I try very hard to not get political here or on any social media. But these last couple of weeks have been overwhelming and I’ve been feeling sad and hopeless. Perhaps you’ve been feeling that way too. Or, perhaps you’re feeling that things are finally moving in the right direction.
Either way, as long as we’re respectful, we have the right to express our feelings.
Me? I’m thoroughly against 99% of what the 47th President is doing. And at this moment I can’t even think of the 1% I might find acceptable. But that’s not the reason for this post.
The reason I’m writing now is not to beat a drum for one side or the other, but to ask you to think about what you can do to help us all keep moving forward. As programs that were designed to catch people falling through the cracks to help meet their food and housing and educational needs are cut off, what can we do, as individuals, to help?
Here’s a link to a news story I saw last night that gave me hope and a bit of inspiration. I thought as I watched her talk about her front yard food pantry….well…I can do that. Maybe you will find her inspirational too.
Nikki Lee isn’t a wealthy woman donating millions of dollars to her favorite cause. She’s simply a good person feeding people the best she can. Maybe some of those people are taking advantage of her generosity, but I bet most of them are just grateful for a bit of help.
It seems to me that if we all contribute to programs already in our communities, or if we start one up that isn’t there yet, we can help each other do more than get through the rough times, we can help each other grow.
My library has a food pantry. I’ll be going to the grocery store today, and while I’m there I’ll be picking up some extra stuff to fill the baskets over there. It’s a start.
I challenge you to look around your community and find the gaps that are growing wider by the day. See what you can do to start building bridges.
And, while you’re doing that, it wouldn’t hurt for you to voice your opinion with your Senators and Congressperson.
Photos are from Friday afternoon’s snow, taken from various dirty windows with my phone. Unedited, raw, the way life seems to be these days.
Change Is Hard 
February 2, 2025 at 12:14 pm
I am mostly trying to ignore what’s going on – calling it self-preservation. Other than that, I’m hoping maybe the outcome of all of this will be a wake-up call to our nation and perhaps the world – things need to change, radically. We need to start demanding integrity, honesty, some morality – leadership in its true form. Time to recognize that we’ve hit bottom of the barrel.
LikeLiked by 2 people
February 2, 2025 at 12:22 pm
I agree that integrity and honesty are important leadership qualities, and perhaps as programs erode and people are personally effected people will think more carefully about what they want in a leader.
Meanwhile, fill the food pantries, do some middle school math tutoring for free, volunteer to help educate people about housing and budgets and health, provide snacks to a local daycare, teach music lessons to the kid across the street, donate an old instrument to the local school band, heck, shovel your neighbor’s sidewalk, hold a door open for someone you disagree with, smile at a stranger. It all helps.
LikeLiked by 1 person
February 2, 2025 at 12:26 pm
I’m finding it very hard to ignore what’s going on. Trump has actually what wants, for Canada to be the 51st state. It was no joke. Sadly, if ever he does get that he’ll allow the rape of all the natural resources both here and in the continental US, I’m sure. I just hope that there are enough checks and balances in the US government to prevent this.
LikeLike
February 2, 2025 at 12:34 pm
We thought we had checks and balances…but turns out the whole system was built assuming the players were ethical. Which is a major flaw that lets him get away with way too much. Plus no one is standing up to him, it seems, from either party
LikeLiked by 1 person
February 2, 2025 at 12:27 pm
Sonova…. I forgot to copy my comment so, of effing course, it was flushed by whatever is going on with WP!
I’ll skip the blah blah I originally wrote, except to say this tariff war is not going to help either of our countries and I am saddened by this. Direct neighbours, treating each other like garbage. Both sides will be hurt by this.
That said, your photos are absolutely stunning and there is no sign of supposed dirty windows from here 😀
LikeLiked by 1 person
February 2, 2025 at 12:35 pm
I think it’s about time the US shoveled Canada’s sidewalk and maybe get invited in for coffee after. But sadly that’s not likely to happen anytime soon.
