Month: October 2023

PCRF communiqué

Date: October 14, 2023

A Humanitarian Catastrophe Unfolds in Gaza – An Appeal to the International Community

A catastrophe of unprecedented proportions is unfolding in what many refer to as “the most densely populated territory on earth”…the Gaza Strip.  Over the course of the last week, Gaza has plunged into a deep trail of destruction and unimaginable human suffering. The non-stop Israeli military bombardment of the civilian population in Gaza has now claimed over 1800 innocent lives, one-third of whom are children.  Over 500,000 people have been displaced and are seeking shelter in UN schools that have reached capacity. The IDF ordered one million people to evacuate northern Gaza for the south within 24 hours (as of yesterday, October 13th) in anticipation of an Israeli ground invasion.  This is being done without guarantees of safety or return to their homes, and what international legal experts say amounts to the forced transfer of inhabitants in violation of international law.

Essential resources like electricity, water, and food have been deliberately cut off, pushing the civilian population to the brink of desperation. The deliberate severing of vital services such as electricity, water, and food has magnified the suffering of Gaza’s people. Hospitals are overwhelmed and unable to provide adequate medical care due to the lack of medical supplies, electricity, and clean water. Emergency medical aid is being denied entry, ambulances are being bombed and vehicles carrying aid are being targeted by airstrikes. The urgent intervention of the international community is critical now more than ever.

In the face of this grave humanitarian crisis, it is imperative that the international community responds with unprecedented urgency and determination. The situation demands decisive, immediate action to alleviate the immense suffering of the over 2 million people trapped in a 140 sq. mile territory, roughly twice the size of Washington, D.C.

PCRF joins other humanitarian organizations and people of goodwill in calling on the international community to provide immediate humanitarian aid, intensify diplomatic efforts for an immediate ceasefire, ensure accountability for violations of international law, and actively support Gaza’s reconstruction. Silence in the face of such tragedy is complicity, and the time to act is now.

For any inquiries, please contact: Steve@pcrf.net

To Donate to PCRF’s Gaza Relief Efforts,  go to our website at www.pcrf.net

The Palestine Children’s Relief Fund (“PCRF”) is a 501(c)(3) Federal Tax-Exempt U.S. Organization that provides free medical care to thousands of injured and ill children annually who lack local access to care within the local healthcare system in Palestine and other countries in the Middle East.

I’ve donated to PCRF twice, once a couple of years back and once in the last week. My donations were miniscule but I made them.

If you would prefer to donate in North America to try to stop this mess, here’s an interesting alternative.

halos on Mars

isn’t it stunning? This is actually a computer graphic, but apparently that’s what they’d look like. Researchers sought them but haven’t found them yet.

 

I have a month to get ready for Orycon. I have to admit that I’m jealous of all of Shad’s wonderful patches she’s sewn onto her guitar case, so now I’m going to announce my probably useless plan to sew patches on MY guitar case (Smokey’s going to the con, I don’t know if both ukes and the mando are going. I really want to take the dulcimer but then I keep thinking I’ll borrow Jeff C’s but I’m not 100% sure he’s going. Anyway, I have to figure all of that out. ANYWAY while tearing my craft boxes apart for patches I found Granny’s little Hummel girl on mesh, so SHE’S going on my guitar case and then I can carry Granny around with me every time I sing and play. I’m going to try to find some of the crochet work Grandma Zoos made and tack that on too, mebbe make a mesh pocket of it.

I need to select, assemble and print/PDF a filk-büche, practice until my fingies hurt, sew some patches, select and pack clothing,

Brief break for crafty Black woman! I freaking love the hat.

SHAD’S HAT THAT SHE CROCHETED AS PART OF HER CARPAL TUNNEL THERAPY. (SHAD IS CINDY, CINDY IS SHAD.)

is it not of surpassing excellence and tremendous beauty???? SAY IT ALOUD

So I’m ripping stuff apart in the craft area of my room (which I have to compress down into JUST ONE BOX lol AND I FOUND THE PERFECT PURPLE SPARKLY EMBROIDERY FLOSS TO MEND MY PURPLE TIE DYE TSHIRT WITH. SO I guess this morning has been a success so far.

I’m going to the Con!

 

 

Early one morn on a unicorn, well, I launched a rocket ship!
and I wore my silks and tie dyes and gave mundane life the slip
It cost me more than I could afford but I had to take the trip
for I have you all to thank that I’m a filker!
We sing the sweetest music and we laugh the loudest laughs
The robots sell their spares to hear, the wizards pawn their staffs
the circle calls in the function halls for a chorus fine and free
You can keep your wretched autotune –

it’s a filker’s life for me!

Good Omens fandom

One of the reasons I’m a Good Omens fan is because, WHATEVER THE GENDER PRESENTATION AND SEXUALITY OF THE PEOPLE TAKING LEAD ON MAKING IT, they specifically support gay and trans youth. Tennant and Sheen are also phenomenal actors (Sheen better than Tennant but only because he has a bigger wheelhouse, ie, the universe). But I can’t help but unironically love an actor who gets pinged on twitter and has this to say.

so many other artists and writers came out to dance up and down in agreement.

