Thursday, April 30, 2020

Quarantine Day #33




Quarantine Day # 33
Corona Virus 
West Chester, PA
April 17, 2020



OMG, something happened today.  I was up and functioning by 10 AM.  By 11, I was dressed and on the road.  What's become of me!!???!!??  I stopped first at the bank to cash a check and the woman said, "have a nice weekend."  And I thought, "What???"  No day or moment distinguished itself anymore.  It is all the same day.  Anyway, I headed up to Washington's Crossing, along the Delaware River, a place that has always been on my bucket list.  It took me an hour to get there.  And, of course, it was closed.  So I took a drive to the Delaware River to get a sense of this historical crossing.  But the moment was lost in the chaos of the quarantine.  The park was closed until further notice. So I thought I would find a local brewery to support.

I found the River Head Brewery which has always been beer that I enjoyed so I was so damn happy.  I knew I would not be be able to stop in for a beer but at least I could support this place during an economic crisis.  The website said it was open so I would buy some beer to go. But it wasn't open so I left empty and heading home.  I stopped at the Locust Lane Brewery in Malvern and it too was closed even though the website said it was open.  And I stopped at Stolen Sun and it too was closed.  So much for my humble efforts to keep the economy rolling.  After a short nap, I called the Ironhill Brewery to see if I could pick up a 32oz growler. After much effort, they agreed and I got my beer and got a little bit shit faced.

I watched the documentary, Wild, Wild Country, and I need to talk to people about this event.  It's a story of religious freedom, cults, local culture, the justice system, tolerance, evil, corruption, redemption and personal freedom.  I am going to ask a few friends to watch this six part series as well.  And I am hoping that we can discuss it when we get together again and I am hoping that I can remember some of the key points as well.  

Tuesday, April 28, 2020

Quarantine- Day #34

Quarantine - Day # 34
Corona Virus
West Chester, PA
April 18, 2020


The day started out a little dreary and that always makes it difficult for me to get up and going.  I started my day by trying to catch up on a strand of texts from my siblings.  We have taken to chatting each other up about random thoughts at the moment.  Much of today's discussion centered around our views on whether our brother-in-law should shave his head and go bald.  Tricia is going to cut it in the afternoon and send us photos. Can't wait to see the outcome.  I hope he doesn't look like a cancer patient, going through chemotherapy.


I watched a very bizarre movie: Little Hours.  It was the story of three crazy young nuns in a convent who engage in homosexuality, deceit, foul language, witch craft and deviate sex.  I can't tell if I really like the movie or I really liked to irreverent portrayal of the nuns.


I'm sitting here now, checking my phone every ten minutes.  I am waiting on three different package to come in the mail and I can't wait to receive any one of them as I am in need of a shot of immediate gratification.  I am ordering too many things on line to satisfy this need.  I have to get this under control.  

Monday, April 27, 2020

My Viewpoint


My Viewpoint
A Message from a Student
SIAS University
Henan Province, China
Spring 2012


I taught a women's leadership program in China and had a few conversations about the Chinese government.  My Chinese students were adamant that their government was always forthright in delivering information to the general public.  So, from time to time, I would let them write their position on this topic and i published their views on my blog.  Here is one example:



My viewpoint about Chinese information

A few days ago, one of my foreign friends said, why couldn't you get into some of international websites, why couldn't you see what happened in the world? Because your government want you to be stupid and keep from the information.

I disagree. I believe most of the foreigners hold the view like what my foreign friends take. But I do not agree.
Yes, in a way, I admit Chinese government block some information whatever it is about, I'm also curious about what they are. However, I understand some of doings of our government and I support. 

Forbidding some information is for the steady of our country and guaranteeing China's long-term stability. And now, not every Chinese could understand English( western culture and language,etc) well, most of couldn't master the foreign language. On this occasion, how could a Chinese tell what is true or not? Also, they may misunderstand what you American or European want to express( perhaps your expression is right and it's also the truth).
Moreover, we could know what our government blocked if we want, only by some little technology. Anyway, we are not idiots.

Besides, as a Chinese citizen, I want you to know that Chinese people could get most of the news from the world, we know what happened everyday in the world, we care about our countryself and the world. I take stock in that we will know more and more with our country's progress until all of. Do not criticize Chinese government, and we won't criticize American government, every government is not perfect, but every government does things for their own country.

Last but not least, we are developing. Please cut down the confrontation, stand on global partnership, fight for the human beings all over the world together.

