#825 + HEARINGS #1 + #2 2018 + KAVANAUGH SCOTUS HEARINGS > KavaNAH + NAH I do NOT remember + obfUScAtion

IPROMISETOTELL                                                                                 Catherine L. Johnson  2015

https://catherineljohnson.wordpress.com/2015/12/17/ipromise-ipromisetotell-ipromisetotellthewhole-ipromisetotellthewholetruth-16-december-2015-catherine-l-johnson-artist-patti-smith-people-have-the-power/

 

 

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obfuscation

noun

1. the act or an instance of making something obscure, dark, or difficult to understand

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obfuscate

verb

1. to obscure or darken
2. to perplex or bewilder

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THE obfuscation: THE SCOTUS HEARINGS                                       Catherine L. Johnson   2018

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Unlike the tens of thousands of unreleased Kavanaugh documents

and

KavaNAH’s decision to withhold the truth of him,

you can know the truth

and

the details of my documented work

by clicking on the image!

Yes!

No obfuscation,

I offer you

  my art of ambiguity and clarity

that discloses:

the rigid or fluid perceptual lenses,

openness to explore/discover

and

the imagination

of

you,

the viewer

– how you see, how you think, how you envision,

how you negotiate uncharted territories, etc.

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LIVING/SELECTING/DECISION-MAKING

by

Precedents or Firsts.

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Listen to how truth is revealed<>hidden

in the Kavanaugh SCOTUS HEARINGS.

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How questions are shaped/framed

is the vehicle

to

truth-telling.

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The DYNAMICS/SPECTRUM of

AWARENESS <> DENIAL.

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Do you really want to KNOW what is the truth

of someone

IS the question.

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Awareness is the catalyst to action.

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Once you know the unvarnished reality,

and

choose to NOT act

you chose complicity.

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HEARING #1(DAY 1)                                                                           Catherine L. Johnson 2018

 

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HEARING #2(DAY 2)                                                                           Catherine L. Johnson 2018

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HERITAGE FOUNDATION

https://www.heritage.org/about-heritage/mission

https://www.heritage.org/impact/supreme-court-nominee-brett-kavanaugh-was-included-the-list-the-heritage-foundation-helped

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Five things that we know for sure about Brett Kavanaugh:

1. He has not committed to uphold Roe v. Wade, and, if appointed to the Supreme Court, he would likely be the decisive vote that would undermine the right to safe and legal abortion.

2. He refers to birth control as “abortion-inducing drugs” and believes that employers have the right to exclude birth control from health insurance plans.

3. He has gone further than the Supreme Court and written that assault weapons and high-capacity magazines cannot be banned under the Second Amendment.

4. He believes that a sitting president should never be indicted, and he refuses to answer even basic questions about presidential authority, such as whether or not a president can pardon him or herself.

5. He has flat-out refused to recuse himself should any of the president’s civil or criminal investigations reach the Supreme Court.

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Judge Brett KavaNAH:

I am an unimaginative thinker.

I am LOYAL

to those who program and fund my binary brain

with

fixed, obsolete and outdated laws and worldviews

that hold specific demographics captive and hostage

– I will uphold their imprisonment by choosing to

NOT adapt, NOT improvise and NOT overcome

social injustice and inequities!

I love my HERITAGE (wink wink)!

YES, I am their “dummy”!

Precedents and living in fixed pasts is MY future

– and will be YOUR future!

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WHEEEEEEEEEck!

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CHOICES.

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My Mother lost most of her amniotic fluid

when she was 20 weeks pregnant with me.

She was given two possibilities, options, choices:

1.) go home and walk around and you will have a natural miscarriage

– the fetus needs the full volume of the amniotic fluid to create a healthy baby

OR

2.) lie down for a few weeks and see if the tear heals

– the loss of the amniotic fluid is permanent

and if the fetus develops there will be major orthopedic issues.

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My Mother chose to lie down.

I was born 29 December with my right leg twisted around my neck.

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I lived in an institution, Shriner’s Hospital for Crippled Children

where cribs were lined up in rows and rows and rows in a large cavernous room

and I lived bound face down in body casts.

from 6 months to 3 years.

Parents could visit 1x week and were NOT permitted to touch their children.

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My Daddy fought the hospital administration to get me OUT at 18 months.

He achieved that goal with his phenomenal love and  singular purpose

to take his his daughter from captivity and experience the world.

I was/am WONDER and AWE!

I had never experienced the vastness of Nature nor the improvisation of human relationships

– the sensuous brilliant exhilarating experience of touch, sight, sound and taste.

I ate the colors of flowers in my Grandparent’s garden.

I touched and was touched, kissed, caressed by my Mom, Daddy and sister

with timidity, hesitance

and then, slowly, with lessened terror> unfolding overwhelming joy.

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To feel caress was both frightening, overwhelming and amazing GRACE.

I felt the WINGS of freedom and pure love.

I could NOT ever return to a pattern of being hostage and live as a captive.

I was brought back to the institution after 2 months in the world experience.

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At three I began my DANCE,

my life altering blessed, sacred, joyous DANCE

WITH Dr. Mark B. Coventry at Mayo Clinic.

He could SEE me.

We DANCED a miracle.

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I have prevailed.

Forty-eight reconstructive surgeries since my first breath.

I am A/LIVE.

A life of riSING EXODUS.

My life.

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My Mother made a choice. I lived her choice.

