2017 Life Logs, Day 21: Sam’s Tenth Birthday and Solidarity Rally
Date: Saturday, January 21, 2017
Weather: Mostly Cloudy with Periods of Sunshine; High 47, Low 38 degrees F
Location: At Home in The Studio, Falmouth, NH
What a day! I started by going to the gym to Zumba class, but I wasn’t a very enthusiastic participant as my left knee is causing me a lot of pain. But I went and participated as best I could. Then I came home and got ready to attend Falmouth’s ‘Together, In Solidarity’ gathering on the Village Green. This gathering, as so many around the country and the world, was planned to support today’s Women’s March on Washington. The Green was packed with men, women, and children of all ages, more older than younger, but all in attendance to show support to empower grassroots change.
Dr. Phil Duffy, President and Executive Director of the Woods Hole Research Center, was the main speaker. The Woods Hole Research Center’s website tauts this organization as the number one climate change think tank in the world. Duffy pointed out the President Obama’s senior advisor on science and technology, John Holdren, was also in attendance today. Before going to Washington, Holdren was a Woods Hole scientist, and after his position ended in the Obama administration yesterday, he headed home to Falmouth. Other speakers spoke to support human rights in other areas and I was proud that I could be there to add to the body count of the hundreds of thousands of Americans and people around the world who gathered today to speak with one voice.
I had arranged to meet my friend Olivia White on the Green. When I asked her how I would find her, she simply said, “You won’t be able to miss me.” When I arrived, I found she was correct. Olivia was wearing her colorful ‘pace’ (peace) flag and I spotted her immediately.
Then it was on to Heather and Jed’s for Sam’s birthday dinner. Sam made the decision to not have a party this year. Instead, he invited two friends to come for dinner and for a sleep-over.
Two more friends will join them in the morning to play together Ollie and Jonah were supposed to come home with me to spend the night, but that plan was abandoned as they so desperately wanted to be part of their big brother’s celebration. Sam requested steak tips and fries for dinner and angel food cake
and chocolate fondue for dessert. He opened presents between dinner and dessert
and was quite pleased with all his gifts. His big gift was his new bedroom set.
But he loved the Nerf gun gifts from friends and additions to his railroad set-up from me and Heather and Jed.
I still cannot believe my first grandchild is ten years old. Happy Birthday, Sam!
