". . .This is my first year as an elementary school principal so sometimes It's hard to distinguish what unique to this year. What I find most challenging this year is the wide range of what parents and teachers want. Some families would like synchronous lessons all day with a lot of online work and some families want very little. Some folks are really ready to get back into the building and others are very scared and worried. The range of opinions and emotions is great...

...I want to support our teachers, staff and parents and listen during this most challenging time. My hope is to be transparent and honest. And as we potentially move toward hybrid I want the school to be safe. This year has taught us that nothing stays the same. We can continue to shift and grow as we teach and learn during a pandemic. We have never done this before and we need to give each other grace. . ."

For over a decade I popped in daily to Dunn Bros on Grand Avenue in St. Paul. I would get a coffee, donuts for my then cherubic toddlers on their way to preschool just down the street, and enjoy a brief connection with the warm and smart staff and my always quirky and kind linemates.

I took it for granted, mainly. That it was always there (I had been going infrequently since I was an aspiring Gen Xer in the early 90s). And that it would remain...

...I'm not sure when we will be back inside, brushing an accidental shoulder with a stranger and smiling without masks concealing our hearts. So until then, I'm gonna do my damnedest to smile big with my eyes.

We're all connected by a thread.

Dr Jason Wirtz, Infectious Disease Specialist, checks in... 

"Caption it this- Just another day of not letting this virus dominate my life (Insert HEAVY sarcasm and dig at Trump)...

...just got a message from my best friend from medical school... My friend said, 'Tested positive today guys...doing ok. Mild fever, mild cough, some aches and chills. Little diarrhea...Started getting a bit of a cough Wednesday. Got the test yesterday. Here we go...' "

(What do you miss from the "before", and if you could do anything from then right now what would it be?)

(without hesitation) "Live Music. I'd take in a 3 hour set by The War on Drugs at Union Transfer in Philadelphia."

". . ."I think one of the most important things this virus has given me is perspective. My father has a type of cancer that would not mix well with Corona, so my family has taken extra measures to stay inside and away from people. I have watched from afar as my friends and schoolmates hug, play with and hang out with each other, and it isn't the best feeling in the world...

...As for George Floyd, that is one of the most life changing things for me. I live in Saint Paul, so the protests were rather close to my home. Honestly, I wished I could've gone out there to protest with them. I wished I could use my voice to speak out on this issue, to reach out to the black lives that have been effected by police brutality/cruelty...

...Blue lives don't matter. At the end of the day, you can take of your uniform. I can't take off my skin. . ."

It's Indigenous Peoples Day! Who's land do you live on? What language do they speak? What was done to them? How are they now?

Educate yourselves. Here's a great resource: https://native-land.ca/

 Marriah LaVigne, Salon Owner & Stylist... 

“Salon life is starting to feel more and more normal. Which is a testament to how adaptable humans can become. Wearing masks and cleaning incessantly doesn’t feel like a big deal anymore. What does feel like a big deal though is how wonderful it is to see old and new clients smiling under their masks. Having good hair, being pampered, and taking some time for self care is more important than ever.”

Ruthless Event hosted by Wet Paint and Brandon Litman. 

Art as Protest. 
Art as Inspiration.
Art as Therapy.
Art seeing us through 2020 in all the ways. 

". . .Due to COVID-19, I haven't spent much time with my family or friends for months, because of cross contamination worries and health issues. It's a very lonely existence. I message or phone friends, I write with online poetry groups of virtual friends all over the world, I read, I watch movies...I know I'm one of the lucky ones, as I still live in my own home with my husband, Tom. But due to a botched hip replacement four years ago, going up and down stairs and getting exercise are difficult. I didn't expect my end days to be like this, that's for sure...

...Due in large part to the murder of George Floyd, I feel like I am finally beginning to comprehend the impact of racial injustices, here in Minnesota and across the country. I never understood the extent of the white privilege that I've benefited from all my life, until now. I'm heartsick and ashamed...

...I'm incredibly proud to tell you that Katie Howie is my daughter! I like to think I'm a strong woman who raised a strong woman. I'm proud of her passion to show the world what being Human in 2020 looks like through telling your stories. . ."

*Photograph of Marianne and her daughter Katie around 1991

Teaching my kids that Voting Counts! Make your plan, and vote!

