May 30

May 30, 2009. What a parade. What a celebration. It was way beyond wonderful. So the walking has ended but the joy continues; when am I going to stop grinning? I am so grateful for all of the hard work, creativity and love given by so many. It was truly a gathering of the Beloved Community. The Beloved Community marching down inner city East 105th Street. All of us Freedom Seekers headed straight to our beloved 'safe house.'

Saturday when I walked into the Bratenahl Village Park and saw so many friends, so many bright-red-In Their Path 2009! T shirts, it was literally breath taking. Time disappeared; I have no idea how long it took us to get from Bratenahl to Cozad-Bates. I just remember floating along with neighbors, friends, board members, my children and grandchildren. My big strong beautiful niece, Gianna and her wife (…that was shrieking exciting because I thought Gianna and Lauren had to work and so I did not know they had driven in from Syracuse.)
My good , great friend, Stephen Kahnert in from Chicago. Andrew Allen came from Cincinnati. Andrew joined me the first week of the 2002 walk and walked all the way to Cleveland. A huge group (20 or more) Gilmour Academy students. The Holy Rosary Montessori Girl Scout troop. Mustafa Griffin and student from C.A.S.T.L.E. charter school. And I should not have named anyone because, I of course, cannot name everyone, and I really, really want to.

My ‘papparazzi’ friends Adrienne Brockway or Kim Yanoshik running, kneeling, jumping to get just the right angle. My son Robert, holding the video camera professionally steady, asking reporter style questions to capture the moment. Lovely Margaret Bernstein.

The beloved Restore Cleveland Hope board members. Bookwomen book club members. Euclid Avenue Congregational pastor Terri and my church-family members. Ndeda Letson, there since dawn. And on and on and on. You should have been there to soak it all in. This is the Beloved Community. WOW

Through Wade Oval Sista Jewel’s young African dance group swirled our way down the street and onto the Cozad-Bate’s lawn. And there below the bright, blue sun-shiny-sky, we had cool clear, water and refreshing triangles of sweet watermelon.

Then the wonderful program participants: Ismail Douglas, Sally Tatnall, Chris Ronayne, Deborah Van Kleef, Kevin Conwell, Shari Cloud, Mittie Jordan, Chris Begay, with the folks on the lawn singing and clapping and praying and cheering along. THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!

The end of the In Their Path 2009! walk. What a gathering. What a wonderful day.

Date: May 28 2009

Weather: Sunny and warm this morning and not to hot. It has been raining almost every afternoon since I have been close to home.
Where I walked today: Real close now I walked in Willoughby, Willowick, I am almost through Wickliffe.
The ”Safe house” where I stayed: When I left George’s in Austinburg. May 19th to May 21st then home for Dr. Sakina Rose’s http://www.ocpm.edu/ graduation then back in Austinburg May 23rd and 24th. Lisa Link and Family Monday 5/25 then her sister Alynn & Rhea Mahle House in mentor http://www.city-data.com/picfilesv/picv11790.php Tuesday and Wednesday 5/26 and 5/27 (Gee My head is spinning just looking at it written out like that.)

Who walked with me: My son Dan was my driver 5/27 the day before was Jason Reed who teaches and works with young men at St Ignatius High. http://www.ignatius.edu/ Jason was such a wonderful and attentive driver. It was as if he was raised in a different era: Such door holding and holding my arm as I stepped out of the car, going to get the car after we had lunch. What a guy! We were quite a crowd today Khadijah Muhammed, Gloria Fearon, Sakina Rose, Jamal Houble, Son Robert and Daughter Teci www.linkedin.com/in/lbaldwin Her kids Helena and Alex. Thursday 5/28/09

One thing I really want you to know: All four of my grown children Martha, Robert, Letitia and Dan will be in attendance for the big celebration on May 30th. Here is a prayer to the weather gods to let it be sunny for a few hours this Saturday. Martha www.Marthasouthgate.com Made a comment on my blog http://joansouthgate.blogspot.com/ How exciting. She told me about a website to look up when I get home. http://www.thedefendersonline.org/ sounds like it right up my alley.

Date: May 20 2009

Weather: Weather http://www.weather.com/is again bright and sunny/blue skied. It is the warmest that it has been yet. I came back from my walking today and looked up at the temperature flashing on a sign that was by the road and it said 86 degrees. Whew! No wonder I was dripping wet today.
Where I walked today: Crossed the state line today. Pennsylvania to Ohio. Hmm or was that yesterday? The days run together sometime.
The ”Safe house” where I stayed: George Barnum’s house in Austinburg OH now Andi is here with me as well.

Who walked with me: By myself today.
One thing I really want you to know:
Did I mention that I lost my phone? My driver Glenda helped me get new cell phone at Radio Shack. Slow process clerk hung up on adding minutes on line. I am so tired, so is she. Now Glenda has to drive all the way back to Toledo http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toledo,_Ohio when she drops me off at George Barnum's house in Austinburg.

