Goodbye to 2020

The year started out okay, a visit from Laila, many basketball games,  a championship season for the Luck Cardinals, and then 🛑‼️‼️‼️

Now, after 294 days of Safer At Home, we can open the doors at midnight to let the old year out, and the new year in.

I hope the new year brings us all comfort and joy. 

Peace ☮

This and That

 

Flowers soon

My amaryllis is very tall, I always worry that the stems will bend or break.

I might have to figure out a support system once there are flowers.

This should be tomorrow's tea or even January 1st.
I hope it is true for 2021.

I got a coupon for picture tiles printed at Walgreens, it was 75% off.  I had never seen this photo product before but decided to take and chance.

I'm quite pleased with the results.  These tiles are 8" x 8" and come with a self stick pad on the back.  I'm hoping I can figure out how to take them apart so that I can switch out the photos from time to time.

Now, to figure out where they might hang.

I read more essays today.  One student started right out in the first paragraph saying that they had not had time to read the book.  This student took a stab at the topic anyway, and had I not known, I would have scored him low but not as low as knowing that his whole essay was a stab in the dark.  

In the final sentence, the writer said I either got this or I didn't, but either way it is on me because I didn't read the book.  

Too bad there was no bonus for honesty.

Small town kindness

 Today while I was waiting for the dishwasher repairman to come oh, I finally finished up my Christmas cards. After he left, I drove down to the post office to toss the completed cards into the drive-thru big blue mailbox. I happened to be talking to Laila on the phone at the time I was tossing my envelopes into the box when I realized the ones in my hand had NO stamps. It was closing time at the post office, so I drove home, called there and the clerk was willing to run out to that outdoor receptacle and grab my envelopes to see if any were missing stamps. She came back with a report that yes, there were quite a few there with no stamps. Since they were closing, she said they would be willing to hang on to those and I can come down tomorrow and put stamps on them. 

Had I not noticed, those letters would have gone to where they were intended and then been Returned to Sender. Probably the olden days of the mailman writing you a note and asking you to leave $0.50 in the mailbox are long gone. Anyway, I was impressed that this small town post office clerk was willing to go the extra mile for me and I will be sure to thank Anna when I go to the Post Office tomorrow.

Serenity

I did get busy this morning and complete my assignment to read and judge 9 essays based on Kurt Vonnegut's book The Cat's Cradle. These essays were written by high schoolers who are participating in the regional Academic Decathlon competition. All of the essays were good. There were two or three that really stood out in terms of the writing ability of the student but all covered the topic and presented interesting viewpoints about the theme of the book. It was the first time that I've been an essay judge and the first time that this has been done virtually. I would certainly do it again. And now, I think I would like to read that book again because it was many years ago when I read Kurt Vonnegut books.

With regard to dishwasher repairs, my repairman came today and started troubleshooting the dishwasher when he noticed that the electronic ticket that he was going to charge his time to, had been set up wrong by whoever helped me make the appointment. Instead of being a repeat repair on my warranty plan it was set up to charge me the full amount of the repair. He called into headquarters and they said that they would have to ask me to call in and request another appointment but that they could not make the change to the existing ticket while he was here at my house. 

So guess what, he's coming back on January 11th. And, through our conversation today, he indicated that he think it it thinks it is a bad pump, which means he will have to order that the next time he's here and then he will have to come back two weeks after that to do the installation. 

I am going to be happy if I am not hand washing dishes on Valentine's Day❤.

This dishwasher experience is certainly teaching me patience. And in this pandemic oh, you must have patience, as we all do the best we can.

Re-posting from Daily Skimm: This is America

I do not want to lose sight of my role in putting a stop to the racism and racial injustice in America.  The DailySkimm' email today captured the current state of our country as well as historical documentation of the need for change, I decided to repost it here.  In part to share with others, but primarily to keep it close at hand for my own reference.

