I started this writing endeavor as one of several Covid/Pandemic projects* aimed to keep my mind and more active. Underlying this effort is my inherent creativity, whether with crafts, cooking, or something else. Now there is tic-tok, instagram, substack and many more ways of expressing yourself and your thoughts or knowledge out there over the airwaves. I remain here with this blog.

*Another Covid/Pandemic project which is trekking toward a conclusion is a tour of Jewish South Beach (Miami Beach). I’ve given the first part of the tour several times already, to the enlightenment of participants.

Over the past few years I see that people from all over the world read what I write. It’s thrilling how far the blog reaches. Readers often “like” what the find; some even add comments; some are subcribers. I gather only subscribers are able to contribute; Creatively Annette has attracted fewer than 300 subscribers to date. Some are people that I know, others remain unknown. In this brave new world of social media, that makes me a micro-mini influencer, whatever that could possibly mean!

Yesterday, for a second time, Constant Companion and I joined our local No Kings Demonstration. Harkening back to the days of our youth and anti-Vietnam demonstrations, we are compelled to be a part of the crowd for whatever impact it may have.

One result was a woman (self-identified as Rosie) stopped in front of me and said, “I read your blog. I read it every time.” She remembered my name and reminded me that we met some years ago when I was active in senior exercise programs sponsored by our city (I still regularly participate in the tai chi classes.) She told me that she also shares my blogs with others! Wow! Who would have known?

I thought I was relatively anonymous and was honored to see that Creatively Annette is having an unexpected and wonderful impact. Her comments encouraged me to share some images of Miami Beach’s own No Kings Demonstration in which we were participating.

These demonstations are the ideal setting for free speech, one of our rights currently at risk. Participants expressed many thoughts about different aspects of different situations currently facing all of us.

Homemade signs carried many messages that many of us agree with.

Some messages resonated with unacceptable local situations.

Mass produced messages be national leaders were worn by others.

Statements by noted artists were carried.

Demonstrators lined one of our thoroughfares; cars passing signalled their agreement.

Impact. We can only hope that the many voices raised in these nationwide grass-roots efforts have an impact. We hope our voices will be heard by those who can make changes.