That is so sweet of you, Jeanne! Sara doesn't have a PayPal -- but as I've finally convinced her to accept donations (only when offered), I'm PayPal-able at josh@joshkornbluth.com. Venmo: @Josh-Kornbluth (last 4 digits: 2377). I'll pass along any donations to her. Again, thanks so much for asking!! (Sara adds her thanks as well!!)
Josh, it makes ME feel better every time I see a newsletter from you pop up in my inbox—I know the strength it takes to go to your computer and write as eloquently as you do. Keep at it!!
Thank you for another wonderful column and for your important work resisting the fascists. It is exhausting and very important. I hope you are able to keep letting the joy in and glimmering. I love it when I see Sara's bird pictures and your comments and "loves."
Josh, thank you for sharing your thoughts about your struggles under Trump and creeping fascism. We're all dealing with this to some extent.
In my case I haven't been feeling depressed but what I have been experiencing is a lot more fear. My own situated-ness has me worrying about retirement issues like Social Security, Medicare and my 401k. But anyone watching the news at any moment during the day sees that most of us have reason to be scared.
The fear is starting to become worrisome because it's impacting my ability to stay on top of the joys of Medicare paperwork, getting my taxes done on time or filling out timely lease renewals. It doesn't help that in each one of these scenarios I feel like I in an adversarial relationship with some sort of of person in power that is plotting to chew me up and spit me out.
Like you, I have been attending the marches and have found the activity therapeutic. I'm not so sure what to make of the Democratic Party these days. They strike me more as a mass mailing campaign like AARP than a political movement but maybe Sanders and AOC can help turn that around.
I have found some other small things to do. I've cooked batches of food for the neighborhood community refrigerator and I've re-upped my monthly donations to PBS and NPR. I'll probably join the ACLU again. Every day I try to think of something to do.
I m glad to read your words Josh, and appreciate the cost of creating them. Here in the birthplace of Liberty taking action against fascism is a daily endeavor for many of us. Collaboration is how we are winning. We are winning. And Sarah's patches are genius. As are the signs. Namaste.
Good on you Josh, and double good on your wife for doing something.
You realize that if you’re serious about this, you might actually have to confront a person (or two) in the real world, with fervor and clarity, and maybe even in person.
Conflict is hard for some people.
Maybe it’s time to take some baby steps toward being that revolutionary leader, and trying some new behaviors involving conflict.
Josh, (my son's name) I love reading your column (and have hugely enjoyed your solos.) I'm not surprised that your creative work helps you fight your stubborn depression. I also suffer from depression but, most to the time, not clinical. My father was bi-polar and used to spend days at a time sitting inert in his black, naugahyde chair. So, I have a pretty good sense of what it's like. I've also felt supported and hopeful at protests. So, good to be around large groups of people of good will. Another thing that has been a saving grace for me are some of the exercises I teach, and practice, for my work: Full Spectrum Improvisation, that are not about performance. When, at some point, you feel able to propel yourself out of your house, you might consider joining me in my Berkeley studio. Sending warm support.
Have you seen "Here There are Blueberries" at Berkeley Rep? It is the most powerful theatre I have seen in ages. It will restore your appreciation of creativity. But be ready for a good cry--I don't know how it will affect your depression.
Thank you for these letters, Josh. It’s genuinely lovely to keep up with you and experience some of the glimmers. You, and this work, are so important.
Josh, your sharing your heart and processing definitely touches mine. Thank you. If only you can get yourself to write every 2-3 days, you'd become a glimmer star! and thanks for turning me on to Michael Hurley. Somehow I'd never heard of him. and as one utube leads to another, I found this one: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=letOfJmWb2k Democracy Now honoring him/his music. Oh, and a question for Sara: How do you make the lettering so perfect for linocut? Isn't it all backwards, so you need to use a mirror? Impressive!
If you ever want some encouragement, just reach out! I love your writing, and the reasons vary depending on what you've written. of course as Nancy wrote, birding and biking with Sara #1 sounds pretty awesome too.
Music, biking, birds and demonstrations sounds like a plan. I love the cat patch. Cats know how to resist.
Does Sara have a paypal account to donate to her for her FANFABUTASTIC patches?
That is so sweet of you, Jeanne! Sara doesn't have a PayPal -- but as I've finally convinced her to accept donations (only when offered), I'm PayPal-able at josh@joshkornbluth.com. Venmo: @Josh-Kornbluth (last 4 digits: 2377). I'll pass along any donations to her. Again, thanks so much for asking!! (Sara adds her thanks as well!!)
