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Melissa's avatar

If there’s ever the opportunity, I’d love to spend an evening hanging out and having a drink with any of you. These comments are where my hope comes from.

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Ellie Kona's avatar

Wouldn’t at least a Zoom call of HCR Readers be great? BYOB.

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Robin Jett's avatar

That sounds like a great idea! If there really are a million of us, we might break Zoom.🙃

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Robin Jett's avatar

I just created heathersherd@gmail.com. not sure what the next step is.

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Pensa_VT's avatar

I imagine, before someone wrote about just getting a link from here to a zoom session, that those who want to connect can just send heather sherd@gmail.com their emails and we can have group emails, private emails or just links to zoom chat sessions. I will send you my email, Robin.

Karen, if you know how to set up a zoom and post the link here, we can try it out and see how that works.

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Annette D. (North Carolina)'s avatar

I think reaching out to heathersherd@gmail.com first is critical. We have too many trolls here (you know some of them by name) and I do not think we want to have them on our Zoom chat.

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Robin Jett's avatar

Maybe schedule a meet after Georgia election is settled? Or Congress approves Electoral College votes. Much more fun to zoom and be happy than to zoom and weep.

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Pensa_VT's avatar

That is a perfect time for a group celebration or group therapy.

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Robin Jett's avatar

Thank you, Heather. I just created heathersherd@gmail.com. not sure what the next step is.

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Pamsy's avatar

Robin, I sent an email to that address and it came back “undeliverable.” I will double check that I sent it to the correct address. Meanwhile, I received an anonymous invitation to accept a document from someone in my address book. Do you know anything about that?

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Robin Jett's avatar

I don't know anything about the document from someone in your address book. I would not open it without sending them a second email asking about it first. Regarding my email, try it again. heathersherd@gmail.com. Other people seem to be getting through.

After I set up the email, Rev Judith suggested I contact Heather directly through her FB page. So I sent her a message, but have not heard anything back yet. If she has been doing all those videos, she obviously has more tech savvy than I do.

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David’sinSC's avatar

Don't worry, zoom, Be happy.

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RefJim's avatar

I think almost all of us would be "in" on this.

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Robin Jett's avatar

I just created heathersherd@gmail.com. not sure what the next step is.

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Pamela's avatar

Tell me when !!!

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Robin Jett's avatar

I just created heathersherd@gmail.com. not sure what the next step is.

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BeckyP's avatar

I think that's a great idea. I get so much from reading the comments here, it would be wonderful to actually talk with some of you. I haven't used Zoom yet, but I would eagerly learn it.

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Pamsy's avatar

I’m so glad I’m not the only low-to-no tech person here...first step is downloading zoom onto your computer or device. Then I guess we need to figure out the email thing. (How to connect to each other).

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Robin Jett's avatar

I just created heathersherd@gmail.com. not sure what the next step is.

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Robin Jett's avatar

I just created heathersherd@gmail.com. not sure what the next step is.

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Ellie Kona's avatar

I can think of 2 possibilities:

1. If someone is willing and able to set up a gmail account for this purpose, then he or she could post it here on Heather’s Substack. Also, any post can be deleted by the poster.

2. There is the Facebook UNOFFICIAL Heather Cox Richardson Resource and Discussion Room (with 30,689 members!) that might be a resource for organizing get together groups at least virtually.

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Robin Jett's avatar

I just created heathersherd@gmail.com. not sure what the next step is.

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Ellie Kona's avatar

Wonderful! Thank you, Robin! Could you repeat this email address as a Reply to the bottom of others’ subthreads here to help spread the word? At least to Rev.Judith who said she’s a Zoom pro and of course, Heather herself who replied 7 hours ago that she might be able to do it from her end! (I’m not a Zoom pro and am off to work.)

👍

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Robin Jett's avatar

Ellie, I think I did as you asked, posting it as a reply to several of the comments today though I am not sure how to connect to Heather directly.

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Ellie Kona's avatar

I can only assume that one’s reply here gets sent to that person’s email. Besides private message on Heather’s Facebook, you could reply to Heather’s reply to Pam Peterson in this thread.

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Lisa Winfeld's avatar

One of the few things I miss after deleting y FB account is Heather’s FB Page and some Groups.

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Pam Peterson (West MA)'s avatar

I'd be there for sure, and I haven't used Zoom yet.

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Rev.Judith's avatar

Pan Peterson — Zoom is cool. (ditto FaceTime and a similar app available through Google). I do Zoom frequently and am grateful for a technology that lets me “visit” with family abd friends in real time. Try it — you might like it.

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Annette D. (North Carolina)'s avatar

I have had a regularly scheduled meeting with some of my high school friends (from 50 years ago!) every two weeks. We all share the same political view and one of them turned me on to HCR. We call it the “blue team” and these calls have also kept me sane.

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Robin Jett's avatar

I just created heathersherd@gmail.com. not sure what the next step is.

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Pamsy's avatar

Lucky you! How great.

