WHAT THE ACTUAL FUCK?

there are no pictures that do this justice. when I google enormous mountains of shit, books are often displayed. Why? I no longer wonder.

I’m 83, not much marching in protest in me, nor are there many marches taking over the streets. More to come, I hope. I’m not a politician, nor an historian, I have no college degree, I am an old woman living in a completely different country from the one I was naively familiar with when I was young. I see now this new country is the same one I grew up in. Back then I was ignorant of the reach of racism that poisoned our land. But I grew up. And now we have a president and his despicable billionaire crony who so obviously glory in racist remarks, that they have turned making such a remark an act of patriotism. Much worse, they are making blatantly racist and insanely destructive changes to our laws. I have no insights into why those bastards in power have not been stopped, (one way or another). I read about the reasons for both hope and despair knowledgeable people put forth, but it still makes no sense to me except for the almost tangible sense of evil. People all over the world are going to die of disease and starvation and the changing climate. So no doubt, will we. I find comfort in my family and friends, and good people are everywhere wanting to rid the country of this scourge. I am not betting on love and kindness to help where help is needed, and where we have for a long time, been of use. I wish I did. Thinking about this is almost impossible, it is so profoundly upsetting. I do what I can, and love and kindness still exist everywhere. Writing satisfies, however briefly, allowing us to make something different out of this enormous stinking mountain of shit .

I am also grateful to be here on Substack, overflowing with thoughtful, articulate, often very funny writers and readers. You have given me much to think about, to be grateful for every day.