Stephanie - I continue to marvel at your courage and your wisdom, especially your commitment to doing what’s right even as it can feel like our democracy is burning. Your voice, rooted in meaning and purpose, is a steadying force I find myself, and others here, deeply needing in these troubled waters. Thank you for this and so much more. And I hope you remember: I know what it’s like to shoulder things that matter.
THIS is the inspiration that I'm going to carry with me today. Thank you: "I know what it’s like to shoulder things that matter." May we be bold. May we be brave. May we resist and renew however and wherever we can. No step is too small. Sending big hugs, Bronce, and much appreciation.
Great post, Stephanie! I admire Maggie Kuhn, too. I believe young and old people need to work together to keep the energy and momentum for moving forward. Right now we have a backlash from a minority of fearful, undereducated, misinformed people who can’t handle the thought of change. They know how they’ve treated immigrants and people of color and women and LGBTQ+ people with contempt and they fear having the tables turned on them. They don’t see the value of diversity in our country, even though that’s what this country was supposedly founded on (even though the “Founding Fathers” really meant white men who were wealthy property owners). As an older person, I realize that the world is going to belong to the younger generations and I feel a duty to make it a better place for them, and to help them as long as I can in that endeavor. Politicians who have a literal death grip on power are doing the opposite.
Congress needs to be confronted in the face by citizens who give them an ultimatum: it’s us, or him. He’s not going to be around much longer, but we are here for the future. You work for us, not him. If you can’t work for our benefit, then get out now, before we force you out.
We need to follow up on that by changing the rules for members of Congress to make it less lucrative for them, like taking away their benefits after they leave office, make them struggle with crappy health insurance, for example. So many things…
Alene, we share a similar passion. Thank you for sharing it here. "As an older person, I realize that the world is going to belong to the younger generations and I feel a duty to make it a better place for them, and to help them as long as I can in that endeavor." This keeps me going. Thank you for your passion and your purpose. ONWARD!
A beautiful essay, Stephanie. I remember the gray panthers, but I didn’t know the backstory behind it. Lots to appreciate Kuhn for. I love how you are holding attention to and tension of the opposites. Feels healthy and strong
Your words come at a low point for me; I just read about the "big, beautiful bill" being passed by the Senate. It is beyond my understanding; it's so hard to grasp the level of uncaring these people have for their fellow citizens. I don't get it! (I do, but really?) Thank you for the reminder that I can continue to help my country by volunteering, caring for my neighbors, being informed. I never thought I'd make political art, but recently two small quilts have emerged; one on women having a voice and one on "who's watching." I felt fear when I posted them on IG; I did it anyway.
You have the spirit and the gumption for these times, Jan. I hope you'll post the quilts in NOTES and in your Substack. Thank you. Sending you love, goodwill and bunches of respect.
Yes, I am finding it harder and harder not to tune out. I do not write about politics although it is constantly on my mind. My husband has to endure my rantings here at home. I will leave the political writing to others who are much more prolific than me, but I try to stay engaged and informed. Thanks for a great post.
Thanks Nancy. I don't write about politics too often -- but it's getting pretty hard to ignore what's going on in DC. And I too am a ranter at home. Sigh. But let's stay engaged, informed and outraged enough to take whatever actions we can to make a difference. No action is too small. Big hugs.
Well said, Stephanie. Thank you for reminding us of Maggie Kuhn and the Grey Panthers, and for your suggestions of how to act. I am working on the listening and building bridges part in my small community in a very conservative part of the country. Growing community at the local level feels like a constructive and healing thing to be doing in these times. Thank you for being you and speaking up with courage and heart! Hugs from me.
Susan, I absolutely love this and totally concur: "Growing community at the local level feels like a constructive and healing thing to be doing in these times." Every action counts and this is a good action. You are in my heart. ONWARD!
Okay, girl (wrinkled or otherwise)! I just called my Representative in Washington and continue to spread the word as I can. Your courage and passion that permeate your fine writing is contagious. I loved your suggestions and questions. Onward with love!
Another great post, Stephanie! One of the most important things we can do collectively is support food organizations like food pantries & banks & farmer's markets. Millions of families and elders rely on SNAP benefits to eat each month and they are being slashed. Here's my suggestions for hunger and food activism:
1) Find out how food insecure your county is. I live in an agricultural region and was shocked to learn that 20% of my county's residents live with food insecurity, hunger pains & poor nutrition.
2) Support and build your local food economy: buy as much as you can from farmer's markets, co-ops, etc.
3) Check your region for gleaning opportunities. Gleaning is the harvesting of fallen fruit and donating it to food banks.
4) If you grow food, donate a portion of your harvest to your local food pantry.
5) If you love to cook, offer a series of free cooking classes for budget -conscious families. I am often surprised how little people know about cooking.