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EXODUSIMFREEATLASTIAINTGOINGBACKIMFREE                       Catherine L. Johnson  2013

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https://catherineljohnson.wordpress.com/2013/08/29/fifteen-paintings-28-august-2013-the-humanity-portfolio-28-august-2013-the-50th-anniversary-of-the-march-on-washington-for-freedom-jobs-rev-dr-martin-luther-kings-i-have-a-dream-s/

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PLEASE!

The woman’s choice – no one else – HER life

and

HER child’s life.

The child’s LIFE story.

Not YOUR life.

A woman creates the life of her choices – no matter.

A woman is not a pet, a captive

and

nor should she be a hostage of biased laws

rooted in

patriarchal perceptions/controls of women’s right.

Every woman breathes her own heal/thy <> NOT healthy choices.

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Everyone is IMPACTED by HER LIFE choices.

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HER CHOICES are hers to make and LIVE her LIFE story

– not your choices for her.

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HER LIFE.

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#809 + THE LONGEST DAY / SUMMER SOLSTICE + “Until the story of the hunt is told by the LION > the tale of the hunt will always glorify the HUNTER.” African Proverb

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reflection:lookingforwardtoSEEbackwardstellingthetruthofLIGHT the longest day of sunlight

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“Until the story of the hunt

is told by the LION,

the tale of the hunt will always

glorify the HUNTER.”

African Proverb

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“Until the story of the hunt

is told by the LIONESS,

the tale of the hunt will always

glorify the HUNTER.”

African Proverb  – adapted by CLJ on 21 June 2018

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“Until the story of the hunt

is told by the LION CUBS,

the tale of the hunt will always

glorify the HUNTER.”

African Proverb – adapted by CLJ on 21June 2018

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listen, listen, listen to the story told by the children

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IPROMISETOTELL                                                                                Catherine L. Johnson  2015

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 HERHYMNS: BE BRAVE                                                                       Catherine L. Johnson   2013

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“ONE HUNDRED LULLABIES FOR SYRIAN REFUGEES”

5 December 2015  

Collaboration and accompanied by Lars-Erik Larson / composer + percussionist

Please click on link to read the lullaby:

https://catherineljohnson.wordpress.com/2016/01/04/the-writings-herhymns-be-brave-lullaby-i-thou-poem-a-lullaby-for-a-lover-catherine-l-johnson-interdisciplinary-artist-humanly-possible-the-empathy-exhibition-instinct-art/

 

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The Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. – Letter from a Birmingham City Jail. 1963.

Yours for the cause of Peace and Brotherhood, Martin Luther King, Jr.

https://www.africa.upenn.edu/Articles_Gen/Letter_Birmingham.html

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Is that a quote in relation to the ongoing emotional carnage sponsored by your husband??

DT’s “Stepford Wife/ Stockholm Syndrome reality show” CHOSE to wear THIS jacket 

http://screenprism.com/insights/article/what-does-it-mean-to-call-a-woman-a-stepford-wife

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https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/reliable-source/wp/2018/06/21/writing-on-melania-trumps-jacket-causes-controversy-before-border-visit/?utm_term=.fbb1f048e7a9

 

https://www.npr.org/2018/06/21/622410485/whats-up-with-melania-trump-s-i-really-don-t-care-do-u-jacket

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Today, First lady Melania Trump wore a jacket with the words

“I REALLY DON’T CARE, DO U?”

on the back on Thursday as she boarded a plane on her way to visit immigrant children being held at the border. She arrived at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland wearing the green, hooded $39 jacket from Zara. She removed it before she arrived in McAllen, Texas, to tour a detention center. 

As my dear eloquent, articulate and step UP Canadian friend Janet and I have texted each other – as a LOOPED refrain – for the last few weeks in response to DT + his White House’s actions:

“THERE ARE NO WORDS” or “CANNOT FIND THE WORDS”

Truly, THERE ARE NO WORDS. 

 

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#806 + I BREATHe + SUBmarINe + INternal + vioLET + “THAT & THIS”

http://www.naval-encyclopedia.com/ww2/us-navy

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USS Hartford attack submarine breaking through Arctic ice.

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 A violet lotus blooms signifies a spiritual meaning of ascension, enlightenment, or rebirth.

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A person’s path in life is said to be similar to that of the

LOTUS.

Starting at the

SEED

stage,

early in the karmic cycle,

through to the bud emerging from the dirty water,

representing a person following the path

of spirituality and leaving attachment behind,

and finally

BLOSSOMING,

this is when a person has become

fully

AWAKENED.

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Please click link for  LOTUS 20TEN: A portfolio/ suites/ of the five senses: 

https://catherineljohnson.wordpress.com/2013/10/22/lotus20ten-yourvoiceismylullaby-lotusbloom-the-lotus-20ten-portfolio-a-cycle-of-sixteen-works-summer-of-2010-catherine-l-johnson-artist-suites-of-the-five-senses-sensual-sensuous-th/

 

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VIOLET

has the highest vibration in the visible spectrum.

Violet opens intuitive channels.

It is a color that is attracted to beautiful things

 and has a fragility,

sensitivity and vulnerability to it.

The color violet is of kindness,

inspiring unconditional and selfless love,

devoid of ego, encouraging sensitivity and compassion. 

Violet is the color of the humanitarian,

using its better judgment to do good for others

– combining wisdom and power with sensitivity and humility. 

Violet encourages creative pursuits and seeks inspiration and originality. 

Violet exudes a quiet form of dignity.

Violet is the color of the evolved soul. 

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I was a submarine.

I am a submarine.

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Diving, concealed, below the surface, unseen.

Breathing as a mermaid.

At times, holding my breath

until I would fall backwards

or

was sent to a dark innocent ocean.

No one would know my whereabouts

in my silence, in my solitude.

