Tears, laughter and enlightenment

Hello! Welcome to my weekly habit of sharing.

I’ve been sending out a weekly newsletter now for over four months.  I started just after lockdown began in March, each week sharing good and true works on the internet about almost anything that strikes me as important.  There’s been plenty about the pandemic, given its primacy in all of our minds, with a host of reliable sources of information that consult science and actual experts. (Beats all the unreliable and expert-light-drama-heavy “news” you might be consuming on that topic ).

There’s also been lots of articles on social issues from people who think deeply and do their research. Some of them long form, I know (but I hope my readers know it’s worth their time to invest in long form reading because the good writers took time to apply their expertise, unlike most of what you find on social media). And now and then I throw in fun things that lighten my world and hope lighten yours as well—especially in these dark times. If you missed any, you can find all past newsletters here.

For the next couple of weeks I’m going out of town so you won’t be hearing from me. After that? I’m not sure if I’ll continue with this newsletter project.. Maybe this format has run its course for me—and for you. Maybe I’ll set out on a habit of sharing project 2.0. I’m not sure right now, but do feel free to share your thoughts by email if you’d like—and I’ll definitely let you know when I return.

In the meantime, this week I have a few SUPER special pieces I hope you won’t miss. I guess I’m super emotional these days—you’ll see why!

And then following those, you’ll find a few more links for your reading pleasure—I wouldn’t miss those either because like all my links they’re super informative and enlightening!

FIRST, another video from Tomfoolery. Why does this make me cry?

AND THEN—this is an amazing treat! The New York Times has been running a weekly series called The Diary Project. Each week, different artists write and draw about the pandemic.  This one by one of my favorite graphic novelists, Eleanor Davis, also makes me cry.

(I highly recommend reading all of the pieces in the project (I did). Iif you like to read or draw, I’d especially recommend Lynda Barry’s Documenting the Small Things that are Easily Lost and Ebony Flowers’ My Last Encounter with Pandemic Parenting as a couple of my other favorites. I want to be these artists when I grow up.)

 Finally, if you missed it – give yourself the gift of listening to watching Obama’s eulogy for John Lewis. Also made me cry—for John, yes (he was an amazing human and hero who led an incredible life) but most definitely for us.

 Okay – and now for other things you shouldn’t miss either—but I don’t think you’ll shed tears for most of them:

Finally, the World Health Organization is listening to the scientists.  Covid-19 is definitely spread by aerosols. What, it took an open letter from 239 scientists to warrant official acknowledgement? WE already knew because we listened to the scientists much earlier than now (see newsletters). Wear your masks!

Doctors prescribing walks in nature. When will we silly western humans figure out that we NEED Nature. Hopefully not before it’s gone.

This was lovely: a lesson about life—and learning to swim. (His link to swim lessons is also really good).

5 Steps to Becoming …Insanely Successful…or Whatever. Mark Manson is one of my favorite irreverant and wisewriters—who has way too much fun and uses A LOT of cuss words.  His links in this article are ALL great too. 

This former teacher has moved her classroom to the farm—maybe that’s where all the kids should be going!

This is how to get the Great Reset right – so true.

Peace and joy—

Denise

P.S. If you know others who would enjoy this newsletter, please share this email. All are welcome to subscribe. 

We can do so much better than this

Hello! Welcome to my weekly habit of sharing.

As I looked through the links I have to share for you this week, I kept saying it to myself and now I’m saying it to to you now: we CAN do better this this.

The U.S. “can virtually eliminate the virus any time we decide to.” So the question is—who isn’t deciding?

First they came for the immigrants, and I did not speak out—because I was not an immigrant..Then they came for asylum seekers…but I was not an asylum seeker….

This story from an asylum seeker inside an ICE detention center is sickening. Even if we weren’t in a pandemic.

My heart! Prayers for Big Pookie and the nursing home “in Walnut Creek, California/ where she waits, exiled, behind a numbered door/ as the casualties mount on the other side…”

America the racist and pitiful

Saved by the Pandemic? A clear plan to BOTH stimulate the economy and avert climate catastrophe. All humanity needs is—yep—leaders who care.

