Sunday December 30

Four at the beginning of the vigil, eight at the end. Very cold, but no rain. Early on two cars voiced passionate disagreement, later many honks of support.

Saturday Dec 29

Three of us to start the hour, seven at the end. A passerby gave us two books by Greg Palast, and a young man stopped to talk about conscientious objection and his plans for college.

Friday December 28

Six or seven throughout the hour. We talked about holiday model train shows, particularly the last days of the local display at Citizens Bank, and about the city of Portland's plan to move the Sellwood Bridge (!) 60 feet downriver on Jan 19.

Thursday December 27

From half a dozen at the start to a dozen at the end, it was a lively hour. A little bit of rain at the beginning, but we felt lucky that it was mostly dry.

Wednesday December 26

Six to eight of us for the hour. We celebrated the second of the twelve days of Christmas with trifle puddings from one of the vigil-ers.

Tuesday December 25

Merry Christmas! Five of us for most of the hour, and luckily almost no rain. Visitors for the holidays are making arrangements to leave for home soon.

Monday December 24

Four or five at the start of the vigil, about a dozen at the end. One driver complained that our presence ruined the view of the courthouse. We wish her and you a good Christmas.

Sunday December 23

Four to six people at today's vigil. A driver stopped to ask how often we were there [he was a little surprised when I said every day] and how many people were there [four to six is normal, twenty on exceptional days, not so many on Christmas Day :)]. We wished each other a Merry Christmas.

Tuesday December 18

Three or four at 5:00PM, people coming and going throughout the hour, six at 6:00. Steady snow fell through the courthouse spotlights for the first half hour. :) A young man passed by and remarked, "I like war." :(

Monday December 17

Four to start the hour, seven when the clock struck six. Cold but no rain or snow. We wondered why it is so often difficult to talk about politics and religion. A recent book, The Righteous Mind by Jonathan Haidt, tries to answer that question.

Sunday December 16

Six of us for most of the hour. And four umbrellas -- we had heavy rain and wind. We reminisced about the heat of August afternoons. :)

Saturday December 15

Two people to begin the hour, five of us at the end. Steady but fortunately not heavy rain -- we used only one umbrella. :) We chatted about uncommon words which we learned recently or which we have missed using, like folderol, kerfuffle, siping.

Friday December 14

Five people early in the hour, seven of us when six o'clock came. Lynette, a peace worker and journalist from Montana, stopped to ask us, is the vigil a response to the shooting in Connecticut? and to take some pictures.

Thursday December 13

Two people when the clock struck 5:00, five or six at 6:00PM. We signed a greeting card to Bradley Manning, whose birthday is Monday Dec 17.

Wednesday December 12

Four people at the start of the hour, eight at the end. We talked about our plans for the solstice [Hanukkah and Christmas :)] holidays.

Thursday December 6

Four people at the start, six toward the end. At one point, in a car stopped for the red light at the corner, the driver leaned toward us and read the signs carefully, then flashed an enthusiastic peace sign. Thanks!

Wednesday December 5

Four at the beginning of the hour, ten when the clock struck six. We talked about a book The Power of Half and about Windows and Mirrors, an exhibit of paintings about what the Afghanistan war does to civilians, now being shown in the Memorial Union Concourse Gallery at Oregon State University.

Tuesday Dec 4

Four early in the hour, six at the end. Johnny, a young man arrived in Corvallis only on Monday, stopped to talk. He said several times that he didn't know much but he sympathized with the general goals of the vigil. He particularly wanted to know more about what the QUESTION AUTHORITY sign was about. Well, we do not trust the United States government. We had a wide-ranging conversation for the last half-hour.

Monday December 3

Half a dozen of us during the hour. This Monday's treat was brownies. :)

Sunday December 2

Five in the first part of the hour, then seven toward the end. Today's weather was the reverse of yesterday's, with a dry-ish beginning giving way to steady rain at the end.

Saturday December 1

A rainy half-hour at the start, then a little drier toward the end. Our numbers varied from four to seven. A friend of the vigil brought some peanut brittle. This has become a seasonal tradition; as one person pointed out, it is too bad that an anti-war vigil continues long enough to establish traditions.

Tuesday November 27

Five of us early in the hour, then at 5:30 a few more came until there were nine at 6:00PM. We celebrated the holiday train shows, at Citizens Bank every day and at Adair Village this weekend. And near the end, someone wondered, is nonviolence really the best way forward? I hope that it is at least better than war.

Monday November 26

Five people at 5:00PM, people gradually arrived until we had nine-ish at the end of the hour. Cold weather led to a discussion of warm winter clothing.We had tasty chocolate chip cookies, but some folks arrived after the cookies had left. :(

Sunday November 25

Nine of us for much of the hour. Near the end of the hour a group of college-age young folks passed. One petted the dog, one said, "Seriously, you guys haven't got anything better to do?", and one said thanks and flashed a peace sign.

Saturday November 24

Five of us for the half-hour I was there. A rainy day, we commiserated about working outdoors in the rain.

Friday November 23

Seven of us for most of the hour. Fourth Street was being set up for the Corvallis day-after-Thanksgiving Christmas parade. There was light rain early in the hour, which turned steady and hard as six o'clock came. A wet night for a parade. :(

Thursday November 22

Thanksgiving Day. One person arrived at 5:02, then two more came in the next ten minutes, and we ended the hour with three. More discussion of the protest at Fort Benning in Georgia.

Wednesday November 21

Two at 5:00PM, then one by one regulars trickled in until there were five of us at 6:00PM. It was cold! but not freezing and not raining :) . We talked about the previous weekend's School of the Americas protest at Fort Benning in Georgia.

Monday November 19

Four to start the hour, then five when the clock struck six. Steady rain at the beginning, but the rain tapered off toward the end. We talked about jumping in puddles and getting splashed by passing cars -- winter in Corvallis. :)

Sunday November 18

Five people for the hour. We had signs saying NO WAR ANYWHERE, PEACE NOW, HOW MANY DEATHS?, WASTING AWAY RESPECT. From a passing car someone extended a middle finger -- which slogan did they object to?

Saturday November 17

People came and went, so a varying six vigil-ers for most of the hour. We have a new sign decrying the Israeli attacks on Gaza.

Friday November 16

Our numbers varied from two to four. Twice during the hour a group of pedestrians passed and offered spoken "beeps" of support. Thanks.

Thursday November 15

Two of us to start the hour, four at the end. One person talked about seeing a coyote kill a deer in the dunes at the Oregon coast. The dance of life has beauty and terror.

Wednesday November 14

Four, five, six people at one time or another during the hour. One person, baking a potato in a microwave oven, had had the potato catch on fire -- fortunately, with no damage except to the microwave. Keeping abreast of (old) technology is a frequent topic. :)

Tuesday November 13

Three at the start of the hour, then seven or eight at the end. We shared some readings -- Nancy Mairs is a recommended author, and Sparrow has an off-beat piece about the presidential election in the current issue of The Sun magazine.

Monday November 12

I was at the vigil for only 15 minutes. The half a dozen others had enjoyed cookies with ginger and chocolate -- how could they not taste good? :)

Sunday November 11

Veterans Day. Four people at the beginning of the vigil, then one by one folks trickled in until there were eight at the end. It was cold and rainy, but luckily the rain was not heavy. We talked about Saturday concerts and about propagating fuchsias.

Saturday November 10

Four people to start the hour, nine when the courthouse clock showed 6:00. A dry but cold hour. We talked a little about outreach to high school students.

