We were in Washington DC at the weekend for the peace rally.

We went up on Friday and were trained by United for Peace and Justice (UFPJ) (who organised the march and rally) as security marshalls. We bundled up Sat morning in umpteen layers of clothes and were out on the Mall by 9. The rally went from 11-1 - we stood at the front, at the press risers, checking that only press people went on to the risers. And we could just see the stage. Many spiritual leaders started the rally with prayers of all traditions. And then some great speakers - an Iraqi; a Brit who assured us that the Brits are not behind Tony Blair and Bush; Jesse jackson; Jane Fonda, Sean Penn, various senators - the crowd was 4-500,000 strong (by the estimates of organizers who have been at many of these kinds of things) and completely peaceful. Angry, but peaceful. Not one arrest was made all day.

And then, for the march, Paul and I were on the front line, in front of the celebrities carrying the banner, and holding off the press. Susie roared with laughter when I told her - "you two little people holding off all those?" - well, yeah. We worked as a team, had been trained how to link arms and stand firm, and we sure did! And the Capitol was completely surrounded by the people in the march!

And then, that night, Paul read at Washington's poetry club, Busboys and Poets, along with about 20 other poets - he was great - they all were.

We pray that we, the people, will prevail in the end. And we are committed to doing what we can. Paul especially has been doing a lot of work for Move-On.org

On another note. Daffodils are blooming. And surviving the freezing nights somehow. They are lovely to behold.

I'm settling into this new class - and love the students. 4 of the 7 are 23+, two with children - and all seven are eager, enthusiastic, thrilled to be in this college! Wow! Oh, and bright too! I couldn't ask for more.

We had snow. Of course, schools were cancelled and everything ground to a halt. Well, after all, we hadn't seen snow for 2 years! The guineas were hilarious. They all came to the doorway of the chook house and craned their necks forward to see what this strange thing was. And finally pushed one out to go and investigate. He literally bounced off the ground and catapulted up into a tree. In the end, the desire to go outside overcame the desire to stay clear of this new phenomenon, and they all emerged, albeit timidly.

We went off to opening night of a play last night at the UNC Playmakers Rep Company Theatre - a professional theatre that puts on some 6-8 plays each year. The play is "Stones in his pockets" by Marie Jones - we knew nothing about the play or the playwright, but had not been disappointed before. Nor were we. A stunning production of a stunningly aching play - about an American movie company that is on location in a village in Ireland, and the disruption it causes and the chasm between the locals and the outsiders.

I continue to make great bread for Paul - and made a loaf for a friend of ours today who does not eat gluten - she was thrilled.

Pete was a guest local celebrity at the Improv Theatre last weekend - and nearly stole the show! He is missing his calling I think.

I'm still on a roll with weight watchers - 11.5 pounds in the last 8 weeks. And only 5 away from goal. At which time I'm hoping to get work again as a Leader - they seem pretty keen to have me do that - I love the work and I can sure use the income!

I taught my first class at Meredith on Thursday and had a lovely time with them - 7 women, at least 3 of whom are in their "23 Plus" program for women returning or starting late in school. They seem eager, interested, and keen to learn. What a gift! An eighth student signed up the day after - word of mouth?

The weather here is up and down all the time. This weekend it's at 70 - lovely for working in the garden, already preparing it for the spring planting, which will be here before we know it.

We have nice new neighbors - a young couple with two boys - 8 and 4 - who came for dinner on Friday. The boys were SO well-behaved and quite delightful. We're going to plant extra vegies for them this year and, in turn, they'll plant some extra stuff for us - maybe grains. In addition they have cows and have given us some of their butter - yum!

I can't tell you what a relief it is not to be worrying about UNC - I feel like an enormous weight has been lifted off my shoulders. Literally - I went for a massage yesterday and my shoulders feel two inches lower than they had been.

We went out Thursday evening (freezing) to attend a rally in Chapel Hill protesting any escalation in the war. There were enough people to warrant a police presence, but it was peaceful and well ordered. We read the next day that tens of thousands had turned out across the country. With less of a commitment at school now I can do more politically and I'm glad for that.

Happy New Year 2007

Our week back at home has been busy - the trip to Grand Rapids was lovely - good family, good friends, good weather, good rest.

I finished my paper on Weds (2 days ahead of schedule). I actually enjoyed the research and the writing of what could be my last ever paper! I hope the prof likes it as well as I do.

But then I discovered that there is an "Incomplete" on the 6 credit hours of thesis I was signed up for this term. I called the Director of Grad Studies in my department and asked her to sign off on it. She said she can't because, since I'm only allowed 6 credits of thesis, then I have to have it finished and approved before she can sign off on it. This would be hilarious if it wasn't happening to me. Besides, she said, Who was your advisor? Say I, You tell me.

That is not resolved yet. I may not get my leave of absence after all.

Peter was over last night though and, great litigator he, recommended I sue at this point. Not for money necessarily but for publicity. I'll think about it. He says it costs very little to actually take it to court. If so, I may do it. I'm certainly mad enough to want to.

Apart from that...

I had a wonderful day over at Meredith College, meeting important people and getting all the forms filled in. The most important person was Kate, the department admin assistant who, fortunately, is a darling. I'm finishing writing the syllabus now and find myself very excited for the start of classes next week.

We had family dinner last night - Paul's 3 children and their significant others and Peter - for Christmas/Hanukkah gift giving. I can't believe I married into this wonderful family. The "kids" are so great.

It's 70 degrees today. Paul and I will cycle into town (about 30 minutes each way) this afternoon to go to the "Really Free Market" - it's held once a month and people bring stuff they don't want, offer free services (hair cutting one time, bike tuneups another) and take away other people's junk. We love going - for the stuff and for the neighborly atmosphere.

I have resolved to write a little something every week to you all. Today is the start. In future, I'll post it on this blog.