Take 1000 people and add three variables: initial number of infections, social distancing and personal protection measures such as masks and quarantining. Play with the model yourself (bottom of article)—insert different numbers. I mean really, there’s no surprise here!

The world’s greatest threat: over-consumption

Institutional racism baked into the system: Corporate funding for Black Companies and Entrepreneurs

Conversation changes voter’s minds - (but in person and not on social media!)

Peace and joy until next week—

Denise

P.S. If you know others who would enjoy this newsletter, please share this email. All are welcome to subscribe.

How much power?

Hello! Welcome to my weekly habit of sharing.

Whether we like it or not, all of our lives are fully enmeshed—economically, politically, socially and yes emotionally— in the webs of the Four Horsemen (Apple, Amazon, Facebook, and Google). Given that the CEOS of said horsemen will soon testify before the US House Judiciary Antitrust Committee, then, I think I can be most helpful by sharing just one link this week…

…In which the writer explains why the politicians probably won’t ask the tough questions…

…but then (second half is the real gem), he provides the questions (with pictures) that they SHOULD ask.

Galloway provides the very best visuals to illustrate what the numbers these Giants represent really mean. To our country and our own lives.

We humans have a hard time visualizing numbers without pictures, I think.

Fire and Fawning by Scott Galloway—highly recommended!

How much power is monopoly…or something even more destructive to the common economic and social good?

Peace and joy until next week—

Denise

P.S. If you know others who would enjoy this newsletter, please share this email. All are welcome to subscribe.

Reality and silver linings

Hello! Welcome to my weekly habit of sharing.

Five things I want to share with you this week:

1. College this year. It’s not what kids, parents or college administrators want to hear—like for everyone else about the pandemic—but two weeks ago Prof Scott Galloway of NYU called out the lunacy (and economic motivations) for sending college kids back to physical college classes:

My 4th year at UCLA I was Interfraternity Council President… As king of the jarheads, I was privy to the tragedy that unfurled each week from the collision of youth, alcohol, and newfound freedom. In the same year, a Lambda Chi passed out from drinking on the roof of his fraternity, rolled off into the driveway, and was found the next morning in a coma. Our IFC VP (a Phi Kap) got shi**y drunk at a party in Malibu, decided to take a jetski out at 2 am, and washed up 5 days later. Our treasurer (Sigma Chi) hanged himself after his girlfriend rejected his marriage proposal. Yep, but today’s youth will definitely wear masks and keep 6 feet from each other off campus.

This week, titled USS University, his message is more direct.

Think about this. Next month, as currently envisioned, 2,800+ cruise ships retrofitted with white boards and a younger cohort will set sail in the midst of a raging pandemic. The density and socialization on these cruise ships could render college towns across America the next virus hot spots, [their healthcare systems overwhelmed ]“in a matter of days.”

Back in May too many Americans ignored reality and tried to go back to normal—and now the coronavirus is worse than ever in the U.S. Will we look back and say we did it again in September—only worse?

2. Now, let’s look at pandemic silver linings—because really, what else can we do? Saved by the Pandemic? And how about this vision - including actual 3-D virtual reality vision - of New York City without cars! Super cool! Oh, and while we can’t be certain (yet), but it’s interesting to note that there are no known cases of Covid-10 transmission via surfaces.

3. Inequalities close look at home:

With rapid rates of gentrification and some of the highest housing prices and homelessness numbers, San Francisco is home to the most extreme income inequalities in the country. We all have a duty to realize that national reform is needed, but we must start with looking at ourselves and our own communities. Especially those of you who’ve flocked to the Bay Area for six-figure salaries in tech and bussed commutes into Mountain View — now’s also the time to acquaint yourself with how regional gentrification continues to widen the racial disparities faced by BIPOC Bay Area residents.

