Years ago — before kids, marriage, dog ownership, smart phones, 9/11, Isis etc. — I made some art about human commonality. Even back then when things seemed simpler and less volatile, there was deep division and focus on our differences.
I screen printed 196 yellow handbags on tiny pieces of paper and, on the back of each, wrote a county and their population. Numbers = people. Every one of them in need of a satchel to carry things. Every one of them with a favorite color. They hung on a clothesline by stitched thread.
I thrifted an old gun case and lined it with burgundy satin. I filled it with phrases printed on transparency film. Things every human has in common. I thought it would be a struggle to come up with the thousands I needed to fill the box but it was a snowball activity, gaining momentum and ease as I typed.
I was born.
I feel sad.
I have a favorite food.
I wish.
The sun feels good on my skin.
I am thirsty.
The earth is my home.
I can’t share images of either of these pieces. I don’t know where the slides are and I don’t have the work any more. I left the yellow handbags on a trip Andy and I took to New York City in 2004. I placed them on the subway, sidewalk, cafe table and so on, all over town. The gun case sold to a lawyer in a small Montana town. Last I saw, it was still in her waiting room.
We watched the World Series seventh game a few nights ago. And, I was having these thoughts that I didn’t say out loud but I couldn’t quiet. Things like
People spent $10000 on a ticket and kids at our school are hungry. Why is everything disposable? I wish this many people cared as much about the presidential election. Why are there zero women working anywhere in this profession?
I wanted to just be in it with Andy who was definitely IN IT. I wrote this when we were at Wrigley Field for Pearl Jam last summer:
My husband grew up playing baseball in Red Lodge, Montana and the only Major League Baseball he had access to was on channel WGN Chicago. At six years old — the first game he ever saw — he was gobsmacked. So, the Cubs was his team. And Ryne Sandberg hit a home run so he was his favorite player. Forevermore.
His friend Clancy gave him Pearl Jam’s Ten cassette tape 25 years ago and since then, PJ had been his band. Forevermore.
So I set my sights on Pearl Jam at Wrigley Field, assuring him we could swing this. Because I just feel so lucky to be his partner in this giddiness. Forevermore.
I turned my thoughts around, which was pretty easy actually. I saw what he saw. The commonality and strength in rooting for a thing. The hope, excitement, energy, hugs, feelings, investment. The humanity.
In this bananas presidential election and general global atmosphere, I am 100% for more of the feel-good, embracing, benevolent parts of our world. And, I think every person watching that game was craving an uplifting, shared experience.
And, before I move on: I am of course, of course voting. For Hillary Clinton. Now is not the time for apathy, friends. What a wonderful right it is to be able to vote! Use it. Fact: one of two people will be president of our country for many years and will affect your life and the lives of those you love. Let’s think about our kids and what we want them to inherit. I am voting for capability, vision, inclusion, sincerity, gun control, women’s rights, education for all. I am voting for you and me — we are not mutually exclusive. We are all in this together.
If When! you vote, leave a comment here telling us about it. If you took a photo of your I VOTED sticker or yourself at the polls, feel free to link up in your comment! Rules: be kind and respectful. On November 9, I’ll choose a winner who will get $50 credit at DIG + CO.
Comments closed! Winner: Nikki V.
Back to baseball, art and commonality.
I fell asleep with Ruby when the Cubs were up by two. Andy woke me up, exhaling a stressy BABE. IT’S TIED, with a few expletives in there. I returned the to living room, grateful he wanted to experience this with me. And together we stayed up so late, watching and hoping with the millions of others.
In the overwhelming and heartening truth that things cosmically align in wonderfully surprising ways, I taught a lesson (that I planned over a month ago) to my daughter’s third grade class yesterday. About community and human similarities. I want to tell you a bit about it because it was lovely and kids are full of hope.
I read Same Same but Different to the class. I asked the teacher assign partners ahead of time, emphasizing creating pairs of children who don’t know each other that well. And they interviewed each other. Click here for a free download of the interview sheet.
They then did a continuous line drawing of their partner, focusing on their face and the detail of their interview. Not paying attention to perfection. No erasers, no lifting their pen. One line. It’s a game. It’s a practice in noticing, studying the actual details and beauty of a peer, a neighbor, a human. They incorporated words from the interview into their drawings. We mounted the interview next to the art on construction paper and each child keeps the portrait their friend drew.
This practice of studying a person serves us well in situations of disagreement, adversity and difference. It’s always helpful to take a deep breath and dig into our well of empathy. To see and be seen.