Friday November 9

Four of us at the beginning, about eight at the end. A six-year-old who joins us once a week brought a new sign "PEACE FOR CHILDREN", lettered more strikingly than plain printed text. There were several younger folks, a very welcome change from the older people who predominate many afternoons. :)

Thursday November 8

Two people to start the hour, seven of us at 6:00PM. It was cold but luckily dry. A young woman from Oregon State University joined us for a while, to talk about the afternoon presentation by Olga Reyes, a woman from Ciudad Juarez who has lost several relatives and friends to the violence of the war on drugs. The young woman remarked that many of her friends do not understand how United States policies affect other countries.

Wednesday November 7

Three people at the start of the hour, people trickled in until there were eight at the end. We talked about the election. One person "reported" that there had been a recount in the presidential election and that Mitt Romney had won. No one laughed.

Monday November 5

Four of us at the beginning of the hour, seven or eight at the end. The Monday cookies were "hamantaschen", a filled cookie associated with the Jewish holiday of Purim. Purim 2012 was in March and Purim 2013 will be in February -- we had an early observance? :)

Sunday November 4

On the first day of standard time, the second half-hour of the vigil was suddenly dark, but the weather was dry and mild. We count our blessings. Five of us at 5:00PM (the courthouse clock struck six times) and still five at the end of the hour. We stood in two groups to isolate my barking dog. :(

Saturday November 3

Five of us came to the start the hour, seven by the end. This was the last day of Daylight Savings Time and the last vigil with a full hour of daylight until spring 2013. There was a lot of traffic for a football game, and we saw quizzical expressions. A little before 6:00PM two bicyclists encouraged with with cries of "Power to the people". :)

Thursday November 1

Four at yesterday's vigil (Halloween!), then four to start today and six or seven at the end. Today our friend from Tucson stopped to say goodbye before his return to Tucson on Friday. We have appreciated his presence and his companionship. And a man who is moving from Corvallis to Boise came by to thank us and to take a couple of photographs to take with him. We appreciate his support.

Tuesday October 30

Four to seven vigil-ers throughout the hour. Some talk about everyday affairs, health, families, books, but nothing about the storm in the eastern United States. I marvel about the simple daily-ness of living.

Monday October 29

Five people at the beginning of the hour (and two dogs), nine at the end. The dogs enjoyed doggie treats and the people enjoyed chocolate chip cookies [people treats :)]. Our friend from Tucson, and some of his family, paid us a last visit; we are hoping to see him again before too long.

Sunday October 28

Four people to start the hour, six when the clock struck 6:00. A man dropping off his vote at the courthouse walked up to say that he feared that the United States would be taken over by the Chinese and the Japanese. We did not respond but only listened.

Saturday October 27

Three of us at 5:00PM, six at the end. No football in Corvallis, a low-traffic day at the vigil.

Friday October 26

Four at the beginning, five or six at 6:00PM. The courthouse vigil has become a popular subject for budding documentary film-makers, and this afternoon two cameras showed up. One day maybe the film crews will outnumber the vigil-ers. :) Now if only the US government paid attention ...

Thursday October 25

Four or five during the first part of the hour. The six-year-old grandson of one vigil-er joined us, as well as a visitor. "Doggie treats" have for now become an afternoon routine, affording us all pleasure and opportunities to feel appreciated. :)

Wednesday October 24

Four right after 5:00PM increased one by one to seven at the end of the vigil. There was a medium-long sprinkle early, enough so that umbrellas and rain hoods went up, but there was less rain than we expected. Toward the end a double rainbow spread across half the sky in the east. It was a lovely vigil afternoon.

Tuesday October 23

Another dry-ish hour on a wet day. Four or five at the beginning of the hour, eight at the end. One person had recommendations from a trusted lawyer about the two elections of judges for the Oregon state courts, but it turned out that most of the participants had voted already.

Monday October 22

Four or five at 5:00PM, eight when the courthouse clock struck 6:00. On an often rainy day the vigil hour was dry; we feel fortunate. We had lively discussions about voting in the November 6 election and about the Benton County citizens' initiative to ban GMOs from the county.

Sunday October 21

Five people at the start, eight at the end, and today four dogs. As peacekeepers, we separated the barking factions to maintain calm. :)

Saturday October 20

From four to eight people throughout the hour, and three dogs. The dogs barked back and forth, making the peace vigil not so peaceful. :) After a shower-y day, the vigil itself was dry; we count our good fortune.

Thursday October 18 and Friday October 19

Two to start the vigil on both days, four or five at the end. Friday we discussed the national election. Most people discuss who to vote for, but at the vigil the only question which comes up is, to vote or not to vote? Most of us favor the lesser of two evils, but one or two choose not to take part in the United States' version of democracy. Our friend from Tucson talked a little about state issues in Arizona; SB1070, "don't be nice to immigrants", is still a major issue there.

Wednesday October 17

Six of us for most of the hour, with a couple more coming a little before 6:00PM. Some discussion of the Tuesday night debate between the presidential candidates, wondering who had won [other than the military :(].

Tuesday October 16

Five or six of us throughout the hour. We were joined by a friend from Tucson, who each year visits relatives in Corvallis and who often comes to the vigil while he is here. We had only a few of our signs, and he admonished us that we should have a sign "DON'T ATTACK IRAN". Indeed.

Corvallis Peace Vigil 10-5-12

Corvallis Peace vigil 10-5-12

Corvallis Peace Vigil 10-5-12

Monday October 15

Two for the first ten minutes, then seven or eight of us at 6:00PM. Though it was a showery day, the vigil hour was mostly dry. We read aloud the children's book Courage by Bernard Waber.

Sunday October 14

Four people to start the hour, five at the end. A quiet day -- we talked about our vacations away and visitors from other places.

Saturday October 13

Two people at 5:00PM, six and a dog when the clock struck six. We had several young visitors, one a young cyclist who wanted to tell us that the Uniform Code of Military Justice makes it legal for soldiers to kill, and then a group of four attracted by the jar of pickles shared by one of the vigilers. :)

Friday October 12

Two at 5:00PM, four of us at the end. A rainy day marked the end of a months-long dry spell. The vigil had rain from start to finish. As I remember, in the winter of 2011-12 the vigil hour was usually dry, even on days which were otherwise rainy. I wonder if this year will be different.

Thursday October 11

I arrived late today. There were three or four of us throughout the hour. Shortly before 6:00 a fire truck and a police car sirened down Fourth Street, and soon afterward there was a traffic jam right in front of us. Standing with a sign, staring at an unmoving car, feels different from standing as cars whiz by.

Wednesday October 10

Four at the start, six at the end. A quiet day. We talked a bit about the play Rumors, being put on by the south Corvallis AAA Theatre.

Tuesday October 9

One person at 5:00PM, six or seven at the end of the hour. A woman came to talk to "the guy with the ponytail", but he was not there. She is thinking of making a documentary about the vigil. I don't know whether the vigil is having an effect, but evidently it is interesting to filmmakers!

Monday October 8

Year 12, day 2. Three people to start the hour, seven at the end. We put up a new Earth flag, contributed by a friend of the vigil. And we talked briefly about the workshop presented on the weekend by the Community Environmental Legal Defense Fund; our discussion touched on the history of the United States but not on possible ways forward.

Sunday October 7

October 7 is the actual eleven-year anniversary of the United States attack on Afghanistan. Eleven years of war -- I fear that the soul of America is dying. Thirteen or fourteen people came to the vigil, but there was little discussion of our war.

Saturday October 6

After too much to do in the afternoon, I arrived halfway through the hour. The nine people present when I came stayed until the end. In one conversation we talked about the complex of issues around ethics and lawfulness, with respect to the United States taking of Native American lands and the Israeli occupation of the West Bank.

