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Losing People, Finding People

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On a recent hot day, I set out with a friend to deliver water, ice, and fruit to unhoused communities near me. At our second stop, the elder who normally receives the water and makes sure it’s shared with the many others around him, was gone. All of his area was emptied and swept clean as though a city crew had been there. But the adjacent area on both sides looked as it always had, drawing a stark straight line between the grouping of shelters and the now bare pavement. Stunned, I asked the woman sitting nearby where he went…. read more

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Why Can’t We Care for Our Neighbors?

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An agency with the County obtained a grant to supply water to unhoused people over the summer. The grant is likely running out in a couple of weeks unless additional funding has been secured. The distribution is handled by enlisting community groups to each collect up to 10 cases of water per week and bring it to people on the streets. I’ve been bringing water to three communities in West Oakland. People are very thankful for the water, but often hungry and ask  hopefully if I have food. Sometimes I do, but often I don’t. I’ve met people who are… read more

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Winding Path

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After my assault, the first time I felt connected to myself again was making a Pomo style basket in a workshop with Corinne Pearce (https://corinepearce.com/). It’s notable to me that these crafts – cordage, basketweaving, all crafts to make something to carry and connect – also begin with something turning, or spinning asymmetrically to make symmetry. These processes also helped this out of balance rape survivor return to my center. Recently, I was spending time at a skillshare gathering hosted by Steph Rue (https://www.stephrue.com/fieldnotes/cordage-gathering), where she and friend Tanya Lieberman shared methods of spinning cordage from tule fiber in the… read more