For days I followed the news and social media and studied regularly updated Los Angeles fire maps to count the scant (5!) number of blocks of buffer between the ‘Recommended Evacuation’ zone and where my daughter lives.

During the holidays Molly, Rufus and I walked along the spectacularly gorgeous stretch along the Pacific. Not long after I returned to Connecticut, news cameras set up on that same sidewalk to report on the flames destroying homes in the Palisades. Smoke hung like nuclear clouds behind the newscasters over the lovely-now-deadly hills that border the Pacific. On one of our walks in December the ocean was particularly wild and clouds were almost frightening, hovering over the mountains in the distance. I took the photograph above. It seems like a disturbing premonition of things to come.

The terrible destruction of the fires, the awful loss in communities across the city, is heartbreaking and shocking. Winds have whipped through those gorgeous dry mountains forever. This latest destruction is historically the worst – because of humans. Greedy humans, mostly men, who ignore climate change and care more about their own wealth and survival than us little guys. Most wars can also be tracked back to the same base intentions. When I worked in peacekeeping at the UN my boss would in whisper to me, refer to the leaders sitting around negotiating tables as gangsters.
And today in this country we make our own version of gangsters, official. Welcome to the autocracy. Inauguration day.
I have no idea how to navigate these next years but I will do my best not to live in anger. I will turn to and build my communities and find new ones. Neighbors coming together is a powerful thing. We see this in LA and hopefully, in our own lives. I certainly have. Hope and love lives in communities as do solutions.
My first instinct is as a parent – to protect my child. No matter that she lives across the country and is a grown woman taking excellent care of herself. I watch the flames, worry about the smoke and bad air, climate change. I fear for her future with this new administration. Yes, she is white with the privilege that comes with it – but she is a woman. I fear for young women and tell them to stock up on birth control for starters.
Here’s a ray of hope: today is the day we celebrate Martin Luther King Jr.’s birthday. Initially my reaction to inauguration day being the same as Martin Luther King Jr.’s birthday celebration seemed terrible. An insult to his legacy. Now I realize, this is a sweet invitation to focus on remembering MLK and looking for hope and a way – rather than pay attention to the depressing pomp and parade of oligarchs ready to take the reins. Martin Luther King Jr. offers us a different door with a path to follow. We must keep the dream alive! Be Love. We can do this.
*The King Center: Established in 1968 by Mrs. Coretta Scott King, The Martin Luther King, Jr. Center for Nonviolent Social Change
I find Timothy Snyder’s list still stands and provides . Author of On Tyranny – a book I purchased and sent out to many friends last time this nightmare was in power. Time to dig it out again. Or just refer to the list link above.
PS: Molly is safe and loving her life in beautiful California.
Shout out to the legends at our local classical music station. HOB turned it on today to avoid inauguration news and they were paying a piano orchestration of Send in the Clowns…
Same!!! Music is the way! There’s always the arts! xxx
Wow Tricia, I can well imagine your fear for Molly. And how deeply sad for you to so recently walk, enjoy, and admire the places that are now in flames. Experts have been warning us since the 70’s of the dangers of climate change and yet, even those with a front seat to those dangers, in places torn by hurricanes, deny it and refuse to support action. Similarly, those who had to flee for those lives on Jan. 6 are now content to call that day a peaceful demonstration and re-elect the man who directed it. Like you, I feel like I’ll be holding my breath for the next four years and trying to find the path of worthwhile action. The holidays gave permission to circle the wagons close and leave it to the Senate to do their job and put country before Trump in their cabinet confirmations. We’ll see on that…though I’m not hopeful.
Wishing you and your family. a Happy New Year- We lived through 4 years of frump- We can do it again- Love tom
Well, I was laughing at the specific choice of lyrics, but yes, I agree that arts are the way. I work in theater and we have a show opening tomorrow. Hope you continue to stay safe.