Friday October 5

Today we marked the eleventh anniversary of the attack on Afghanistan and the start of the vigil. The Afghanistan war began October 7, 2001, so we were two days early, taking advantage of more traffic on Friday. A friend of the vigil had made two new banners -- thanks! About forty people were a presence all along the block in front of the courthouse. Much of the time our wars leave me in sorrow and despair, and I am grateful for the people who stand with us.

Thursday October 4

No one on the sidewalk when the clock struck 5:00. :( Then four people by five minutes after the hour, and maybe seven at the end of the vigil. One person brought a small American flag with a sign "The 1% should pay more taxes", which set off an interesting discussion about flags and patriotism--with no resolution.

Wednesday October 3

Four people to start the hour, seven of us (plus three dogs) at the end. I suspect like many residents of Corvallis, we talked about the power outage that started a bit before 11:00AM. It lasted long enough for me to wonder how we would live without electricity. Would there be more or less war?

Tuesday October 2

Four of us at 5:00PM, eight or nine at 6:00. One of our friends and occasional participants brought an earth flag to donate. The flag that has marked our stretch of sidewalk for thousands of evenings is noticeably worn, but we have mixed feelings about replacing it.

Monday October 1

The first day of October. Three to begin the hour, maybe nine at the end. Monday is cookie day, and we had a choice of chocolate chip cookies or icebox cookies. :)

Sunday September 30

Three at 5:00PM, seven of us at the end. Just before 6:00 three young folks crossed the street to talk to us, a young woman and two young Iranian men. The three were visiting Corvallis from Portland. The woman had played in an ultimate frisbee tournament at Willamette Park. The Iranians both bemoaned the situation in their country and agreed that war would be not make it better.

Saturday, 29 September

A young woman was watching for us shortly before 5 & as we stepped to the curb she walked up with us and raised her hand in the peace sign.  When the signs arrived she selected one and said "I may be too young to vote; but I can still speak my mind."  A bit later a Saturday vigiler from Albany arrived with a generous portion of the voter guide compiled by the Rural Organizing Project.  Our young visitor happily took two for her sister & her mother.  People often say, with a bit of dismissal, "does it make a difference?" - the vigil, that is & this young woman is sufficient for me.  A place to "speak her mind" and a place to gain valuable information about statewide politics.
Later in the vigil another young woman walked up carrying her young daughter.  "I know you are just people standing her protesting war; but can I ask you a question?"  She's been thinking about war and our country and the world and what it means to be a mother.  She thought that we'd all been thinking about these questions and how did we come to believe in Peace.  A long and friendly conversation ensued.  How does one come to see and hear beyond the myths and propaganda?  Once the questions begin, it is hard to go back.   Her questions reflected the serious thought that led her to come inquiring of us.  Good & evil,  what about other countries where there is genocide, what about Hitler?  Ah, Hitler - the emblematic evil doer - surely we needed war to stop him?  My vigil companion in this conversation, acknowledged the wrongs of the Nazi's and gently said some things our government does are equally evil.  I keep wondering if she heard that.  All & all - it felt important that we three took counsel together  on the sidewalk.
Does the vigil make a difference?  Yes

Friday September 28

Three people to start, five at 6:00PM. The hour was uneventful.

Thursday September 27

Four of us at the beginning of the hour, seven at the end. A friend stopped by to introduce to us visitors from Tunisia, a university professor and his family. It would be good if we could speak Arabic as well as they spoke English.

Wednesday September 26

Four of us for the hour. Today we were an information booth; one person asked where to register to vote, another for directions to the Corvallis Sports Park.

Tuesday September 25

Nine or ten of us through the hour. We had chocolates from Portland and a lively discussion of how best "to save the world" -- maybe humankind needs saving, maybe not the world? Local musician Mark Weiss came by to thank us by giving each participant a copy of his CD "I Believe In You". Thanks for the vote of appreciation.

Monday September 24

Four at 5:00PM, fourteen at the end of the vigil. We talked a bit about using social media to promote peace-and-justice work, but none of us have much experience with Facebook and Twittr and such. After the vigil some of us stayed behind to pick up pinwheels from the courthouse lawn.

Sunday September 23

Three to start the hour, six at the end. The pinwheels in the courthouse lawn from Saturday's workshop provided a colorful background.

Saturday September 22

It had been a busy day at the courthouse, with the Corvallis Fall Festival in Central Park and  Pinwheels for Peace on the courthouse lawn. Four people showed up to start the vigil, and we had about eight at the end. I found it ironic that on World Car-free Day, the parking spaces around the courthouse were completely filled, with much more traffic than most Saturdays. :(

Friday September 21

Some of the vigil regulars were away, so we had three people for the first half-hour, then six or seven for the second. We talked about the moral hazard of running a social change nonprofit organization in our contemporary money-driven culture.

Thursday September 20

Three people at 5:00PM, then the signs arrived a couple of minutes later, nine or ten at the end of the hour. We wondered whether tomatoes will continue to ripen as the weather cools. And we signed a good-wishes card to Mark Kenney, imprisoned in Minnesota for civil disobedience opposing the United States' use of Reaper drones.

Wednesday September 19

Four people at the beginning of the hour, without the trademark van; then about eight at 6:00PM.

Tuesday September 18

Four people and the signs showed up five minutes early, an unusual early presence. The numbers grew to eight during the hour. We had three visitors, one a supportive passerby, one a friend with a gift of apple cake, and just before 6:00PM, Seth Woolley, the Pacific Green Party candidate for Oregon Secretary of State. Seth is doing a campaign bicycle tour of all 36 Oregon county seats; Corvallis is stop #9, and Albany will be stop #34. His website is seth4sos.org .

Monday September 17

Five of us early in the hour, eight or nine when I left at 5:45. A car full of young people gave us enthusiastic support, helping to keep up our spirits. So did an ice cream bar. :)

Sunday September 16

Four people at 5:00PM, seven and a dog when the clock struck six. We talked about how to observe the eleven-year anniversary of the vigil and about reaching out to other groups. If you have comments, let us know at alt2war@gmail.com .

Saturday September 15

Three to start the hour, eight at the end. We mostly talked about food: plums, pears, and pizza.

Friday 14 September

My grandson chose to come to the vigil again today and he made three for much of the hour.  His choice to join us is in part motivated by his 6 year old desire to get a truck driver to both wave and sound his air horn.  He also knows the vigil is important to me and that I have strong feelings about creating peace.  I've not been reticent to point out that that "cool jet" roaring over our town before a football game was built for only one purpose and that is to do harm to people and all other living things.  
I am undeniably pleased that he is standing there with me.  Today we talked about making a sign just for him - something easier for him to hold.  Eventually we could count 5 for some part of the hour.

Thursday, 13 September

Arriving 10 past the hour, I find 1 standing with signs waiting.  We speak of others and of our day.  The traffic is light but the drivers continue with the recent trend of positive responses and enthusiastic ones at that.  One more arrives and then a fourth. By the close we count ourselves six.

Tuesday September 11

Eleven years since the attack on the World Trade Center. Four people at the beginning, ten at the end, lots of conversation but no discussion of the anniversary or of our War on Terror.

Monday September 10

Two people arrived at 5:01, the signs arrived a couple of minutes later, and at the end we had six people. A quotation "I don't want peace, I want equal rights and justice" provoked an passionate discussion about justice and retribution and reconciliation.

Saturday September 8

Four people at 5:00PM, six when the courthouse clock struck six. We talked about movies which we saw as children. Someone driving by yelled, "OSU won, so you're safe."

Thursday September 6

Five of us at the beginning, ten toward the end. A six-year-old child held a sign almost as big as he was. [We are always happy when young folks join us. :)] Near the end two college students, from Western Washington State University and the University of Chicago, stopped to ask about peace-and-justice activism in Corvallis.