Susanna Ma
In China
5.1.2012

Sunday, April 26, 2020

Quarantine #16


Quarantine Day #16
Corona Virus
West Chester, PA
March 31, 2020

OMG, it is the third day in a row with no sunshine.  It's too damn gloomy.  I woke up this morning and I couldn't figure out if it was early morning, mid-afternoon or late evening.  I am completely disoriented on time.

I spent the day in front of my laptop, watching movies and shows.  I watched The Boy who Harnessed the Wind and a Kevin Hart Comedy show, among other things. It is becoming too easy just to resort to watching movies and TV shows.

I didn't take any naps which is unusual and hopeful.  I have to do more than just force myself to sleep through this time.  All of this confinement reminds me of the James Taylor song about prison life, Sleep from Free Me.  This has been a very long month.

Saturday, April 25, 2020

I Am So Discouraged

I Am So Discouraged
The Primary Elections
April 8, 2020

At this point, only 1/2 of the states have had their primary elections and the candidate has already been elected.  So when I vote in June, my only choice will be Joe Biden.  We had 26 candidates at one point: two blacks, one latino, one jew, one gay, five women, one asian and white men.  Slowly but surely, everyone feel to the wayside and we are left with an old, white man to represent us.  We need one national primary day so that all of us can have a say in our candidate.  I will vote for Biden because he will be so much better than Trump.  But I am so discouraged.  When will we understand the value of electing a female president?



Thursday, April 23, 2020

When It IS Finally Over

When It Is Finally Over
The Covid 19 Quarantine
West Chester, PA
March 16, 2020- ?

What will I do?  What have I been missing?  I can think of a few things:

  • sitting in a bar and having a beer with friends
  • reconnecting with family and friends
  • going to a matinee movie
  • roaming the streets
  • ushering at the local theatre
  • eating breakfast in a diner
  • hanging by the pool
  • sitting on the beach
  • drinking a mojito at an outdoor cafe
  • traveling
  • taking a big ass road trip
  • sitting in the lounge, chatting up my neighbors in my apartment building
  • shopping in a store
  • hanging in the city (Philly)
  • buying coffee at WAWA
  • going to live theatre
  • watching late night TV shows that have a live audience
  • booking some trips in the future
  • hanging at the public library





Wednesday, April 22, 2020

The Trip's Over

Facebook Post
The Trip's Over
Cruising with My Niece
Miami Airport, FL
February 8, 2020
Our week of gluttonous eating, self-indulgence, spas, napping in the sun, overconsumption, immediate gratification, a sea of guilty pleasures, and overspending has come to an end. The cruise is finished and we’ve put our winter coats back on and we will return to the cold. But yes, after 11 days of being together 24/7, she is still speaking to me.

Tuesday, April 21, 2020

Vermont


Vermont
2004 & 2015


  • It's the drive through state on the way to Canada.

  • I've been to the Long Trail Brewery.  This was before there were many breweries open to the general public.  I could have spent the afternoon there but I had to get to New Hampshire so I had to move on after a beer or two.

  • I'd like to take a brewery tour in this state.  But I will need a designated driver.  I'd like to spend at least three days there, tasting their beers.

  • I've been here twice.  Maybe in 2004, I went there during my spring break.  Then I went there again in 2015, on my way to Quebec, Canada. 

  • I was in a bar that had a local beer named after Bernie Sanders.

  • Everyone there seems to Feel The Bern.

  • It's beautiful.  The whole state is beautiful. It looks like a Norman Rockwell painting.

Monday, April 20, 2020

Honoring My Mother on Her Birthday

Facebook Post
April 12, 2020


Honoring My Mother 
on Her Birthday
April 12, 1927

Bridget E Kelly is thinking about my mom in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.


Happy Birthday to my mother who would have been 93 today: April 12, 1927- May 9, 1998. She's been gone too long. She was a creative, artistic, strong-willed woman who encouraged my independence. But then again, she had to push all of us to be independent. She had 7 kids and she had to get rid of us or she would have gone crazy.

Happy Birthday to my mother who would have been 93 today: April 12, 1927- May 9, 1998. She's been gone too long. She was a creative, artistic, strong-willed woman who encouraged my independence. But then again, she had to push all of us to be independent. She had 7 kids and she had to get rid of us or she would have gone crazy.


Kathy Flatley Bandos : Only 71. Seems so young now that I’m closer to that age. I knew Jackie from when I was about 7. Many memories of sitting on the Kelly porch and listening to her sharp wit, which her kids inherited. Extraordinarily creative- the woman didn’t just sew, she reupholstered furniture! Great mom to her annoying kids and a great partner to her sweet Jim. Also a loving friend to many, including my parents. Lois speaks of her often.
I wish you all happy memories of her.

