Thanks for taking us to the ballroom in Boston and reporting on how it felt. Seeing that glow on you and Tonika could make anyone hopeful for a bright future! One glowing candle, lighting the next, inspiring truth, restoring community--that is what it will take to bring us together again, despite all the efforts to tear us apart. You saying “yes” to the inspiration and “showing up” is a great example of how following our inspiration can lead one person to truly make a difference. I hope your hope is highly contagious!
You know what, Mary? Reading that made me hopeful. I love that pic of you and Tonika. Two of my favorite stackers. Thank you for sharing this, and your feelings about being there. And saccharine aside - 'sunshine' suits you. I feel the warmth from here.
Amazing article, Mary. Thank you for sharing with us your impressions of Bobby's speech, the crowd reactions, and the general atmosphere at the event. I really value what you have to say. With that silver tongue of yours, you certainly can be very convincing, and your enthusiasm is definitely contagious, but I'm not quite ready to jump on this bandwagon yet. It's the system, not the person, that makes me hesitant. I think it's great that you acted so spontaneously to book a flight and that Tonika was able to join you to share the experience. You two complement each other and make a good team. xox
Mary, thank you for taking us there to the ballroom with you. RFK, Jr's speech was so powerful. I agree with your sentiment--it feels so good to be told the truth. Like a balm for the soul after these wearying years. It feels as if something has already shifted. A more mature, grounded energy has entered the political realm. May we all feel inspired to carry forth integrity, courage, and truth-telling into our hearts, homes, and communities.
Well, Mary, thankyou for so convincingly and beautifully inviting me to be less cynical about RFK Jr: I've already tried to black pill Tonika about it. It's easy for me to take pot shots from the safety of the other side of the realm, but goodness me you guys have had to put up with one appalling leader after the next - having someone who you can genuinely put hope towards, just at the point where such an act would see futile, might be as "real" as politics can be.
And you are both right: it is incredibly courageous for him to run, being a Kennedy and saying the things he is saying - and with your politics just being ridiculously crazy that nothing can be ruled out - i'm sure i'm not the only one who legitimately fears for his safety if he keeps saying those things. It will be compelling, whatever happens: especially if he makes it far enough to debate Orange Man.
A fine tale of two parties (Red, Blue), two cities (DeeCee, Boston..), an' the tale 've two talented friends mutually inspired to meet-impromptu not givin' a hoot 'er holler about parties (polly-tick-cull) 'er cities (strategic-al) or even the fact that the entire nation (nay, shun!) is divided--which all sounds very much like the event itself, havin' folks come together beyond the distorted divide, all joined in hope, all hearin' RFK Jr throw his hat inta the ring.
The POINT of the man runnin', I do declare, is that he gits ta speak. Rules are 15 minutes' soapbox time, same fer the next guy. Bless 'im tho--he's doin' this NOT to win (slim chance...) but to say his piece. I've no illusions he's gonna get a nom from the bought n' sold DemOCraps (nor would I think the RePublikCons either, had he done a 360). Nope, the whole "run" is about takin' the talkin' stick an runnin' with it as long as he kin hold it! RUN RFK JR RUN!
Honestly, I'd hoped he'd a run as an independent BUT...now I git it. He wants time on the official soapbox and that's enough--as he's gotta LOT ta say (important true stuff indeed!) so THIS is what it's about--speakin'! YOU WERE THERE, Mary, you were THERE for the part that mattered! It's about SO MUCH MORE than this one election. It's about setting the records straight fer all time too.
I'm grateful fer yer eyes n' ears n' heartfelt, observant reportage, some "Windas on the Whirled" so ta speak. Happy that you n' Tonika got ta meet an' on SUCH an important day in such an apt settin' cuz it'll be something ya both'll remember well! (...even wizout Maurice Chevalier singin')
This was an absolute joy to read, Mary! More so for experiencing it through your eyes and heart! And I had a blast with you in Boston! I’m so glad you texted me and that providence moved mountains to make the trip happen. :) I started writing about our adventure today and hope to finish in the next couple of days. But I’ll truly cherish our short time together. You’re a blessing. 🤗
What an incredible honour to have actually been in the room when RFK Jr. gave this historic speech! Even as a Canadian I was deeply moved and as you say, felt hope for the first time in years. (Though we don't seem to have anyone in our politics with such gravitas and integrity, but as I wrote in my Substack, the jury is still out on that one.) Let's pray it's not fleeting hope but as I wrote, "a sudden confluence of events that manifests in an eruption of the collective consciousness with a power akin to a force of nature." Thanks for reaching out!
Mary, yes! Hope is what I felt in the Ballroom. I hope we can all foster that wonderful emotion and pass it to others who may not be so hopeful. Thank you for your inspiring words!
Yes! Similar! Actor-whisperer Mike Nichols was known for this too--very quiet, only heard by the one for whom it was intended..an' then inspiration happened! Now'daze we all gotta pay careful attention to mutterins', murmurs, an' indeed to the "hoarse whisperers" who have much ta say!
(Ha ha, my puny daze did date back ta that wacky tacky era my friend, but I don't recall those par-tick-u-lar adverts... That said, I belted the Oscar Mayer Weiner song an' marched around the livin' room with the best've 'em!)
This is so beautifully written, Mary. I'll take homemade soup over gummy bears any day. I absolutely love that analogy. Maybe you have some Sagittarius in your chart. We live our lives searching for Truth and are the eternal optimists. I watched his announcement online and cried at the same time you did. Hard not to. Thank you for this perfect telling of RFK Jr.'s announcement. I feel like I was there.
Thank you, Mary, for your kind, encouraging words. I appreciate your choice of the word "energy" in your response. It seems like energy, along with steadfastness, collaboration, and discernment will help us through this campaign season and beyond.