Say Their Names

The Story This year, the US grappled with its record on race. Go on. Racism and racial injustice in America are nothing new. Slavery was abolished in the 1860s, but systemic inequality persists, in large part due to the lasting impact of Jim Crow laws. Black Americans today still experience discrimination and segregation as a result of these racist policies. Whether they appear in wealth, education, housing opportunities, or even medical care, government policies have created and maintained racial inequality. This year, all of that came to a head. Why? Because of the killing of George Floyd. The 46-year-old unarmed Black man was killed on Memorial Day in Minneapolis, Minnesota – when police officer Derek Chauvin pinned him to the ground for at least eight minutes while he repeatedly cried out "I can't breathe." The video went viral. And Americans watched in horror as Floyd called out for his mother, while other officers stood by watching rather than stepping in. Floyd's name and last words became a rallying cry at protests across the country – where hundreds of thousands of Americans decried persistent violence against Black men and women. And what about justice? That too. The four officers involved in George Floyd's arrest have since been charged – one with second-degree murder. They're scheduled to go on trial in March. But these types of charges are rare – including in the many cases that don't get national attention. For perspective: Law enforcement officers kill about 1,000 people a year in the US. But one study found just 121 officers have been charged with murder or manslaughter for on-duty killings since 2005. And only 44 were actually convicted. Why so low? For many reasons. A major one is police unions. When an officer faces an offense – whether it be complaints from citizens or criminal charges – the union can provide legal representation. But they can also set the terms of internal investigations within the department. Experts say that can include how long police leadership must wait before they begin an investigation, how an officer can be questioned, but also how quickly the dept has to wrap up its investigation. So they hold the power? In some ways. These terms have often left police chiefs with little power to fire or discipline an officer, even in cases of brutality and racism. Officers involved in killing someone may claim they feared for their life – a situation that is hard to prosecute. And the data shows all of this has disproportionately affected Black Americans – who make up 13% of the US population, yet one analysis found a third of victims of police-involved deaths were Black. Again, this is not new information. And it has been on display in the countless deaths that have caused outrage in the past (see: Oscar Grant, Eric Garner, Michael Brown, Freddie Gray, Sandra Bland...to name a few). But this year, the demands for change grew louder. Why do you think that is? In part...because of COVID-19. Americans were living a shared experience with 'normal' life on pause. More people were home and worried about their (and others') health and livelihood. So when Americans watched the video of George Floyd's killing, they rallied together in outrage. And support for the Black Lives Matter movement grew. In 2016, 43% of American adults supported the movement. That number rose to about 67% in the summer. Hundreds of thousands of people took to the streets in all 50 states to protest. While the large majority were peaceful (by one count: 93%), some protests turned into riots and looting. Thousands of people were arrested. Dozens of cities imposed curfews and businesses boarded up their storefronts. But not all clashes were with police: In Georgia, Michigan, and Oregon, Black Lives Matter protesters clashed with far-right groups like the Proud Boys – who were there demonstrating in favor of the police. And where was the gov in all this? Well, President Trump was one of the more vocal opponents of the protests. In May, he described Minneapolis protesters as "thugs" who he blamed for "dishonoring the memory of George Floyd." He sent federal agents to get protests under control and protect federal property in several states. And threatened to cut funding in Democratic-led cities and states. Right. As we said, most protests were peaceful and people marched with a common goal: to put an end to police brutality and racial inequality. But protests were also used as a way to honor the lives and demand justice for the many other Black Americans killed or harmed by police violence. Including... Breonna Taylor…the 26-year-old Black EMT from Kentucky who was shot six times and killed in March following a search warrant at her apartment. None of the three officers involved were charged directly for her death, although one faces charges for endangering her neighbors. A federal investigation is still underway. Ahmaud Arbery…the 25-year-old who was jogging in a suburban neighborhood in Georgia in February when a former police officer and his son chased him through the streets, shot, and killed him. Another man recorded it. Months later, the three white men were arrested. They face charges including felony murder – and could face life sentences or the death penalty if they're convicted. Rayshard Brooks…the 27-year-old who was shot and killed at a Wendy's parking lot in June. The officers are facing charges including felony murder and aggravated assault. Jacob Blake…the 29-year-old Black man who was shot in the back seven times by police in front of his kids in Kenosha, WI, and left paralyzed from the waist down. Daniel Prude...the 41-year-old whose family said was left brain dead after officers in Rochester, NY, restrained him, covered his head with a "spit hood," and pinned him to the ground. Prude died a week later. Jonathan Price...the 31-year-old employee of the Wolfe City, TX, public works department who was shot and killed by police in North Texas in October. Walter Wallace Jr...the 27-year-old who was shot and killed in Philadelphia, after police responded to a call about a man armed with a knife. His mother said he struggled with mental health issues and was on medication. Andre Hill...the 47-year-old who was shot and killed in Columbus, OH, last week. Hill was holding a cellphone when he was killed. The officer, who's been fired, had not turned on his body camera and did not administer aid for several minutes. theSkimm This year breathed new urgency into the Black Lives Matter movement. And while protests are a crucial way to call attention to inequality, it's going to take more than that to achieve the kind of change needed to reverse centuries of discrimination in the US. Here's what many are calling for...

