Be The Light (picture book)

     When I think back on the activists I esteemed most highly in my early adult years in the twentieth century they form a trinity: Angela Davis, Shirley Chisholm, and the Black Panthers. One of the greatest disappointments of my life to date has being being unable to vote for Shirley Chisholm the first year I was old enough to vote. So when I learned about Daria Peoples' Be The Light: How She Became Angela Davis I sent off for a copy by inter library loan, curious to see how she would be portrayed in a children's book. 

     I was quite pleased by both the text and the illustrations. The book begins with a rich description of her childhood and the tribulations she endured while quite young: living in a neighborhood called Dynamite Hill because of how often houses of Black families were bombed and being unable to go so many places,  even the public library,  because of segregation. And it shows how her mother cultivated in her the faith that a better future was possible. 

       Her knowledge that things were bad, her belief that they could get better, and her conviction that she could be part of the change making fueled the adult roles she took on. 

     The focus of the vivid illustrations is the emotions expressed by people's facial expressions and stances. In a picture where Angela is carrying a moving box the whites watching are in a state of virulent hatred. 

     If I had any grandchildren I'd run right out and buy copies of Be The Light for them.

On a purrrsonal note, yesterday I had a chance to decorate a tee shirt for the clothesline project. The shirt decorating happens every year. The tee shirts with messages related  to rape are displayed to support survivors and enlighten everyone. As a rape survivor, I find it very powerful. 

Then today I went to Amber's latest author's talk at the Old Town Public Library. Amber did really well and made me proud to be her mother. The library provided a lovely nutritious and delicious lunch with diet from hell compliant food--most notably salad veggies and beautiful blueberries. 

A great big shout out goes out to the people running the clothesline project and the Old Town Public Library librarians. 

Jules Hathaway 

Sent from my U.S.Cellular© Smartphone

Road trip

This is my new denim jacket for the next decorating denim event on campus. I believe in being prepared. 

Sent from my Galaxy

Road trip

These are my new 2 lb weights. I'm adding lifting to my aerobics. No disrespecting on the size. I'm starting small and building up. As for aerobics I've done at least 1/2 hour a day without missing a day 197 days in a row. That's 210 minutes a week. 

Sent from my Galaxy

Road trip

These are the three shirts and the adorable Squishmallow Eugene bought me. I'm wearing one of the shirts today along with my Hello Kitty saddle shoes and (of course) my Hello Kitty tattoo. You might say I'm repping the fine feline!

Sent from my Galaxy

Fros, Fades, and Braids (picture book)

     Kids have a habit of noticing differences in people and asking questions, often to the chagrin of parents or adults. Their curiosity is perfectly natural. Sean Qualls' Fros, Fades, and Braids: A Brief History of Black Hair in America is perfect for curious young readers.

     "Why a book about Black hair, specifically Black hair in America, right now? Black people have a deep and complex relationship with their hair. In the United States alone, Black people spend billions of dollars on grooming and hair care products."

     The book goes back to the days when straight hair was considered good and curly or frizzy hair on Blacks bad. Blacks with straight hair were considered  better. Straightening tools and concoctions were popular, even if they contained dangerous chemicals. It goes on to the use of naturals and afros in the 60s to make statements like "Black is beautiful" and "Black Power" and on to the wonderful variety of styles Blacks rock today.

     Styles are described and illustrated. Major players are introduced. I see Fros, Fades, and Braids as affirming for Black children and illuminating for their white peers. 

On a purrrsonal note, yesterday was a beautiful, warm, sunny day. After our delicious 😋 😊 breakfast at Governors Eugene and I went on a road trip all the way to Machias where he got us Subway subs and we had a picnic in the woods. On the way we stopped at thrift shops. Eugene bought me two pound weights,  3 shirts, a jeans jacket, and a beautiful big Squishmallow. At Goodwill in Belfast I was telling one of the workers who was stocking merch how the good organization and beautiful arrangement of the goods made shopping there so much fun for me. She told her supervisor what I'd said so she could share my words with all the workers. 

See something, say something is not only about reporting bad stuff. Complimenting people costs nothing and can really make them feel happy. 

A great big shout out goes out to my wonderful husband, Eugene. 

Jules Hathaway 

     

Sent from my U.S.Cellular© Smartphone

Clean Sweep

I saved the best for last. I just got news I'd been praying for. CLEAN SWEEP IS ON AGAIN FOR THE FIRST TIME SINCE 2023. It couldn't be held in 2024 or 2025 because of renovations in the building in which it's held. It's a giant yard sale at UMaine of all the stuff--clothes, appliances, school supplies, electronics etc--students leave in the dorms. Imagine an ice hockey arena filled with quality merch. A lot of good stuff is diverted from landfills. The money goes to good causes like the campus food pantry. Stuff not sold is given to organizations that can use it like towels and bedding to the Humane Society. And for me volunteering for it is better than a magic kingdom vacation for other people. I get to do something I love doing with people I really like, especially my best friend, Lisa Morin. One of the for sure highlights of my year. The picture is of three fine cats I acquired in 2023. What am I hoping to find this year? Cat shirts, anything cat 🐈 😻 🐈‍⬛️ related, cool writing materials, a working watch, books, drag clothes with pizzazz and sequins galore, stuff my family would like, and--I bet you guessed this--SQUISHMALLOWS!!

Sent from my Galaxy

Juice

There was another group doing an event on voting next door to the SWell event. When they were cleaning up I stopped by to see how it had gone. I saw that they had no sugar added juice. It's hard to find juice I can drink because most have as much sugar as soda. They very generously gave me 12 boxes. It means so much when so much of what I can eat is boring or yucky or both of the above. 

Sent from my Galaxy