Buddy is watching a classic movie involving old Boston and gangsters (with very long hair and lovely cars– I’m guessing the 1970s?) and I was intending to write a philosophical letter tonight about presidential patterns during inflection moments. But about the time I sat down to write, my friend Peter sent me this image, offering me calm “in the midst of the current maelstrom(s),” and it suddenly hit me that I am very tired, and then it hit me that I can’t be the only one who is finding it exhausting to digest all the news these days.
Thank you for how you model the necessity for all of us to slow down and rest and find our feet and our hearts in this tumultuous and overloading time. Your newsletters so delicious and deep that they have diminished my overload by allowing me to stop scanning the news regularly, cause I know I won't miss anything important because you will let us know. I am grateful every time you take a night off, knowing that none of us can keep functioning at such a high pace, and that it is important that you be rested so you can be present when it is needed. Thank you!
Katrina I haven’t watched TV news since September 15, 2021. I find that my level of anxiety has subsided during my daily hour of exercise while watching DVDs. Also I have been rereading some of my favorite books.
Heather is my almost nightly anchor to windward during this prolonged hurricane. I also relish the friends I have come to admire greatly in our comment interchange.
What I learned from sailing through a hurricane many years ago is that eventually the 40 foot waves subsided, the wind diminished, and I found myself on a calm sea with the ship back on course. President Biden and President Zelensky are helmsmen in whom I have heart felt confidence.
Thank you, Keith, for that lovely metaphor. Our anchor to windward. Dear Heather and Scott Simon on NPR are the voices that keep me positive when I despair the future of all things good and truthful and fair and rational in this hurricane.
Great analogy! I’m on a TV news diet. I’ve watched 1 news show since before the invasion of Ukraine.
I made my political statement yesterday driving to Rogue Brewery in Newport and drinking a pint (along with purchasing a growler) of their beer dedicated to Ukrainian food relief efforts. It’s name?
Thank you, Keith, for these heartfelt words. I too, have been reading and trying to watch only shows that make me happy. This “hurricane” sure doesn’t want to go away but I hope and pray it does, soon.
Hey Keith, I actually have never watched TV news-- it is designed to excite the nervous system and raise ratings, rather than to impart real information. But I used to read a lot more newspaper articles and felt like I needed to track information before I found Heather. Now I am fine if the only thing I do in a day is read what she has to say. I wish I had your confidence in the ability of the helmsmen to steer us through all these storms, but I do have confidence in their hearts and their desire to do so. And great confidence in the resilience of the human spirit and a strong belief that it is in our nature to care for each other and that we will hopefully evolve quickly enough to weather these storms. Warmly, Katarina
As we rejuvenate, we can mark our calendars for Monday. Lincoln Project's Joe Trippi has launched The Union, a grassroots organization of different action corps and coalitions to preserve democracy:
"Join Joe Trippi, host Maya May, and special guests representing organizations joining The Union. Learn about what we’ve accomplished and what’s next. You won’t want to miss this!
The Town Hall is at 7:00PM ET on Monday, March 21st. Link will be provided via social media on Monday."
Hi Gailee! I don't know if The Union Townhall on Monday will be taped, but being in a formative stage, I'm sure update info will be posted on the website, and we don't have to wait:
See you there Ellie. Posted on the registration site. True words.
“When the people rise in masses in behalf of the Union and the liberties of their country, truly may it be said, ‘The gates of hell shall not prevail against them.’”
And, dear Heather, I hope you know that you are our light house, guiding us to safe shores and warning us of perilous ones during the political storms that we have been navigating these past two years. Thank you!
Thank you, Heather, for posting Peter's photo of serenity and peace. Thank you, too, for taking the night off and restoring yourself. You do so much for so many. Sleep well
You do realize that, after seeing all of these wonderful photos, we are ALL going to move to Maine. Never mind emailing .... we will sit in your back yard and you can read to us ... I'll bring my own chair!
Hi Fern, I have a copy of Where the Sidewalk Ends in my bookcase. Somehow it managed to survive all the culling and moving over the years. My favorite is "Someone Ate the Baby" Here is a link of Shel Silverstein reading the poem: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mm0Gz_6Nwxo It's darkly funny.
Steve, Literally, you rose with the sun for me this morning. Wish I could email the picture. You, Sheldon and Johnny Cash were brighter, Brighter, BRIGHTER. You know what I'm going do now -- pass it on as with a golden Sunday morning. 🎸 💓🌿🌍🌞❤️🟦🟨🕊️
Yes, I’m tired of the world today also. I did spend several hours today listening to your live chats again. I especially am enjoying your history series. Thanks for all you do!
