It’s a long weekend, but I wanted to keep my M-F writing/posting schedule for now while reinforcing this new habit. I didn’t skip social media all weekend, but this time it was a conscious, willful action to check it out rather than just a habit to grab my phone and dooomscroll.
I did, however, go to town and give away about half the tomato seedlings I had, and will be going back this week to give away the rest. And while at the hardware store giving away plants, we serendipitously encountered the woman who runs the local food bank – who said that they take plants like that and would gladly take and distribute any leftovers. When I run down to town the next time, I think I’m going to reserve a tray just for them to give out.
It was fun getting out in the community and meeting people that way. A lot of people were skeptical at first – like I was trying to saddle them with a kitten or puppy in the parking lot – but after realizing I wasn’t offering them a 15 year commitment, and was just giving away plants, we were able to meet a lot of new people and help promote and encourage gardening in our small town. There were several people insistent on paying something so we did accept donations to offset the expense. I figured that it cost about $1.50-2.00 per plant this run, but next year I hope to bring that down (buying more of the supplies in bulk) as well as have some information sheets with growing tips. I’d love to see everyone in town with a garden and fur us to become completely self-sufficient should that ever become a need. These days, becoming self-sufficient and not reliant on the government teat is an act of defiance.
It’s a long weekend because today is Memorial Day – a day to remember the fallen who died to defend our country. Unfortunately, those dying these days are doing so to protect the income streams of the defense industry and military industrial complex. It is said that we are spread out all over the world to “defend democracy” but the reality is that we are just defending our interests. Find a source of minerals or other resources we want? Looks like you’re getting some democracy!
The best way to remember the fallen and show support to those in service is to support the end of our involvement as the world’s police – to stop the endless wars – and yes, my views on this have evolved over the years.
One of the ways to do this is to encourage your state to adopt Defend the Guard legislation – this prevents the deployment of state National Guard units from being deployed overseas without a formal declaration of war by Congress. These kids signed up to defend our nation, not a foreign nation state – and defending our nation does not include the bank balances of powerful individuals or corporate lobbies. Congress surrendered a lot of power to the office of the President in the name of “security” so it’s time to take at least some of that back until they can get their shit together and claw back that authority.
Think about that while you enjoy your hotdog.
Interesting Tidbits
Defend the Guard legislation would prohibit a state’s National Guard units from being deployed into active combat without a formal declaration of war by Congress, as provided by the U.S. Constitution. – You can look up your state here and see who’s working to keep our soldiers safe(r) and get involved yourself.
Parent Outraged Over Sex Ed Unit Rails Against Not Being Asked for Consent, Then Shares Letter With ‘Opt Out’ Option – They are still going on about this, and still getting the facts wrong. (Also, I saw the term “pocket friend” used – I think I’m going to use that.) My pocket friend sees an opt-out form buried in papers for a field trip permission slip to not be true consent – and I agree.
That’s it for today; go outside, take off your shoes, and walk in the grass.
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