@lovestephaniegreene
When I am on this coast, writing by the Atlantic ocean, I live in a small historic town in a small 1864 house where historic is everything. This has it’s ups and downs as ever-changing committees impose rules that can cost a fortune (read: wooden gutters, single pane windows, permission needed for architectural changes seen from the street) and are never practical — but they are HISTORIC.
I attended a block party last weekend and found out fiberglass gutters and double-paned windows will now be allowed, exactly a year after we replaced both under the old historic guidelines. I am not complaining, just tired. Tired of current committees upending last years rules, being wrong-footed trying to find and use information and resources.
Oh. This sounds familiar.
The Big Beautiful Bill has just staggered through the Senate and lurches towards the House, fast and furiously putting us out of health care options, food programs desperately needed, and medical care. We barely had time to read the bill before it slammed through wreaking havoc. I am collecting voices and information, want to speak with me?
I spent a good portion of my life trying to be small: small voice, small body, small thoughts, small clothes. Look alike, don’t unsettle the norms, squeeze into the outfits that everyone else is wearing. Let me tell you that can only go on for so long before everything bursts and especially me: I am not small. My writing life has not busted anything apart but grown me up and out and beyond small — it feels good to fill a space with who I am and also just saying: loose linen. As my writing builds momentum I have found a community who loves my ‘on’ button and are not offended or threatened by it. You should also know that in the last ten years when I expand/explore/take risks I have both succeeded and spectacularly failed. The current in me just gets stronger. Do I really want written in my obit ‘she could have done so much more?”
What a waste of energy, tamping it all down.
So here we are. Have you thought about what you will do to help? On a community level, we are making prayer shawls at a furious rate. On a personal level I am gathering woman friends for afternoon time — sort of a ‘fika’ concept, once a week. We pool our resources — mental and emotional, no criticism, bipartisan, open and affirming. We sit. We heal. From the ground up. Recently, there have been root beer floats, too.
We need to talk. Bring yourself.
Alexandra Dane 
I’d love to meet you if in and when you’re in or near Boston! I grew up in Renton but live in Uxbridge, Massachusetts now. I love your writings and have a friend on Bainbridge, Kimberly Brown.
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Thanks Marsha! Off to write by the Salish Sea. Thanks for reading, send me an email in the fall!
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Love this. Brava ❤️
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