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My eyes were periscopes, forever scanning

the hushed life below,

the infinite skies above,

aware of the jagged edges

between land and sea.

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Suddenly, I would open wide

– inhale and

soar up

– breaking open the astonished still seas.

Majestically.

A water birth.

A sudden kiss.

Awe riSING fire on water.

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I would exhale all that I

had seen and heard and felt below.

Triumphant, I would reveal, tell.

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Glistening, I am radiant,

with all my secrets,

handwritten maps

and

sparkling pearls inside me.

Sleek and scarred,

me a shining pearl diver.

Life is living itself in me.

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Only a select Navy could detect me.

And, from that select Navy, only

one could SEE me

sensing the prism,

the steady calm of

my boundless Song of Songs,

the ancient luminous hallelujah hymns,

the blues and the gospels

of my woman’s voice, and

feel the private rapture within me

– ask me the story, my flowing story,

and listen, listening

and,

then shape

beautiful questions

with the bow

of  music.

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Quietly, I dive deep, and deeper

beyond anyone’s

sound and sight,

for spheric, shimmering,

iridescent rainbow 

pearls

– and I rise,

with pure amazement,

and elegant grace.

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Rhythm.

Rhythmically, breathing

the natural tide of awakenings

and the perfumed blooms

of Life’s simple joys.

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I was a submarine.

I am a submarine.

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Catherine L. Johnson

26 May 2018

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NOTE:  PEARLS. VIOLET. SOULSONIC MUSECATALYST.

I follow  with complete dedication and trust to

what is issued/issuing/sounding within me  

– and, then later I research the visual elements I have used.

Above is my research on the color violet.

Throughout is my research on submarines.

Anthony Cox / THAT & THIS was/is my  pearl, my soulsonic catalyst and muse.

Below is from my “post-creative process” research on/of pearls.:

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In Ancient China, it was believed that pearls

were actually spittle of dragons when they flew through the air to create rain,

therefore many Chinese wore pearls as talismans against fire.

Pearls  are symbolic of purity, innocence and faith.

With their natural elegance and beauty,

pearls are said to give the wearer

a sense of calmness

and centeredness,

and to promote faith,

loyalty, truth and purity. 

Pearls help one connect with the Goddess,

the ultimate feminine energy.

Pearls enhance personal integrity

and help clear ones mind so that it may be

a clean and clear channel

for wisdom and spiritual guidance.

They were once thought to be the tears of gods and goddesses in different ancient lore.

The pearl has been associated through the ages with the “matrix of life” itself. 

Pearls are associated with the 3rd, Sacral Chakra and 7th Crown Chakra.

Pearls will balance and heal all chakras

Pearls assist in the search for higher wisdom and truth,

absorbing negative energy from one who wears it,

assisting/guiding one to SEE

and deal with the truth of self.

A pearl moves one forward to inner wisdom

and strengthens and nurtures the growth of love.

The metaphysical properties of pearls blesses

a person to open up

and

explore the meaning and discover the purpose

of one’s “true self.”

 

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During the summer of 1985,

I created a series of work

using the shape

and the poetic,

multiple metaphors of a submarine

as vehicle, a confessional, a memoir

of self-portraits.  

I understand the quiet,

the honed senses,

the concealing, the intensity of suppression,

the necessity of vision quests.

the “call” /summons of/to the hero/ine’s

ADVENTURE / JOURNEY / LOTUSSUBMARINE VOYAGE

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hero%27s_journey

https://billmoyers.com/content/ep-1-joseph-campbell-and-the-power-of-myth-the-hero%E2%80%99s-adventure-audio/

and  the voyages within the dark nights of the soul.

The magnificence of soaring UP,

being able to fully BREATHe,

come out of hiding,

and tell,

telling the truth is always beautiful transcendence.

Overcoming, Exodus,

victorious liberation

opens UP

a vast golden field to enter

– to dance / to soar with one’s FULL natural wing span

with happiness and child like joy.

The art testified the poetic associations

of what a submarine

is to me.

No one knowing and my knowing.

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In 1993,

I wrote

“Listen, Listen, Listen

I Hear the Bloom Within the Seed”,

a libretto and the sonic catalyst

to my 1994 solo art exhibition of the same title.

I was unaware that I had actually inscribed an oracle,

a blueprint,

of what would become

my own vision quest

with all the stages of the hero/ine’s journey.

I have learned/discovered to welcome the “call”

and 

I abide.

 I no longer refuse the call.*

THAT is, I know THIS call for the journey, the voyage, the adventure

IS

beauty, truth and blissfreedom.

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*Refusal of the Call: 

Often when the call is given,

the future hero/ine first refuses to heed it.

This may be from a sense of duty or obligation,

fear, insecurity, a sense of inadequacy, or any of a range of reasons 

that work to hold the person in his or her current circumstances.

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Joseph Campbell:

“Refusal of the summons converts the adventure into its negative.

Walled in boredom, hard work, or ‘culture,’

the subject loses the power

of

significant affirmative action

and

becomes a victim to be saved.

His/Her flowering world becomes a wasteland of dry stones

and

his/her life feels meaningless

— even though, like King Minos, he may through titanic effort

succeed in building an empire or renown.

Whatever house he/she builds,

it will be a house of death:

a labyrinth of cyclopean walls

to hide him/her from his/her minotaur.

All he/she can do is create new problems for him/herself

and

await the gradual approach of his/her disintegration.”

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“The world still waits for the truth that will set us free

—my truth, your truth, our truth

—the truth that was seeded in the earth

when each of us arrived here

formed in the image of God.

