Sunday, January 29, 2017

...

This is one of my versions of Simplicity 8059.  I wore it to work on Friday because I knew I was meeting Tasha, who authors the blog, The Tell Tale Tasha for dinner.




These pictures were taken by my coworker shortly before I left to meet Tasha. I'd planned to take a few photos today of the other three cardigans but I just didn't have the heart to do it. It seemed like such a frivolous thing to be doing. Taking pictures of garments when there are people trapped in airports, being turned away from the United States in foreign countries, and when permanent residents (green card holders) of the United States are not being allowed to return to the US because they happened to be vacationing, visiting family, or working in a Muslim country.

I've alternated between crying and wanting to scream all.dayum.day.  I can not believe that we've come to this in America...and then in the next breathe...I can because Black people have been persecuted in America for the last 238 years.

These words kept running through my head all day...

"First they came for the Communists and I did not speak out because I was not a Communist.

Then they came for the Socialists and I did not speak out because I was not a Socialist.

Then they came for the trade unionists and I did not speak out because I was not a trade unionist.

Then they came for the Jews and I did not speak out because I was not a Jew.

Then they came for me and there was no one left to speak for me."
Pastor Martin Niemoller 

Pastor Niemoller was a national conservative and initial supporter of Adolf Hitler but he became a founder of the Confessing Church, which opposed the nazification of German Protestant churches. He vehemently opposed the Nazis' Aryan Paragraph, but made remarks about Jews that some scholars have called antisemitic. For his opposition to the Nazis' state control of the churches, Niemoller was imprisoned in concentration camps from 1937 to 1945.
Info from Wikipedia

One more thought and Imma tie this all together. I was a small child during the 60's and I remember it as a decade of upheaval...Vietnam, Civil Rights, riots on collage campuses and three assassinations - John F. Kennedy, Jr., Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and Robert F. Kennedy.  Up was down, right was wrong and it seemed like we were on the edge of a cliff waiting to fall into a great abyss from which there was no return. I was a small child and I remember the fear and uncertainty.

I've felt that same fear and uncertainty since November 9th...I feel it even more now that he is in office. Because I know that even though it seems like fear should take the day and we should prevent Muslims from coming to this country, I totally disagree with this stance. See I was in NYC when the Twin Towers fell. I didn't watch it on TV from the safety of my living room. I had to come back to the city day after day and walk past the signs where people asked about their missing loved ones. So if I don't want Muslims or refugees banned from entering the country, why do others?

I know in my heart that once they've finished banning them others will be next. Hispanics, Black people, members of the LGBTQ community, women who have an abortion, will we all be banned and censored by hate?

Will history repeat itself? Have we not learned anything as a human race?

So while the world is upside down, when wrong is right, when hate is the currency of the day, and morality has been thrown out the window, I will be sewing (because it keeps me calm and from falling into despair) but I'm not sure I will be smiling in my new garments here. 

It will be a day by day thing because today I can't stop crying...







68 comments:

  1. Your new cardigan is lovely and an excellent use of a border print! I always want to buy border prints but then can't figure out how to use them effectively. Awesome!

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  2. Thank you for your honesty on your blog. I am also so disgusted, discouraged, and outraged by ALL of the president's actions...and it's been like a week?! This last move is so gut wrenching. I just have to figure out what I can do to help somehow. It takes courage for you to speak up though, and I appreciate that very much. God Bless. God Bless America.

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  3. America is already great.
    What makes us so
    Is LOVE
    Not hate.
    I love you.
    Stay courageous
    Beautiful sweater beautiful you.
    Blessings, Baa

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  4. Yes, heavy heart here too. But we have the numbers. We need to maintain our determination and our mutual support. I've resolved to do one thing, large or small each and every day, and write it on my calendar. And to take pleasure in beauty wherever I found it. Today I wrote to Senator McCain, thanking him for speaking our against the executive order on immigration. Rest...and rise. I always appreciate your words. (And a beautiful cardigan!)

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  5. I have followed your blog for awhile and not commented. First I love your sense of style. Seeing the things you create makes me want to put away my knitting needles and refresh my sewing skills. Now as to today's post, I get it. My feelings match yours. I am angry and scared. Just wanted you to know.

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  6. Hey Carolyn,
    You look great in that outfit...it really shows your creative spirit, which I believe will help you get through these challenging times.
    I know the changes currently occurring in our country are overwhelming. I've been spending too much time on social media fretting about these executive orders and their impact. After some time, I've decided to focus on a couple key issue and do something. I'm starting small, by writing letters and making phone calls (I belong to some closed Facebook groups that send daily or weekly actions). I'm planning on doing some training so I can do more. Even though I get upset by something new every day, I feel a little better. I know you will figure out your place in all this.

