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What would MLK do?

March 31, 2018 by Jo Leave a Comment

Where’s my mamma????? And nope, not one relative in this photo.

About the time we were baptizing our daughter in the St. Luke’s vestibule, the phrase “What Would Jesus Do?” became a faith mantra. Bracelets and rubber wrist bands with the acronym WWJD were everywhere. I bet now instead of brackets, tattoos are more popular.

Would you choose the corner or the middle piece of the cake? I am middle all the way, and then I still scrape the frosting off.

So anyway, there was a Martin Luther King day event held locally Seattle this year that championed the phrase “take a knee.’ I shook my head a bit when I first saw the flyer. It just felt off. On one hand, I kind of get it. MLK was all about nonviolent acts to further civil rights. And, there is nothing violent about choosing not to sing.

However, while NFL football players took a knee during the national anthem in protest of police violence against blacks, the action was viewed by many as unpatriotic and disrespectful to our flag and military. Would Martin Luther King be grateful and excited our community supported this action in his name? I don’t know. Maybe, maybe not. My perspective is limited and possibly tainted by my white girl upbringing, reciting the pledge of allegiance to America every Monday throughout elementary school, my dad fighting in the Korean war, my brother serving in Vietnam, a nephew in the today’s Navy. I grew up with, and still have today, a deep rooted respect for the American flag.

So my question is this: isn’t there another way, any other way, than choosing this divisive topic, to celebrate the works and help further the efforts of a great man? Wouldn’t MKL want his name to be the voice for inclusion, rather than excluding those that would always stand while removing their hat for the National Anthem and therefore not attend this event because of the unpatriotic nature it represents?

What would Martin Luther King do? Though I would not wear it on a bracelet, it is a good question to ponder.

Our nation lost a great man when Baptist Minister Martin Luther King was assassinated. How can we best honor the life he gave for the people of this country?

And tomorrow our nation, one nation under God, celebrates a savior risen. He has risen indeed.

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Boys will be Boys

February 3, 2018 by Jo 2 Comments

I jumped into a Facebook chain recently started by a high school friend of my brother. It was a two sentence, derogatory, public statement that threw shade on said brother. Comments built in the feed that included much Loop bravado. I added to the mix, initially being the only female to participate, and was quickly directed to ‘calm down.’

I’ve always been proud of the road were I grew up. Being a Loop kid has anchored me in a way maybe only others from the ‘hood would understand. We knew everybody, everybody knew us. My older brothers had a least 10 different friends from our street. When you grow up with so many boys, (because where there are 4 boys, there is always an extra at the dinner table, one sleeping on the coach, or 5 more playing pool in the basement) you learn to relate on a male level.

Guys let things go. They can be yelling at each other, maybe even throwing a few punches and then moments later start back to playing Monopoly. Mean things can be said without judgment; maybe even soliciting verbal applause for being spoke out loud. Other fellas can pile on to the onslaught of callous banter and relationships still stay intact.

In some ways, I was surprised at the Facebook scolding. Why couldn’t I bluster a little? It was like I was back in 1978 instead of 2018; 2018 where women are encouraged speak their mind, tell some truth.

Side note: It’s not always a positive to live in such a close-knit community. The summer I was 13 I came down with mononucleosis. Is Mono still called the kissing disease? The 14-year-old boy a ½ block away came down with the same thing. STILL NO, Craig and I never locked lips.

EW. Double EW.

Anyway, It’s going to take more than a hashtag # for stereotypes, biases and knee jerk reactions to change. Men and women: we think differently. After years of being in the power position, telling a woman to calm down (is that just a nice way of saying ‘shut up’?) while continuing to let the men carry on the conversation comes naturally.

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The good, the bad and the ugly cry of 2017

January 6, 2018 by Jo Leave a Comment

Saying goodbye

I remember once an older person saying that they had a funeral a month to attend. I thought it was an exaggeration. Now I understand. 5 memorial services in the last five months is part of my 2017. It turns out that even though I am a cry baby, I really enjoy listening to people share about their loved ones. While it is a little heartbreaking hearing the loss in a voice (thus my water works), the stories told always bring a smile and maybe even a laugh as the best of a person is shared with the group that has gathered.

