V. My Buddy

vmybuddy, originally uploaded by Randuwa.

One of the great things about my job is that I not only get to help teachers, but I also get to assist kids all over the building. Over the years, I've come to grow very fond of a group developmentally delayed/Autistic children in one of our Learning Center classes. This spring they did their self-portraits in art and this is V.'s.

Picasso make a little room at the top!

Viva Mexico!

mexicopostcard, originally uploaded by Randuwa.

Latest Post Card from my friend R. who returned home to visit his family in mid-May. He works on a Green Card here for Conoco Oil, but is now suddenly struggling to gain approval for his return.... He's been told it's an H1N1 Influenza thing, even though he is perfectly healthy.

Governmental beaurocracies are actually some of the most capricious organizational structures ever devised by the hearts of men.

Teaching

MCPS15YRservicepin, originally uploaded by Randuwa.

Last day of school with kids today. And at the "End of the Year" assembly, I received a pin from the county in acknowledgement of my 15 years of service. It wasn't something that I expected--I thought it was only 14.....Where does the time go?

Mid-June Gardens #8

walkwaytrio, originally uploaded by Randuwa.

Here's an update on my choice for the border garden in the back. From my previous post (Late May Gardens #2) on May 25th, the growth has been amazing. The monsoonal rains of late have certainly helped this aspect of my gardens. I antiscipate that all three plants: pineapple sage, Choleus, and Begonias, will double in size as the summer progresses. And the Pineapple Sage will send out wavy shoots of brilliantly red flowers that never fail to attract hummingbirds. I believe this variant of Choleus will also blossom with spikes of lacy lavender flowers. So far my instincts have not disappointed me.

Mid-June Gardens #7

scarletemporer, originally uploaded by Randuwa.

And my first little Scarlet Emporer! The color is nearly edible.

Mid-June Gardens #6

dayglo, originally uploaded by Randuwa.

Another shot of those amazing Day-Glo lilies.... I'm gonna paint this one, I think.

Mid-June Gardens #5

lilyday-glohydrangeaoakleaf, originally uploaded by Randuwa.

Besides the Astillbe, there are the Asiatic Lilies. The first among them to open are these amazing orange beauties. I think their common monicre is "Day-Glo" lilies.

Here, I have captured them with an Oak Leaf Hydrangea in the background. This particular bush is a transplant from a volunteer off of an original nursery pruchase that was placed in my backyard in 1999.

Mid-June Gardens #4

astillbe, originally uploaded by Randuwa.

Another June, another transition of perennials in my gardens. Here is an image of my most beautiful Astillbe. I planted 5 of them 3 years ago: 1 died outright, 1 is still stuggling with pigmy-esque results, 2 are moderately successful, and then there is this one: magnificent! Such is the life of the gardener....

Olly Olly Ox In Free! -- Come Out, Come Out!

wesleyeure, originally uploaded by Randuwa.

When I try to parse out what aspects of culture had the most effect, held the most allure, on me as a kid it's gotta be TV. While it never performed the evil duty of surrogate parent, it was something that I spent a good deal of time with--with my parents, who happened to enjoy the medium, as well. And here in June 2009, yet another actor from those golden years has made his sexuality a matter of public record. Wesley Eure who played the David Cassidy look-a-like son on the Saturday morning staple "Land of the Lost," and the erstwhile David Horton on the soap "Days of Our Lives" for a decade has officially set the record clear: He's GAY. His revelation posted on the website AfterElton.com includes the year of living dangerously as Richard Chamberland's much younger lover. And to Wesley's credit, in an era that saw many closeted gay actors self-distruct, he's lived a good life with contributions to Nickelodeon TV, two children's books, the author of "Dragon Tales" on PBS, and countless hours of fundraising for causes like a cure for Breast Cancer, shelters for battered women, and AIDs. Welcome into the light. You may finally never have to worry about breathing in the foul smell of moth balls again, er, unless you like that sort of thing....

Happy Pride 2009!

newdesign, originally uploaded by Randuwa.

The Public Radio show Studio 360 did a little homage to the Gay Pride flag today and then issued a challenge to design a new one. So I bit. Here's my design. It has three components: 1) The Rainbow of the current flag, 2) The pink triangle of the Nazi holocaust against GLBT people, and 3) a new design of my own featuring a circle of 6 gender symbols in flesh tones that combine M-M F-F and M-F pairs.

