Good/ Mourning, Thanksgiving

I still want to torch 2020 on a big ol’ bonfire, but I’m a little shocked to realize The Worst has not happened (yet). I know many people are in mourning for various reasons, which has me conflicted about the few bright spots.

“Janus: Value” in the collector’s home. Photo courtesy Korey McLeod.

On the one hand, I’m thrilled that “Janus: Value” now lives in Washington, DC, at the home of Korey McLeod. Actually, that collage wasn’t even in my solo show at Morton Fine Art. But after visiting the gallery, Korey found it on my website and asked if it was available. I’m deeply grateful for the support, especially during the pandemic.

Credit: All My Relations podcast/ Instagram

Speaking of COVID-19, the virus has claimed more Indigenous (and Black) lives than in any other group. So family gatherings with people outside your household are not a good idea; neither are public events critical of Thanksgiving. This year Un-Thanksgiving at the University of Oregon, the annual Sunrise Gathering at Alcatraz Island and the National Day of Mourning all went online.

Credit: Gregg Deal/ Amplifier.org

Understatement of the year: What a bittersweet holiday. For those who can access it, a Zoom gathering might help to ease the separation. But I think old-school phone calls, to share the good and the bad, might be better for me in this exhausting year.

An inadequate but sincere thank you, on Thanksgiving

As far as I can figure, I have the Snohomish and Puget Sound Salish people to thank for allowing me to live here. I would also like to thank the Hibulb Cultural Center for teaching my family about these peoples.

On Thanksgiving Day (such as it is), I would also like to thank the Duwamish people, the traditional stewards of the land that hosts my friends, art events and privileges I enjoy in Seattle. If you’d like to acknowledge artists descended from Chief Seattle:

• consider visiting the exhibit “We’re Still Here” at Seattle’s Central Library (through December 15th)

• consider buying artwork from the Chief Seattle Club booth on December 7th.

You can also show your support year-round by donating to Real Rent Duwamish. Contributions go toward sustaining Duwamish people and culture, which is more difficult without federal tribal recognition.

Book of Bulmash, chapter 95

Chapter 95

Photo credit: Library of Congress

1. "O Mother!" cried the nine-year-old child. "I have great need of apparel which beareth the image of my school mascot!"
2. "Therefore must thou complete the order form so I may bring it to school on this, the day of deadline."
3. The mother half-pretended not to hear the boy's plea,
4. For her ears were still ringing with his most recent morning tantrum.
5. Then the mother replied to her son, "Thou seemest not to understand a fundamental principle of obtaining thy heart's desire;
6. "Namely, that one must not enrage the person whom you beseech for a favor."
7. And thus the mother closed her ears to the child's renewed howling.
8. She delivered him unto the place of learning, as was her duty.
9. But as she returned to their home to perform her ablutions before journeying to her place of employ, the mother reconsidered.
10. For was this day not the eve of giving thanks?
11. Should she not be grateful that her child had not enraged his teacher as well, and set the teacher's heart against him in the classroom?
12. Indeed, should the mother not give praise to The One for the continued good health of her children and her husband?
13. "I shall not acknowledge to my son that I have ordered his apparel," she grumbled to herself. "For that would send The Wrong Message regarding his behavior."
14. Nevertheless the mother did swallow her pride, and wrote out the necessary cheque of payment to the school's PTA