6) Teach locals how grow food in one 4 x 8 bed with little monetary investment.
We have 3.5 years of this insanity and we need to tune up our survival skills as well as VOTE and engage with our Congressional members.
Sue, all great points -- I especially resonate with teaching cooking classes at the food bank. My grandmother farmed and I grew up with a single mom who worked hard and really stretched our food budget. It was because my grandmother packed up so many things from her garden when we visited her on weekends that we ate as well as we did.
My sister in law used to say, I show my love for people by feeding them. And I've adopted her words and action as my own.
Thank you for such valuable input, Sue. I'm so glad you're here. Big hugs.
I like that, although you're not "political", as you say, you leave that aside and add your name on the right side of history. Sometimes we all have to take stand and raise our voice. This is it! Thanks! Per
This is only the 2nd post I've read of yours. You expressed my sentiments beautifully. I also never considered myself a political person or writer before 2016. I, too, want to be a part of the resistance but also, at times, feel defeated and hopeless. Connecting with kindred spirits, seeing the millions of others on No Kings Day, helps build resilience and commitment to preserving what we can of our democracy and country as we knew it.
Thank you for your sharing your kind words and that sense of hopelessness which also can dog my days. There is strength and greater hope in numbers. To that end, may we walk together in unity, support and goodwill to reclaim our humanity, civility and ultimately our country. Big hugs.
Stephanie, two resources: The Dignity Index by Tim Shriver, doing great work taking on contempt; and artbykaramaree.com. Kara is originally from New Orleans, and her work was seen at the Superbowl.
Thank you for sharing these resources. Kara Maree's site says that it is unavailable. I tried to Google her, and I get the same message that the site is unavailable. And here's a YouTube on Mr. Shriver on contempt -- he's got some great stuff on YouTube. Very inspiring. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tRZf9-DMSQE
Stephanie - I continue to marvel at your courage and your wisdom, especially your commitment to doing what’s right even as it can feel like our democracy is burning. Your voice, rooted in meaning and purpose, is a steadying force I find myself, and others here, deeply needing in these troubled waters. Thank you for this and so much more. And I hope you remember: I know what it’s like to shoulder things that matter.
THIS is the inspiration that I'm going to carry with me today. Thank you: "I know what it’s like to shoulder things that matter." May we be bold. May we be brave. May we resist and renew however and wherever we can. No step is too small. Sending big hugs, Bronce, and much appreciation.
Great post, Stephanie! I admire Maggie Kuhn, too. I believe young and old people need to work together to keep the energy and momentum for moving forward. Right now we have a backlash from a minority of fearful, undereducated, misinformed people who can’t handle the thought of change. They know how they’ve treated immigrants and people of color and women and LGBTQ+ people with contempt and they fear having the tables turned on them. They don’t see the value of diversity in our country, even though that’s what this country was supposedly founded on (even though the “Founding Fathers” really meant white men who were wealthy property owners). As an older person, I realize that the world is going to belong to the younger generations and I feel a duty to make it a better place for them, and to help them as long as I can in that endeavor. Politicians who have a literal death grip on power are doing the opposite.
Congress needs to be confronted in the face by citizens who give them an ultimatum: it’s us, or him. He’s not going to be around much longer, but we are here for the future. You work for us, not him. If you can’t work for our benefit, then get out now, before we force you out.
We need to follow up on that by changing the rules for members of Congress to make it less lucrative for them, like taking away their benefits after they leave office, make them struggle with crappy health insurance, for example. So many things…
Alene, we share a similar passion. Thank you for sharing it here. "As an older person, I realize that the world is going to belong to the younger generations and I feel a duty to make it a better place for them, and to help them as long as I can in that endeavor." This keeps me going. Thank you for your passion and your purpose. ONWARD!
We are stronger together, that’s for sure!
Amen!
A beautiful essay, Stephanie. I remember the gray panthers, but I didn’t know the backstory behind it. Lots to appreciate Kuhn for. I love how you are holding attention to and tension of the opposites. Feels healthy and strong
💚 Thank you.
It’s a cool story, isn’t it? Now we are the gray panthers, fierce in our resistance and passionate for truth and goodness. Big hugs my friend.
Yes, big hug back to you. I am up early to write yet the pets have a different plan in mind. Adorable and not.
Prajna, I know that one -- my dog tends to herd me in the mornings, lobbying for walks and play.
Your words come at a low point for me; I just read about the "big, beautiful bill" being passed by the Senate. It is beyond my understanding; it's so hard to grasp the level of uncaring these people have for their fellow citizens. I don't get it! (I do, but really?) Thank you for the reminder that I can continue to help my country by volunteering, caring for my neighbors, being informed. I never thought I'd make political art, but recently two small quilts have emerged; one on women having a voice and one on "who's watching." I felt fear when I posted them on IG; I did it anyway.