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Lynell(VA by way of MD&DC)'s avatar

Haven't used Zoom either. But will sign on to "Zoom for Dummies" so I can join everybody!

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Pensa_VT's avatar

It is very easy. Just download it and you can send email "invites" to people. Then you admit them when they respond to the link in their email. Easier first to have someone invite you so you see how it works.

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Pam Peterson (West MA)'s avatar

I've done FB chat once or twice And, I know Zoom will be in my future, but I try to stay away from as much cyber stuff as possible. I'll stop short of calling myself a luddite.

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Lynell(VA by way of MD&DC)'s avatar

hash-tag me, too!

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Stuart Attewell (Paris, Fr)'s avatar

Luddites actually firstly broke the machines in 1810 in a Leicester stocking factory....cotton perhaps coming from Southern Plantations as well as silk and wool. An early opponent of the original English origins of Plantation ideology in defense of workers rights, perhaps?

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Robin Jett's avatar

I just created heathersherd@gmail.com. not sure what the next step is.

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Rev.Judith's avatar

Perhaps verify with HRC herself to determine her perspective on whether it’s advisable to form an “offshoot” group. There may be concerns about monitoring, etc.

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Robin Jett's avatar

How does one do that? I Just created this as a way to collect emails for those interested in Zooming. I don't knowhow to reach Heather directly, and this seemed like something that might be helpful.

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Rev.Judith's avatar

Go to her Facebook page and send her a "Message" (upper right-hand side). At least, that is how I would do it. :-)

https://www.facebook.com/heathercoxrichardson

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Pamsy's avatar

I’m a newbie too but it’s easy once you get the hang of it ;) sweet pic of your pooch :)

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David’sinSC's avatar

Belly Yo'self up to the Bar. With zoom you don't have to bring anything.

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Kathleen Bruce's avatar

Bring your own bitch! 😂😂😂🌲🌲

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Robin Jett's avatar

To zoom people, we'd have to share emails. Is there a way to Private message here, so we aren't posting our emails on this page?

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Pam Peterson (West MA)'s avatar

Not that I know of. Maybe heather could give us a clue how to get together.

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Heather Cox Richardson's avatar

I think I can do it from my end, but it just can't be too big or no one gets to talk, really. The good thing about zoom is that there is a sort of... writing space-- the "chat"-- so people can connect even when others are talking.

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Pam Peterson (West MA)'s avatar

The possibility of a Zoom meeting of Heathers groupies would be great, but utter chaos I fear. There are too many of us who would love to have a chance to "meet" each other.

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Ellie Kona's avatar

Hi Heather,

I’m happy to report that Heather’s Herd has actually become a group! Our mission is to provide peer support, share information, and channel our energy to effective organizations in support of democracy—action! Our current focus is voting rights. We Zoom every other Saturday and have an email site with a beautiful banner:

heathersherd@groups.io

Tonight I fortuitously stumbled upon these posts in the course of googling a prospective member. It’s also interesting timing that Katya became a member today. I asked her to let you know of our existence.

Rana and Sayeed from the Unofficial HCR FB are members, and we will coordinate our groups down the road.

We are hoping to host a Zoom max 100 person meet and greet open to HCR Substackers.

Our Admin group (of 4) can be contacted at the same email Robin created on 12/17/2020:

heathersherd@gmail.com

Thank you for your ongoing inspiration!

Ellie Kona

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Karen Smith's avatar

A private zoom meeting can be set up that requires a password to attend. The password and link could be posted here for people to log in - we wouldn’t need to post emails.

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Karen Smith's avatar

I’ve taken classes that way.

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Stuart Attewell (Paris, Fr)'s avatar

It's going to be fun with 2-3000 faces on the screen all talking at once!

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Lisa Winfeld's avatar

Share social media addresses. Then Direct/Private Message each other.

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Karen Smith's avatar

Maybe when it is safe to travel and gather in large groups again we could have a gathering of some sort. It would be nice to do it somewhere in Maine... 😉

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Eliot Daley's avatar

We have a farm a couple of miles from HCR’s place in Maine. Be happy to host a dinner in our orchard!

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Maggie's avatar

Did you get much snow? Here in NY theres between 2 & 3 feet right now - lucky its light & fluffy but really after a certain point - no place to put it! My son will be over to plow me out but hes waiting for the Town to plow the roads - Its been a long long time since we had this much snow.

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Kathleen Bruce's avatar

Yes.. are you near Buffalo? We in N Vt got 3 “ . Maddening

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Maggie's avatar

No - South & East of Buffalo.

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Eliot Daley's avatar

Wow, that’s a LOT! Are you in the lake-effect western NY area or in the mountains? In Waldoboro (Maine) the proximity to yhe ocean suppresses huge snows (for the most part), so only half a foot or so today. 🤗

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Heather Cox Richardson's avatar

Someone over here said 14", but Buddy thought that was high. I went for a long walk on the unplowed roads and it was a big mistake. They were hideously slippery. A snowplow was in the ditch, which can't be a good sign! :)

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Maggie's avatar

I saw on the news that Endicott NY had 40" & thats about 30 minutes away from me so went out with a measuring tape!!! & I was low - its about 38-40" here as close as I can tell (hard with a tape) - I'm in Southern NY close to the NY-PA border.

