Today’s entry is a pondering of yet another word that begins with “re”, my favorite prefix.

That word is “reconsider“. What comes up in your mind when you read this word? Perhaps something you might want to reconsider? A chance to go back and change your mind about trying something? To “un-chicken out”?

This fall, I put myself in the most uncomfortable position by participating in my first virtual writer’s meet-up. Let me tell you, there’s a reason you don’t see me posting videos of myself giving you advice or telling you all what I think about something. I am an absolute mess when it comes to having to use my actual literal voice to interact with others. I get so freaking nervous. And my messiness is a good 800% higher when this interaction is with people I don’t know IRL.

But, I got through it. I perservered. And I was witness to a story told by another participant in which she relayed a recent experience she had while wandering through Paris (she was living there on a short term basis with her husband-how cool is that?). She focused on being present while meandering through the streets of gay Paris, and she said she noticed the funniest thing: the color red. It seemed to pop up everywhere, and in particular, in the pants worn by Parisians. It completely delighted her. And her telling of this story in turn delighted me.

That got me thinking more deeply about the symbolism of the color red. Like the MAGA movement and how this faction of the American populace has claimed this color as part of their brand (of course this began with the Republican party, like the Dems have comandeered the color blue). I hate those dumb red ball caps I sometimes see people wear that bear the catchphrase borrowed from the Reagan era by the Trump crowd. I cringe inside as I process the disappointment I feel in humanity when some fool opts to wear one of these ridiculous ball caps in public spaces. Fortunately, sightings of these red ball caps are few and far between these days as fans of the President are becoming more disillusioned every day.

But obviously there’s more to the color red than a political party and movement that doesn’t align with my values, so I’m going to reconsider it.

I recently heard someone say that red is a color that is universally flattering (depending of course on the undertones). And then there were the red hats I saw online worn by people in Minneapolis protesting against ICE’s Metro Surge. These were a different sort of red hat though-a knitted hat that’s pattern originated in Norway (hey-my DNA results say I’m 4% Norwegian!). They were worn by Nazi resisters when Nazis occupied Norway in the early 40’s. And then there’s the warmer shade of red seen in tomatoes I am eager to get started in the new raised bed garden Mr. NOA plans to build this spring. And that cheery red rose bush we planted last spring, which, before long, will be blooming. There really is a lot to appreciate about the color red.

Isn’t it fascinating to think of the ways in which particular colors evoke emotions and psychological responses? Check out this interesting article I found about the psychology of color. What thoughts and feelings come up when you consider the color red?

I’m off to see what options I may find for red pants online now.

I will leave you with a song I heard a few nights ago, on https://www.thecurrent.org/, while I was working on this blog post. I share it because I think it’s fan-freaking tastic but also because I thought “Red Rain” by Peter Gabriel was a bit dark for this conversation and “99 Luft (Red) Balloons” is just not on my highlight reel of songs from my youth in the 80s.

So, just stop and listen to this one. It’s fire!, as (I think) the kids say.