How's everyone holding up?

[littlemissmartypants]

Do we need to have a dance party? How about a game of twister?

Seriously, is everyone OK? Please check in and touch base. I want to know how you are feeling in light of all of the turmoil.

Believe it or not there is some scientific research that reports the act of reaching out to others is good for our mental and physical well-being. That's true, according to some of the research, even when no one reaches back.

The powers of communication and community are a beautiful thing.

Love you all!


❤️ pants
RESIST!! ✊️

[BOSSHOG]

1. I'm rather somewhat optimistic

That good will win out over evil, sooner rather than later. Most likely naive of me but the good in this country should be characterized like a sleeping giant. What a Japanese Commander described the United States of America and its resolve to overcome after Pearl Harbor. Despite the mess we are in I’m looking for that bright shiny clue every morning. I’m just a knucklehead who knows my enlistment oath has always come through and will once again, So Help us God.

[littlemissmartypants]

3. Thank you so much for your positive and uplifting message, BOSSHOG. ...

I am also an optimistic person, most of the time. I do have my moments when I retreat to recharge. But I'm somehow always barreling full steam ahead in hope.

We're Definitely going to get out of this mess, one way or another.

Love you. ❤️

[-misanthroptimist]

2. Getting by okay

Still a lot to get ready for my first northern Maine winter.

Count me in for twister. However, for the safety of all concerned I will decline to dance.

[littlemissmartypants]

4. Thanks for your reply, -misanthroptimist. ...

I'll hold off on the record playing until you get here. Then you can recommend the music just to stay engaged.

Maine winters are definitely brutal. I lived in Rockland right on the coast for a while. I don't really have any suggestions except socks, hats and a really good pair of gloves. I'll be watching the weather and thinking about you.

Thanks again for making me smile.

Love you. ❤️

[Basso8vb]

5. Taking it day by day.

Also remembering to take mental health breaks as often and as long as needed.

Hope you're holding up, too.

[littlemissmartypants]

6. I'm hanging in there and thanks for your reply, Basso8vb.

The day by day approach is definitely wise and mental health breaks are grossly underrated. Lately, I find myself taking them in longer and longer time frames. Pretty soon they may qualify as actually vacations.

Not meaning to be too silly or dismissive. They are absolutely beneficial for sanity. Everyone needs them and they should be a regular event. Thank you for the suggestion.

Love you. ❤️

[surfered]

7. Even though the day to day political criminality and chaos does take a toll, I'm able to keep my sense of humor.

However, the long term outlook for climate change is extremely depressing and my only consolation is that I’ll probably be gone when it gets really bad, so I won’t be missing much.

[littlemissmartypants]

19. Laughter is so important for health and well being! ...

It has both short and long term health benefits...

https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/stress-management/in-depth/stress-relief/art-20044456

Love you! ❤️

[anciano]

8. Thanks for reaching out to us all ...

I am just taking everything one day at a time and being thankful that I still have relatively good health at my age of 77, a roof over my head, and food to eat.
Being a part of the DU community has been a real blessing for me as it lets me connect with like minded folks. I also am spending more time outside just enjoying and appreciating the wonder and beauty of our natural world.
I am determined not to let any worry rob me of enjoying this last chapter of my journey.
Hope that all is well with you. Sending best wishes and positive vibes your way!

[BattleRow]

9. I'll second that emotion.

[littlemissmartypants]

20. My pleasure, anciano! You have some great Coping Strategies!

I especially identify with...

Don't Let Anyone Steal Your Joy!

Congratulations on being 77 years young. 👏

Love you. ❤️

[Clouds Passing]

10. Watched Libby's latest videos. Feeling good. Thank you, lmsp. How you?

?si=WKNpwLHfQF3uSl4r

I’ve had these types of spiritual experiences, also these types of healing visions during emdr therapy. I want an upgrade 💖

[littlemissmartypants]

25. Good to hear, Clouds Passing! I'm ok and hanging on. Thanks for asking.

Love you! ❤️

[BidenRocks]

11. I walk around with a chip on my shoulder hoping a magat says something.

Then I will tear their throat out!

That's how I'm doing!

Since 2015

[littlemissmartypants]

17. Love the BDE*!! Let us know if you need bail money. 😉

*BigDemocratEnergy

[at140]

12. Thank God for Nvidia stock,

I am doing okay. Will not get greedy, and sell it this week.

[littlemissmartypants]

18. Well done!! ❤️

[Cirsium]

13. Poorly

Being honest? Not well at all. Don't know what else to say.

[littlemissmartypants]

21. I'm sorry to learn things are getting to you, Cirsium. Is there anyone...

Close by that you can reach out to for help?

