Right now, workers in Mexico earn $6 a day for picking produce.

In the U.S., they are not paid by the hour, but by the amount they pick, so I am not sure how much they earn on average in comparison, but it is much more than $6 for a days work.

Just some random facts that were in my head.

An Abundance of Connections

We are connected through circles
in a big connect the dots game
that is invisible to most
but occasionally some of us see
the netherworld
and how invisible ribbons surround us.

They are cobalt in our imaginations.

Taking us to new heights
and spaces where we can dine with meteors.
Bravely,
as one.

And yet we are never alone.

Operation Harass the Homeless

Sheriff Mike Winters maintains that it is not a crime to be homeless in Jackson County and yet at the same time, on Monday morning he spearheaded a campaign to break up 40 homeless camps along the Bear Creek Greenway. For seven and a half hours, approximately 100 officers from 11 agencies, including a private helicopter forced the homeless off public lands.

Law enforcement say they were reacting to the recent rape of a 15 year old girl who was attacked on the greenway on March 4. One of the suspects in this case has been arrested. Police are not sure if the other two men involved are transients.

The Mail Tribune reported that during the sweep, 19 people were cited for various offenses including trespassing and prohibited camping. Twenty out of 22 people had criminal backgrounds. They also reported that they referred people to homeless shelters. The 15 year old girl was turned away from a shelter on the night of the rape.

While the gospel mission is not full, many area homeless do not want to stay there. Many have drug or alcohol problems and the mission requires a code of behavior that some are unable to meet.

No reports of how much money local agencies spent on the homeless sweep on Monday have been released.

My mom was just diagnosed with breast cancer and although I know the statistics are in her favor, I am scared. She's decided to have a lumpectomy and they will just go in and surgically remove one breast and the tissue around it. They say that this will remove all chances of the cancer returning. My mom is almost 70. She is the second woman I have known to have breast cancer. The first was Jason's grandmother. Granny is in her mid 80's and I have a hard time keeping up with her. So, when I talked to my mom, I reminded her of that and told her that "tough old bird's don't die." She said I made her laugh, so that is good. Really I feel lousy about it.

Analysis

Small bits of hope trickle by
as the stellar jay yells for more food
and we stand fearless
even though we are broke
and often alone.

This thing called work
defining our time
by dollars
filling up our hours
with fluorescent lights
and wandering moons.

Trading our lives away
in hope of more money
and health insurance
for when this work does us in.

But it is okay in the end.

Our liberal bluejays will visit
carrying hope
in their beaks.

Oil Painting on Easel in Nuwandart Gallery

I saw it immediately, even though there were several other paintings in the way.
Leaning on the easel--
her back turned to the viewer,
face hidden,
bones protruding from backside
and the skinniest butt I have seen since I stepped on my daughters nude barbie
when I was walking down the stairs last week.

I, Mrs. Non-Censorship,
with my live and let live mantra,
wanted to run over and throw a towel over that painting,
considered turning the canvas around so that it would be hidden,
and stewed for three days over what I wanted my daughters to know about beauty.

Not from barbies or anorexic looking still life's
but real beauty.
like their great grandmothers eighty seven year old hands.
Art and poetry. Life.

Grief Management

And you think you heard footsteps behind you
forgot your rent was due last Tuesday
and the phone is also overdue.
You crawl into bed
and then lie there in the dark waiting for peace.

So much of your life does not make any sense at all.

In bits and pieces you begin to "heal"
although the word itself pisses you off
and this goes on for years
until even your closest family wishes you would just get it together.

But holding on
is management.

And you can tell them all that.