Thanks Josh and Sara.
Done!!!
Josh, it makes ME feel better every time I see a newsletter from you pop up in my inbox—I know the strength it takes to go to your computer and write as eloquently as you do. Keep at it!!
Thank you for another wonderful column and for your important work resisting the fascists. It is exhausting and very important. I hope you are able to keep letting the joy in and glimmering. I love it when I see Sara's bird pictures and your comments and "loves."
Josh, thank you for sharing your thoughts about your struggles under Trump and creeping fascism. We're all dealing with this to some extent.
In my case I haven't been feeling depressed but what I have been experiencing is a lot more fear. My own situated-ness has me worrying about retirement issues like Social Security, Medicare and my 401k. But anyone watching the news at any moment during the day sees that most of us have reason to be scared.
The fear is starting to become worrisome because it's impacting my ability to stay on top of the joys of Medicare paperwork, getting my taxes done on time or filling out timely lease renewals. It doesn't help that in each one of these scenarios I feel like I in an adversarial relationship with some sort of of person in power that is plotting to chew me up and spit me out.
Like you, I have been attending the marches and have found the activity therapeutic. I'm not so sure what to make of the Democratic Party these days. They strike me more as a mass mailing campaign like AARP than a political movement but maybe Sanders and AOC can help turn that around.
I have found some other small things to do. I've cooked batches of food for the neighborhood community refrigerator and I've re-upped my monthly donations to PBS and NPR. I'll probably join the ACLU again. Every day I try to think of something to do.
But that's quite enough about me.
Love this post. Thank-you!
Good for you. Josh. I'm cheering for you.
Anita Goldstein
Here's some "armchair bird watching" that will chase your blues away:
https://fb.watch/zl_QCTrG2r/
I m glad to read your words Josh, and appreciate the cost of creating them. Here in the birthplace of Liberty taking action against fascism is a daily endeavor for many of us. Collaboration is how we are winning. We are winning. And Sarah's patches are genius. As are the signs. Namaste.
Good on you Josh, and double good on your wife for doing something.
You realize that if you’re serious about this, you might actually have to confront a person (or two) in the real world, with fervor and clarity, and maybe even in person.
Conflict is hard for some people.
Maybe it’s time to take some baby steps toward being that revolutionary leader, and trying some new behaviors involving conflict.
🤷🏻♂️
Josh, (my son's name) I love reading your column (and have hugely enjoyed your solos.) I'm not surprised that your creative work helps you fight your stubborn depression. I also suffer from depression but, most to the time, not clinical. My father was bi-polar and used to spend days at a time sitting inert in his black, naugahyde chair. So, I have a pretty good sense of what it's like. I've also felt supported and hopeful at protests. So, good to be around large groups of people of good will. Another thing that has been a saving grace for me are some of the exercises I teach, and practice, for my work: Full Spectrum Improvisation, that are not about performance. When, at some point, you feel able to propel yourself out of your house, you might consider joining me in my Berkeley studio. Sending warm support.
Have you seen "Here There are Blueberries" at Berkeley Rep? It is the most powerful theatre I have seen in ages. It will restore your appreciation of creativity. But be ready for a good cry--I don't know how it will affect your depression.
No, I haven't, Craig -- thanks for recommending it!
Thank you for these letters, Josh. It’s genuinely lovely to keep up with you and experience some of the glimmers. You, and this work, are so important.
Thanks Josh for noticing the glimmering and reminding me how important connection is for all of us.
Fight the Inner Fascist!! Go Josh!!
Josh, your sharing your heart and processing definitely touches mine. Thank you. If only you can get yourself to write every 2-3 days, you'd become a glimmer star! and thanks for turning me on to Michael Hurley. Somehow I'd never heard of him. and as one utube leads to another, I found this one: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=letOfJmWb2k Democracy Now honoring him/his music. Oh, and a question for Sara: How do you make the lettering so perfect for linocut? Isn't it all backwards, so you need to use a mirror? Impressive!
I'm actually thinking about trying to post more frequently, Sara! Thanks for the encouragement!
If you ever want some encouragement, just reach out! I love your writing, and the reasons vary depending on what you've written. of course as Nancy wrote, birding and biking with Sara #1 sounds pretty awesome too.