In politics, in baseball, in third grade: We can then be brave and honest and kind as we express our opinions and convictions. And we get to vote.
Now.
Go Cubs! Go Caring About Our Neighbors! Go Art! Go Feminism! Go Same Same But Different! Go Hillary! GO VOTE!
A note on volunteering in the classroom, in response to your past questions on instagram: while I appreciate any involvement in my daughters’ classrooms, I especially like facilitating and executing larger projects (as opposed to the weekly or bi-weekly shift). This approach is satisfying: it allows me to use my skills and passion, get to know my kids’ friends on a deeper level and it gives the hardworking teacher a solid break for a few hours. At the beginning of the school year, I simply email the teachers and tell them what I like to do and what I know about. I tell them I’d love to teach lessons, where appropriate and supportive of their curriculum. For this lesson, Margot’s teacher (3rd grade) told me they were studying community. I led Ruby’s class (1st grade) last week in an art project about full moons, owls, spiders and bats (in response to an animal unit they studied).
68 Comments
Nici–I think you are my favorite person that I don’t know personally. If our lives did intersect I am quite certain we would be friends. Thank you for this–I’m going to do it with my 4th grade students pronto. With much gratitude & admiration.
I voted ! So glad WA state does mail in/drop off ballots.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BMAbpqcF2LSwPBQ1TP1EV9g9oPH2zP-zm3LEl40/
As always, thank you for your writing.
Well said, especially…”What a wonderful right it is to be able to vote! Use it.”…I DID!!!! I hope to being saying congratulations to Madam President next Wednesday!
https://www.instagram.com/p/BMb5A47Behh/?taken-by=rooneysroost
We are hosting an Election night as, although we are Canadians, we have all been following the election very closely!! Will be breaking out the Hilla-quiris and Mimo-tons as we anxiously await the returns
Yep voted and got it in mail last week! 🙂
First year at college but I voted by mail! Not being home is not an excuse 🙂
Voted proudly and working hard to get out the vote here in
My swing state!! Nici THANK YOU FOR THIS!!!
I live in Canada so I voted by mail! Handing my ballot in at the post office gave me such a giddy feeling. All fingers crossed for Tuesday and thank goodness that this madness is close to ending… Love your new website design!
Voted on the first day of early voting in MD, inspired even more by the 93-year-old lady behind me in that long line (whom of I course I encouraged to go first. ) I witnessed nothing but polite behavior, and cheersfrom election officials for first-time voters.
Voted by mail and it felt so good to send that puppy off! There are many important local {Sonoma County, CA} issues on the ballot this year so I chose to focus my positivity on change at our community level. It’s been so hard this election year to wade through it all, but happy to exercise this privilege we have!
I voted by mail in WA state.
Great post!
This year I dropped my ballot at my local library with little fanfare, but high hopes. I registered as a Democrat in 2007 hoping to caucus for Hillary Clinton, but sadly had an unavoidable appointment and couldn’t. But now, I get to vote for her for president, and it feels awesome. I’m still embarrassed by how apathetic I was as a new voter and didn’t vote at all in the 2000 election, one that was ultimately decided by less than 300 votes. No matter your political feelings, vote! Your voice matters!
I love the new blog look. It feels expansive and roomy.
That lesson you taught those kids was so profound and beautiful. Thanks for sharing it with us.
PS – I voted. I dropped of my ballot at my local library bc I live in a precinct too small for a polling place. I was almost scared to put it in the box, fearing it might not count. That my vote for the first woman president just went into a box and out of my control. But it felt good, and done. I am crossing my fingers for a happy outcome and safe world.
Well done– I love this. Though my husband & I voted at home via absentee ballots, I went out of my way to drop them off in person at the polling station, my sweet son in tow. He’s four, so though he popped them in the slot & received a sticker, he didn’t REALLY vote. BUT what’s incredible was that even though he was born in communist China, he is an American citizen and WILL one day vote himself. (And I will absolutely use my own vote to protect that right, forevermore.) *FB link attached w/pic*
Bravo!
Voted by mail a few weeks ago! We recorded ourselves voting for the first female president to show our future children one day!
We voted early here in Georgia, and I was so happy to take my 3 kids – daughter AND sons – to such a milestone election.
I voted by mail this year. No hauling all 5 littles out to the polls! There were a number of other really important issues for Montana as well. I love a quote I head from Diana Smith, “I didn’t become a feminist to be able to play with the boys, I became a feminist so that what I brought to the table as a woman would be valued.”
