I don't see a miracle, shining from the sky

I'm a writer, a reader and a teacher. I'm a yoga junkie and a theatre geek. What will you find on here? A lot of stuff relating to my passions: books, films, theatre, art,and more.

[sashayed]

Mary Oliver, “Don’t Hesitate.”

[seaoflove]

hilma af klint, from the ten largest, (order: no 5, 6, 7, 8)

af klint painted this series in 1907, to tell the story of the evolution of human life. no. 5-8 is dedicated to adulthood, exploring the third of the four ages (child, youth, adult, old age). the artist was very interested in goethes colour theory, and each of the four ages is dedicated to a certain colour. adulthood is a journey in the mesmerizing but faintly disturbing purple, to a more quiet pastel pink-lavender. af klint uses colour and her unique language of symbols to tell the story of the tumultuous early years of adulthood, and the journey into the more calmer waters of old age. (read more)

[mothersbridalveil]

Charlotte Brontë’s earliest surviving miniature manuscript book with watercolour drawings, ca. 1828

[thevisualvamp]

Write something

[blackchildrensbooksandauthors]

March is Women’s History Month (WHM)

WHM: Courage and Hope: 24 Children’s Books

“You may not always have a comfortable life and you will not always be able to solve all of the world’s problems at once but don’t ever underestimate the importance you can have because history has shown us that courage can be contagious and hope can take on a life of its own.”-Michelle Obama, Keynote Address at Young African Women Leaders Forum

March is Women’s History Month (WHM), a time to recognize and celebrate the accomplishments of past and contemporary history and change-makers. Whether the Black women and girls featured in the books listed are activists or artists, sports or STEM stars, poets or politicians, their stories inspire readers to become achievers. Educators, families, and community leaders can foster courage and hope by sharing these wonderful books with young children and teens. 

For more great WHM book ideas

“A Made Up Mind: 15 Picture Books on Activists”

“Black Women in STEM: 12 Children’s Books”

“15 Books about Young History Makers”

Follow/Subscribe: Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | Newsletter

If you believe BCBA provides a valuable service, please take a few minutes to donate here or via Cash App ($BCBooksA) and support our mission to promote awareness of children’s and young adult literature by Black authors. 

Thanks for your support!

[miseducatedmelanicmuse]

Please reblog, this is so important.

[notoriousthuggg]

I needed this

[amuseinherfeels]

Is this foreal?

[miseducatedmelanicmuse]

Yes it’s a real service. I do volunteer work for a rape crisis support service in my city and texting is one of the features we provide as well. But just to boost its credibility, I tried it myself:

[thatdiva]

reblog to save lives!

[if-i-onlyhadabrain]

REBLOG

😭 Thank you.

[dandelionkicker]

Wow. Thanks

[its-allgoodbabybaby]

I’m a crisis counselor with this service. It is for real and we do care.

Please know we want to help and you are NOT alone.

Feel free to DM me here too anonymous or not.

[magpie-69]

And for the UK….

[thornsnthistles-deactivated2024]

❤ Please share ☝️

[instructor144]

Always a reblog.

[dominanttomkatt]

Reblog constantly 🧔🏻💜😘😋

[modern-politics111]

If Trump loses Florida or Pennsylvania, he will likely lose the election. Here are some ways to help make that happen.

Florida

Volunteer for Florida Democrats, online or in person:

https://www.mobilize.us/ourflorida2020/

https://www.mobilize.us/fl2020victory/

https://www.mobilize.us/florida2020/

https://events.mobilizeamerica.io/floridadems/

https://events.mobilizeamerica.io/flcc/

Donate to underfunded candidates to increase turnout and help flip seats in the house: https://secure.actblue.com/donate/state_slate_florida

Pennsylvania

Volunteer for Pennsylvania Democrats, online or in person:

https://events.mobilizeamerica.io/padems/

https://www.mobilize.us/BackToBluePA/

https://www.mobilize.us/pennsylvania2020/

Donate to underfunded candidates to increase turnout and help flip seats in the house: https://secure.actblue.com/donate/state_slate_pennsylvania

Background on donation options:

https://idlewords.com/panic_decision_matrix.htm

https://idlewords.com/2020/09/effective_political_giving.htm

If you have friends and family in these areas, it is important to encourage them to make a plan to vote and to vote early.

[gotham-ruaidh]

Support the Strand!!