Cultivating that truth, I believe, is the authentic vocation of every human being.”

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Parker J. Palmer,

Let Your Life Speak: Listening for the Voice of Vocation (Jossey-Bass: 2000), 11, 15,16-17, 36.

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 “Let your life speak.”

–  an old Quaker saying.

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“Before you tell your life what you intend to do with it,

listen to what it intends to do with you.

Before you tell your life what truths and values you have decided to live up to,

let your life tell you what truths you embody,

what values you represent.

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Parker J. Palmer,

Let Your Life Speak: Listening for the Voice of Vocation (Jossey-Bass: 2000), 2-3.

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XUSS Medregal (SS-480)

http://www.navsource.org/archives/08/08480.htm

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A MASTERWORK. A MASTER’S WERK.  A MASTERPIECE.

Please click on link below to listen, listen, listen to samplings of

Anthony Cox’s original compositions:

https://ateliersawano.com/products/ske333029

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#780 + 29 DECEMBER 2017 + “ADAPT/ IMPROVISE/ OVERCOME” + NO CUBES ALLOWED/WELCOMED + VIKINGWARRIOR b.12/29 on Planet EARTH + FIRE HAIR + RADICAL HOPE!!!!!

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Catherine Louise Johnson born 29 December on Planet Earth

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CRUCIBLE/ BAPTISM of FIRE / THE DIVINE FIRE THAT BURNS IN EVERY SOUL 

ALCHEMY SYMBOL FOR FIRE

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ALCHEMY SYMBOL FOR AIR

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ALCHEMY SYMBOL FOR WATER

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ALCHEMY SYMBOL FOR EARTH

 

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Catherine Louise Johnson 24 October 2017

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SEeSEaSHIP #10                                                                                     Catherine L. Johnson  2017

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PLEASE CLICK ON IMAGE TO ENLARGE + FOR DETAIL

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, PLEASE CLICK ON LINKS BELOW

https://catherineljohnson.wordpress.com/2017/12/21/768-seeseaship-10-2017-catherine-l-johnson-e-conference-of-the-birds-or-speech-of-the-birds-persian-%d9%85%d9%86%d8%b7%d9%82-%d8%a7%d9%84%d8%b7%db%8c%d8%b1%e2%80%8e-dave-holland-4tet/

https://catherineljohnson.wordpress.com/2015/12/17/ipromise-ipromisetotell-ipromisetotellthewhole-ipromisetotellthewholetruth-16-december-2015-catherine-l-johnson-artist-patti-smith-people-have-the-power/

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BlesSINGS to ALL

whose presence, authentic abiding love + riSING SONGS

have graced MY life

– ALL who called OUT to my blood, soul, marrow, heart to be

ALL THE THINGS I was destined to be

dancing with courage; defiance; perseverance;

RADICAL HOPE; LIGHT;

faith

and YOUR irreplaceable loving presence.

YOU KNOW who YOU are and WHY YOU are AMAZING GRACE to ME!!!!!

Thank YOU!

Catherine

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Today I have lived twice the years of my beloved maverick Daddy,

Richard Harold Johnson, when he crossed over.

My beloved Mother, Doris Cottor Johnson Omlie, lived a mere four more years

than the age I am today before she crossed over.

This is my life and it is such a LIFE, the very life of LIFE!

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LIGHTCOMFORTJOYLOVEHOPE is PEACE

 

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Catherine Louise Johnson CELEBRATINGYES 29 December 2017 on Planet Earth

 

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#762 + RADICAL HOPE + ACTION + DEFINITION OF A LUMINOUS GRACE FIRE IN A HURRICANE LAMP: MELVIN CARTER WINS! + St. Paul’s “OUR” Mayor! + TONY SOPRANO

http://www.melvincarter.org/

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“I’m thrilled. I’m elated. I’m humbled,” Carter, a former St. Paul city council member, told a group of supporters at the victory party. 

“We’ve built what I’m excited to say is a big, bold, bad vision for the future of St. Paul.”

Melvin Carter’s parents, Melvin Carter II, left, Toni Carter, wife Sakeena, and daughter Naomi looked on as he spoke at the Union Depot Tuesday.

Photo credit for the 2 above images: Jerry Holt/Strib

 

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DEFINITION OF A LUMINOUS GRACE FIRE

IN A HURRICANE LAMP:

MELVIN CARTER WINS!!!!!

St. Paul’s “OUR” Mayor!!!

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( Melvin’s family is on the right and the campaign’s organizers/interns on the left.)

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Pioneer Press:

Melvin Carter elected St. Paul’s first black mayor

http://www.twincities.com/2017/11/07/melvin-carter-mayor-st-paul-minnesota-first-african-american-elected-pat-harris-dai-thao/

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Star Tribune:

Carter leaned on community ties, volunteer support to win St. Paul mayor’s race

http://www.startribune.com/carter-leaned-on-community-ties-volunteer-support-to-win-st-paul-mayor-s-race/456196133/?ref=nl&om_rid=1660397001&om_mid=61471177

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Defying the Odds:

African-Americans Make Historic Wins on Election Night

A large number of black candidates claimed victory in state and local races across the country Tuesday night — results widely hailed as a reaction to President Donald Trump and Republican policies in general.

https://www.nbcnews.com/news/nbcblk/defying-odds-african-americans-make-historic-wins-election-night-n818971

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YES!

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LIGHT was IGNITED

+

SHINED FIERCELY

across

OUR NATION!!!