You have the spirit and the gumption for these times, Jan. I hope you'll post the quilts in NOTES and in your Substack. Thank you. Sending you love, goodwill and bunches of respect.
Yes, I am finding it harder and harder not to tune out. I do not write about politics although it is constantly on my mind. My husband has to endure my rantings here at home. I will leave the political writing to others who are much more prolific than me, but I try to stay engaged and informed. Thanks for a great post.
Thanks Nancy. I don't write about politics too often -- but it's getting pretty hard to ignore what's going on in DC. And I too am a ranter at home. Sigh. But let's stay engaged, informed and outraged enough to take whatever actions we can to make a difference. No action is too small. Big hugs.
Well said, Stephanie. Thank you for reminding us of Maggie Kuhn and the Grey Panthers, and for your suggestions of how to act. I am working on the listening and building bridges part in my small community in a very conservative part of the country. Growing community at the local level feels like a constructive and healing thing to be doing in these times. Thank you for being you and speaking up with courage and heart! Hugs from me.
Susan, I absolutely love this and totally concur: "Growing community at the local level feels like a constructive and healing thing to be doing in these times." Every action counts and this is a good action. You are in my heart. ONWARD!
Okay, girl (wrinkled or otherwise)! I just called my Representative in Washington and continue to spread the word as I can. Your courage and passion that permeate your fine writing is contagious. I loved your suggestions and questions. Onward with love!
Yes! Onward with love. Love will set all of us free. I still hold onto that ideal. We can and do make a difference.
Another great post, Stephanie! One of the most important things we can do collectively is support food organizations like food pantries & banks & farmer's markets. Millions of families and elders rely on SNAP benefits to eat each month and they are being slashed. Here's my suggestions for hunger and food activism:
1) Find out how food insecure your county is. I live in an agricultural region and was shocked to learn that 20% of my county's residents live with food insecurity, hunger pains & poor nutrition.
2) Support and build your local food economy: buy as much as you can from farmer's markets, co-ops, etc.
3) Check your region for gleaning opportunities. Gleaning is the harvesting of fallen fruit and donating it to food banks.
4) If you grow food, donate a portion of your harvest to your local food pantry.
5) If you love to cook, offer a series of free cooking classes for budget -conscious families. I am often surprised how little people know about cooking.
6) Teach locals how grow food in one 4 x 8 bed with little monetary investment.
We have 3.5 years of this insanity and we need to tune up our survival skills as well as VOTE and engage with our Congressional members.
Sue, all great points -- I especially resonate with teaching cooking classes at the food bank. My grandmother farmed and I grew up with a single mom who worked hard and really stretched our food budget. It was because my grandmother packed up so many things from her garden when we visited her on weekends that we ate as well as we did.
My sister in law used to say, I show my love for people by feeding them. And I've adopted her words and action as my own.
Thank you for such valuable input, Sue. I'm so glad you're here. Big hugs.
I like Maggie Kuhn’s story. Bridging the generations. :)
Maggie is a great story, an inspiration to us all.
I like that, although you're not "political", as you say, you leave that aside and add your name on the right side of history. Sometimes we all have to take stand and raise our voice. This is it! Thanks! Per
Yes! Its good to know what you stand for and speak up. Thank you.
This is only the 2nd post I've read of yours. You expressed my sentiments beautifully. I also never considered myself a political person or writer before 2016. I, too, want to be a part of the resistance but also, at times, feel defeated and hopeless. Connecting with kindred spirits, seeing the millions of others on No Kings Day, helps build resilience and commitment to preserving what we can of our democracy and country as we knew it.
Thank you for your sharing your kind words and that sense of hopelessness which also can dog my days. There is strength and greater hope in numbers. To that end, may we walk together in unity, support and goodwill to reclaim our humanity, civility and ultimately our country. Big hugs.
Again for the folks in the back! Thank you!
And big hugs, too . . .
Sending email now!
Got it. And here's the link for anyone here who is interested. Art as a platform for resistance and revelation: https://culturalyst.com/artbykaramariee
Stephanie, two resources: The Dignity Index by Tim Shriver, doing great work taking on contempt; and artbykaramaree.com. Kara is originally from New Orleans, and her work was seen at the Superbowl.
Thank you for sharing these resources. Kara Maree's site says that it is unavailable. I tried to Google her, and I get the same message that the site is unavailable. And here's a YouTube on Mr. Shriver on contempt -- he's got some great stuff on YouTube. Very inspiring. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tRZf9-DMSQE
I see Kara on Instagram. Let me check again.
Thank you for articulating a courage and hope we can embrace for this time. I love the suggestions for ways to make a difference and help out.
Thanks, Leenie. We can all take small steps. Sending love and goodwill your way.
Thank you for this dose of inspiration.
Big hugs, Amy.