Hi guys, weird ask, but mom was the only actual card-carrying RNC member I've ever known. Her card is among my most treasured possessions.

The National Federation of Republican Assemblies is having their annual convention in California for the first time. Everything is in place and it starts Friday in Anaheim. However because of Prop 50 two legislators have withdrawn their $2500.00 support ($5000.00 total) to move to defeat Prop 50. Which is understandable. However to do this 1 week before the Convention has put us in a difficult situation. If anyone is willing to contribute financially toward this unexpected challenge, I'll be glad to put you in touch🥰 Thanks for considering it

** Mom will be 74 Sunday. If there's a cause, a friend or a beautiful place you can give some time to this weekend, please remember her as you do it. (Between you and me-- if you can bring home something to plant or something furry, do that too.) Be a little kinder than necessary, just because. Tough conversation ahead? Let a breath be your first word. Got more than you need? Share with empathy and an open heart. Listen to someone's story, just because. Fiercely defend someone who needs an ally. Go to church and just for fun entertain the idea that grace extends to you, too. (It does)

If her life had a lesson, let it be that anything is possible, regardless of where you start or the obstacles in your path. Speak up. Savor your freedom. Have an open heart, even at the risk of a broken heart. You're tough enough for that-- i promise ❤️**
Katrina was clever, inquisitive, fierce and playful-- the smartest person in any room - but her small-town roots would never let her say so. I'm her kid, so forgive me for stepping up. But ten-toes? She was the patriot we all want to be.
.She grew up in Northern CA surrounded by the scenery and lore of Gold Country. She loved local history and surrounded herself with natural keepsakes from her adventures. Eclipses, landmarks, Old West treasure stories -- if it was beautiful or interesting, she'd track it down just to say she saw it. She loved the coast and mountains and would always brake for a historical marker.

Tina was a fierce patriot who valued liberty and self-determination. She questioned everything - for fun, to learn a new craft or skill or sometimes just to prove that answers were worth seeking. When life handed her opportunities to learn, she juiced them dry. After finding a discarded cache of computer parts, she even taught herself networking, hooking up terminals throughout the house. Gardening, marketing, restoration, research - her curiosity just wouldn't let her quit until she'd mastered a new interest.

I'm sorry, mom. There's no way to sum up all you were or how much you overcame. You discovered this poem long before you were red-hat age. But you grew into exactly this kind of mischievous convention-bucker. I don't know if you ever learned to spit, but you could whistle a taxi down from a mile away. And I hope that you and Jenny Joseph are raising all kinds of trouble in heaven. I'm proud and blessed and heartbroken.

We love you.

Warning -
When I am an old woman I shall wear purple
With a red hat which doesn’t go, and doesn’t suit me.
And I shall spend my pension on brandy and summer gloves
And satin sandals, and say we’ve no money for butter.
I shall sit down on the pavement when I’m tired
And gobble up samples in shops and press alarm bells
And run my stick along the public railings
And make up for the sobriety of my youth.
I shall go out in my slippers in the rain
And pick flowers in other people’s gardens
And learn to spit.

You can wear terrible shirts and grow more fat
And eat three pounds of sausages at a go
Or only bread and pickle for a week
And hoard pens and pencils and beermats and things in boxes.

But now we must have clothes that keep us dry
And pay our rent and not swear in the street
And set a good example for the children.
We must have friends to dinner and read the papers.

But maybe I ought to practise a little now?
So people who know me are not too shocked and surprised
When suddenly I am old, and start to wear purple.

~Jenny Joseph