". . .As a writer, I have been feeling full of emotion and have felt challenged to write. So many feelings and instead of spilling out, they are waterfalling inside of me with seemingly no end. And I am discovering that somehow I am still grateful to be alive and be apart of this movement work, this healing journey, this surrender into sweetness and abundance for Black life...

...There will always be struggle in some way, but I have been forced to explore actual sweetness and softness within me in order to survive...I hope this time in history will allow us to acknowledge and heal with our ancestors. I hope white supremacy gets rooted out of everything that it currently rots.

...I want to end the lie that something about Blackness is inferior or troubled. . . ."

Kaytee Crawford, Artist, Doula, & mother to now four beautiful boys...

“This pandemic has been hard. But, we can and have done hard things. We welcomed our fourth son and he is the brightest spot on this dark and stormy season. I am so thankful he’s here.”

Editor's note :: Photo courtesy of Kaytee Crawford, by Gather Birth Minnesota.

". . .Justice Ginsburg's decisions are the first ones I ever read where I felt like I was the subject and not the object of the decision...I didn't always agree with her decisions...But Justice Ginsburg was a plaintiffs' lawyer who knew the value of redress through civil litigation and access to the courts, and her decisions reflected that...

...for women lawyers especially, her legacy is one that we deserve to be in all places where decisions are being made, and that we could do that while parenting and working and bringing our whole selves to both. . ."

". . .I spent almost ten years in the Army Reserve, including a couple trips to Iraq. That service has given me a pretty deep well to draw from in the COVID environment...as a combat vet, having Blackhawks flying over my house all night and being able to hear and smell what was happening on Lake Street brought back some feelings I never expected to feel in my own house...

...If we listen to what our friends and neighbors of color are saying, and what they have been saying for decades, and we make real progress towards true racial justice in our country, then maybe we can count that as good that came from this time...

...I think we're on dangerous ground for democracy and I'm not sure we can take another four years of a man who has no concept of service or sacrifice or working for something greater than the self. . ."

"I've been on quarantine for a week and a half since I was exposed during my first week of school. I still have to stay home from work another half a week but I am continuing to do all my lessons on Zoom, teaching a full day from my house with my students in my classroom in the school building."

Editor's note :: Photo supplied by Tommy Murray.

". . .The pandemic has hit different industries in different ways, including advertising...throw in an unexpected stage IV cancer diagnosis, and all bets are off...

...as a creative, it's often in our nature to use our work as an outlet and I plan to do just that. These days, while I prepare for the toughest battle of my life -- so that I can have a life -- I'm exploring creative opportunities to share my story and experiences with those around me.

Put simply, right now my life is my job. . ."

". . .There's a tension...I think many teachers are struggling with anxiety about getting back in the classroom and making sure that we can still do the job AND maintain the health and safety standards that we feel are necessary to keep people from getting sick.

My job is prioritizing student learning and I know being with them physically maximizes the potential students have for learning. . ."

". . .We know our local business community needs support more than ever right now so we're getting creative. What we've been able to do and what we're planning to do moving forward is thanks to so many community members who've made a renewed commitment to shopping local, supporting local, etc.

...As a POC who's benefited from an immense amount of privilege growing up, I've quickly realized in a short amount of time that there's a lot more that I should be going to combat injustices, racism, and systemic inequities in my own community. . ."

". . .Human beings are pretty fucking incredible. I’m so lucky that I get to listen to people as part of my job. I witness bold truths, powerful stories, and beautiful experiences around love, solidarity, justice, and connection every day.  

I worry about my family. I worry about my loved ones or I getting sick. I worry about the lack of healthcare, the lack of care infrastructure we have, homelessness, abortion access, and anti-Asian racism. I worry about things at different levels. My worries turn to rage some days. We deserve so much more...

...storytelling is how we make meaning, see connections, access our lineage and ancestry...it's an integral part of the human experience. I'm also thinking about which stories we're telling ourselves about humanity, care, love, and justice...how do we use that to build more power for ourselves?"

". . .Due to The Pandemic I’m more cautious about protecting myself from possible exposure from my patients and am very meticulous about wearing my PPE. And I make it a priority to be aware of my surroundings while on calls with a potential for violence or police interacting with us, not only at work, but also while I’m off duty. . ."