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    1. That cardi and fabric were destined, it's quite nice.
      Count another in sharing your views. I never foresaw myself being so news obsessed.

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    2. Love the jacket, but, you seem to be getting smaller and smaller or is it your face that looks slimmer. Whatever, keep up the good work.

      I do feel your anger about events but there are an awful lot of people in your corner so keep the faith.

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    3. This website, http://actionforabettertomorrow.org/blog/ has a complete listing of US senators & representative and their position on the travel ban, also known as the Muslim ban, if you are interested in contacting your reps to let them know haw you feel. They also have suggested scripts if you are unsure how to get started. Look under the "take action" tab.
      Carolyn, I won't be offended if you decide to remove this info.

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    4. Laura - don't worry, any information on how to resist hatred won't be removed. Thanks for the link!

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  7. Again, you write so very well what I am feeling. I haven't figured out what I am going to do but I will figure it out as well. Please, please keep sewing and blogging. You are a very bright light in these times. And I love your cardigan!!!

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  8. I am with you Carolyn. crying over many things these days. I would appreciate any info about what actions a person can do that will make a difference, if you are willing to post those here, I would appreciate it.

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    1. I will come up with a list and post it because that's a great idea Andi!

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    2. See one idea in my response above. And again, I won't be bothered if you decide to remove my post.

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    3. I,too, can't stop crying! It's so frustrating, but I feel so overwhelmed with compassion for these people. Here are a couple of suggestions for action, and I believe that taking action will help them and us both. We have to do something!

      https://5calls.org/#issue/recj36jfXehe4RgCE

      https://www.indivisibleguide.com/web

      Oh, and Carolyn, keep sewing and making beautiful things. One day you will be able to wear them and smile that this is all in the rear view mirror. Don't let hope out!



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  9. Beautiful use of a border print...and
    “I wish I could say that racism and prejudice were only distant memories. We must dissent from the indifference. We must dissent from the apathy. We must dissent from the fear, the hatred and the mistrust…We must dissent because America can do better, because America has no choice but to do better.” Thurgood Marshall

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  10. Thursday was my day of not being able to stop crying. Attending organizing meetings and making phone calls to electeds is keeping me from being paralyzed by fear and uncertainty.

    I am helped by reading about others, like you, who are also sad, scared, and angry yet keeping their hearts open. I have to believe that love will win out in the end.

    Thank you for sharing today.

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  11. We have 645 days to figure out how to get those people who don't vote last time to the polls.

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    1. No offense, but I am NOT going to wait. No! We need to impeach that Orange Outrage. Then take care of Pence, who is evil with a mean purpose, and then we need to take back the Senate and House.

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  12. I love your cardigan Carolyn, it looks really nice on you. I don't live in the US but I do have family there who share your views. I'm with you! God Bless.

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  13. I am outraged as well: and a little older than you, I think, as I was a teen in the late 60s. To me, although it was tumultuous, it was incredibly inspiring also. Women and the younger generation rose up as they are again now... and I am beyond words with hope that this will grow. That it grows in strident opposition to oppression and evil fills my heart with joy! Everyone makes a difference when they express love, as you do on this blog, and I thank you.

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  14. I'm with you. This is not who we are--I'm appalled by the travel ban, the proposed wall and revoking of ACA.

    I served in the Army when the Berlin Wall was still up and we *knew* we were working to help everyone be free. Now we are no better than the former USSR. This is not why I served.

    Like you, I am looking for the good in this national mess. Not seeing it, so I will create where I can, write post cards, call my elected officials, attend protest marches and donate what I can spare.

    This has to stop.

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  15. Great cardigan wonderful smile. I hope you can find something everyday that brings you comfort and some joy. Those of us who live elsewhere in the world look on with horror and stupefication wondering if and when the insanity will reach us. How can we stand up and be counted as a voice against such bigotry.

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  16. I saw a sign from one of the airport protests that gave me a boost "First they came for the muslims, and I said 'No! I stand with them!'"

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  17. Don't despair, Carolyn. We will get rid of him somehow. We must also remember the persecution of the Mexicans will be next. I live in Scotland, but, this affects us all.

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    1. Nancy, I am Mexican-American although really I just consider myself American as my family has been here for several generations. And we are being reduced to 'rapists' and 'criminals.' It reminds of the racism I faced in my youth. Sigh. And I was afraid when he got elected. But I'll fight again.