I'm from Maine, too. We are so lucky to live in such a remarkable place, and I'm grateful for your weekly photographic reminders of it. You do so much good for so many people, including the notes you send sharing the need to rest our brains and our hearts. The world is so harsh...let us all replenish in community. I'm tidying up my sewing space tonight, enjoying the colors and textures, sorting and folding the leftovers from recent projects. If only we could bring that kind of order to the chaos that is thrown at us every day. I am happy to share a moment of strength and brain-rest with Heather's Friends. 🎶💛💙😊
Thank you for how you model the necessity for all of us to slow down and rest and find our feet and our hearts in this tumultuous and overloading time. Your newsletters so delicious and deep that they have diminished my overload by allowing me to stop scanning the news regularly, cause I know I won't miss anything important because you will let us know. I am grateful every time you take a night off, knowing that none of us can keep functioning at such a high pace, and that it is important that you be rested so you can be present when it is needed. Thank you!
Katrina I haven’t watched TV news since September 15, 2021. I find that my level of anxiety has subsided during my daily hour of exercise while watching DVDs. Also I have been rereading some of my favorite books.
Heather is my almost nightly anchor to windward during this prolonged hurricane. I also relish the friends I have come to admire greatly in our comment interchange.
What I learned from sailing through a hurricane many years ago is that eventually the 40 foot waves subsided, the wind diminished, and I found myself on a calm sea with the ship back on course. President Biden and President Zelensky are helmsmen in whom I have heart felt confidence.
Thank you, Keith, for that lovely metaphor. Our anchor to windward. Dear Heather and Scott Simon on NPR are the voices that keep me positive when I despair the future of all things good and truthful and fair and rational in this hurricane.
What encouraging and optimistic words to take with me as I go to sleep! Thank you Keith!
Great analogy! I’m on a TV news diet. I’ve watched 1 news show since before the invasion of Ukraine.
I made my political statement yesterday driving to Rogue Brewery in Newport and drinking a pint (along with purchasing a growler) of their beer dedicated to Ukrainian food relief efforts. It’s name?
🇺🇦F*#k Putin 🇺🇦!
Ally I proudly lift a pint of FP with you—and then another.
Thank you, Keith, for these heartfelt words. I too, have been reading and trying to watch only shows that make me happy. This “hurricane” sure doesn’t want to go away but I hope and pray it does, soon.
Hey Keith, I actually have never watched TV news-- it is designed to excite the nervous system and raise ratings, rather than to impart real information. But I used to read a lot more newspaper articles and felt like I needed to track information before I found Heather. Now I am fine if the only thing I do in a day is read what she has to say. I wish I had your confidence in the ability of the helmsmen to steer us through all these storms, but I do have confidence in their hearts and their desire to do so. And great confidence in the resilience of the human spirit and a strong belief that it is in our nature to care for each other and that we will hopefully evolve quickly enough to weather these storms. Warmly, Katarina
Oh Keith. This is comfort food for the soul. Thank you.
Dear, dear Not-Doc Wheelock!
Your learned advice offers solace, complimentary to the calm waters of Peter Ralston’s photo HCR included in this LFAA.
Much appreciation!
Wise words- thank you
Thank you for sharing....made me feel calm just reading it. Definitely needed it.
Fabulous, Keith.
Thank you Keith. I’ll take every positive part of that analogy with me tonight.
Lovely sentiment. Thank you so much.
As we rejuvenate, we can mark our calendars for Monday. Lincoln Project's Joe Trippi has launched The Union, a grassroots organization of different action corps and coalitions to preserve democracy:
"Join Joe Trippi, host Maya May, and special guests representing organizations joining The Union. Learn about what we’ve accomplished and what’s next. You won’t want to miss this!
The Town Hall is at 7:00PM ET on Monday, March 21st. Link will be provided via social media on Monday."
https://jointheunion.us/townhall/
Thank you Ellie. Do you know if the program is taped for those of us who live in Europe and can't stay up so late?
Hi Gailee! I don't know if The Union Townhall on Monday will be taped, but being in a formative stage, I'm sure update info will be posted on the website, and we don't have to wait:
https://jointheunion.us/take-action/
Thank you Ellie. I just joined and sent an email to many friends.
Update: Town Hall meeting will be recorded and posted on Youtube:
https://twitter.com/JoinTheUnionUS/status/1506013025408626689?s=20&t=uYfiOXqpkVnQgmI3J0fFgg
See you there Ellie. Posted on the registration site. True words.
“When the people rise in masses in behalf of the Union and the liberties of their country, truly may it be said, ‘The gates of hell shall not prevail against them.’”
