the final bill restores funding for service!

Please call Congress and explain what will be lost if H.R. 1 becomes a reality. It is important that you express your disappointment with the House vote and ask that funding for the Corporation for National and Community Service be restored in the final spending bill.

We know H.R. 1 – as it passed the House – will not be the final funding package. But Congress must reach a compromise before March 4^th or the government will shut down.   Difficult decisions on funding priorities will have to be made in the next two weeks and we have to work very hard to ensure that any compromise restores funding for the Corporation for National and Community Service.

& there is it. The program that saves the government money in the long-term, helps young people gain professional skills, helps the needy, improves communities, teachs kids to read, advocates for self sufficiency and beyond - is at risk of being cut. & honestly I'm exhausted from begging everyone to call, write, sign, blah blah blah.

So, friends. Please. Just do something.

If you don't believe my words on the impact of service, read this Minnesota Fact Sheet, if you're too tired to write a letter - revamp mine, if you don't know who your Representative is, enter your zip code here, your Senator - here, and if you feel like your voice won't count - change your (swear word) attitude.

Ernie

Found by my friend, Steven Athay, this is an excellent graphic by Chris Bishop (a Creative Director for PBS Kids) of why we should all be working harder to save PBS.

Friends, my first word was Ernie. Don't tell me PBS hasn't done something for you too ...
For more information on what you can do to help save PBS visit http://www.170millionamericans.org/ 

Think of our future generations & take a minute to write a letter. Call your representative. Sign a petition.
You count. & frankly, wouldn't be able to count, or spell, or share - if not for PBS.