That's the tip of Mt. St. Helens, I think, (someone correct me who might know) breaking through a sea of clouds, hit with the setting sun. I couldn't possibly describe how beautiful and strange the world is, even through a thick pane of airplane glass.
I feel like a crazy person today. When I went to the grocery store, I realized that I didn't need to buy milk because Henry (who drank 3 gallons of milk a week) is no longer in the house. I started to cry and then felt ridiculous. I also saw that picture of Marie Antoinette in her stilettos, striding so glamorously alongside Dear Leader on the way to visit the suffering people of Houston and wanted to shame her -- and him. I wanted to openly mock her. I did openly mock her and called her Hurricane Barbie. I felt unsettled about doing so because, as one of my more tempered friends wrote, "What she's wearing is relevant to exactly nothing." I don't like to mock people's appearances and am perfectly aware that my tongue is sharper than a scythe. I always hated people mocking and criticizing Michelle Obama's or Hilary Clinton's -- and that's a feminist kind of thing. It makes me uncomfortable. So I felt uncomfortable about jumping in and joining the fray and said so, openly. What happened was the most interesting discussion from both women and men -- from those who agreed and those who disagreed. I wish all of ya'll were my Facehooker friends so you could read them.
It's all so utterly insane given what's happened in Texas.
If you haven't already, here's a way to help. I'm researching what's happening with disabled persons, particularly those with epilepsy. I remember that after Katrina many displaced persons with epilepsy and other disabilities couldn't get medications or utilize resources. I'm thinking about contacting the Epilepsy Foundation affiliate in Houston to see whether they need some extra help. I can even do that wearing my own stilettos while sitting in my bedroom, typing from the computer.*
Here's How You Can Help People Affected by Harvey
Portlight Inclusive Disaster Strategies has a hotline at 800-626-4959 to help get people with disabilities and elderly people to safety, provide for immediate needs for durable medical equipment and other assistive technology and problem-solve other disability accessibility issues.
The Texas Diaper Bank supports the needs of babies, children with disabilities and vulnerable senior citizens (diapers are often not available at emergency shelters).
*Sorry not sorry. I do not own stilettos.
I would have entered that stiletto fray but for me it was just too easy a target. The woman is not American, she certainly never went into that marriage thinking she'd someday be the first lady. I vacillate between feeling extremely sorry for her and feeling like she's a grown woman and should know she doesn't have to put up with that crap. I have never walked in her shoes and never will. Her reality is certainly not mine.
ReplyDeleteHaving said all of that- doesn't she have an assistant or something who could advise her on these things?
Ms. Moon, your comment, "The woman is not American, she certainly never went into that marriage thinking she'd someday be the first lady." is absolutely right, and i pretty much failed to consider it. Our stiletto-ed first lady and i could not be less alike. It often makes it so easy to forget the person's whole story. Thank you for that.
DeleteI agree somewhat, but I'm also persuaded by several articles that hold the woman accountable as a very media/publicity/fashion savvy person. In other words, she knows EXACTLY what she's doing. I always balk at objectifying people by their appearances, but it's so difficult with that whole freakshow.
DeletePlease let us know what you find out about donation needs re those with epilepsy in the hurricane ravaged area. For now, we've decided to donate to the ASPCA and are trying to figure out what to do for those two-legged folks in need.
ReplyDeleteBest,
Bonnie
There's a free clinic in one of our nearby, (slightly larger) towns where people can get most prescriptions filled. I wonder why someone couldn't assemble something akin to that on a temporary basis? You're first-class to recognize your ability to help in any capacity, even remotely.
ReplyDeleteBeing separated from a child is oxytocin withdrawal, i'm pretty sure. That's about as powerful as it gets. Hope you can see each other soon. And the worst of the withdrawal symptoms subside here shortly.
Thanks, Ajax! And I'm sorry that we never connected up in Spokane -- you know the reason why, and I would have been a mess if we'd done so! I'll be visiting there periodically, so maybe there's a meeting in our future? I hope!
DeleteI think that's Mt. Adams, but not sure, also looks like Rainier. St. Helens doesn't have a "tip" anymore! :-)
ReplyDeleteThanks TJ. I know it wasn't Rainier because we saw it in all its glory early in the flight when we took off from Seattle. Must be Mt. Adams!
DeleteThere are many ways to help in Texas. Those with bodies and boats are doing what they can. The rest of us are donating. They will need a lot of help even after years go by.
ReplyDeleteSo sad about your grocery store experience. Sigh.
Love you. Love this. Love your ability to listen and really hear.
ReplyDeleteI understand your reluctance to mock Melania. I felt the same way. But you know, it's not like we're mocking her for her general appearance -- this was a SPECIFIC inability to gauge what was appropriate attire for a disaster area. That seems like fair game to me.
ReplyDeleteElizabeth-thanks, as ever, for your advocacy. Been wondering where to send $$.
ReplyDeleteAs for high heels, I don't know. Don't own any. Don't want to own any. Don't understand a lot about fashion, objectification of women, the 'hooker' look, etc etc. As a postmenopausal woman, don't understand a lot of things..
The 6 inch heels look like a small thing but it is often the small things that scream the loudest and send the biggest message. By wearing such attire Hurricane Barbie (love that) let everyone in America know that such devastation can't happen in HER world, she is immune. She need not even pretend to care. Obviously she doesn't. She is above everyone and everything in her bubble of privilege.
ReplyDeleteI appreciate the suggestions and links and love donating specifically for this most vulnerable population.
ReplyDelete