After witnessing the amazing crowds who took to the streets yesterday to protest the cruel and vindictive regime currently in power, I awoke this morning thinking of these words (which I realize are the beginning of a hymn). But the phrase seemed appropriate so I’m going with it.
What a glorious sight here in the City which played a significant role in the Revolutionary War. We stood before the original courthouse with the date 1787 emblazoned on the top, and the crowd stretched far and wide on the surrounding sidewalks. I saw some people I knew and plenty that I didn’t all joined in solidarity against the current criminal-in-chief.
After I returned home, I watched a lot more of the countrywide rallies as broadcast by so many fabulous journalists now here on Substack. A particular mention to Egberto Willies, David Pepper, and Rick Wilson, who took their cameras into the crowds in their locations. Technology can certainly bring us together when used in such an inspiring way. Then Joy Reid and Jim Acosta kept us updated about the goings on in DC. I confess that about teatime, I had to put it all aside and escape into some of my favorite old TV shows—Grace and Frankie for instance. Although, now that I think about it, Jane Fonda was probably out in the streets somewhere as yet another of us old women who are determined to save democracy for the younger folks.
I go to bed very early these days—don’t call after 7:30—but that means I awake very early too. This morning I was up before the sun, so I had to postpone my walkies until I could see. I used the extra time in bed to catch up with the latest New Yorker. I learned that the former Prime Minister of New Zealand Jacinda Ardern is currently on a fellowship at Harvard. She was in her thirties and had just had a baby when she led her country. The writer Andrew Marantz spent some time with her in New York recently, and I enjoyed learning more about a political leader I could admire. The only jarring note in the piece was that he ended by telling us that as they were walking around after visiting the Strand bookstore, a block later “a white-haired old lady elbowed her out of the way” and the author inserts “only in New York” to which I took slight offense. I love New York and will always do so. I’m sure there are rude pedestrians elsewhere.
My walking streak is still going, and I must admit to feeling somewhat proud that I have managed to get back to my old habit. Yes, we have to adapt as we age but somehow we are still the people we were at 19. At least in our imagination.
RESIST ALWAYS
TTFN
I have been getting up increasingly early these days too, as the sun comes in before 6am despite the blinds, and Rico (my bird for those who don't know) thinks it is time to get up...and makes it clear:)) This, in turn, has led me to go to bed around 10:30 and turn off the notifications on my phone. This is something I could get used to:)
I hope the marches can have some impact.