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Here’s A List Of Historic Victories

Democrats Had On Election Day

Tuesday was a momentous night.

https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/democratic-victories-firsts-election-day_us_5a026c51e4b092053058cf38

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IndividUals,

AmerIcans,

collectively and in collaboration,

stood UP

+

PERSEVERED

to

RE-IGNITE

RADICAL HOPE

for

ALL!!!

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ACTIONS BREAK THROUGH!!!
MOVING FORWARD!!!
REAL REAL LIFE LIVING!!!

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AUTHENTICITY

+

COURAGE

+

HONORABLE/respectful

LISTENING

+

practicing the

integral principles/ideals

 of

DEMOCRACY

was the

HARVEST

across OUR

AMERICA!

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COMMUNICATION

via the irreplaceable

VEHICLES

that work to build TRUST:

face to face/voice to voice 

– the true blue

conduits/instruments

of

GENUINE connection

IS

life-changing!!!!

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Electronic digital

communication

avoids

relational interaction

and

is not capable

of sparking

the vivid electricity

of a direct

 call+response dialogue

nor

can it create the

dynamic improvisation

of a REAL I/Thou exchange

 which is relational

and

occurs between individuals

in the moment.

Think IMPROV jazz – LISTENING/collaboration!

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Hearts + minds are won with genuine connection.

All creative leaders KNOW/practice

this simple soul truth!

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R/evolutions

happen

with

genuine connection + truth telling

between

individuals.

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The flyer, the brochure,

the advertisement,

the messages on social media,

the text can influence,

the REAL life conversation

 is

THE event!

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Keeping ONE’s word

is one’s currency

+ 

the touchstone

of their

INTEGRITY

– building

FAITH + TRUST.

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One CHOOSES

to construct/engage

their life stories

aligned

with their

TRUE NORTH.

(Or not.)

One’s

COURAGE/COMPASSION

navigates

their own dynamic

inter-relational

“ship”

as it meets

the live waters of the rivers of life

+

the roiling seas of humanity.

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MELVIN’s story

is a

CONSTRUCTIVE TEMPLATE

of

CONSCIOUS GRACE

MOVING FORWARD

CHOICES.

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Melvin constructed a life story

which generated

a dynamic

forward-looking

radiant

+

inclusive 360

CIVIC VISION.

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Melvin = the FIRE in the HURRICANE LAMP 
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My collaged poster for my building.

 

I biked every evening except HALLOWEEN to Melvin’s campaign headquarters. YES-Brr!

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Below: contents of my EBLAST sent to hundreds of  my St. Paul friends/associates:

MPR MAYORAL DEBATE: https://www.mprnews.org/story/2017/11/02/st-paul-mayor-debate
PLEASE LISTEN + YOU WILL KNOW WHO MUST BE AT THE HELM!

I VOLUNTEER FOR THE MELVIN CARTER FOR MAYOR CAMPAIGN.
ABSOLUTELY!

THE LOCAL LEVEL IS THE CONDUIT, THE FIRE OF THE HURRICANE LAMP.

We need to  ALIGN OUR CITY with VALUES/POLICIES/VISION
that REFLECTS OUR CAPACITY TO RISE with GRIT + “ MOVING FORWARD” IMAGINATION.

MELVIN CARTER IS ST. PAUL’S “OUR” MAYOR!

http://www.melvincarter.org/

MY VOTE IS FOR MELVIN CARTER!
ABSOLUTELY!

PLEASE FORWARD THIS EMAIL AS YOUR CAMPAIGN!

CATHERINE L. JOHNSON
https://catherineljohnson.wordpress.com/about/

 

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The BEAUTY of MELVIN’S

ELOQUENT/ACTION 

HERO/INES

–  the culturally diverse/the culturally competent-

ORGANIZERS/VOLUNTEERS/INTERNS

at his

CAMPAIGN HEADQUARTERS

was a motivating

TESTAMENT

of sharing responsibility,

accountability,

LISTENING AND ENVISIONING

and

practicing relational negotiation

CALLING OUT the BEST,

challenging each and all

to ACTualize,

overcoming

self-limiting concepts/non-actions

to

YES, I WILL!

XSt. Paul mayoral candidate Melvin Carter thanked his campaign workers at his head uarters Tuesday evening. Photo credit: Jerry Holt/Strib

 THE VICTORY CELEBRATION: Three of the several ORGANIZERS: Myles, LyLy + Laura!

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Volunteers and organizer, Ikram- center, on a week night.X

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Volunteers on a week night. 

As Election Day neared, the campaign headquarters was PACKED/HUMMING with YES, I WILL!

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It was a beautiful

ELIXIR

to experience/witness,

evening after evening,

as individual’s choice

to step UP

became

a collective dedication

+

becoming

a collaborative 

ocean/day+night stars/land

of

YES!

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ELECTION DAY

T-shirt that I made for the OBAMA campaign: VOTE HOPE. Barack/Michele each have one.

Michele Obama with my OBAMA t-shirts in hand. August 2007

OBAMA Campaign 2007 – scroll down:

https://catherineljohnson.wordpress.com/2017/01/20/707-20-january-2017-my-now-dis-united-states-of-americas-inauguration-day-sos-september-gallerys-post-election-women-artists-resistance-dedication-for-all-humanity/

 

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I vote at 4:45- the polling location is teeming with voters!

I bike from my loft in Lowertown to Melvin’s campaign headquarters

at 1250 W. 7th Street for the last exhale- calling until the polls close.

Clear blue skies and COLD!

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The headquarters is electric and excited and resolute with a full house of callers.

8 pm: we all hug each other and acknowledge we did ALL we could do with passion.

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Farewell and now THE wait.