Bridget E Kelly: How fortunate our families have been to know each other.

Kathryn Shumaker : Lovely photo.

Teresa Kelly:  Aww my dad was so cute! Do you have this in a frame?

Bridget E Kelly: nope. I gave all these photos away a few years ago.

Sissy Sayer Staeger : Happy Easter and enjoy memories of a big family growing up together through lots of joys and craziness. Till we meet again my friend.😍

Joanne Murphy Pappalardo:  Today was my Father’s birthday also. Passed in 2011, a few weeks before his 92nd birthday. It was Palm Sunday!

Judy Jackson-Grier:  Beautiful photo ❤️

Joanne Murphy Pappalardo:  I know the feeling of making 6 kids being independent! Used to ask if they wanted toast or cereal for breakfast. Which ever they chose, I told them they could get it themselves!

Julia Kelly Maslanka:  She was a beautiful woman with so many talents. ❤️

Helen Dougherty : Mrs. Kelly was awesome and love this picture. Bridget, is that you on the right?

Swati Udita:  Happy Birthday!!!! <3 p="">

Sunday, April 19, 2020

September 16, 2014

September 16, 2014
An Update On Our New Sewing School
 Jacmel, Haiti

These are the women who were selected to learn to sew. They took a week of private sewing lessons from Catherine Glatts and then they had a few more lessons from a local seamstress. They are now ready to teach others and earn some income.

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The five women trained in sewing are receiving five machines to continue To practice and take care of their family
They thank amazing Bridget Kelly for having brought this program here for them and teacher Catherine for her patience then the Haitian team
Jeams
Alexandra
Fli

Saturday, April 18, 2020

Finished For The Night

Facebook Posting
Oktoberfest
Munich, Germany
September 17, 2016


"Finished for the night!"

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A few responses from friends:

KF: steal a glass.  I did.

BW: Yes, just like I did in England ages ago, with a Guinness mug. They EXPECT you to steal them, lolol.


BW: Wait, there's beer left!!!!

Friday, April 17, 2020

Burning the American Flag

Burning The American Flag


Facebook Posting

November 29, 2016 at 8:11 AM ·

If this becomes the law, I am going to start burning the flag in support of our 1st Amendment.

CNN
November 29, 2016 at 8:04 AM · 
President-elect Donald J. Trump is now proposing possible jail time or loss of citizenship for burning the American flag, an act that is protected as a form of free speech under the First Amendment


WWW.CNN.COM
Trump ignores First Amendment, suggests jail time for flag-burning

Peoples' responses:

Bobbie Wickline It's so frightening. The man doesn't have a clue!

Samuel M Klein I'm never sure if I should be amused or frightened at Trump's lack of knowledge about the Constitution and how it works.

Bridget E Kelly i can't decide if he really thinks these things or if he is purposely trying to sabotage himself so he can be impeached and move on with his life.

Marilyn Vaughn It's really hard to know what goes on in his mind! I really and truly believe he never wanted the job!

Samuel M Klein I'm pretty sure he believes this stuff. I also think he believes himself to be untouchable.
There is also no doubt in my mind that he'll be impeached inside 18 months.

Josh Vega I think he is appeasing his nationalist constituency. Further affirmation that he supports nationalist extremism

Joanna Rachel http://mobile.nytimes.com/.../senator-clinton-in-pander.... Not the first time for this

NYTIMES.COM
Senator Clinton, in Pander Mode

Michael Steen Bridget E Kelly I've thought forever that he never really wanted to be President. He just wanted to call a lot of attention to himself and shoot his mouth off. Then when he got in too far, his ego wouldn't let him back out.

Gloria Handling Jeff and I have been saying this all along, too!! He wants the title, but not the job!! It is like he just graduated from high school and was offered and took over CEO of a company he knows nothing about.😒

Bridget E Kelly Gloria Handling i hope our high school graduates have a better understanding of government.

Amanda Ehst Dr. Kelly, as much as social studies was not my favorite class, I'm pretty sure I understand more about government than Trump. And I've been out of school a long time. :)

Leslie Coren or if he is causing trouble just to cloud his tremendous conflict of interest issues

Chris Belton He's distracting you from his actions: cabinet picks and self-dealing as he uses his position to enrich himself. Watch his actions when his words are at their most provocative.

