Marching with 1 Billion Rising

It's Carnival time here in New Orleans! That means parades, parties, and...protests?

Yep. When someone told Emma Goldman "it did not behoove an agitator to dance," she responded:

"I want freedom, the right to self-expression, everybody's right to beautiful, radiant things." 

YES!

In that spirit, on Sunday I participated in a One Billion Rising Revolution march organized by Ashe Cultural Arts Center--part of a Mardi Gras parade.

That's me with the red wig as we prepared to march. 

The Mystic Krewe of Femme Fatale hosted our group of about 30 beautiful, diverse women, men, and kids singing, dancing, and high-fiving the crowds in solidarity against the exploitation of women.

My spouse and kids participated to show that men and boys also need to support an end to violence and exploitation--and the creation of a positive new paradigm in which all people stand together in love, support, and awesomeness.

I first danced in support of One Billion Rising a few years ago, when I was a member of the Pussyfooters, one of New Orleans' oldest adult female dancing groups. 

Diva tendencies? Hm, let me think...

Then, as now, I was heartened and uplifted by the overwhelmingly positive support of parade goers, from women pumping their fists and shouting "You go, girls!" to men applauding "the work y'all do" to boys and girls cheering and waving. 

This is how those of us committed to the continuation of diversity, positivity, and mutual support will #keepmarching and encourage others to march, too. It's not about being against something (other than the incredibly obvious abuse and exploitation of women)--but being FOR a vision of the world we are creating, one revolutionary dance at a time.

I literally danced my boots off--the soles fell off about halfway through the parade route--#NeverthelessShePersisted!

Recycling Christmas trees

How cool is this? In the New Orleans area, we can recycle our Christmas trees to benefit the coastal wetlands.

This was the first year we had a "real" tree. We usually have a fabulous black-and-silver plastic one, prelit and ready to decorate in three steps!

Oh my goodness they were so little!

Which was an improvement over the Christmas Ladder.

Oh my goodness we had no furniture yet!

The Waldorf School of New Orleans sells trees and wreaths as a fundraiser, so we bought a tree, planning to donate it...but it smelled so good...we ended up bringing it home. (Yes, this is also how we ended up with two rescue dogs and a cat.)

I always feel a little funny about paying to cut down a living thing, letting it slowly die in my living room, and then throwing it onto the overflowing garbage heaps. (I try to keep my existential Grinchiness to myself.)

But coastal erosion is a big deal, and Louisiana loses land every year. This means fewer barriers between us and annual tropical storms and hurricanes. Land mass slows them down, so they aren't as powerful when they reach human habitation. Less land + powerful hurricanes = more destruction. I've lived through Katrina and its aftermath. We need to do all we can.

According to the National Christmas Tree Association, since 1986, local governments have collected Christmas trees and used them to rebuild the coastal wetlands, bulking up the eroding coastline with "tree fences." According to the article, these tree fences helped preserve marshland even during Hurricane Katrina.

One year, we visited the beach and saw a line of trees doing their post-Christmas work for the houses right on the Gulf. Pretty cool, right?

At least, I think that's a tree fence and not just where locals tossed their trees.

Cultivating hygge

Have you heard of hygge? It's the Danish art/practice/culture of coziness and comfort, and apparently it's hot, hot, hot right now. The adjective is hyggelig, as in, "Gee those slippers look hyggelig!"


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Because honestly, who doesn't love candles, and warm socks, and snuggly blankets, and police procedurals about serial killers? (Well, I guess I did love The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo.)

It's pretty easy to make fun of, I suppose, but I'm into it. I like the idea of staying home with my family, eating popcorn and watching movies under a supersoft blanket from Grandma Flory. Even on New Year's Eve, my spouse and I watched New Orleans revelers party in the rain--from the comfort of our couch, hot toddies in hand. (We did reminisce about the days when we were in the Quarter, in the rain, on New Year's Eve...been there, did that.)

And I LOVE that it's pronounced HOO-gah. Oh yeah, gimme some of that!

So if there's an awesome-sounding name--indeed an entire culture--for something that feels comfortable and right, I'm on board.

Just call it introvert paradise and hand me my slippers.


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Happy 2017

Can you believe it's 2017? Me neither. But I'm awfully glad. I've grown to love January. Such a clear, blank slate to start fresh.

Well, that's what I'm working toward anyway.

I didn't really make resolutions, exactly, but I have been following Yoga with Adrienne's "Revolution: 31 Days of Yoga."

Today was Day 6, a pretty rigorous core workout, but the episode gives such a great sense of Adrienne's goofy personality, welcoming attitude toward yoga, and easy, soul-enriching sensibility that I recommend checking it out. And then go back and start from Day 1, a very comfortable and relaxing practice!

I've been following Yoga with Adrienne for over a year now, a couple times a week, and I really like her practices. She has tons of videos to choose from, including "pillow yoga" and "yoga for when you're stressed." New videos show up every Wednesday, except during January, when she hosts daily practices. (You can check out the previous years' daily practices, too.)

I'm finding improved strength as well as increased relaxation after practicing at home semi-regularly. I recommend it!