“…until we can grieve for our planet we cannot love it—grieving is a sign of spiritual health. But it is not enough to weep for our lost landscapes; we have to put our hands in the earth to make ourselves whole again. Even a wounded world is feeding us. Even a wounded world holds us, giving us moments of wonder and joy. I choose joy over despair. Not because I have my head in the sand, but because joy is what the earth gives me daily and I must return the gift.” -Robin Wall Kimmerer

Right, then. How’s everyone doing out there? Let’s not sugarcoat it – things are seriously grim. But! How about we share what’s working and how we’re maintaining our sanity and finding our joy? I’ll go first.

How to jump in. It’s the most effective thing we can do right now, short of obvious consumer boycotts.

Mending is having a moment!

In the face of devastating wildfires, the Altadena Seed Bank looks to the future. “Even if the entire field burns down, they’ll regrow,” she said. “That underground resilience and connection is such a metaphor for Altadena — those nodes of connection and care are still so strong. Even if they’re invisible, we know we’ll come back.”

“Do not obey in advance.”

Building a community web of support, and calling on that community when in need. (Thank you, Jo Carole!) “The very concept of society rests on the idea of networks of affinity and affection, and the freestanding individual exists largely as an outcast or exile.” -Rebecca Solnit

Vote with your wallet.

Colorful handwritten letters from my cherished penpals.

The Birchbark House series by Louise Erdrich.

Read this.

The sensible, rational, thoughtful voices to listen to right now: Jessica Craven, Heather Cox Richardson, Paul Krugman, Robert Reich. If you have others to suggest, please share in the comments.

Organizing our first community seed and plant swap March 8! See you there?

“I’m simply reminding you that this nation was founded on resistance to arbitrary authority. We built American democracy in the face of what seemed to be impossible odds. And we will never, ever give up that fight.” -Robert Reich

My watchwords right now are calm, clarity and community. Would love to hear how you’re standing strong these days, dear friends.