Samuel M Klein I think you're giving him too much credit. He's not some master of misdirection, just a loudmouth with a really big bullhorn.
Besides, that would mean he's building a cabinet that isn't a self contained mental hospital in and of itself. Half his picks disagree with him on basic issues. He's selecting people like a CEO instead of with an eye towards political preparedness.

Leslie Coren Useful idiot? I think more like Chauncey Gardiner

Gina Kazimir Wait...didn't we fight the flag-burning amendment thing twenty years ago? Oh, right, we set the clocks back this fall.....

Rosina Rucci All kidding aside, his lack of knowledge, understanding of anything about the Constitution and mechanisms of the govt, together with his psycho Twitter rants about imagined, invented crises are really and truly frightening. He is dumb as mud and dangerous as an oil spill. Not to mention completely psychopathic.

Beverly Sutton Lawrence Hmm ... just wonderin', Bridget, if you signed a petition or marched against Ms. Clinton's FLAG PROTECTION ACT of 2005 ... or, is it 'different' when the 'violation' of the First Amendment is proposed by your Goddess?

Bridget E Kelly I was not aware of it but I would have protested that as well. I will not sit back and let our civil rights be eroded.

Bridget E Kelly and I don't have a goddess.

Melissa Reed Politicians throw the flag burning nonsense out every few years to get people riled up. He just happens to be unstable enough to try to really do it.


Augusta Christensen 1. It was not proposed by then Sen. Clinton. 2. It would have made burning the flag to incite violence, intimidating others, or as part of an act of terrorism punishable by no more than a year in jail or a $100,000 fine. 3. No dissidents were threatene…See More

Beverly Sutton Lawrence Bridget E Kelly Okay, I'll admit, the 'goddess' bit was a bite ... ;)

Joe Metzgar I'll burn it right in front of that draft dodgers face!!!!

Kevin Courtright Big talk!

Kevin Cassidy Same.

Jane Asher Oy

Greg Schwami This is what he's all about: Nationalism not Patriotism. It's not about pride in our country it's about silencing all critics and forcing people to accept all of the country's decisions.

Tom Brientnall There's already ruling on matter. He can't do anything unless there is amendment


Bridget E Kelly I know this but he can continue to pit us against each other which is just as dangerous.

Samuel M Klein Brings to mind a story of two sweet, innocent teens who were removed from the library during study hall one day by one of the school resource officers and brought into your office to be accused by a raving mad man. Okay, so it was me and an unnamed cohort. As the statute of limitations has probably run out after 25 years I can admit that yes, I was skipping class that morning, and for whatever reason, (okay, we were stoned) we decided it was a good idea to go back into the school for lunch.
The story that guy proceeded to tell about chasing us all over town after catching us burning the flags off of veterans graves was total BS. Dude probably saw us walking in and decided to give us a good scare, but all I remember was looking at this guy thinking "I've never seen you before in my life, why are you trying to get us in so much trouble?" while fighting back a raging case of the giggles. I'm not saying that isn't the kind of dumb stuff we would have done, it just wouldn't have crossed our minds to do it.
How on earth you managed to put up with us, and continue to fight for us, I will never understand.

Bridget E Kelly Who turned you in? one of the guys from F Troop?

Samuel M Klein Oh thanks. Now I've got the theme from F-Troop going through my head.

Bridget E Kelly OK but yo know who I mean by F Troop.

Samuel M Klein One of the all time classic comedies. Love that show.

Bridget E Kelly No, our security staff at the high school.

Samuel M Klein I guess I need caffeine. No idea how that part went down. Both those officers knew me well (heck, I'd had dinner at both their houses countless times) so I was probably the automatic suspect. How they found us in the library I have no idea, but we were almost always there at that time so it probably wasn't hard to find us.

Tracey Matthews Jacobi How does the burning of our flag(assuming you still feel it is your flag) support your 1st. Amendment rights? In what way do you feel the flag symbolizes an attack on your 1st. Amendment rights? Does the flag NOT represent the sacrifices that many have made to allow us to enjoy freedoms others in the world only dream of? Including your 1st. Amendment right. If you want to support your 1st. Amendment right than utilize peaceful protest and continue to post your opinion in social media. The ironic thing is Trump is utilizing his 1st Amendment right to post his opinion and you don't like it. While I recognize the supreme court's decision that flag burning is protected under the 1st. Amendment I also recognize that it protects my right to think that anyone that can't find a more constructive and less divisive way to support their 1st Amendment rights is simple minded and disrespectful to those who sacrificed so much for others. - GlennJacobi

Bridget E Kelly the flag represents our democracy which is based on our freedoms.

