Kathy and I headed to Topeka at 8:30. We stopped at McDonald’s on Kansas Avenue for a potty stop before we went to the Capital. Food was good but service was exceptionally slow.
Not a very big turnout again today for the rally. I am struggling going to them as most of the signs are negative. We need to stop with the hate – on both sides. Countering hate with hate keeps us in a low vibration and doesn’t allow for problem solving energy to come forth.
They did fix the loud speaker problems they have been having. They had encouraged people to bring noise makers so Kathy and I stayed back a bit as loud noises are not my thing.
I made a sign that had a red heart on it and below the heart were the words “Love in Action”. Kathy used the sign I had used two weeks ago that said “I stand in love with all. Free hug”. Kathy got several hugs today.
I hope the low turnout for the last two rallies is because it is summer time and people are on vacation and not because people are giving up. It does seem the rally’s and protests do not seem to be accomplishing much short-term. We are in it for the long-term but it is hard to keep people engaged for the long-term.
There is another rally planned in Topeka for Labor Day weekend and another national rally one being called for in two weeks. I think I will attempt to organize another one in CWF in two weeks. I want a rally where love is the theme and we work to build bridges between the two sides. I have been told I don’t need a permit for a rally like the one I had last time. I will sit with this over the weekend and if I decide to go for it I will get a post put together.
Since we stopped for breakfast before we went we weren’t hungry and came straight home. We didn’t stay for the rally march as they chant things I don’t feel comfortable with.
Kathy got a letter from an application she has sent in. I need to write a letter and gather the information they are requesting. We don’t have a paper trail for what they are asking about so am sitting with it and trying to figure out the best way to respond.
Sent a note to the Detention Center to find out if they have any urgent needs. They told me they are short on stamps again. I need to talk to them Monday as I have given them over 600 stamps which should have been enough for four weeks. I think they are doing the cards once a week and this is only the second week so not sure the math makes sense. I’m sure there is an explanation for it, I just need to understand their process and needs so I can keep this project going.
I did notice on their list of detainees that they are over their capacity of 148. Sometimes the list isn’t completely accurate. I will check on that Monday too. It would not surprise me to learn that they are being forced into an overcrowded situation. Not a lot of planning went into the current push to pick people up and little thought was given as to where to put them. Wonder if the Detainees are spending more time at the Detention Center before they can get processed out? I would assume that process is backlogged too.
Made a peach cobbler and bakes some peaches when I got home from Topeka today. The cobbler is delicious and I haven’t tried the baked peaches yet. The cobbler was my dinner tonight! The peaches are nice and big and only a few are fully ripe. It is nice to have some time to get the box worked up.
No plans for next week except a lunch meeting on Friday. I have lots of empty space right now. Time for me to find some good trouble to get into!
Feeling a bit empty this evening. Being in a group wears me out. I had to put an energy bubble around me to help keep the negative vibes away at the rally today. On one hand I am glad I went yet on the other hand I’m not sure it does any good. I think I need to keep my focus on my Love in Action project and figure out ways to expand it. Solutions are not going to come from our elected officials- they are going to come from the bottom up.
Grateful for another cool, summer day, grateful for the privilege of being able to peacefully demonstrate, and grateful for fresh juicy Colorado peaches.