Love the dancing! Go you! How am I feeling? Largely terrified, but it's impossible to just sit mutely and do nothing. I didn't know I had friends left to lose after 2016, but turns out I did. Oh well. How do I stay sane? I've put time limits on my news and social media apps / sites. I occasionally even forget where my phone is. I get outside. I read books. I work on my own book and try to ignore the fear that T---p and his goons will try to shut down university presses like the one that has agreed to publish it. Mostly it works. I'm thankful to have an inner circle where we get each other and there's unlimited rights to joy and to fear, to meltdowns and to raucous bonfires. That helps more than anything
You are doing, as they say in Gen Z speak, "touching grass." Exactly as you should, we all should! If we all did that, peace would be on earth. Thank you, Laura!!! I also deleted my news app last night and social media off my phone. Trying to quell the anxiety/insomnia a bit.
Thank you Summer, and all your compadres, for standing up and showing up for those of us who are afraid, scared... May She protect you and your family,!
Oh my gosh, the sound of your voices ringing up that mountainside! Thank you so much for this. If I lived closer, I'd be there in a heartbeat. I'm with you in spirit. You uplift me ❤️
The people do have the power, we've just forgotten how to use it. But all these rallies and protests are waking us up, reminding us that there is strength in numbers. United, we stand.
And there is power in your words. Keep writing and inspiring. Thank you.
Not really hopeful, very nervous. The rally made me feel good to know so many are out there with us. But I fear the deviousness of him and his cronies and now the whole stacked up WH, DOJ, cabinet (if you can call it a cabinet). For a semblance of sanity I read Joyce Vance's excellent Stack. As a former prosecutor under Eric Holder, she knows the drill, explains things so laypeople can understand, and posts almost daily. I catch as much of her as I can. Straight news still shows way too much of his face. Writing helps, and meditation. I do it first thing in the a.m. to try and set the tone for the day. Love all your work, your perseverance and your verve!
Yes. You will really appreciate Joyce Vance. She’s straight up, doesn’t mince words and tells it like lay people can understand. She’s my fave bc I can tune in and know the basics. I love HCR and Robt Reich but Vance is very concise, to the point. As a former US prosecutor under Eric Holder, she knows exactly what is going on, yet with ❤️
happy damn spring, Summer. yes, and i don't want you to be a dead-headed flower. you are beautiful in all the ways that matter. i trust you will listen to what is best for you and your family. whether you flow with the raging river currents or paddle along the calmer edges, your fiery spirit will "speak" into the midst of what is unfolding...that can't be silenced, even if these posts go quiet, if you chose.
YES! Yes to speaking up. Yes to necessary revolution. Yes to our power as The People! Such an encouraging post, Summer. We can’t give up or back down. In little Fort Bragg CA, pop. 7,000, we had between 1100 and 1500 raising peaceful hell last Saturday with signs, chants, and singing. That’s 15 to 17% of our whole town!
I am in a mode of self preservation- and I have been for awhile. My turn towards prioritizing myself predates Trumps second term, but his presidency has made it harder to do the internal work because the external world demands to be seen. It deserves to be seen but I don’t have the energy to do much more than stay aware. 🤷♀️ I listen to a finite amount of news everyday from reputable sources and try not to overdo it. I do greatly appreciate the work others in the world are doing to take real, meaningful, public stands against the actions of the Trump administration. So thank you, what you are doing is important and powerful.
I am happy to have found your writing and your work. My godmother (and one of my favorite family members) was a high school art teacher in Juneau. She was fierce, powerful, principled and her death was a loss that my whole family is still feeling the consequences of today. She had a strong voice and was rarely quiet. I would have like to seen her live to see this day and get her advice on how to survive it.
Wow. May we conjure her spirit and strength! I'm really sorry you are still grieving her loss. She's watching over you now! And thank you so much for your note, Amy. <3
I did not attend a rally. I have attended rallies in the past in my career as a brown-shirted minion of government. Mobs frighten me. Sometimes rallies become mostly peaceful protests, sometimes they become mobs. I did it for the overtime pay. Quite lucrative. The odd thing was seeing my fellow brown-shirts in civilian attire in the crowd acting as if they were rallying too. Hard not to say ‘Sup man, but it totally blows their cover.
Yes—
I self censor a lot. People are scary. Not you. People.
Well that gives a whole new definition to paid agitators! In your case, you did get paid! Our group has made a firm commitment to nonviolence, and we have permits and lots of police. Wouldn't do it any other way!
For me, I’m continuing to speak up. I believe it’s a personal decision. And we should each assess as thoroughly as possible, know as best we can what the risks are and what we’re willing to risk, and know what we stand to gain by using our feet or voices or platforms.
Love the dancing! Go you! How am I feeling? Largely terrified, but it's impossible to just sit mutely and do nothing. I didn't know I had friends left to lose after 2016, but turns out I did. Oh well. How do I stay sane? I've put time limits on my news and social media apps / sites. I occasionally even forget where my phone is. I get outside. I read books. I work on my own book and try to ignore the fear that T---p and his goons will try to shut down university presses like the one that has agreed to publish it. Mostly it works. I'm thankful to have an inner circle where we get each other and there's unlimited rights to joy and to fear, to meltdowns and to raucous bonfires. That helps more than anything
You are doing, as they say in Gen Z speak, "touching grass." Exactly as you should, we all should! If we all did that, peace would be on earth. Thank you, Laura!!! I also deleted my news app last night and social media off my phone. Trying to quell the anxiety/insomnia a bit.
