My shadow, with a hiking pole to brace against icy sidewalks, reminded me of a Dalek, the violent, merciless, and extremely xenophobic alien from the long-running British sci-fi show, Doctor Who (not to be confused with the ICE goons currently terrorizing Minneapolis). I remember wandering the playground as a kid, arm extended, mimicking a Dalek, chanting their catchphrase: “Exterminate! Exterminate!”
Category: In This Together
An empty classroom
Went for a quiet walk to process my thoughts. I should have been in the classroom working with recent immigrants. Instead, school is canceled for the rest of the week. This follows yesterday’s ICE actions in Minneapolis, which included the murder of Renee Good and the tear-gassing and shoving of staff and students at their school.
A tool for protected speech
A shiny whistle arrived today for my daypack. Three short blasts: ICE nearby. One long blast: ICE is detaining someone.
Next stop: the world
Family get-together at Misono. This was one plate among many. It’s definitely American sushi, but I’d like to think even Japanese people would enjoy it. Enjoyed the company, including my nephews, now 17 and 18. I encouraged them to travel to Sweden, Hokkaido, or beyond… I’d gladly pay for their tickets.
Christmas 2025
LEGO houses by Dwight. 4-seasons handmade lamp (including stained glass) by a colleague of Dwight’s as a retirement gift. Tree (Minnesota deadfall cherrywood) assembled by Tom. Christmas meal: a joint effort.
Offering solutions, not complaints
I thought this was inspired, though I hope no company policies were violated! Today I found a stash of free Delta earbuds in our building’s workout room, likely left by a neighbor who works for the airline. Instead of complaining about people playing music out loud, you can simply hand them a pair. Even if their phone doesn’t have a jack, it’s a positive way to address the behavior.
Neighbors
Picked up a coffee at Open Book, with its welcoming marquee, before catching a bus to school. The route passed the second marquee in Cedar-Riverside (“Little Mogadishu”). In my first class, I worked with Somali-American women studying to be Certified Nursing Assistants. In the final class, students marked the end of the semester by bringing an abundance of delicious Somali food, including, of course, the obligatory sambusas.
The American Dream lives on in the classroom
It was a morning of Certified Nursing Assistant and English Language Learning with mainly Somali immigrants. These word choices by learners demonstrate the classroom as a safe space. Their attitudes were remarkable, especially given the appalling statements made by the POTUS this week. The fear of arbitrary race-based detention and deportation is a disturbing reality in Minneapolis today.
Not just books at the library
I noticed this today at the Franklin Library, where I work with an adult learner. I occasionally see someone passed out by the path while cycling, which is why I’ve been carrying two doses of Naloxone in my daypack. It’s a sobering reality, especially when considering the Sackler family has made billions from the opioid epidemic.
Celebrating love under a political cloud
Marked our 5th wedding anniversary (and nearly 40 years together) with Indigenous cuisine at Owamni by The Sioux Chef. Today we’re reminded that we rushed to marry, fearing the 2020 election and the overturning of our rights. The actions of the current Administration and Supreme Court renew those fears.