Wednesday September 5

Two people waited on a bench for the vigil to begin, then three more when 5:00PM struck on the courthouse clock, and finally nine at the end of the vigil. A friend from Sodaville joined us. Our conversation included broken bones, birthdays, and street art.

Tuesday September 4

Three or four at 5:00PM, six or seven at the end. A passing truck offered two peace signs and one half-peace-sign. We hope that we were responsible for a dialogue. :)

Monday September 3

Labor Day 2012. Four people at the beginning of the hour, six at the end. Conversation ranged from recipes and old cookbooks to aches and pains and acupuncture.

Sunday September 2

Half a dozen of us; an uneventful end-of-summer afternoon at the vigil.

Saturday September 1

The first day of September. OSU's season-opening football game was cancelled [:( or :)] because stormy weather kept the opponent from leaving Louisiana. Three or four at the start of the vigil, at the end six standing and three on the bench. We discussed the film Salt of the Earth and signed birthday cards.

Friday August 31

On the last day of August, we had three at the beginning and six at the end. We talked about buying new cars, and Steve Frank, a Lebanon man who is running for the Oregon State Senate, stopped to give us a campaign flyer.

Thursday, August 30

Solitary me with my hand raised with the 'peace sign' to start the hour.  Time passed. A car pulled up, window lowered to ask for directions.  Directions given.  "what's with the peace sign?" driver asked me.  I gave the vigil spiel: "everyday- 5 to 6 - since october 2001".  "Everyday?"  Well, yes, someone is here everyday, today maybe just me. They drove on & I pondered how would it be to stand alone, signless for an hour.
I did not find out for shortly thereafter signs arrived.  Two of us for considerable time.six for the balance of the hour - with a 7th with us briefly.

Wednesday August 29

One person to start the hour, soon joined by two or three more, then even more until there were eight at 6:00PM. Again some strongly felt opposition in the midst of generally supportive honks and gestures.

Tuesday August 28

Three or four people at the beginning, maybe ten at the end. We had a special visitor, a state representative from Texas. He was passing through and heard about the vigil from a Corvallis friend, and he stopped to hold a sign with us for a few minutes. Optimism about Texas sentiment for change disappeared when someone asked him about the political situation in Texas; he responded that it is even worse than you imagine. :(

Sunday August 26

Five people at the beginning, one by one three more people trickled in, so that there were eight at the end. It was cool for August, but still the breeze felt good.

Saturday August 25

Three of at 5:00PM, about eight at 6:00. A family reunion for one of our regular participants swelled our numbers and brought the welcome enthusiasm and games of young folks. :)

Friday August 24

Three at the start, people came and left throughout the vigil, five at the end. Most of us signed the "health care is a human right" petition being circulated by Health Care for All Oregon.

Thursday August 23

Three at 5:00PM, five of us to end the hour. Halfway through a truck pulled over in front of us, to return a sign "ARE WE SAFE YET?" which got left behind Wednesday evening. Thanks! :) Later a couple of us wondered about Derrick Jensen's provocative attack on industrial civilization in his book Endgame.

Wednesday August 22

Four people at the beginning of the hour, about eight at the end. A quiet-ish day, with a couple of regular participants recovering from injuries.

Monday August 20

Four or five to start the hour, about ten at 6:00PM. A young woman walked out of the courthouse to us, to suggest that we might protest the court system. She feels like her side of a court proceeding between her and her ex-partner is being mis-heard in the courts. Again we see much pain everywhere.

Sunday August 19

Four people at the start, six or seven at the end. Most of the responses from passersby were supportive, but one person driving by yelled his opposition, the loudest and most passionate cussing out we have heard in months. It made us wonder, what is there in the message "NO WAR" which draws such anger?

Saturday August 18

Five people at 5:00PM, seven or eight at the end. One friend visited again from southern California.

Thursday August 17

Five to begin the hour, about nine at the end. We talked about canola and GMO crops in the Willamette Valley, and then we discussed a New Yorker article about standardizing knee replacements, in order to save money on health care. There are plenty of issues for people to think about, if they want to.

Wednesday August 15

Three folks at the beginning, maybe seven at the end. A car packed with young men sped by, with all the middle fingers extended. I think it was as much a prank as an opinion, and we chose to laugh. :)

Tuesday August 14

Two at the start of the vigil, then people trickled in throughout the hour until there were six at the end. We were amused by a truck with ears [those less fanciful saw a dog poking its head through a sunroof :)].

Monday August 13

About three at 5:00PM, then nine at 6:00. As you may have guessed because of not seeing entries on Saturday and Sunday, many people were away during the weekend, and we talked about our various trips -- to Portland, to LaGrande, to the Coast Range. A passerby in a "Barack Obama" T-shirt asked, neither friendly nor unfriendly, "So, you're peaceniks?"

Friday August 10

One or two to start the hour, then four of us at 6:00. Small numbers notwithstanding, there was animated discussion of the coming of Walmart to Corvallis.

Thursday August 9

The anniversary of the bombing of Nagasaki. One person to start the hour, then five at the end. We talked some about our gardens.

Wednesday August 8

Six to eight of us during the hour. We talked some about the plusses and minuses of co-counseling, a 1980s self-help therapy technique. One person who has had a couple of experiences with co-counseling in action sees it as often used to evade accountability.

Tuesday August 7

Three people at beginning of the hour, seven at the end. We were joined by two young folks from Germany, visitors to a regular participant in the vigil. We talked about how a vigil against war would be deeply unpopular in some places, both places in the United States and places in Germany.

Monday August 6

Three or four people at 5:00PM, nine or ten at the end. The anniversary of the bombing of Hiroshima went unremarked at the vigil. So much violence.

Sunday August 5

Three people at 5:00PM, eight at 6:00. Much cooler than the day before -- we were grateful.

Saturday, August 4

Phew!  It was hot; our faithful late afternoon breeze was absent.  The shade was well occupied.  An annual art exhibit had filled the South courthouse lawn all day; so the street parking was full and we were less visible initially. The ten of us received quizzical looks and a few conversations arose as patron and artists walked by.  One man found common ground in in geography - having been born in the same hospital as one of our regulars.  He spoke of being in Phoenix, Arizona during the baly-hooed lead up to invading Iraq; said he'd one to a protest there and found it was all a jumble.  Except for the Methodists - they were well organized.  - at least that was the reported conversation.  Maybe it lost substance in the passing along.  I was engaged in conversation as to the merits of urban living relative to small towns.

Friday August 3

Only one person and the signs were there for the first five minutes, but at the end of the hour we had nine adults and two children. We try to be inclusive -- child-care provided. :)

Thursday August 2

Four at the beginning of the hour, eight or nine at the end. There was a visitor from southern California who comes whenever she is in Corvallis; it was good to see her.

Wednesday August 1

The first day of August, and full moon -- things we talk about at the vigil. Today there were three or four at the start, fourteen at the end. A man driving by stopped to tell us about a favorite bumper sticker: "Be nice to America, or we may bring democracy to your country."

Tuesday July 31

Four or five people to begin, maybe nine at the end. Fourth-Street traffic seemed more than usually hectic. We talked about how to cook oatmeal, an odd topic for a hot day.

Monday July 30

Half a dozen people through the hour. A young man who used to live in Corvallis and now lives in Ontario (Oregon) shared flowers from his grandmother's garden. Thanks! :)

Sunday, 29 July

What will we do in 2014 when allegedly we end our war on/in Afghanistan?  Will we be able to call an end to this daily Vigil for Peace?  One says; "we'll be in Iran by then.''  "Syria!." said another.  Someone else says we'll be somewhere in Asia - somewhere we think we can win a war.   Has the US won a war - whatever that means, since World War II?
Quiet Sunday, 3 women, 3 men & a dog.  Gardens and health and the dog's history (unknown as he is adopted).  Exercise came into the chat - would not give up the vigil to go to a gym for an hour.  I suggest a stationary bike at the vigil.  Which led to: how about several and we could hook them up to the grid and add power to the city's electricity during the vigil.   "Peace is Powerful."

