A few random thoughts on a rainy Saturday morning . . .
The victories of Cecil Bothwell and Gordon Smith in last Tuesday’s primary election in Asheville were built on hard and smart work by both candidates, sizeable teams of deeply-committed volunteers and the grassroots organizing skills many of them gained working in Obama’s 2008 campaign. Local citizens now realize the power they possess and are using it to excellent advantage.
Shonnie and I have been in Asheville exactly 12 years, having moved here from Austin, Texas on October 9, 1997. We’re having dinner tonight with Ken and Loyd Kinnett, our only two friends when we first arrived.
Jubilee! Community, our faith community is 20 years old, and the birthday celebration last night was an excellent reflection of the inclusiveness, irreverence, joy and compassion that brings us all together.
It was good to see Jeremy Bird, the number two guy at Organizing for America, on MSNBC last night speaking in support of health care reform. Jeremy was in charge of Obama’s highly-successful field organization during the presidential campaign in Ohio, and I was one of his field organizers.
Shonnie and I have finished our fourth week with Crossfit Asheville. Tough workouts (I almost threw up on Wednesday), but we can both already tell the difference in our bodies and our conditioning.
I was surprised but pleased by the announcement that President Obama had won the Nobel Peace Prize. There is no question that he has shifted the U.S. from a stance of confrontation to one of cooperation with the other nations of the world. But more importantly, he personally models and calls on us to act out of our highest values–compassion, connection, generosity, authenticity and integrity among others. I can only hope that this award will provide a greater urgency to get our troops out of Iraq and Afghanistan at an early date.
Two of our cats are sharing Chocolate’s former duties now that she’s no longer with us physically. Desmond takes the day shift with me in my office, and Bandit sleeps with me most of the night. A great comfort, but I still miss my old companion of 21 years.
I’m going to join Cecil at the Asheville Humane Society fund raiser and the Blue Ridge Pride gathering later today to talk with voters. Hope the rain holds off!
Saturday, October 10th, 20091 Comment »
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Glad you and Shonnie are enjoying the program. You both are certainly a pleasure to have in the gym!
See you tomorrow!
Shanna
Comment by Shanna Duvall — October 13, 2009 @ 5:46 pm