a little red hen: Grandmotherhood Now

Sending Quinoa Bread to Roxie

Here's the truth of this person's 80-plus life. Till a couple of years ago, days were full of busyness, yarn, and numerous ideas--many of them world-saving. Possibly all that took its toll. Not doing much lately.

Bread and the fascination with its variety gets my attention now. Mostly sourdough loaves. Past six months, my oven released one new recipe after another. Neighbors in my retirement community here in Portland were gracious about receiving a slice or more.

Then a new possibility. Cooking with the New York Times made me (and many, many others) an offer I could not refuse. I could apply to be "an early adopter" on the beta edition of their site. Quite puffed up with the thought that though aged, I understood the concept. I could comment on their recipes! Quite an opportunity for an opinionated old person.

Application accepted, my first effort was to look through our file of "saved recipes," find them on the Times site, write changes Ron or I had made, give one to five stars. As I was about to make my next loaf, thought to check out the "more that 17,000+ recipes." Many cakes, fewer breads, but one got my attention: Whole-Wheat Quinoa Bread. Uses dry yeast overnight sponge, is not sourdough.

While loaves were cooling our son called from New York with granddaughter Roxie on Facetime. Showed them the bread, "I'd like a slice," Nick said. An idea, a bit impractical. Why not mail the small loaf? Went online, found good advice at The Kitchn blog for wrapping and sending homemade bread.

Ron had a great interaction the next day at the P.O. with a Vietnamese post lady behind the counter. Worried about finding a reasonably-priced mailer, her no-nonsense reply, "No problem." She jammed the bread into a standard, large, white mailing envelope, reassured him "Your granddaughter will love it!" He thought it might arrive in crumbs. But no, the P.O. lady knew best. The following day our son emailed this darling picture. And Roxie did, indeed, love it.

Posted by a little red hen on April 21, 2015 in BREAD, the life, Distance Grandparenting, Food, In and Out, Grandmotherhood Now, LIFELONG Learning, New York City, Portland, Oregon | Permalink | Comments (2)

My Hillary rant--Brenda reminds me

Sitting in that chair last week. That iconic chair, one step away from therapy--or maybe instead of. Brenda raised the scissors. First, "So you want it shorter this time?"

Settling into my answer, "Where are you in the latest Hillary thing?"

I sigh. Immediately taken back to 2008, and disappointing my daughter by opting for Obama.

Back to Hillary and the sigh. Sure, a woman president would be transformative--for me, for the world, for our grandchildren. Because they would finally have to hear our voice. (link to "Speaking While Female" in January New York Times; read comments too).

Exchanging back and forth with Brenda, turns out we agree. Email controversy is a waste of time. But why does this very smart, competent woman so often get herself into struggles that lead to her being the beleaguered woman--unfairly attacked by detractors.

Then it occurred to me why I personally have a problem with Hillary.

Never as impressed as others, women and men, by what she said in Bejing in 1995. Something missing in her strong words to China, to the world about violence against women thriving when there's a

"crisis of silence and acquiescence"

Et tu, Hillary? It was at that moment, a very womanly one centered around the special-chair-ritual of beautifying through hair cut, that I said to Brenda. "It has always bothered me that she did not leave Bill Clinton." That she experienced this serial abuser by turning the other cheek, keeping this deceit going as an acceptable response for herself and as a model for her child.

"So," Brenda asked, "what else do you think she could have done?"

My answer, "Imagine, what a powerful message to women if she had left him!" Yes, it's a politically incorrect response. Only people with very different politics from mine are on my side--particularly Christian right wing, anti-abortion women. I shudder at the connection.

Okay. Maybe you can ignore the intractability of domestic abuse--physical/emotional/sexual/social/financial abuse, and its connection to gun violence. Not me. Yes, I live in Oregon with women as governor (not the first), Secretary of State, Speaker of the House. And yet the statistics for my county, Multnomah, the largest:

1 of every 7 women aged 18-64 was physically abused by an intimate partner during the past year.

Hillary could have sent the most important feminist message of her life by walking away. The woman I want for President will not be just another smart politician.

Posted by a little red hen on March 17, 2015 in AMERICAN VIOLENCE, APPLIED Feminism, Everyday Politics, Feminism, Grandmotherhood Now, LIFELONG Learning, Portland, Oregon | Permalink | Comments (10)

My former subway station makes front page

Karsten Moran, New York Times photographer, took the hit for me. I thank him for being my stand-in last Monday at the 125th Street stop of the #1 subway. Yes, there's a certain nostalgia as I remember standing on that windy, outdoor platform in wet weather.

And slogging down the first flight of stairs, then the second--the metal ones--to the street and the 3-block walk back to our apartment. Better weather here in Portland, Oregon. Even less rain than usual the last few months.

