Rewriting History

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OR: What is Wrong with You People?

Arlington Cemetery website drops links for Black, Hispanic, and women veterans.—Matt White, 3/13/25
“The website for Arlington National Cemetery unpublished links [deleted them] to lists of notable graves, walking tours and educational material pertaining to Black, Hispanic and women veterans, as well as some Medal of Honor recipients.”

“Arlington National Cemetery is the most venerated final resting ground in the nation, overseen by silent soldiers in immaculate uniforms with ramrod-straight discipline. Across its hundreds of acres in Virginia, they watch over 400,000 graves of U.S. service members dating back to the Civil War, including two presidents, and more than 400 Medal of Honor recipients.”

“But in recent weeks, the cemetery’s public website has scrubbed dozens of pages on gravesites and educational materials that include histories of prominent Black, Hispanic and female service members buried in the cemetery, along with educational material on dozens of Medal of Honor recipients [emphasis mine] and maps of prominent gravesites of Marine Corps veterans and other services…. Cemetery officials confirmed to Task & Purpose that the pages were unpublished to meet recent orders by President Donald Trump and Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth targeting race and gender-related language and policies in the military [emphasis mine].”

So…..all I gotta say is this: You people just don’t get it. It is a dick move and you know it! For more information see:
https://taskandpurpose.com/news/arlington-cemetery-scrubs-website-dei/#:~:text=What%E2%80%99s%20missing%20from%20Arlington%E2%80%99s%20website

Fact Check if you don’t believe me:
https://www.yahoo.com/news/fact-check-arlington-national-cemetery-220100878.html?fr=yhssrp_catchall

More information tomorrow on that guy in office changing history. I am saddened to think they have gone too far. Time to keep bringing it up in conversation and tell those in power to stop it!

Love to all tonight!

Mental Processing

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“The gears of the mind turn in mysterious ways, propelling us through the complexities of thought and emotion – a captivating dance that forms the very essence of our human experience.”—Neurolaunch, 2024

Today was an overload day. We went to the Xfinity store and got our new phones. We went from Samsung Galaxy S8s to Galaxy S25+. What a dramatic change! Everything looks a little different! The initial purchase was a whirlwind as everything is up in that giant nebulous satellite world, even the Sim cards! And we got a huge discount because it was before March 18th. Most of the information downloaded okay in the store, albeit it took a very long time on the Bluetooth connection. We had to come home and fix a few things, but now we are slowly getting used to them. There were sooooo many apps that I had forgotten about! And we had to login to everything once again. My brain is in overload mode right now.

So after making dinner and cleaning up, I looked up mental processing. I found some interesting facts. A website called Neurolaunch speaks of our thoughts as an “…intricate ballet of neural activity, hidden beneath the surface of our consciousness….”
The study is a “…journey to unravel the enigmatic workings of the human mind, exploring the very core of what makes us who we are.”
https://neurolaunch.com/mental-processes-definition-psychology/

The 8 mental processes can be “…broadly categorized into eight types: Sensation, Perception, Attention, Learning, Memory, Language, Motivation, and Emotion.” These categories shape human cognition. https://psychemaster.com/mental-processes-definition-in-psychology

“These cognitive mechanisms shape our perceptions, guide our decisions, and influence our behaviors in ways both subtle and profound. By peering into the inner workings of the mind, we gain invaluable insights into the human condition, opening doors to improved mental health, enhanced learning techniques, and a deeper appreciation for the richness of human cognition.”
It is important for us to understand that mental processes are:
1. Internal and often not directly observable.
2. Involve the manipulation of information within the mind.
3. Conscious or unconscious.
4. Dynamic and can change over time.
5. Influenced by both internal and external factors.

Mental Processes in Psychology: Defining the Core of Human Cognition

Further information can be found at:
https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/theory-knowledge/202006/what-are-mental-processes

So I believe that our brains are enormous and process so much information so very fast. It’s when we get overwhelmed that we have to just sit a minute and breathe. Yes, we can learn lots of new things at a time, but sometimes our plates are so full that we get a little stressed out. I am the worst person to be telling this to everyone else because I probably am one of those stressors. I want to know it very fast and forget to close my mouth before the next thought comes forward. (And I usually say it out loud!) I have to realize that we all process at different rates (Bluetooth transfers to home connections comparisons in this case). So, take a breath, count to 10 and then ask the next question. We’ll all figure out those life lessons (and new phones) more quickly if we take a break between thoughts. Thanks for listening tonight.