Saturday July 28

Four or five at the beginning, maybe nine at the end. Some of us talked, first about families spread out across the United States and then about individual commitments to nonviolence. In between we talked about the length of our haircuts. :)

Thursday July 26

Four or five to start the hour, nine of us at the end. Twice during the hour people yelled from passing cars "Boo!", something we do not remember hearing before. Perhaps ghosts were in Corvallis? :)

Tuesday July 24

Three to start the hour, seven at the end. We remembered the eight-minute short film Balance, filmed in 1989 [http://www.shortoftheweek.com/2007/12/02/balance/]. If you have not watched it, enjoy.

Monday July 23

Four people early in the hour grew to seven or eight at the end. We had three visitors: a supportive passerby, a supportive "biker-by", and an independent who told us (my paraphrase) that, in support of individual freedom, the US military was about to arrest "the government".

Sunday July 22

Four of us when I arrived at 5:30, eight at the end of the hour. We wondered how the people who lived long ago on Pacific islands learned to make their way over vast stretches of water.

Saturday July 21

Three at the beginning of the hour, seven or eight at the end. We talk about the movies we remember, many Westerns and also 2001 [a Western in space? :)]. For a couple of us, The Oxbow Incident, a non-Western Western, comes easily to our mind.

Friday, 20 July

Five in the beginning, peace banners blowing over the sidewalk in the breeze.  Family news shared.  Four more arrived - 3 special friends from Portland - daughter and two grandchildren of long time vigil folks.  The three year old adds sparkle and gusto to the group.  Suddenly the sun vanquished the clouds and two of us take to the shade. Two more come to stand. Conversation stays light.  The hour passes.

Thursday, July 19

Back into the shade today. 7 and one of our Peace Dogs.  Acupuncture is proving successful for the joint problems our dog friend suffers; she was a more lively presence.  A passing woman paused for dog petting and commented that she's missed seeing her when she walks by.  Quiet day after yesterday's various encounters. A young boy vigorously waved at us.  A car loaded with young women    cheered; another set deliberately looked away.  A man lowered his window to shout "hippies."  A motorcyclist passed and sounded the horn - which was a mellow tone like a car from the 40's.
All this while in distant communities not so different from us war destroys the commonplace moments of life.  I feel my privileges keenly.

Wednesday, July 18

Cloudy Wednesday.  Two of us to start, with no signs, we stand, our hands upraised with the two finger "peace sign".  A gratifying number of passers by reply with their own V or friendly waves.  Soon we were 4 and by the later half we were 9.  One of the group was holding an American flag hung upside down on the pole - an always controversial statement.  Today a local taxi driver who has often waved in support of our intention drove up in a roar of threatening haste, slamming to a stop by the flag holder and shouted angry words demanding that she restore it to the upright position. He drove off in a fury.  I am conflicted.  I understand the message of distress signaled by the inverted flag; for surely our militarism imperils our country.  Yet, we are rarely able to appropriately respond to the pained anger this provokes.    Near the end of the hour an man across the street stepped out into the street to shout somewhat incoherent imprecations at us or maybe they were intended as exhortations to greater action.  WalMart  was clearly heard and something about 90 million and war is only ended (something about wealth)by taking to the streets and storming the Bastille.  We ended the hour discussing our confusion over his message.

Tuesday July 17

Seven-ish of us through the hour. We talked about looking for jobs and about the art exhibit about images of plankton, to be opened Thursday for DaVinci Days.

Monday July 16

Three to start the hour, six at the end. A Corvallis man, born in Iran, joined us. He thinks the government of Iran very oppressive, but, though he strongly disapproves of Iran's government, he also opposes a war on Iran. It's good to get a perspective from a different worldview.

Sunday July 15

Three to start the hour, seven at the end. The current New Yorker has an article about the Afghanistan war with a summation: "the United States is leaving, mission not accomplished." It provided the basis for considerable discussion.

Saturday July 14

Five or so at the start of the hour, nine at the end. July 14 is Bastille Day, so we talked a bit about journeys in France.

Friday July 13

A ceremonial vigil joined the daily vigil, to observe recently reaching 2,000 US soldiers dead in the war on Afghanistan (CNN) and more than 16,000 civilian deaths (Wikipedia), likely many many more.  There were about 15 participants, including some from Veterans For Peace and two from Albany. The intent of the ceremonial vigil was to acknowledge our sorrow and our hope for peace in Afghanistan.

Wednesday July 11

Six, seven, eight of us during the hour. We shared some raspberries and recipes for using summer fruits.

Tuesday July 10

Two people at the beginning, nine at the end. We had a welcome visitor from Florida, a man who used to come to the vigil when he lived in Corvallis.

Monday July 9

Six of us at the beginning, people coming and going, eight at the end. The vigil's signature van had not come on Sunday, and we were glad to have it back today.

Sunday July 8

Six at the beginning of the hour, ten at the end. One person brought a seed pod from a potato plant, something none of us had seen before.

Saturday July 7

Seven or eight of us through the hour. A man who years ago came often and who nowadays comes only occasionally was at the corner, with his own sign "PLAY NICE" and blowing bubbles -- summer-y sentiments. :)

Friday July 6

Another hot day with most of us in the shade. The vigil increased by spurts throughout the hour, to finish with nine. I stayed in the sun, where we wondered about the explanation of Thomas Jefferson's distrust of power in the book Drift by Rachel Maddow.

Thursday July 5

Four at 5:00PM, thirteen at the end. A hot-tish day, so that most of us stayed in the shade, but a couple of people braved the sun. We talked about Saturday's "buy local first" brunch, computer problems, and the coming production of Pirates of the Chemotherapy at Albany Civic Theater.

Wednesday July 4

Independence Day at the courthouse. Four people to start the hour, maybe eight or nine at the end. The 2012 Pastors for Peace caravan to Cuba is passing through Corvallis. One person was painting the sides of the bus in the middle of the block, and two caravan-istas joined the vigil and talked about their trip, a month long from Vancouver Canada to Cuba.

Tuesday July 3

A four-person day at the courthouse vigil, with one or two people coming and going. A mechanical harvester which took up two lanes of traffic stopped at a traffic light two blocks away; as it passed, the driver gave us a big smile and a thumbs-up. We feel like we have wide support. :)

Monday July 2

Four people to start, perhaps nine at the end. The hour had some socializing, with conversations about health and our weekend visitor, and some organizing, for the community parade on Wednesday.

Sunday July 1

The first day of July. Three people to start the hour, maybe eight at the end. The woman stranded in Corvallis yesterday came by the vigil again. Again we kept her company most of the hour, and again the hour ended with no resolution of her situation. Helping individuals is not what the vigil is about, but still I am frustrated.

Saturday June 30

The last day of June. Four at the beginning, seven or eight at the end of the hour. We spent most of the hour talking to a woman on her way from Portland to California, temporarily stranded in Corvallis and waiting for an early-morning bus, confused about what to do and where to wait safely. We gave her some company and some suggestions, but we did not find a way to offer concrete help. Maybe there was nothing to be done.

Friday June 29

Four of us to start the hour, eight at the end. We revisited some of the story from Friday Night Lights, about high school football in west Texas, and we wondered about the book's account of how the 1988 presidential campaign of George Bush ("the first") made connections with average Americans.

