We have a charming tradition in our household of trading the responsibilities of making a toast before each meal. Tonight it was my turn but adequate words could not find their way out. As you know, I have spent the past few weeks taking stock of my priorities, goals and dreams. I wonder how many millions of Americans around me have been doing the same. We have been swept up in a tidal wave of global consciousness that we are riding into January 20th, 2009. There is no denying the electricity in the air. At times, I wasn’t so sure that I’d make it to this place with all my limbs… or at the very least- a majority of my mental facilities. It seems like a lifetime ago that I was riding in my new girlfriends Jeep when we turned onto 3rd Ave and faced a sea of protesters filling the streets. That was March 19th, 2003 as the president’s proclamation of war filled the airwaves.

But tonight, I look out my window into the deep fog that envelopes my beloved city and I feel that the haze will soon be lifting. And that tomorrow morning, it’s more than just another day that awaits. In that spirit, I raise my glass to a new era. To each and every individual out there that donated time to serve our communities today because I believe that is what shows America’s true colors. It’s what I find most promising right now- the prospect of ending the divisions that have been the centerpiece of the last eight years and moving beyond those petty barriers. Because we are not just blue or red, black or white, muslim or christian, queer or straight. We encompass all of those things and so, so much more. Cheers to the end of this era scarred by fear-mongering propaganda, religious extremism, social injustices and smothering deceit. Cheers to the dawn of a long awaited intellectual discourse among us all as we take on the enormous task of rebuilding our country. And of course, cheers to our soon-to-be-President Obama, for inspiring millions to again put power behind the words “by the people, for the people”.

With the recent passing of Prop 8, protests have erupted all over the country. I would liked to have been at the march here over the weekend but we had a late night Friday and damn, activists sure do get up early in the morning! That doesn’t negate the feeling of pride that I’ve had looking over the photos and seeing a huge rainbow flag peacefully marching through the streets of my city. It has felt like a new dawn approaching since November 4th and many of us are just wondering, what’s the next step?

I must admit that at first I was both excited and disappointed in Obama’s newly launched site, Change.gov. It was pretty miraculous to have a transition site launched in the time frame that they did it but I was discouraged to not see any LGBT issues on the 1.0 version of the agenda. Then the agenda disappeared altogether but alas it was only temporary.

I’m happy to report that the Civil Rights section now hosts several issues on the agenda that are very important to myself and other LGBT readers and supporters…

• Repeal Don’t Ask-Don’t Tell

• Support Full Civil Unions and Federal Rights for LGBT Couples & Oppose a Constitutional Ban on Same-Sex Marriage (I assume this means that states would decide if there is a difference between a marriage and a union?)

• To pass the Employment Non-Discrimination Act, to prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity or expression.

• Implement a comprehensive national HIV/AIDS strategy to reduce HIV infections, increase access to care and reduce HIV-related health disparities.

• To strengthen federal hate crimes legislation and expand hate crimes protection by passing the Matthew Shepard Act.

Yes, we still have a long way to go but it certainly feels good that our country is beginning to recognize us as citizens, as people, and also recognizes SCIENCE as a vital part of our existence. We may have to fight the H8ters but we have the power of the hope and community on our side.

Life on “the plantation” is an ongoing adventure that bonds us to our home more each day. Some friends come by and see the yard, with it’s towering tomato plants and scattered pots of herbs and can only say, “Looks like a lot of work!”. Sure, there is labor involved but it’s certainly one of love. Is there any better of a reward than to taste a ripened tomato, fresh from the vine, that’s still warm from the sun? Or the slight twang of fresh pineapple mint that’s infused in a pitcher of sun tea all afternoon? I think not.

We managed to get a few big things done this weekend around the house. The majority of our herbs are now harvested and dried, and it was actually a therapeutic process. While Lach took Ruby in for an oil change Saturday morning, I bundled up in the rain and brought in arm loads of two different kinds of sage, pineapple mint and what was left of the Italian basil. After she got back home, we carefully washed and sorted herbs while we sang aloud to musical favorites blasting from the iPod. And yesterday, while my honey was playing reffing soccer, I managed to get the compost bin built in a corner of the yard. Now if it would only stay dry enough for me to mow so that I can begin to fill it with leaves and grass clippings, I’d be a happy composter.