4. Creativity, Community, Connection, Collaboration. CGood TV just launched a free, online, 4-part series called C the Good. Each short video explores each of these “four pillars of a conscious world”. Truly inspiring and beautiful. Also, talk about a great example of someone doing what it takes in these strange times to make himself - and others - happy!

5. The Great Realisation. I will be forever grateful to CGood above for introducing me to Probably Tomfoolery on YouTube. He is so talented (and so cute!) I’m going to binge watch all his work this weekend. Here’s the short viral video—a true work of art—that they talk about: The Great Realisation .

May it be so.

Peace and joy until next week—

Denise

P.S. If you know others who would enjoy this newsletter, please share this email. All are welcome to subscribe.

When will we get the vaccine?

Hello! Welcome to my weekly habit of sharing.

Update on Rufus after his surgery—he is doing great! I have never been through a surgery with an animal and I am amazed how quickly he went from heavy narcotics and barely able to walk (incisions near his front legs) to no meds and leaping back up on to the bed (at 6am) wondering when we’re going to hike again. It’s been one week—but unfortunately his doctor say he has to wait for two.

I have just a few links for you this week—but each one of them is don’t-miss-phenomenal!

Cut through the hearsay and media “reports.” When will we get a vaccine? Anthony Fauci’s Boss on Why Things Could be Much Better Soon. Dr. Francis Collins is the head of the National Institutes of Health. If anyone knows about the (promising) state of vaccines for Covid-19, this man does.

Second, Natalie Wynn, YouTube phenomenon, “video essayist and entertainer.” If you haven’t experienced her Contrapoints videos yet…well, here’s your chance. So smart—and funny (my favorite combo in people). Here’s a good intro: What’s Wrong with Capitalism? Part I and Part II.

I absolutely loved Austin Channing’s book, I’m Still Here — Black Dignity in a World Made for Whiteness. A world made for whiteness…as the author shares her experiences growing up black in white middle class and communities, and then going on to college and into the work world, we understand better... it’s a quick read. Highly recommended.

And speaking of book recommendations. When the world just gets too heavy, there’s nothing better than escaping another time and place—and someone else’s life! I love this series so far as recommended by a friend to me: The Royal Spyness Series by Rhys Bowen, beginning with Book 1. (can’t beat that price either!) It takes place in London, 1932, and the solver of mysteries is Lady Victoria Georgiana Charlotte Eugenie, 34th in line for the English throne—Georgie for short. So much fun!

Peace and joy until next week—

Denise

P.S. If you know others who would enjoy this newsletter, please share this email. All are welcome to subscribe.

Lotta love

Hello! Welcome to my weekly habit of sharing.

I’m writing to you the night before our dog, Rufus, is to have surgery to remove some problematic but benign tumors Barring unforeseen events, he’ll be fine…but I’m still distracted. He’s our baby—even 10 years later!

So in any event, this week I don’t have much more to say except to share so many great links. Enjoy!

Five things I want to share with you this week:

1. Two Americans to celebrate: Graphic artist Milton Glaser, co-founder of New York Magazine, creator of so much iconic art including the psychedelic Bob Dylan Poster and the I Love New York logo, and so much more. He died last week at 91 years old, but his art will live on for centuries. I bet you recognize a lot of it!

   Also, Charles Booker, who might have lost the democratic primary in Kentucky, but wow, read his concession letter. A politician who deeply cares about people.  Imagine that.
   

2. What you might not know about…

   White women’s tears

   The undeniable reality of confederate statues…and “rape-colored” skin
   

3. What we learned from the dudes who wouldn’t wear condoms: The Dudes Who Won’t Wear Masks
   

4. When it comes to food, we already know…

   the best diet for humans

   that global agriculture must be transformed to provide nutritious food to all humans
   

5.  Finally, kudos to…

   Penelope Trunk for calling them out: The College Board is Racist

   Professor Kimberly Rather: for sharing her knowledge and pushing us to look closer at Aerosols

   The Pope: he urged all Catholics to drop investments in fossil fuels

   The Badass 50: Meet the Women Who are Changing the World

Peace and joy until next week—

Denise

P.S. If you know others who would enjoy this newsletter, please share this email. All are welcome to subscribe.