I love you all! Stay safe out there!

Happy Pi Day!

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I am bone dead tired today so I am cleaning up at home and baking. That is my go-to when my body hurts. I long for the days when I could hike all morning, come home, clean up, and then go about creating and cooking the rest of the day. Alas, the body calls for down time more and more these last few years. It’s how we cope with that loss of energy that leads us to our happy place. And sometimes we just need a nap!

And speaking of a happy place, Happy Pi Day! I didn’t think about this until my family talked about it.

According to Wikipedia, “The number π (spelled out as pi) is a mathematical constant, approximately equal to 3.14159…, that is the ratio of a circle‘s circumference to its diameter. It appears in many formulae across mathematics and physics, and some of these formulae are commonly used for defining π, to avoid relying on the definition of the length of a curve. For thousands of years, mathematicians have attempted to extend their understanding of π, sometimes by computing its value to a high degree of accuracy. Ancient civilizations, including the Egyptians and Babylonians, required fairly accurate approximations of π for practical computations…. The invention of calculus soon led to the calculation of hundreds of digits of π, enough for all practical scientific computations. Nevertheless, in the 20th and 21st centuries, mathematicians and computer scientists have pursued new approaches that, when combined with increasing computational power, extended the decimal representation of π to many trillions of digits.”

And… drum roll please! Here are a bazillion Pi jokes from the Pioneer Woman’s website. She is funny in her nerdy way!

  • What do you call it when someone gets a huge tattoo of pi on their face? An irrational decision.
  • Why should you never argue with pie? Because it always goes on and on!
  • How many bakers does it take to bake a pi? 3.14.
  • Why did pi get its driver’s license revoked? Because it didn’t know when to stop.
  • How many calories are in that slice of chocolate pie? 3.14.
  • What did pi say when someone asked if it could explain what Pi Day was again? “I don’t want to repeat myself.”
  • What’s wrong with the equation ‘pi r squared?’ Pi are round. Cake are square.
  • Why shouldn’t you eat too much pi? You’ll end up with a big circumference.
  • What was Sir Issac Newton’s favorite dessert? Apple pi.
  • If March 14 was really Pi Day, it would never end.
  • How did critics rate Life of Pi? 3.14 stars.
  • What do you get when you take a bovine and divide its circumference by its diameter? A cow pi.
  • What do you get when you divide the circumference of the sun by its diameter? Pi in the sky.
    What do you call a snake who knows math? A pi-thon!
  • How do you celebrate Pi Day at the beach? With a pi-na colada!
  • What did pi say to its partner? You look radian today.
  • Come to the nerd side. We have pi.
  • Who was the roundest knight at Sir Arthur’s table? Sir Cumference because he ate too much pi.
  • 3.14% of sailors are pi-rates.
  • What’s the ideal way to serve pi? A la mode! Anything less is mean.
  • Simple as 3.1415926…
  • What do you get when a bunch of sheep stand in a circle? Shepherd’s pi.
  • What is 1.57? Half a pi.
  • Can you recite pi? Peach, blueberry, pumpkin, pecan…
  • Why was the math book sad on Pi Day? It had too many problems.
  • What did the math teacher have for dessert? Banana cream pi!
  • Don’t let advanced math intimidate you!… It’s as easy as pi!
  • What did the triangle say to the circle? You’re pointless.
  • Why couldn’t the angle get his dream apartment? Because his parents wouldn’t cosine.
  • Did you hear about the rancher who had 197 cows in his field? He decided he should round them up, and now he has 200.

https://www.thepioneerwoman.com/holidays-celebrations/a60177067/pi-day-jokes/

Also, find the sites where you can also get free pizza pies today with the symbol spelled out in pepperoni on top!

You could also bake a pie ( π ) to honor today (Okay I’m making blueberry muffins – not a good crust maker! But they’re still round, right?) I encourage you to heartily bake if you are good at it and enjoy it with your friends or family or both!

I love you all!