Thursday June 28

Three to start the vigil, five at the end. The question of the day was, where in Corvallis could you get a tattoo? :)

Wednesday June 27

Half a dozen people. Most days we stand and visit in a compact group, but today there were three mini-vigils, one in the sunshine and two in the shade. "My" group talked about the challenges of riding a bike in Corvallis.

Tuesday June 26

Three or four at the start, nine at the end. Some discussion of where to get repair work for the damaged car and of insurance rules, and some talk of gardens. Still our wars and our presence for peace continue.

Monday June 25

Six or seven people for the hour. One person had had a car accident (no injuries, count our blessings), another a death in the family (sad but also a blessing). For our time at the courthouse, our wars and our presence for peace continue.

Sunday June 24

Four to six during the hour. We discussed the books we have read recently. One I enjoyed is Fools Crow by James Welch, a story from the viewpoint of the Blackfeet tribe of white people moving into the traditional hunting range of the tribe. The author's use of different words emphasized the shift in viewpoint; for example, the "cavalry" that I know of, he calls the "seizers".

Saturday June 23

Four people to begin the vigil, about nine at the end. An exchange student from the Philippines came by with her host family to have her picture taken at the vigil. "Peace tourism"? Several of us were going to the First Alternative Coop annual dinner meeting that meeting, and others were doing longer trips -- across the United States. :)

Thursday June 21

Six to eight of us at one time or another during the hour. A young granddaughter from Portland came to visit, which livened us up and complemented a discussion of older families.

Wednesday June 20

Half a dozen plus for the first half hour, then we were joined by three young men from Saudi Arabia who are in Corvallis to study English. They were happy to hold the sign with the Arabic legend "peace". One person talked to them about the vigil and about political expression in the United States. She invited them to come again to practice their English. :)

Tuesday June 19

Four of us at 5:00PM. After a while, one person left; after another while, one person left, and we ended with four of us (and a dog). A passerby on the other side of the street complimented the dog. :)

Monday March 18

Half a dozen of us through the hour. We had normal support and opposition from the folks driving by, but today much of our attention was within the vigil. As I remember, I heard a couple of stories: one about an Occupy activist proclaiming that "cops are machines"; another about the graduation address of a Benton County high school valedictorian, encouraging his classmates to work to improve our society but noting that his/her own possibilities were limited because he/she was an undocumented immigrant. The stories provoked impassioned conversation about how best to engage with society and with others.

Sunday June 17

Graduation Sunday at Oregon State University. The vigil was quiet until a aerobatic jet screamed through the sky above. We recounted stories of being surprised, even scared, by aircraft appearing unexpectedly, and we reflected on how the people our country attacks must feel about the military planes we send with bombs and guns.

Wednesday June 13

Three or four of us throughout the hour. Near the end we were visited by two high school juniors, one an exchange student from Austria. The other, evidently from Corvallis, took several pictures and asked how often we held the vigil. Seems like many people in Corvallis do not know what we do. :(

Tuesday June 12

Four at the beginning of the hour, maybe nine at the end. The young boy who brightened the vigil on Christmas Day 2011 returned with his father. The participation of young people is a special affirmation for us.

Monday June 11

Three at 5:00PM, seven at 6:00. With drier weather and the return of some people who had been away, for the first time in a long time we put up the Oriental prayer flags across the sidewalk. They are a welcome rainbow of color.

Sunday June 10

Three at 5:00PM, about nine when the vigil ended. A quiet hour. The weather is getting sunnier, so that today the vigil split into a shade component and a sun component.

Saturday June 9

Four at the beginning of the hour, seven at the end. Our talk turned to a frequent favorite, the books which we are reading. Two regular attendees very much liked The Art of Hearing Heartbeats, enough to plan to re-read it. :)

Friday June 8

About eight of us, with some people coming and going during the hour. There were three veterans present, though none from Iraq or Afghanistan. We discussed some other wars, past and present, in Vietnam and in South Sudan.

Thursday June 7

Two of us at 5:00PM, a dozen at the end. One person came to report that that as of this week, 2,000-plus US soldiers have been killed in the Afghanistan war, Operation Enduring Freedom. We talked about marking that milestone with a special vigil in memory of all the people killed in the Afghanistan war.

Wednesday June 6

Today the signs came in a Toyota Prius, instead of our familiar VW van. Three of us to start the hour, eight at the end. We appreciated the young children who offered enthusiastic waves and the young man who offered a thumbs down instead of a finger up.

Tuesday June 5

Five people at 5:00PM, eight when the clock struck 6:00. This was a cleaning-out day. We took all the signs out of the faithful van, discarded a few which were entirely out of date, and put many others into retirement. We hope that the retirement is permanent; it would be good if we never have to carry again "OUT OF IRAN".

Monday June 4

Five, six, seven of us during the hour. We felt lucky to start the hour dry after a severe thunderstorm earlier in the afternoon, but in the last ten minutes a steady rain started and the umbrellas came out.

Sunday June 3

A quiet Sunday at the vigil, about eight people present. We talked about early summer in our gardens and shared some plant starts. And some of us are hoping to go to a didgeridoo festival later this summer. :)

Saturday June 2

Four people at the beginning, seven at the end. It seemed like we had several visitors. A young man on a bicycle stopped to say, thanks for your work, and would you like to trade for the VW van? A serious offer? Perhaps as serious as it could be when you know that the answer will be NO. And late in the hour a woman who occasionally delivers treats to the vigil stopped to give us a tasty quick bread.

Friday June 1

A new month, our wars continue. Two people to start the hour, half a dozen at the end. We got a report from someone who had participated in an Occupy Corvallis protest earlier in the day at a Corvallis branch of Chase bank. Some of us did not know about the protest, some had forgotten. :(

Wednesday May 30

Four or five at the beginning of the hour, a dozen at the end. Some of us talked about the effectiveness (or not) of lobbying the US government in political campaigns. That may be an ongoing discussion.

Tuesday May 29

About eight of us today. A young man stopped to ask whether any women were interested in running for the Corvallis City Council. We thought of only one possible candidate. And a young woman came by to interview a couple of us for a project in a sociology course. Seems like the vigil serves functions which I had not realized.

Monday May 28

Memorial Day, a quiet traffic day. About eight of us and chocolate chip cookies. We talked about how our gardens are growing.

Sunday May 27

Half a dozen of us. We talked about Tim O'Brien's stories from the Vietnam War, The Things They Carried and Going After Cacciato. The stories blend O'Brien's experiences and a fantasy of war. For me they are sometimes hard to comprehend, but perhaps the blend and the difficulty are a metaphor for war?

Saturday May 26

Nine, ten, eleven of us at one time or another. Some discussion of things to do in Oregon, such as hiking at Opal Creek and the Oregon Garden. One person had just visited an exhibit at the Portland Art Museum, Three Fragments of a Lost Tale, about an film being created by the sculptor John Frame. For her, the exhibition's figures drew out an uncommon sympathy for humanity.
http://johnframesculpture.com/portland

Friday May 25

Three people to start the hour, eleven of us at the end. Today three ex-soldiers attended, and two schoolteachers. While we talked about how Oregon schools feel to teachers, I learned a discouraging new word -- "mean-hearted". I believe in "no war", but I often wonder if that is achievable, given the impact of "mean streets" in our culture.
A passerby with a "real" (film) camera stopped to take a picture. We are grateful for her support.

Thursday May 24

Because of rain before the vigil, I took the bus, and so arrived twenty minutes late. Half a dozen of us, and no rain, during the vigil itself.

Wednesday May 23

Three to start the hour, six of us (and two dogs) at the end. Our conversations included tomato plants and house repairs.