The ranked-choice ballot will mean 

sequential passes to identify the NEXT mayor.

I bike back to my loft – 35 minutes each way.

FROZEN to the very marrow and I prepare with goggles and layers!

Ha!

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There is a PARTY for MELVIN’S CAMPAIGN at the Union Depot.

After thawing, I call friends and friends call me.

Once thawed and can feel my fingers again, I dress FOR the party!

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My dear dear Rob texts me:

CONGRATULATIONS!

I text him back: What has happened?

NO reply!

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I drop everything, and sit on my fitness ball in front of my laptop.

I Google: Pioneer Press.

MELVIN WINS!!!

By an

ASTOUNDING

margin!

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For those who know me well:

use your imagination!

HaHaHaHa!

I am a titanium hammer

with my disciplined work ethic

crossed

with an overly enthusiastic 3 year old child of

WONDERWOWWHEEEE!

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Yes,

I am OTT

hollering

expressing

cascades

of

PURE CLEAR OVERWHELMING

JOY!

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I RUN to the Union Depot – 2 blocks away!

Upon seeing the organizers/volunteers/interns

WE WHOOP

with

ELATION and DISBELIEF and AMAZED

YES!

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Melvin surrounded by his Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity brothers

as he enters the historical threshold of HIS win

AND

the CELEBRATION of bles/SINGS

who sang his luminous visionary SONG

with

RADICAL HOPE!

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I WILL!

I WILL!

I WILL!

WE DID! 

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YES,

YOU/we/I WILL!

The RISE of radiance is OURS!

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MELVIN,

THANK YOU

FOR

LOVING/HONORING

THE

SOULHEARTHOPE

OF

ST. PAUL

WITH YOUR

SOULHEARTHOPE.

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WE LOVE YOU!

CALL UPON ME!

PLEASE.

YES!

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Melvin Carter campaigned in July with supporters in the annual Rondo Days parade in St. Paul.

Photo credit: Jerry Holt/Strib

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Melvin Carter v. Tony Soprano

During my volunteer tenure FOR the MELVIN CARTER FOR MAYOR campaign, dear Rob invited me to dinner and the NYC ballet.

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Rob asked IF I had watched the HBO series THE SOPRANOS (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0141842/). I had not. I never wanted to leave Little Italy neighborhood where ALL my senses were harkened and I was embraced with love and caring for 6 years.

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Rob knew I had lived in Little Italy from the time of my yearlong P.S. 1 International Studio Residency (prestigious MOMA program, 41 artists are selected worldwide).

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After a stellar evening experiencing delicious meal, hilarious and probing conversation and ballet dancers’ divine capacity to express the most subtle human emotion with searing poignancy and sublime elegance, I turned on my laptop and watched Season 1 / Episode 1 of THE SOPRANOS.

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Every night, after biking in the freezing temperatures to and from Melvin’s campaign headquarters and making 100 + calls to St. Paul residents, I watched THE SOPRANOS. It became a ritual of participating in democracy- calling out to St. Paul citizens of what their vision was and introducing them to a mature and practicing visionary to watching authoritarian system where the leader struggles with the unmovable mask and his nascent humanity and excruciating emergence of self-awareness.

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THE SOPRANOS was a living scrapbook of my years there on 115 Mulberry Street. I lived in the building behind a restaurant and next to the THE MOST PRECIOUS BLOOD church where church bells rang every 8 hours.

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While I lived in Little Italy, John Gotti was the Don and his Gambino family reigned. I was watched over with loyal tenderness and deep affection…

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I loved living there.

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The contrasting experiences of working FOR Melvin Carter for Mayor and living IN the Little Italy of my past piqued by my nightly THE SOPRANOS, provided an insight to stark contrasts of systems of leadership and opposite systems of governing others as well as the character of the leader.

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THE SOPRANOS’ acuity was visceral for me. Authoritarian, a rigid vertical hierarchy where devotion was prescribed and questioning was deemed “disrespect”. The head, the Boss, wears a fierce iron mask and behind this mask is a very human man- tender, caring, affectionate, loving. The character of Tony Soprano describes the Hamlet rub: to be OR not to be. I experienced the two sides living in Little Italy. WE all know when the strength of our character and our TRUE NORTH is tested, challenged – the time when INTEGRITY is your touchstone of gold or not.

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For those who served loyalty and filial piety and being a life-sentence prisoner is the life. Questioning and/or going rogue is not seen as a conversation with the leader to arrive at new solutions. The consequences are brutal and the punishment is swift.

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Living in that diagram of power feels safe. However, the sense of safety is anchored to staying immature in thought. Think: SHAWSHANK REDEMPTION and Nelson Mandela’s term as prisoner – Nelson kept his soul free, unshackled.

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Melvin Carter’s call out for becoming Mayor was a request to those he would serve what THEY envisioned! Yes, a true practice of democracy: a shout out for blueprints for the future!

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The Melvin Carter campaign was rooted in the principles and discipline of democracy and the sonics of free jazz- call and response. The Melvin Carter leadership demonstrated an individual of mature ancient wisdom within and courage and compassion. He beckoned participation of others to step UP, RISE and act with the “better angels of our Nature”. His leadership welcomed conversation – LIVE conversation – breathing Harvard Negotiating Project and  the revelatory TRUTHS + beauty of improv jazz!

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The Melvin Carter campaign demonstrated an open system motivated by ideals and anointed everyone as a steward moving FORWARD.

