In the wee hours of the morning on November 6th, I crawled out of bed and confirmed what I already knew. Kamala Harris lost the presidential election to a vile man.
Since then, I’ve managed a near-100% media blackout, avoiding print, radio, and TV. Further, I’m on an extended break from social media. It’s tough to reconcile the fact that 50% of the votes cast in this election nominated a racist, misogynistic, lying, cheating man who is now free of any consequences for his contemptible behavior. I feel sick with grief.
While I’m not one to stick my head in the sand, this is how I’m coping with my sorrow and dread of what’s to come. It’s exhausting.
California is home to 39 million people, 27% of whom are immigrants. People are scared. My internal mantra has been “mourn, then mobilize,” but it will be a while before I get there.
I’ll end with this quote:
“We can disagree and still love each other unless your disagreement is rooted in my oppression and denial of my humanity and right to exist.” James Baldwin
Resist: Marches, Rallies, and Vigils Click on image for details
Gardening Nirvana 
💜💙
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💜💙 Thank you, Eliza.
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I feel exactly the same way. Not quite as stunned as I was when the election results were clear. But still…Onward we must go.
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Thank you, Laurie. xo
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I wish I could give you a hug, Alys. You are not alone. 💕
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Thank you, Jane. 💕
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I, too, would put my arms round you, Alys
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Thank you, Derrick. That hug would be a welcome respite from our troubled world.
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I just do not to know what to say. I reacted in the same way vis à vis the media. Sending you solidarity from Vancouver Island. xo
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Thank you, Wilma. You live in such a beautiful place, and you express yourself with stunning and original art and a love for nature. We need more of you. Best of luck with the elections ahead. I was happy to see a ball cap that said “Canada is not for Sale.”
https://www.reuters.com/world/americas/canada-is-not-sale-hat-goes-viral-after-trump-threats-2025-01-24/
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I think your blog makes the world a better place Alys. I’m currently feeling less alone also from the response and comments in this particular advice column today https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2024/nov/24/the-climate-crisis-and-all-the-evil-in-the-world-drives-me-to-despair
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Thank you for sharing this article. It’s beautiful advice, honest and true. I read The Guardian, so I’m surprised I missed this. I’m happy to have read it today. xo
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PS Thank you, too for your kind words.
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You’re right Alys. Take care of yourself and take care of your community and take action if needed. It will undoubtedly be needed….
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Hi Lisa. It’s nice to see your comment here. I hope you’re getting through all of this, though I imagine it helps to have retired when you did. You live so close to it all.
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It’s worrisome. I’m taking in the news in bits to keep my emotions stable, starting to plan my garden, and keeping my powder dry. I’m hoping our representatives will grow spines and institutions will hold against the assault. But I have my doubts. So far Arlington is still like Mayberry. We need to concentrate on local and state politics now. That’s where resistance and renewal starts…
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That’s a wise choice in today’s climate. Like you, I can’t take it all in and some days I can’t absorb any of it. It’s incomprehensible but here we are. Like you, I wish reps would grow a spine, especially on the GOP side. More of the party needs to push back, but they’re all afraid of him. What happened to the idea of upholding the constitution?
Good points on starting local. That’s something Obama reinforced again and again.
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It’s hard not to binge watch news and commentary, but most of it is repetitive and reductive after a bit. My rep’s have stepped up, as have state attorneys general, but it’s going to be a slow roll. Not sure who will enforce court orders. Is this how people lose their democracies? Beginning to look like it…
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Hi Lisa, I remember reading this and thought I had replied. I’m blaming that on med brain. Today I wrote a thank you note and said “welt instead of well” and then I made up another word entirely. At least here I have spellcheck.
The though of losing our democracy is both frightening and devastating. I’m trying to avoie listening to any news, folllowing Heather Cox Richardson and The Guardian, and even then in small doses. I hope you are doing ok.
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As an immigrant myself, I’m cheering you on. Thankfully, I do not have to live your reality.
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I’m also an immigrant, moving from Canada to the US when I was 6. My father hailed from England. My husband’s family were also immigrants from Italy and Argentina. I think diversity makes everyone more interesting and more connected to the world at large.
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Not many US citizens are not immigrants at some stage. By his classification, perhaps only the traditional owners have a right to be there. I wonder how far back his own immigrant blood is.
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Kate, his first wife, now deceased, and his third wife immigrated to this country. His grandfather immigrated from Germany. Immigrants stole this country from native people, then imported Africans as slaves. The Republicans are busy trying to whitewash history. MAGA with a touch of KKK. It’s revolting.
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Raging against immigrants is particularly ugly if the rager is himself the product of immigrants. Oh, but silly me, they were white (or maybe they too were orange).
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You are right of course. When he was elected in 2016, it felt like all the righwing crazies were given permission to return the days of the KKK and Jim Crow laws. I will never understand the hate.
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And now, all the craziness has been endorsed, approved, given credibility by this second term. And it has spawned even more monstrous, erratic and undemocratic actions.
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The horror show continues, mostly unabated, and the entire world will pay the price for this monster’s deeds.
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And I continue to wonder at the support given to him by those I’d otherwise have considered sensible people. Let us see whether the rhetoric bears its evil fruit.
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It was quite shocking and I understand the media blackout. I love arlingwoman’s quote below of taking care of yourself and your community.
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Agreed.
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You and I completely agree, Alys. I’m just distraught. I am still on a news “blackout” and I don’t think I have the emotional capacity to be much of an activist, at least not at this time. But I’ll have to find some way to be a support to the people I know who are going to directly suffer as a result of this travesty. I knew we were of the same mind. 😉
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I’m far behind on my comments, Debra, and even more has happened to rock your world since this post. My heart goes out to you.
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Thank you, dear Alys. ❤️
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Do
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