all praise katha quinn

happy, happy birthday to my favorite non-reader of this blog.

mommy, even my "imaginary friends" who visit and post here love you (and they love you so much that they will likely never even hang up on you mid-sentence).

i could and should post a lengthy encomium, but i am just too dang worn out from today and my allergies and life.

not only is september 11th, my mama's b-day, but this september 11th also marks the 100th anniversary of the modern non-violence movement enkindled by the passion, wisdom, and fortitude of mahatma gandhi. i don't need to type to you how his efforts against the racist government in south africa inspired generations.

somehow then, it makes sense that after i spoke with my mother tonight on the phone, and with my little girl niece who had her very first day at immaculate conception parochial school today, i rushed off to hear my colleague beth talk about the healing herbs and practices of sangoma in south africa at matthei botanic gardens just off campus.

we need so much healing that not even beth and her conjure woman grandmama and my mutha and niece could work their wonder. but, maybe it is worth a try?

my mother instilled in me a deep commitment to social justice. so on this day it seems right to celebrate satyagraha.