I was able to bring both my kids along. It felt so empowering to have them by my side reading the ballot; making our decisions together.
https://instagram.com/p/BL9mStUjxqa/
I voted on Halloween day! In Boise, we still vote in person (which I love-love-love). I grew up in WA, then lived in OR before here… ballots were always drop-off/mail-in affairs.
But here we vote in person… which is so true to the neighbor-helping-neighbor ethos of this state.
All said, the Portlander in me was gleeful over our early-voting location: a mobile voting truck they’re calling “taco truck voting.” They take your name, ID, and address, print your ballot on-demand, and with your community members, you shade in the boxes while standing in a well-loved cardboard carel.
When you’re done, you put your ballot into a scanning machine, a real person asks for your name, they say aloud, “Ariel V has voted!” and hand you your sticker as you get full-hearted and misty-eyed. It truly FEELS important.
Oh, despite all that full-heartedness, this election can’t be over soon enough. I am a wreck.
#imwithher #19thamendmentgrabsback
I had to smile as I read this. Like your husband, we are Cubs fans. Living in a tiny town in Eastern Montana, Richey, we too had very little choice as to what team we would watch. The Cubs on WGN was it. Our son grew up watching with his dad and could spout off stats with the grownups when he was six. We took him to his first Cubs game when he was about 7. We have since been back with him and his family….. hopefully another generation of Cubs fans.
I voted last week! Loud and proud #imwithher
I already voted over here in Helena because I will be out of the state on Tuesday!
Voted early for Hillary here in Colorado! Felt so great to cast that vote and now doing my best to encourage others to vote. Going door to door is amazingly encouraging and refuels my hope! #imwither https://instagram.com/p/BMMmhfJjE-WhaeR4y210Ij4DrD4VXn0Wed01dU0/
As a new mama to a six month old boy, this election feels so much bigger than any other. The first election of his lifetime and his mama voted for a WOMAN! Damn straight #imwithher
I voted as soon as I got my absentee ballot! Being raised in a conservative, Republican Montana family, it has taken me a long time to find my own, true voice in politics. I quietly voted for Obama in the past two elections, avoiding discussions about it. This year I proudly, openly voted for Hillary. I was so excited to mark her down on the ballot, then showed my two daughters this historic moment of seeing a woman on there. We are all excited for Tuesday to hopefully see her shatter this glass ceiling.
Voted early here in WA. As awful as this election season has been, it has opened up so many conversations with my son about leadership and what it means to lead. Also, did you see Louis C.K. on Conan? (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MFOkBnYGfIM) I love what he said about it being the first mother in the white house after so many years of fathers.
VOTED here in Colorado. I was so jumpy when I dropped off my ballot. Would it be enough to save us? That thought was going through my head the entire time. I’ve done my part and now I wait – with love in my heart and hope in my soul.
A few days ago I went to vote in our tiny town the-middle-of-nowhere, Wyoming. I felt like an outcast. I felt like out of the five or six people there I was the only one voting for HIllary. I was almost waiting for someone to denounce her name and proclaim their ever lasting deplorable love for Trump. I remember voting for Obama 8 years ago (in NM) and my face beamed as I walked out- feeling in solidarity and filled with hope amongst my fellow voters. I will continue to see the good no matter what the outcome is. Hoping for Hillary. Thanks, Nici!
I voted today with my two month old daughter! We waited in line for two hours, her in my arms the entire time because the stroller makes her fussy. I sat on the pavement halfway through to nurse her. It was a long wait and my arms ached and I wanted to go home. But I stayed for her. Because she deserves to grow up knowing a woman can do anything and that love trumps hate.
I voted too! Dropped off at the library awhile ago (can’t stand it hanging around). Feeling nervous but hopeful that we don’t end up with a racists, sexist, phobic of all people not like himself kind of dude.
I really like the artwork you do in your classes with your girls, they are very inspiring.
Fingers crossed in Oregon
Morgan
Voted today! #imwithher I didn’t get my ballot so voted in person at a senior center of sorts. Walked past lots of older folks… some playing card games, other taking laps around the gym, some sitting in a circle watching TV… all looking happy. It made we wonder, what’s so bad about nursing homes after all? Maybe it’s because I’m in the thick of parenting a toddler and soon new baby and don’t get to hang out with my friends day in and day out like I used to, but it really got me thinking. Anyways, random and completely unrelated! Sure felt good to vote!
Voted here inTexas. Hubby had the morning off and we went together. I wish I could feel the same enthusiasm so many do – but I mostly just felt relief that this election is nearing the end!