Why go to all this trouble? For the love of food, of course! I’ve come to the conclusion that FOOD is my favorite romance language. Read the rest of this entry »

September is always one of our favorite months in Seattle and I hate to see it coming closer to an end. Today is the first day that I’ve opened the door and felt a cool mist in the air. My mind has already been full of “fall preparations” for the garden and yard but the coolness in the air brought on a new sense of urgency. For the last week, the Canadian geese have been singing “compost now, we’re heading south!”

Slowly but surely, we’ve been scratching things off of the to do list but as anyone with a yard or land knows, fall is a good time to break out the tools and start the clean up. We recently cut down two small Asian pears that were diseased and trimmed the hedges from hell. The most pressing issues in the game plan right now are Harvesting, Composting and Winterizing. Read the rest of this entry »

I’ve had a really hard time deciding to blog or not to blog so many thoughts that I’ve had lately. My mind, like the media, is filled with politics and the heavy burdens that lay at risk with this election. RSG did a great job of laying out many of the reasons that I have found myself quiet in the last couple of weeks. There is a lot at stake for those of us who so desperately desire to live in a progressive, and not a divisive, America.

It may take me some time to explain how it felt to be in California again. To stand on the beach and know that if we lived in this state, it could be our own petals on the sand representing the trials and triumphs of our life together. I had to catch my breathe, and my tears, as we were visiting the Hillcrest area for brunch and I saw two handsome guys placing “No on Prop 8” signs in the back of their car.

It’s with those images in my head that I came across this video today of behind the scenes footage from Ellen & Portia’s recent ceremony. I think in the end, real people like this will prove to be the best defense against Proposition 8.

UPDATE: Ellen’s mother, Betty, has set up a wedding registry to donate against Prop. 8. Via Joe.My.God.

It’s been a while since I’ve made any comments in regards to anything political but it’s hard not to pay attention to politics when it’s on virtual surround sound throughout the web and newscasts. A couple of days ago I was reading about McCain giving a speech to small business owners and trying to convince them that Obama’s policies are “bad for business”. He was interrupted by a comment that has stuck in my mind: “War is bad for business”. How true that is and we are all feeling it… at the gas pump, at the grocery and at the ATM. It’s no surprise that the economy has become the first issue of discourse, considering it’s the #1 concern on the majority of Americans’ minds these days.

So many of us are looking for ways to both cut back on our expenses and to be better stewards of the earth. Everyone seems to feel the slight lump in the back of our throats that nags us to skip on that new pair of shoes or that more expensive bottle of wine. (Note that I didn’t say give up on the wine, because theres always good and cheap stuff if you know where to look. Plus, there are days when I’d forgo food for a glass of red.)

I’ve noticed a growing theme in the blogsphere in the past few months and it is bursting with changing attitudes and lifestyles. I know I’m not alone when I say that I’m tired of finding fear in every headline. Rude Cactus summed it up perfectly, “Iran is somehow going to find a way to kill us all. Well, those of us not gotten by global warming, small electronics or tomatoes.” The headlines are increasingly ridiculous these days but thankfully I find hope in the lives of my on(and off)line friends…

Weese has been letting go of the notion of a perfectly manicured lawn and recently traded in her gas mower for a reel one. Major props for that because my one time mowing the yard with our reel mower left me barely able to get off the couch for the next 3 days.

RecoveringStraightGirl just invested in a reeeally gay electric bike to combat her gas consumption. Sassy & Fran have integrated carpooling into their routine. We’ve also looked into these retro electric scooters for running local errands around the neighborhood. I really want to go test drive one.

Trop reminded me of the joys that can be had at home while camping out in the back yard. Once I get my long desired fire pit, I may just pitch a tent for a couple nights too. I know Sumi would love it.

I know many of us are growing our own food supply. Thankfully I included several tomato plants- salmonella FREE! I have an in depth garden update coming soon but all of this pondering has sent my mind on a tangent. I know I’m not the only one whose focus has shifted so, tell me, what other changes have you made or seen due to the economy?

We all know that “money talks” and sometimes I feel guilty about what my money has to say. We all, at some point, have gotten wrapped up in the excessive consumerism that engulfs our culture before we’ve even finished our leftover turkey. Then, of course, there’s the whole freaking holiday marketing in itself. I’ve working in the ad/design industries long enough to be sickened by it even more so than the average folk who are cussing the Christmas music at Halloween. This has all been on my mind since reading Guy’s thought-provoking Thanksgiving post…

All the bounty that we are supposedly thankful for here comes at someone’s expense.

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