Isaac Mizrahi will judge the entries. What do you think? Wish me luck.

You can judge my competition for yourself at: www.studio360.org

What I'm Reading #16

masnaviima'navi, originally uploaded by Randuwa.

Still reading the tales of Jelalu Din Rumi. The translation with gorgeous reproductions of illuminations was a gift from a former student. He bought it for me in Iran during a family vacation two years after leaving my class, and the giving of this gift was such a sweet surprise. The text was written in the 13th century and is naturally heavily influenced by the Koran The tales are written like epic poems and are intended to have a moral edge. They are by and large capricious, and illogical in there presentation of events; mystical and inhumane in their judgments. Basically, they are a reflection of the author's world and religious understandings.

I couldn't help but reflect on the elections today in Iran as I read. It would seem that what is happening there is just the next step in two worlds clashing: that of the 13th century with the 21st. Why modernity frightens so many is beyond me. With but a wisp of a moment to participate in this miracle of life, one would better be served by latching onto wonder, instead of fear.

Tattoo Dreaming #10

beachtattoo, originally uploaded by Randuwa.

Great Tat. Sand in the cracks!--never a good thing....well, almost never!

One Nation, Indivisible: African Americans

aamapusa, originally uploaded by Randuwa.

I like numbers. I like statistics, and I often relax by researching information of a numerical sort. Recently, I've been plotting out where minorities live in the United States. As a white guy, I've been told that within my lifetime (God willing), my demographic will become another minority in this country. I live in community where I'm already in the minority. I find this future exciting. Living in a diverse ethnic nation will so enrich us all. But just how diverse is the United States? That's the question that I set out to answer.

I know the key is hard to see, so here are the categories that I chose to create: Grey = 0% African Americans, Green = less that 1%, Ecru 1 to 14%, Yellow = 14.1 to 29.9%, Gold = 30 to 44.9%, Orange = 45 to 59.9%, Red = 60 to 74.9%, Purple = 75 to 89.9%, and Ultrmarine = 90 to 100%. There are no ultramarine jurisdictions on this map. Further, whenever a county surpassed 50%, I increased the thickenss of it's board and highlighted it in Aqua. To this end, there are 12 states and the District of Columbia with majority African American populations at the county level. For a total of 95 counties with a majority black population.

These facts are interesting, yet I find it far more interesting that such vast expanses of the United States are home to less than 1% of African Americans. And given the way our representative form of Federal governance works, there are a majority of Senators in Washington for whom the practical ability of Black Americans to effect their re-election is nil, and therefore the ability of African Americans to get their issues taken seriously is scant at best.

African Americans make up 13% of the entire population of the United States, yet they represent only 1% of the men and women in the United States Senate, 9% of the House of Representatives. On the Supreme Court, Justice Thomas comes closest to providing parity by single-handedly being 11% of that body, and yet his opinions would doubless better reflect the beliefs of aging, conservative white men than the average black person in America.

It will be very interesting to see how the legacy of our President will effect these inequities 20 years down the road. The rise of more diverse public servants and their ascendancy to Federal office may be his lasting gift to this nation.

One Nation, Indivisible: Hispanic Americans

hsmapusa, originally uploaded by Randuwa.

There are just 5 states with counties that have majority Hispanic populations: Arizona, California, Florida, New Mexico and Texas. 51 combines counties in all. Again, gray areas are those with no Hispanic residents and green where Hispanic citizens form less that 1% of the total population: Maine and West Virginia jump out in this category. And the range of the ecru is from 1 to 14% and so it's a little misleading in that the ecru in Michigan represents percentages hugging 1% and those in New Jersey range closer to 12%. But I deliberately chose 14%, because I think it's a threshold percentage toward political enfranchisement. With 15% or more of the population, it's possible to have an appreciable effect on the political landscape of a jurisdiction. Below that, no so much. With majority of Hispanic Americans trending toward the Democratic Party, and the majority being younger and trending toward the generally progressive leanings of the under 30 somethings, I have my eyes fixed on Texas in the 2012 presidential election. We already know that this demographic effected the Democratic tsunami in New Mexico and the switch from red to blue of Nevada. And if I were one of the three Cuban American representatives from south Florida, I'd be watching my back for 2010.

