A Challenge

On Chris's blog Blethers she wrote of a challenge, of writing a story or a poem of 100 words based on the sentence "She was just frying an egg when she expired."

She had seen the blog on Wordswordswords and you can go there and read all the "entries." But please, compose your own, and post both here and there. Come on Southerners, show 'em what we've got.

Here is my story, to get it started:

At daylight she arose and put the coffee on. She sat the cream on the table, and would wait. One cup was all that she would allow; caffeine had ceased to be her friend. A bowl of grape nuts, and her day would begin. Since her husband had passed, this was her morning.

Mourning.

Today would be different. After three years of grief, she would start over. Her dress had been ironed; today would be sunny side up. She poured herself a glass of juice. The toast was in the oven.

She was just frying an egg when she expired.


And here is my favorite, 80 words I believe, from Alison:

He heard the thump and went upstairs to investigate. She never locked the door. The smell of hot cooking oil met him as he stepped into the flat. She was lying across the kitchen doorway where she’d fallen backwards. Lightly, he stepped over her and turned off the gas. He put a finger to her neck. Nothing. he shrugged his shoulders, picked up a fork that was lying on the draining board and ate the egg straight from the pan.

Amazing what can be told in few words. Give it a try, and go to Wordswordswords and read the rest.

If you have difficulty posting a comment, email your story or poem to me and I will post it for you.

The Flags are Flying

Channel 6 reported last night that the Rainbow Flags are flying in Birmingham!

This video is dedicated to Mayor Larry Langford. Listen to the words, mayor. For the rest of us...Dance!

Actually the video isn't that great, but the song is nice.




I want to urge everyone to come to the parade Saturday. You don't have to be gay to enjoy a parade, but if you are gay, you have no excuse. You should either be part of a group taking part, or on the sidelines cheering us on.

If you are not gay, please lend your support. Show the mayor that Birmingham is an accepting city, and is proud of all its residents. The line up for the parade starts at 6:30...the parade kicks off at 8:30. Just go to Five Points South and join the crowd lining up for the parade.

The lead unit in the parade will be a Veterans group. How fitting, on the week that Sam Nunn, one of the principle lawmakers responsible for Don't Ask, Don't Tell, speaks out telling America it is time to revisit the policy. Gays and lesbians now and always have fought to defend our freedom, even when they do not enjoy the rights and freedoms they are fighting for.

Alabama Stonewall Democrats will be in the line-up. Watch for our bubble blowing pick up truck, and speaking of Stonewall Democrats, join us at our next meeting June 19, 5:30 at Logan's in Crestwood. We heard at the Interfaith meeting the other night that we need to get more political, and certainly if policy is to be changed it must come through the governing bodies, local, state and federal. And face it, the Democrats are the only ones who (somewhat) consistently stand up for our rights. So join us.

And make friends with us on myspace: http://www.myspace.com/alabamastonewall
Join our group on Facebook: Alabama Stonewall Democrats Group

The "T"

Last night a Town Hall Meeting was held at Covenant Community Church and several issues were presented by panelists as well as members of the audience. Inclusion of the "T" was a hot topic. "T" is the T in GLBT and means "transgender" and one aspect is whether "T" can be included in Alabama's hate crimes law...which someday may pass*. Of course, the immediate response is "Duh," of course transgender people should receive the same protections as other sexual minorities, but the nuts and bolts (no pun intended) of the issue requires analysis of what version of the bill could actually pass, etc.

* The house version of the bill did pass this year, but senate filibustering did not allow it to be brought up in the senate.

Transgender is always a topic that interests people, for a variety of reason, whether they admit it or not. That is why this post (Thomas Beatie) was my most popular post ever, and still gets hits on a daily basis. Some people are interested because they have a family member or friend who is dealing with such issues. Others are interested only because they see an issue of human rights. Some just think it is hot.

