Weekend Reflection 4/8

Looking outside...it's sunny. And I am so happy. It was nice to open the drapes and see sunshine this morning. We've had rain and lots of wicked, cold wind this week. Forecast says we could hit 70 on Sunday and Monday. We'll see. Maybe Spring is finally deciding to stay... If not, I will enjoy it today.

Listening...to Show Me the Way by Styx. I love Styx.

Loving...that we have sun this morning. We also had a gorgeous moonset Tuesday morning. I wish I could take photos that do it justice.

Thinking...about words. I do that a lot. For instance, this week, I've been thinking about the word Fascism. 

Fascism: noun.

Fascism is a set of right-wing political beliefs that includes strong control of society and the economy by the state, a powerful role for the armed forces, and the stopping of political opposition. (Source.)

That's a strong word, along with fascist. And probably not completely appropriate for this week, but it certainly seems to fit a lot of what has been happening.

Fascist Republican representatives in Missouri voted to eliminate all library funding in their state. Fascist, racist Republican representatives in Tennessee voted to expel members they felt had violated something by showing support for the many, awesome, students who were protesting about gun rights. The problem? They only expelled the two Black men for standing with the students and not the white woman. None of the three should have been expelled, but only expelling the Black men? Wow. They actually said the quiet parts out loud. Apparently their only answer, instead of addressing the shooting in Nashville, was to expel the people who openly supported the children. Fascists, wanting to stop the other political party. 

So, Tennessee House Republicans (with the exception of the only person to vote, No), now we all know what fascist, racist bigots you are. You care nothing for dead children and people who don't look like you. 

The saving grace is that those students who are protesting? Once they are of voting age? You're gone. Good riddance.

In my kitchen...We haven't decided yet. Still up in the air.

We did a meat version of Ratatouille this week. The Artist saw it online and we managed to cobble together a recipe. And, we all decided it was nice to try once. 

Although the sauce was amazing and I think I'll use it with pasta at some point. Roasted tomatoes and baby peppers with onions, garlic, and fresh basil. So, so, good.

But, I love that The Artist wants to try new things and that we can cook together.

Wearing...black print pajamas, black sweater and slippers

Hoping...for a quiet weekend. We have no fixed engagements and it's a nice feeling.

Reading...Need to choose a new one!

Tonight...is movie night, where we choose a film and stay home and watch it. I am so down for a quiet evening.

Quoting... 

Walter Cronkite, (1916-2009. American broadcast journalist) in American Library Association "Libraries Change Lives" Campaign, 1995. Source.

Feeling...I wrote about the library yesterday. The magical, wonderful, world of a library where children discover books and curiosity. Curiosity that leads to knowledge. Knowledge that leads to wisdom. Wisdom that will show our children that their options are unlimited. That their curiosity is to be encouraged.  

Wisdom that will one day vote every single one of Missouri's petty, fascist representatives out of office for wanting to defund all libraries in their state. Thank goodness Missouri's Senate is reasonable and will restore the funding to the budget.

But libraries are amazing, and a wonderful necessity to the communities they serve. If you haven't already done so, please visit your local library. Take your children. Show them the wonder of books and learning. 

You won't regret it.

Planning...this next week. Always. And looking ahead to when we can plan a getaway. I really miss the ocean.

Gratitude...for the magical wonder world that is a library. I am so grateful for books and learning and parents and teachers who did not prevent me from reading books. Who didn't dictate to me what I could or couldn't read.

From my world... I saw this on Facebook this week. It's applicable to today. So very applicable. Love is a verb, be kind always, no matter your political party.

What about you? What are you reflecting on this week? How has your week gone?