Express Yourself

1095 Days Until 20 January 2029

Fifty-two weeks ago today, shocked into submission the day after the inauguration and finding little comfort in trading Facebook memes, I was seized with the idea to write a daily post on any subject I could link to the convicted felon, accompanied by a countdown to the 2029 inauguration and an antique postcard or photograph from my large collection. I joined Substack and found my daily act of resistance resonated with many loyal readers. On day #103 in Not Quite Quotidian I backed off my promise to post daily, but I still adore doing this. It’s as creative an exercise as sitting at my sewing machines. All of us must do what we can to stay engaged in the march to the midterms and beyond. Resistance, in all manner of expression, is not futile.

To wit - despite Oval Office exhortations, last week the Senate and the apparently on-vacation House of Representatives voted 82-15 and 80-13, respectively, to not only not excise the National Endowment of the Arts and the National Endowment for the Humanities, but to fund them at the same level as last year. Money from the NEA and NEH funnels down to the states to distribute. Today on day #366, a front page article in the Baltimore Sun highlights writing and music programs that encourage military members and veterans to express themselves, hardly a frivolous use of precious funds.

Yesterday, my dear friend Leighann gifted me with one of the darling acts of resistance she creates from found items, old photos, and messages stamped out on her antique typewriters. Violet, as I’ve named this vote-whipper-woman perched atop a flag by the outsider artist who was known as The Baltimore Glassman, will serve as a muse along the road to recapturing our country.

If in need of inspiration or just a good groove, I recommend a listen to Grammy-nominated Express Yourself by Charles Wright & The Watts 103rd Street Rhythm Band and a view to MTV Video Music Awards multiple winner Express Yourself by Madonna.