Thank you for this written piece - it is extraordinary. I have the same thoughts and feelings - I try to resist by protesting, calling senators, more protesting and also thinking about Anne Frank. This will come full circle back to trump and his administration. Ha - Hegseth - he is an active alcoholic and thus insane, I speak from being one myself, and I am well now. May thy will be done, and all things must pass, may thy will be done - pray that Netanyahu, trump and putin be removed from office. I listen only to PBS Newshour and Brooks and Capehart lay it out clearly for me. Thank you for laying it out as well.
Hi Josie. You are doing all the right things it sounds like, and yes, don't we recognize alcoholic behavior when we see it?!! I'm not sure where this is all going but I think it is going to get worse before it gets better. But we will persevere and try to stay optimistic and know that kharma has a way....Hope you are hanging in there.
The anguish you so eloquently put into words makes me very sad. Can we as a country survive the remaking 3.5 years and hopefully undo this period in our country’s history.
The Richard Nixon era comes to my mind for similar and, dissimilar reasons.
On a lighter note, have you started replacing your windows yet??? Our new energy efficient windows are the best home improvement we’ve done to date.
Always love to see your name pop up! It is hard to believe that we're going to have to go through 3 1/2 more years of this (maybe more?!). I am hoping the midterms will deliver us some relief, but who knows. It's like a speeding train - hard to turn around on a dime.
We only have the kitchen window replaced right now. We're heading to DE for dad's 95th in a couple weeks and after that our contractor will start on the rest (they're in the garage!). Ours our double-paned - did you get triple-paned? Our old windows are awful!
Glad to see you got out on the boat for the fireworks! xoxo
I did miss seeing you in the parade! Completely agree with your sentiments. We have been dealing with a heartbreaking situation- a young man taken and now residing in a detention center in Texas. Very difficult to communicate with him and when we do the news is horrific. Even my little granddaughters who don’t know details are sad and frightened. I fear things will get worse now with more $$ available for this racist cruelty.
One thing I know for sure -my dad and his generation absolutely did not fight and die for this.
You're absolutely right, Sue. And I'm very sorry to hear about your young friend. Awful. It is a scary time. And interesting that your granddaughters have picked up on it...when I see people everyone says there's just a weird energy. Ugh! When summer's over, let's get together for lunch or coffee!
Thank you for your thoughts, we all need to defy gravity as this type of legislation is only the beginning. If people do not subscribe to Heather Cox Richardson they should, as terrifying as reality is, she explains the current state of affairs with clarity and history.
Thank you Debra, and yes, thank God for Heather Cox Richardson. I love that she is a historian and so adept at stepping back and putting current events in context. She more than anyone helps me to understand what is going on. Here's to defying gravity!
Thank you for speaking out and for your insights. I, too, am devastated by the cruelty and what is happening now. Too few of us are brave enough to speak out and yet we all must band together if we are to survive. "The only way out is through".
That is so true Annette - the only way out is through. We're in it now and we've just got to try to keep pushing in the right direction - though it is so hard. Argh!
Thank you so much for this beautiful writing, Susie. I am grateful you are using your wisdom and platform to talk about what is going on in our country right now (and in the world, in part as a result of what our country is or is not doing). A very close friend's son's partner is Spanish-speaking, of Mexican descent. He's a master's level educator, young, runs a Centro de Raza program in a community here in Washington State where I grew up. In LA, two days before his sister's quinceañera, ICE swept into their parents' property and rounded up a group of men doing construction. One kept begging to get his bag to show his papers but they ignored him. Then the thugs started pounding on the doors and windows telling the 14-year old and 20 year old they had to let them in. Luckily, the sisters knew to keep calling out "where's your warrant?" and they filmed all of it. It was on that night's news. My friend hopped on a plane with her own daughter, daughter's husband, and their two small children and headed to LA. "I'd like to see them walk over this old white lady to get in," she said. She also said that I was her only friend here to celebrate that choice. We all need to speak out, as you've done here, Susie, and then keep speaking.
Wow, Kirie that is just so horrifying. And your friend and her family are brave and so inspiring to go down there and try to help. But why more people don't support her, I don't know! I'm glad she has a friend like you. Just being there for someone who is dealing with this situation, either directly or indirectly, is huge. Thank you as always for being in touch, especially about these things that are definitely potential serenity-busters. xo
Glad to share space and recovery and writing with you, from our seaside gardens across the country. Yesterday after I set up my women's meeting, and we had time before the actual meeting, I was thanking a woman who is always out there in our small town demonstrating, speaking out. "But do you think demonstrating does any good?" she asked. "Always. Yes," I said. Then I got sort of paranoid about whether another woman who arrived early, pre-meeting, might think I was "talking about politics." Or didn't want to hear about brown people being rounded up (I've confronted her on her racism before and she heeded what I said). I do find this aura of paranoia and fear pervading everywhere. But as my husband said this morning, if we were in LA, we'd both lay our (aging) bodies on the line. And I'm so grateful for everyone who speaks out and takes action.
I feel the same. I've never felt as down as I did this 4th of July. And, I too chose America the Beautiful as tbe song on my Independence Day post. Hug to you, Susie.
Hi Carolyn. I felt down, too. The Vineyard is very festive on the Fourth of July and there is a wonderful town parade that my company participates in. I'm not big on crowds so I don't go every year, but I appreciate how special it is and why people love it. But honestly, I couldn't have gone this year under any circumstances - too sad. Though I did l love seeing pictures of a friend of mine in the parade holding a sign saying "We love our constitution!"
