In This Together – Page 41

I pay attention to the news; too much attention, some would say. We have digital subscriptions to the New York Times, Washington Post, and our local paper, the Star Tribune. We’re members of Minnesota Public Radio and the local public television station. My long list of online news sources includes Politico, BBC, NHK (Japan, in…… Continue reading A Day Without News Media

Looking Up to Hubert Humphrey

On my cycle ride, looked up to former Vice-President Hubert Humphrey. When he became mayor in 1945, job and housing discrimination against Jews and African Americans were legal in Minneapolis. He put processes in place to reform the system and stop blatant discrimination.

Innocence

Spotted this innocent scene while cycling along a residential street: Barbie and friends, oblivious to systemic racism, Covid-19, and each other. A little girl was down the block, playing with a friend, on to the next thing.

Seeking Justice

June 1, 2020. New York Times online front page. ‪We woke up this morning to see our immediate neighborhood on the front of the New York Times. Last night we looked down from our home at mostly peaceful protesters breaking curfew, while hundreds of police performed a well-orchestrated pincer movement. 150 protesters who chose not…… Continue reading Seeking Justice

Lake Street Cleanup

Cycled down to Lake Street where we joined many hundreds of people with brooms and dustpans to do cleanup.

Quiet Reflection

It’s a day for quiet reflection, a day to say nothing that could fan the flames.

Framed Rectangles

This week I’ve been thinking about rectangles inside rectangles. It’s a comfortable enough notion, a place of safety when times are not normal. Monday. Returned parts from recent projects to assigned plastic shoe boxes or to a Habitat donation bag. Shoeboxes are the right size to group parts: bigger boxes hide clutter. Two of the…… Continue reading Framed Rectangles

Focus on a Better Future

As anger spills over in Minneapolis, I’m focusing on my small contribution for a better future. A GED (high school equivalency diploma) text, the size of a phone book, arrived in the mail. I’ll tutor an adult non-native speaker online.

Under the Stern Eye of St. John Baptist de La Salle

St. John Baptist de La Salle stood lookout while we set up suitably spaced lawn chairs and chatted with friends on the grounds of a high school.