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Heather Cox Richardson's avatar

There used to be a wonderful essayist at USA Today, I think, who wrote essays about upstate New York, especially in the snow. We were just talking about him today.

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Maggie's avatar

There sure is much to write about with this snow! I shoveled a path for Axel (dog) because its about twice as high as he is - hes very frustrated we cant get up back to walk - it might be a while.

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Kathleen Bruce's avatar

Not much here in Vt

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Lisa Winfeld's avatar

I’m from L.I. NY. We only got 6-8 inches of snow, but it was heavy, ice crusted snow. I’m living on Aleve since yesterday:)

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Maggie's avatar

from shoveling?? I'm using X Tylenol myself! Lots of shoveling when theres about 3 ft of snow. Even after I got plowed out.

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Elaine Hewitt's avatar

East Providence RI I got about 6” I think? Still snowing.

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Dec 17, 2020
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Heather Cox Richardson's avatar

That was such a nightmare. It just wouldn't stop coming down and it never melted. My daughter and I had to shovel the roof almost every day.

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Lisa Winfeld's avatar

You had to shovel your roof?!! The very idea blows me away!

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Robin Jett's avatar

Oooh! That sound nice. Maybe in the fall. By then, we might all have access to vaccines.

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Kathleen Bruce's avatar

From your mouth to Goddess’ ear

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Kathleen Bruce's avatar

Such a lovely idea

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Pamsy's avatar

Awesome!

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Kathleen Bruce's avatar

Not far from Vermont - how much snow there?

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Elaine Hewitt's avatar

I’m in. I think we all should get together and form a coalition. I’ve been saying this.

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Ruth Brinton (WA)'s avatar

We could form a Political Action Committe with the emphasis on Action rather than money.

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Pamsy's avatar

Great idea!

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Karen Smith's avatar

I would love that!

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David’sinSC's avatar

I would love to learn how to act. My wife intimates I am incapable of it.

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Jan (TN)'s avatar

There are good comments regarding this, so I wasn’t really sure where to jump in. If I repeat what others have said elsewhere, sorry… If it’s already done, thanks…

I would like access to a curated collection of timely, forceful, succinct, fact-checked messages tailored for various media (from letters to posts) and audiences (from pols to misguided friends to the not-so-friendly). Keep this conversation alive. That's all...

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Ruth Brinton (WA)'s avatar

I've been thinking along the same lines.

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Jeff the American's avatar

Agree...had the same thought...why cant we grab the anti-bully pulpit? Start a new news outlet to counter Qanon...

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Jeff the American's avatar

This would be wonderful...But I hope that more would join us who will let go of the blind loyalty to tRump and his sycophants. Our communities are so divided...I live in a small town in Vermont (one traffic light) and there is a building with one of those horrifying thin blue line flags on the front porch, and a rainbow flag hanging out the 2nd floor window (different tenants)....I wonder how long this will go on. I hope that tRump goes silent somehow tangled up in lawsuits and the resistance to hi occupation of Mar-a-bozo as his residence.

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Pensa_VT's avatar

I am in VT, too! Which little town?

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Karen Smith's avatar

Where are you, Penelope?

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Pensa_VT's avatar

Putney! 20” of snow!

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Karen Smith's avatar

I am about 45 minutes south of you! We have about 2 feet, also!

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Pamsy's avatar

I envy you “blue” staters... except for the snow.

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Karen Smith's avatar

Really? My best friend and her husband live in Richmond! I’m in north western MA just below the VT line.

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Jeff the American's avatar

Small world...ask them about the flags hanging on on building in center of town...maybe they will send you a pic! Perhaps you are close to Mass MOCA? On my list of places to visit...

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Karen Smith's avatar

I will ask them about them. I think I might even know which building. No, I am not that far west in western MA. Closer to Brattleboro, VT.

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Jeff the American's avatar

Ahhh, yes...my stepdaughter went to Smith in Northhampton...

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Karen Smith's avatar

Getting closer!

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Susan's avatar

I am in!

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Pensa_VT's avatar

Okay-- does anyone here have time to administrate a new gmail account and we can all sign up there? I just moved and am too discombobulated right now.

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Karen Smith's avatar

Unfortunately I do not. I hope someone is up to it - I would love to participate as much as I am able.

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Pamsy's avatar

What does it entail? I am technologically-challenged.

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BeckyP's avatar

Ditto!

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Stuart Attewell (Paris, Fr)'s avatar

That goes for me too. Absence of flights and various "bug" issues might effectively get in the way of either big gettogethers and international affaires...but zoom or local gettogethers would be great for a start. For Zoom we are going to be faced with the time-zone problem though. Paris is GMT+1. I think we might just about span the globe. I'm in for any other suggestions.

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Kathleen Bruce's avatar

How about tea w honey? 😂

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