Edward Abbey-One of My Heroes

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“To the intelligent man or woman, life appears infinitely mysterious. But the stupid have an answer for every question.”—Edward Abbey

“Our modern industrial economy takes a mountain covered with trees, lakes, running streams and transforms it into a mountain of junk, garbage, slime pits, and debris.”—Edward Abbey

“The one thing … that is truly ugly is the climate of hate and intimidation, created by a noisy few, which makes the decent majority reluctant to air in public their views on anything controversial. … Where all pretend to be thinking alike, it’s likely that no one is thinking at all.”—Edward Abbey

“Wilderness is not a luxury but a necessity of the human spirit.”—Edward Abbey

“Why is it that the destruction of something created by humans is called vandalism, yet the destruction of something created by God is called development?”—Edward Abbey
https://www.azquotes.com/author/10-Edward_Abbey

Edward Abbey (born January 29, 1927, Indiana, Pennsylvania, U.S.—died March 14, 1989, near Tucson, Arizona) was an American writer whose works, set primarily in the southwestern United States, reflect an uncompromising environmentalist philosophy. Abbey’s novel The Monkey Wrench Gang (1975) recounts the exploits of a band of guerrilla environmentalists; both it and Desert Solitaire became handbooks of the environmental movement. The strain of cynicism that runs through much of Abbey’s writing is leavened by a bracing prose style and mischievous wit. His advice was unorthodox: “This is what you shall do: Love the earth and sun and animals. Stand up for the stupid and crazy. Take your hat off to no man.” And: “Anarchism is not a romantic fable but the hardheaded realization, based on five thousand years of experience, that we cannot entrust the management of our lives to kings, priests, politicians, generals, and county commissioners.” https://www.britannica.com/biography/Edward-Abbey

I encourage you to read his works, particularly The Monkey Wrench Gang and Hayduke Lives! These two books, along with his earlier work, Desert Solitaire inspired me to move out here. I visited and walked many of the paths he took when they weren’t National Parks. And now we have to engage in our own warfare, and create a grassroots effort to save all of these pathways before they are destroyed. Fight to keep Rangers employed. Keep fighting Abbey’s fight and save our backyards from destruction!

I love you all on this night and hope you will keep reading, keep writing, keep having enlightening conversations, and keep asking questions!

Becoming a Citizen

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I am still reading this wonderful book called How to Raise a Citizen by Dr. Lindsey Cormack. Today I learned that we (Colorado) are one of the few states that demands a year-long civics course to graduate. Cormack stated that the Colorado Dept. of Education “…developed a set of vocabulary, skills, questions, and content for use in the classroom.”

Unfortunately, the old joke is that the teacher that is usually assigned to teach civics is named “Coach.” That is the person who has an off-season to teach the class. While some coaches are fantastic (I can name a few my son had in middle school and high school), others are just going through the rhetoric and teaching them how to take a test. There is no passion about this subject, and the students may pass the class, but never take it to heart on how to actually be a part of the political world. They may not understand the local political system and how to be involved in it. They may not know how to even register to vote (as evidence from the last election, students showed up at the polls and realizing they had not registered to vote so were turned away). This was disheartening to many young people, and that bad experience may influence their future participation. Some schools take up the mantle and work through the process, sometimes having the County registrars show up at the beginning of the year to the school.

The other service that is valuable in our community is the Youth Advisory Board. Students from grades 6-12 can participate in local government and learn about how the system works. I encourage parents to check this out and help their children become better citizens. Yes, sports are important, but this is life-changing knowledge that will help them navigate the political world, making their own decisions on how they want to be governed. For more information, go to the City of Louisville website and check it out!
https://www.louisvilleco.gov/local-government/government/boards-commissions/youth-advisory-board

I know it’s a hard thing for parents to navigate their child’s needs at the time they need them, but parents need to be more informed and have conversations with their children at an early age on how our government should work. Kids should start learning when they are young what Democracy means. Parents, we have to step up, learn something new, and then pass it on to our children and grandchildren. And grandparents, if you are stepping in as a caregiver, stop drinking the Kool-Aid. (Look it up!) Stop giving misinformation to your grandchildren. Let the parents work with the information necessary to teach their kids how to be proper citizens. They may not agree with your views. That is their prerogative. Enough said.

