Tuesday, 22 November

One waiting as the clock chimed and I blew across the street with the flurry of wild wet leaves.  We stood in the darkening day behind a solid line of parked cars. Then, as if on cue, the sign-bearing van arrived and several cars pulled away and two became three and the nightly accretion continued with 8 gathered to stand in our various ways and intentions, for peace.  We spoke of the local "occupy movement" - the larger purpose and how it might gain in consequence.  Our newest 'regular' sees the vigil as representing a steadfast presence and she joins us with a clear sense that this is "doing something".  I am heartened for I hear other comments that suggest this is an empty gesture.  I remember a man I met who, for many years maintained a vigilant presence in protest of nuclear weapons made and transported from the Pantex factory in Texas.  He knew his presence led others to questions and some to change their attitudes.  I believe this little cadre of people outside the county courthouse has a similar consequence.   We also spoke of food.  I'd seen the German documentary film, Daily Bread, last night - all about the miserable practices of factory farm food production.  Why, we asked, are we unable/unwilling to feed people; heathy sane food? How is it that the government subsidizes corporate food not small farms?  How is it that we are so mesmerized by the cultural myth of Getting Ahead that we forget to care for one another?  What, really, would it take to have food security in our community?  I recall taking an elder friend from Appalachian Kentucky on a trip to Philadelphia.  Grace had not traveled before and her commentary of sights along the way was engaging.  As we explored Washington DC she looked at the expanses of grass and noted that they "were not even cemeteries; just think of all the food they could grow on that flat ground!"  Indeed.  lawns into food production.  how hard would that be?  And, is not that part of creating peace?
As the hour ended our injured companion stopped to wish us all a happy day of thanksgiving.