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  18. Dearest Carolyn: You are not alone.

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  19. You could not have said it better....I share your feeling verbatim.

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  20. Thank you for your honesty. If anything good has come from this, it is that I (and millions of others) have found our voice and we will not be quiet any longer!!! My personal goal is to look for ways I can offer kindness to others daily and to choose action to ways I can support my views (write letters, donate $$, march). Blessings!

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  21. Right there with you, Carolyn. My heart, soul and mind aches because of what is happening.

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  22. Thanks for your strong , articulate voice - you are not alone !!

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  23. Yesterday was the first day I cried while listening to the news. I don't cry often, but there were tears in my eyes when I heard that tens of immigration lawyers had rushed to LAX to see if they could help people. Maybe this is the wake up call we need. I am certainly writing letters and marching like I haven't since the sixties.

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  24. I echo your thoughts, Carolyn, and those of the others who have commented. - Roopa

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  25. Your cardigan is great and you look absolutely great. I am with you 100% and thanks for posting.

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  26. Dear Carolyn: I wish I had some magic words for both of us to hang on to, but I don't. I just wanted you to know that I, too, am feeling so much fear, anger and shame that I can't get my head around it. I've spent too much time on line trying to educate myself, but I come away appalled. I'm Jewish, and I lost so many family members in the Holocaust, but I know we are not alone in struggling against oppression. I just never thought that in 2017, the USA would be the oppressors, the haters, the destroyers of hope. Please don't feel you should publish this. I didn't know how else to reach you, but I've learned so much from you and I've enjoyed your postings so much that my heart ached for your sadness, and I wanted you to know it. I keep reminding myself of the Hebrew word "Koach" which means strength. I wish all of us koach; we're going to need it. Take very good care of yourself, your family and especially your beautiful grandbabies. Most Sincerely, Judi

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  27. Yes, Carolyn. I cry too. Many of us do. That, believe it or not, is good. It means we have not lost our empathy and ability to relate to others and CARE. You are definitely not alone. I hope we can prevail.

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  28. I share the same feeling as you. To say I'm horrified by some of the things he's done since taking office is an understatement!

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  29. Just to say "Me too!" Remember, we a legion and don't have to do this all alone, but we do have to do what we can each and every day.

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  30. So hurt, upset, angry about this ban. Thank you for writing.

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  31. I find this ban shameful, despicable, and something I never thought I would see. Yes, history does repeat itself as new generations don't remember or live with what has come before. We cannot ever forget and we cannot let this happen.

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  32. I too am crying, as many are in my real and virtual communities. This is such a shameful and sad testament to our country's highest office. I have made calls and will continue to call, contribute and protest.

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  33. An hour doesn't go by without disgusting behaviour, appalling appointments, infringement on someone's rights, or out and out anti-constitutional acts. I'm not crying, but I REALLY want to punch something.

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    1. Remember when "punching pillows" were a thing? And Dammit Dolls? I think I'll get out some remnants and sew up a bunch for my friends.

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  34. Carolyn, I agree with everything you said- I am so disgusted and depressed by this repulsive man and everything he is doing! Thank you for your blog-I am very encouraged by you and your commenters-you remind us that we are not alone in resisting his actions!! Kathy
    PS: I love your cardigan

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  35. I would like to share a video of teen slam poet, Royce Mann: Rise Up! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jTNTWZLdypM
    And I look for the hope that comes from joining, like this interview with MILCK about her song "Quiet" and the way women came together to sing it at the Women's March in DC:
    https://news.vice.com/story/milck-song-quiet-goes-viral-after-womens-march
    It's OK with me if you do not want to post these, Carolyn. But I wanted you to see them because you reach across many boundaries to touch our hearts.

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  36. OK,one more message of hope from my fellow psychologist, Dr. Glenda Russell:
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cRnb8JVyveU&feature=youtu.be

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  37. I'm watching the news in the middle of the night and got so sad, I decided to look at happy sewing blogs. I just read your blog entry and lordy, we are all so sad about what is unfolding aren't we? I marched in DC on the 21st. I felt so empowered and hopeful. I still do, I guess I'm just tired from the rapid fire bad news of the last few days. Your clothes are lovely and your heart is big.

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  38. I would encourage all to check out www.womensmarch.com. They have a 100 day action plan, with new actions being posted every 10 days. Also www.indivisibleguide.com. I refuse to be quiet and am learning to take action. I will not be gaslighted into submission. Love and strength to you all!