Thank you Summer, and all your compadres, for standing up and showing up for those of us who are afraid, scared... May She protect you and your family,!
Thank you so much, Frank!!!!!
Oh my gosh, the sound of your voices ringing up that mountainside! Thank you so much for this. If I lived closer, I'd be there in a heartbeat. I'm with you in spirit. You uplift me ❤️
Thank you so much, Demian!!!!
Thank you! Reading stuff like this inspires me to embrace my own creativity and music more ❤️
The people do have the power, we've just forgotten how to use it. But all these rallies and protests are waking us up, reminding us that there is strength in numbers. United, we stand.
And there is power in your words. Keep writing and inspiring. Thank you.
Thank you so much, Julie. I appreciate your words and you!!!!
Not really hopeful, very nervous. The rally made me feel good to know so many are out there with us. But I fear the deviousness of him and his cronies and now the whole stacked up WH, DOJ, cabinet (if you can call it a cabinet). For a semblance of sanity I read Joyce Vance's excellent Stack. As a former prosecutor under Eric Holder, she knows the drill, explains things so laypeople can understand, and posts almost daily. I catch as much of her as I can. Straight news still shows way too much of his face. Writing helps, and meditation. I do it first thing in the a.m. to try and set the tone for the day. Love all your work, your perseverance and your verve!
Thank you, Jeanine! Okay, going to follow her now, thank you! Love the meditation practice! You are still in Mexico, yeah? I wish I was there...
Yes. You will really appreciate Joyce Vance. She’s straight up, doesn’t mince words and tells it like lay people can understand. She’s my fave bc I can tune in and know the basics. I love HCR and Robt Reich but Vance is very concise, to the point. As a former US prosecutor under Eric Holder, she knows exactly what is going on, yet with ❤️
happy damn spring, Summer. yes, and i don't want you to be a dead-headed flower. you are beautiful in all the ways that matter. i trust you will listen to what is best for you and your family. whether you flow with the raging river currents or paddle along the calmer edges, your fiery spirit will "speak" into the midst of what is unfolding...that can't be silenced, even if these posts go quiet, if you chose.
Thank you, Anne. I'm thinking I need to change the rhetoric. More metaphor... less on the nose, so to speak. Times are scary...
YES! Yes to speaking up. Yes to necessary revolution. Yes to our power as The People! Such an encouraging post, Summer. We can’t give up or back down. In little Fort Bragg CA, pop. 7,000, we had between 1100 and 1500 raising peaceful hell last Saturday with signs, chants, and singing. That’s 15 to 17% of our whole town!
That's amazing!!! And a "Fort" town, too! Although Im guessing quite liberal, lol
I am in a mode of self preservation- and I have been for awhile. My turn towards prioritizing myself predates Trumps second term, but his presidency has made it harder to do the internal work because the external world demands to be seen. It deserves to be seen but I don’t have the energy to do much more than stay aware. 🤷♀️ I listen to a finite amount of news everyday from reputable sources and try not to overdo it. I do greatly appreciate the work others in the world are doing to take real, meaningful, public stands against the actions of the Trump administration. So thank you, what you are doing is important and powerful.
I am happy to have found your writing and your work. My godmother (and one of my favorite family members) was a high school art teacher in Juneau. She was fierce, powerful, principled and her death was a loss that my whole family is still feeling the consequences of today. She had a strong voice and was rarely quiet. I would have like to seen her live to see this day and get her advice on how to survive it.
Wow. May we conjure her spirit and strength! I'm really sorry you are still grieving her loss. She's watching over you now! And thank you so much for your note, Amy. <3
❤️
I feel—
Nervous.
I did not attend a rally. I have attended rallies in the past in my career as a brown-shirted minion of government. Mobs frighten me. Sometimes rallies become mostly peaceful protests, sometimes they become mobs. I did it for the overtime pay. Quite lucrative. The odd thing was seeing my fellow brown-shirts in civilian attire in the crowd acting as if they were rallying too. Hard not to say ‘Sup man, but it totally blows their cover.
Yes—
I self censor a lot. People are scary. Not you. People.
But yeah, nervous. I feel you there.
Well that gives a whole new definition to paid agitators! In your case, you did get paid! Our group has made a firm commitment to nonviolence, and we have permits and lots of police. Wouldn't do it any other way!
Fearless. 🙏🩵🩵🩵🩵🩵
Hell to the yeah! Xo
For me, I’m continuing to speak up. I believe it’s a personal decision. And we should each assess as thoroughly as possible, know as best we can what the risks are and what we’re willing to risk, and know what we stand to gain by using our feet or voices or platforms.
Thanks for your always welcome voice, Summer.
Yes! Thank you for speaking up, Holly!!!!
Well done, Summer ... dance on! xx
Here's link to Carol Cadwalladr, for some supportive material https://substack.com/home/post/p-157691938
Thank you, Annie!!!
Very moving Summer. Thank you.
I also love seeing/hearing you and your Dad making music and meaning together.
Thank you, Marjie!!! <3 xo