 

that’s the kind of energy I want in my life, especially when everything is turning to shit quite this runnily. I guess watching those NOVA programs about how Earth got to be able to be so alive has me going, too.

Not pouting

Dave called me and asked me what I was pouting about and I COULDN’T REMEMBER so I said I’d stopped, since I had. Lovely phone call.

I am not particularly writing but I am stewing, cogitating, remarking and positing, so there you go.

The Israelis didn’t learn anything from the Holocaust, as seems currently evident.

The Russians are bringing EVEN OLDER vehicles to the fray, and they can’t even hit a train.

This morning I saw three different photos of three different sets of Orthodox American Jews protesting the war. (They all dress different.) I’ve been around a long time and I’ve never seen that before. They were specifically saying things like this is all on Netanyahu.

Weather has been unexpectedly glorious, so I think this is our sunny period in mid October which is standard for around here.

Katie hosted Rynn and Alex for a sleepover last night at where she’s living now – Dax’s place. Katie didn’t say anything – her expression was capacious – but I’ve met Rynn and I can only imagine what two lively 9 year old boys can get up to at least in terms of volume.

I ran the dishwasher yesterday, go me, and ate home made salad and store bought pecan pie for dinner last night. Other than that I don’t think I did much, except watch TV and noodle on the internet. Oh right, I dropped the car off and walked back. I won’t get it back until Monday so Jeff helped me pick up Alex yesterday.

COMPLETELY quit twitter yesterday. Friday the 13th is as good a day as any.

The Echo Paul loaned me hasn’t had any maintenance since we put the O2 sensor in after Tammy’s last visit here, and not much before that, and the bushings are shot, the heat shield for the exhaust is shot, and there’s a light burned out on the dash so that I wouldn’t know if the brakes were shot. SO YES it was about time. I’m driving my grandson around in that car and Keith wants to borrow it to take his dad to the States so he’s not putting wear and tear on his own car. Given that there’s a busted tail light (thanks ASSHOLE IN THE GUARDIAN DRUGS PARKING LOT) there’s no WAY they should drive down the I-5 into Seattle without repairs first. The f’n highway patrol loves nailing tourists for that shit.

 

Having a pout

I am pouting. I know what I’m going to do about it though, I’m going to concentrate on my own problems and give myself a break from anyone else’s.

Alex will be here shortly. I’ve laid out all my pills for a week, and started the dishwasher, and booked the Echo in for work today, and started drafting a list of the songs I’ll put into the Allegra Filk Büche.

IT WAS SO NICE TO SING WITH CINDY YESTERDAY.

OH HE BROUGHT DONUTS FROM HIS MOTHER.

war crime

So…. the pretty and energetic Filipina packing my schlepping bags this morning said that she’s worried sick about her brother in Beersheba.

“Holy shit,” I hear myself say. Beersheba’s like 50km from Gaza

“He’s a nurse. The Israelis won’t let him leave.”

So, not to put to fine a point on it, if the Israelis are preventing him (he’s either Filipino or Canadian, she wasn’t clear on that and I never ever ask anyone about their citizenship status any more, it’s like the least anarchist thing you can possibly DO) from leaving a war zone because he won’t help heal their soldiers…. that’s a war crime. It would be different if he was a citizen, and he wouldn’t expect to be able to leave.

So here I am 10,755 km away from Gaza and the war – and the geopolitical crap it brings – is in my grocery store.

as you may recollect I bought Mike a Palestinian kuffiya for his birthday this year, a presentiment of a sort I suppose.

This is the public statement of the business – one of the last factories in Palestinian territory – Harbawi.

Our thoughts on the last few days…
As we go about our daily lives, it’s crucial to pause and consider the escalating crisis in Gaza and the broader region.
The Israeli government’s threatening rhetoric, including comments from Prime Minister Netanyahu about turning Gaza “into a deserted island,” raises significant concerns. These are not merely words but a chilling portent for the people who live there.
In this environment, it’s heartbreaking to think that the Israeli military, one of the most technologically advanced in the world, directs its might not solely at armed militants but also at vulnerable civilians.
These aren’t just statistics or casualties of war; they are fathers who may never again hear their daughters’ laughter, mothers who may never see their sons take their first bike ride, and young people with dreams of changing the world. Each one deserves more than a life of mere survival; they deserve a life filled with dignity, love, and opportunity.
It’s essential to highlight that at the core of this ongoing conflict is a system of apartheid that perpetuates inequality, violence, and the violation of human rights.
We at Hirbawi stand firmly in the belief that every individual—regardless of religion or ethnicity—deserves equal treatment. This foundational principle of equality has the power to dismantle the walls of racism and apartheid that have been erected over decades in Palestine.
For a just and lasting peace, this fundamental truth must be acknowledged and acted upon by all parties involved, including Israelis, Palestinians, and the international community. Until we reach this critical understanding, the people of Palestine continue to need your emotional and material support.
Keep the Palestinian plight at the forefront of your thoughts, your discussions, and your actions. Let’s hold onto hope—the hope that one day humanity will awaken to the truth, ending all forms of apartheid and finally granting equal rights to everyone in historical Palestine.
Only then can we make meaningful strides toward peace, freedom, and justice for all.
The Hirbawi Team

 

Alex has gone home

He’s still a teensy bit under the weather, but no temp or productive cough.