Thank you for this written piece - it is extraordinary. I have the same thoughts and feelings - I try to resist by protesting, calling senators, more protesting and also thinking about Anne Frank. This will come full circle back to trump and his administration. Ha - Hegseth - he is an active alcoholic and thus insane, I speak from being one myself, and I am well now. May thy will be done, and all things must pass, may thy will be done - pray that Netanyahu, trump and putin be removed from office. I listen only to PBS Newshour and Brooks and Capehart lay it out clearly for me. Thank you for laying it out as well.
Hi Josie. You are doing all the right things it sounds like, and yes, don't we recognize alcoholic behavior when we see it?!! I'm not sure where this is all going but I think it is going to get worse before it gets better. But we will persevere and try to stay optimistic and know that kharma has a way....Hope you are hanging in there.
Well said Susie,
The anguish you so eloquently put into words makes me very sad. Can we as a country survive the remaking 3.5 years and hopefully undo this period in our country’s history.
The Richard Nixon era comes to my mind for similar and, dissimilar reasons.
On a lighter note, have you started replacing your windows yet??? Our new energy efficient windows are the best home improvement we’ve done to date.
Hi Lynn,
Always love to see your name pop up! It is hard to believe that we're going to have to go through 3 1/2 more years of this (maybe more?!). I am hoping the midterms will deliver us some relief, but who knows. It's like a speeding train - hard to turn around on a dime.
We only have the kitchen window replaced right now. We're heading to DE for dad's 95th in a couple weeks and after that our contractor will start on the rest (they're in the garage!). Ours our double-paned - did you get triple-paned? Our old windows are awful!
Glad to see you got out on the boat for the fireworks! xoxo
I did miss seeing you in the parade! Completely agree with your sentiments. We have been dealing with a heartbreaking situation- a young man taken and now residing in a detention center in Texas. Very difficult to communicate with him and when we do the news is horrific. Even my little granddaughters who don’t know details are sad and frightened. I fear things will get worse now with more $$ available for this racist cruelty.
One thing I know for sure -my dad and his generation absolutely did not fight and die for this.
You're absolutely right, Sue. And I'm very sorry to hear about your young friend. Awful. It is a scary time. And interesting that your granddaughters have picked up on it...when I see people everyone says there's just a weird energy. Ugh! When summer's over, let's get together for lunch or coffee!
Thank you for your thoughts, we all need to defy gravity as this type of legislation is only the beginning. If people do not subscribe to Heather Cox Richardson they should, as terrifying as reality is, she explains the current state of affairs with clarity and history.
Thank you Debra, and yes, thank God for Heather Cox Richardson. I love that she is a historian and so adept at stepping back and putting current events in context. She more than anyone helps me to understand what is going on. Here's to defying gravity!
Thank you Susie for this beautiful column and for expressing the agony and sadness that so many of us are feeling.
It is devastating to watch what is happening to our country.
Thank you for your wise words of strength.
Hi Suzanne. I hope you are well despite all this - it is so sad. Thank you for being in touch as always and I hope I will see you around this summer!
Thank you for speaking out and for your insights. I, too, am devastated by the cruelty and what is happening now. Too few of us are brave enough to speak out and yet we all must band together if we are to survive. "The only way out is through".
That is so true Annette - the only way out is through. We're in it now and we've just got to try to keep pushing in the right direction - though it is so hard. Argh!
Thank you so much for this beautiful writing, Susie. I am grateful you are using your wisdom and platform to talk about what is going on in our country right now (and in the world, in part as a result of what our country is or is not doing). A very close friend's son's partner is Spanish-speaking, of Mexican descent. He's a master's level educator, young, runs a Centro de Raza program in a community here in Washington State where I grew up. In LA, two days before his sister's quinceañera, ICE swept into their parents' property and rounded up a group of men doing construction. One kept begging to get his bag to show his papers but they ignored him. Then the thugs started pounding on the doors and windows telling the 14-year old and 20 year old they had to let them in. Luckily, the sisters knew to keep calling out "where's your warrant?" and they filmed all of it. It was on that night's news. My friend hopped on a plane with her own daughter, daughter's husband, and their two small children and headed to LA. "I'd like to see them walk over this old white lady to get in," she said. She also said that I was her only friend here to celebrate that choice. We all need to speak out, as you've done here, Susie, and then keep speaking.
Wow, Kirie that is just so horrifying. And your friend and her family are brave and so inspiring to go down there and try to help. But why more people don't support her, I don't know! I'm glad she has a friend like you. Just being there for someone who is dealing with this situation, either directly or indirectly, is huge. Thank you as always for being in touch, especially about these things that are definitely potential serenity-busters. xo
Glad to share space and recovery and writing with you, from our seaside gardens across the country. Yesterday after I set up my women's meeting, and we had time before the actual meeting, I was thanking a woman who is always out there in our small town demonstrating, speaking out. "But do you think demonstrating does any good?" she asked. "Always. Yes," I said. Then I got sort of paranoid about whether another woman who arrived early, pre-meeting, might think I was "talking about politics." Or didn't want to hear about brown people being rounded up (I've confronted her on her racism before and she heeded what I said). I do find this aura of paranoia and fear pervading everywhere. But as my husband said this morning, if we were in LA, we'd both lay our (aging) bodies on the line. And I'm so grateful for everyone who speaks out and takes action.
I'm glad, too!
I feel the same. I've never felt as down as I did this 4th of July. And, I too chose America the Beautiful as tbe song on my Independence Day post. Hug to you, Susie.
Hi Carolyn. I felt down, too. The Vineyard is very festive on the Fourth of July and there is a wonderful town parade that my company participates in. I'm not big on crowds so I don't go every year, but I appreciate how special it is and why people love it. But honestly, I couldn't have gone this year under any circumstances - too sad. Though I did l love seeing pictures of a friend of mine in the parade holding a sign saying "We love our constitution!"
Brilliant and brave.
Hi Kathryn - and thank you.