Police Reform

In order for the country to start to address and end systemic racism in our policing system, changes need to be made on all levels of government. And by the roughly 18,000 law enforcement agencies across the US. Here are some of the key changes that are considered necessary for police reform: Ban chokeholds…It's what officers have used to restrain a person's airflow or blood flow to render someone unconscious. Dozens of precincts have banned or strengthened restrictions on chokeholds in places like Minneapolis, Denver, Dallas, and Houston. And lawmakers on both sides have intro'd legislation either banning or discouraging the use of the deadly tactic. But the practice has yet to be fully banned on a federal level. Mandate body cams...Not all officers are provided with body cameras when on duty. But by 2016, nearly half of US law enforcement agencies had body cameras. And while some officials say the move is a way of encouraging transparency, it may not actually help with reducing force. Prohibit no-knock warrants...A judge can grant police a warrant to enter a property without announcing themselves. House Democrats passed a bill that would prohibit no-knock warrants in drug cases like the one used when Breonna Taylor was killed. Now, states like Virginia and cities like Louisville, KY, have implemented "Breonna's Law" that would ban that. Create a national registry…Some have called for a police misconduct database that would include things like disciplinary records, firings, and misconduct complaints. Trump had called on the AG to create a database to coordinate this effort. But it would need precincts and states to be on the same page to keep it updated. Revise qualified immunity…It's a 1982 legal doctrine that protects police officers and gov officials from being sued if they were accused of misconduct. Democratic lawmakers proposed legislation to lower the standards for immunity so officers could be sued in civil cases. But the Supreme Court decided against reviewing the rule. Defund the police...A main rallying cry at this year's protests. To be clear: it's not the same as disbanding the police. Instead, supporters want to move the money to communities in need. The idea is that the city's money can go to other resources like social services for mental health, domestic violence, and homelessness. And departments can be replaced with a community-based public safety model. A number of cities have already moved toward defunding their police force.

The Bigger Picture

Systemic racism is expansive and deep-rooted – exactly as its name suggests. And it means that while policing is a big area for the country to address, it only scratches the surface of the many ways in which Black people are treated unequally in the US. Here are some of the other sectors of American society that need to be updated: Criminal justice...Studies show there are still racial disparities in the legal and criminal justice system that have been used to maintain racial discrimination. Black Americans are disproportionately stopped by police, arrested, and unlikely to make bail. They also receive disproportionately harsher sentences. Research found that 33% of the people sentenced to prison are Black, despite the fact that they make up about 13% of the US adult population. Education…In the 1950s, the Supreme Court ruled that racial segregation in public schools was unconstitutional. But most schools weren't integrated for years. To this day, minority students are increasingly concentrated in schools with higher rates of poverty. That's in part because school districts rely heavily on local taxes and poorer areas have less taxable income. Meaning, communities with low-income households are automatically getting less money dedicated to their local schools. Employment…Studies show that companies are more likely to call back a candidate who has a name more commonly associated with white people. Black workers reportedly account for 26% of EEOC discrimination claims...despite making up 13% of the workforce. Black Americans are also more likely to be unemployed or have low-paying jobs compared to white Americans. That's in part due to education disparities. But studies show Black workers earn less than white workers even when they have the same education. Health care…Black Americans are nearly twice as likely as white Americans to be uninsured and are less likely to get care. Problem, because Black Americans have higher rates of chronic health problems like diabetes, high blood pressure, and heart disease. This health care disparity can be traced to the 20th century when Black patients were denied entry to white hospitals or segregated in different wings. One thing that's helped: the Affordable Care Act. Studies show that since its enactment in 2014, health care coverage went up the most among Black and Hispanic Americans. Housing…Black Americans weren't legally allowed to own property as enslaved people. And decades later, Black Americans struggle because of policies like segregated federal housing projects and redlining. Aka determining that certain neighborhoods (which consisted mostly of Black Americans) were considered too high of a credit risk to be given a mortgage. Homeownership can be critical to building wealth, but Black Americans have long been left out. Wealth gap...Combined, all of these issues have contributed to a large wealth gap between Black and white Americans. US census data shows that about 1 in 5 Black people in the US lives in poverty. In 2016, the median wealth of white households was $171,000. The median for Black households was $17,100. And unlike white Americans, the Federal Reserve says Black Americans are less likely to receive an inheritance, which sets up the next generation to fall financially behind.

