President* Trump, It’s fitting that early this 9/11 morning we had to close all the windows to guard against the unhealthy smoky air and that all day today we’ve needed to stay inside while huge swaths of the West burn. Connecting the dots is arguably somewhat circuitous, but the 9/11 attack 19 years ago certainly … Continue reading 9/11, wildfires, and a *&%$*# bounty on the moon
Public Health
The wheels are coming off the Trump bus
President* Trump, Laura and I drove down to Portland this morning to see my mom and then back again this evening. Despite the masks and social distancing, we had a really nice visit and it was so good to see her – it’d been a long time. There weren’t nearly as many Trump signs along … Continue reading The wheels are coming off the Trump bus
False halos and desecrated hallelujahs
President* Trump, Did you do it yourself or was there someone on the construction crew who is about your height who got to (had to) pretend they are you at the lectern while others figured out whether the round US seal that was going to frame your head was positioned just right from all the … Continue reading False halos and desecrated hallelujahs
A big tent made of an awesome patchwork quilt
President* Trump, It wasn’t just the direct references and the montage of images honoring those who were among us who are no longer among us because of your nihilistic responses to COVID-19 and systemic racism that tethered last night’s Democratic convention content to sober, painful here and now realities. It was the whole, whole thing, … Continue reading A big tent made of an awesome patchwork quilt
Robert Trump and rocky ground
President* Trump, I wish I could be unreserved in extending my condolences to you in the wake of your brother, Robert’s death. I do feel sad for you and for the rest of your family and his friends. We’re coming up on the two-year anniversary this week of my brother-in-law’s death and I still think … Continue reading Robert Trump and rocky ground
Litter, hate, Styrofoam, and non-negotiables
President* Trump, One of the many activities that COVID has curtailed for me is picking up litter. It’s just felt too risky and fraught, so for the most part, I’ve re-learned how to tune it out and keep walking even though I know it diminishes me a tiny bit each time. Frankly, this is one … Continue reading Litter, hate, Styrofoam, and non-negotiables
Bring on the cold and the rain ~ and November 3rd!
President* Trump, I know it’s silly to worry about time and shifting seasons since they’re impossible to control, but as we march through August and the days get shorter and shorter, I’m increasingly worried about how we (me, my little family, all of us) are going to do as our options for safe social distancing … Continue reading Bring on the cold and the rain ~ and November 3rd!
The COVID dress rehearsal is an unmitigated disaster
President* Trump, This morning on my walk as I enjoyed some more of my favorite things (cool air, the walking itself, quiet laced with occasional bird cheeps, time alone) I was reflecting on how hard it feels to navigate that thin space between being real and being whiny, especially when one’s circumstances are objectively stable … Continue reading The COVID dress rehearsal is an unmitigated disaster
The antidote of favorite things
President* Trump, Today I’m feeling even more sad, more tired, more pissed off, and my skin is starting to tell me I’m anxious too. At least anxiety is usually the culprit when my hands start getting eczema spots. I have a good one starting on my right thumb (right where it hits the space bar … Continue reading The antidote of favorite things
Much better to spread the love
President* Trump, As you well know, I’m rarely at a loss for words and I’ll probably get unstuck in a few minutes, but I can’t figure out how to articulate how confounded I feel about masks. We were out and about for a little while this morning (I’ll tell you why in a minute) and … Continue reading Much better to spread the love