LikeLiked by 2 people
February 2, 2025 at 1:10 pm
Thank you for saying that, Dawn. And no, sadly, not. Not while that heathen is at the helm.
LikeLike
February 2, 2025 at 12:32 pm
I love your snow pictures. Snow always adds some peace, at least looking at pictures of it does. Thank you!Yes, I’m overwhelmed too. And sad. And afraid. Yes, donating is good, … very good…but I feel democracy is teetering, all out of balance, and I don’t know what to do about that.
LikeLike
February 2, 2025 at 12:35 pm
I don’t think one person can save a democracy…but joined in common good we might find a way.
LikeLike
February 2, 2025 at 12:38 pm
I agree! We all have to do whatever we can. At my age, and in this remote location, I feel the lack of resources to take real action. I’ve been doing a lot of boycotting, making a lot of phone calls, writing letters…I think we have to keep making our voices heard, but also, as you say, doing what we can in our our communities.
LikeLike
February 3, 2025 at 8:31 am
For me it’s two pronged. One I have to keep asking my Senators and Congresswoman to stop 47 from doing anything illegal….but I also can help by filling in some bit of the gap between what people need for every day living and what is available to them if anything.
LikeLiked by 1 person
February 2, 2025 at 1:01 pm
I know exactly how you feel! Sigh. These past two weeks have been like a fire hose of sewerage. A long two weeks.
LikeLike
February 3, 2025 at 8:32 am
I feel that we needed this 2 weeks to see what’s really happening. Now it’s time to move forward and I think we have to ask our Senators and Congressperson to tell us what they are working on to make sure we don’t lose the whole country during this 4 year term.
LikeLiked by 1 person
February 3, 2025 at 10:44 am
Excellent advice. I need to get myself organized so that I have all the info I need—addresses of senators and representatives—where it’s easy to access, and I can write on a regular basis.
LikeLike
February 3, 2025 at 10:09 pm
Well, writing a physical letter isn’t the best way to contact them due to the time it takes to get to them. Since some of them got weird powder in the mail, years ago, all mail gets opened at an off site place which slows everything down, not to mention the mail is really slow anyway lately. But you can write if you like. Each Senator has a way to email them, which is a better option..the best option is to call. Use this link to find contact information if you’re unsure: https://www.senate.gov/senators/senators-contact.htm
LikeLike
February 3, 2025 at 10:19 pm
I wasn’t thinking of writing a physical letter. Rather, via email, where addresses are still needed. 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
February 2, 2025 at 1:19 pm
I tried to leave a comment on my phone. Will try again with laptop. I think the fact that it’s hard to ignore the endless stream of outrages is GOOD, because ignoring them would be handing over our country to a dictator. We all need breaks from time to time — can’t pay attention every waking minute (that would be crazy-making) — but wholesale ignoring is not a good strategy. Doing what we can to help others, whether with material necessities or emotional support or both, is positive, and taking constructive action amidst a criminal army bent on destruction is good, good, good.
LikeLike
February 3, 2025 at 8:34 am
I think we need to be asking our 2 Senators what the plan is, and how we can fight back. My Congresswoman is very quiet and always has been, I have no idea what she’s thinking. AND while we’re trying to figure out what the plan is (or even if there IS a plan) we can try to fill in the gaps as they grow with programs being eliminated or at least paused.
LikeLike
February 2, 2025 at 3:17 pm
I appreciate this post. I think your suggestions are great. As for the orange faced asshole, I’m certain he won’t make it through 4 years. (oh was that disrespectful?) Sorry………..it’s honest and I don’t care
LikeLike
February 3, 2025 at 8:35 am
I’m afraid even if he doesn’t make it through the 4 years there are any number of others right behind him who think the world and this country should be run by wealthy white men for their benefit and at the expense of all the rest of us.