Fern Fountain

fernfountain, originally uploaded by Randuwa.

My trend toward ferns is bearing fronds! Here's my fountain in the front yard. I have Autumn, Japanese Painted, Lady, and Mexican ferns around it. In the background is a magnificent Cinnamon fern. And just out of the image on the left is a row of Ostrich ferns that flank my driveway. And the best part? The deer don't eat them!

Sunday Funnies #24

parents, originally uploaded by Randuwa.

Sunday Funnies #23

hungarianAP, originally uploaded by Randuwa.

Sunday Funnies #22

viagra, originally uploaded by Randuwa.

What I'm Reading #15

lifestory, originally uploaded by Randuwa.

Took time from quilting to peruse one of my all time favorite children's books. Virginia Lee Burton (1909-1968) created a history of our universe that gradually spirals down from billions of years to millions or years to thousands of years...... to a single year of change. Each page features a beautifully stylized illustration upon which the era, epoch, age, day is revealed like a scene on a stage. The narrator is always present, as well (reminiscent of Sondheim's narrator in "Into The Woods").

I love this book. It's factually accuracy remains unassailed, and it's detailed images demand more than a casual glance. I can't think of a better book to give a child.

The jacket cover contains this recommendation:

"Ages: To Look At 4-6; To Read Aloud 6-10; To Read To Yourself 10 up" I couldn't agree more!

War On Terrorism June Up-Date

wargraphic, originally uploaded by Randuwa.

After an autumn lull -- that was really no lull at all if you want to ask the families of the 113 soldiers who died in the field between September 1st and December 31st -- casualties have once again returned to a predictable, lullable, unexceptable average of 30 per month or one a day. And now in the first 5 days of June 13 have died. It's a rate that would lead to a month with 78 casualties if it were to continue. Isn't even one too many? Haven't we established that our aggressions in at least Iraq were unnecessary to our national security? I long for the day when we are no longer mired in that desolate land of age old conflict and allow them to either devour themselves or stand up and re-establish the heritage of art, literature, learning and prosperity as a self-determined people. We will never rid them of terrorists. Only they can do that for themselves. Our resources must be directed to our own shores and the things that need fixed here, and our courageous, obedient military needs to be reserved for the threats that are real.

What I'm Listening To #53

andybeybb&b, originally uploaded by Randuwa.

On an absolutely gorgeous last day of May evening in the nation's capital, I've pulled me out some Andy Bey to chill with this evening. Andy's voice is visceral. He can make those low notes hummmmm deep within your chest and then just as suddenly hit a falsetto rift with a clarity that makes you worry about your crystal. All with an intimacy that has you half expecting to turn around and find him playing your own piano. What a great way to end a nearly perfect day.

Sunday Funnies #22

What I'm Listening To #52

lilyalleninmiy, originally uploaded by Randuwa.

Lily Allen's "It's Not Me, It's You" is a breath a fresh air. Grand lyrics; playful, dance full, joyous tunes. And so FUCKING PC! Touché, Lily!

My Quilting Ways #15

quiltcircle3, originally uploaded by Randuwa.

Ever start something without knowing where it's going?

You do it just because you gotta get into it, and you have an inkling of an idea, an incomplete thought, a fragment of a concept percolating in your head. It's bursting against the limits of your creative brain cells, so you remove your thumb from the dam and welcome the deluge. That's kind of how this project is evolving.

Here's a third patch of circles on circles and I now see it as not simply circles, but portals. Windows into time and space and other worlds of possibility.

This is now my inspiration. It gives me a focus and sense of mission in this quilt, as well as, a working title: "Portals Into Other Possibilities." It's still clunky, still a work in progress.

My Quilting Ways #14

2newquiltpatches, originally uploaded by Randuwa.

At it again, this time applique cirlces on circles...... Wonder where tis one will lead?

Birthday Buds

29JanuaryBDay, originally uploaded by Randuwa.

It is utterly entwined in our DNA as human beings to seek meaning. We have been given brains that demand eschatological systems within which to work and play and breath and judge the rest of our world. And I for one thank the Heavens for this, because it has led us from a world based of superstitious causal relationships to one rooted in scientific discovery.

