January 21, 2017 by IdealisticRebel

We The People

Today is January 21, 2017. Today, the People of America responded to the inauguration of Donald Trump. Our response was nationwide and clear. America’s response stimulated the response of countries around the world. There were supportive marches on all 7 continents — including Antarctica.

My day started with fatigue and excitement. I feel emotionally fatigued — I have ever since election. I feel fatigued even though I didn’t watch the inauguration yesterday. I still feel that he is not my President, and nothing can ever change that.

When I arrived in downtown Asheville for the Women’s March here in Western North Carolina, my sister and I joined in with thousands of others Americans who care about basic moral decency and equality. What I found at the park were men and women, boys and girls, young babies in strollers to 88-year-olds. There were all minorities, religious affiliations; people who were concerned and wanting to stop Muslim registration and possible deportation. There was about an hour of speeches, and I of course photographed the entire event.

White doves of peace were released. I, like many others at the march, was very moved and inspired not just by the speeches but by the sheer numbers of people who were moved to come out, enmass, and show support for the America WE know and love — an America based on civil rights, equality, justice and opportunity for all, regardless of color, religion (or lack thereof), race, gender identity.

The people around us felt strongly enough about these issues, and about the inauguration of Trump that they came out of there homes on a rainy Saturday; and together we pooled our energy and our hope and our compassion and kindness towards one another into a march that was peaceful and nonviolent, inspiring and motivating.

As the crowd of around 10,000 people began to march, we all had a little more personal space and it was easier to look around and see the faces of those who stood in solidarity with us, and to feel a deep sense of pride because all of us were there to support the kind of Americans that the Founding Fathers designed this country for.

I took over 400 pictures — don’t panic, I’m not including them all — but I am including a representative selection of some of my favorite shots, to inspire all of you, whether you are in America or around the world. These photographs are pictures of the men and women of Asheville, NC who stood up today to be counted, to be inspiring and to be peaceful in their protesting and marching against the actions, already taken, of a man who was inaugurated to lead a country where the majority did not vote for him and do not want his hateful, bigoted, divisive and unjust policies enacted. 10,000 people standing together, shoulder to shoulder, to support one another and all those whom this new administration would seek to disenfranchise.

Many people said they would protest for the next 4 years. So will we.

We protest not just for Americans, but for all of you around the world who are shocked and dismayed to see the world moving back towards hate and division, and away from caring and inclusion.

We stand with you, as you around the world have stood with us.

Namaste

Barbara

May 10, 2014 by IdealisticRebel

The View of North Carolina

Hello to all my WordPress family and friends. I have returned and I am now rested up and raring to go. It was wonderful to see old friends and to meet new ones.

It seemed as if we ate out constantly, but be assured Asheville has some very amazing restaurants. From Cuban to great Italian (yes, I was surprised) to Greek and a special place called Tipolo Honey which makes all their food from locally grown produce. I usually took half home for another meal. It was so much fun. We did do other things besides eat.

There was a great deal of talking and laughing, some crying and sharing of old memories. There was healing and joy. We walked a labyrinth. And forged new friendships. My best friend and I found a new comedian named Kathleen Madigan. She is super funny and Netflix happens to have some of her comedy in its library. Try her out.

There was looking at places to move to. This part was fun and exciting and scary too. Moving down south is necessary for me because of my health, but I have been a Yankee (in the geographic, not baseball sense) my whole life. The good part is that there are so many old hippies and artists in Asheville that a part of me feels like I already live there. Not to mention the Blue Ridge Mountains and the Smoky Mountains which hold the city and suburbs in their loving arms. The light is amazing for all kinds of art and the energy is gentle and loving. It is a great place for a vacation. Where else can you find lizards, tropical flowers, bears, deer and clean fresh air?

The Biltmore House is also there and the acres of grounds are lush with fragrance and color all year around. Spring is, of course, lovely beyond words. They often have open air concerts during the summer to make it even more of a treasure.