Whatever gets you through the night (and day)

I think it’s pretty clear that my moods (and mental health) are being determined to a great extent by the current situation in the States.

Guess we should all get accustomed to being dictated to, right?

I can’t understand why the population of what was once a rebellious, independent country, is allowing this travesty of representation to continue without a national strike.

Shut it down.

Just like the government.

Shit is bad and if you don’t see that, you’re part of the problem. The headlines every f’n day exhaust me. How is it real that the president can seek policy that prioritizes white refugees over those of color? His delivery of $20 billion to Argentina while federal workers in this country haven’t been paid in weeks, just doesn’t seem very America First, kwim? And – since when do American presidents bomb small boats in international waters?

As I’ve struggled between my impulses to either curl up in a ball or to run for the border, I’ve developed some tactics to help contend with the genuine loss of democracy in the country where I was born.

Unfortunately, a low dosage of Tranzadone wasn’t the answer, so I’ve put together a tool kit of sorts that seems to be helpful. Some of the items are pictured below.

When I look at the above grid of images, I can clearly see that I’m trying to balance my anxiety from what I see and read about, by surrounding myself with alive beauty.

It still exists. I swear.

I want to be around beautiful young people who happen to be the second generation of dear friends. I’m hungry for simple, homemade food served in pretty bowls and pleasing to both the eye and the belly. I need nature around me, even when I’m indoors.

In no particular order…

1. S5, E3 of Slow Horses
2. Yoga
3. The anticipation of leaving the country for Thanksgiving and Christmas and New Year’s Eve
4. Cheering on the rebels in One Battle After Another
5. Being told I’m Sigma by 8th grade students following a conversation about censorship, the first amendment and book banning. I’ll take it.
6. Cookies and milk. Tate’s for now, but I’ve got a big bowl of chocolate chip cookie dough in the fridge to be frozen into balls of delight, freezer to mouth in less 3 minutes!
7. Listing, in alphabetical order with one example for each letter, related nouns when closing my eyes isn’t enough to make me fall asleep. Things like countries, fruits or vegetables, bands, cities, etc. It works for me.
8. Ina Garten in my ears reading her memoir, scattering observations and experiences like powdered sugar on beignets.
9. Jeter, even with his stinky AF farts that can clear a room.
10. Thoughts of a massive turnout on Saturday afternoon to demonstrate our distaste for Kings, Young Republicans, ICE and the dysfunctional authoritarian wannabe government we’re presently living under.