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I do not know how to live in this country alongside so many people who have voted for a despicable authoritarian.

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I don't know if I can take 4 more years. And this morning I shake my head in wonderment that there are so many people who believe in tRump.

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I feel the same way. How do we continue our relationships with family and friends?

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I haven't communicated with my redneck bro in Mississippi since Nov 9, 2016. I don't do well with abject stupidity. (OK, I worked with developmentally disabled ppl for 40 years but I was getting paid to do it and they were diagnosed with an excuse.)

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And developmentally disabled people are not necessarily stupid. Just тАЬdifferently abledтАЭ. Sorry about your brother.

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I can feel myself shutting down in a way that is uncharacteristic of me. тАЬI just donтАЩt care anymoreтАЭ is something IтАЩve never felt OR said. Is that what is meant by breaking oneтАЩs spirit?

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ThatтАЩs what IтАЩm feeling too. An old тАЬManaging personal relationships тАЬ class taught me there are 4 levels of stress. For me, getting to тАЬacquiescence тАЬ is the last, and deepest stage. тАЬFine, just fineтАЭ.

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Trying to buoy your spirits just a little: Have you read any of Louise Penny's novels? She's created a village of notable characters, one of whom is a wild, chaotic, drunken poet who writes brilliant poetry that nails deepest hurts beautifully and succinctly. The title of one of her books of poetry is" I'm F.I.N.E.", meaning "I'm f***ed up, insecure, neurotic and egotistical." It just might apply to the US these days (as well as any of us on any given day)

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Heard that from my sister! She really loves Louise Penny' books.

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Wonderful books! I stumbled on them one day when one of our librarians put one on the "my favorite books" table. I then read every single one.

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I like to save mine for the cottage -- real leisurely time -- so I had fallen behind by several books. Because I can't stand that I'll finally finish them all -- that is, that I'll catch up to her and have to wait for her next -- I decided to go back and reread all of them in order before embarking on the last ones. I've just begun "A Better Man."

I'll have to go very slowly, since there's only the one after that. Sigh.

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Yes, especially since for us, cottage time is over until at least April, if it's warm. Enjoy though, wonderful books.

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Hadn't heard of her but going to look her up now. Thanks.

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My pleasure. Her series of detective novels are set in a mythical village in rural Quebec called Three Pines. The novels and her characters in the village are so loved that there are even bus tours to the area. While it's not necessary, do try to read the books in order so you can watch the characters and story lines develop.

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The audio versions are entertaining, also.

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You will not be sorry. Such wonderful writing.

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I know. ItтАЩs hard to take. Americans seem to have gone over the edge- 45% are absolute lunatics like the guy in the WH.

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