DECEMBER 13, 2024 ON MY CORNER MEET YOUR VENDOR A season of peace Every year at Christmas time we Roberto Isla Caballero, vendor No. 347 In one sentence, who are you? I am a worker. Where do you usually sell Groundcover? The corner of Main and Washington Streets. When and why did you start selling Groundcover? 2016 – because people from the Breakfast Church asked what I was doing, and I said “nothing.” And then they asked if I wanted to sell. What is your favorite thing to do in Ann Arbor? Sell my papers. If you could do anything for a day, what would it be? My work. If you had to eat one meal for the rest of your life, what would it be? Drink my water. What was your first job? Helping my family in Cuba. What change would you like to see in Washtenaw County? Nothing. What is your superpower? Groundcover News. What’s the best way to start the day? Selling Groundcover. What is your pet peeve? When people take my things. What small thing makes your day better? Coming to the office. What song do you have completely memorized? Pitbull. What would be the first thing you’d do if you won the lottery? I don’t play games. To la vírgen ROBERTO ISLA CABALLERO Groundcover vendor No. 347 exp. 01/31/2025 De los dos solo hay una. Es nuestra madre María. De una flor salió un indígena y con su manto índio solo miró los pies de nuestros días y con su manto dorado solo miró unas estrellas doradas y un padre y un pio a un cardenal. Hijos santos, madre mía. hear refrains of “Peace on Earth.” There is some sense in our subconscious that peace is a natural state that we have lost. Is the Garden of Eden totally a myth or was there something before written history that was more cooperative and less warlike than what we call civilization? One important resource for my understanding is the work of Ernest Becker, particularly “The Denial of Death.” I just learned that his “Escape From Evil” is highly recommended so it is now on my reading list. Inequality first arose as those "fearless in battle,” be it with lions or human invaders, gained prestige and power in the community. Those who overcame their fear of death were idolized by many who believed in their heroes more than in themselves. Something like “let someone else take the risk and we will give them our power.” As you cede your power to others, a chain of command can arise that is at odds with natural law but test. Letting go of an illusory self is our job and will prompt a smile as we say goodbye to this world and enter the mystery of beyond. If you look at the first writings of KEN PARKS Groundcover vendor No. 490 continues due to a mastery of violence and a willingness to perfect and use violence, as if it is just another tool. There can even be great celebration for the “spoils of war!" As the money pours in, all the glories of victory may vindicate a feeling of superiority for the victors. This is the beginning of a class-based society, what we naively call "civilization." Supremacism may appeal to some as if it is natural law but it fails the unity of opposites test. Self and other are not permanent states and death is the ultimate homo sapiens, you will see how the oral tradition spoke of a more natural society than what grew out of violence and male supremacy. Look at “Tales from the Mabinogion." The story of the Welsh language, as the bards of old were written down, spans the 6th to 13th centuries. This literature which grew from the oral tradition is still an inspiration to many who sense the creative authenticity of our ancestors. As deep as our genes is a culture of the mind that we can cultivate. When the student is ready the teacher will appear. Reality is here and you are in a game of cosmic tag. This is the season when we sing “Joy To The World.” Practice the breath of peace until it is natural. GROUNDCOVER NEWS 3 It's December LA SHAWN COURTWRIGHT Groundcover vendor No. 56 It’s December cool, crisp, fresh air Bring some Kleenex for your nose and eyes It’s December, and sometimes these need a wiping! It’s December sunlit snow dunes as if to be reflectors of December
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