President Abraham Lincoln – February 11, 1861
And, dear Heather, I hope you know that you are our light house, guiding us to safe shores and warning us of perilous ones during the political storms that we have been navigating these past two years. Thank you!
Rowshan, substack won't let me ❤️. This is exactly right.
Well said!
+1
Thank you, Heather, for posting Peter's photo of serenity and peace. Thank you, too, for taking the night off and restoring yourself. You do so much for so many. Sleep well
Thank you for this oasis in a storm. Rest well ❤️
Thank you for perspective on what is essential. On so many levels.
You are a gift. Thank you.
You do realize that, after seeing all of these wonderful photos, we are ALL going to move to Maine. Never mind emailing .... we will sit in your back yard and you can read to us ... I'll bring my own chair!
Softly layered scene in blues, grays and white, thank you, Peter Ralston, for this beautiful, calm morning at the Harbor.
Heather, your syntheses of our troubles have been superb. Thank you. I'm glad that you made the rare decision to surrender to your tiredness.
It isn't only the news that is shorting our sleep and carefree days. Music, a mate, a lover, a friend, a walk or poem can help.
Sick
Shel Silverstein - 1930-1999
"I cannot go to school today,"
Said little Peggy Ann McKay.
"I have the measles and the mumps,
A gash, a rash and purple bumps.
My mouth is wet, my throat is dry,
I'm going blind in my right eye.
My tonsils are as big as rocks,
I've counted sixteen chicken pox
And there's one more—that's seventeen,
And don't you think my face looks green?
My leg is cut—my eyes are blue—
It might be instamatic flu.
I cough and sneeze and gasp and choke,
I'm sure that my left leg is broke—
My hip hurts when I move my chin,
My belly button's caving in,
My back is wrenched, my ankle's sprained,
My 'pendix pains each time it rains.
My nose is cold, my toes are numb.
I have a sliver in my thumb.
My neck is stiff, my voice is weak,
I hardly whisper when I speak.
My tongue is filling up my mouth,
I think my hair is falling out.
My elbow's bent, my spine ain't straight,
My temperature is one-o-eight.
My brain is shrunk, I cannot hear,
There is a hole inside my ear.
I have a hangnail, and my heart is—what?
What's that? What's that you say?
You say today is. . .Saturday?
G'bye, I'm going out to play!"
From Shel Silverstein: Poems and Drawings; originally appeared in Where the Sidewalk Ends by Shel Silverstein. Copyright © 2003 by HarperCollins Children's Books. Reprinted by permission of the publisher. All rights reserved.
Love Shel Silverstein. Kids always do also. Thanks Fern. Good week ahead.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mm0Gz_6Nwxo
LOVE!
Anne, There are no sweeter messages on earth than 'love' and "PEACE". Thank you. 💓🟦🟨🕊️
🌿🌞🤸🏼♀️🍨❤️ Good Sunday, Christine, and Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday...,!
Hi Fern, I have a copy of Where the Sidewalk Ends in my bookcase. Somehow it managed to survive all the culling and moving over the years. My favorite is "Someone Ate the Baby" Here is a link of Shel Silverstein reading the poem: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mm0Gz_6Nwxo It's darkly funny.
Steve, Literally, you rose with the sun for me this morning. Wish I could email the picture. You, Sheldon and Johnny Cash were brighter, Brighter, BRIGHTER. You know what I'm going do now -- pass it on as with a golden Sunday morning. 🎸 💓🌿🌍🌞❤️🟦🟨🕊️
Thank you, dear Fern! Good Sunday to you ☀️.
Thanks to Steve Abbott. Have fun!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mm0Gz_6Nwxo
Yes, I’m tired of the world today also. I did spend several hours today listening to your live chats again. I especially am enjoying your history series. Thanks for all you do!
I'm from Maine, too. We are so lucky to live in such a remarkable place, and I'm grateful for your weekly photographic reminders of it. You do so much good for so many people, including the notes you send sharing the need to rest our brains and our hearts. The world is so harsh...let us all replenish in community. I'm tidying up my sewing space tonight, enjoying the colors and textures, sorting and folding the leftovers from recent projects. If only we could bring that kind of order to the chaos that is thrown at us every day. I am happy to share a moment of strength and brain-rest with Heather's Friends. 🎶💛💙😊
🌿
Exhausted. Have a peaceful evening.
Big hugs.
Stunning photo... wishing you a peaceful rest
Ah ,'tis well to take a respite from the storm...
Rest and be well. Thank you for being my oasis in the storm.
What a beautiful little section of the world you have. Enjoy your night.
thank you; rest well!
A well-deserved night off for you, Heather. Sleep well.