Rocks and A Mood

Still on a rock painting streak.

Saw a few people taking pictures of the rock snake yesterday -- that makes me happy and hopefully gave them a little smile. 

(Is is a Rock Snake or a Snake Rock?)

Heads up ...

I'm a bit in a mood to ponder or complain or something this morning.

Had a bedtime drama again yesterday. It's not a big drama, but I'm trying to process how I feel about it. I had restless dreams over it.

The Tuesday hiking group mentioned the protest for the end of March. One of the woman's daughter helps organize the big Atlanta protest under the umbrella of an organization. It's fantastic that she's so involved. 

My town just got official permission (yesterday afternoon) to host a rally too and I know the woman who put it together. She organized a number of protests, a PRIDE walk, and other local events (all volunteer based). I want to support my town (and her) so I mentioned I was going to this protest instead -- gave my reason, kudos to the woman's daughter, etc. 

To me, this wasn't controversial. I waited until the protest got approved to mention it to our group. It's been back-and-forth and down to the wire to get an approval. The woman worked diligently (and she has a child, works full-time, etc) and our smaller protest needs people to attend. Without a lot of advanced notice, we need to spread the word.

I shared the link in case someone else wanted to go too or would pass the information along to friends and neighbors. A number of the protests have staggering times so people can attend more than one. Also, some people will absolutely not travel into downtown for a protest, but might be willing to go locally. 

It was not so subtly pointed out that the protest is not part of the original organization. I responded that ALL the protests have the same goal and it's great that there are many choices and opportunities. Crickets.

Now the group is divided. Some staying local (for convenience) and some going into Atlanta (defiantly because it's the official, official organization and that's where their loyalty lies).  I have no problem with any choice or any reason, but, what the hell is the snark about?!?

This kind of divide is a reason the left has trouble unifying. If you aren't EXACTLY doing left like I do left, then you aren't with me. Fractioned. Divided. Come on ladies -- do better than this! Haven't we learned this by now!?!?

Applaud everyone standing up. 

And, I'm going to bet money that the women who are up in arms about the local protest, don't do anything else. Don't make calls. Don't support local politics. Don't volunteer to help marginalized groups under attack. 

So shut up about "it's not official."

And, also, let's be clear -- these protests are about gathering to lift each other up. In and of themselves, they're not going to change the government. It's a networking opportunity, community building, momentum inducing. 

Probably the big Atlanta protest will be way more of this feeling and I'd actually love to go, BUT ... {all the reasons I said to support the local protest.} I was ready to go downtown. All set with MARTA. All set with a plan. And, I decided to pivot. 

It's disheartening to see this divide. 

I want to open up a conversation about it, but not on a text thread. I hope the people who are upset hike on Tuesday so I can talk to them. Let's work through this and be solidly together in our fight. 

Okay, that's enough of that. 

Today should be a good day. Big thrift pop-up market with my aunt this morning (last minute add-on) and a local author talk at the library this afternoon. 

Fun day. Need to move out of this mood though.

My plans for tomorrow and Monday are a bit messed up because of the volunteer crisis. I need to spend time up north both days. Trying to rearrange things. 

Have a good Saturday. Later gators.