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JBM78's avatar
Feb 7Edited

I live in a small town an hour north of nyc. My 12 year old daughter asked me why, if half the country is *not* pro-Trump, does it feel like everyone loves him? Because they are loud, I said. Because they put signs up on public property, because they shout on social media. I have been doing some grassroots organizing in my little town, and this helps. I don’t feel so alone. I don’t consider myself an activist. I don’t like shouting and really don’t want to go to protests. I don’t find sustained energy in anger. I am focusing on finding my people, because I know we are here. Connecting us, and tending small fires…so that yes, we can come out and vote (in school board elections, for example, against Moms for Liberty candidates) with fierce numbers. Connection helps. Love you, Abby. Recipe for the stew? (Recipes are poems…)

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Marilea C. Rabasa's avatar

Oh Abigail, how I feel your pain! Imagine that brilliant Samantha Snow getting booted out of AID like a lackey! And she's just one of the early hits in the blitz. Which was the point, of course. Flood the zone so we all go into shock before we pull ouirselves together and DO something. How could all those government workers just passively obey an illegal executive order and walk off the cliff like a bunch of lemmings? But Musk and his band of teenagers got turned away from Labor, so that's good. Courts are starting to push back. Protests are hapeening all over the country. Tesla is losing business, a drop in the bucket for that cretin. Anyway, you keep making beef stew, and I'll keep stewing about the pathetic state our country is in, and I swear, before I die, that my grandchildren will not be afraid to grow up in this world we've handed to them.

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Wendy Varley's avatar

"Because the news these days is a movie I’d walk out of when I finished with my popcorn and coke." I know the feeling!

Glad you're cooking and writing, Abigail.

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Beth Kephart's avatar

I am there with you—cooking, worrying, bewildered, enraged. I am sending many letters and making many calls and thinking about all the boycotts that I will say yes to. Been thinking about my taxes, too. American English. You nailed it. American English. Good God. Just like Musk himself. Just like Melania.

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Abigail Thomas's avatar

And The Band. Thank you.

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John Hammond's avatar

I feel the same way. The Republicans have forgotten what our country is supposed to be about. And our Catholic neighbor who put up a Trump sign. I wonder what part of their religion fits the hateful and stupid behavior coming from the White House. Like you I try to turn to music and the people in our Unitarian church who feel the same. The Last Waltz is a good curative. I hope the courts will come to the rescue. Thank you for your words. It is comforting to read your take on these times.

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Abigail Thomas's avatar

And your words are a comfort to me. Thank you.

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Renee Hills's avatar

Unitarians in Australia feel your pain. We send big wishes for courage and effective action from across the ocean.

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Abigail Thomas's avatar

Thank you. This helps us.

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Alix's avatar

Thank you for being here with me, with all.

cooking a lot myself lately for same reasons.

i an old woman too, asking myself what can I do but speak up and keep nudging those I cast a vote for.

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Abigail Thomas's avatar

THANK YOU. WHAT DO YOU COOK?

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Alix's avatar

i love to bake and try new main dish recipes. Like trying different ethnic foods

Herbs are fun. Nothing like a pot of stew or soup though. Comfort food

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Abigail Thomas's avatar

I’m not good with herbs although I adore rosemary. Others, but still not good. and fresh ones are the besr.

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Dakota Lane's avatar

I was just about to comment when a notice came up saying:for your safety we need to reauthentic you. You need to blah blah. For my safety! In this so unsafe world! It gave me a bitter smile. They herd us through so many narrow corridors. I choose the alternative while it is still possible! Delicious meals and a story from you. Your stories don't just make me smile they make me cry and laugh hard.

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Jane Davis's avatar

Great piece. I’d love the recipe for your stew!

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Dorothy's avatar

I love that what is happening now is a movie you would walk out of, me too! You gave me a lift!

Maybe a little painting on glass would help?

You are marvelous. I am listening to your books. Sad, to finish What Comes Next yesterday.

You are therapy to me wit your lovely voice!

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Abigail Thomas's avatar

Thank you very much for saying that. My new book is about how I love being old. It's called Still Life At Eighty and I recorded that one too, if you're interested. Boy you make me feel good. Thank you again.

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Dorothy's avatar

I read it and loved it! I laughed out loud and wrote down so many wise things you said! I would love to hear your recording! You are the very best❤️🙏💕🍷

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Abigail Thomas's avatar

Wow, Thank you very much!

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Dorothy's avatar

Yum!

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Abigail Thomas's avatar

major yum.

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Nancy Jainchill's avatar

They'll go after your bank account. Happened to me in the late 1960s when I withheld taxes protesting Viet Nam War.

Why don't they arrest Musk if everything he's doing is illegal? If you jump a turnstile you're arrested. Certainly what he's doing is as serious.

Enjoy your stew!

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Abigail Thomas's avatar

AGREED! WHY DON"T THEY ARREST THE BASTARDS???

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Abbe Aronson's avatar

I love you to the moon and back, Abby!

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Adah Frank's avatar

Cooking stew is passive income!

Love this. I had said to everyone the first time T was elected, all we have to do is not pay taxes. Stakes are higher this time.

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Natalie Serber's avatar

We all need to be tax insurrectionists.

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Kate Mapother's avatar

The list of those being threatened with being dragged off is shaping up to be my ideal community. Especially if you’re there.

What time should I come for dinner? I’ll bring the Rochfort 10 ❤️

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