Saw Paul today, got his cell phone working AGAIN at which point THE PHONE STARTED RINGING.

One of the calls was from a bill collector in Washington. I told him just hang up if you get calls like that.

One of the calls was from the Alzheimer society – she’s going to keep checking on him and will send some info out.

One was his friend Laura – we exchanged contact info just in case.

And the other was his financial advisor. Anyway, I got his TV working again (I have not idea how it stops being set to cable, but oh well) and I’m thrilled I was able to help him but gosh I was tired when I left – holdin me temper in when he’s having a really good day otherwise, talking to people, happy to be on the phone – is actually a lot like work.

OH THE FOOD IS HERE gotta go

Alex is here

I’m thinking about Grandmothers in Gaza, holding dead children while the rockets sound. It’s hard not to.

Sent a new mixed media (sort of) poem fragment to Dave this am, wonder what he’ll make of it. It’s called My Advice and it’s advice to anyone born after 2010.

Chicken and Bean burrito WILL BE CONSTRUCTED for snack midmorning (have to adjust around when I’m taking Paul to his appointment.) Looking forward to that, Jeff is a big fan of refried beans!

Just a reminder parental love is unconditional BUT NOT INCONSEQUENTIAL.

made a few stabby efforts at the ‘driving instructor’ fanfic; I’ve been thinking a lot about the next Brad and Omar story, but I’m crying a lot because they have a big fight, which isn’t ‘big’ as in noisy but trust between them is hurt and will need to be rebuilt in their …. er…. idiom.

a former Defence Minister in Israel Moshe Ya-alon says Netanyahu went to war without even letting his cabinet talk to the Chief of Staff of the IDF. As someone who’s served in both capacities if he’s yelling for Netanyahu’s resignation he should be listened to.

list tickle

Alex today hopefully

Paul to an appointment hopefully

Me to eat a vegetable hopefully (part of my whole disordered eating cycle is bouts of time when I can’t face vegetables; it’s meat, sweets, fats, dairy, nuts, carbs and I simply do not want to prepare or eat anything else.)

Marian Martin in 1943 in a devilishly good costume. Scanged from reddit.

Participated in THE CANADIAN ENGLISH SURVEY FROM MCGILL.

you can too!!

CANADIAN ENGLISH IS WEIRD AF YO!

 

nothing is happening

So it’s okay that I didn’t post yesterday.

Continuing Vera rewatch; watched E1S1 of ‘Sprung’ with Garret Dillahunt and Martha Plimpton and loved it, finally we have a funny show to watch that isn’t all grimdark and serious.

Watched “A Million Miles Away” about the remarkable life story of José Hernández, who began life as a migrant farm worker and managed to become a mission specialist for NASA. Absolutely wonderful; it takes the world’s tiredest biopic tropes and with a light touch, heartfelt acting and a fantastic soundtrack, breathes vibrancy, hope and family love into them and makes them dance like a quinceañera. mOm and pOp let us know if you want to see it; I think you’ll both like it.

If Rosa Salazar doesn’t get an Oscar Nom for Adela Hernández I will be bitter. Bitter I tell you. Jeff pointed out she was the body model for Alita Battle Angel. ZOW

Alex is coming today – and obvs for the rest of the week, too. I got to see him at church but this will be better.

Appointment with Paul tomorrow over noon with an eye specialist.

Hope you’re all going to have a lovely day. Now for more coffee, a scrambled egg or two on toast, and possible I will sit with my coffee and make a list to ignore.

Which will turn into a poem.

Do you have any idea how often that’s happened to me? Ah me, the hazards of a writer’s life. (which is actually a reference to a poem I wrote which started as a list…)

I am not entirely sure what kind of a day I’m going to have, but I’m wearing leakproof underwear, so let’s just say I’ve made minor preparations.

a broad range of reasons to be thankful

I get emails from my mother indicating that her sister now has a functioning phone in her room. (She’s also in with two COVID patients, oh doodie.)

I have spoken to my pOp on the phone this past week.

mOm too.

And Dave.

I went to church with Paul, and he was on time for pickup, and looked fine, and we had a mostly virtual service which was engaging and challenging for me and which Paul suffered through with quiet dignity, and then we went downstairs and ATE DEEP FRIED TURKEY and stuffing and everything else you can imagine; it was yummy and we destroyed it, and Keith came, and Katie and Ryker and Alex came, and I got to chase Ryker up and down SOAP Hall for many minutes. I also helped a tiny bit with set up and take down.

I got to watch Dougie cook the last turkey – it was magnificent. Succulent and fantastic.

AND THEN PEGGY PRODUCED AN APPLE PIE her mother’s recipe AND GAVE IT TO ME FOR JEFF and the great pie wheel in the sky continues to turn.

I am grateful for clean bedding and my many creature comforts. I am grateful for the bracelet Shad made for me and my Marvin the Martian watch that I inherited from John.

I wish I had someone to hug that I wasn’t related to. But I’m definitely grateful for all the hugs I got so far.