Running and dodging the rain. Poppies and watermelon badges. Music at political rallies. And Farm Aid.

 I went out running this morning, for the first time in several days. It was fine and bright and crisp.

There was some evidence of storm damage from the weekend.

Later in the morning it rained, copiously, but by early afternoon the sun was shining again. I have not hung washing in the garden - the altogether too unpredictable weather put me off.

Here’s a post from Zarah Sultana MP:

“In 2026, teachers are being threatened with disciplinary action for wearing watermelon badges in solidarity with Palestine and against genocide.

This is Andy Burnham’s Britain.

Shame on him.”

At the same time, everyone is encouraged to wear a Remembrance Poppy. Some people might also wear a white poppy, to make us aware of those who strive for peace. I read something about someone creating a Palestine poppy, presumably in Palestine colours, but I don’t think it’s been much publicised.

Over in the USA, Neil Young is reportedly suing a Donald Trump fundraising committee for $10m (£7.5m) after his song Rockin’ in the Free World was played at a campaign rally. The lawsuit asserts that the committee breached a prior 2020 legal settlement, in which a different Trump campaign organisation agreed not to use the track without permission. Uh! Oh!

He’s not the only artist upset at having their songs used against their will, usually without their knowing about it until it has happened, and usually at a rally for someone they don’t support. Amongst others, Ariana Grande has also taken legal action because of the Trump Team assuming they could use her one of her songs.

In the comments on the report about Neil Young, someone pointed out the he was one of the founders of Farm Aid in the USA. I checked it up on Wikipedias: 

“Farm Aid is an American benefit concert and non-profit organization founded in 1985 by musicians Willie Nelson, Neil Young, and John Mellencamp. The goal of the benefit concert is to provide financial relief to family farmers in the United States, to improve agricultural conditions in soil and water, and to support domestic, locally owned farms as they compete against large-scale agribusiness.”

Neil Young and Willie Nelson were performing there again this year - Willie Nelson at the age of 93!

There you go!

Life goes on. Stay safe and well, everyone!