And still there lingers a certain fascination with things of chance and magic and unscientific systemization. We play the lottery. We read our horoscopes. We proclaim meaning in chance and coincidental events. And it gives us a different, perhaps more primordial comfort as we do. And so it’s to this end that I share with you some of the people who were also born on my birthday. We form a sort of fellowship of humanity based solely on the accidents of our birth. Therefore, there’s no real relationship at all, yet there remains a question of “meaning”. And a platform from which each of us is free to determine whatever meaning we want—at least those of us who are still alive!

At the very least we can wish one another well. And I do.

FROM TOP TO BOTTOM/FROM LEFT TO RIGHT

R1.C1 ~ THOMAS PAINE (1737 – 1809) American Revolutionary, born in England, confirmed intellectual who seized upon the possibilities presented by a new nation to promote Enlightenment Ideas in written works like, “Common Sense” (1776), “Rights of Man” 1791, and “The Age Of Reason” 1793-94.

R1.C2 ~ HENRY LEE, III (1756 – 1818) American Revolutionary from Virginia who signed the United States Constitution, served as Governor of the state of Virginia, represented Virginia in the newly formed House of Representatives, and was the father of confederate Civil War general Robert E. Lee.

R1.C3 ~ WILLIAM McKINLEY (1843 – 1901) 25th President of the United States

R1.C4 ~ ANTON CHEKHOV (1860 – 1904) Russian playwright and author of “Uncle Vanya,” “Three Sisters,” and “The Cherry Orchard.”

R2.C1 ~ FREDERICK DELIUS (1862 – 1934) German born English composer of classical music: operas, concertos, symphonies, etc.

R2.C2 ~ W. C. FIELDS [nee: William Claude Dukenfield] (1880 – 1946) American Vaudevillian performer, actor and comedian.

R2.C3 ~ BARNETT NEWMAN (1905 – 1970) American Abstract Expressionist painter.

R2.C4 ~ TOM SELLECK (1945 – present) American actor.

R3.C1 ~ OPRAH WINFREY (1954 – present) American philanthropist, TV talk show host, actor.

R3.C2 ~ GREG LOUGANIS (1960 – present) American athelete and AIDs activist.

R3.C3 ~ SARA GILBERT (1975 – present) American Actor.

R3.C4 ~ ADAM LAMBERT (1982 ~ present) American singer, American Idol runner-up 2009.

Late May Gardens #5

container01, originally uploaded by Randuwa.

I'll close this thread with this picture of one of my many container garden: Lush, rusty, lemony...full of verdance.

Late May Gardens #4

stofthedigitalis, originally uploaded by Randuwa.

To look at images from my gardens, you'd practically get the impression that I live in coastal Oregon or Washington and not Washington, D. C.'s suburban Maryland! It's just been a wonderfully wet spring. Everything flourishes today...Foxglove and St. Francis.

Late May Gardens #3

californiapoppy01, originally uploaded by Randuwa.

Back when I lived in Kentucky on the crest of a palisade at the edge of the prairie I planted California Poppies. I was enamored with their frilly unconventional foliage and brilliant yellow-orange blossoms. They loved the sun there and rewarded me by reseeding and returning annually to wave in clusters in the summer sun.

And therefore, it was an act of nostolgia that drove me to buy and plant a dozen of them in my moist, humid and shady backyard. Would they bloom? I had no way of knowing.... So, imagine my surprise this afternoon at the advent of this blossom: A peachy, variagated circle of creamy light against a bed of pale blue-green filigree. Will wonders never cease?

Late May Gardens #2

pathwaygarden, originally uploaded by Randuwa.

I have this narrow garden in the backyard that is sandwiched in between the walkway and the back stairs down to the basement. When I first bought this place it was somehow filled with tomato plants full of fruit! Quite a trick, I've never gotten tomatoes to even bare a blossom there for general lack of light.

Each year I plant a trinity of flowers in the bed and this year the combination includes: Pineapple Sage (back row); Choleus var. "Henna" (middle row), and white begonias in the front. It's the most interesting partnership of plants I've every attempted there...time will tell.

Lily Allen Phenomenon: OR, Perhaps FUCK Is JUST A Four Letter Word!

After posting my previous vid of this song I discovered that it--the song, has spawned a host of fan inhabited videos. And I say BRAVO! The GLBT community has a new anthem, and it's no longer somewhere over the rainbow. Thank you, Lily!

Random Quote #106 (Today's Sermon #next!)

abrahamlincoln, originally uploaded by Randuwa.

