Catching up -- Peace, Torture, Susan, David, AIDS Walk

I've been quiet here but spring has been been beautiful and busy and I've been more vocal on Facebook and Twitter -- such is the evolving social media stream. Peace work involves calls to the White House comment line: 202-456-1111. And in the related end torture/shut down Guantanamo work, I wish I could join Matt Daloisio in Washington for the 100 Days Campaign but I can't get arrested and I have much stuff here that I must accomplish for personal peace, which aids world peace in its own way. There's that but yes, I have been enjoying cheering on Susan Boyle and checking out more Britain's Got Talent stuff on YouTube. In the forefront of much of my spring, however, is my participation in AIDS Walk NY in memory of my big brother -- David J. Pfister. I thank my sponsors and urge you to join them in memory of David and/or another to benefit this good cause.

AIDS Walk New York, the world’s largest AIDS fundraising event, benefits GMHC and over 30 other tri-state area AIDS service organizations. GMHC is the nation’s oldest and most comprehensive AIDS service organization, serving approximately 15,000 people living with HIV and AIDS and their families each year, and countless more through its prevention and advocacy work locally and nationally.

To donate, click here or the scrolling gadget in my sidebar.

Thank you so much, and

Peace hugs,
Kate Anne

Kate Anne and David, circa 1989

Reviving for a Raspberry re FISA

Some personal matters have taken precedence in my life, keeping me away from my blogs and computer but I am beginning to revive and am returning to emphasize personal peace even as I mourn the passage of the Bush-Cheney Cabal Get out of Jail free bill. FISA, after passing the House (one of Joe Crowley's worst votes, together with his yes vote on the Bankruptcy Bill), passed the Senate last week 69 to 28 with 3 not voting [click title link for roll call]. Voting NAY, my Senators Schumer and Clinton voted FOR the rule of law and against telecom immunity. But too many Democrats caved and joined the shameless Republican lemmings. Richard Greene of AAR's Clout says Obama's vote was justified strategy but I am still uncomfortable.

I want my country back. Obama is our only real option. But I've pledged my Obama bucks to Bob Fertik's special escrow account at Democrats.com to make Obama more progressive. After the FISA bill vote, I wasn't about to finally make my donation. My dollars are progressive not regressive. Obama's vote may be strategic but it still sucked. But I am not going to dwell on it. I am going to be optimistic and work on my personal peace. Then I can be most effective. One thing that is making me smile is that my son is blogging again. Huzzah! Check his blog out along with me for his own quick takes on stuff.

Peace hugs,
Kate Anne

Home with MUCH to do

Find out what I've been up to by checking out the June posts and pictures from my two weeks off at my QuickTAKES blog and at my Flickr.com site: a trip with my daughter Kat, a family wedding, a trip to Erie, and the St. Benedict Academy a/k/a SBA Class of 1968 Reunion. (Pictures of the latter are in the process of being uploaded but suffice it to say it was fun and I wish more had attended.)

Great vacation but sooooo much to do.

Peace hugs,
Kate Anne


Kat and Mom Kat

Happy Birthday!

Krista and Mom Kat
I just had a grand evening with my adopted daughter Krista Zarakis, my daughter Kat's best friend. After Krista gave me this beautiful bouquet of flowers and took me to Blossom, this great vegan restaurant at 187 Ninth Avenue, New York City, we stopped at my work place to pick up some flowers from MDB. Franklin took a picture of us which I posted to Quick TAKES and Tasty Tidbits and sent to my kids in Cleveland. Kat and her brother Michael Dylan then sent me THEIR photo, which I also posted to Quick TAKES. I will be posting some more to my Flickr.com site, along with some others from the recent St. Patrick's parade. Check it out soon.

Peace hugs,
Kate Anne

P.S. Waiting on our table at Blossom was the terrific and attentative Kinga, who was moonlighting from her personal trainer day job. I've posted a picture of her and Krista as well other birthday photos.


Krista took this of ME

Christmas Blessings

Christmas was a lovely, peaceful, and happy day, with family and friends. Hope your day was a good one, too. I'm still enjoying the holiday and mustn't ignore my family so this is just a holding post -- leave a comment if you visit. I can be non-political but it isn't easy. Fortunately, my family knows it is part of what I am.

Peace hugs,
Kate Anne

Holiday happenings

Tis the season of peace and good will -- and with friends and family in the forefront of our thoughts with the various holiday celebrations, the turmoil of the world is easy to forget. But some time off is important. Let's resolve to keep personal peace and look forward to another year, hopefully a better one: what can we do to assist making it so? Well, first, allow ourselves some family time and some frivolity. Rest and contemplate. Be in touch with the people we love. Perhaps read a few good books, if our schedules allow. Or perhaps purchase them or reserve them at the library. (The NYC library books are so easily reserved at NYPL.org)  

I am blessed to be in the company of my family. I count my blessings, more important to me than counting gifts. (I saw some movies with Little Kat-- but still haven't seen Rev. Billy's What Would Jesus Buy? Audient and I were out and he introduced me to Porcupine Tree as we drove around.) The next several days will be busy ones (Will I write that late, very late, Christmas letter?) but I am grateful. Merry Christmas, Merry WHATEVER -- and may 2008 be better than 2007..... Make it a little better by donating some money to some good causes.

Peace hugs,

Kate Anne

Wishing Kaley Grace Peace & Happiness

Kaley Grace
My nephew Jamie and his wife Beth are proud parents of a beautiful little daughter (7#-2oz, 20 inches) born at 7:53 AM on December 5, 2007: Kaley Grace. May her life be full of peace and happiness. May she be part of the peace that the world is seeking. Let us together make the world a safer, better, happier, fairer, peace-full place for Kaley Grace and her generation. With God's help. Amen.

Peace hugs,
Great Aunt Kate Anne

PS Congratulations to my brother Gregory, the new grandpa! Also on another but related note, as a great or grand aunt I am now fully qualified to be a part of the Granny Peace Brigade: personal and political!

Gregory: "I could vote for a Democrat - but not Hillary"

The above statement was made to me today by my brother Gregory, a nominal Democrat but a beloved rightist ditto head who joined the Democratic party to work on Paul Tsongas' campaign some years back. He also says he likes John Edwards. When will the mainstream Democratic party get the message? Will they get the message in time to make a difference? The way they have been screwing up, I wonder.

Peace hugs,
Kate Anne