LikeLike
February 2, 2025 at 3:30 pm
Your raw and unedited is beautiful. Thank you for this post and for the reminder that there are still things we can do (even if it seems as though the people who ought to be doing something aren’t doing much of anything).
LikeLike
February 3, 2025 at 8:37 am
I think it’s our job to demand those that are in power to let us know what the plan is. Both sides have been way too quiet. How we are letting people with no security clearance (though I guess that would not be hard to get these days if 47 wants someone to have it) have access to all sorts of data is beyond me. And those that stood up to him are now on leave and likely out of work.
LikeLike
February 2, 2025 at 4:19 pm
Hi Dawn. I adore your snow photos! We have mostly hot and humid weather here, being summer, so snow photos give me psychological relief from the heat! 😉 And your photos sure are pretty. ❤
I’m on the other side of the world, and here, many people are applauding Trump and crying out for a similar change in Australia. Our government is throwing money around as if they have an endless supply of it, and nothing they do is benefitting the people of this country. Prices are though the roof, due to the government adding huge percentages of tax to every daily commodity we use, including food, electricity and fuel, to fund their extravagent spending. Something has got to give. I can’t fully appreciate the situation in the USA as I am not living there; however, I feel that if you hold tight, there is a plan being carried out that will benefit your country. Don’t give up hope. xx
LikeLike
February 3, 2025 at 8:38 am
Be careful what you wish for. I’m not for handing over my country to a man intent on making himself and his wealthy friends richer at the expense and on the backs of the rest of the hard working Americans.
LikeLike
February 3, 2025 at 8:39 am
But I DO appreciate you telling me about what’s happening in Australia and your point of view on it all.
LikeLike
February 2, 2025 at 4:29 pm
I greatly appreciated your post this morning, Dawn. This quote keeps running through my mind ‘
“The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing” as does this one “”When bad men combine, the good must associate; else they will fall, one by one, an unpitied sacrifice in a contemptible struggle.” (both quotes attributed to Edmund Burke)
As you all wisely say, we all CAN do something no matter how small. And all of these small positve actions CAN make an incredible, positive difference.
LikeLike
February 3, 2025 at 8:40 am
I just have Germany in the back of my mind and us asking as we studied history, how could all those people have just let it happen? Why didn’t anyone do anything. And now I can see how hard it is to do something when one person has all the power.
LikeLiked by 1 person
February 2, 2025 at 4:43 pm
Hi Dawn – I feel similarly overwhelmed by the news this past two weeks. I cancelled my cable 15 years ago, so I get all my news from WWJ 950 AM radio or on social media news sites. Sometimes in the last few weeks I told myself “I need to take a break from all this” … but I feel I have a need to know, so I continue monitoring as each cringeworthy day passes. I think you know I am a Canadian citizen, but have lived here since 1966, but as such I could not vote. I do feel sorry for those who will be impacted not only by current inflation but prices due to this tariff war. There is a church nearby with a blessing box to drop off food, so I may do that this week, but I also support Fish & Loaves local food pantry and give to the “Stamp out Hunger” campaign. I also contribute to THAW as I feel sorry for those who must make a decision to feed their children (or themselves) versus having electricity to heat their homes. I like your snow pictures – they bring out the beauty of our state. There is nothing like freshy fallen snow to cover up the barren and boring Winter landscape.
LikeLike
February 3, 2025 at 8:44 am
I can only listen and/or watch a little each day. The politics, combined with the plane crashes is a lot. Meanwhile I am watching to see if food stamps or housing support ends, maybe that’s not going to happen…but if it does than we who are lucky enough to be able to feed ourselves without sacrificing heat or electricity, are going to have to step up.
LikeLiked by 1 person
February 3, 2025 at 9:10 pm
I agree – the plane crashes were the cherry on the sundae of all that bad news. I hope he walks back the food stamps/housing like he has come to an agreement for now as to the tariffs. That’s how I have always felt about the THAW charity – even in a mild Winter, people should have heat and electricity.
