still digesting election results

I learned last night that Augusta voted heavily in favor of Yes on 1. So now I wonder, as I pass people, see them at the supermarket, watch them drive by… who among you voted against equality? Who among you voted against people I know and love? Who among you voted against my family?

In one word I am disgusted. Not in an “ew” way but in an angry way. Disgusted that fear overcomes reason. Disgusted that outside money can overturn a law that was voted on a year ago. Disgusted that the religious “right” isn’t really paying attention to the one who really heads up their organization… Jesus.

• Jesus would have voted No on 1
• Jesus was a social reformer
• Jesus taught that we should love one another

Um, have they been paying attention? Will they be denied access to the glorious beyond? Denied at the gates when faced with the reality that they did not follow what Jesus taught? Will “I thought you meant…” carry any weight?

I’m also disgusted about this business about marriage being defined as something that happens under God in church. It was originally and is still first and foremost a legal contract (you need to get a license from your state before you have a wedding). I was not married in a church; I had no wedding. Yet my marriage is recognized by all, across state and national boundaries. I have atheist friends that were not married in churches, and their marriages are recognized. Will our rights eventually be stripped?

Haven’t people learned? When the rights and liberties of some of us are not the same as the rest, we all lose. I mean, did the world end when blacks rode on the front of the bus? When women voted? No, all of our lives became enriched. Life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness… but only if you are a white and straight man I guess.

Remember Martin Niemoller’s poem,

First they came for the Jews
and I did not speak out–
because I was not a Jew.
Then they came for the communists
and I did not speak out–
because I was not a communist.
Then they came for the trade unionists
and I did not speak out–
because I was not a trade unionist.
Then they came for me–
and there was no one left to speak out for me.

I guess I live in a bit of a bubble.

winter

There’s about four inches of snow on the ground this morning. Here’s a bit of it last night, on the rugosa rose leaves…

Winter also means winter coats… and for the past few years in all but the extreme cold, mine has been this,

It’s too big (48), but it’s comfortable and I can wear it over a big bulky sweater. And it cost all of 25 cents. I have been shamed into getting another coat. And this one does look silly with a skirt, or with a long sweater hanging below the bottom.

So I got a few at the Goodwill recently, and my friends helped me decide on these two,

Neither of which is as warm as the Makita Carhartt. But both are big enough to wear a sweater underneath.

Really, my favorite winter coat is the other one I got for 25 cents… sadly it is a size 38 and I can’t wear it with a heavy sweater. It’s wool, and lined with cotton flannel, and heavy, and warm, and has great pockets (six in front and two in the back!), and has a big collar that can close. I don’t think you can buy anything like it anymore. Certainly not for under $100.

winner

I won Mel’s raffle drawing. It’s kind of a bittersweet winning given that the intention was to raise money for the No on 1 campaign. It’s some lovely fiber and also yarn, which Mel may or may not knit into socks for me… he offered in the contest, but between his hand issues and my ability to knit socks, there isn’t any need for that… but he’s got this idea about making toe socks (for my webbed toes!) so we’re still figuring this out. I figure since there’s no rush for postal delivery (not like I am lacking for yarn), it’s a good excuse to get together sometime!

I’ll announce winner of book drawing in next post. Comment in that post if you want a chance to win the book!