I love you all and still hoping you will join me in creating peace and changes to the world!

Living the Dream and Feeling Complete

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I started the day with a wonderful visit to the VNA footcare at the Rec Center. They helped me tremendously with trimming nails and checking out what is going on with my poor aching feet! I learned something new and the visit was paid for by my insurance! I encourage you to talk to those lovely nurses employed by the state and working with your local counties. They really fill a need and help us old folks! And prices are very reasonable if your insurance doesn’t cover it. I’m going back in 3 months! Take care of your feet and they will take care of you!

Today was also a day of researching, writing, and planning my finale in the book. The words flowed. I researched old gaming books of my husband’s (Shadowrun rocks!). And I found some excellent books on history, particularly amazing battle scenes. What a wonderful world at your fingertips! It’s finally coming together. Over the hump and excited to finish the storyline. There may be one more, but who knows? It depends on where I’m at after this!

So my swirling brain is getting it all together, but I just want to say one thing to someone I helped downtown this week: She came in with her check to pay her water bill and was complaining about the process. She gave me a check and I entered the information and that was that. While that process still works for now, it will eventually change. Checks are slowly becoming obsolete with Venmo and other apps to pay someone electronically. It’s inevitable that things will change.

So…I told her she could pay it online and I would help her walk through it if she would like me to help her set it up. She got a little snarky and said she didn’t trust computers. She also proudly stated that she didn’t even have a computer! I was sad that elders don’t understand or want to learn a different process. I have been paying online for over 27 years now and I have never had a problem with it. I have never been breached by the system. I was also sad that so many of us my age and older don’t want to be uncomfortable, which is what you feel when you learn new things. I just told her I have a computer, smart phone, and TV and it was easy to do once you learn it! But, alas, she didn’t want to hear my opinion (I have many, don’t you know?)

There are many things that I don’t always understand when it comes to new programs or software, or even the new publishing methods on my computer. I have to read instructions a few times, or go to a different site with a better explanation in order to work on something new. And sometimes I have to ask the family who are smarter than me on these things to help me out. But to dismiss a new way of learning and reading is a bit sad, don’t you think? Besides, the backlighting is terrific for reading! And there are infinite resources, better than the library (and I loved, loved, loved the library when I was young).

So, I urge all of you to expand your horizons and learn new things every day. Read, read, and read some more. Learn something new every day that you are on this planet. That’s how your brain will stay healthy. Enough said.

I love you all and hope you will keep up with your children and grandchildren!

Live and Let Live

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“The phrase “live and let live” has been used for centuries to express a philosophy of tolerance, acceptance, and peaceful coexistence. Its origins can be traced back to various cultures throughout history, where it was often used as a guiding principle in social interactions.”
https://crossidiomas.com/live-and-let-live/

I used to believe that we were getting somewhere with respecting each other, allowing each other to make their own choices and not imposing our beliefs on others. I used to believe that good people could make good choices on their own and not be judged by some hierarchical fanatic. I used to believe that we were working on the philosophy: “And it harm none, do what thou will.” I used to believe that supporting diversity, inclusiveness, and respect for all was something that should have been the logical process for treating everyone equally, not something that needed to be legislated.

And, then came the s#*! storm. So what was the precise moment where a majority of the nation decided that this idiom should become “Live and Let Die?” Was it the election, or had we grown so weary beforehand that we just gave up and let things happen?

Perhaps now there is a growing majority of those irrational believers waking up and realizing what they have done. I hope they are remorseful and are trying to fix things after the fact. Alas, I think they are also still scared. They have given into their fears and prejudices and are holding on to something that was enforced in them by their ancestors. They also still think that the make-believe nonsense about trickle down economy of the Reagan years was real. People, this never worked! Talk to economists and get an understanding of what this means so you can be more informed in the upcoming elections. Your educated votes make a difference in our world.

I thought that we were slowly rising up out of our past and recognizing that things had to change. And yet things have changed for the worse. I can’t give up on trying to educate and encourage others to do a deep dive into history, politics, and economics, and stretch ones’ brains to understand the differences between democracy, autocracy, and blatant fascism. (Look it up!) We are part of a greater world and should own it. We have to help nations in trouble and rise up out of this pettiness. We have to stop being afraid and break our individual bubbles, or at least absorb our bubble into the next person’s bubble and on and on until we are under one big bubble. I am reading and researching and writing more than I ever used to and I encourage young and old alike to do the same. We have to move on to the next step folks. We have to bring back a nation of love and understanding for all humans who live on this planet. Only then can we become harmonious and full of love for one another. We cannot give up!

