'Tis The Season Of Smiles And Good Horns

Tis the season, folks. Just maybe not exactly how you thought.

Twice a month, on the 1st and 3rd Saturday mornings of the month, you'll find me at the SW corner of 99th and Bell, holding up a sign saying "Honk For Peace". There will be a group of us, many of whom have joined Grandmothers For Peace. A couple of us are in the Men's Auxiliary, that being less unwieldy than forming/joining a separate group called Grandfathers For Peace.

I tend not to talk about it. I know from experience it's not always well received. I've been challenged with "Why?" in a tone that suggests I might have just admitted robbing banks to support  my retirement. (Note for the curious: I haven't. Robbed nor admitted.) Part of the answer is because I can. I was too young to demonstrate during the Civil Rights Protests, however much I supported them. For decades I was too busy or unwilling to join a host of others, and find I really hate trying to find parking in Phoenix proper where most current ones are held. And let's not forget my general ability to walk or stand for long periods expected of those who join in. This, however, I can do. 

You can't miss us. Part of that might be the noise from honking vehicles that pass. Part of it is the group, spread along next to the sidewalk, mostly sitting in lawn chairs: we are grandparents after all.  Signs are scattered all over our corner, and one regular member holds up on a pole a flag which has replaced the field of stars with a peace sign.

Yes, it's a legal US flag. That's one of the many things I've learned during the two years I've been one of the demonstrators.

I've also learned a bit about others in the group. One is a world-traveling concert pianist, able to join us only seldom. One brings bagpipes occasionally. One has to leave early for regularly scheduled mah jongg and has been unable to join us for brunch after demonstrating  until  recently when we adjusted our hours. One is bi-polar, another died during her return to her home state of Colorado last year, one is on chemo. Three have served on the management board of a non-profit, two work at a food shelf, one has held political office. Some stay year-round, others head to cooler parts come summer, same as I do. Stay or just winter here, some come from Sun City, some from Sun City West. We arrive in cars or golf carts. I'm even sorting out which names belong with which faces... sort of.

I've learned which commercial vehicles will or won't generally honk, as well as just how painfully loud some of those horns can be. But hey, we asked. I also see how many more supporters we have who'll wave and smile, but are too shy to actually honk. Or maybe, this being Arizona after all, are reluctant for their neighbors to know they support our cause. Some just wait until the light changes before they honk as if nobody will then realize exactly who honked because they're too busy driving. Others are so enthusiastic that we worry about them as they smile, wave, honk and  text all while passing by. We wish those all our best... including enough funds to pay their tickets should any cops be nearby.

Because I've also learned how many folks react negatively to our demonstrations. There are the ones who steal a glance our way from several cars back, then resolutely look straight ahead as they pass the intersection. Some go a step further, giving us a little scowl. Maybe even a big one. I have to wonder, while seeing them change from neutral observers of the world they pass, to active disapproval of us, just what it is they object to. And why? Do they think we don't support our military and by demonstrating are showing our disapproval of their glorious war service? Those folks almost never stop to ask us if we support our troops or not, and I doubt whether they can parse out the difference between supporting them but not supporting how they are  misused. (Another whole posting for later.)

Some folks are more overt in their disapproval,  using their short stop at the light to roll down their windows for commentary. A few do not hesitate to express their faith ... that we are going straight to hell. That Christ hates us. That they know one of a variety of ways to competently vocalize what awful people we are, especially when they can't discern that the ambient road noise as traffic starts up again effectively covers up every bit of what they are communicating except their tone of voice. Most of them are content to just wave as they pass by,  not understanding that it takes more than a single raised finger to show their support and encouragement.

Really, though, who actually supports war over peace?

Who?

Regardless of their reactions, we smile and wave, some of us with full open hands, some with the two-finger "V" peace symbol, at everyone who passes. The talking among ourselves we save for the gaps in traffic, due to the noise levels. That makes for some interesting conversations.

If we ignore for a bit the occupants, and just note the vehicles, there is still plenty to learn. There are changing patterns in how busy traffic is, or who moves over for emergency vehicles, or who can't signal a turn or wait for a gap to pull into traffic. Some seasons there are various items attached to show support for sport teams. This season, the most popular decorations seem to be antlers arising from back windows. Having heretofore only seen those from the back, I thought they were cute but didn't give them much thought. Facing them head-on this morning, I got the full effect when I also spotted the little furry red "nose" attached to the hoods of the cars sporting antlers. Who knew there were so many Rudolphs hanging around the area? And why are the all grounded? Shouldn't they be working on their stamina right now?

On this last protest day before the big Holidays, the mood is much more friendly than usual. 'Tis truly the season of smiles and good horns!