Food banks are stressed right now.
LikeLike
February 3, 2025 at 10:11 pm
I like the THAW charity. We’ve given to that. I agree, no one should be without heat. They should also not have to choose between meds and food.
LikeLiked by 1 person
February 4, 2025 at 10:01 pm
Agreed.
LikeLike
February 2, 2025 at 4:43 pm
Wonderful post, Dawn. Thank you for writing it. Your pictures are lovely too!
LikeLiked by 1 person
February 3, 2025 at 8:45 am
You are welcome!
LikeLike
February 2, 2025 at 5:21 pm
Dawn, the best way to love your neighbor is to be kind – in words and deeds. Thanks for the reminder that even the smallest expression of kindness can make a difference in someone’s life. We will get through this, we do it every four years!
LikeLike
February 3, 2025 at 8:49 am
I personally don’t believe this time is the same as all the other every four year transitions, but I respect your feeling that it is. We’ll have to see.
LikeLiked by 1 person
February 3, 2025 at 10:53 am
Dawn, I didn’t say it is the same. I said we will get through it. I believe in us.
LikeLike
February 2, 2025 at 10:49 pm
I’m low income. I get a discount on my electric bill, on my home insurance, on real estate taxes on my home, etc. And yet I too have been thinking about how to help others. I’m 76 but I’m healthy. But it sounds like lots of folks with medical problems are going to be in a lot of trouble financially, and/or simply not able to pay for medicines and care that they need that used to be covered. My dentist is advising all of her patients to get dental work done NOW! before funds are cut off. Get any work done on your car now, before the prices of parts goes sky high, same with upgrades/maintenance to your home. Kindness goes a long way, yes, but when people can’t afford to maintain their home anymore, or can’t afford medical care anymore, kindness doesn’t do it. The cost of electricity will rise, the cost of water, the cost of food, the cost of rent, the cost of repairs/maintenance to your home. Trump’s decisions are going to kill millions of people, here in the USA and all over the world. Who would vote for that?! And, in the end, I really like your words … let’s find ways locally, state by state, or community by community, to help those who need help. Thanks for that encouragement and reminder. I’ll find ways to help the people near me.
Glorious photos. 🙂 And thank you for speaking up.
LikeLike
February 3, 2025 at 8:51 am
Yes I think it will get worse. We have tons of medical expenses right now, but so far the insurance is covering what they’re supposed to cover. I don’t anticipate insurance going away. But for those that are on federally funded programs to get meds or dental work, I agree, they need to do as much as they can now and it may already be too late. I think getting help from the state may be the only way forward for a good long time, and I’m not sure the states are set up to help that much. A lot of the state money is (or was) coming from the feds.
LikeLike
February 3, 2025 at 5:02 am
Love the pics, love the the thoughts.
LikeLike
February 3, 2025 at 8:52 am
Thank you.
LikeLike
February 3, 2025 at 5:55 am
Good morning Dawn. I am afraid that things will get much worse for most of us as the power plays will hurt everyone except the wealthy. Friends in Canada are very upset that they were disrespected by the comments made early on that somehow they are “less than” and becoming a state would be a huge upgrade. Angry at us for putting this huge @#$&* in office again. I was appalled and embarrassed by the words and actions that were laid out one Day 1. Last night my friends shared that they have been provided lists of US items/brands not to buy, with options for substitutions. Decisions that have been made will have a far reaching affect. Thank you for your post & thoughts. I will be donating to a local church pantry. I think it is wise to build up one’s own pantry, as well. Buying a bit extra each week, taking advantage of sales. Create a store of water, food, and meds to have on hand if things go further south. Don’t forget food, extra water and meds for our beloved pets. We were without water for a week when the water treatment plant in Richmond VA failed during the last winter storm. I had started stocking up on water and was so thankful that I was prepared. Keep those dirty window photos coming….they are beautiful. Sending you a hug and a kiss on the head for Miss Penny. ❤️
LikeLike
February 3, 2025 at 8:54 am
Yes I think it will get worse. I have Canadian friends too and I agree, they were initially confused at why we’re reelect 45/47, then they got angry as they listened to his insane talk about them joining the US as the 51st state, then they got even more angry as the tariff stuff happened. We’re in for a wild ride and, unlike an amusement park ride, there’s no telling how this will end up.
