A Return to the Rocky Mountain Folks Fest

 47: Week 4

Perhaps it's the week's continued madness, gathering storm, hatred, shake my head moments that have brought Tom Lehrer to mind. Have a listen--it feels like a perfect song as I write this week's chronicle.

This week, as seems to be a pattern on repeat, has been a challenge. I couldn't bring myself to make any phone calls until Friday, mostly due to working, but also just not having the energy to speak full of passion and urgency and outrage to my representatives. But I kept my commitment to make those calls, and will continue to do so weekly, even if I feel a bit worn down. My message is largely the same--encouraging action regarding an issue that is pressing on me (such as Musk and DOGE) and a need for them to fight, fight loudly, fight so that I can see their actions. I can only hope they are listening. 

Despite many of the week's outrages and absurdities such as horrendous confirmations, 47 aligning with the Putin and pushing aside European allies, firing of government workers, upcoming concerns about staffing and safety and perhaps even the existence of some national parks, hope can be found in the courage of Danielle Sassoon and others who are standing up and saying no. 

We are not alone. When the cashier apologized for handing me 6 small packets of almond butter individually rather than all at once as I bagged, saying "I should have made this easier for you," I responded with and smile and a "you'll need to do a lot more than that." She smiled with a yes, her eyes telling me that perhaps she too was trying to make sense of how to survive these times. Maybe it's just my reading into it, but that's OK too. These are times when making our own reality can be a coping mechanism, a brief escape from the harsh realities that threaten our sense of safety.

This road is long with numerous cliffs with no guardrails. Finding the balance between information and action, worry and joy, escape and presence is not easy. And yet we are here.

I'll leave you with Robert Reich's words encouraging us all to remember "Decency in the time of monsters."