Be Different: A Supreme Court Justice and Autumn Moon Festival

Our Lady of Fighting the Good Fight by Rogene Mañas

The man held the yelling child, trying to comfort him through our standing ovation welcoming Justice Sonia Sotomayor. Andrew Tang, UC Davis Professor and former law clerk to  Justice Sotomayor was living a rising gender norm right before our eyes:  father solo parenting.

It's different (not necessarily for some parts of the US, but for most places). Dare to be different. That's the message Justice Sotomayor says--and does. Walking around the church rather than sitting, she shares life nuggets on her feet. She was on tour promoting her newest book:  Just Ask, Be Different, Be You. As a sufferer of childhood diabetes, she has made the book's message her mission. Raise awareness among children to ask first...rather than judging anyone who is different.

Differences are Beautiful
Sotomayor talked about the power of gardening and how from differences among the flowers that actually bloom, we can create beauty. She also insists that asking for help is not shameful. When we ask for help, we empower others with a chance to be giving human beings. It is a blessing to see someone who is not afraid to be herself with both words and actions. It was inspiring to see someone so pivotal in our nation be so close, so engaged with children and so personable.

Autumn Moon Festival and Foodie Raccoons
We did something different to celebrate the arrival of Fall this year. Running a week or so earlier than Equinox, we made an offering to Chang-e, the Chinese Goddess of the Moon in honor of the Autumn Moon Festival. I like version 2 of Chang-e's origin story here.

In our yard, I knew from recent encounters that Chang-e would wear a black mask of fur around her eyes and that she would have a ringed tail. I love learning the Chinese mythology and celebrating Chinese culture. We put out fruit and a piece of Moon Cake from LaPolen Bakery in Oakland. I figured the raccoons would devour it all but:

Offering before placing in the yard.

Offering the morning after, including the rain.

The raccoons chose only to eat the Moon Cake off our offering plate. And then the first rain of the season arrived. I guess you could say ours is one happenin' yard.