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At the VICTORY party at the Union Depot, the atmosphere was elation and the elation was welcomed and soaked in. No one questioned IF the victory’s elation did not belong to him or her or was an undeserving experience. No. Melvin’s leadership and system of welcoming, calling out, LISTENING was a testament of COURAGE and COMPASSION and CONVICTION that no one is a stolen soul to serve him.

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I lived in a body cast from infancy through childhood. I have had 47 reconstructive orthopedic surgeries; I became what I dreamed of. I leaned toward those who could SEE me. I was a plant waiting to bloom God’s  promise. What I was not given physically, I was bountifully gifted in other ways.

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I listened and moved toward those who are FREE SOULS and welcome the BEST to RISE within.

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I can never be held captive. I observe those who choose to resign themselves and live in rigid systems and wear a mask – a false narrative to feel safe – not realizing they are living the furthest truth of what is safety: to be WHO you are and ALL the things you are.

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Yes, people do choose to live shackled in cyclical bouts of turmoil and fear.

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Yes, people do become their own R/EVOLUTION with courage and serenity.

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I move toward the LIGHT with RADICAL HOPE.

My choice.

My life.

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Adapt.

Improvise.

Overcome!

Lives that live OVERCOME are templates of courage and grace.

EXODUS stories are stories of respect and dignity. Templates.

As a child raised in sterile hospital institutional rigid systems,   I read biographies of individuals who had the strength of character to adapt, improvise and overcome what they were told was a life sentence. I loved their HOPE/COURAGE/FAITH that cast off the shackles and they CHOSE, with  mighty/remarkable courage and enlightened sense of WHO they were, RISKED + RISED UP! Think: Rev. Dr. MLK; Abraham Lincoln; Marian Anderson; Eleanor Roosevelt; Helen Keller; Nelson Mandela; Harriet Tubman; Maya Angelou; Susan B. Anthony; etc. They became my templates, my hurricane lamps. I was “seen” as a handicapped girl with low intellectual/creative capacities. Low hope. Yet, I was SEEN by my orthopedic surgeon, Dr. Mark B. Coventry of the Mayo Clinic; my Uncle Bob, my Grandfather, my Daddy – ALL MAVERICKS whose life circumstances shattered pre-conceptions and lazy optics.

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I loved working FOR Melvin Carter’s campaign for MAYOR.

His intentions/actions called OUT the freedom and the grace that resides within us ALL , and. in turn,  what occurs when called out: DIGNITY; HONOR; RESPECT and CARING. 

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St. Paul citizens stood UP for the LIGHT, the FIRE in the hurricane lamp that radiates light no matter the tempest.

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Melvin’s victory was a template of what character IS and how a true NEW BREED LEADER functions. When I observed Melvin dancing with Sakeena on the marble floor of the Union Depot, I knew Melvin’s INTEGRITY of calling out the BEST and partnering in the FUTURE was authentic. Theirs was the DANCE OF JOY!!!!!

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“Human freedom involves our capacity to pause, to choose the one response toward which we wish to throw our weight.” Rollo May

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Hallelujah!!!!!

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Yes, there are life lessons and revelation; allusions, and the SERENITY PRAYER in the writings above. 

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“Courage is an inner resolution to go forward despite obstacles;
Cowardice is submissive surrender to circumstances.
Courage breeds creativity..,”

Cowardice asks the question, is it safe?
Expediency ask the question, is it politic?
Vanity asks the question, is it popular?

Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

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“Courage is the most important of all the virtues because without courage, you can’t practice any other virtue consistently.”

Maya Angelou

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“Confront the dark parts of yourself, and work to banish them with illumination and forgiveness. Your willingness to wrestle with your demons will cause your angels to sing.” 

August Wilson

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“Life shrinks or expands in proportion to one’s courage.”

Anaïs Nin

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“Being deeply loved by someone gives you strength, while loving someone deeply gives you courage.”

 Lao Tzu

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#730 + BUSY WHIRRRK WEEK and MORE TO COME!!!!! + I AM AN ACTION FIGURE!!!!! + I NEED REAL FUEL – TOP GRADE FUEL – TO DO MY LIFE/ WORK/ FLY!!!!!

WOMEN ACTION

ACTION WOMEN

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COMPETENT

CREATIVE

COURAGEOUS

CANDID

CLEAR

CONSCIENCE

CULTURED

COMMITTED

COOL

CHERISHED

COMMUNICATOR

CATALYST

COMPASSIONATE

CLASSY

COURAGEOUS

CONSIDERATE

COMICAL

CONSTANT

CORDIAL

COMPELLING

CONSOLER

CONFIDENT

CALM

CHARISMATIC 

CONTRIBUTOR

CONSCIOUS

CARING

COLLABORATOR

COURAGEOUS

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SALLY YATES  – AMERICAN ACTION HEROINE

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RESIST / STEP UP / BE COURAGEOUS

 WILLINGNESS TO BE THE RISING

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WOMEN ACTION

ACTION WOMEN

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#712 + “‘Nevertheless, SHE Persisted” DAMN RIGHT! OF COURSE!! NOTHING LESS!!! + CATHERINE L. JOHNSON aka PAVARTI aka SARASWATI + “Shakers and Makers: Artists and Cultural Leaders” Portraits by CAROLINE MECKLIN

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‘Nevertheless, SHE Persisted.’

DAMN RIGHT!  OF COURSE!!  NOTHING LESS!!!

https://www.theatlantic.com/entertainment/archive/2017/02/nevertheless-she-persisted-and-the-age-of-the-weaponized-meme/516012/

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CATHERINE L. JOHNSON    aka    PARVATI    aka    SARASWATI

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https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saraswati

http://www.ancient.eu/Sarasvati/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parvati

http://saintpaulmag.com/gallery-lowertown-artists

https://catherineljohnson.wordpress.com/about/

http://www.mnartists.org/catherine-l-johnson

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PHOTO CREDIT: SELFIE!

