Here’s a story for every national news outlet: In N.C., churchgoers are literally running into the woods as federal agents descend on the property. “Inside the church, women and children sobbed as they wondered whether their loved ones had been taken.” www.charlotteobserver.com/news/politic...

This year tried to snuff out a lot of people’s light. It almost extinguished mine but I’m still here. Here’s to 40 years of existence tomorrow. “Oh, such is life. Different paths and feelings. Oh, such is life. Oh, what a ride. I'm screaming, ‘I'm still alive.’” ~Dan Deacon youtu.be/23-2nJQsoBY?...

“Plight is the condition of modern humanity — deafness to the inner sound. But in the silence there is also the chance of hearing again.” Joseph Beuys, ‘Plight’ closed 11/16/85.

CHARLOTTE “Agents parked just outside a closed gate leading to the church parking lot & ran into the yard… The agents asked no questions and showed no identification before taking one man away, whose wife and child were inside at the time…” More 👉 www.charlotteobserver.com/news/politic...

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Finally. Some good news in 2025. *Opens front door for the neighborhood raccoons*

And I’m buying myself flowers this weekend dammit. White carnations. I survived this year. I didn’t want to be alive several weeks ago but I’m still here. I’m thankful for my life partner of 21 years and for my friends. I’m going to celebrate the hell out of all of that. I’m still here.

We visited my favorite local dispensary tonight. There is hope but a lot of fear. Really good guy who wrecked his body working in a warehouse environment found a good job in the hemp industry. His partner just had a baby. We just keep finding people hurt by this admin. The pain isn’t stopping.

Joseph Beuys identity really formed in his 40s. I turn 40 this weekend. I was born on the exact day his ‘Plight’ closed so I felt inspired to apply some of his teachings to my life. I signed up for a trash pick-up next weekend. It’s small. But we can get through this if we rebuild our communities.

So hey. Just because the government reopened doesn’t mean the employees are getting a paycheck today or possibly anytime soon. Timekeeping systems have been crashing across agencies. Some people may not see pay for a few more weeks. So a lot of people are not out of the woods yet. #shutdown

My dude has been sending me daily ‘Tonto in the Afternoon Sunbeam’ pics whenever he’s home while I’m away. It’s a small joy. I love this dude. (Cat and that neat guy who’s my life partner. I don’t like the word husband. It’s weird. I’m not saying it anymore. Anywho…)

My eyes were glued on life and they were full of tears. Jack Kerouac

I wanted my husband to be alert post-shutdown as Feds return after a pointless month+ of chaos and additional stress. Mission accomplished.

Trump killed the hemp industry, which was a big win for alcohol lobbyists. Alcohol killed his brother Fred in 1981. It’s something that always bothered Trump to a point where he has abstained from alcohol himself. Last night he stole something that helped thousands of Americans stop drinking.

Fuck ‘em.

Newly-elected Rep. Adelita Grijalva has signed onto Ro Khanna and Thomas Massie's petition to force a vote on releasing the Epstein Files. It has now crossed the 218 vote threshold. 4 Republicans have joined 214 Democrats to make it happen.

‘$500,000 minimum per violation for “Senate data” seizures.’

Jon Stewart is really good at making me laugh and cry at the same time.

“In places like universities, where everyone talks too rationally, it is necessary for a kind of enchanter to appear.” Joseph Beuys

What is necessary, after all, is only this: solitude, vast inner solitude. To walk inside yourself and meet no one for hours—that is what you must be able to attain. Rilke Joseph Beuys

A man was on campus today handing out info & asking people if they were registered to vote or checked their info recently. I let him know I had & thanked him for what he was doing - that it’s important work. As I walked away I heard him say, ‘That’s what I’m talking about. I needed that today.’ 🥹

The Supreme Court won’t hear the same-sex marriage case!!! ❤️🧡💛💚💙💜

But some positive news!!!! *Finally*

I’m angry but this at least breaks down the reason behind each Democrat vote. Read, critically think and move forward. thehill.com/homenews/sen...

How about we shut down the government for this very popular and specific goal and then, hear me out, we hold out for like a month and a half and then, ok this part is important, after a watershed election where we ran the table, ONLY THEN, fold and don't get the one thing we said we wanted.

This is wild. Photography is a key that unlocks many stories.

"Every person has to wear themselves out. If you're still good when you die, that's waste. You have to burn alive to ashes, not wait until death." - Joseph Beuys

I’m privileged to be able to say that we don’t want the gov to reopen. My husband & I planned for this. He’s working for free. That sucks. But we were ready. Not everyone is that fortunate. But caving in now? Don’t do this to Americans. Don’t make healthcare even less accessible than it already is.

Call them. Tell them not to surrender.

Man, don’t cave Dems. What was the point of all this pain and stress this past month? @schumer.senate.gov - lame. So lame.

I really need to get my camera out again. I’ve let this year zap the joy out of everything. I’m missing beautiful moments like these I captured in a park at dusk a few years ago. (Seriously I still can’t believe I got to witness these two beauties together.) #bird #owl 🪶

“Everything continues. I am not interested in endings. What is important is transformation. Every substance, every thought, passes into something else. There is no death in this sense — only metamorphosis.” ~Joseph Beuys,1985

@pippaesque.bsky.social I found you in Greensboro. Thanks for the lovely moment 🧡 This really spoke to me.

The redwoods don’t burn, they remember. Every leaf a secret the forest never told.

Knee jerk reactions are wrecking us. We need to pause, think and strategize. Not react to every headline or ignorant thing said by this admin. Take it from someone working hard on that skill right now…

Radical idea: no fancy holiday dinners. No gifts. If you have the means, donate to a food bank. Use November and December to rest. Spend time with those who mean the most to you. If you have the energy, volunteer in your community. Screw the holiday season. Let’s have a healing season.

My husband. He’s a funny guy.

This has not gotten much attention, but it should. Virginia under Youngkin returned to an insanely harsh system where people convicted of any felony lose their voting rights FOR LIFE. Dems' win this week mean they'll get to advance a constitutional amendment to end lifetime disenfranchisement.

According to layoff tracking firm Challenger, Gray & Christmas, 153,074 jobs were cut in October. That’s a 175% ⬆️ from Oct. 2024 and 183% ⬆️ from September. We’re really winning guys.

This.

I get it. But…maybe have a ‘strategy’ that doesn’t lead to government employees and SNAP recipients being hungry, stressed and suicidal. Wrecking lives isn’t a ‘strategy.’ Both the Dems and Repubs are at fault. Stop with the bullshit. Do your fucking jobs.

Damn, even the cat voting?

My home state. Congrats Governor-Elect Spanberger.

Assistance info for fed workers struggling as we enter the 34th day of the government shutdown. Please share with anyone you know who is impacted. myfedbenefitshelp.com/shutdown-ass...

It’s already Monday. My stomach hurts. I’m tired. I’m drained. I don’t want to continue acting like things are normal. But my husband who’s a fed is working for free right now, & he’s still dragging himself into the office each day. So I’m going to go do my job, which is paying me, & be grateful.

Poet and musician Gil Scott-Heron talks about what he meant by "The Revolution Will Not Be Televised." - An important watch especially now. (It’s only 1 minute and 17 seconds long. You can do it!) youtu.be/kZvWt29OG0s?...

I said the American Dream was an illusion but a high school senior proved me wrong today. He’s helping his mom run a coffee shop she just purchased. Several of his Puerto Rican/Dominican relatives served this country & he has big plans for his life. He’s filled with hope. Keep that dream alive, kid.

The American Dream was only an illusion.