"Anyone who thinks he knows the mind of god is simply arrogant."

~ Abraham Lincoln, 1809 - 1865

Arthur Erickson, RIP

arthurerickson, originally uploaded by Randuwa.

I didn't know his name until today, but I often witnessed his genius.

Arthur Erickson was the architect of the Canadian Embassy here in Washington, D. C. It's a powerfully amazing and iconic structure. My recent visit there to see the exhibit of documents, paintings, and prints to celebrate the colonization of Canada by Europeans was my first one. It only enhanced my awe of the place. It is a building well designed and well placed. Bravo, Msr. Erickson--may light perpetual shine upon you.

FUCK is not a 4 letter word.

It's a fact of life!

Mid-May Gardens #5

fluer-de-lis, originally uploaded by Randuwa.

A trio of volunteer blue iris', just stunningly indigo.

What I'm Watching #198

AJihadForLove, originally uploaded by Randuwa.

Is a documentary by Parvez Sharma that traces the lives and experiences of gays and lesbians in the Arab world. Men and women who love Islam, who love Allah, and who wage a war daily with both because they have the audacity to love themselves, too. This is their personal "Jihad".

The film adroitly opens their individual worlds to you, warts and all. So whether we're witnessing the trials of the only openly gay Imam in South Africa or the triumphant introduction of a lesbian's lover to her mother in the rural highlands of Turkey you feel compassion and empathy and hope. And in some vinettes you wish you could intervene as in the case of the four young men from Iran who escaped certain execution in their homeland to become wards of the United Nations with no control over their future, and no guarantee that they won't be sent back to Iran.

The only shame is that the only people who are likely to see this film are the denizens of independent and glbt film festivals.

It's Our Turn

courtcartoon,jpg, originally uploaded by Randuwa.

Or as one Republican noted back in the Bush days, "elections have consequences."

Finally, Republican members of the Senate's judiciary committee are stepping up to the plate and acknowledging this reality. Until now, members of the "so called" liberal press have been acting like some legal views of potential nominees to the Supreme Court would be, nay ARE, controversial. Chief among them the idea of abortion.

Give me a break! Abortion as a concept is as old as man, and as a legal right in the United States the law of the land for nearly 30 years. You don't have to like it, but the clock moves one, the page has been turned: This is NOT a litmus test for membership on the Supreme Court. To harp otherwise only confirms that it is a very SLOW news day on FOX(FAUX)News.com!

So, it was refreshing to learn that the leading Republican on the Judiciary Committee in the Senate gets this, too. In today's New York Times, Senator Jeff Sessions from Alabama stated, "Everyone up here can see the political pieces on the board. No one is talking about the possibility of defeating any nominee, barring something coming out of left field.”

I can only hope that would be something criminal and NOT ideological.....

My Gardens -- Mid-May

foxgloveoffsunporch, originally uploaded by Randuwa.

A quick share of this amazing Foxglove off on my sunporch. Such a fascinating plant!

What I'm Watching #197

drhorriblesingalongblog, originally uploaded by Randuwa.

So given my just completed comments on WIW #196, let's talk funny.

This is some funny shit.

Confession: I hated "Dougie Howser, M.D." and by extension, Neal Patrick Harris. But then Dougie got canceled, and NPHarris disappeared... well, sort of. Little by little he re-emerged and re-invented himself almost just AS himself. And that takes balls.

In this iteration he's amazing. The whole concept is simply delightful. And today, I learned that he will be hosting this year's Tony awards. Well done, and Bravo! -- NPH! I can't wait for your next project.

What I'm Watching #196

superbad, originally uploaded by Randuwa.

I have a new teacher this year who is simply dynamite. She brought this film in for me to watch declaring that it was the "funniest film I've ever seen!" -- OUCH. I watched it. I did!

I reminded myself afterwards that I'm twice her age + 2 years. And it isn't that this movie is bad or unfunny. It's, in fact, charming at times--times after it ceases to be simply vulgar, or utterly predictable in an adolescent way. Like 2 minutes into the thing, I had basically written the rest of it myself. Where's the funny in that? Super Bad? Hardly. More like super sad...

Senate 2010

2010SenatorIndex, originally uploaded by Randuwa.

The senate has just tipped to 60/40 in the dems favor.