Greg Schwami How is burning a flag not a form of peaceful protest? If I were inclined to burn a flag in protest to evoke a reaction from people I am exercising my 1st Amendment right to freedom of speech. Burning an American flag is a peaceful way to indicate that …See More

Tracey Matthews Jacobi Greg Schwami are you stating that you don't feel that burning the flag if divisive? How is it that the flying of the flag is considered a hardship for those on the left that aren't happy with the outcome of the election, but the BURNING of the flag is

Greg Schwami For one thing I think you're confusing this entire situation. We're talking about people purchasing or making a flag and then burning it. We're NOT talking about people stealing flags that they do not own and burning them; that is theft and it is ill…See More

Phillip Lee This would be another step closer to dictatorship

Dawn Meade Branch Regardless of whether it is against the law or not, it's disgraceful to burn the flag. So many died for our freedoms that many take for granted.

Bridget E Kelly When the symbol becomes more important than what it symbolizes, we have lost freedom of speech.

Dawn Meade Branch My husband, father, and many others that served our country would disagree. Acting out against Trump is not the answer.

Bridget E Kelly I disagree. We can not let him erode our freedoms.

Leslie Coren Dawn Meade Branch if we don't act out now flag burning will become an art form

Dawn Meade Branch I think standing together for what is right and good is better than throwing temper tantrums because of what could go wrong. America has been falling apart for years. It's time to make it right again by leading by example.

Leslie Coren I think that you post would be better served if you directed it to Mr. Trump, If You think that America has been falling apart for years and that a childish, dishonest, narcissistic salesman with an anger problem will make it right again you need to think again. As Maya Angelou said, When someone shows you who they are, believe them the first time."

Dawn Meade Branch I do not think Trump will make anything right. I said we need to lead by example, we, as in the people. Trump scares me as well but acting like him is not answer.

Leslie Coren I don't think that many of us have it in us to act like him

Bridget E Kelly Some moments call for civil disobedience. Where would the world be today without Ghandi or MLK or Rosa Parks and other people who stood up and against the injustice.

Derek Donato It's a trap, Trump wants his supporters to see Anti-Trump protestors burning flags.

Burn the Confederate flag instead

Bridget E Kelly Now that's an idea!!!

Derek Donato I'd like to take credit for that idea but I found it on the internet haha

Phillip Lee See the thing is, the people who are fighting and dying for our freedoms, in the last couple hundred years since the revolution, since the civil war, have been doing so through acts of protest, movements for social justice and human rights. The people …See More

Bridget E Kelly My thoughts exactly.

Leslie Coren Amen

Marilyn Vaughn Right on!

Mary Staudt He is so stupid, it is frightening.

Phillip Lee And to the people that want to outlaw flag burning: can you outlaw hate speech first or...?

Bridget E Kelly Something to think about as we continue our discussion about respect for our flag.

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Josh Vega Here is what Oliver Byrd's sister Q had to say. I thought it was spot on

"I have no issue with a person burning the flag as a form of protest. I have issues with a person disrespecting the flag as a symbol. What does that mean? …See More

Marilyn Vaughn Josh Vega hmmm ...I see your point,however I am one of those people who use above said items on the Fourth of July and throughout summer holidays. I am very patriotic and don't think that using patriotic materials including images of the flag is being …See More

Michael Steen This is so true. It doesn't have to be hanging from a flagpole or a balcony to be our flag. Great point, Bridget.

Bridget E Kelly I've always hated to see people in flag bathing suits. There is something about sitting your wet ass on the flag that is offensive to me.

Michael Steen Bridget E Kelly So true. At least those who are burning it are doing so with the full knowledge of the respect the flag deserves. They burn it as a shocking in-your-face protest that they KNOW will elicit powerful emotions. Napkins, bathing suits, and beach towels disrespect it because there's money to be made, and the people purchasing these items disrespect it out of casual ignorance.

Brian Caufield Gotta love the liberal media slant . . . He made no such "proposal" anywhere . . . He tweeted and now CNN makes that a proposal.

Michael Steen When you are a big jerk with a Twitter account, you can tweet all kinds of ridiculous stuff and people shrug it off because you're a big jerk. When you're the President-elect of the United States with a Twitter account, EVERY SINGLE DAMN THING YOU SAY …See More

Bridget E Kelly His tweet is damaging enough.