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Shakers and Makers:
Artists and Cultural Leaders 

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Portraits by Caroline Mecklin

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Opening Reception:
Friday, 10 February 2017
6-10pm

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Exhibition of the

preparatory drawings + the completed portraits.

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The actual “Shakers and Makers” will be present!

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Beer tasting courtesy of 12welve Eyes Brewing
Wine and food courtesy of St.Paul Federal Credit Union
Guitar Music by Mike Ziegahn

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Lowertown Underground Artists Gallery
308 Prince Street / Northern Warehouse

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10 February – 5 March 2017

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Closing Reception:
Friday, 3 March 2017
6 – 9 pm

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+

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The North Gallery / Landmark Center
75 West Fifth Street, St. Paul

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23 May 23 – 11 June 2017

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Opening Reception:
Tuesday, 23 May 2017
5:30 – 7:30 pm

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Exhibition of the

preparatory drawings and the completed portraits.

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The actual “Shakers and Makers” will be present!

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To view the entire

Shakers and Makers: Artists and Cultural Leaders

catalog,

please click on link below!

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B6Fdp8F77QyDaUV0c1o0ellwa2c/view?usp=sharing

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PHOTO CREDIT: Deborah Tulloch McGee

PIPPI ARDENIA       CATHERINE L. JOHNSON       CAROLINE MECKLIN

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OPENING NIGHT!!!

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PHOTO CREDIT: Michele Jansen

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‘Nevertheless, SHE Persisted.’

DAMN RIGHT!  OF COURSE!!  NOTHING LESS!!!

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There are many ways that American culture

tells women to be quiet

—many ways they are reminded

that they would really be SO MUCH MORE pleasing

IF they would just smile a little more,

or talk a little less,

or work a little harder to be

PLIANT

and

AGREEABLE.

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Women are,

in general,

extremely ATTUNED to these messages;

we have,

after all,

heard them

ALL

OUR

LIVES.

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There

is a

Native American parable

about a ELDER who says:

 “I feel as if I have

two wolves

fighting

in my heart.

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One wolf is the

vengeful, angry one.

The other wolf is the

loving, compassionate one.”

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 When asked which wolf

will win the fight in their heart,

the ELDER replies: 

“The one I feed.”

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LOOK ON-LINE!

Several VENDORS  are DONATING ALL $$ to Planned Parenthood or ACLU!

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IPROMISE + IPROMISETOTELL + IPROMISETOTELLTHEWHOLE+ IPROMISETOTELLTHEWHOLETRUTH + 16 DECEMBER 2015 + CATHERINE L. JOHNSON / ARTIST + Patti Smith – “People Have The Power”

IPROMISETOTELL                                                                Catherine L. Johnson  2015

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PLEASE CLICK ON IMAGE TO ENLARGE

 Mixed Media on Board.

Deep. rich, lush plum, incised lines and white cream.

14″H x 11″ W

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My hand.

The artist’s hand. The artist’s instrument.

The artist’s communication vehicle.

 The artist’s divining rod.

The artist’s conduit to the Divine.

My hand.

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Patti Smith

 People Have The Power

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THE TRUTH OF ME IS IN YOUR WING OF MOTION- MOVING FORWARD…

I need freedom.

Because I am freedom.

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Relationships that are as taut, mean and narrow

as walking on a high wire hijacks improvisation,

creativity,

joy and moving forward.

I do not seek fear, or threats of being pulled off and shut down.

I seek freedom.

The past is the present until one opens into the present.

Nothing is still.

I am not who I was yesterday, an hour ago, a moment ago.

I uphold fidelity, balance and integrity in relationships.

I respect the constant learning,

breaking open

and releasing patterns that:

 drain the life force,

cut the wings,

capsize discovery,

and

 practice cruel chutes and ladders games that are designed to lure one in and then spin one out into emptiness.

I will not and cannot be bolted to a polished and well maintained comfort zone.

I need revelations and torrents of passion.

Hallelujahs and bliss.

My question always:  am I (are you) moving beyond  my (your) comfort zone?

Yes, I will be your nest, harbor and happy bells of laughter.

I cannot be tripped, trapped, boxed.

I cannot be threatened with abandonment and withholding of truth.

My kindness is not to be tapped and used as a lotion.

My kindness is offered as a bouquet, a balm.

I welcome the full humanity of those I love.

Love is a decision to see the other with an original eye.

I offer wings, large fields, celebrate the depth and the breadth of  imagination, creative devotion and inspiration.

I seek the fuel of grace, wonder and rapture.

Boundless and replenishing.

I seek the simplicity in your complexity and the complexity in your simplicity.

I cannot be the same as I was yesterday for you.

We all float between heaven and earth.

Intimacy is releasing the mask and telling the truth

to the one whose heart you respect and find deep pleasure within.

I am personal.

A  tight rope walking relationship does not invite delight.

It watches for lapses.

It feeds on power and distancing and cruelty.

It is a surveillance camera

My life and my joy is now, the present.

I need the challenge and life force of forward motion.

I cannot and will not go backward.

It is the past.

I believe in resilience, hope and renewal granted by faith, patience and forgiveness.

 

The truth of me is in y/our wing of motion- moving ahead.

I am music – pure music.

Moving forward.

 

 NEST: FORYOUTRUTHISMYWINGFORME                                        Catherine L. Johnson   2010

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