Best Podcast(s)

Blue Babies Pink is by far the best series podcast I listened to this last year. In addition to making me think about my own biases, Bret Trapp has written and recorded a story so compelling I would take a walk just to put my earbuds in and listen to the next episode. This is a must listen regardless of your background and belief system. The website is here where you can read more.

The Popcast with Knox and Jamie makes me laugh out loud every week. I look forward to this dropping in my podcast app every Wednesday and am almost disappointed when an episode ends because I have to wait another week before I get to enjoy their witty banter. The website is here.

Best Kitchen tool

Hands down Kirkland Signature parchment paper from Costco. Almost anytime I put a sheet pan in the oven I line it with parchment paper. I previously used foil but always felt a little guilty when it was balled it up and throw it in the trash. Used parchment paper can be recycled in the yard waste. Just helping the environment one little change at a time. And, yes, I STILL drink packaged water. I know you can string plastic water bottles around the earth a few times, but for me this concern is out weighed by the fact that I am drinking more water than less with this convenience. Trade offs.

Kindle E-reader

Oh the joy my Kindle brings me. I was hesitant to initially move to an e-reader. I have always loved to read and thought I would miss being able to dog ear pages and easily flip forward (yes, sometimes I just have to know how it ends to see if its worth the read) or back. I am now on my 2nd upgrade from the original gift. The backlight and the light weight make reading a book so easy. (Have you ever tried to read a 1000 page hardback in bed?) And, the Kindle app seamlessly updates from device to device. Honorable mention goes to the King County Library system for all of the books now available for checkout in digital format.

Saying hello

Of course the highlight of my year is that darn cute, adorable, lovable, sweet, mischievous, busy, can’t stop, won’t stop Hank. Hank the new love in my life. When I was feeling sad and blue, instead of brown paper packages tied up with string, it was Hank our daughter/son-in-law’s new puppy that brought a smile to my face every.single.time.

So, I never thought I would put memorial services on my worst and best list. And, when I was just so sad I wanted to unplug from everything the best way was always a good book. And, nope even though I love Hank, we won’t be getting a puppy of our own anytime soon. And, now I carry a pack of tissue in my purse because being caught at a celebration of life without a Kleenex? Well, ugly.

How about you? What are some of your favorites of 2017?

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Making a list, checking it twice

December 17, 2017 by Jo Leave a Comment

When our daughter was born, one thing I most looked forward to was building lasting holiday traditions. I had visions of passing on the myths of Santa filling stockings, the Easter Bunny leaving a basket of treats, sewing Halloween costumes. In my own childhood, our family patterns shifted as older brothers left the house.

Looking back now, I think my mom was just tired; tired of feeding a large family, tired of load after load of laundry, tired of getting out the paper bags holding the gold tinsel garland, all while working full time. I don’t think she realized my childhood was lacking in continued traditions as she mentally checked out and physically stopped participating in the joy holiday customs can bring. She had to have been tired.

There is something to envy about a dog’s life, Benny 2014

How about you? Are you tired of a long list and maybe feeling under appreciated? You know, if you have not ordered those Christmas cards yet, don’t; don’t feel obligated. I have always enjoyed making and sending cards but a few years back I lost the energy for it. We had been traveling in early December and though I had a plan, the thought of cutting and taping and gluing 75 handmade cards, well…I.just.could.not.do.it.

But guess what? When I announced to my family it wasn’t happening, they rallied. They made what had felt like an inconvenient task fun again. My Honey worked the paper cutter like an expert, my girl tied ribbon bows and my then future son-in-law helped with the assembly. Why didn’t I take that Christmas photo? It is a favorite December memory.

Side note: Over the years we have captured pictures and videos on a variety of cameras and camcorders. I won our first camcorder, which was roughly the size of a loaf of bread, in a raffle. Turns out that’s kind of a super power of mine. I also won our first phone answering machine.

Anyway, I learned a valuable lesson that year: let your people know how you are feeling. Together we looked at the list and decided what was important. Sending a holiday card? Check. Building a gingerbread house and decking it out with 3 pounds of bulk candy? Nope, we drew a line through that item. Turned out the only thing my daughter really liked about that holiday chore was… the candy. #sweettooth

Take a moment and review your list. Is there something you can cross out instead of check off?

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