Oh my! Honeys, you haven't seen anything yet.

In 2010 there are 35 seats open and here are the battles so far.

FLORIDA - A true toss-up, Thanks to Governor Chris' announcement.
ILLINOIS - A Democratic KEEP, but by WHO?
KENTUCKY - A Democratic TAKE, Bunning is adled, the race will kill him.
MISSOURI - A narrow Democratic TAKE, Non-buyer's remorse....
OHIO - A Democratic TAKE, the purpling of the "Heart of America"
PENNSYLVANIA - A just turned Democratic KEEP, but by WHO? Not betting on Arlen Specter!

Obama will face his second term with 63 or 64 allies in the Senate. Believe it!

My Quilting Ways #13

TN2-morningevening, originally uploaded by Randuwa.

The front TOP and back BOTTOM of my latest quilt are done. Based on a random number sequence, the top is meant to depict the morning sun through a window, and the bottom an evening dusk via the same. The background is meant to enhance the luminosity of light from within a space and without.

Our Latest American Hero #132

jakervelloza, originally uploaded by Randuwa.

It's been awhile since I've shared one of these, and I regret that. The rate of casualties in the War on Terrorism for 2009 is nearly 1 per day. Did you know that? In our name for our protection, for our comfort, a man or woman in the military is dieing every day....

Army Spc. Jake R. Velloza, 22, of Inverness, Calif.; assigned to the 1st Battalion, 12th Cavalry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, Fort Hood, Texas; died May 2 in Mosul, Iraq, after being shot by enemy forces. Also killed was Spc. Jeremiah P. McCleery.

These are quotes left with the Los Angeles Times from those who knew Specialist Velloza.

"We talked about college, but he said, 'No, Coach, I want to be a Ranger doing special ops.' He was set on his goals. He was one of those young men who knew what he wanted to do and did it. Service to his country is what appealed to him.
~ LF , high school football coach

"I met Jake when he came to buy his letterman jacket. What a wonderful kid. He reminded me of his father and uncle who I went to school with. He was quite the football player and getting that Letterman jacket was a bid deal for him. And on the back, the school mascot -- also a symbol of what he was -- a BRAVE."
~ TJL

"I was his team chief, his leader, his mentor. We talked about baseball and football on many occasions. He had told me he was a left hand pitcher, and I told him that I was also a pitcher in highschool. It was hard saying bye to Jake. Not only was he a great soldier he was a great friend. To his parents I am deeply sorry for your loss, I can't imagine what you are feeling right now."
~ SSG

"Jake was hilarious. Just a funny guy who had a really hard time being in a bad mood. He was also obsessed with the concept of true love, and love at first sight. I'd like to think he finally found what he was looking for in Danielle, his fiancee. My heart goes out to her."
~ BH

Random Quote #105

uptonsinclair, originally uploaded by Randuwa.

"It is difficult to get a man to understand something when his job depends on not understanding it."

~ Upton Sinclair, 1878 - 1968

My Quilting Ways #10.1

morning, originally uploaded by Randuwa.

Finished the first half of my new quilt. It's entitled "Morning" and it's made up of the pattern formed by the random serial numbers on the test booklets of 3 of the 6 second grade teachers at my school.

When recording the numbers, I became more and more fascinated by their random, yet un-chaotic arrangements. The patterns seemed to favor certain numbers and the "favoritism" shifted from one class roster to another.

I took the rosters and created a random set of Tryptichs. This one favors warm colors and is entitled "Morning". The other favors cool colors and it entitled "Evening". Together they form one day. Morning is framed with a dark nuetral gray, Evening with a light nuetral gray.

Numbers are beautiful. n'est pas?

My Quilting Ways #10.2

eveningfragment, originally uploaded by Randuwa.

Here's a fragment of the first column of the back of the quilt. It's the "Evening" side of the duo tryptich. I've placed it against the background fabric to emphasis the contrast with the other side.

The best part about the back? All of the fabrics where already part of my stash.

Today's Sermon #15

waltwhitman, originally uploaded by Randuwa.

Comes from a protest held at a local High school and the student led response:

"At Whitman, A Protest Over Poet's Lifestyle"

A group of seven congregants from Topeka, Kan., set up outside Walt Whitman High School in Bethesda yesterday to protest the sexual orientation of the poet for whom the school was named. The police presence -- 40 officers, five horses, blocked-off streets and a football field's length of yellow tape -- seemed comically disproportionate until the counter-protest arrived.