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  39. Our second grade teacher pal got pepper sprayed at SeaTac airport protesting. It was her first political action, and she was shocked at how quickly a peaceful protest was moved against. I'm old enough to remember Nixon: no president is above the law, no matter what he may think. This will not stand.
    And sewing is sanity, and sharing it is an act of kindness.

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    1. Ah Nixon - my first introduction to corruption in the Oval Office! However, I think this group has Nixon and his accomplices beat...they were neophytes compared to this group.

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  40. I saw people being pepper sprayed at SeaTac yesterday on TV. They were peaceful until the police jammed them all against the doors with their police bikes and just sprayed right into the faces of the people in the front row. Other were being grabbed and wrestled to the ground to be handcuffed...disgusting! Even sewing cannot keep me from thinking about this horror. I'm joining my local Indivisble group after marching. Love your coat, Carolyn!

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    1. The thing that's bothering me about attacking protesters AND this is ALL protesters (even the Black Lives Matter protesters, who start out marching peacefully), is that it's our constitutional right to protest. Now there are states trying to enact laws that are trying to get around that right and limit the ability of citizens to protest. People in certain western states are going to look up and their right to protest is going to be gone IF they aren't vigilant. It's like voter suppression, this is a very real problem especially for POC, Hispanics and poor people in southern states. IF you can't vote then the powers that be can do whatever they want.

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  41. Once you've had a good cry, pick yourself up and give yourself a big hug from me. We're in this together. Persons of reason must band together to stop the evil being enacted in our name.

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  42. I love the border print! The fabric is gorgeous and so is the garment. I hope you had a wonderful time with Tasha. You look beautiful as always!

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  43. what a beautiful blog, it really moves me. I'm in Australia and also sharing your fears. But its so inspiring to see americans rising from the grassroots and holding this man to account. love and hugs from my beautiful backyard where its Summer and the parrots are frolicking....

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  44. Hello Caroly , I like your jacket . It is pretty horrible watching what is going on . I am amazed thats so many people seemingly dont get how bad this turn of events can get in light of European history . I suspect that this might actually foster a period of enlightenment when people stop being transfixed by crap TV and social media which only agrees with their particular prejudices . Maybe this is the wake up call the world had to have ??? We have so many challenges coming our way on this planet . We actually have to have a huge shift in paradigm from the extreme individualism we see in the US to a more community minded social responsibility . It is Western societies disenchantment with the unfettered run of capitalism that has caused some people to get pretty nasty and look to blaming someone . TRUMP is using this to his advantage . We need to be kinder to each other to be more inclusive.Getting depressed is so disabling, We need to act local get to know our community . Be a good example and VOTE. Keep up the rage . You are angry because you are decent.

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  45. Thank you Carolyn for saying all that.

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  46. I feel the same way you do about the political events. But then the ACLU gets more money than ever in just a weekend. A burned mosque raised over 650 thous in just a couple of days. An actor wants to raise a few thousand to help refugees and he ends up with tons of donations. We are the majority. I think this administration with show us just how ineffectual a minority party can be.

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  47. we over here watch what's going on on your side of the world ... analysts try to explain things to us ignorant folk by using words like anti-establishment and so forth but damn what's mind boggling to me is that this is the third millennia and it feels like the world is going backwards ... the entire world, and it's getting harder and harder to cling on this madly spinning rock

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  48. Thank you for your eloquence. You have stated what I have been at a lost to manage. That sense of despair is deep. I'm hopeful that there are enough people who finally see the wrongness in this hate and oppression to push back against it.

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  49. And Carolyn, please, please keep sewing and blogging cause I not only enjoy reading your sewing adventures, I appreciate and value your thoughts and opinions. Thanks you!

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  50. Thank you for posting from your heart. I, too, have felt overwhelmed by sadness and anger and many other emotions as this lunatic has come into office. I, too, take comfort in making and doing. We have to keep ourselves whole, if only to fight another day, even when it seems we are fighting for battles I thought were won decades ago. Sew on, lady, I'm with you.

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  51. Ilove the coat and I'm with you and all your readers, and to HELL with TRUMP and all his Cronies
    God bless us all where ever we live in this world.
    janet

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  52. Thank you for your words! I am with you! I wasn't around for the 60's but I have had that same sense of being backed up to the edge of the cliff. It is scary and I have to keep reminding myself that we will persevere as a country. Keep on sewing and writing! The cardigan looks great on you.

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  53. Carolyn, love your blog and what you create. The world is more then just sewing, speaking out against the outrages that are happening in this country is so important. Like the idea of posting what can be done. I haven't contacted my elected officials so often then I have since Jan 20. You have a clear voice of what is going on. Thank You for sharing

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