Monday, August 5, 2013

Purslane and Protest























Scroll on down if you've had your fill of purslane;  but if you want to know more, here are some details of the seed pod and its parts and surroundings, and on the right, a great recipe that can absorb some of your mighty purslane crop.  My friend Sue gave it to me years ago.  She called it a macrobiotic meal because it is perfectly balanced.  All I know is that I always feel good after I eat it, and I eat it for lunch at least once a week.  She used lettuce as the bed of greens on which the rice and beans sit, but I use whatever is in the garden or fridge.  My favorites are kale, Swiss chard, spinach, and purslane.






















Tonight Phil and I headed downtown around 5:00 and went to the Moral Monday demonstration being held in response to our always-progressive legislature's latest round of weasily moves.  We stood in the crowd that was gathered in front of the courthouse, and I drew a tiny portion of the action as well as one of the many signs.  Because this is Asheville, a drumming circle played in the background while speakers spoke and the crowd cheered.  It had a great turnout, and the sun shone until just before the ending at 7:00, when the rain came pouring down.  An article about the demonstration is at the bottom of this post.

Sitting in our favorite Thai restaurant afterwards, I drew the odd napkin bouquets that are placed on every table as well as a large painted and spangly carved wooden statue that stands near the cash register.

 'Moral Monday' protests head to Asheville


Posted: Monday, August 5, 2013 9:10 pm
ASHEVILLE — With the North Carolina General Assembly finished for the year, protesters brought their Moral Monday demonstration to Asheville.
The rally at the Buncombe County Courthouse was the first away from Raleigh. The NAACP and other liberal groups hosting the protests promise to go to all 13 of North Carolina's congressional districts for the protests of what they said is the Republican-majority Legislature and governor rolling back progress in education, social and economic equality and assuring all qualified people have the right to vote.
"You can't do wrong in Raleigh and then hide back home," said the Rev. William Barber, president of the North Carolina chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People.
Several dozen of the more than 930 people arrested during the 13 weeks of protests in Raleigh were brought on the stage in Asheville as the crowd chanted "Thank you." Protesters filled the one-block square in front of the courthouse and spilled back into the next block.
"This group of jailbirds and I believe in the Golden Rule. That we should treat people the way we would want to be treated. And politicians should live by the Golden rule too," said Heather Rayburn, who was arrested as part of the protests on July 15.
Barber talked about how brave North Carolinians fought back when the state instituted segregation and laws designed to keep blacks from voting after the Civil War and also supported the civil rights movement. He said those people from history are calling for the protesters to not give up the rights and progress they fought for.
"This legacy is calling us once again today. We have seen a regressive and immoral Legislature in 180 days turn public policy 180 degrees," Barber said.
Barber said taking the protests out of Raleigh will prove there is support for what the protesters want. He told the crowd they must get more people registered to vote and let their elected officials know they are angry with the direction the state is moving.
"This is no momentary hyperventilation and liberal screaming match," Barber said. "This is a movement."

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