We humings!

Dear Liberals and Progressives...

Dear, dear humings...

This is a call of arms - not a call to arms of the double barrel, high fallutin' kind but the hold up your hand in front of your body and firmly say "Stop!" kind. I beseech each and every one of you to ground yourself then gather with one another to talk and grow strongly aligned.

After a quick chat with some delightful friends this morning we recognized some very specific realities. I offer them here along with an implorment. I ask you to look at behaviors and follow your emotions. Dig deep... this ain't always easy to deal with.

*The qualifier: I know there are exceptions to my "rules" below, so forgive me if I generalize in order to make my points.

We liberals tend to be a live and let live sort who will fight for others to be who they are and live as they will as long as they... fill in your own blank. Conservatives, on the other hand, tend to want to have things their way (often deemed the "right" way) and by definition don't see as broad a picture of the world as do we.

We tend to "give in" to their wants and turn a blind eye to their activities even when they sting, feel unfair or cause us bumps and bruises. And therein lies the rub... We keep turning the other cheek and they seem to have no trouble continuing to slap and keep pushing us beyond our boundaries inch by inch until we are way over our normal lines of comfort. We need to realize that they are playing a vastly different game of life than we are playing. We need to stop applying our rules to the game. The other side is increasingly proving to us that they are NOT playing by the same rules. In order to regain order, we will need to see their game and rules for what they are.

I would suggest that we stop looking at our conservative brothers, sisters, family, friends and politicians as living through the same motivations as are we. They truly are not. I suggest that we look, instead, at them through the filters of abuse. Whether your own life has been touched by alcohol or spouse abuse, gambling or parental abuse... gather all the information that you have (or arm yourself with some of the vast information available) and start looking at (specifically) the political conservatives in this country and around the world as though they are abusers and we (the liberally accepting) are enablers.

Instead of continuing to cave to their antics and give up way too many of our own comforts and freedoms so that they may continue to "win" and tell the world around them "lies" of their own truth (which I truly believe cause such heinous acts as the recent Norway tragedies... our conservatives' rhetoric can truly reverberate around the world to other unstable minds), we need to send them to their rooms to get real. They need our tough love in order to bring order back to the growing chaos their actions are creating *before* we reach a point of no return and of revolution.

It's my premise that conservatives, by the nature of their conservatism, don't see the same picture that liberals see. They want order and control and a rigid structure around them. It feels safe. Unfortunately, some of them know how to frame things and market their rhetoric so they can scare others (normally thinking, high functioning humings) into following them down dark alleys. All we need to do is to turn on some lights and keep them shining into the dark recesses so those blinded by fear can see there are no monsters next door... there is only the smoke and mirrors of a few super-addicts.

As I say, do the research. Learn the patterns of abusive behavior. We need to step out of their ring and back into our own place of abundance and freedom. Let us reframe the reality. Let us take back the reins in order to keep them from their continued reign of terror.

We are in difficult times where everyone seems to "know the answer" even if the answers are hard to define. More likely true is that each of us has a piece of the answer. Let's embrace our mistakes for the wisdom they have to teach us. Let us calm ourselves, breathe deeply and take back our country from the few. We (the many) have a lot more to lose and more than a lot to gain.

I know it's not currently "politically correct" to pit us against them but! *they* are making it that kind of game. We want to include everyone... we want to be accepting and open and honest. They don't. And, they use our own loving will against us to their own advantage. (I'm not making this up. Seriously, talk to the nearest abuse expert.) We are being abused and we are helping them do it by enabling this ridiculousness.

Arm yourselves with the knowledge. Then tell your friends, tell your family, tell your neighbors. Stand up! Empower yourselves! Say "Stop, no more!" We need to do what it takes - NOW! We can do this... there are vastly more of us than there are of them (those few trying to control the outcome).

Response to Jacksmith's comment to nelliK

I thought long and hard about publishing your post, Jacksmith... it's so full of the same fear-mongering and negativity that we've been exposed to for so long in this nation, that I felt drained of energy and life... until I decided that I you had as much right to your opinions as I do to my response.

I am NOT Kellin (nelliK)... I am his mother. I don't agree with his original post 100%, but am extremely proud to call him my son - He is articulate, thoughtful and unafraid to develop his own stances.

Here's where you (Jacksmith) and I differ. You seem to feel an obligation to beat down your opponent and infuse fear, suspicion and loathing into your reactive post. Methinks you miss the entire point of the Obama Hope Pathway. In order to understand, you must listen, instead of merely to your head, but also to your heart, intuition and the wholeness of you. The political, capitalist, media propaganda machines have gotten so intensely good at leading sheep and urging against using our brains that we people have been *reacting* rather than acting.