The Lady Chablis, in her book "Hiding My Candy", defines "T" as "[n.] The truth", and certainly, that is a part of a transgender person's conflict. Discovering themselves and determining how and when to let others know. The Doll (The Lady Chablis' stage name) defines "My T (to know my T, to tell my T)" as "[n.],[v.phr] Knowing where my candy's hidden; knowing that I even have candy". OK.

If you saw the movie "Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil", The Lady Chablis played herself in the movie. I met The Lady Chablis in Savannah and saw her show at Club One.

Watch this clip, and in addition to learning about The Lady, you will hear her say "One thing I believe in with every human being is if your soul and your spirit says its the right thing, then it is the right thing."



The Lady Chablis "pours the tea" or tells the truth, as she defines the phrase in the book.

Jim Berendt, author of "Midnight..." says "In the South, people regard other people's lives as works of art." That may be the "southern way" of looking at others, but it sure has been lost here in Birmingham. One only has to follow the story of Larry "Flip Flop" Langford and the Pride flags. After refusing to allow the flags on city property, he said that the flags could be put up after some pressure from William Bell and other councilors. But late yesterday, he reversed himself again and said the city would not put the flags up.

We have been assured by Central Alabama Pride that the flags will be up, however, in time for the parade (of course they were supposed to be up during all of Pride Week) but that could mean Pride Committee members on ladders which might not be a good thing. Let's hope they find a bucket truck to use.

This parade on Saturday will include a 100 foot rainbow flag from Atlanta, and another large flag from Memphis, so we will not be short on rainbow color that day. Come join us (6:30, line up, 8:30 Parade, Five Points), and show the Mayor that Birmingham does support the gay community. With Pride.

Change I Can Believe In

Didn't I say last night would be historic? Of course, we knew that Barack Obama would gain enough delegates to secure the Democratic nomination...and it would have been just as historic had Hillary Clinton been able to claim victory. But for those of us who grew up in Birmingham Alabama, and were alive when, say, George Wallace stood in the schoolhouse door, this is monumental.

My kids do not seem to be amazed at Obama's nomination. That is change. In spite of all the health disparities that still exist, in spite of systemic racism in education, and in spite of the misguided visions of some African American leaders (who don't realize that new challenges require new methods), America has changed over the last 40 years and we now have a candidate who as a result of those changes will take America in a new direction in November...well, January.

Pundits on all the networks think the election in November will be close, and it might. But I don't see how. There is an old, tired campaign full of old, failed policies and a young, vibrant campaign exploring solutions to the problems that the 8 Bush years are leaving us. That is what it boils down to.

Contrast the speeches last night of John McCain and Barack Obama. McCain, in Kenner Louisiana, drew a crowd more the size a mayoral candidate might draw, and certainly was less than inspiring. Barack Obama spoke before 17,000 supporters in the arena that will hold the Republican convention (with 15,000 more waiting out side) and delivered one of the great speeches of our time. Here is about 8 minutes of it, and unlike yesterday, this video is SFW, suitable for work and home and school and everywhere.




All the world is a stage, and if you don't believe it, consider this. Forty five years ago, on August 28, 1963, Martin Luther King Jr delivered his "I have a dream" speech.

This year, on August 28, exactly 45 years later to the day, Barack Obama will deliver his acceptance speech at the Democratic National Convention. With Obama's history of oratory and the fact that the real history will be made that night as he accepts, you can bet that this will be one of the most electrifying speeches ever and that the number of televisions tuned in will break records.

If you remember, I said it was not easy for me to make the decision to support Hillary, and so throwing my support to Obama is easy. As it should be for all Democrats and independents.

Let's make our state AlObama 08.

Vote Today...but why? And Marriage Equality

You should too. Polls are open till 7:00.

People in South Dakota and Montana are voting today as well. I expect Senator Clinton to bow out gracefully, after tonight. If and when she does...I will unite with other democrats in support of Barack Obama.

In the meantime, we will watch tonight's returns with interest, as history unfolds before us.

But as I voted today, I couldn't get Hacking Democracy out of my mind.