I voted in Kansas. I voted for Hillary, which is going to be the opposite vote of every single person in my family. But… I am an aunt to 5 amazing girls, and friends to people with a variety of skin tones, and had a lovely lunch recently with a guy I grew up with talking about how hard it is to find decent guys to date much less marry in our city. I voted for them, for their right to be equal, for my girls’ right to not grow up thinking they are less because they are female. And I will stand proud of that vote even though I have been told multiple times that I am wrong.
Also I love your lesson. Thanks for sharing.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BMR3qz_DacF/?taken-by=corriesview&hl=en
This year I voted on an absentee ballot. First time ever. I like going in to the polls and voting with my community, you get to visit maybe get a cookie, share some laughs, catch up with someone you haven’t seen in awhile, it is good. I am not really sure why I chose to vote from home this year, perhaps to spend a luxurious amount of time with the ballot….I do that before-hand anyway. I feel a sense of early accomplishment, like, now I have done my part and I sit and hold space for everyone who hasn’t voted yet. I miss my sticker! I might stop by after yoga tomorrow anyway and see who I can visit with and maybe talk them out of a sticker!
I voted by mail and checked the website to make sure my ballot was received and counted! #imwithher and so is my feminist husband and so are my two small daughters. We were a Bernie house and it was hard to let that dream go but we know he and Senator Warren and other hard working folks can still make a difference and so can Madame President. Love Trumps Hate. Loved your post – keep writing!
Voted early for Hillary, of course! 🇺🇸💗
I remember the feeling 8 years ago, pregnant with my first child, marching down the street to drop off my ballot at the post office, overwhelmed by the feeling that I was going to bring my baby into the world with the first black president. I cried with emotion.
Fast forward 8 years: kids are 7 and 5, I voted weeks ago by mail, we feel shocked and saddened by Trump, but then: soccer practice and gymnastics and mountain biking and school and dinner… they want to eat EVERY DAY… and work and… I almost forgot what a moment this is. The first woman president. Maybe the first president my kids will remember. And suddenly today the feelings came back. Changing our world. Doing my part. So so proud and so so grateful to be raising kids in these days. That they will grow up thinking, of course! Of course a girl can be president! Of course leaders are men and women and black and white and anyone and everyone who stands up and does the right thing. What a moment.
Oh I feel for you with the election. I am lucky that we live far away from it all and are removed from it by nationality. I didn’t even vote on my own countries recent voting madness (Brexit)
I cannot decide whether I am blessed to be far away from it all or like I’m shirking some responsibility by not jumping right in and being part of it.
Anyhow, to you in the US I salute every person getting out there to have their say. To pick a side.
On a different but slightly (very slightly) related note have you read the books “If: A Mind-Bending New Way of Looking at Big Ideas and Numbers” and “If the World Were a Village: A Book about the World’s People, 2nd Edition” Both by David J Smith. They are really awesome and the second particularly bring into vivid aspect the world and its proportions and the ideas of community and place..
So yeah, no comment on voting for a US president but hopefully a useful book suggestion 🙂
Also love the new website – looks FAB
I voted for a change, to be apart of history. To show my daughter’s that we can, that we will and that we made change happen.
My ballot and voters pamphlet sat on my coffee table for two weeks. Everyday I would catch a glimpse of it and a little pang of stress would hit my heart. I finally filled it out and mailed it just the other day. An election has never felt so heavy.
i voted by mail last week. our “town” is so tiny that we’re sent ballots as the default because the nearest polling place is so far away. so a few of us sat around a friend’s kitchen table, drinking beers, researching candidates and issues, and sharing opinions. (propositions in california are no joke!)
today i’m trying to breathe deeply and find some joy in all the heaviness. . . mixed results so far!
Voted today for Hillary, in alabama.. Brought my three kids along to witness history in the making. Love the new blogscape!
I am in Europe right now, waiting with bated breath for the results. Before I left, I completed my absentee ballot and drove it straight to the election office and dropped it in the ballot box. Could not risk it going astray in the postal system. There’s just too much at stake this time! #imwithher Please, may kindness prevail!
Today is a special day for me. My oldest daughter turned 18 in time for this election. While she had hoped Bernie Sanders would secure the party nomination, she remained engaged and concerned about the welfare of this country, her community, and family. She paid attention not just to the presidential election but also local MT issues. I am so proud of her and thrilled to share this historic opportunity to elect our first female president! What an amazing day!
https://instagram.com/p/BMkD6hXA6_vlKs8u1rVr3uzQHdzy1MtYomlSEU0/
Voted today. I wish I voted with more elation, but this election has me down. Hopefully, no matter the results, it will spark an upswing and optimism will prevail! Love your blog, love your attitude and love your photos! Keep up the amazing work.