I grew up in the Strand, or at least that’s the way it felt to me. I remember the old floorboards clacking under my Mary Janes, the ghostly grey walls, the magical delight when I found the candy colored books gracing the wooden children’s shelves and the thrill that I could bring home any book I wanted. As I watched my grandfather and dad working side-by-side evaluating piles of books at the front door buying desk, never did I imagine that the store’s financial situation would become so dire that I would have to write friends and devoted customers for help. It hurts to write this, but that is the predicament that we are now in.

The Strand’s revenue has dropped nearly 70% compared to last year. And while the PPP loan we were given and our cash reserves allowed us to weather the past eight months of losses, we are now at a turning point where our business is unsustainable.

We’ve survived just about everything for 93 years—the Great Depression, two World Wars, big box bookstores, e-books and online behemoths. We are the last of the original 48 bookstores still standing from 4th Avenue’s famous Book Row. Because of the impact of Covid-19, we cannot survive the huge decline in foot-traffic, a near complete loss of tourism, and zero in-store events (compared to 400 events pre-pandemic).

As the 3rd generation owner, I have tried to imagine what my dad and grandfather would do right now after they spent their entire lives—6 days a week—working at the store. I don’t believe they would want me to give up without a fight and that’s why I’m writing you today.

What can you do to help?

Visit our website and shop our gift guide at www.strandbooks.com

Visit our stores—828 Broadway at 12th St. (open – 11am-8pm) and 450 Columbus Ave at 82nd St. (open 11am – 6pm)

Give gifts from Strand – choose from books, gift cards, subscription boxes, journals, totes and more.

Encourage your friends to shop at Strand Books.

Spread the word – post about us on your social media using the hashtag #savethestrand.

Shop Early and Shop Local!

The next few months will determine the future of The Strand. Can we count on your help?

I’m going to pull out all the stops to keep sharing our mutual love of the printed word. But for the first time in The Strand’s 93 year history, we need to mobilize the community to buy from us so we can keep our doors open until there is a vaccine.

With gratitude, determination and appreciation,     

Nancy Bass Wyden, Proprietor        

@strandbooks​                                                                                                                                                                                                       

[missingaudrey]

Contact sheets of Audrey Hepburn being photographed while dancing in the early 1950s.

[bellybuttonblue-deactivated2021]

[modern-politics111]

America Needs International Observers to Monitor the 2020 Elections

The global democratic community should treat Trump no differently than other autocrats.

PSA to stay diligent with your 2020 vote

Please remember to do your own research, for your own state, for your own county, on whether voting in person or receiving your mail in ballot and dropping off in person is best for YOU.  Some counties may be heavily affected by mail delays, others may experience little to no delays.

Understand how your county has handled voting machines and paper trails in the past, and whether dropping off a paper ballet is more advantageous, or vice versa.

Register yourself

Register others

Most states allow early in-person voting!

If you can safely vote in person, vote in person.

If you don’t want to vote in person, most states allow mail-in or absentee! You do not have to mail-out your ballot, you can drop it off in person!

Do not panic and cancel your mail in ballot if that is your preferred method!

Constantly check your registration and encourage others to do the same

Vote as early as possible in your State

If you receive your ballot in the mail and want to avoid USPS uncertainty then drop off your ballot at a ballot drop off box or your local county elections office.

If you must return your ballot in the mail, the USPS recommends sending at least 1 week before Nov 3rd, but you should return it as early as you are possible to account for compounding USPS delays.

If you do not receive a ballot in the mail or you later change your mind to vote in person, then most states allow you to still vote in person!

Follow this guide to ensure the integrity of your vote and others, whether in-person or mail-in!

Become a paid poll worker! The Trump Campaign is recruiting 50,000 poll “monitors” across 15 key states to challenge people they think shouldn’t vote. Keep them honest!

Plan your vote here with detailed information on your state regarding whether you can vote by mail, vote early in person, and more.

Axios has also put together a quick reference of voting methods and dates by state.

Another comprehensive list was put together regarding voting dates and deadlines, absentee rules, and answers to other frequent questions voters have, all in one place. Mobile friendly view here.

And of course, continue to hold your reps and senators and state AG and the USPS board of governors’ feet to the fire!

Stay informed

Jennifer Cohn is an attorney and election integrity advocate, covering important developments and information to make your vote count.

Democracy Docket provides analysis and tracks court cases and lawsuits across the country regarding your vote.

