I'm teaching a class on art and culture of the PNW at the high school and I decided to teach the children about punk and grunge and the riot grrrl scene and I'm having them make zines for their own liberation.
Also I am drinking tea every day. ❤️
PS - Thank you for this new tool against anxiety, which is spiking in me lots lately. Just remembering to care. ❤️
Thank you for this message. I lost my Dad in December and have been struggling to keep my own shit together while also feeling the weight of all that is going on in the world. I'm trying to get sunshine when available and care for myself as best as I know how so that I can continue to care for and connect with others. I also did go to a protest earlier in the month and was moved tremendously by all the people out there in solidarity with each other and against these forces of greed and destruction and murder. Seeing all the cars going by honk and pump their fists and cheer us on - that gave me a sense of hope too. There was maybe 1 in 50 or so cars who looked on disapprovingly or gave the thumbs down. Those are good odds in our favor, I think. Love to you Neko and to all of you reading this.
I live in Missoula, MT but was in PA last week to hold my grandmother's hand while she left her earthly form. It was planning to come to the show in Allentown but nobody wanted to join me on the snowy drive; reading this is so sweet! I knew coming to see you would've been a salve on the crazy start that this year has been... But I can wait until you come to Missoula next month!
I'm caring for myself by eating well and getting outside as much as I can to feel the snow, wind, or sun on my face. And hugging the people I love extra tight and extra long.
Thank you for buoying post, Neko. My coping skills include chai, music, and my manfriend’s 12 year old son. He has Down’s Syndrome, and is the purest beacon of joy and innocence that I’ve ever known. A bright light in the darkness, to be sure! 🌟
In the wise words of Public Enemy, “Fight the Power!”
Needed these words. Thanks Neko. I copied the first two paragraphs. They felt like a bullseye on my noggin. A direct hit on how my brain operates. "Channeling it back to care," is chant I will say in my mind, and maybe I'll start singing it to my dogs (badly), under the moon (we all need a dash of poetry), on our late night struts (strutting so hard).
I went to the library in Danville to get another jigsaw puzzle and chatted with the librarian who is also a fan of yours so of course I told her all about Dennis. When the news has me wrapped around the axle, his soothing purr calms me right down.
I appreciate the mayor's suggestions. Even at the local level, it's sometimes hard to tell exactly HOW on our side any Democrat really is. He seems like a real ally.
I’m having such a difficult time lately. Living in two realities, waffling on every decision because I don’t know whether we’ll need a stockpile and a fortified home, a minimized lifestyle to hoard money for maximum movement potential, or go on with relative normalcy. I saw this on a message board a few days ago, and I'm really, really trying to keep it in the forefront of my mind:
"The Parable of the Choir:
A choir can sing a beautiful note impossibly long because singers can individually drop out to breathe as necessary and the note goes on.
I spent a sunny MLK day with many neighbors packaging seeds for our little neighborhood seed library in NE Portland. We also stocked it with whistles and what to-do pamphlets if ICE shows up. Seeds are so hopeful and sharing them feels like building resilience.
I'm not in the US but I think it's important for all of you there to know that us Outlanders care, too. Even if all I can do right now is cheer you on, and listen to your stories, you have support and you are not alone. 💜
Dancing in my living room and singing along to good music in my living room helps. This morning it’s the Soul of ‘66 compilation of amazing stuff from Atlantic, Atco, Volt, Stax, etc.
Thank you for sharing all this, Neko. I needed it. In addition to ICE wreaking their nasty sieges here in NYC, I have close ties in Minnesota. So on Monday based on firsthand info from friends there, I pulled together a page of resources and ways people from out of state can help: https://textual-healing.com/2026/01/19/ways-to-help-getting-ice-out/ (Also that reminds me, the photos and video of the Art Sled rally at Powderhorn Park in south Minneapolis made me so happy. The creativity and resistance there are beautiful! ❤️)
1..get out for a walk with my dog every day. The sunlight and nature are critical to survive a cold New England Winter and everything going on right now
2. I try and show extra kindness to people,.including strangers. It helps me fight off the negativity that I feel like is invading our lives and the news every day.
PS. I’ve been sending emails and requesting responses from my representatives — so far I’ve received one reply and it did seem like my letter was actually read (which surprised me).
It can be really discouraging. I've learned also reaching out to the Chief of Staff for a rep usually helps raise more attention and a thoughtful reply.
I was talking with my counselor about this, this morning. I don't feel that I can completely banish the anxiety; it's always there and no amount of meditation or music or whatever else makes it go away. But I *can* cordon it off into its little corner of me. I acknowledge it, I respect it, and I allow it to be there, but it's not allowed to take over the rest of me.
Following those monks and their dog walking for peace through the south east US has been life giving. Would highly recommend checking them out: https://dhammacetiya.com/walk-for-peace/
Reading this in Milwaukee and supposed to be in Madison right now but due to the weather and my mental state couldn’t make the drive there and back tonight; but your thoughts and mentions of your friend here and visiting our lovely Madison makes it a little less depressing missing your show. Thanks, Neko. Onward!
I am so loving everyone's comments here. Thank you so much for sharing.
I'm teaching a class on art and culture of the PNW at the high school and I decided to teach the children about punk and grunge and the riot grrrl scene and I'm having them make zines for their own liberation.