We watched the HBO documentary last night, and if you see the first 5 minutes, you have to watch the rest. During those five minutes, they remind us that in Volusia County Florida in 2000 that Al Gore received negative 16, 022 votes in one precinct. A precinct that had only 585 registered voters. 412 of those voters actually cast ballots, and Bush got 2813 and Gore -16, 022. On Diebold Voting machines. You don't think their machines can be hacked? Watch .

You can watch Hacking Democracy on HBO in Demand, or just go to Youtube and search "hacking democracy" and there it is, in several parts, 1,2,3...9.

And we are supposed to have faith in the system? Well, yeah...so..vote! And believe that housewive's in Seattle and professors at Princeton are on top of things.

Meanwhile, as we wait for tonight's results, attitudes about same sex marriage are changing. Much like attitudes toward interracial marriage changed, but at a slightly quicker pace.

Here is a graph of attitudes toward interracial marriage.

In 1958 94% of Americans were against the concept while only 4% approved. In 1968, around the time the U. S. Supreme Court ruled that interracial marriage could not be denied, only 20 % approved. Not until 1991, 25 years later, did more people support than oppose, and now, a large majority does.

Now look at the graph for same sex marriage.

Blue line is support, red is oppose and black is don't know. The blip is around 2004 when Republicans used gay marriage as a wedge issue. At this point, according to the latest Gallup poll, about 46% approve, so the clear trend is acceptance, and I predict that 2009 will be the year that the lines cross. As marriages occur in California, people will see that it is OK, even preferred, to allow people to live in loving committed relationships that support one another and support society.

Jay Brannan has a new song, Housewife. Who would not want a life partner like the one he sings of? This song is NSFW, it includes the F word, so don't play at work. Unless you work in a really cool place. The song is available on itunes, the album will be out in July.

Tuesday's Primary...and the Alabama Sturgeon

I will be surprised if this post ends up on Bessemer Opinions because, at least at this end, the "internets" (to quote our president) is acting funky.

Tomorrow is the Alabama Primary, and although we already had the presidential portion of our state primary, the rest of the offices are up for grabs Tuesday. Believe it or not, I only have a couple of comments.

Number one, if voting in the Democratic Primary, which everyone should, vote for Dan Weinrib for tax assessor. He is the incumbent, and even though his office slipped up a bit when assessing opponent Gaynell Hendrick's tax liabilities, he took full responsibility. Dan came and spoke with us at an Alabama Stonewall meeting, and certainly is the most qualified candidate.

His opponent, Ms. Hendricks, you remember, played the race card and tried to prevent Patricia Todd from assuming the office she had won at the ballot box. We are moving past race based politics (one can dream, again) so we should move past her as well.

On the Republican side, there is not much to crow about, except for the Public Service Commission President race. Here there are three candidates. One is Twinkle Andress Cavanaugh, who has the endorsement of Mike Huckabee. That in itself is reason enough to vote against her, but in the ad he stresses that she is pro-life. Of course, that is the expected position of republicans, but does being pro-life have anything to do with the public service commission?

Then there is Matt Chancey, whose ads make me laugh every time, still, that I see them: "Radical environmentalists have stopped nuclear power and are the leading cause of our high energy bills."

The leading cause of our high energy bills? Radical environmentalists? Which oil field covered desert sand does this guy have his head buried in? TVA may be interested in building a nuclear plant, and there are pros and cons of this type of alternative energy, but Matt...the Public Service Commission has no oversight over TVA and neither will you.

Also, Matt seems upset that the Alabama Sturgeon is being protected, saying "Recently, Alabama Power and others lost a lawsuit in federal court to remove a certain type of fish from the Endangered Species List. The fish in question is genetically identical to other fish not on the endangered list. But this did not stop environmental extremists, who care more about the habitat of one type of fish than they do about the habitat for human beings" on his web site.

But he fails to mention that Alabama Power Company's customers are paying for both sides of the lawsuit, as our tax money funds the government side of the case and your (in Bessemer we don't use Alabama Power) rate payments paid for Alabama Power's side. A waste of your money, just like those stupid bird advertisements.

article about that.