[flowerytale]

Emily Brontë — Wuthering Heights

[operaqueen]

Audrey Hepburn painted by Cecil Beaton, for My Fair Lady.

[coiour-my-world]

“The entrance to another world” | “The illuminated tunnel with thousands of sakura-shaped bulbs sparkling in the heavy rain.” | Mie, Japan || godive2000

[seijohsremade]

ways to help protestors if you are unable to protest

everybody has to do their part. as a reference, this was posted on 1 june 2020. if any links are broken or direct to a place they should not, please feel free to add on with corrections. if there is new information with better knowledge, please feel free to share. thank you.

1. donate

do not donate to shaun king. he has repeatedly collected money to “support” black people, but no one knows where the money is.

BAIL FUNDS (ALPHABETICAL ORDER; NOT A COMPREHENSIVE LIST)

note: washington dc and new jersey have cashless bail systems.

bail fund google doc (also includes lawyers for protestors)

national bail fund network (directory of community bail funds)

community bail funds masterpost by @keplercryptids

resistance funds (google sheets; lists bail funds around the country)

nationwide bail funds (split a donation to the bail funds listed on the linked page with a single transaction)

atlanta bail fund

brooklyn bail fund

colorado freedom fund

columbus freedom fund

houston chapter of black lives matter

liberty fund (nyc based; focuses services on people from low-income communities)

los angeles freedom fund

louisville community fund

massachusetts bail fund

minnesota freedom fund (as of may 30, 2020, they are encouraging people to donate elsewhere since they have raised enough money; as of may 29, 2020, they do not have a venmo, as some fraudulent accounts have been claiming, source)

philadelphia bail out fund

richmond bail fund

MORE PLACES TO DONATE

note: more links are listed in the masterposts below.

northstar health collective (healthcare and medical aid for people on the front lines)

reclaim the block (aims to redistribute police funding to help the minneapolis community)

twin cities dsa (provides fresh groceries and hot meals to people in minneapolis)

2. educate yourself

it isn’t enough to sign petitions and reblog/retweet/etc. nonblack people, including people of color, owe it to black people to educate themselves and correct themselves and the people around them on anti-blackness.

note: more links are in the masterposts linked below.

resources and tools regarding racism and anti-blackness (google sheets compilation)

readings on society, racism, the prison system, etc. (twitter thread)

“where do we go after ferguson?” by michael eric dyson

official black lives matter website

3. give out supplies to protestors

people need supplies to protest safely, and even if they bring supplies with them, they can often run out. if you’re able, stock up and hand them out to people protesting. for more supplies to donate, see the “george floyd action” google docs link in section 5.

water bottles (dehydration and heatstroke are not things people should have to deal with alongside bastard cops. if the police in your area are particularly violent or known to use tear gas, get the ones with the sports cap/suction-thing/etc so people can use them as emergency eye-flushes.)

snacks (make sure to take into account that people have allergies of all sorts. foods will have a little label that says “may contain” and then list any potential allergens. write the allergens on the ziploc (or any container you use) in permanent marker, or better yet, write the snacks included in the pack.)

masks (don’t forget there’s still a pandemic going on. also it will aid in deterring facial recognition when the police try to track down protestors,  also part two, if the cops use tear gas, wearing a mask (with the combination of a scarf or bandana) will lessen the adverse effects. lessen, not stop.)

bandanas, scarves, etc. and goggles (ski goggles, swimming goggles, etc.) (see above for explanation on the scarves. same goes for the goggles. anti–tear gas and anti–facial recognition.)

clean shirts (for people who are heavily gassed. also helps deter recognition through clothing.)

wound care supplies (band-aids, packets of neosporin packets or a similar antibiotic, alcohol wipes, etc.; if you can, decant bactine into those little travel bottles.)

a sharpie or another type of marker (for writing bail numbers or emergency contacts on arms, hands, etc. it’s not enough to have your city’s bail fund number stored on your phone; the police won’t give it to you to look it up. give people a marker so they can write it down, preferably not washable so it isn’t easily removed.)