I just keep thinking about how Germany ended up in WWII and how we didn’t understand why the good people of that country didn’t stand up and say something. And now I’m waiting for our politicians to stand up and say something and I’m hearing nothing. From either side. It’s scary.
LikeLike
February 3, 2025 at 6:12 pm
These are scary times for sure, and the news is so depressing, making us feel so hopeless. As a teacher, I’m afraid for public education’s future especially. I know here in Massachusetts we have feisty Senator Warren – “nevertheless she persisted” – trying to fight the good fight, but with a majority in Congress, the insanity of the executive branch, and a Supreme Court stacked by himself how we will ever make progress in this good fight?
LikeLike
February 3, 2025 at 10:14 pm
I understand. It must be especially scary in public education given some people wanting to defund public schools and send all the money to private schools. Senator Warren is feisty…but she’s one person. There are more, but are there enough more to keep our schools funded? We shall see. I have to apologize for Michigan’s Betsy DeVoss who was Education Secretary in 45’s administration. She’s still out there, behind the scenes trying to push for private schools.
LikeLike
February 4, 2025 at 6:16 am
I’m with you Dawn. This is a really scary time, and it makes me feel hopeless and helpless a lot. I hung up some historic Black Figures posters in my classroom last week, thinking this may be the last time we are allowed to acknowledge Black History month in public schools. Scary times.
Supporting food pantries is such a great idea, because the prices are going to keep rising. All we can do is be kind and help out as much as we can.
Another easy way to help is to stay current on vaccinations. I’m really worried about the spread of diseases with vaccine mandates for children being rescinded. We can all do our part in keeping immunocompromised people safe in our communities.
LikeLike
February 5, 2025 at 12:14 pm
It seems weird to me that so much of our history is getting covered up again, hidden. You can’t change history. I am hoping that out here at the street level we’ll still be able to teach the truth. But there probably needs to be a plan B. Home schooling maybe. I don’t know. But that feels so isolating to me. Maybe it won’t be as bad as we think it might be. Guess we’ll have to see.
LikeLike
February 4, 2025 at 2:34 pm
I love the photo of Penny’s sugar-dusted coat as she looks over her yard — what a pretty girl! As I commented on both Robin’s and Laurie’s blogs, I don’t discuss politics, nor do I write political posts. I think there’s plenty enough misery online for me to add to the drama. Call me Little Debbie Sunshine, but I just prefer to surround myself with hope and optimism and faith, rather than rolling in the mud of despair. And no, not even all this angst makes me want to leave this supportive blogging community. One vote’s all any of us gets, and it’s our responsibility to cast it wisely.
LikeLike
February 5, 2025 at 12:16 pm
That’s what makes America already great. Everybody can write and say what they feel is right for them, as long as we’re accepting of the consequences, good or bad. And as long as we don’t deliberately stomp on other people’s rights. I try to stay pretty neutral…but it’s been extraordinary times.
LikeLiked by 1 person
February 4, 2025 at 7:39 pm
Agree 100%. It is difficult to not lose hope but I still believe in people and that the good can outdo the bad. Small things can make a big difference and doing what you can locally is a great start. Thanks for the inspiration.
LikeLike
February 5, 2025 at 12:17 pm
I want to hope that way too. I do truly believe there are lots of good people. And I believe sometimes good people get swept up in stuff that’s not so good. I’m hoping the dust settles a bit soon and we can see where we are more clearly.
LikeLike