". . .This past string of seven sleep deprived overnights in the hospital was a hard one. I saw some very sad Covid cases. But, I saw more "normal" cases and how they have been affected by The Pandemic...these patients weren't able to get the care they needed when they needed it, and it's now spiraled out of control...

...I am very happy this week is over and definitely don't feel like a hero. I just want this thing to leave us all alone already. . ."

Editor's note :: Photos supplied by Dr. Lourdes Villaume.

". . ."Being the wife and caregiver for someone with a serious illness and the mother of a person of color has never been boring, but in this moment of a global pandemic and racial upheaval, it feels like everywhere I look danger is targeted directly at the two people I love the most...

...Loving my family should include wanting them to be healthy, respected, and safe. If you shout and post and tweet that "All Lives Matter," then please include the two that live with me. . ."

". . .Many of our patients may have Covid-19, they just don't present like it...and so we would not know, and would not test as they do not present with a Covid-19 symptom profile. It's a scenario that requires us to adhere to strict PPE usage no matter what the chief complaint is...

...the embracing of anti-science worries me, it should worry everyone. I hope black and latino voters show up like never before in the fall...I also hope people start see the value in science and the scientific model, and lean back into it and trust in it wholeheartedly. If these two things happen, that would go a long way toward steering our society back toward decency and common sense. . ."

Editor's note: it is with a heavy heart that I let the @by_a.thread community know that  beautiful & brave participant Lindsay Norton (@lnortonj33) passed away Friday, August 21, 2020 from cervical cancer. She is missed immensely already. Deepest condolences to her husband, five year old son, mother, and all who loved her. This is a gutting reminder to love your people. And to tell them you love them. 

Life is a Gift. We're all connected by a thread.

". . .If there was ever a time to be kind to one another and ourselves it’s now. . . "

". . .I was at the protests everyday for two weeks after the murder of George Floyd. Then I began volunteering in the neighborhoods that were affected by the store closures. There are two pandemics, COVID-19 and systematic racism...I have always been outspoken, but I am even more so now because I have nothing but conviction and time. . ."

". . .I want people to know that both masks and fares are required to ride the bus. And that as Bus Operators, we are essential workers who are doing the best we can under difficult circumstances...cleanliness (disinfecting, sanitizing, washing your hands, covering your mouth or sneeze) is not just an option, its a necessity. Unfortunately, I've seen first hand that common sense is uncommon to many and quite disrespectful. . ."

Participant Justin Cohenour, MD, tested poistive for Covid19 last week. Here's what he wanted to share with our @by_a.thread community:

". . .I probably contracted this at work from an asymptomatic/presymptomatic patient who wasn’t wearing a mask. Going forward, I will insist every patient wear a mask when I’m seeing them because that is most important for preventing the spread. People keep telling me at least I’m immune now, but we still don’t know if that’s true. I’m going to continue with all the precautions necessary. . ."

Editor's Note: a huge thank you to @jrcohenour for sharing his Covid19 Experience. I am so thankful you are doing well. We're all connected by a thread. Photo by Justin Cohenour, MD.

". . .I was up late the night Minneapolis police killed George Floyd. I came across the video while scrolling and immediately wished I could unsee it. It was horrifying. The next day, I was glued to the news and social media. By the following night I was down on Lake Street at the protests. Up until then our family had been social distancing quite seriously, but the enormity of this injustice was so great, that I couldn't stay home. . . ."

". . .Something that society might not realize is that teachers are CONSTANTLY observing. We watch kids interact with each other; we notice slight changes in behavior. This allows us to get to the bottom of what is going wrong or right in students' lives. It was really difficult for me to do that for the last 3 months of school, and I worried so much about so many of my kids...

...I am an optimist at heart. And I'm hopeful that people will vote early. I think positive change is coming and that we have a lot of healing to do. I have faith in my generation and the generations after mine. I believe we will carry this momentum forward and create a better world. . ."

The pandemic has forced every single business to pivot, including the Hang Family. They are local farmers that have taken their Farmer's Market bounty ordering online Fridays to then directly bring it to your door on Saturday! This is what my family received - it was as delicious as it is gorgeous. I highly recommend you put in an order for the next Saturday you are able:

https://hangfarm.company.site 

And! Make sure to tip generously. We're all connected by a thread. 

On the way to tell a story, a reminder...