You may not truly agree with Obama's mission... that's certainly your prerogative... I would urge you to look at the visceral anger that you show in your response and ask you to wonder from whence it comes? While I don't personally know you in any way, your comment feels as though it is coming from a place of deep reaction, rather than one of calm thoughtfulness. Not to imply that we all don't have plenty to be angry about right now.

I see in Obama someone who is offering change, in ways that I can personally stomach - as opposed to the havoc that has been wrecked on us since before the 2000 election (btw? you may not care a whit, but I have seen Bush and his clan for who they have proven to be for a very long time and was sick when he "won"... I have the same reading of candidates other than Obama).

I see in him a man who can manage the heck out of things, who can keep his people on topic and task, who has said he will bring the best people to the table to fix this abysmal mess we're currently in, no matter *where* they come from on the political scale. I see him garnering the respect that he deserves from those sides as well, out of true respect not suspicious catering.

What are you afraid of, Jacksmith?  All I ask is for you to be as respectful of others as you would hope them to be of you... Take full responsibility for your words and actions... and stay honest, all the while continuing to research and read with an open mind. There is plenty of proof out there to back up *my* intuitives... please make sure that you can find the same to back up yours...

A View from the nelliK

After attending an Obama rally at the Key Arena in Seattle, Kellin wrote the following (unedited):

I believe that this country has reached a great moment of truth in our history. This year's Presidential election has been clouded by many issues that are heavy on the minds of American voters; the failing economy, the war in Iraq, the rising cost of health-care. Watching debates from both political parties, I find only one conclusion in my mind. These are important issues in our country, but solutions shall not be agreed upon without the solution of the one ultimate issue at hand; the lack of unity among our States of America.

My vote this fall shall be filed for one Barack Obama. Many people who identify themselves as liberal Democrats find themselves debating whether to show support for this man or Hillary Clinton. She has much experience in a wide variety of political positions, whilst this young guy has only a few years of experience on the national stage which followed only a few years on the state level. I argue that experience matters not. I personally do not identify myself as either a Democrat nor a Republican; I am an American. I have watched in my development as a young person, the divisions created in this great country. For ten years, stemming from the impeachment of President Clinton, this country has been divided into two demographics; Democrat and Republican, Liberal and Conservative; they are both heavily motivated by political propaganda. Members of both parties are guilty of this, and they have only worsened our situation and further separated our country. The word "United" no longer applies to our country. My deep belief is that only one person in this year's political back-and-forth can truly bring this country together. This being done by utilizing our similarities, instead of the norm of the past decade which has been the isolation of our differences and the creating of fear in this supposed "other side." Barack Obama is that person. He has been criticized for even mentioning political views of the opposing party. This proves the animosity that Mrs. Clinton holds for the conservative base of the Republican party. They return such animosity, in full, towards her campaign for the Presidency. How are we to find unity and peace in this world if we cannot even display as much in our own government and our own country? Barack Obama, though oftentimes voting along party lines, has been true to his opinions and is well-liked by many highly respected members of the Republican party. I believe that an Obama administration would utilize the great minds on both sides of the political table, bettering our country and bringing all of us closer together. Differences can be bridged and solutions agreed upon. What we need is someone who is willing to sit down with an open mind, and listen to what everyone has to say.

I realize that many people who hear me speak of these issues are coastal folks, and automatically have a great distaste for everyone who even speaks of Conservatism. I was raised in farm-country Ohio by two very liberally-minded parents. My town of 1200 people had four churches, all of which were denominations of Christianity. In terms of Ohio voting tendencies, I was in one of the most Conservative regions of the state. I grew up with friends and colleagues who shared very different view-points on a great number of issues; abortion, gay rights, stem-cells, separation of church and state, among many others. Despite our differences and occasional outbursts of frustrations, we were always able to finish the conversation with the acceptance of our differences. We walked away better aware of both sides in said issues, and with a stronger respect for our right to have such debates.
I identify as a Conservative in terms of the handling of the economy. I feel that the best way to find peace among our fellow country-people is to find compromise. Many feel that Liberalism is the best way to go, always. I beg them to realize that issues (such as universal health-care) brought forth by the idealistic fore-runners of the Democratic party require funding. This will mean the raising of taxes, which will put further pressure on an economy that has already stretched to it's respective limits. I believe that the managing of our economic crisis can be greatly aided by the cooperation of wise economic advisers of both the Republican and Democratic parties. We can find unity; compromise and an open mind shall be the tools that we utilize to achieve such a goal.

Yet more changes...

