The Journey Continues

The journey has been long, uphill and relentless.  These pictures are from a display at the Dulles International Airport in February 2020. I believe it is relevant to share them today.

Display at IAD in February 2020

Display at IAD in February 2020

Display at IAD in February 2020

Display at IAD in February 2020

Me: Imagine you are eating a slice of the yummiest blueberry pie...
Paul: Oh I love blueberry pie
Me: Yes, but this is oh so much better than any other blueberry pie
Paul: How so?
Me: The crust is flaky and the filling is made from fresh blueberries
Paul: You know I will eat any blueberry pie
Me: I know but stay with me. Just as you close your eyes in pure bliss when all the flavors from the warm filling and the buttery crust melt in your mouth you taste a big lump of salt

Paul: WHAT???
Me: That is how I feel at this time.
Paul: I see. So this is all about you.
Me: Well, mostly. My happiness is marred.
Paul: Why do you focus on the lump of salt and not on the blueberry pie?

Me: Because it is not perfect and I want...

Display at IAD in February 2020

Paul: Nothing is perfect and nothing should be.
Me: I don't accept that.
Paul: Is our marriage perfect?
Me: No, but it has gotten better.
Paul: So there is room for improvement
Me: But why did you say that nothing should be perfect?
Paul: Because achieving perfection would be the end of the journey.
Me: And we must go on...
Paul: For a more perfect union, yes, absolutely.

Display at IAD in February 2020

Paul: Set aside the salty lump, what do you love most about the outcome?

Me (excitedly): You mean other than the historic election of Kamala Harris? First woman!!! First woman ever in the White House!!! First woman of Indian descent!!!

Paul (with a calm smile): Yes, beyond that.

Me: Hmmm... the fact that we had the most historic of turnouts ever since 1900.

Paul: Over 145 million Americans cast their ballots

Me: That is a historic win for Democracy.

Paul: What else?

Me: The fact that Georgia turned blue is pretty phenomenal.

Display at IAD in February 2020

Paul: And who made that happen?

Me (almost shouting): STACEY ABRAMS and her initiative Fair Fight!!!

Paul: Which you support with your monthly donation.

Me: YES!!!

Paul: So in a way your efforts made Georgia blue.

Me (eyes wide): I did not think like that. 

Paul: It happened.

Me: If ever there is an award for turning adversity and defeat into opportunity and progress Stacey Abrams will be the top contender. 

Paul: If Stacey Abrams had become the Georgia Governor in 2018, she may not have launched Fair Fight and Georgia may not have turned blue.

Me: I see your point. 

It was time to celebrate.  Mari and I met for lunch, ice-cream and fabric shopping.  

With Mari (masks were worn at all times, except eating/taking pictures)

Salted Caramel Ice cream 

Bright & Cheerful

Come to me, my lovely!!!

Too yummy to pass!!!

Once home, my discussion with Paul continued.

Paul: Did you miss the news about ballot initiatives?

Me: Oh no. I heard that all ballot initiatives related to decriminalization of drugs were passed, including decriminalization of magic mushrooms in DC.

Paul: That is huge for any person ever caught/jailed for a minor drug offense and had their entire future ruined for it.

Me: That should also ease the burden on the police forces.

Paul: Let's hope there are other police reforms with the new administration in charge.

Me: Oh I was reading the APTA newsletter...

Paul: APTA?

Me: American Public Transportation Association sent out their newsletter and it said that a record number of voters supported public transportation initiatives in Austin and San Antonio in Texas, Bay Area in California, Seattle in Washington, Missoula in Montana, and Monroe County in Michigan.

Paul: So good news on the professional front.

Me: Yes. Good news for Public Transit anywhere is welcomed by all transit professionals everywhere.

Rainbow Scrap Challenge - Brown Blocks

Paul: Did you know about the LGBTQ candidates who had historic wins in 2020?

Me: I heard about Sarah McBride and Taylor Small.

Paul: There are others who won their state level elections. Mauree Turner was elected to state legislature

Me: Is Mauree Turner a transgender woman?

Paul: THEY are non-binary.

Me: Which state?

Paul: Oklahoma.

Me (eyes as big as saucers): WHAT??? Oklahoma? WOW!!! 

Paul: And you thought that all the LGBTQ folks lived in SF or NY.

Me (sheepishly): Most, I guess. 

Paul: Even conservative America is changing.

Me: The clatter was so loud that it is hard to hear the fluttering of the hummingbird. 

Rainbow Scrap Challenge - Black Blocks

Paul: So what is your lump of salt in the pie?

Me (at a loss for words): Um...

Paul: That there wasn't a blue wave as the polls predicted?

Me: Kinda...

Paul: Polls aren't an exact science. But that is besides the point.

Me: What is the point?

Paul: If there was a blue wave, they would be resting on their laurels and taking things easy.

Me: And we must keep fighting the good fight because we have ways to go.

Paul: Exactly. Just like Stacey Abrams did. Use the setbacks to propel forward.

Me: So we need a lump of salt in the pie?

Paul: Proverbially, at least.

With Stacey Abrams at the grassroots and Kamala Harris (about to be) in the White House, I feel pretty awesome. Working together we have lots more to do. Oh what fun we will have in this journey together!

