Everything you wrote and shared affirms what I've been experiencing. I take heart, refusing to live in fear, doing what I can, knowing I am not alone and never was.
I was pretty stressed about the rise of White Supremacy again, but have calmed down some and making plans for battle. We protested here, testified at the county commissioners meeting (our "representatives" failed to consult us before offering the Metra for an internment camp!). I had to remind myself of my Freedom of Youth on the Blackfeet Rez. I didn't pay attention to politics then - few did. We were poor, but happy, with most of our needs met. It was FREEDOM! Unfortunately, now I know we can't ignore it, we have to fight back, but I won't let them have any time my life nor worry about their sick actions. I've been around enough to be good friends with Karma and she's a little pissed too. Interesting times! I refuse to live in fear, rather I will work to change minds and hearts and continue to build a loving community.
"I refuse to live in fear, rather I will work to change minds and hearts and continue to build a loving community."
All this, Lita. Also: did you happen to be in the vicinity of the Burger Dive in Billings about a week ago? I think it was Thursday afternoon. I was in the parking lot about to do a phone call before venturing inside to feast and heard a laugh that sounded very much like yours. 😂
Thank you for reprinting Naomi's poem. I really needed that energy! I love the part where she says, "Always carry a plant. Always stay rooted somewhere." 🙏🏼🌱
I do too. She's wonderful. What I also love is this book HONEYBEE, at least my edition, is marketed as "children's poetry" but she doesn't curb any of her fire. That's so essential.
I love and cherish your perspective and your work- this entire newsletter is full of such good news and so many good resources!!! And I agree about that last part. I was scared at first but am reminded of how powerful connection and community can be for everyone. We will overcome and stronger than before. 🌱🌱🌱
Love Naomi's poem. This actually *is* the world we live in - We just need to remember that and keep making it like that whenever and wherever we can. Thanks for the reminder. And that amazing final photo - courage indeed!
Your writing has reaffirmed how to get through this current upheaval without descending into complete darkness. Thank you for including Naomi's poem. Hers was such a kind gesture that caused ripples of calm and joy to radiate from that airport gate. I would love to carry a plant with me on my journeys or a piece of sage hidden somewhere.
I love that poem as well. I receive enough gifts of sage and sweetgrass that there are remnants of both at the bottoms of almost any bag I might choose to carry. 😂 I always have my tobacco pouch with me too.
I was at Burger Dive Chris! My birthday lunch from a friend! I wish I could have seen you and said hello! Too funny people recognize my laugh all over the place. I think that's a good thing - at least they're not recognizing my wails of grief!
I've been told I need to pay attention to my surroundings more than once. Maybe I need to heed that. Hope to see youi sometime when you are in town - hell, I'll go eat a burger with you if you can stand some company!
Crazy small. I never really paid attention to the literary world nor fed my desire to tell my story, but lately you keep popping up as do many other things so it’s coming.
Sometimes my anxiety still gets the best of me, but I've been doing much better than I would have expected. I've been putting down my phone a lot more and doing some close reading of really joyful books instead, and sending messages to friends, and copying quotes into my commonplace book with my actual hands. I love that quote about emotional sovereignty, and I'll be keeping it in mind. Thank you. 🧡
"This is a time to rise up as much as we are able to and act in whatever way each of us is comfortable with. Not least importantly, and perhaps most, do you really want to give these a-holes rent free space in your brain? ... Do whatever you need to. Just don’t despair. We’re just getting started."
I really slogged through this week, more than the previous two, and I'm trying to be gentle with myself when this happens. And yet - you and James are right here, so thank you for this missive. Naomi, too: "This can still happen anywhere. Not everything is lost." So let's make it happen.
"Not a single person in that gate - once the crying and confusion stopped - seemed apprehensive about any other person." That is a world I look forward to. I love this poem.
And I so appreciate John Isaiah Pepion's art. It's wonderful. I was lucky to meet him at a gallery in Bozangeles when I lived there and speak with him for a while, as I was completely ignorant of the history of ledger art, but I knew there was something going on when I saw that his art was on 19th century stock certificates and corporate invoices. He was kind enough to introduce me to this history.
For now, I remain apprehensive. But in good spirits, thanks to words like yours and Shihab Nye's. I take courage in hope in the notion that poets and 6th grade language arts teachers will save us all.
I'm glad to have signed up for the NAS For Everyone. Great to hear that's going well. Cheers, -Nigel
That final photo -- my god. I signed up for the class for teachers which has begun and looks to be amazing. I'm a little overwhelmed at the moment and probably won't get to everything right away, but I feel so much gratitude for what you all have done and continue to do.
Hey Chris, Thanks for this post and that poem. I'm curious did you get a spot at the Bay Area Book Festival in Berkeley this summer. If yes, please let me treat you to lunch. You seem like the kind of guy who likes pupusas. If you didn't get a spot, what's wrong with these people? be well, be happy, April
Everything you wrote and shared affirms what I've been experiencing. I take heart, refusing to live in fear, doing what I can, knowing I am not alone and never was.