I send out love and peace to everyone tonight. Hug the person next to you and engage in a productive conversation. Learn something new every day that you are alive!

Weight of the World

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–“It’s like the weight of the world is attackin’ me so slowly…”—Thought of You, Blind Meece
–“A responsible warrior is not someone who takes the weight of the world on his shoulders, but someone who has learned to deal with the challenges of the moment.”—The Alchemist, Paulo Coelho
–“Don’t give up. It’s just the weight of the world.”—Josh Groban
–“The weight of the world is a trifle, if we all put our two fingers under it and try to lift together.”[emphasis mine]—Vera Nazarian
–“My mother might find a thin gold chain at the back of a drawer, wadded into an impossibly tight knot, and give it to me to untangle. It would have a shiny, sweaty smell, and excite me: Gold chains linked you to the great fairy tales and myths, to Arabia, and India; to the great weight of the world, but lighter than a feather.”—Anne Lamott
–And a few more at this website if you want to continue along this journey of exploration….
https://quotlr.com/quotes-about-weight-of-the-world/

I have been turning more and more to my writing and reading books that lift me up. I immerse myself into research and reading nonfiction books to make my characters and scenes more believable. Fiction is lovely to read, and is a break from my reality, but it can also bring anxiety into the picture. Additionally, if we watch too much of the images and destruction war brings, and listen to the words spewing out of terrible peoples’ mouths, we are triggered. This is especially true when it comes to war, death, and destruction.

The feelings are attributed to a new line of diagnosis called War Anxiety, Headline Stress Disorder, or Nuclear Anxiety. We get into a loop of worrying about the same things that “…may happen where you live.”

Sometimes we feel like watching all of the news and getting all the facts help us to gain a sense of control. In reality, it might just backfire and increase your anxiety in the long term. According to a WebMD article, “…the experts recommend focusing on things you can control, such as your general well-being. Try to:

  • Eat healthy foods
  • Get enough sleep
  • Drink lots of water to stay hydrated
  • Check on your loved ones to stay connected.” (Me: Delivered a meal to a friend, called kiddo and grandpa today!)

The experts recommend that you decide to “Accept uncertainty.” By focusing on what we can control, some of the worries or stressors that war may cause may be minimized at least one day at a time. For further information, see:
https://www.webmd.com/mental-health/how-to-handle-war-anxiety

Currently, we have little control over what is happening in North America or overseas, but we can relieve some of the worries, by lending a hand to those who are affected by these actions. My favorite go to charity is World Central Kitchen. I can’t be present in the thick of things, but I can lend them a hand monetarily. I also bought their cookbook and it is fantastic! Trying new recipes calm me and gave me a sense of accomplishment, and it doesn’t hurt that $35 more was sent to them for their efforts! Gotta love Jose Andres!
https://wck.org/

A final thought to all of my fellow human beings. Let’s make it a daily habit to “Cultivate compassion.” Experts at Harvard Medicine state that “War anxiety can trigger anger, which also has its roots in loss of control. Anger can be directed toward populations or ethnic groups, or it may be displaced onto family members or friends with a different view.”

These experts also advise us to “Walk in Nature.” Today we noticed a lot more people in the dog parks and around the lake (of course it was also 72 degrees outside so a wonderful change in our crazy spring weather). Connecting with the outdoors can relax our jaws and necks and the tension goes away. Thus the stress is gone for a little while. For more information see:
https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/war-anxiety-how-to-cope-202205232748

So here are my thoughts on loosening the weight of the world on your shoulders for one night: Find a mission you can accomplish (like Anne Lamott’s untangling of a chain). Listen to some good music tonight, make a good meal, turn off the radio and TV, and read Anne Lamott (one of my favorite authors). Try and lighten the load.

I send out love and understanding to those who are really feeling worrisome tonight.

