Ilona...I like that...anticipatory disobedience. Great ideas too. My first feeling was to disengage completely, but that's what "they're" hoping we do. We all need to take a beat, feel our feelings, heal a little bit. But we can't roll over onto our backs and play dead. Because we're NOT!
Truer words were never spoken, Linda! I do have to do some disengaging right now, because with every new cabinet member added to the clown's cabinet, my blood boils. I'm stepping away to preserve my mental and physical health. Getting a massage this afternoon, and hoping that's a step in the right direction.
Ilona Goanos: Not ONLY are you a FOUNT of information, but what a WONDERFUL, WONDERFUL man you introduced me to, Fr. David J. Gierlach, Rector Emeritus, Parish of St Elisabeth Episcopal Church, Honolulu.
Look, since I could only open the video by leaving this site and going to YouTube, here are the sites I can find for Fr. Gierlach, who henceforth will be part of Armando's Daily Bread:
Thanks for adding some more of his YouTube videos. I have been watching him for a while now, and each message is like a balm because of his voice and his great love of humanity. Happy to hear that you enjoy him!
Thanks for posting about what you're going through, Ilona. It's only been a week, so it makes sense our grief remains awful. When my parents died, for example, it took me years to even begin to heal. Other traumas have lasted a lifetime. Like you, I wake at 2:30 or 3:30 with a sense of doom and sadness. I am grateful for friends who share that they feel the same. I went through my "connections" and deleted those I now realize I don't feel safe or nurtured around. Of course, Ilona, I live in a blue state and our Attorney General was the first to stand up to Trump's Muslim ban on day one the last time around. Now Ferguson is our new governor and he and Inslee, the outgoing, started finding ways to protect our state six or so months ago. Sending giant hugs.
Thanks to California and Massachusetts, too. As you said, Kirie, it does help to have something tangible to do. When I was canvassing, it felt like *something* even though it wasn't directly helping Kamala. I'm thinking of all the ways our ONN (Our National Nightmare) will continue to unfold and the poor people it will affect. Sending you a hug right back!
A week ago today, I felt as if I had been hit by the proverbial Mack Truck. Hit by a speeding locomotive. Crushed. I took a few days to mourn. Still mourning. But beginning to pull myself out my depression.
Now I am back with renewed vigor. My voice is a small one. But I will not be silent. You may gather that from the substack I sent this morning.
On a local and personal level, I have just volunteered to serve on the town Agricultural Commission charged with protecting farm land. I just need to DO SOMETHING positive. To engage, to help the Earth. And who knows, "eating local" may become a necessity if the MagaNazis deport our farm workers.
Please keep writing. You heart is centered in the right stuff. I enjoy reading "The Pebble". Carry ON!
Thanks for this, Bill. I too am continuing my local advocacy for environmental protections of shorelines and heritage forests, as well as advocacy and mentoring for children and families and for those suffering from addictions. These are practical activities I've done my entire life and can continue to do now.
Thanks, Bill. I'm happy you are mobilized to do at least one thing to affect change. Start local is great advice and thank you for being a cheerleader for my work here.
Lingering numbness, mixed with disbelief, now rising into action. I'm starting to report on some of the news in my newsletter, and it's making me feel better, oddly. I don't want the madness to control my thoughts like it did before, but I'm turning this into an experiment—how to survive fascism. It's maddening, illogical, and dangerous. Others have gone through it. Now it's our turn.
I’m not managing. Just getting angrier. Working on how I will move through all this. I have so much to say, but can’t sit still long enough to form my words into anything coherent. I’ll get there but it will be bumpy and rough.
Your sign saga makes my blood boil, but karma is a bitch.
In my head...over and over again.. a convicted felon and adjudicated rapist won. Using his own horrible words and agenda appealed to a majority of our people. Such a loss in so many ways.
Ilona, your words remind me that even in the fiercest storms, staying grounded and clear-eyed is the first step to rebuilding. Thank you for sharing this.
Reading about your experience with the local election and the stolen signs, I couldn't help but feel a pang of disappointment. It's disheartening to see such division and hostility, especially in our own communities. But your willingness to share these experiences and continue fighting for what you believe in is truly inspiring. It reminds me that even small acts of resistance can make a difference.
Thanks for your heartfelt post @Ilona, it comes at an important time for all of humanity as this election is not unto itself, it is a statement of where humanity is standing. This is a profound opportunity to see the beauty in each of us no matter what we feel. Emotions are no longer festering but showing the raw parts of society, the love and the hurt. What I am loving is that so many people, like Rev. Gierlach are inviting everyone to shift our dismay into love and compassion, giving up the pain and diving into our true essense. Humanity is being called to Be the light. Even though I am in Canada and feel the angst, the term, 'we are all connected', is truer now than ever. Let's all take care of our heart and serve others no matter who they show up as. BE the Light.
