MLK Day and more

What a day! I set out after my Sunday morning news TV watching and off to Mystic CT with my old roommate. The outing would start at a "book party" hosted by friends of hers in support of South Africa Partners. Again, I felt like I needed my bubblehead "wrap" on in this room of educators and activists. But I did run into a lady who is originally from Cape Verde and I shared with her that I had been at a Cesaria Evora concert at UNC. She was impressed that UNC had that type of offering and again I am reminded how blessed I was to have seen and heard the people I did when I was there. The guest was sharing with me that I might want to check out New Haven for like offerings, but she said I would not be finding Cesaria type nights. "The best know morna singer is Cesária Évora from São Vicente Island, who sings primarily in Cape Verdean Creole"

But back to my day. On the way to the party we stopped for $2.13 gas in New London - "cash only, cheapest in the state" and by my roommate's family house and I met her mom. I had never met her before. A very good stop. At the party, I did buy two South African children's books - one for sister #3's classroom (a counting book) and the other for a friend's son in NC. Every book that is bought sends that same book to one of their partner South African schools. Then back north for the evening event at The First Cathedral for "The Drum Major - Doing together what none of us can do alone." The program was built around MLK's Drum Major Instinct speech he gave in Atlanta on Feb 4 1968. It was a wonderful program - Brad Davis, our local LIFELONG radio/TV personality in Hartford CT; David Greer; The Project; Irene Lumpkin; Maurine Hines and Yolande Spears; Vickie Winans - it just kept building and building. I had not stood for the Black National Anthem since I left NC - Lift Every Voice and Sing - which opened the program. We had VIP tickets (via my old roommate) and were 2nd row, center right behind the President and CEO of The Bushnell Center for the Performing Arts. It was quite the experience being that close when someone like Vickie Winans starts singing her gospel songs! There was a reception after that we went to for a few minutes - all the performers were there signing autographs and getting pictures taken with people. It was a great event and I am glad that people think of me when they want company for days like yesterday!

Now my mind moves to plans for Thursday's travel. Need to see what the work week looks like. Need to go for a long walk tonight to help process all I have seen and heard this weekend. Got an offer to go see UCONN-Villanova women's basketball game in February. It was one good, one not good for me in yesterday's NFL games. I am going to be in a non-sports' house next Sunday...oh well. Go Colts and Saints.

Better get moving. Lucky all rain this a.m. no ice. No excuse not to get on to work. Kids are watching CRASH as part of the MLK Day events today. I would be interested to hear the post movie discussion.

Have a good week.