✊🏽
I was pretty stressed about the rise of White Supremacy again, but have calmed down some and making plans for battle. We protested here, testified at the county commissioners meeting (our "representatives" failed to consult us before offering the Metra for an internment camp!). I had to remind myself of my Freedom of Youth on the Blackfeet Rez. I didn't pay attention to politics then - few did. We were poor, but happy, with most of our needs met. It was FREEDOM! Unfortunately, now I know we can't ignore it, we have to fight back, but I won't let them have any time my life nor worry about their sick actions. I've been around enough to be good friends with Karma and she's a little pissed too. Interesting times! I refuse to live in fear, rather I will work to change minds and hearts and continue to build a loving community.
"I refuse to live in fear, rather I will work to change minds and hearts and continue to build a loving community."
All this, Lita. Also: did you happen to be in the vicinity of the Burger Dive in Billings about a week ago? I think it was Thursday afternoon. I was in the parking lot about to do a phone call before venturing inside to feast and heard a laugh that sounded very much like yours. 😂
Thank you for reprinting Naomi's poem. I really needed that energy! I love the part where she says, "Always carry a plant. Always stay rooted somewhere." 🙏🏼🌱
I do too. She's wonderful. What I also love is this book HONEYBEE, at least my edition, is marketed as "children's poetry" but she doesn't curb any of her fire. That's so essential.
I love and cherish your perspective and your work- this entire newsletter is full of such good news and so many good resources!!! And I agree about that last part. I was scared at first but am reminded of how powerful connection and community can be for everyone. We will overcome and stronger than before. 🌱🌱🌱
💚
Much rather have your words take up space in my brain these days. Thank you for encouragement!
💚
Love Naomi's poem. This actually *is* the world we live in - We just need to remember that and keep making it like that whenever and wherever we can. Thanks for the reminder. And that amazing final photo - courage indeed!
Your writing has reaffirmed how to get through this current upheaval without descending into complete darkness. Thank you for including Naomi's poem. Hers was such a kind gesture that caused ripples of calm and joy to radiate from that airport gate. I would love to carry a plant with me on my journeys or a piece of sage hidden somewhere.
I love that poem as well. I receive enough gifts of sage and sweetgrass that there are remnants of both at the bottoms of almost any bag I might choose to carry. 😂 I always have my tobacco pouch with me too.
Thank you, thank you, thank you...I'm so glad I read this before heading to work this morning. There is still so much goodnes in this world.
Every bit that's been around us is still around us.
Thank you, Chris. It makes sense that you would not be amazed and would be prepared for the Interesting Times you move through.
I was at Burger Dive Chris! My birthday lunch from a friend! I wish I could have seen you and said hello! Too funny people recognize my laugh all over the place. I think that's a good thing - at least they're not recognizing my wails of grief!
I was parked right next to you. Small world, eh?
I've been told I need to pay attention to my surroundings more than once. Maybe I need to heed that. Hope to see youi sometime when you are in town - hell, I'll go eat a burger with you if you can stand some company!
Crazy small. I never really paid attention to the literary world nor fed my desire to tell my story, but lately you keep popping up as do many other things so it’s coming.
Sometimes my anxiety still gets the best of me, but I've been doing much better than I would have expected. I've been putting down my phone a lot more and doing some close reading of really joyful books instead, and sending messages to friends, and copying quotes into my commonplace book with my actual hands. I love that quote about emotional sovereignty, and I'll be keeping it in mind. Thank you. 🧡
"This is a time to rise up as much as we are able to and act in whatever way each of us is comfortable with. Not least importantly, and perhaps most, do you really want to give these a-holes rent free space in your brain? ... Do whatever you need to. Just don’t despair. We’re just getting started."
I really slogged through this week, more than the previous two, and I'm trying to be gentle with myself when this happens. And yet - you and James are right here, so thank you for this missive. Naomi, too: "This can still happen anywhere. Not everything is lost." So let's make it happen.
✊🏽✊🏽✊🏽
"Not a single person in that gate - once the crying and confusion stopped - seemed apprehensive about any other person." That is a world I look forward to. I love this poem.
And I so appreciate John Isaiah Pepion's art. It's wonderful. I was lucky to meet him at a gallery in Bozangeles when I lived there and speak with him for a while, as I was completely ignorant of the history of ledger art, but I knew there was something going on when I saw that his art was on 19th century stock certificates and corporate invoices. He was kind enough to introduce me to this history.
For now, I remain apprehensive. But in good spirits, thanks to words like yours and Shihab Nye's. I take courage in hope in the notion that poets and 6th grade language arts teachers will save us all.
I'm glad to have signed up for the NAS For Everyone. Great to hear that's going well. Cheers, -Nigel
I appreciate you, Nigel!
That final photo -- my god. I signed up for the class for teachers which has begun and looks to be amazing. I'm a little overwhelmed at the moment and probably won't get to everything right away, but I feel so much gratitude for what you all have done and continue to do.
Take all the time you need, Elizabeth, and if you ever need any special access due to expiration dates and such, well, I know a guy.... 😉
Hey Chris, Thanks for this post and that poem. I'm curious did you get a spot at the Bay Area Book Festival in Berkeley this summer. If yes, please let me treat you to lunch. You seem like the kind of guy who likes pupusas. If you didn't get a spot, what's wrong with these people? be well, be happy, April
I did get a spot but as of yet I don’t have any details.
Yeah, I'm glad you got in.
thank you...