But one morning after a downpour, there was a lovely rainbow. These arrived in Manhattan too. Think I'll use its hopefulness for a wish to blogging more often...

Posted by a little red hen on February 02, 2015 in Grandmotherhood Now, New York City, Portland, Oregon | Permalink | Comments (6)

July to August...good personally

At the end of July, Bruce and Bob got married. Oh, well, you'll think, another gay wedding. Yes, but they live in our retirement community and that was a first here. A couple for a number of years, Bob and Bruce moved to Portland from Baltimore to be near Bob's daughter and family. Since we'd also lived in "Charm City," we were pleased our marketing people asked us to have dinner with them when they came to look over the place.

Though we'd not known the same people--Bruce (on the right) had been a UCC minister, Bob, an architect--we did known the same scene. They filled us in on the social/political changes since we'd left Baltimore in 1995 to move to New York.

The wedding was held in a local park near the Willamette River. Children from both their former marriages attended, many neighbors, friends from their church. And other marathon runners! Bob and Bruce set a high standard for latelife activity. The temperature was warm and breezy. Bruce made the blueberry-decorated cake, everyone brought food. It was a sweet and moving event. We felt privileged to share their legal ceremony.

A week later it was my 81st birthday. My friend Carolyn who put on my 80th last year (Bob and Bruce are in those photos) surprised me with a cake left serreptiously outside our door. Great synchronicity: August 5 was this year's National Night Out. I'd always wanted to go to one of these; a local neighborhood association was holding a picnic right across Terwilliger Boulevard in the park named for famous Oregon suffragist, Abigail Scott Duniway. How fitting for this old lady feminist.

Carolyn's cake was enjoyed by neighbors I'd never met--especially children and firemen too. My friend Sue won a door prize and I had a chance to show off my vintage cake carrier. Home before dark and cakeless!

Looking for links for this post, I happened upon Cyclotram, fascinating local blog with much on the history of Duniway Park-- once a gulch used as municipal garbage dump. My own history contains the experience of art-making with kitchen composting and the closing of the world's largest garbage dump, Fresh Kills in New York City. You live long enough and the world is one connection after another.

Posted by a little red hen on September 04, 2014 in APPLIED Feminism, Baltimore, Everyday Politics, Food, In and Out, Grandmotherhood Now, HOUSING OURSELVES, LIFELONG Learning, New York City, Portland, Oregon, Transformation | Permalink | Comments (3)

PSU Farmers Market, Portland, always distinct from others

Most Saturdays we try to get to the market at Portland State, the one we know best. It's walking distance on our energetic days. Even if there's nothing we really need, Ron usually buys more fruit to make jam. Flowers often speak to me.

He made something new--rhubarb/strawberry refrigerator jam with chia seeds (recipe).

New bread vendor from Vancouver, Washington...always at least a half dozen eggs from Dancing Chicken Farm in La Center, Washington...not far from Vancouver, WA., home of new bread vendor we bought a loaf from. Joining another we already had from Fressen!

Unusual musician with money-collecting hat ...the tatooed multi-tasker.

Moments before I bought the flowers, I came upon a young woman sitting on the grass. She had no gig, no entertainment to offer, only this sign
and a box for donations.

Asked if there were resources in the community available, her reply, "Long list, don't have a phone." So many homeless in downtown Portland. Will they become the latest addition to the Saturday market?

One could ask why their "stories" might not have as much a place in this collection of farmers and entertainer as the man with pig.

We met him them at the end of our visit. Living nearby in an apartment with his companion, he was very comfortable talking about his situation. He seemed to enjoy being questioned, was gracious with another passerby who was pressing her vegan notions. I imagine how the "homeless domestic violence victim" might hang around him, learn how to engage with strangers, develop a better story to improve her finances.

Posted by a little red hen on July 29, 2014 in Food, In and Out, Grandmotherhood Now, Portland, Oregon | Permalink | Comments (2)

Solving immigration problem via "Pinky," a cartoon

Kind of amazes me to watch this. Made in 2007, olden days. Great way to spend Sunday, as we await a deeper conversation toward a solution to illegal immigration.

Confirms my conviction that cats are smarter than dogs (which may be called speciesism). Thanks to A Revolt - Digital Anarchy Facebook page.

Got 15 minutes?

Posted by a little red hen on July 13, 2014 in APPLIED Feminism, Everyday Politics, Grandmotherhood Now, Little Red Hens, Theatre & Film | Permalink | Comments (2)

Splendid July Fourth + MayDay Pac reached its goal...

It was a beautifuly evening. Lucky Americans, we were invited to dinner and firework-watching on Sandy and Michael's deck. Rest of our family invited too--after their day of hiking around Mt. Hood.