Kellin moved back with us last September, until he decided where to go next. His then girlfriend, Elspeth had started school and Kellin was planning to join her with the intention of also going to school. Things changed, life happened and the two split up. Heart-wrenching to watch such a first love falter and wane... but life goes on...

Kellin left us a couple weeks short of birthday number 20 to move west to Bellingham, WA and is loving it as much as he did adventuring to Boston :-)

Kitty continues to create and design and blow our socks off with her fertile mind. Whether coming up with clothing options for herself or arting in various media, she excels. Graduation is this June, then she plans on working for awhile as she figures out the best pathway to take so she can end up where she's wanting to... with her own boutique and designing to her heart's content!

Khymba is still constantly building with Legos. His live revolves around Star Wars, Transformers and the like. He and I are reading a great series of books together, Pendragon. I'll be amazed if he doesn't end up somehow doing stand-up comedy along with his work with Legos in some way :-)

Steve still works with commercial loans and mortgages with his own business... walking two blocks to work, even in inclement weather makes for happies!

Blythe has been playing all over the place while getting more fully acquainted with the making of bisque dolls... Tha play has yielded sales and is growing a lot of fun arting to come. She's expecting a very fruitful year ahead...

We are also hoping for a positive change in November and the return of hope to our country...

Sdrow nwo S'nillek ni

The new year thus far. (2007-this post was originally written in February)

I started this year visiting the family back in Sleazeburg, Ohio. 'Twas a fantastic trip. Truly a joy, introducing Elspeth to family as well as old friends from work (most notably Gene-o!!) Also, I had the chance to hang with my other best friend, Andy for nearly an entire week. This is something we don't get to do much of despite the fact that we reside only a forty-minute drive apart from one-another. Games were played, Jungle Jim's was explored and we did A LOT of driving that week.
Upon returning to my new home in Reading, we were greeted by Elpseth's parents. The following day, I dove right back into my work at Ecco (a high-end European shoe store.)
Not long after our return, I received news that Mother dearest was planning a trip to visit along with Khymba and Catyana. Excited I was. There trip here was another wonderful week with family. It ended on a note that I shall not soon forget, as that note be branded onto my chest. :) My first tattoo now resides on the left of my chest. Thank you mom for the help with design I say! I truly enjoyed having them as guests (as did the family on this end. :D)
As a wrap up fo this first month of 2007, Elspeth and I joined Emil for one of his beginner classes to assist two of his new students. Following that, we had dinner and dessert at Finale in Harvard Square. We proceeded to make V-Day reservations.

Much love to anyone who stumbles upon this post.

tuo Nillek

A Catching Up

So, Kellin moved to just north of Boston in October and is working with Ecco Shoes (very happily, I might add) while he ponders possible futurings. He's planning to trip to Rwanda (that's in Africa, in case you didn't know ;-) After the first of the year with a group of folks from church. They'll be working with a school there that houses and teaches kids junior and senior high age...

Kitty just started a new job, this is her first day! She's following Kellin's lead (his first job was with The Gap); hers is with (a sister company), Banana Republic. She will be taking her driver's exam next week (everyone cross your fingers!). She has been playing dolls with me for the past year and is having all kinds of fun designing new clothing and other goodies...

Khymba continues to have us in stitches, though he's recently begun giving us op-ed style wanderings. His intelligence continues to surprise and amaze (at least his muthuh ;-). For Solstice this year (yeah, I know... it's early ;-), he got a Lego Mindstorm. We're getting acquainted with that, but I expect he'll start creating his own robots and programs soon.

Steve has his own commercial loan business, here in town, and he's doin' just fine thankyouverymuch! When I figure out how to add links in this thing, I'll link to all kinds of fun from him (and to our other pages). He spent a year in South Carolina (Charleston area) for training etc, but came back here earlier this year. We're thrilled to have him back home!

I (Blythe) have been spending all kinds of time arting... I have several pages devoted to that and since a picture says a lot more than descriptions can, I'll let you wander the links (soon, I promise!). I've also been playing with dolls (including creating them, making clothes for them, and lil extras). Kitty and I went to Baltimore in October to teach a workshop on one of our goodies, we're gonna be sharing the same info with friends next week in Michigan. I'm also continuing to give/help with some services at church. And am currently running the Coming of Age (COA) Program at one of our Fellowships.

In August, the kids and I went to Seattle to attend Lin (Blythe's stepfather's) Celebration of Life Gathering. He passed last November 30 (December 1, his Seattle time). It was a great visit, with family members and friends seeing each other for the first time (in some cases) and after far too long (in others).

Am hoping to keep this somewhat current, but life happens, so we'll see... feel free to email us, we love to hear from family and friends!