Samain Moon of the Winter Solstice
My first Latin day since before the cruise. Today and probably next week, too, I’ll be getting myself back in the spirit and form of translating Ovid, refreshing vocabulary, looking at translations past and checking on the translations Greg and I have not gone through yet, refreshing my memory about what I did in those translations, that sort of thing.
Getting back to my novel has become another force in my life right now. I intend to start carving out time this week and next, getting a regular schedule going again.
The urge to act, have agency, as I wrote here before, is still strong, young Jedi. When the Republican debates occur, when the Rick Perrys and the Michele Bachmanns and the Nude Gingrichs start to yap, my blood begins to boil. When Obama starts echoing the arguments of the Occupy crowd, a certain part of me, instinctive almost, wants to take up the message, too, remind this country that class discrimination comes before and reinforces every other form of discrimination.
At the Christmas Tea the other night I talked with Scott Searles, the minister at Shepherd of the Hills. He’s got some work going in Hopkins, 65% rental! Three buildings there, one with East Indians, one with Somalis and the other with Latinos. The city has an interest in greater stability, more home ownership. Made this ol’ affordable housing activist lean into his bit.
But, when he asked me if I wanted to come advise, I said no. I felt guilty. That’s the draft horse in me, trained to the plow. If I can contribute, I should contribute. Still, my current work load with home, the MIA, the Sierra Club and the novel is full. I need to be honest about that.
It did give me an idea though. There was no internet, no e-mail, no cell phones when I worked for the Presbytery, but there are all three now. In a minute, in casual conversation Scott had two new resources: MICAH (Metropolitan Interfaith Coalition for Affordable Housing) and Common Bond, the Catholic housing arm.
A resource website for congregations and other activists, one that would list current organizations active in certain key areas: affordable housing, health care, economic justice, environmental advocacy, say, could be used by many and it’s something I could put together and maintain. That way, I could get my expertise out there and make it available to others without getting involved in round after round of meetings and phone calls.
Worth pondering.
