Tootsie

The old lady in the corner made it till sixteen. Now she is buried next to my black labrador.
She was an intrepid traveler: enjoyed the desert, trips and snow.

Tootsie liked my musical friends: Robin Rowley's guitar case suited her just fine, Norris was a perfect lap when playing the dulcimer. And after the party there was a pillow fight between mother and daughter ;-).

Religious beliefs

Being a member of the ACLU, I get informed about their activities and once again, I am deeply convinced about the importance of their work. In order to protect A.A. a five year old American Indian. The Needville Independent School Districtin Texas punished him for practicing and expressing his families religious beliefs and heritage by wearing his hair in two long breads. The school rules prescribe short hair. A.A. Is suspended in isolation in school because his family refused that he stuff his long hair in the back of his shirt at school. This would cause the child discomfort and shame about his culture and heritage. Courts have held that the First and 14th Amendments to the U.S. Constitution protect students' rights to dress in conformation with their religious beliefs. Texas' Religious Freedom Restoration Act (RFRA) provides additional protections. After so many centuries, we still haven'tt got it right. The child has been subjected to this treatment since September 3. Parents should not have to choose between public education and their heritage as American Indians. Remember: They were here first!

Saturn

The publisher/poet Hannie Rouweler came up with the idea of bringing together 10 poets: 5 of the Flemish persuasion and 5 Dutch, 5 male and 5 female.
Here she proudly shows Saturn over the Schelde. The Schelde is the proud river going through Antwerp.




We all read, were well taken care of with wine, coffee and pies
and had a good time on a wonderful autumn day. Listening to the poets was a voyage of discovery. Some read thoughtful poetry, some seriously funny light verse...
Food for body and soul.
Pictures by Albert Hagenaars, reading here.

60 years of Universal declaration of human rights

This 60 year old Universal declaration of human rights "has become the yardstick by which we measure respect for what we know,, or should know, as right and wrong". Ban Ki-moon.



A New York artist staged this procession to commemorate this anniversary. Eleanor Roosevelt was instrumental in promoting the original idea.



And yes torture is unacceptable.











Wherever and whenever, for whatever reason.

Anarchist tendencies

Green feminist non-violent pacifist with anarchist tendencies that is how I described myself on a ‘social network’ I flippantly filled out. Now a travel acquaintance wants to know what I mean. I think all decisions should be made at the lowest possible level and at the highest necessary level. Personal decisions about my life are mine, decisions about global warming and how to deal with it are local and global. You get the drift. All authority should be questioned and controlled: does a government respect civil liberties, do they fulfill the treaties signed or is it untrustworthy. If obeyed, the authority carried should be deserved. Respect has to be earned, is not a given coming with a job or function. In order to live together in a group or a society one should agree on the terms. If the terms have outlived the situation, a new negotiation about terms and conditions should be started. I am committed to non-violence, so we should talk, build confidence and trust, between individuals, groups and states. Diversity of knowledge, creativity, insight is seen as enriching and stimulating thought and exchange. Diversity=choice. Choice=freedom. With freedom we can responsibly choose to change. Change: yes we can!

Help for the blind

The small Brussels Griffon in the back is 16 this month and if she were a human person she would be classified 'legally blind'. I am developing a whole new admiration for guide dogs: they have to anticipate every obstacle or possible pitfall, puddles that are too deep, steps, potholes, people, bicycles, you name it ... And now I have to learn how to do that for my Toots.

Art for art's sake?

Random messages about art. The painting is to be found in a post office: Art doesn't speak until spoken to and art solves nothing...


The other sign is the name of a gallery now closed. That figures with such a name. In defense of art I must say that it helps us dream, react, externalize, internalize. To me it is like the consolation of a far away friend.