Well, that was a longer than usual blog hiatus. I've been wanting to share about books I've read, but kept putting it off as it writing it seems such a chore. Retirement is exhausting. So just a few remarks on a couple of books that have made an impression and are well worth reading.
Complicity, written by a team of Hartford Courant journalists in 2005, is an eye-opening account of how a large number of Northern business owners, bankers, and average citizens had no interest in ending slavery because of course, money. The whole New England textile industry and much of the shipping industry was built upon slavery. Here is a YouTube program from 2014 featuring the authors in a forum.
The Common Good by Robert Reich. America has lost the notion of "the common good"- working for the benefit of all in the society and not just looking out for self. I wanted to star or underline most everything in the book.
I read more nonfiction than fiction, but everything I read seems to circle around to slavery and racism. As one of the authors of Complicity states in the video, "I think there is a long way to go. I don't think that - the real role that slavery held in America, I think it was the central event in American history - I don't think that's been acknowledged yet." She nails it- slavery was "the central event of American history". I've been mulling for some time that so much of what is wrong with our country stems from the fact that the Founders did not have the guts to prohibit slavery right from the beginning at the Constitutional Convention.
On a lighter note, here's Shell Seeker, which I finished in February and photographed in March at Kate's house. It came out great, very comfortable and with a handy kangaroo pocket. Don't you love the removable wallpaper the kids put up in their guest room?
I'm keeping my resolution to learn crochet by taking a couple of classes at The Mermaid's Purl. The first class we worked on a dish towel sampler using chain stitch, foundation row, single, half double, and double crochet stitches, and the "Russian crab stitch" which is an easier version of reverse single crochet. You're allowed to laugh at it in all its misshapen, off-tension glory. This time though I really did get the hang of the different stitches.
Moms Demand Action RI has seen some victories and progress with the passage of the Red Flag bill. We enjoyed our second annual Mothers Day Brunch.
And I'm happy that Connecticut has started several new groups, including one in Southeastern CT that some of my friends have joined. Marilyn and I tabled in Willimantic when two Mother's Dream quilts were on display on Fiber Arts Day.
In April D and I went to Maine for the Sheep Fest in Norway where my brother and SIL live. I bought one souvenir skein of incredibly soft yarn dyed by a friend of my SIL.
The kids gave D two Adirondack chairs two Father's Days ago, and it's about time they were painted. One down.
Yes, who knew there was no much to do outside the world or work? I agree about the common good, I think we do it reasonably well here, being a Commonwealthrather than a republic. I would like to be The Commonwealth Republic of Australia!! We do try and think of what is best for everyone, and maybe forego tax cuts for better healthcare or education. We are having this discussion right now. I do read a fair bit of non fiction, just to keep my mind working, I would never ave known that was not permanent wallpaper. Oh lots of sheep, so cute. Nice jumper, good pockets.Well done with the crochet. As adults, we forget how much effort needs to go into a new skill, and we want to be perfect straight away. Keep going, you will get better and better.
Posted by: 2paw | May 18, 2018 at 03:28 AM