". . .Being a chef isn't just about being in a kitchen or behind a grill...it's about understanding and addressing the full culture of the service industry. And how that affects the people who work for and with you...we don't just need food, because we do. But we need food because it is also a language of love and hope. . ."

Editor's Note: Union Hmong Kitchen is currently doing take-out and dine-in at their food trailer, located in the parking lot of Sociable Cider Werks. In the spring of 2021 Vang will be opening Vinai, a brick and mortar restaurant in Northeast Minneapolis, honoring the past, present and future of Hmong cooking.

On the way to tell a story in Rondo...

Purnell Moralez-Barnes shares his newest tattoo...

". . .I wish people knew that talking to a 9.1.1 dispatcher does not slow the process of getting help to the scene. Many people think the more questions we ask the longer it takes for first responders to get there or the quicker they hang up the quicker responders will arrive. That is a huge myth. We work as a team...

...The murder of George Floyd... Where do I begin? I will never forget the day that happened nor the week that followed. After work every single day I was utterly exhausted!! I felt as if I had to pick a side. . ."

On the way to tell a story...

Don't feel guilty. Get mad.

". . .I’ve been working for 18 years, developing skills, growing a network, building a reputation for myself in live theater, and it’s all gone now. I can’t get an equivalent job somewhere else. I can’t scrape together gigs and call in favors and go freelance. I can’t relocate - there’s nowhere in the country, there’s not another place in the world that I could move to and start again...The entire industry that I’ve worked in for my entire adult life is gone. It’s smoke in the wind now...

...I think on the other side we’ll see something like Lake Street on the Thursday morning, May 28th: people coming together to take care of each other, lining up for hours to donate food, bringing their kids out to sweep up broken glass, to rebuild the community. . ."

". . .Our society is built on systems, and most of these systems have been designed to benefit certain people and leave others behind. Because these systems have been in place for so many decades, it's hard for many people to imagine what a world without them would look like; but that difficultly cannot paralyze us...We can take these lessons and use them to dramatically change our day-to-day lives, even post-COVID-19. But it requires a willingness to defy the status quo and strive for something better...The world doesn't change. People change the world. . ."

Editor's note: Minnesota's Primary Election takes place on August 11, 2020. If you would like to learn more about Athena and her campaign, visit athenahollins.com

Perfect afternoon for Minnesota Nice Cream! Their Covid19 safety protocols were awesome, including the sanitization station featured in photo number four. And! Everyone waiting in line was masked! We absolutely can have fun and be safe.

While photographing Dr. Justin Cohenour, the man in the second photo (who you can see opening the door in the first image) popped out of the building to thank the doctor for being an Essential Worker. They had never met before, and yet the exchange was so heartfelt. It was a beautiful moment.

" . . .It’s hard work, not just the standard medical treatment and providing good patient care, but also the exhaustion of educating the public. On the other hand, seeing the response to George Floyd has actually provided some hope. Seeing people come together and the real change that we’ve already achieved is awesome...Wear a mask. Care about others as if they were your family. Fight for racial equality. And treat The Earth with respect. . ."

". . .One of the reasons I love teaching kindergarten is because I take seriously the responsibility to lay the groundwork for years to come. I am a relationship driven teacher. I love getting to know my students, their siblings, and their families. With the switch to distance learning, I lost one of the most important things...relationships and face-to-face learning...I hope I can be a positive force in this world. And I plan to work to be the teacher that all students deserve.". . ."

Macalester-Groveland neighborhood gem Wet Paint. Offering curbside pickup to make all your Pandemic Art Dreamz come true. Or at least to fill a summer afternoon...

I'm trying. And I know you are, too. Also, wear your damn mask.

". . .Luckily, we’ve learned better ways to adapt to things like school, teachers stepped up a lot and made sure we were able to do distance learning. The essential workers are STILL working and choosing to work for the good of others. They’re putting their health at risk to help others, while getting paid less/ the same amount as before this all started. . ."

". . .To see people in our country so easily give up on protecting others and feeling victimized for having safety measures put in place is disheartening. Politicizing the issue makes me angry. I have made a real effort to stop reading as many comments as I used to. I think this has helped my blood pressure and overall feeling of dread come down a bit. I still check in on the people close to me but not as often as I once was. . ."

Art as protest on the East Side of St. Paul, Minn.

Sign reads :: Temporarily Closed. Be Well. Mickey's Dining Car, Downtown St. Paul, Minn.