Such a lovely message, Deborah. This time period requires an opportunity to see differently, and substituting thoughts of WTF is wrong with this person, to I wonder why they think that. I have had discussions with the other side, and they seem to be missing key pieces of information and are shocked when I inform them.
Me again, I just came across this podcast that I think you will really appreciate from PoliticsGirl. She states things very succinctly. I think she's your tribe. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kmeo6eGy1wI
I love the idea of anticipatory disobedience. It goes beyond Timothy Snyder's "Do not obey in advance" advice--which is somewhat passive--to a more active method that keeps our ideals visible.
At the moment, though, I admit that I'm more and more heartbroken with each Cabinet announcement, and with each bit of online commentary that cannot point to anything that could slow down the dictatorial steamroller. I'm alternately furious and despondent. For the moment, I'll throw myself into work as a distraction and hope to see a glimmer of positivity as time goes on.
Furious and despondent, you nailed it. The cabinet picks are AWFUL and compromise our national security. I've got to turn it all off or I will go crazy.
Ilona, I don't have any recommendations at this point. I think I'm feeling more incredulous today than a week ago. I wrote a note today on reading two novels by Ruth Ozeki during these last few months-that was my salvation.
Thank you for sharing the you tube. As a lapsed Catholic I've not found comfort in the religion of my youth, but I did from listening to Father David. And even though I'm not on Tik Tok, I also love that he is! His message is important. And when my inner fortitude grows a bit stronger, I will heed his advice.
Father David is on YouTube, too, so maybe you can catch him on there. I feel he is one of the few authentic Christians left. I hope you feel better soon, dear Paulette. We're in this together.
Ilona...I like that...anticipatory disobedience. Great ideas too. My first feeling was to disengage completely, but that's what "they're" hoping we do. We all need to take a beat, feel our feelings, heal a little bit. But we can't roll over onto our backs and play dead. Because we're NOT!
Truer words were never spoken, Linda! I do have to do some disengaging right now, because with every new cabinet member added to the clown's cabinet, my blood boils. I'm stepping away to preserve my mental and physical health. Getting a massage this afternoon, and hoping that's a step in the right direction.
So needed Ilona.
Ilona Goanos: Not ONLY are you a FOUNT of information, but what a WONDERFUL, WONDERFUL man you introduced me to, Fr. David J. Gierlach, Rector Emeritus, Parish of St Elisabeth Episcopal Church, Honolulu.
Look, since I could only open the video by leaving this site and going to YouTube, here are the sites I can find for Fr. Gierlach, who henceforth will be part of Armando's Daily Bread:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2aQc_sI3js0
https://www.youtube.com/@Frdavidgierlach1272
https://www.stelizabeth720.org/staff--leadership.html#/
https://www.threads.net/@unkltodd/post/DAhWBzIyKtF/a-plea-to-trump-supporters-heres-an-important-message-from-father-david-gierlach
https://www.episcopalhawaiinews.org/2023-11-09-gierlach-tribute.html
You have given us diamonds, gold here.
Thank you so VERY much.
God bless you, Ilona Goanos: You are a wonderful, empathic person, and I love to read everything you write.
Thank you for sharing.
Thanks for adding some more of his YouTube videos. I have been watching him for a while now, and each message is like a balm because of his voice and his great love of humanity. Happy to hear that you enjoy him!
Thanks for posting about what you're going through, Ilona. It's only been a week, so it makes sense our grief remains awful. When my parents died, for example, it took me years to even begin to heal. Other traumas have lasted a lifetime. Like you, I wake at 2:30 or 3:30 with a sense of doom and sadness. I am grateful for friends who share that they feel the same. I went through my "connections" and deleted those I now realize I don't feel safe or nurtured around. Of course, Ilona, I live in a blue state and our Attorney General was the first to stand up to Trump's Muslim ban on day one the last time around. Now Ferguson is our new governor and he and Inslee, the outgoing, started finding ways to protect our state six or so months ago. Sending giant hugs.
Thanks to California and Massachusetts, too. As you said, Kirie, it does help to have something tangible to do. When I was canvassing, it felt like *something* even though it wasn't directly helping Kamala. I'm thinking of all the ways our ONN (Our National Nightmare) will continue to unfold and the poor people it will affect. Sending you a hug right back!
A week ago today, I felt as if I had been hit by the proverbial Mack Truck. Hit by a speeding locomotive. Crushed. I took a few days to mourn. Still mourning. But beginning to pull myself out my depression.
Now I am back with renewed vigor. My voice is a small one. But I will not be silent. You may gather that from the substack I sent this morning.