Thanks for taking us to the ballroom in Boston and reporting on how it felt. Seeing that glow on you and Tonika could make anyone hopeful for a bright future! One glowing candle, lighting the next, inspiring truth, restoring community--that is what it will take to bring us together again, despite all the efforts to tear us apart. You saying “yes” to the inspiration and “showing up” is a great example of how following our inspiration can lead one person to truly make a difference. I hope your hope is highly contagious!
You know what, Mary? Reading that made me hopeful. I love that pic of you and Tonika. Two of my favorite stackers. Thank you for sharing this, and your feelings about being there. And saccharine aside - 'sunshine' suits you. I feel the warmth from here.
Amazing article, Mary. Thank you for sharing with us your impressions of Bobby's speech, the crowd reactions, and the general atmosphere at the event. I really value what you have to say. With that silver tongue of yours, you certainly can be very convincing, and your enthusiasm is definitely contagious, but I'm not quite ready to jump on this bandwagon yet. It's the system, not the person, that makes me hesitant. I think it's great that you acted so spontaneously to book a flight and that Tonika was able to join you to share the experience. You two complement each other and make a good team. xox
Mary, thank you for taking us there to the ballroom with you. RFK, Jr's speech was so powerful. I agree with your sentiment--it feels so good to be told the truth. Like a balm for the soul after these wearying years. It feels as if something has already shifted. A more mature, grounded energy has entered the political realm. May we all feel inspired to carry forth integrity, courage, and truth-telling into our hearts, homes, and communities.
Well, Mary, thankyou for so convincingly and beautifully inviting me to be less cynical about RFK Jr: I've already tried to black pill Tonika about it. It's easy for me to take pot shots from the safety of the other side of the realm, but goodness me you guys have had to put up with one appalling leader after the next - having someone who you can genuinely put hope towards, just at the point where such an act would see futile, might be as "real" as politics can be.
And you are both right: it is incredibly courageous for him to run, being a Kennedy and saying the things he is saying - and with your politics just being ridiculously crazy that nothing can be ruled out - i'm sure i'm not the only one who legitimately fears for his safety if he keeps saying those things. It will be compelling, whatever happens: especially if he makes it far enough to debate Orange Man.
A fine tale of two parties (Red, Blue), two cities (DeeCee, Boston..), an' the tale 've two talented friends mutually inspired to meet-impromptu not givin' a hoot 'er holler about parties (polly-tick-cull) 'er cities (strategic-al) or even the fact that the entire nation (nay, shun!) is divided--which all sounds very much like the event itself, havin' folks come together beyond the distorted divide, all joined in hope, all hearin' RFK Jr throw his hat inta the ring.
The POINT of the man runnin', I do declare, is that he gits ta speak. Rules are 15 minutes' soapbox time, same fer the next guy. Bless 'im tho--he's doin' this NOT to win (slim chance...) but to say his piece. I've no illusions he's gonna get a nom from the bought n' sold DemOCraps (nor would I think the RePublikCons either, had he done a 360). Nope, the whole "run" is about takin' the talkin' stick an runnin' with it as long as he kin hold it! RUN RFK JR RUN!
Honestly, I'd hoped he'd a run as an independent BUT...now I git it. He wants time on the official soapbox and that's enough--as he's gotta LOT ta say (important true stuff indeed!) so THIS is what it's about--speakin'! YOU WERE THERE, Mary, you were THERE for the part that mattered! It's about SO MUCH MORE than this one election. It's about setting the records straight fer all time too.
I'm grateful fer yer eyes n' ears n' heartfelt, observant reportage, some "Windas on the Whirled" so ta speak. Happy that you n' Tonika got ta meet an' on SUCH an important day in such an apt settin' cuz it'll be something ya both'll remember well! (...even wizout Maurice Chevalier singin')
This was an absolute joy to read, Mary! More so for experiencing it through your eyes and heart! And I had a blast with you in Boston! I’m so glad you texted me and that providence moved mountains to make the trip happen. :) I started writing about our adventure today and hope to finish in the next couple of days. But I’ll truly cherish our short time together. You’re a blessing. 🤗
What an incredible honour to have actually been in the room when RFK Jr. gave this historic speech! Even as a Canadian I was deeply moved and as you say, felt hope for the first time in years. (Though we don't seem to have anyone in our politics with such gravitas and integrity, but as I wrote in my Substack, the jury is still out on that one.) Let's pray it's not fleeting hope but as I wrote, "a sudden confluence of events that manifests in an eruption of the collective consciousness with a power akin to a force of nature." Thanks for reaching out!
Mary, yes! Hope is what I felt in the Ballroom. I hope we can all foster that wonderful emotion and pass it to others who may not be so hopeful. Thank you for your inspiring words!
Yes! Similar! Actor-whisperer Mike Nichols was known for this too--very quiet, only heard by the one for whom it was intended..an' then inspiration happened! Now'daze we all gotta pay careful attention to mutterins', murmurs, an' indeed to the "hoarse whisperers" who have much ta say!
(Ha ha, my puny daze did date back ta that wacky tacky era my friend, but I don't recall those par-tick-u-lar adverts... That said, I belted the Oscar Mayer Weiner song an' marched around the livin' room with the best've 'em!)
This is so beautifully written, Mary. I'll take homemade soup over gummy bears any day. I absolutely love that analogy. Maybe you have some Sagittarius in your chart. We live our lives searching for Truth and are the eternal optimists. I watched his announcement online and cried at the same time you did. Hard not to. Thank you for this perfect telling of RFK Jr.'s announcement. I feel like I was there.
Thank you, Mary, for your kind, encouraging words. I appreciate your choice of the word "energy" in your response. It seems like energy, along with steadfastness, collaboration, and discernment will help us through this campaign season and beyond.