IMPORTANT: KNOWING FIRST AID

tear gas: if you’re hit, get out as fast and as soon as you can. take anyone you can with you. the longer you’re in the gas, the harder it will be for you to see, and it can irritate your airways, making it hard to breathe. if you’re hit, don’t run; it’ll only make things worse on your lungs. when you leave the area, take a cold shower. don’t use hot water (it will only reactivate the agent); don’t bathe (it will only spread the CS around). (source 1) (source 2) (cdc fact sheet on tear gas)

move them to a clean and ventilated area where it’s as safe as possible.

ask them if they’re wearing contact lenses. have them remove it. if they’re wearing glasses, rinse it with water.

solution of half liquid antacid, half water. spray from the inside going out, with the head tilted back and slightly towards the side being rinsed. if they say it’s okay, open the eye slightly while doing this. (source)

bullet wounds: the most important thing is to stop the bleeding. be sure to check for an exit wound and cover that as well. treat both wounds, but treat the worse one first.

stop the bleed (youtube video by uc san diego health)

first aid in active shooting scenarios

making a tourniquet (a commercial tourniquet is best, but improvised ones can work as well if done properly; the most important things to remember is that tourniquets are for limb injuries and are not meant for the head or torso and that they have to be very tightly wound on the injury.)

how to apply pressure dressings

miscellaneous

adult cpr tutorial (youtube video by cincinnati children’s; think of “staying alive” by the beegees or “uptown funk”)

4. be a source of information

be responsible with this. people’s lives are at stake. that being said, the media is a fucking joke and the best way to get accurate information in a grassroots rebellion is amongst ourselves. record everything, but if you are going to share any information at all, be sure to blur people’s faces.

signal (encrypted messenger app; messages delete after x amount of time): app store | google play

tool for scrubbing metadata from images and selectively blurring identifiable features

tech tips to protect yourself while protesting (by rey.nbows on tiktok, via vicent_efl on twitter)

cop spotting 101 (google docs)

know your rights (by personachuu on twitter)

NUMBERS TO CALL FOR ARRESTED PROTESTORS (ALPHABETICAL ORDER; SOURCES LINKED TO THE NUMBER)

remember to keep phones OFF unless absolutely necessary. cell phone towers, stingrays, location notifs can all be used to track you and other protestors. don’t fuck around. if your phone must be on, keep it on airplane mode as often as possible and only communicate using encrypted methods. no, snapchat doesn’t count. (a twitter thread on stingrays, for those interested)

lawyers assisting protestors pro-bono (by riyakatariax on twitter)

atlanta: 404-689-1519

chicago: 773-309-1198

minneapolis: 612-444-2654

5. miscellaneous links and links for protestors

masterpost of petitions to sign, numbers to call, places to donate, and more (carrd by dehyedration on twitter)

#blacklivesmatter (google docs by ambivaIcnt on twitter; includes information on relevant events, other masterposts, lists of petitions and donation links, how to protest safely and protests to go to, and more)

george floyd action (google docs; includes information on apps to download, supplies to buy and donate, places to donate to, protest safety, resources on unlearning racial bias, and more)

how to get out of ziptie “handcuffs” (by finnianj on tiktok, via katzerax on twitter)

how can i help? by @abbiheartstaylor

how to make a signal-blocking cell phone pouch

tips for protestors by @aurora00boredealis

twitter thread for protestors (by vantaemuseum on twitter)

also, if you’re protesting, change your passcode. make it at least 11 characters long and don’t use facial/thumb recognition.

[artfoli]

The Hydra, 1904-07, by Gustav Klimt (1862-1918)

[davidlynch]

The Red Shoes (1948) dir. Michael Powell & Emeric Pressburger Drawings executed by Hein Heckroth & Ivor Beddoes 

[insomniac-arrest]

It’s okay to be annoyed at social distancing. It’s okay to be disappointed your favorite event was canceled or frustrated with online classes or online work. It’s okay, feel the way you’re feeling, we need room for that.

But remember, herd action is a powerful thing, we aren’t doing this for just you or me or one single person. We’re doing this for the elderly and immunecompromised, we’re doing this for the health care professionals so they don’t get too overwhelmed. We’re doing this for more than just ourselves. This is collective action at work.

And it is the group that lifts that barn when no one person can

it is the group that takes turns talking to the man down during the worst day of his life

it’s the group that gets out the wet wipes and quietly takes down hate symbols

and we don’t do that for ourselves. We do that because there is a love for strangers, a love for people we don’t know, and a dedication to others that is more than just “me” and “survive” and us vs them.

It is easy to feel alone in these times when we are literally meant to be alone, but this too is a means of care, this too is an act of love. And I think, I really do, I think that’s worth holding onto.