Tuesday May 22

Six or seven of us during the hour. We celebrated a birthday with meringues and, of course, chocolate. Many waves, but today no conversation with passersby.
The recent news that the father of the owners of the Chicago Cubs is helping sponsor ads with racially based attacks on Obama is dismaying to the vigil's Cubs fans.

Monday, 21 May

10 is the number with one leaving and another arriving - but 12, in fact, as I recall the two who were there at the beginning of the hour for a few minutes.  Vigil in shifts works for some folks better than the whole hour.  Yesterday's eclipse and a granddaughter's college graduation and a recent holiday in the Cascades (hiking in due to snow packed roads) were part of the conversations I overheard.  Cookies were passed around the group.  This is a peace vigil - community conversation and an eye to the people passing to acknowledge their participation in the vigil.  For, I do regard everyone who responds/reacts as being a part of why I stand there.

Saturday, 19 May

10 for this hour.  Sun & breezes.  Friendly waves.  Some young adults in a speeding car slowed to wave and smile with wild enthusiasm.  A full hour without any negative energy tossed our way.  Conversations turned on aging parents, some in decline another flourishing at over 100, and gardens and an impending wedding.  The insanity of Arizona politics occupied several minutes with degrees of outrage; one woman compared it to Mississippi in the dark days of the 20th century.  Books banned led us to talk of books being read. And, thus goes an hour of peaceable gathering and a careful eye on the passing traffic -- I feel it is important to make eye contact when the opportunity arises.

Friday, 18 May, 2012

World Car Free Day!  I did not notice a particular diminution in traffic this hour; although many of the "regulars" did not drive by.  Early on in the hour a man stopped in the middle lane and called out the window that the sign which says "Heroes are those who refuse to go to war" is offensive to all who fought in wars to allow us stand there.  He drove on before any of us could respond in a way he could hear our words.  We agree that the notion that wars assure our freedom of speech is a common one tossed at us.  I can't think of any war in my lifetime that did anything positive to promote my freedom (or that of anyone else).  Can you?
6 for the hour with some talk of gardens and the blight that strikes monoculture forests; teaching reluctant students & a recent vacation hiking in Utah.

Thursday, 17 May

Seven for much of the hour with four coming later.  Beautiful day.  Beautiful smiles. The driver of a tractor-trailer gave us a cheery air horn greeting. A mom lowered the back passenger window so her small child could give us her regular happy waving peace sign. Today she held up a tiny green and red toy as well; showing us her treasure or pointing us out to her marvelous 'friend'.  We speculate what creature it was. I was reminded of my grandson's knitted red & green parrot finger puppet.
Between the truck horn and the young friend two young men walked past us, I turned to smile and greet them and the one closest announced "Support the troops!"  while pulling back the left side of his plaid sport shirt to reveal an elaborate tattoo in Arabic.  I say, we do:  have no wars!  Others say bring them home.  We speculate  on the meaning of the tattoo.  They had the bearing of recent veterans.
Later in the hour a heavy truck rumbled up the road and as it passed a loud crack - as a shot or a firecracker sounded.  We were all startled and disturbed.  One suggested it was a deliberate back-fire created by the driver. We sniffed the air for the scent of a firecracker.  We think of the young veterans and how that explosive sound could impact them.  We are glad a vigil friend who is a Viet Nam veteran is away today.

Wednesday, 16 May 2012

Election results and the sorry state of politics were part of the conversation circulating between the 6 of us.
We watch boxes of books being taken out Browser's bookstore across the street which prompted some chat about books that we gather into our lives and keep long beyond their usefulness.  But where do old textbooks go?  There needs to be a recycling option for books.  Or a re-purpose center where creative sorts can do artistic magic.
What a crazy world.  How many people yearn for books to read and study?
More adorable children cheer us with their smiles and tiny hands waving peace signs.
After the vigil several of us participated in the annual Ride of Silence, an international event recognizing cyclists who were injured or killed while riding.  Could we create an international day of silence for reflecting upon the millions of lives taken by war?

Tuesday, 15 May 2012

Election Day.  Primaries.  How many will exercise their right to vote? I think of election day images from other nations.
We stand our vigil a few yards South of the path to the ballot drop box; obeying the signs that censor campaigning within a specific area.  It is a different perspective - closer to the traffic signal.
 An array of smiling children waving at us.  I love that some parents lower the window so we can readily see the children.  What do they tell their children about war?  What does a veteran of these wars tell their children about the children of Iraq & Afghanistan.  I'm haunted with only a distanced knowledge.
10 of us.

Monday, 14 May

Small in numbers, hearty in spirit.  Many cars passing bearing people giving us beautiful smiles.  Inevitably, even as I am heartened by the peace affirming energy, I ask myself how it is that ordinary people  not so very different from anyone I see in this hour can be randomly slaughtered in senseless war.
Indeed, how many die or suffer terrible wounds during each hour of our daily vigil?

Saturday, 12 May

Hot!  A few nights this week were just above freezing and today I seek the shade  for the hour.  A quiet few - 7.  Vacation chat.  Work chat.  A bit of talk about end of life choices.  And, a bit of buzz about new business construction downtown.

Friday, 11 May

A bustle of folks today - a woman who has been here a few times in recent years, was earnestly making several points to one patient listener (I later learn that she was advocating Ron Paul, lamenting nuclear weapons and expressing fears that we will yet launch a war on Iran).  An old familiar face has been here several days recently, good to reconnect.  I'd hard a draining day and I moved North of the crowd to focus on the people passing; I like to make eye contact when I can and respond to friendly folks (or to not so friendly folks - they get an even bigger wave)  A passing van had two small children in the back seat - or, at least I guess so as all I could see were small hands waving the peace fingers at us.  I often ponder what conversations happen in the cars where small children give us cheery waves.  An angry man in a gray sedan lowered his passenger windows to curse us: "GO to Canada!  Get out of here!!"  In what is his fury rooted?  Is he momentarily relieved of some  simmering rage or does he drive on with mutters that fuel his disquiet?  Shortly thereafter a big extended cab pick-up with steroidal wheel base and camouflage  decor passes us and four large men turn to wave with cheering smiles.  Who can possibly guess the why & wherefore of it.  Early on in the hour an auto transport truck passed us with a vigorous sounding of the air horn which seemed set off a following flurry of horn honking.  This reminds me of a few years ago when, for a couple of months, a flock of college students (Young Republicans, we were told)  used to stand, one afternoon a week,  across the street and a bit  down the block.  They displayed signs with slogans like "bombs not books"  & "honk if you hate hippies".  Each honking horn brought on wild howls.  Then as now I am bewildered by the both the rhetoric of hate and the inanity of finding it funny.
11 for the hour.
   

Thursday, 10 May

Blustery winds, bright sunshine.  Two people waiting as the clock chimed, two more of us just behind the last tones.  A bit later the van roared up with the signs and the Earth flag went up to snap in the wind.
Soon a sixth arrived with  her "peace" dog ( this smart dog knows the 6 o'clock bell means time to stand up & be ready to go).
A car with four early teen-age girls in the back seat waved vigorous peace signs and shouted a chorus of "we love you"
Two more folks arrived.
My early departure was countered by a simultaneous arrival of two more for the rest of the hour.

Tuesday May 8

Four or five at the beginning, maybe eight at the end. Lovely warm weather. A passerby thanked us, and someone said, "It's no trouble on a day like this." :) Some talk about health, some talk about computers, some talk about trips and vacations -- a miscellaneous sort of day.

Monday May 7

Four or five of us. We talked about the large redwood tree at south First Alternative, cut down three weeks ago, and more generally we debated about the relationships between people and trees and climate change.

Sunday May 6

Three of us to start the hour, about eight at the end.
We shared cookies and debated about whether it would be a good idea to have a vigil T-shirt. One person feared that it would make the vigil a closed group. I wonder, does the vigil now appear welcoming?