This very old brick (Perhaps 1800's) house is filled with period furniture http://ararefindllc.com/18th19th_century_period_furniture and old photos in a worn black paper album where you insert the corners of the photos into black triangle stick on, much like the one we had when I was a child. There are framed larger family and team or staff group pictures framed on the walls. George says that he has only owned it a couple years. He is working in Washington DC right now, but I can’t wait to hear his stories about the pictures in this house.

I found a book called BEING DEAD IS NO EXCUSE The Official Southern Ladies to hosting the Perfect Funeral, http://www.undergroundhumor.com/books/being_dead_is_no_excuse.htm not old or Victorian, but lots of fun. I am exhausted; I sit down without exploring to settle in and wrapped in a heavy flannel cotton sheet and beautiful quilt. I read and giggle myself into a sound sleep. I wake four hours later wondering and frozen. Now I search and find the thermostat and turn it up to 67. Brrr! Also figured out the radio and listened to NPR opera in background as I sorted my medicine pills into weekly container and checked maps and receipts. ALONE. I lived alone a long long time so this was relaxing (once I was warm and could munch on a chewy granola almond and cranberry bar.) http://www.videojug.com/webvideo/how-to-make-cranberry-almond-chewy-granola-bars

May 18, 2009

Mr. and Ms. George, Safe house hosts

May 16 2009

Weather: Sort of over cast but no rain.
Where I walked today: It’s Saturday and we were walking near Erie Airport, and Avonia. Glenda took some great pictures.
The “Safe house” where I stayed: Paul & Hope Desante, then moved on to Tom and Barbara George both in Fairview. Paul & Hope have an interesting story, they are an ex nun and ex priest. She was a nun for 14 years, can’t remember what he said.
Who walked with me: Sally Tatnall had to go back to work for a week or so. She and Teci worked to make sure I was in very capable hands. Glenda Hathaway is my driver now and my friend of more than 20 years Andi Schmidt will drive next week.
One thing I really want you to know: We saw a special Underground Railroad home today. We were in a hurry so did not get a chance to take pictures.

May 14th and 15th

What a day! It seems like 3 days because so much has happened.

Weather: Sort of Chilly maybe in the upper 50s Where I walked: moved on from Chautauqua NY early because we have walked a good bit past it. We are in Erie PA

The “Safe house” where I stayed: There was Dani Kinney the other day and in Erie we are staying at the Avalon Hotel. Our original host Sheri Nelson has a cat and Sally is allergic. So Sheri and her partner Michelle got us a room at the hotel on them. Paul & Hope Desante in Fairfiew PA.

The people I met: Whew there is quite a list. Sheri, Michelle, reconnected with Lisa Gensheimer, (from my walk in 2003). We met a teacher and local historian by the name of Johnny Johnson.

Who walked with me: Sally Tatnall, my good friend, fellow walker and planner extraordinaire, Johnny Johnson and Marilyn Sobotinic.

One thing I really want you to know: We visited the Watson-Curtze Mansion We were out and about and came across a group of 3rd graders on a field trip to a local health fair. Next thing that you know Johnny explained who I was and they gathered around to hear my story.

We were on TV channel 24 in Erie PA. Johnny Johnson took pictures and video.

May 13th

Hello All,

I am very behind; I have had trouble getting to a regular computer. I am on strike from the laptop; we just don’t get along. It has a mind of its own well perhaps it’s my mind.

My host Carole Williams’ home is exquisite, filled with wonders and right on Lake Chautauqua. She is a sweet, wonderful host. I know Stu and Carole Williams because; they are the parents of my hiking friends/mentors from the In Their Path journey in 2003 Eric & Petra Williams. Petra is the woman who hiked with me 88 miles in 2003. She carried both our back packs when I was too sore to keep going with mine. She taught me to stretch 5 minutes for every hour of hiking or walking. A lesson I have learned the hard way. :-)

I have a sore little toe-nail on my left foot and an arthritic/bunion big toe on my right foot. Then I focus and say toes loose mantra to ease the pain. It is much better since I changed to new shoes. They were worn out from the inside.

April 30th 2009

Drove down on Thursday. For our grand adventure, it rained hard all the way. We laughed all the way down the road. We also passed the time making phone calls to safe houses. Actually Teci called on her cell phone and I just did some chatting. The folks at Salem chapel church had a wonderful dinner ready when we arrived. There were about 10 folks waiting to have dinner with us when we arrived. We stayed with Church member Holmes Smith.

This quote was on the wall in the church fellowship hall.

Spirit Dancing My Ancestors

Spirit Dancing My Ancestors

Rejoice strongly all around me.

I can hear them breathing.

I can hear them praying.

I can feel their presence.

I know they are there for I am aware.

-Anonymous-