To-Do List and Blue Roots Radio and Blog

It is one of those August weekends when I am at home and attempting to focus on my to-do list. One item was finally to write out my dad's recipe at QuickTakes.org: Francis's Crowd Pleasing German Potato Salad that my son has requested again and again -- more recipes to come. There are

photos to download and upload;
music to add to my iPod;
papers galore to sort, file and/or respond, or recycle and
housework to be done.

In the meantime I am listening to some music and Sunday spiritual talks AND intermittently checking out the blog at BlueRootsRadio.com -- great music there, too, by clicking that little blue radio on the right hand corner. (Feel welcome to join us for blogging, music, and friendship.) I'm connecting to friends and to music and to order and to PEACE. Lots to do for peace, personal and political. It is all connected. Peace to us all!

Peace hugs,
Kate Anne

Back home -- Happy New Year

Back from the wilds of Ohio and Pennsylvania, I am just beginning to tackle my to do list. Catching up on my Hightower Lowdown -- even went to Jim Hightower's great website to catch his new videos. Check 'em out!

On a personal note, I got over to Rockefeller Center to see the Christmas tree. Gorgeous!



(More Christmas tree pix at QTakes.blogspot.com with other holiday pictures to be posted on Flickr.)

I bought my friend and kitty sitter Joan Pagan a Swarvorski crystal ornament which she wore out last night when a bunch of us WQIDC friends went out to see the not-to-be-missed Denzel Washington movie, The Great Debaters.

An unhappy note: Mac Cat continues to be ailing. It is difficult to witness my little long-in-the tooth pussy cat waning.

There are bills to be paid and the holiday letter remains unwritten, with lots of cards still to be sent, post Christmas. (Hey, I'm happy to be in contact with my friends anytime.) When I discovered lots of opera being shown on PBS's Channel 13 WNET, how could I not spend some time watching? I'm enjoying what is left of the holiday and my vacation.

Back to work tomorrow! Happy New Year! And ...

Peace hugs,
Kate Anne

Grannies' Teach-In: Close Gitmo, others

My weekend was full of peace and political action: a newsletter, our vigil and the Granny Peace Brigade teach-in (along with dog-sitting Munchkin and Barney Bear).

Sam Oast was on duty at our little Union Square peace vigil. He handed out a bunch of the flyers for the Grannies' event. I had my DontAttackIran.org sign [which has a new petition to sign - on my to-do list -- put it on yours] and we got plenty of attention and affirmation (Who says 52% of Americans want to attack Iran??).

Dr. Sam Oast
On Sunday, I tabled with Fellowship of Reconciliation's Fellowship magazine editor, Ethan Vesely-Flad at the Granny Peace Brigade event which stressed closing Guantanamo and all U.S. military bases on foreign soil. Vinnie Burrows moderated and Lynne Kates from the Center for Constitutional Rights gave an eye-opener (for some I am sure) on Guantanimo. She said there are now 786 prisoners there who endure 23 hours of daily isolation -- that in itself is cruel and inhumane! Talk about torture OTHER than water boarding! Elsa Rassbach from American Voices Abroad spoke about how the illegal Iraq war (and possible illegal Iran war) violate(s) the German constitution, "Only peace may come from German soil." She also said though the majority of Germans are pacifists they fear the growth of militarization. There were some other good speakers and the Raging Grannies sang.

Afterwards, Ethan and I spoke with people. There was good energy and the event was not only very informative but also well-attended: a good sign that American people want to know the facts. That said, the event let me to a post a QuickTAKE. And now doggy-duty calls me. Hope your weekend was productive and peaceful.

Peace hugs,
Kate Anne

How to be a Better Peacemaker

> Pay attention to events on local, national and global levels.

> Educate yourself on issues you are unfamiliar with -- and act!

> Think globally: how does something you do here affect people/places in other parts of the world?

> National ego disarmament: the U.S. is neither the cultural nor the moral superior to other countries.

> Make career choices that foster peace. Help young people with their choices.

> Give emotional and/or financial support to those who give up jobs or careers for reasons of conscience.

> Reach out to neighbors, strangers, people in need. Build community wherever possible.

> Stand on the side of the poor, disabled and victims of society.

> Work to make changes to government policy -- both domestic and foreign.

> Pray or meditate with love for those in power.

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With thanks to the Forum of Concerned Religious Leaders -- and to Sam Oast who inspired its reprinting for our work with the Fellowship of Reconciliation. Other suggested websites: WarResisters.org, CommonDreams.org, TruthOut.org, FreePress.net and OpEdNew.com.

Peace hugs,
Kate Anne

PS (KA must check out how these Mac symbols read on other PCs: ☮, , and ●. It is still not a very Mac friendly web.)