Though we talked of several serious local issues--the sad state of schools in Portland was one--most of the time we laughed, watched the kids. As fireworks approached, our friend Michael appeared in the doorway with something to read.

"The Declaration of Independence." Zoe, almost nine, responded to his vigorous declamation, with arms and body moving in synch. We're sure she will remember this experience in her future.

Good talk, laughter. Thinking about politics and "What is worth doing?" as we considered the past week's troubling Supreme Court decisions.

...Returned home to learn that the MAY DAY PAC I'd been glad to support had achieved its goal. Raising the second five million dollars. Details at the link.

Do you remember this moment from March at the Supreme Court? A man from the group 99Rise spoke out at the hearing about Citizens United. There are brave people connecting the dots. One of those times I'd like to be young again.

Time to ask ourselves what we can do to nurture democracy. A question for every day for us lucky Americans.

Posted by a little red hen on July 06, 2014 in APPLIED Feminism, Everyday Politics, Food, In and Out, Grandmotherhood Now, LIFELONG Learning, Portland, Oregon | Permalink | Comments (3)

Wishing for a new, improved America...she dreams

Was it so long ago I'd wear a tee-shirt?

Not any one of those,

Kind with the corporate logos that show up in

other countries

where American excess lands.

We sat around a table last night,

Eating cheese & grapes

Drinking wine--except me downing

way more bubbling cider than usual.

Older now but glad to find

friends slightly younger

who beleve there's more to do

than complain.

Lucy signed my gun pledge,

said she'd go with me

to downtown Portland to get more.

Old people like me really, really

need younger friends--

like these cheese-eaters in their sixties.

There's a semi-revolution to be made--

Watch us!

Posted by a little red hen on May 26, 2014 in AMERICAN VIOLENCE, APPLIED Feminism, Books, Everyday Politics, Feminism, Grandmotherhood Now, Portland, Oregon | Permalink | Comments (2)

Tags: gun control, Move to Amend, revolution

Dear Jules Bailey...the six questions

In December, as we all were reminded of the 2012 gun tragedies (16 of them that year), it was not hard to despair about the "bad guys with the big money" winning out over the many efforts by hard-working groups like Moms Demand.

And yet...I read about one city's initiative that moved the conversation toward doing something. Steven Fulop, the young mayor of Jersey City, New Jersey proposed--and the City Council accepted--that gun manufacturers submitting bids to the City had to answer six questions:

1 - What do you do to combat illegal gun trafficking & illegal gun crime?

2 - Do you manufacturer and sell assault weapons for civilian use?

3 - Do you agree not to sell certain models of firearms for civilian use?

4 - Are you requiring your dealers to conduct background checks?

5 - Do you fund research related to gun violence & smart gun technology?

6 - Will you commit to prohibiting your brand name from being used in violent video games?

Sent a letter (not an email) to the Mayor of Portland: what about doing this here? No response so far.

Not long after the phone rang. It was a campaign worker for Jules Bailey, a candidate for Multnomah County Commission. Could Jules have my support? He listened patiently to my disappointment that gun control, had gone nowhere in the recent legislative session. Next came an email from Jules' campaign with a contact form to indicate my priorities. Listed the six questions. His reply (during one of our February cold days): Yikes! Old lady gets support. And Jules can have mine! Recently he came to speak at our retirement community. Big crowd to hear about his progressive agenda and hear of his thoughtful work in the state legislature. One of the perks about moving to a smaller city is the chance to hear and meet candidates in-person. Glad to endorse Jules Bailey...and share our Happy Cup Coffee!

Posted by a little red hen on April 17, 2014 in AMERICAN VIOLENCE, APPLIED Feminism, Grandmotherhood Now, Portland, Oregon | Permalink | Comments (1)

Reverse Graffiti: marriage of art + green cleaner

Just saw this on Facebook but Moose, the artist, of Manchester, England did this clean-up-the-dirty-wall graffiti more than five years ago in San Francisco. Appeals to me more than spray-painting on outdoor walls.

Surprise: Reverse Graffiti was sponsored/funded by green works, a newish product from Clorox. [Note: Large corporation wants to promote a good-earth product, so uses lower case type for name.]

Ingredients seem environmentally-friendly. But it's not available at New Seasons, very p.c. grocery stores where we usually shop. Have to go to Fred Meyers...try it, share with neighbors to see if might be a better household cleaner (for both residents and service staff) and could be suggested for use in our retirement community.

Still ponder repeating my own on outdoor performance, Kneading to Know, from PSU "Street Art" class, 2011.

Posted by a little red hen on April 06, 2014 in BREAD, the life, Everyday Politics, Grandmotherhood Now, Portland, Oregon, Transformation | Permalink | Comments (8)

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