A young inmate picks up a rock to throw at a seagull standing in a puddle. Jarvis Master, a black man on death row, raises his arm to stop him. The San Quinten yard got quiet because, in this culture, you stay out of other people’s business. Angered, the inmate shouts, “What do you think you are doing?” Jarvis answers, “Don’t! That bird’s got my wings.”
Edith Andersen
Welcome to my blog of ruminations and essays.
Some of us feel that our voices and opinions don’t matter. When I feel negative, I see it the same way. But this is changing. Democracy has always been about all voices, but in actuality this worthwhile aspiration was impossible to put into practice. Today, the internet is the tool making this a reality. But there is a catch.
Tim’s aunt said something that resonated with me; “Your friends, not family, are the people who will look out for you.” I interpreted this to mean that his aunt’s Florida neighbors had an understood pact they would keep an eye for each other. Now living in this kind of community, I understand what she was talking about.
After surveying five thousand book clubs, BookBrowse.com found that 88% of private book clubs are all-women groups. Women are more social, so this was no earth-shattering news. Contrary to what most people think, BookBrowse found that the vast majority of the books were not “beach reading,” but books to learn from. Overwhelmingly, book club members wanted books that elicited good conversations.
Bobbi Brown is about “less is more,” the Marie Kondo of the makeup world, suggesting we go through our makeup and throw out anything that’s broken, smells bad, or has expired. Then, instead of asking whether our mascara brings us joy, she gives us a process to follow. In the end, we have only those tools and products that please us.