As for the claim that the fish are genetically identical, Chancey needs to read this article, Genetic distinction of pallid, shovelnose, and Alabama sturgeon: emerging species and the US Endangered Species Act , by Donald Campton et al, published in Conservation Genetics in March 2000 ISSN 1566-0621 (Print) 1572-9737 (Online).

From the abstract: "Overall, these mtDNA results indicate significant reproductive isolation between pallid and shovelnose sturgeon in areas of natural sympatry, and recent evolutionary divergence of Alabama sturgeon. These mtDNA results provide the first molecular genetic evidence for distinguishing the three Scaphirhynchus species and, coupled with morphological and biogeographic data, indicate that pallid and Alabama Sturgeon should be evaluated as distinct species under theESA."

"Recent evolutionary divergence." Something that Chancey may not understand. But what it means is these three fish have/are in the process of becoming distinct species. OMG! Evolution, right before our eyes!

About the fishies

So, just don't vote in the Republican primary, that is the solution to this problem.

Cahaba Lilies, Pitcher Plants and George Folkerts

Saturday Bobby and I travelled to West Blocton to see the Cahaba Lilies. Nice. The annual Cahaba Lily Festival was going on, but the river and its flora was really the draw.

You can learn more about the Cahaba Lily, aka shoals lily, at Cahabalily.com where there are really nice pictures and directions on how to get to the shoals where they are in abundance and more. My pictures were made from a little bit of a distance, because I was not prepared with flip flops or old shoes to wade in, and a woman exiting the water barefoot was complaining about cut feet.

The portion of the Cahaba river that holds the most lilies is in the Cahaba River National Wildlife Refuge

In Sunday's paper is an article about pitcher plants and George Folkerts, former professor of mine at Auburn. I would provide a link to the story but on al.com they ask me to sign in as an archive reader or some such nonsense (the story is a current story of today's paper) to view this story.

Dr. Folkerts instilled in me an interest in ecology and preservation that still is a great part of my biology interest. There is a site dedicated to him at George Folkerts Blog , there I have found comments from people I was in school with.

One was Audrey Goins, who I used to travel to Baldwin County with to do research on pitcher plants and a mosquito species that laid eggs that hatched in the pitchers. I can't remember the species name of the mosquito, but I remember being fascinated walking through the bogs and seeing the variety of plant life and learning how the animal and insect life interacted with the plants.

Maybe I can re-connect with Audrey, she lives in Oakland California now, and is now Audrey Brichi. Email me if you see this Audrey.

There is a poem written by Dr. Folkerts on the site. Here it is ( the links were already in the poem):





LAMENT OF A FIELD BIOLOGIST


My former choice collecting spots
Are shopping center parking lots.
The meadow, once abuzz with bee
Is still now, thanks to DDT.
Shades of Rachel Carson,
Whatever will become of me


The glen where trilliums lolled in shade
And toadlets hopped, and chipmunks played,
In a watery grave has lain for years
Drowned by the Corps of Engineers.
My wild world is sinking fast,
Whatever will become of me


The marsh, a haunt of coots and rails,
Where Typha waved and wagged its tails,
Succumbed to an ignominious fate,
It's a cloverleaf on the interstate.
Nature heaves a dying breath,
Whatever will become of me


Clear birch‑edged stream with fauna rank,
With iris blue upon your bank,
Your poisoned pools I now scan,
My seine haul yields one Falstaff can.
Everything I love is gone,
Whatever will become of me


The fields are being, with great precision
Transformed into a subdivision,
The eagle falls, the lily dies,
And on the road a 'possum lies.
No doubt what will become of me,
Molecular Biology.


GEORGE W. FOLKERTS



There is also a salamander named after him, Desmognathus folkertsi, and I lifted this picture right off of the site, with apologies.

George, you and I both have gone from bog to blog and you have left a mark, a positive one, on many people. Thank you.