Hurtful, Hate-filled, Homophobia

Today my spouse and I went to her grandmother's funeral.  Her grandmother had lived a long, full life loving her family, quilting, and gardening.  She was a faith filled woman, who struggled with her granddaughter's choices to move away from small-town Missouri and live with another woman. After 30 years she had at least accepted that I wasn't going away. I went with Natalie, as her spouse, to  be her support and comfort as she has been for me as I struggled with my own losses.

Most funerals are sad and this one was no exception.  However, shortly after the first hymnal the preacher lauded the family for their traditional family values.  He asked that everyone help him pray for those traditional marriage values that are currently under attack by the government.  Our heads snapped up and we knew we were no longer welcomed as many of the attendees started nodding their heads in agreement.  The same heads that share DNA with my beloved.  It hurt me to see so much hate around me.  It was appalling to know in the room there were young people being taught to hate those that are different, and in some cases hate themselves.  The cutting remarks were even sadder than the reason we were there.

We did not leave, but stayed for the rest of the service.  The small minded preacher went on to talk about the importance of love,  Jesus is love, he felt surrounded by love, and love of the Lord is the highest form of love.  He concluded by inviting all of us to share in a dinner prepared for all of us with love at his church.  We decided to skip the dinner.

Natalie said to me on the ride home, "After that there was nothing else he said that I wanted to hear."

Love may have won last month, but hate still exists and flourishes in small-towns and small minds.

What's Your Point Scarf

I have been knitting, but with moving & some larger works in progress I have not finished much lately.  However, awhile back I did finish a scarf which will not find its way around my neck until this fall.  In the meantime it languishes away with my other fabulous knitted scarves.  The pattern for the scarf is called "What's Your Point Scarf?" Available at the following website:  (http://www.skacelknitting.com/s.nl/sc.2/category.46871/.f ). 

The scarf was an easy knit, but it is the yarn I used which I love.  One of the Sunday knitters showed up with this Schachenmayr Regia Fluormania line of sock yarn and I knew I had to have some.  I found a vivid purple, pink, green colorway to call my own. 

I was worried that this pattern was going to just roll up once knitted.  My knitter think tank assured me blocking would take care of the rolling edge problem.  Aggressive blocking paid off and the scarf is flat as a pancake (which if you think about it a pancake is actually a little puffy on top).  Can't wait for nippy weather to show off this pointedly vibrant scarf.

And the World Continues to Turn on Its Axis

Just a little under a month ago, as you may have heard, Natalie and I's marriage was recognized by our country.  Our whole country; all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and the US territories.  Since then the I have noticed the sun still comes up and the moon still continues to wax and wane.  Our mail shows up with the same bills and junk mail.  The internet functions and the grid has not fallen.  I have not seen a rain of frogs or the Mississippi turn to blood.  I will admit we have been plagued by a swarm of mosquitoes, but bug spray seems to be taking care of that problem.  My marriage has not destroyed our world.  In fact so many of my friends, co-workers, neighbors, knitters, and family have rallied around us to congratulate the recognition of our 30 year union.  We feel blessed to have so much love and support.  Thank you my friends and allies for all the years that you have opened your hearts and minds to my family.  Your helped change my world. A world that continues to turn just fine on its axis.



My Map is Pink!!!

I have kept this map at my desk since November of 2012 (http://tempestinapot.blogspot.com/2012/11/rainbow-tide-coming-through.html) & now it is totally pink!  I know there are some grinches who are trying to steal marriage from couples, but they won't last.  And just so you know I smiled as I colored in those last 13 states.  The county I grew up in started marrying same-sex couples on June 29th.  Good job Crawford County, good job.