212 Comments

Please, dear Professor Richardson, get some much needed rest! Looking at your beautiful image, I'm struck by the fact that the water takes a convoluted path, but the tide does come in and out. Hopefully, this is a good analogy for justice in our country!

Expand full comment

Reflecting on what WE can do, right now. Some thoughts.

There is a divide in voting patterns along lines of college eductated vs those with less eduction. Now is the time for all of us to influece the availability of educational opportunities by lobbying our legislators and those involved in administration of colleges and trade schools. America need to build educational infrastructure to guard against a gullible population that is unable to see through propaganda. Also, America needs to educate tens of thousands of people who will fill the new jobs involved in our current and future low carbon economy. Here is Vermont, the biggest road block to adding solar installation and batteries for example, is the lack of an adequately trained work force.

Expand full comment

My absolute favorite comment of the thousands of lines from your Letters: . "Trump is going to smash and grab all he can on the way out... but he IS on the way out."

Rest well tonight. I am looking forward to the final push being a wild ride.

Expand full comment

I’m a bit late to the game here, but where are these pictures taken that you share on your rest days? I love your newsletter so much, but I almost love your rest day letters more for their unapologetic reminder to us all that good work cannot and will not be done without REST. (Thank you!!) So, just curious where you’re resting. My brief look through old comments tells me Maine, perhaps? I have a friend who lives there and is always sharing similarly peaceful pictures. I think I need to go to Maine... ❤️

Expand full comment

Sweet dreams to you and thank you for creating an island of sanity for us patriots. You make frightening understandable, a great gift to us all.

Expand full comment

I hope your news has something to do with Pompeo being arrested for sedition. And please tell me the UAE arms sales are being stopped. My blood pressure is through the roof. I trust you though - so I will wait....

Expand full comment

So everyone seems to agree that Trump is on his way out.... Except Trump, Pompeo, McConnell, the rest of Senate Republicans, Barr, and not least Trump's fanatical base. This group has power to wield, and wield they will. Bet on it. Maybe I'm being alarmist, but I'm alarmed. It feels like there's a mood of let the baby have his tantrum, he'll cry himself to sleep. Unlikely. I don't know the exact mechanism, but I'm guessing he will dispute the results until the state electors are required to certify, then he'll challenge that. He's aiming to have the decision given to State Legislatures, which are majority Republican by a wide margin. He is putting American Democracy, and America itself, in grave danger. The disruption in transition after the 2000 election debacle had a direct cause in the lack of an appropriate response to the threat if Al Qaeda before 9/11. I am very frustrated I'm not seeing a much more concerted and forceful pushback to trump's machinations RIGHT NOW.

Expand full comment

Thank you from the bottom of my heart for all you are doing and for taking care of your self. Am from the south, NE Georgia actually and your analysis, depth of historical knowledge and perspective has been life giving to me this last year. Am so grateful for your putting this out, sharing your gifts, the beautiful photographs with us. Please do take care of yourself.

Expand full comment

This is so good to read. Simple and reassuring. Rest well. ❤️

Expand full comment

Thank you for a wonderful talk yesterday. Rest well! I am grateful To begin each day with your “letter.”

Expand full comment

What a gorgeous picture, thank you! As a fellow night owl, I have found myself going to bed around 11:30 rather than 3:30 since the election, knowing that we have so, so much work to do, but that work is now in sane and capable hands. Tonight, because I have tomorrow off of work, I was happy to stay up and enjoy the late night silence and safe cocoon of no one, and nothing, needing my attention. It is blissful. My existential dread is slowly draining away. I hope it is for you as well. There is still much tumult to come until Joe and Kamala occupy the White House, but we will get there soon. 4 years is such a short time to un-do all the wrong that has been done to our country. Eyes to Georgia, everyone! Then maybe we can all sleep soundly.

Expand full comment

Rest well, you are a priceless treasure to us! 💜 We are grateful for the work you do to keep us informed as well as reassured. 💜

Expand full comment

Thank you for all you do! Take care of yourself - the news will be there tomorrow.

Expand full comment

Two reflective points of gratitude on what you left me with this morning at the crack of dawn:

First, thank you for the gift of sleep, as I allowed myself a couple of extra hours which I desperately needed.

And second, for the reminder of the ebb and flow of waters in peninsulas, deltas and all the extraordinary coastal land and seascapes that mirror the tides of our lives. Today, more than ever, I am reminded how the waters continually move with persistence through curves, around rocks and bends. The red sky outlines their dances with greater intensity.

It takes time and endurance to make these exquisite formations that we look upon in awe. Yet persevere, we must -- and we shall.

Expand full comment

Feel grateful when you periodically take a break. This is all way too much and I look forward every day to your thoughtful and insightful rundowns - and, selfishly, don't want you to burn out!. Meanwhile, I am also grateful for the incredibly informed comments from the readership here. This has been a salve for my doubts about America's future.

Expand full comment

I’m glad you’re resting. Today a co-worker and I wondered how you managed to write books, your Letters, work, host Facebook live events, all while doing normal daily things with loved ones and friends. We doubted you ever slept. Take care of yourself.

Expand full comment