Vigils in February

[Roberta]

Ok, I'm starting my first thread here, not terribly imaginative, just making a space for Brian with his census later tonight.

Believe me, had I realized just how many Fridays were involved back when I asked me for excused absences from the corner, I would have turned me down. But no, I gave me my permission, and now the planes, trains and automobiles have all been booked.

After tonight I will be at the corner next on Friday, March 11th.

This is full disclosure to the peaceniks who check the message board before tonight's vigil, so that at least you can enjoy a full evening of giving me a hard time for missing FOUR upcoming Fridays. In peaceful fun I know.

So mea culpa all over the place, and see you later.

p.s. What about my satchel of signs? Any volunteers?

[Brian]

The first Montrose Peace Vigil of the first month of our sixth year had the best attendance since last October -- 18 participants -- including a young couple who stepped up to Roberta's beautiful big bag and picked signs to hoist for a few minutes.

I couldn't get there until 6:15, so I missed Sharon and Bill from Glendale Peace Vigil dropping by for awhile. But at least I got to hear Julie's friend Scott, who brought his guitar, lead a sing along. We had music again!

Feb 4, 2011 15:21:17 GMT -8 Roberta said:

...the planes, trains and automobiles have all been booked. After tonight I will be at the corner next on Friday, March 11th.

We will miss Roberta while wishing her a joyous, safe journey. Hopefully, she'll be able to check in here periodically as she has on previous out-of-state excused absences. Meanwhile, Anni has custody of the signs, and she'll bring the bag to the vigil next Friday by 5:30 p.m.

[Brian]

I hadn't left the office at 5:30 for weeks, so I was surprised that there was still daylight outside. Leaving early didn't help this Friday -- it took nearly an hour to drive from downtown Burbank to Montrose, twice the time it takes in normal bad traffic. I lit a candle and celebrated the darkness.

The official attendance for this vigil was 13 happy and familiar faces -- no spontaneous participants on the corner. We were talking about Egypt, of course. I was only there for half an hour, but the honkers and wavers seemed more joyous than usual.

Jeanne went across the street to talk to the counter-protesters again and learned that February 11-17 is National Salute to Hospitalized Veterans Week, a long standing annual commemoration that all of us can support -- while working to stop the increase of hospitalized veterans to salute.

[Jeanne]

Feb 11, 2011 23:57:11 GMT -8 Brian said:

Jeanne went across the street to talk to the counter-protesters again and learned that February 11-17 is National Salute to Hospitalized Veterans Week, a long standing annual commemoration that all of us can support -- while working to stop the increase of hospitalized veterans to salute.

Well said, Brian.

[Brian]

Roberta will be proud of us. Although the sidewalks were virtually empty and vehicle traffic was light, the Montrose Peace Vigil held the corner from 5:20 to 7 p.m. The official turnout this month so far:

• Feb. 4 - 18
  
• Feb. 11 - 13
  
• Feb. 18 - 7 (rain)
  

Anni arrived under a steady drizzle, so she left Roberta's bag of signs in the car. Jim came without his flag 15 minutes later. I got there at 6:15 and tried to stay in our usual spot with Bruce and Mike -- who brought his waterproof signs -- but the wind destroyed what was left of my old cheap umbrella. So I joined Jim, Anni, Jeanne and Nancy across the street under the Coffee Bean's overhang for the rest of the vigil.

I think it's only rained half a dozen times for the 220 some vigils I've attended. If I had planned better, I wouldn't have driven home with soaked pants and socks. But I'm just a stubborn native Californian who refuses to buy a raincoat.

[Jeanne]

Here's a little encouragement for those of you thinking about braving the weather again tomorrow night.

It was very uncomfortable last week since the rain was in our faces. Sunday morning at church, a friend said that his wife had seen us on the corner on Friday night. They were impressed that we stood in that weather. The few people who were out and saw us realize that we really care about peace. I hope we'll be able to do the same tomorrow.

[Brian]

The southeast corner of Foothill and Commerce in Tujunga on January 11, 1949.

That photo, which ran in the Daily News just last month, was taken a block or two from where Nancy lives now. In my nearly 53 years in Tujunga at an average elevation of 1800 feet, it's only snowed on me four times. Sharon lives near the summit of the city of Glendale, and Jeanne's house to the east may top all of ours. Every weather forecast I've heard for three days says the snow level of the coming storm will be 1000 feet -- which would certainly cover Ocean View and Honolulu in Montrose -- maybe even 500 feet.

Rain is predicted from 5:30 to 7 tonight, although probably not as steady as last week. The cold and snow are due later. But whatever the precipitation, Jeanne's post gives ample inspiration. See you at the vigil!

[Roberta]

I was impressed with you last week, and am prepared to be even more seriously blown away when I see a picture here of the hardy Montrose Peace Vigilers standing in the snow.

Not that it will make the weather any warmer there for you, but I sincerely miss having a place, best of all with buddies, to stand for peace all these weeks.

No matter what happens there tonight, we have surely stood firm and steadfastly all these years, as have our comrades in Glendale, Studio City and on other corners. I am so grateful for you all that I am starting to tear up as I type this.

Yes, we never know whom we are reaching with our presence. Maybe just that one sighting which changes the course of history, who knows.

And if at all possible, make some snow angels -- they look almost like peace signs!

[Brian]

It rained throughout this Friday's vigil, but not as hard as last week and without the wind in our faces. So foot and motor traffic was heavier. And everybody except Nancy was back for more moisture -- Anni, Jeanne, Jim, Bruce and Mike. Cynthia heeded Roberta's phone message from the east coast and returned to the corner in our hour and a half of need, even bringing her friend Nick. We were singing in the rain: "Celluloid Heroes," in honor of Nancy, who was at the tribute to George Harrison's 68th birthday on the sidewalk by Capitol Records in Hollywood, followed by "America the Beautiful," "The Star Spangled Banner" and finishing with "Take Me Out to the Ball Game." This month's attendance on the corner:

• Feb. 4 - 18
  
• Feb. 11 - 13
  
• Feb. 18 - 7 (rain)
  
• Feb. 25 - 8 (rain)
  

Roberta and Nancy can correct me, since I missed the first six months of our continuous weekly vigils since January 2006, but I don't remember two consecutive rainy Fridays. We still averaged 12 participants per week in February, the same as January. It rained at one vigil in December, when the average was 10.

[Roberta]

What can I say but XOXOXO!