I got to walk in the door after work tonight and tell my 11 year old daughter, “I got to vote for a woman in the presidential election today!” #pantsuitnation #imwithher
Hell yes, Ivoted!
love this.love you. love our country. voted a few weeks ago before i left my home state of NC and took to traveling through the states with my crew and camera capturing life along the way in a 97 Winnie. As emotional as i have felt over this election and even today….. i am proud to have a right to vote and bring my children along to see we have a voice in this !! #imwithher
Absolutely, I voted!
I sure voted. You betcha. Scared of what the outcome will be. Hopeful. Anxious.
I took my daughters with me to vote today. “Isn’t this exciting? We are choosing the next president!”
They did not respond with the enthusiasm I hoped for, but you know what? It’s totally fine because voting is a normal part of their lives. They won’t wait until age 25 to vote like I did. They will excersize their rights and learn that they should fight for what they think is right.
I voted.
Burst into tears.
As ballot was sucked up
by big, cold machine.
This one’s for you
Ma.
Voted early. I’m with her!
I love the way you write. You make me think about things profoundly in a similar way to contemplating brilliant art. I didn’t know that you were once a professional studio artist until this blog post. Funny how an artist’s work can evolve beyond recognition, but it’s still there.
I voted today with tears in my eyes. So much has changed for women in such a short time; my grandma didn’t finish high school and I had the opportunity and support to complete a PhD. . So whenever I feel worried change isn’t happening fast enough I remind myself of how far we’ve come and that all we need to continue to move forward is passionate persistence.
I voted! For Hillary. With my 14 month old son and pregnant with my daughter. Because I want the world to be better. For both of them.
I’m now glued to the news and feeling so nervous. Come on America!
Proud to have the ability to make my opinion count.
I voted
While holding the hand
Of my 8 year old daughter.
Placing history into her mind
and hope
In her heart
That yes we can.
And the sliver lining
was seeing other women
place a sticker on a gravestone
of Susan B Anthony.
Because she knew
a long time ago
That yes we can.
Picture on IG @happythis
My son and I went to vote today. For a long time with this election, I was making my vote based on who I didn’t want to win. But the closer we have gotten to today, I realized I had shifted from, not him, to not only with her but proud that she is the one I get to cast my vote for. And it seems like my state of Virginia may have agreed with me.
Voted!
I am deeply sorry for you here in Canada post election. Deeply full of sorrow for you.
Scary days ahead. Stay brave.
Thanks for sharing. Volunteering in the classroom can be so helpful!! Parents time is spread so thin, it can be quite difficult. We appreciate all the parents do!
I needed this this morning, Nick. Hugs to your family
Things didn’t go the way we’d planned yesterday. My family is still grieving but I wrote this today:
Let’s use this election as an individual catalyst, something that inspires us to take actual action in our communities. Find a place or an organization that needs volunteers. Bake some bread for the neighbor. If we can’t make national change, we can start small. Make positive change where you are. #positivechangestartssmall
Still so proud to take my 3 month old son to the polls yesterday. My wonderful future voter! https://www.instagram.com/p/BMjRQzNBtfL/
Looking forward to hearing your take on everything, Nici.
Here is a text I sent my friend today about my husband, because our husbands are have the power to override the hate our children are hearing.
Today I am thankful that Mike is a man who believes in equality and supports our daughters every day. His behavior will have more of an influence on our girls than trump ever could. I’m glad that he shows them how women should be treated and that skin color doesn’t make us different in any significant way and that gay people are just people.
We have an opportunity every day to teach love and that is what we will do. Every. Day.
Here is a text I sent my friend today about my husband because our husbands will overpower the hate our children will hear.
Today I am thankful that Mike is a man who believes in equality and supports our daughters every day. His behavior will have more of an influence on our girls than trump ever could. I’m glad that he shows them how women should be treated and that skin color doesn’t make us different in any significant way and that gay people are just people.
We have an opportunity every day to teach love and that is what we will do. Every. Day.
My husband and I brought our 17 and 9 year old daughters with us to vote. We all felt sure of the outcome. Hopeful and excited for the long awaited history-making. Now after many tears and bewilderment, we stand anew and love ❤️love ❤️love and hope our fears are for naught.
I so needed to see this today. After today I feel I live in a bubble and the entirety of rural America is very separate. I have hope after reading this. We will have strength as we progress together.