On a local and personal level, I have just volunteered to serve on the town Agricultural Commission charged with protecting farm land. I just need to DO SOMETHING positive. To engage, to help the Earth. And who knows, "eating local" may become a necessity if the MagaNazis deport our farm workers.
Please keep writing. You heart is centered in the right stuff. I enjoy reading "The Pebble". Carry ON!
Thanks for this, Bill. I too am continuing my local advocacy for environmental protections of shorelines and heritage forests, as well as advocacy and mentoring for children and families and for those suffering from addictions. These are practical activities I've done my entire life and can continue to do now.
Thanks, Bill. I'm happy you are mobilized to do at least one thing to affect change. Start local is great advice and thank you for being a cheerleader for my work here.
Lingering numbness, mixed with disbelief, now rising into action. I'm starting to report on some of the news in my newsletter, and it's making me feel better, oddly. I don't want the madness to control my thoughts like it did before, but I'm turning this into an experiment—how to survive fascism. It's maddening, illogical, and dangerous. Others have gone through it. Now it's our turn.
We need a support group! Have you read "On Tyranny"? I hear its a must-read for these times.I look forward to reading your work.
I’m not managing. Just getting angrier. Working on how I will move through all this. I have so much to say, but can’t sit still long enough to form my words into anything coherent. I’ll get there but it will be bumpy and rough.
Your sign saga makes my blood boil, but karma is a bitch.
Yeah, I feel you, Michelle. I'm surprised I managed to write anything at all yesterday because I'm beside myself.
In my head...over and over again.. a convicted felon and adjudicated rapist won. Using his own horrible words and agenda appealed to a majority of our people. Such a loss in so many ways.
You're right, and the punches to our sanity and humanity are coming soon. God bless us all and may we rely on each other to get us through.
Ilona, your words remind me that even in the fiercest storms, staying grounded and clear-eyed is the first step to rebuilding. Thank you for sharing this.
Reading about your experience with the local election and the stolen signs, I couldn't help but feel a pang of disappointment. It's disheartening to see such division and hostility, especially in our own communities. But your willingness to share these experiences and continue fighting for what you believe in is truly inspiring. It reminds me that even small acts of resistance can make a difference.
It is upsetting, but I am convinced that truth and love always win in the end.
Thanks for your heartfelt post @Ilona, it comes at an important time for all of humanity as this election is not unto itself, it is a statement of where humanity is standing. This is a profound opportunity to see the beauty in each of us no matter what we feel. Emotions are no longer festering but showing the raw parts of society, the love and the hurt. What I am loving is that so many people, like Rev. Gierlach are inviting everyone to shift our dismay into love and compassion, giving up the pain and diving into our true essense. Humanity is being called to Be the light. Even though I am in Canada and feel the angst, the term, 'we are all connected', is truer now than ever. Let's all take care of our heart and serve others no matter who they show up as. BE the Light.
Thanks again Ilona, you are such a bright Light.
Sending you Light.
Such a lovely message, Deborah. This time period requires an opportunity to see differently, and substituting thoughts of WTF is wrong with this person, to I wonder why they think that. I have had discussions with the other side, and they seem to be missing key pieces of information and are shocked when I inform them.
Me again, I just came across this podcast that I think you will really appreciate from PoliticsGirl. She states things very succinctly. I think she's your tribe. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kmeo6eGy1wI
Yes, I follow her! She's great. Thank you Deborah.
I love the idea of anticipatory disobedience. It goes beyond Timothy Snyder's "Do not obey in advance" advice--which is somewhat passive--to a more active method that keeps our ideals visible.
At the moment, though, I admit that I'm more and more heartbroken with each Cabinet announcement, and with each bit of online commentary that cannot point to anything that could slow down the dictatorial steamroller. I'm alternately furious and despondent. For the moment, I'll throw myself into work as a distraction and hope to see a glimmer of positivity as time goes on.
Furious and despondent, you nailed it. The cabinet picks are AWFUL and compromise our national security. I've got to turn it all off or I will go crazy.
Ilona, I don't have any recommendations at this point. I think I'm feeling more incredulous today than a week ago. I wrote a note today on reading two novels by Ruth Ozeki during these last few months-that was my salvation.
Thank you for sharing the you tube. As a lapsed Catholic I've not found comfort in the religion of my youth, but I did from listening to Father David. And even though I'm not on Tik Tok, I also love that he is! His message is important. And when my inner fortitude grows a bit stronger, I will heed his advice.
Father David is on YouTube, too, so maybe you can catch him on there. I feel he is one of the few authentic Christians left. I hope you feel better soon, dear Paulette. We're in this together.
Thanks for the YouTube tip.
We sure are!
Thank you for this post. I am here with you sis!
Thanks, girl. Banding together makes us stronger.