This day after the election is not a happy day for me. This is a day when the message has been sent to me and to many of us, that the world we liked believing in, in fact, no longer exists..the values we hold close are not the culture’s values. I liked growing up and growing old in a culture that increasingly valued both community and the individuals in a community, that gave women control over their own bodies and that valued education for everybody. My first real job was with a boss who was misogynistic, paternalistic and racist and so I learned early on what the mainstream cultural values were.
It isn’t that I don’t know the way forward, I do…and my lesson of the past year is that forward is the only direction available. I’ll look to my creative “community” for the continued support they have offered me, especially in the this last year. I know the key to a happy life for me is creative work, family, friends. Watching less news will have an upside in time captured, drawings made, quilts quilted. None of that makes up for the profound sadness and sense of loss I feel today and will continue to feel as we watch this country on a new trajectory. Back to the puzzle.
On The Way 
Bonnie, thank you for this. Feeling much the same, and working on a quilt today. I just took a walk and relished the red/orange leaves against the deepest blue sky that is bluer than usual. I was just thinking about you yesterday!
a former improv quilt student
Hi Pat…the beautiful leaves, the crisp fall weather…all good, but worry about this beautiful world we live in. Xo
Hi Bonnie,Thanks for these wise words on such a disturbing day. Very helpful.xo,Kathleen
Oh Kathleen…sending a big hug
We are with you Bonnie Hull. Exactly. We love you and the wonderful Salem community. I will be down there asap. Jane
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Oh so good!!!
Thoughtful words Bonnie, and calm. I don’t feel calm. I am flabbergasted at the power of ill will, mendacity, greed, corruption, power hunger, misogyny, outright stupidity, and the cult. How fast and deep the fall. Wishing you all the best with comfort and nurturing in your communities.
Same here, same here.
I share your feelings.
After yesterday’s events I resolve to make my little corner of the world here in Salem as beautiful, kind and accepting as I can. Maybe it will be saying “hi” to a stranger I meet on my walk, picking up litter in my neighborhood, volunteering to help a neighbor or friend in need or with one of our many wonderful local nonprofits , exercising extra patience with the new checker at the grocery store. So many opportunities to show we are honest, caring, respectful and so much more, even if many of our leaders are not. Best to you as we see what the future holds.
Alice Howard
And our world view will keep us sane, if not safe! Xo
You are not alone, we are too old to move to another country and are cocooning in our golf community, with no news watching that covers that lying con artist. Take care, Sylvia & Bill
That’s about all we can do Sylvia…love to both from Court Street.
Thank you, Bonnie, for speaking for me and how I feel. Be well, Jo
Creating will keep us sane, if not safe.
Beautiful, Bon. I’ve read on this topic endlessly late last night and early this morning. No one put it better. Love, Lar
Thank you, Bonnie! May the brave Democrats in Congress and brave Kagan, Sotomayer and Jackson on the Supreme Court know strength and support in this new world. May we all walk in kindness and strength on our path in our best way. Love to you, Bonnie, Carol
I love what you wrote!
Kendra