At the 2:10 p.m. dismissal, 500 students issued forth from the campus and lined up, several students deep, along the police tape, across Whittier Boulevard from the congregants. They alternately chanted the school name and "Go home!" -- drowning out voices from across the street.

Whitman, a 19th-century poet with major influence on American literature, is generally regarded as having been gay or bisexual, but his sexual identity remains enigmatic.

The Westboro Baptist Church has gained national notoriety for its anti-homosexuality demonstrations, staged provocatively outside military funerals and at schools that are putting on the musical "Rent." Before heading to Whitman, they showed up at the funeral of the Middletown, Md., family killed in a murder-suicide last week, claiming that those deaths, like the military casualties, were God's wrath toward a godless people. Police asked them to leave.

But at Whitman, the protesters arrived to palpable excitement. Faculty had spun the event into an interdisciplinary lesson. English teachers spent the day on Whitman's verse. Social studies teachers led a unit on tolerance. Math teachers fanned through the crowd, attempting a head count.

It was the first taste of protest for many Whitman students, and perhaps the first time they had paid much mind to their namesake.

"This is my school, and this is where I live, and that makes it personal to me," said Maddie Oliver, 18, a senior. Along with others, she wore a blue T-shirt emblazoned with the Whitman passage "Let your soul stand cool and composed." Principal Alan Goodwin helped choose the slogan, hoping students would see its wisdom, he said.

Indeed, no one was injured, and no property was damaged.
Rebekah Phelps-Davis, daughter of Westboro pastor Fred Phelps, said it was "the duty of the servants of God to go where the message needs to be heard."

Susan Russell, 17, a junior, said she hoped the publicity would
"highlight how ridiculous they are. I mean, that sign -- 'You will eat
your babies' -- that doesn't even mean anything."

And from the poet himself:

from LEAVES OF GRASS

I have perceiv’d that to be with those I like is enough,
To stop in company with the rest at evening is enough,  
To be surrounded by beautiful, curious, breathing,
laughing flesh is enough,  
To pass among them, or touch any one, or rest my arm ever so lightly
round his or her neck for a moment—what is this, then?  
I do not ask any more delight—I swim in it, as in a sea.  
  
There is something in staying close to men and women,
and looking on them,
and in the contact and odor of them, that pleases the soul well;
All things please the soul—but these please the soul well.

~ Walt Whitman, 1819 - 1892

May Day Garden Thoughts

mydeckdeckedwazaleas, originally uploaded by Randuwa.

This view of deck is taken from an angle of my backyard not often included in images of gardens. Here the azaleas appear to break like some ocean wave encountering a retaining wall. My deck is a place of respite and a mission control center were plants just purchased first land before being parcelled out.

This whole first weekend of May promises to be gray and cool and moist with rain on and off. These gloomy days are not uncommon in this region hugging the Chesapeake Bay. To combat their dreary motifs, I turn to a plant from South Central Asia: the Choleus.

Here follows 3 views of choleus that I have planted in my gardens/planters this year. For those living in the metro-Maryland region, Potomac Nursery on route 28 at Quince Orchard has the most amazing varieties of these foliage rich plants I've ever seen. They love the planter as much as the good earth and clippings can be easily rooted in a glass of water.

Choleus View #1

choleus01, originally uploaded by Randuwa.

Choleus View #2

choleus02, originally uploaded by Randuwa.

Choleus View #3

choleus03, originally uploaded by Randuwa.

What I'm Reading #14

tangomakes3, originally uploaded by Randuwa.

Is this delightful and endearing children's book about the famous "gay" penguins of the Central Park Zoo. It tells how two male penguins, Silo & Roy, bonded and then raised a little female penguin, Tango, from abandoned egg to adulthood with all the penache and parenting skills of their opposite sex coupled enclosure mates.

The actor, John Lithgow's jacket quote says it all, "A little miracle for children. Funny, tender, and true, the story of Tango will delight young readers and open their minds." If only, if only......

When Do The Gifts Cease?

justiceswitch, originally uploaded by Randuwa.

Obama has accomplished the most amazing acts in just 100 days.

Now, he may appoint the first Hispanic female justice to the Supreme Court, God willing!