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Doreen Frances's avatar

This is the beauty of this substack. You are across the continent from me, but your words make me feel connected, seen, and not alone.

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Summer Koester's avatar

Omg Doreen, THIS is why I write. Thank you so much for telling me that. It means the world!

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Doreen Frances's avatar

You are so welcome!

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Bill Lundeen's avatar

Wow. So beautiful, Summer… Sad, heartful, beautiful. We are all being driven closer to each other through this insanity. I guess that’s the focus we need right now: come together. My DS/autistic nephew has some of the same “gifts” your daughter exhibits. Terrible blessings indeed. With 4 planets and the moon’s north node now in Pisces, I find the word is Accept and Let Go. This does not mean do nothing; big difference. I truly believe—no, FEEL—that it will work out for the best eventually. How to trust and hang in there while we don’t do nothing is the challenge. Blessings on you and your daughter!

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Summer Koester's avatar

Blessings to you and your nephew!

This is fascinating, what you mention about the moon's north node in Pluto meaning "accept and let go." I feel that, too! We can acknowledge it then let it pass like weather. And yes, do something in response, which is different from person to person. I made calls yesterday, am planning a protest, writing, reaching out to friends... And I love what you say, that we are being driven closer because of this. It's true. And that is indeed a blessing!

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Bill Lundeen's avatar

❤️Homeward through the haze! ❤️

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Calliope Confides's avatar

I believe we are all connected. Sadly, fear and division are the construct of unchecked greed and power. Yet human energy is a miraculous and continuously shifting stew of molecules, indifferent to hate as our mortal selves struggle through time with tyrannical leaders. As a species we are capable of great love and compassion- which ultimately is an expression of immortality. This essay is beautiful and gut wrenching. Keep tapping into your inner voice Summer- we need your crystal voice in the midst of the chaos and insanity. There are many of us right here with you.

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Summer Koester's avatar

Thank you, Calliope! And yes to everything you wrote!

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tecolote42's avatar

Bless you and your family and all of us. We can't give up nor give in. 🖖🤗🥰❤️

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Summer Koester's avatar

That's right. Hang in there xoxo

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Isabel Cowles Murphy's avatar

The amazing thing about roots is they get stronger in a drought. I'm counting on that. Beautiful reflections, as always.

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Summer Koester's avatar

That's amazing! I didn't know that.

Thank you, Isabel <3

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Ros Barber's avatar

Deeply beautiful and true, your switch from fear of what these disconnected people are doing, to your compassionate awareness. Our deep interconnectedness is our salvation. I too was overjoyed when The Telepathy Tapes overturned Joe Rogan, and wrote about it. Finally this knowledge of a connected consciousness is going mainstream.

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Summer Koester's avatar

Ooh awesome! Now I need to find that piece you wrote. I just subscribed!

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Jeanine Kitchel's avatar

I'm reading Richard Powers' Playground right now--for context on how it all really is. Not exactly touchy-feely but w/ him, I am always in good hands, and also, am away from the gross reality of the demise of our democracy. Only have to think about the demise of the planet - kidding of course.

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Summer Koester's avatar

Wow this book sounds amazing! An escape read but also an even truer truth! the best kind of fiction. Thanks for the rec! (I enjoyed this capture of the book by the Guardian: https://www.theguardian.com/books/2024/sep/29/playground-richard-powers-review-ai-ocean )

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Jeanine Kitchel's avatar

A wonderful review. Powers is simply incredible. Now halfway through Playground. Very engaging —and with the same Powers’ punch. Through ‘talking story’ as the Hawaiians and so many cultures do, possibly Alaskan cultures too?, he explains how the world works (or doesn’t).

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Summer Koester's avatar

Yes, Alaska Indigenous also practice oral storytelling!

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Jeanine Kitchel's avatar

It’s so powerful. When we lived upcountry Maui, our dear neighbor who we called Auntie would say, we talk story now.

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Summer Koester's avatar

And funny, in Tlingit tradition, the older women are also referred to as Auntie <3

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Jeanine Kitchel's avatar

It always makes me feel good. Also on small islands, or perhaps in small communities, everyone is kind of ‘your auntie’ or ‘uncle.’ Like the phrase, it takes a village.

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Summer Koester's avatar

I love that. I agree, so powerful!

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Jenn Schuessler's avatar

Summer, The Overstory was an epic, supremely beautiful novel. It fulfilled my heart, that’s for sure. If you haven’t read it, I cannot recommend it enough. Haven’t started Playground yet, it’s on my shelf, but I am excited to get started. ❤️

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Lindsey Melden's avatar

Beautifully said. And a beautiful collection of images too. Thank you for sharing 🩵

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Summer Koester's avatar

Thank you, Lindsey! <3

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anne richardson's avatar

oh, Summer, yes to all of this. first the illustrations by elin manon are stunning. thank you for sharing their work. and the Telepathy Tapes...paradigm shifting in many ways but what really offered me hope for our puny human species surviving in some form was the messages shared that "love and kindness" is in the greater consciousness out in the Universe. not that these times don't fill me with a deep sadness when i witness the level of cruelty and hubris and disregard for others human and non-human. for me, i will continue to be of service in my community, stay connected, and create ("make art in the face of f*ck" as they say at Corporal Writing.) sending you and yours a big big hug.

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Summer Koester's avatar

Have you ever taken a class with Lidia? My friend had her read over her manuscript and said it was well worth it :-)

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anne richardson's avatar

yup, i have taken three, four with Lida and all were amazing. i've taken other classes with Corporeal too and they were also the best. The Squad and those they bring in from "outside" to offer classes...stretching boundaries. and always affirming.

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Bailey Williams's avatar

Obsessed with the art in this post.

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Summer Koester's avatar

Isn’t it amazing? Felt very restorative to meditate on. Seemed like the right thing to share now.

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andyranaway's avatar

"...all life is interrelated. We are all caught in an inescapable network of mutuality, tied into a single garment of destiny. Whatever affects one directly, affects all indirectly.” - MLK

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Summer Koester's avatar

Love it. Thank you mr. fox!

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Michelle Lindblom's avatar

Another beautifully written piece, which I feel acutely. Reading the work of others and writing myself is healing to the soul and our form of resistance. Thank you.

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Summer Koester's avatar

Thank you, Michelle. Hearing testimony like that means everything to me!

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The World According to Velvet's avatar

OMG you nailed it. My mind and soul know what my body doesn't. I am noticing a tightening of all of my muscles like I am getting ready to fight or run. Maybe my body knows what my mind doesn't and my soul isn't ready to tell me!

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Summer Koester's avatar

So often that is the case, right? And maybe it is “irrational,” but also, that threat of violence, though far away, can become so close, even living within us. Blessings to you, Velvet!

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The World According to Velvet's avatar

Thank you and blessings back to you my Alaska Soul Sistar!

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Christine Lampert's avatar

So well said...........thank you for sharing your thoughts.........we are all in these very scary times together and it doesn't seem that our leaders are fighting back for us.

I hope that we survive this.........Please keep speaking up and sharing....I will too.

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Summer Koester's avatar

Thank you, Christine. Such crazy times. Feel like we're in a movie. So surreal!

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Summer Koester's avatar

Also, the similarities between what tRump is doing and what Chavez did in Venezuela are chilling. Even my Venezuelan friends say they are basically one and the same person.

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Robert D Cameron's avatar

Beautiful..soldier on Summer.

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Summer Koester's avatar

Thank you, Robert. Hope you're doing well.

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Diana van Eyk's avatar

Beautiful words, beautiful art. Thanks, Summer.

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Summer Koester's avatar

Thank you, Diana! appreciate the comment <3

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