Saturday May 5

Half a dozen plus of us during the hour. It was a lovely warm afternoon. Two people had attended a day-long workshop on the nonviolent communication system worked out by Marshall Rosenberg, so we talked a while about that. NVC is a good idea, but a difficult technique to learn.

Friday 4 May

A young woman came to stand with us saying she'd been thinking about Kent State, 42 years ago today; how the students killed had been about her age.  It seemed right to her to join a protest on this day.  I had not thought about Kent State in many years; yet as we talked my mind was filled with those tragic images.
 My conversation with our new companion ranged wide but circled back frequently to how is it that people who are paid by state taxpayers to help in time of crisis take up weapons and, claiming that they felt threatened by the protesting students open fire upon them.  Why, she asks, is it a crime or a sign of mental instability if a student or other civilian brings a gun onto a campus and opens fire on students?  How is that different than Kent State May 4, 1970?  Also, she asks, why is it the same generation as those Kent State students who are still leading protests today?  What happened to create an apathetic gap?

She was an exchange student in Mexico and Estonia.  Her perspectives are flavored by those exposures to other cultures and their politics.  She spoke with some surprise of the presumption that the United States government was manipulating elections in Mexico.  I tell her I am  no longer surprised by the many manifestations of harm our government embodies.

Wednesday May 2

Three vigil-ers to begin the hour, eight or nine at the end. We had spits of rain, followed by heavier shower just after 6:00. We talked a while about elections, both the Oregon primary happening now and the May election for the board of directors of First Alternative Coop; and then about the cultural manifestations of automobile-pedestrian interactions. When you are driving, does it make you impatient to wait for a pedestrian crossing the road slowly?

Tuesday May 2

Six or seven of us throughout the hour, including one person who visits very rarely. Some discussion of the after-combat problems of veterans and local projects to respond.

Monday April 30

Five of us at the beginning of the hour, seven at 6:00PM. Spirited disagreement from a few cars driving by. On the other hand, a bicyclist paused in front of our group, and we had a moment to exchange thanks. :)

Sunday April 29

Seven of us at 5:00PM, eight at 6:00. Just as we were leaving, a carful of bare-chested young men sped by, with enthusiastic shouts and enthusiastic peace signs -- a heartening sign of changing attitudes, we think and hope.

Saturday April 28

Four to begin the hour, eight at the end. We got a report on the health care talk by husband-and-wife Marcia Angell and Arnold Relman Saturday afternoon. One intriguing matter was what Angell and Relman agreed on (their support for a single-payer system was most important) and how they handled their disagreements about details and about implementation.

Friday April 27

Four at 5:00PM, seven at the end. Very threatening skies, but luckily the rain showers were scant. We talked about the election of judges, in particular in the upcoming primary, and wondered whether a new political party would attract support: the Biased and Opinionated Party. It could attract followers of all political persuasions. :)

Thursday April 26

Two at the start of the hour, seven or eight at the end. One vigil-er recommended Battleground America, a recent New Yorker article about gun culture and gun control in the United States. http://www.newyorker.com/reporting/2012/04/23/120423fa_fact_lepore?currentPage=all

Wednesday, 25 April

Three for most of a breezy hour.  With one regular stopping momentarily and two more coming for the last quarter.  Many children in passing cars waved the two finger peace sign and smiled. (There is also that increasingly rare one finger peace sign that may possibly say: "I'd lift one finger for peace."  or "one way to peace."  or is it "UP for Peace"?)  Many friendly horn tootles too.

Tuesday April 24

Four at the beginning, eight at the end. A couple of occasional attenders joined us, and a passerby stopped to say hello to this afternoon's vigil dog. :)

Monday April 23

Two of us at 5:00PM, seven or eight at the end. It was an almost hot afternoon, and for the first time this year the Monday treat was an ice cream bar. :)

Sunday April 22

Four bicycles at the vigil, maybe because of Earth Day, maybe because it was the second straight day of sunshine. There were four of us to start the hour, seven at the end. Some discussion of vegetable gardening, some discussion of magic, some discussion of the magic of vegetables. :)

Saturday April 21

Four at the start, two others came throughout the hour. This was the first warm afternoon of 2012, so that some of us even moved into the shade. We talked about the Corvallis Farmers' Market and about growing vegetables in the Willamette Valley. Some of us are already buying tomato and pepper starts.

Friday April 20

Two at 5:00PM, seven of us at the end. We shared ginger crinkle cookies. :)

Thursday April 19

Three to start the hour, seven at the end. We discussed the story of the redwood tree at First Alternative, maybe 75 years old when it was cut down, and how FA might make it a community project to remove the (large) stones around the stump (which needs to be taken out to get rid of the tree's roots).

Wednesday April 18

Five to start the hour, eight at the end. A few people reported that their dogs behaved oddly on Tuesday night, barking several times during the night. Did something unusual happen that night? But others of us have dogs who slept peacefully through the night.
We considered the LA Times publication of photographs of US soldiers posing with body parts of some Afghanis, and speculated about why they did it, and about how we could respond. ??

Tuesday April 17

Two or three of us to start the hour, nine or ten at the end. Today, Tax Day USA, a protest group, we thought from Occupy, marched the sidewalks a block away, chanting slogans such as, "This is what a rebate looks like." I am in favor of higher taxes on the wealthy, but I am even more in favor of not spending taxes on war. One young man from the Tax Day protest joined us afterward, but we talked about his upcoming move to Colorado, not about the protest.

Monday April 16

Five people at the beginning, seven or eight at the end.

Sunday April 15

The van-ful of signs did not come today, but another vehicle stood in, and we had eight or ten people at the end. As yesterday, we got an encouraging acknowledgement from a car with two or three young men in camouflage.

Saturday April 14

Half a dozen of us throughout the hour. As on most Saturdays, a friend from Albany joined us. Toward the end of the hour three or four cars passed with camouflage-clad young men -- maybe National Guard folks? They looked at us and our signs with puzzlement, but one group waved. Maybe a step in the right direction.

Friday April 13

Three at the start of the hour, six at the end. One occasional participant commented that he had never had bad luck on Friday the 13th. Some folks thought that he was tempting fate, but I think he felt that "tempting fate" was also a superstition.

Thursday April 12

Two or three to begin the vigil, half a dozen of us as it ended. Today several people offered vociferous opposition to our signs. At least they are not indifferent, but as usual we wonder what they object to?

Wednesday April 11

People straggled in during the hour, until we had eight or nine at 6:00PM. Someone in a hurrying pickup shouted through the open window, "I am a soldier!" Seems like our minds are not big enough to accept both military service and peace work at the same time. I was reminded of Paul Chappell, a soldier who served in Iraq and who wrote in his book The End of War that one lesson he learned at West Point was that soldiers work to stay out of war.

Tuesday April 10

Again half a dozen of us for today's vigil. A woman in a passing car offered us a raised middle finger and a big smile. Maybe we can disagree and still smile at each other?

Monday April 9

Half a dozen folks for much of the hour. A passing car offered a definite "one-finger peace sign", we waved back. We talked about the magazine Oregon Humanities: "Oregon Humanities magazine examines topics of broad public interest from a variety of perspectives and approaches", and we shared chocolate chip cookies.

Sunday, 8 April

No, we did not have two Sundays this week.  We did, however, have two people on this quiet, warm Sunday afternoon.  Then about halfway through the hour a peace dog brought her person and we were three.  We spoke of granddaughters graduating and what these times bring for newly "fledged" graduates.  All the old myths are tattered but we keep on living as if the illusions still hold us.
We spoke of dying eggs and family and the family that one finds in friendship.