Mellow Music and Making Tamale Pie

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Today, I had plans, but they slipped away. I felt like being in the kitchen, away from the world’s woes. First I put on Spotify to listen to some mellow music, then I made homemade BBQ sauce. Next I went to my old recipe book, and pulled out ingredients for Tamale Pie. For those of you who don’t know about this delicious dish, it came out of Texas, or maybe California, and probably from a Home Economics class our mothers took. While it isn’t really a traditional Mexican Tamale recipe, it does involve meat and corn. Our mothers just made it a casserole! Here is some history and the recipe (no olives for me-Yeck!). Enjoy with you family and take a piece to your buddy (Connie, I’ll be there tomorrow, I promise!)
https://quaintcooking.com/2022/07/01/the-history-of-tamale-pie/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tamale_pie

The one thing I did listen to (and later read the translation) was the speech French Senator Claude Malhuret gave to the French parliament. It was disheartening to hear what Europe is having to do because of that guy in office. I encourage you to listen, and then read the translation. What would our ancestors think of the state of our union, especially our WWII fathers and grandfathers?

https://www.huffpost.com/entry/french-senator-speech-trump-ukraine-russia_n_67ca0a83e4b0404dff3019c7

OR:

French Official’s Speech Goes Viral After Declaring ‘We Are Fighting Against a Dictator Backed by a Traitor’ in Reference to Trump

Is Returning to the Gilded Age Worth It?

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Gilded Age: A period of gross materialism and blatant political corruption in U.S. history during the 1870s that gave rise to important novels of social and political criticism. The period takes its name from the earliest of these, The Gilded Age (1873), written by Mark Twain in collaboration with Charles Dudley Warner. The novel gives a vivid and accurate description of Washington, D.C., and is peopled with caricatures of many leading figures of the day, including greedy industrialists and corrupt politicians.—From Encyclopedia Britannica

That guy in office seems to think he is part of this movement, when he is just a buffoon acting out for television. He envisions himself as a savior, and sadly enough, people still believe in him. They believe he will bring about a new Industrial Revolution, but he is lacking in the ability to understand that he is no President McKinley (who, by the way was assassinated in office). This belief in the robber barons won’t solve our problems. And his billionaire friends don’t want to bring back industry to the U.S. because they don’t want to re-invest their money or pay a decent wage to their workers. They simply want to stay separate from the rest of the world, and look down from their ivory castles. There is no thought to the dignity of others, especially immigrants and their current foreign employees.

And as for all those red states in the south and the mid-west who are farmers and craftsman, I ask you: “How does it feel now?” He is turning on you as well. When will you figure this out that he is not for the little guys who toil in the sun and soil. He has never had to work. I am sad to see that you still don’t get it.

We gardeners are all getting out in force and making little places in our back yards to feed ourselves. Wouldn’t it be lovely to see local small farms and CSAs thrive this summer? Wouldn’t it be lovely to see that we can work together to provide food for everyone, one neighborhood at a time? Something to think about.

Finally, it is a sad thing when over 60% of the military, police and fire voted for that guy in office. I was proud to be a part of law enforcement back in the day, as well as being a proud democrat. Now, I am having a hard time sympathizing with them. The federal cuts to programs and services, and especially veterans’ services should be a wake-up call. What did you guys think was going to happen? I feel for all of those who did their duty, and are now in need of protection and services, but somehow it is a dilemma that could have been fixed if you voted a different way. The Biden administration increased services to help veterans, as well as give money to programs to aid law enforcement and fire departments, and these were promptly slashed within this new administration.

So I am calling for everyone to listen to what Senator Elissa Slotkin said when she asked us to not TUNE OUT. In her speech, she said, “It’s easy to be exhausted, but America needs you now more than ever….If previous generations had not fought for democracy, where would we be today?”— Michigan Senator Elissa Slotkin

I am asking that you all read more about our triumphs and failures and learn from the past. Support those who will listen to the people, and do the right thing. Keep demanding town meetings. Keep working towards a better voter turnout. Keep educating the new voters so they are better informed. Have conversations with your local mayors about what else we can do in our little towns. Question those representatives who are being ridiculous. Tell them how you feel about what they are saying. Tell them that they are spreading lies about what is really happening. Somehow the truth will rise up and maybe the cult can be broken.

I send out love to all tonight in hopes for a better tomorrow.