Ooh Chocolate 

Kaffe meets Ruby Star Society

The Woods are Dark & Deep

Honey & Caramel

In November, I am working on black and brown Picket Star Blocks for the Rainbow Scrap Challenge.  It is just another way to celebrate black and brown women who paved the way so that we could be here today.

Floral Dots & Little Dots

Abstract meets Floral

Big Floral meets Little Floral

I will be sharing with all my favorite linky parties including Angela's Linky Party. 

See full list on the sidebar. 

If you have any thoughts about Pie, Politics or our Path ahead, won't you let me know?

Please wear a mask to protect others and yourself. We are in this together.

Our (Property) Values

The year was 2005. I was working as a junior planner in Fort Lauderdale. Broward County was conducting a public hearing on a proposed light rail line connecting the western part of the county to downtown Fort Lauderdale.

The beginning

Before Touch-up

After Touch-up (Head, Flower & Shoe completed)

Growing Trees

Roofs under Construction

Colorful Tiles!!!

Housing Project

I remember arriving at the venue about 4:00PM, setting up easels showing the area maps, flip boards and markers, and sign in sheets with several pens. The event began at 6:00PM with a formal presentation from the Florida Department of Transportation official. This was followed by questions from the audience. I remember a particularly angry guy who almost spat out - What happens to my property value?

Ballerina

Puppy Toss

One Home (+Tree) at a Time

As planners, we regularly study about the economic impact of streetcars and rail lines on adjacent communities. So I knew the answer, but junior planners do not speak (they take notes). A senior planner responded - "Unless your property is smack dab next to the rail line, the value of your property is likely to increase." The angry guy was unconvinced. He had already made up his mind - he hated the light rail and it was not welcome in his neighborhood. 

Building Community

Basting

Holy Cow!!!

It got me thinking about the value of property.  You see it is a very American concept.

Beauty and the Breeze

Finished Quilt Size - 67" by 75"

Of course all properties in all countries have value but this obsession with "what happens to my property value" was an unfamiliar concept. I need a place to live, a place for my possessions, a place to recover, a place to hide from the world's prying eyes, a place to be myself, a place of complete peace and zero judgement. I place infinite value on this place - my home.

Lazy Dog Pose?

All Size Cats

Santa & Reindeer 

Homes for Everyone

Red Backing, Green Binding

Of course, it has a dollar value too. So what? If the dollar value changes from $200K to $400K, do I sell it and find someplace cheaper?   If the value falls to $100K, do I buy a second house because at half price it is just not enough? I do not sing and dance when the value increases and I do not go into despair when it plummets. 

Labelled

Young Fish and Old Dinosaur

Yes, we pay attention when we build a house or buy a property. Similarly the price tag is of utmost importance when a property is put on the market. But not in between. In between, it is just my home.

Star Fish and Movie Star (Olaf)

Regardless of the prevailing price tag of my house, my day-to-day interactions with my living quarters are unchanged. Shoes in this corner, handbag in that. An aroma of curry wafts from the kitchen, greasy pots in the sink, a dirty cup on the counter and a few turmeric stains on the stove. Cracked floor tiles covered with an area rug; there may be cobwebs in the fireplace but the mantelpiece in the living room has fresh flowers. 

Freshly Made

One pillow on the floor but the other has a round depression where my head fits perfectly. The bed is unmade and the sheets are crumpled but there is a Preeti-shaped dip in the mattress that is oh-so-welcoming. There is hair in the drain, streak marks on the mirror, an almost empty bottle of lotion on the shelf, and a dusty weighing scale in the bathroom. I love you my home. You take me as I am. I take you as you are. 

Love you my Home (and my quilt)

If you follow the news (and who can blame you if you don't), you may have heard that the Senate left for recess with no Covid relief in sight. Small business owners, workers and families are desperate for support (think rent and mortgage payments) while the current administration abandoned them.  

"The Republican Senate can move incredibly fast when they think something is important. They just don't think Covid relief was important." - Leah Greenberg, Indivisible. 

I agree with Ms. Greenberg. 

Trees in Bloom

Hullo Charlie Brown

Playfully Yours

Octopus Rules

On one hand, I feel blessed that I do not have to worry about losing my home and on the other hand I feel ashamed and helpless for all those who are struggling to keep a roof over their heads in these trying times. 

It is not like one can move in with friends and family till the relief check arrives.

So Vote. 

Your Vote is your voice. Make it heard.

Did you see my Puppy?

I can be crabby in my house

Picnic Ready

Bright & Happy

Your Vote can be a celebration of our democracy. Your Vote can be a referendum on the current state of affairs. Your Vote could be a bouquet to the incoming administration or a brickbat to the outgoing one. Your Vote is your resistance, your dissent, a map of things to come and yet it is useless unless you exercise it. Please do.  Your Vote has value but only if you cast your ballot.

Sunny Morning

Meet me by the Fountain

If you have a mail-in ballot, it may be too late to mail it.  Use an authorized drop-box.

Vote early if you can.  We did.

We are in this together

Get your flu shot and please wear a mask. And if you have thoughts about property values, value of your Vote or the values (light and dark colors) in my quilt, do let me know. 

Your comments are your votes on my work and I do value them so very much.  I will be sharing with all my favorite linky parties, see full list on the sidebar.