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Jo Freeman writes: The theme was different versions of “Thank God for Donald Trump.” He could do no wrong, including lose the election. If the media said more people and more states voted for Biden, then the election was being stolen. It was photogenic. Flags flourished. T-shirts, hats and posters were plentiful. Many people wore costumes, or turned flags into capes. Only buttons were scarce. (As a button collector, I was looking to add a Trump button to my collection). Everyone was pleasant. When I asked people to pose for a photo, I only got two negative responses – one from a man in a Chicago Proud Boys t-shirt, and another from a woman wearing a Biden-Harris cap who was waving at the marchers from the sidewalk of Pennsylvania Ave.   more »

Ferida Wolff writes: During this pandemic we are often, understandably, lost in negative, worrisome thoughts. But there are positive things to focus on: neighbors greeting neighbors with smiles and friendly though distant conversations, gratitude for the dedication of our health practitioners, conscious appreciation of the people in our lives. more »

Slavery ended when Turner was a middle aged man. It was 1865, the American Civil War was over, and the era we call Reconstruction had begun. As a freedman, Turner joined the Republican Party and was elected tax collector of his county. In 1869 he won a seat on the Selma, Alabama town council. The following year he ran for the US House of Representatives on the Republican ticket. He won and served in Washington from 1871 to 1873. Like most incumbents, he hoped to be re-elected but another African American ran as an independent and split the Black vote, leaving victory to the fusion party white candidate. Turner returned to Selma. He resumed his life as a farmer and businessman but also kept a hand in politics including serving as a delegate to the 1880 Republican convention. more »

Julia Sneden Wrote: When I was a child, my parents encouraged (or discouraged) my independence, in appropriate measure. They shared their love of vigorous physical activity. They fed my curiosity and encouraged my mental growth. A kid couldn’t ask for a whole lot more. By all lights, I should have matured into a calm, capable, well-adjusted adult, which, mostly, I think I am. But there are a few things in life that shove me over the edge into cranky-old-dame territory, and push my usually normal blood pressure into the red zone. more »