Also I am drinking tea every day. ❤️
PS - Thank you for this new tool against anxiety, which is spiking in me lots lately. Just remembering to care. ❤️
Thank you for this message. I lost my Dad in December and have been struggling to keep my own shit together while also feeling the weight of all that is going on in the world. I'm trying to get sunshine when available and care for myself as best as I know how so that I can continue to care for and connect with others. I also did go to a protest earlier in the month and was moved tremendously by all the people out there in solidarity with each other and against these forces of greed and destruction and murder. Seeing all the cars going by honk and pump their fists and cheer us on - that gave me a sense of hope too. There was maybe 1 in 50 or so cars who looked on disapprovingly or gave the thumbs down. Those are good odds in our favor, I think. Love to you Neko and to all of you reading this.
Sending a big hug, Jennifer. ❤️
I live in Missoula, MT but was in PA last week to hold my grandmother's hand while she left her earthly form. It was planning to come to the show in Allentown but nobody wanted to join me on the snowy drive; reading this is so sweet! I knew coming to see you would've been a salve on the crazy start that this year has been... But I can wait until you come to Missoula next month!
I'm caring for myself by eating well and getting outside as much as I can to feel the snow, wind, or sun on my face. And hugging the people I love extra tight and extra long.
I have met so many people in MT that were from PA. What gives?
Thank you for buoying post, Neko. My coping skills include chai, music, and my manfriend’s 12 year old son. He has Down’s Syndrome, and is the purest beacon of joy and innocence that I’ve ever known. A bright light in the darkness, to be sure! 🌟
In the wise words of Public Enemy, “Fight the Power!”
Needed these words. Thanks Neko. I copied the first two paragraphs. They felt like a bullseye on my noggin. A direct hit on how my brain operates. "Channeling it back to care," is chant I will say in my mind, and maybe I'll start singing it to my dogs (badly), under the moon (we all need a dash of poetry), on our late night struts (strutting so hard).
I went to the library in Danville to get another jigsaw puzzle and chatted with the librarian who is also a fan of yours so of course I told her all about Dennis. When the news has me wrapped around the axle, his soothing purr calms me right down.
I appreciate the mayor's suggestions. Even at the local level, it's sometimes hard to tell exactly HOW on our side any Democrat really is. He seems like a real ally.
I’m having such a difficult time lately. Living in two realities, waffling on every decision because I don’t know whether we’ll need a stockpile and a fortified home, a minimized lifestyle to hoard money for maximum movement potential, or go on with relative normalcy. I saw this on a message board a few days ago, and I'm really, really trying to keep it in the forefront of my mind:
"The Parable of the Choir:
A choir can sing a beautiful note impossibly long because singers can individually drop out to breathe as necessary and the note goes on.
Social justice activism should be like that."
I spent a sunny MLK day with many neighbors packaging seeds for our little neighborhood seed library in NE Portland. We also stocked it with whistles and what to-do pamphlets if ICE shows up. Seeds are so hopeful and sharing them feels like building resilience.
I'm not in the US but I think it's important for all of you there to know that us Outlanders care, too. Even if all I can do right now is cheer you on, and listen to your stories, you have support and you are not alone. 💜
Dancing in my living room and singing along to good music in my living room helps. This morning it’s the Soul of ‘66 compilation of amazing stuff from Atlantic, Atco, Volt, Stax, etc.
Thank you for sharing all this, Neko. I needed it. In addition to ICE wreaking their nasty sieges here in NYC, I have close ties in Minnesota. So on Monday based on firsthand info from friends there, I pulled together a page of resources and ways people from out of state can help: https://textual-healing.com/2026/01/19/ways-to-help-getting-ice-out/ (Also that reminds me, the photos and video of the Art Sled rally at Powderhorn Park in south Minneapolis made me so happy. The creativity and resistance there are beautiful! ❤️)
How do I cope? I make sure to
1..get out for a walk with my dog every day. The sunlight and nature are critical to survive a cold New England Winter and everything going on right now
2. I try and show extra kindness to people,.including strangers. It helps me fight off the negativity that I feel like is invading our lives and the news every day.
Thanks for sharing all the tips in this post!
I'll bet dogs are like, "dang I want to sleep in, but my person needs this."
This is the way!
Thank you so much for this, Neko! Actions like this are the antidote to us feeling helpless & tired.
Dropping this here for anyone who doesn’t listen. Stacey Abrams’ podcast Assembly Required always starts and ends with concrete actions you can take to fight the machine. https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/assembly-required-with-stacey-abrams/id1760004996
PS. I’ve been sending emails and requesting responses from my representatives — so far I’ve received one reply and it did seem like my letter was actually read (which surprised me).
It can be really discouraging. I've learned also reaching out to the Chief of Staff for a rep usually helps raise more attention and a thoughtful reply.
Thanks, Karla! That’s great to know. Will start doing that.
I was talking with my counselor about this, this morning. I don't feel that I can completely banish the anxiety; it's always there and no amount of meditation or music or whatever else makes it go away. But I *can* cordon it off into its little corner of me. I acknowledge it, I respect it, and I allow it to be there, but it's not allowed to take over the rest of me.
Following those monks and their dog walking for peace through the south east US has been life giving. Would highly recommend checking them out: https://dhammacetiya.com/walk-for-peace/
Reading this in Milwaukee and supposed to be in Madison right now but due to the weather and my mental state couldn’t make the drive there and back tonight; but your thoughts and mentions of your friend here and visiting our lovely Madison makes it a little less depressing missing your show. Thanks, Neko. Onward!