Fill your internal reserves

Hello! Welcome to the next edition of my weekly habit of sharing.

I took off a few weeks from posting on Instagram. I still spent time in my art studio every day, committed as I am to a daily art practice, but I think like everyone else I’ve been overwhelmed by the world and filled with all the emotions that come up when living through a crisis (or three or ten!).

I’ve shared some of that here in my weekly e-newsletter.

Let’s count them…1) Spreading global pandemic…2) Imminent climate catastrophe…3) Intolerable systemic racism, 4) Corruption and deceit at all levels of power, 5) Upcoming U.S. election…...and the list unfortunately does go on.

Sometimes I wonder what I’m doing, drawing pictures.

But here’s what I know better:

“This is precisely the time when artists go to work. There is no time for despair, no place for self-pity, no need for silence, no room for fear. We speak, we write, we do language. That is how civilizations heal. I know the world is bruised and bleeding, and though it is important not to ignore its pain, it is also critical to refuse to succumb to its a malevolence…” Toni Morrison

*****

As citizens and humans we are called to attend to both our external and internal worlds. One is not exclusive of the other. We can and should use our gifts and our voices to work for a better world. Even when we’re 99 years old (you’ll love this one!)

But none of us can do that if we don’t also attend to our internal selves. I created this piece with that thought in mind:

In these times especially, anxiety and fear can quickly take over. They trick us into believing we are in survival mode—that personal crisis is upon us, when actually in that moment no such event is happening.

Without internal reserves, something to hold onto internally, we can get swept away into believing otherwise.

Your oxygen mask is left dangling and you can’t help yourself or the person next to you either.

*****

There are so many reasons why I am committed to a daily art practice, but maybe the first is to drop into the present moment. Here I tumble and toss ideas around (one of my favorite activities) and I learn and grow. It’s where I come alive.

This is no trivial matter.

 Whatever it is that you do that makes you come alive—do that. It’s what fills your internal reserves for when you need it in the world.

 *****

Another thing.

Each time I set out to create something new, I have to put my Self into the unknown. Which if you think about it is exactly where we find ourselves in Life. It’s all unknown.

In front of the blank page uncertainty can gobble me up (What if I’m going the wrong way? What if there’s nothing here? What if...I. Can’t. Do. It. ?). But I do it anyway. Day after day.

My art practice is a practice mostly of facing fear, to be honest. I have to learn and re-learn how to disarm. To lower my defenses (because I forget).

Put down fear and self judgement.

Pick up curiosity.

Trust that I’ll create something pleasing—or learn something.

And I do learn all kinds of things about artmaking. I’m growing my skills, improving what I know about drawing and what I can do. I love that.

But also? I’m learning how to face the unknown.

And if there’s anything we can all learn right now living with so much that is unknown, it’s that.

So. What is your commitment to yourself? What can you do in your life that makes you regularly happy and fulfilled, that fills your inner reserves, even as you face the unknown?

One thing I can report is that the more you do for your Self, the more you’ll have for others and the world.

*****

And now here are some excellent links this week:

How and when can the coronavirus vaccine become a reality? This report from interviewing scientists examines how close they actually are (even though it will take much more time).

Why e-mobility must be at the heart of the green recovery Why can’t governments worldwide just DO this? How can we make it so?

The secular sacred This is such a beautiful way of explaining our deep connection with nature.

The danger of single stories - racism lies in our stories

40% of black owned businesses not expected to survive - indirect (or direct?) consequences of the pandemic

It’s time for specific and local change:

Redlining was banned 50 years ago. It’s still hurting minorities today.

17 Resources to learn about gentrification, racial injustice in the bay area

Peace and joy until next week—

Denise

P.S. If you know others who would enjoy this newsletter, please share this email. All are welcome to subscribe.