What You Can Do

Commit to being an ally. Today, tomorrow, and every day. That starts with... Getting educated...As in familiarizing yourself with the Black experience in the US. That can be through books, movies, TV shows, or podcasts. Here are a few to get you started: "The 1619 Project," "Sister Outsider," "When They See Us," "I Am Not Your Negro," "The 13th," "LA 92," "If Beale Street Could Talk," "Between the World and Me," "Homegoing," "The Hate U Give," "Insecure," "Moonlight," "Hair Love," and "Queen & Slim." There are also documentaries on Trayvon Martin, Sandra Bland, Kalief Browder, and The Central Park Five. Giving support...to Black-owned businesses. Following influential Black voices on social media. Or donating to orgs that support the fight for racial justice. Here are a few... The Marsha P Johnson Institute, which aims to protect and defend the human rights of Black transgender people. The Bail Project, which works to prevent incarceration and combat racial and economic disparities in the bail system. Movement For Black Lives, a coalition of more than 150 orgs that aims to transform communities, policy, and culture. Speaking up...Leave the niceties in 2020. It's time to have uncomfortable conversations with your friends, your family, your neighbors, and everyone else. The more we talk to each other about race and confront racial inequalities when we see them, the better chance we have at achieving an anti-racist society. Keeping up the fight...Racism doesn't end over the course of one summer. You can reach out to your representative or local officials and encourage them to fix racist practices in your community. And continue to protest against inequality. Because this is a continued fight for justice that requires all of our support, including on the days when it's popular – and especially on the days when it's not.

Cake?

 Late this afternoon I got a phone call from a business in town called Buds and Blossoms Cakery. 

They were calling to say they had a delivery for me. So within not too long of a time, the shop owner arrived with a box for me filled with beautiful cupcakes that are fashioned to look like fresh flowers. 

In fact, when she first handed me the box, I looked in and I thought it was flowers. Clearly this woman is a talented artist. 

I'm sure the cupcakes will taste as good as they look, although I'm certainly hesitant to cut into any of these beautiful bits of Art. 

Unfortunately there was no card in the box so I do not know who sent them. The woman did say happy birthday so she knew it was a birthday gift, but when I called her back,  she gave it up.  Thank you Karen & Mark ♥️

 

I truly have never seen anything quite like these cupcakes.

I ate one of the Mums, delicious, decadent, with a raspberry mousse filling. 

Six more to go.

Life is good!

68

 Winner, winner chicken dinner! Curbside catering from Lehman's Supper Club, relish tray & all. 

 Happy birthday to me 🐔 

 Thank you, everyone, for your wonderful greetings🙋‍♀️. 

It has been a delightful day ♥️. 

 One thing left, 

Go Packers!! 💚💛💚💛

Christmas Day 2020

 I had an enjoyable, cozy Christmas Day at home.  

There was a fresh bit of snow outside and then the sun came out.  The bird feeders were busy and I spent most of the day in the living room watching basketball, football and birds.  

Perfect.

Here are a few of my visitors.

Northern Cardinal, male

Mourning Dove, singing Joy to the World?

These Doves really know how to get their puff on.

The doves love to perch on the edge of the heated bird bath.

Tufted Titmouse, one of my all time favorite little birdies

Tufted Titmouse

Tufted Titmouse

Tufted Titmouse, on the wing

Tufted Titmouse

Tufted Titmouse

Tufted Titmouse, looking like a Christmas Card

❅❅❅

All in all, a nice holiday, spent Safer At Home.  

I did fix one of my 'fancy' Hello Fresh meals for Christmas dinner, and it turned out great.  

A nice way to cap off Christmas.