Week 130

Posted on by gracesmuggler

A friend and I were walking to lunch in Chelsea, Michigan when we saw people holding signs on all the street corners of the main intersection in town. “Chelsea Welcomes Everybody,” one sign read, as they also held anti-racist signs and LGBTQIA+ flags.

“Thank you for being out here,” I said to one of the folks. I’ve been aware that they come out here every single Sunday. They get some resistance occasionally, but mostly, they receive honks from people driving by. This becomes an occasion to quell violence and stand for values that promote inclusion and affirmation.

“This is week 130,” she said back to me. I smiled and thanked her again. I’m very moved by what they’re doing.

This group of people, mostly white Boomers, began doing more than two years ago this when young people in Chelsea held an anti-racism protest and were arrested. “We’re not letting that happen to them again,” she said.

What a beautiful expression of affirmation and support.

–Renee Roederer

Boppin’

Posted on by gracesmuggler
An 8 pack of Spindrift, Sparkling Water


When Trader Joe’s was filled to the brim with people shopping on Sunday, I stood with my cart in a long checkout line that reached back into the grocery aisles. We were still having fun though. There was R&B/Hip Hop style jam on, and lots of people knew it. So I noticed multiple people dancing a little in place as we stood there to wait.

And that’s when a woman walked by, jamming, and she was carrying an 8 pack of Spindrift Sparkling Water over her shoulder. And it looked too much like an old school boombox not to burst out with laughter. That was delightful.

— Renee Roederer

I’m Going to Ease Your Guilt About Dishes

Posted on by gracesmuggler
A person is unloading their dishwasher with clean dishes. Public domain image.

A have a dear friend who loves data, is so good at it, and also loves data fun facts. She shared one with me that will make your life (and possible guilt) easier:

People think they are saving water when they hand wash their dishes, but! The on-average threshold for saving more water in the dishwasher vs. hand washing is… 8 dishes. If you have 8 dishes and only 8 dishes (on average; the size would matter too) you will save more water if you wash them in the dishwasher than washing them by hand.

When I run my dishwasher, I always have more than 8 dishes in there, but this has completely eased my guilt at wanting to have it full the brim. You’re doing a good thing! Feel no guilt!

–Renee Roederer