❤️

[Cirsium]

27. There is, yes

Thanks. I think I am as fine as can be under the circumstances. Others have it much worse. Others seem somehow unaffected by the crisis.

[msongs]

14. as the nation tanks, personally doing fine. hope the same for you and yours nt

[littlemissmartypants]

22. Thanks, msongs.

Love you. ❤️

[catbyte]

15. I vote for a dance party. After all the crap newslately, tragedies, and a cancer scare that turned out to be nothing,

I feel like dancing the darkness away..

&list=RDnqAvFx3NxUM

[littlemissmartypants]

23. Want to go to Durham?

ADULTING: an early dance party

https://happeningnext.com/event/adulting-an-early-dance-party-eid3a0b1f7cu1

Love you! ❤️

Edit to ad description:
At ADULTING you'll dance all night and be in bed by 11
If you're looking for a night out dancing but also value a good night's sleep, there's a party in Durham that has you covered. ADULTING is an early evening dance party run by Sarah Honer, who goes by the stage name DJ Fifi Hi-Fi, and her partner Mike D that takes place at Rubies on Five Points.

https://www.wunc.org/wunc-music/2025-10-27/adulting-dance-night-bed-rubies-five-points-durham-sarah-honer

[ms.pamela]

16. Holding up

Being kind to people helps your mental health. Things are getting ugly, but we can help turn things around with kindness. Pretty soon many Americans may be out of food, if you can find a food bank please donate food, pet food, and personal hygiene items. Food banks really appreciate money as they can buy items that are need for their clients.

[littlemissmartypants]

24. Excellent advice, ms.pamela. ...

For those reading heres a list that might help.

Things you learn at the foodbank:
1. Everyone donates Kraft Mac and Cheese in the box. They can rarely use it because it needs milk and butter which is hard to get from regular food banks.
2. Boxed milk is a treasure, as kids need it for cereal which they also get alot of.
3. Everyone donates pasta sauce and spaghetti noodles.
4. They cannot eat all the awesome canned veggies and soup unless you put a can opener in too or buy pop tops.
5. Oil is a luxury but needed for rice a roni which they also get a lot of.
6. Spices or salt and pepper would be a real Christmas gift.
7. Tea bags and coffee make them feel like you care,
8. Sugar and flour are treats.
9. They fawn over fresh produce donated by farmers and grocery stores.
10. Seeds are cool in spring and summer because growing can be easy for some.
11. They rarely get fresh meet.
12. Tuna and crackers make a good lunch.
13. Hamburger Helper goes nowhere without ground beef.
14. They get lots of peanut butter and jelly but usually not sandwich bread.
15. Butter or margarine is nice too.
16. Eggs are a commodity.
17. Cake mix and frosting makes it possible to make a child's birthday cake.
18. Dishwashing detergent is very expensive and is always appreciated.
19. Feminine hygiene products are a luxury and women will cry over that.
20. Everyone loves Stove Top Stuffing.

Donations of money are especially welcome at the foodbank because they will purchase the items that they know are rarely donated and especially needed.

Love you, ms.pamela. ❤️

[Ilikepurple]

31. Thank you Pamela and LMSP for this helpful and thoughtful response and list.

I agree with you both. Helping others helps ourselves in times like this. Food banks are more important than ever and this list helps us maximize the effects of our contributions. The effects of most food bank donations are immediate and not subject to administrative costs.

[GopherGal]

34. From the Greater Boston Food Bank FAQ:

Should I donate food or money?
A: Based on our years of creating long-lasting relationships with the food industry and our significant buying power, the most impactful way to help provide food is to make a monetary contribution. For every dollar we receive, we are able to provide three meals.

I used to want to donate something that felt meaningful to me (say, a favorite comfort food), but it turns out that the expedient monetary donation is also the most effective in fighting hunger, because they have the expertise and relationships to use that money most effectively. I'll probably click to make an online donation, and then maybe when I go to the store, pick up something for the drop box that I can try to imagine someone enjoying.

[Ilikepurple]

26. Doing okay, but posts like this lift my spirits.

Thanks LMSP. Just checking in because I agree that it is good for our well being. I don’t think I’m a doom scroller, but more of a hope scroller, but it gets difficult when there aren’t that many wins. I find solace in interactions with friends and neighbors. Also, doing what I can to help locally makes mr feel less powerless in these times.

[wcmagumba]

28. Thanks for asking, I'm fine as I've always been this way...I hope you and everyone else is doing good...

As Pee-wee Herman said, "I'm a loner, a rebel, Dottie"...

[vapor2]

29. Personally, we are in our 70's

and the anxiety is killing us, troops on our streets, the racism, the sadism, lack of congress who can stop this crap. I attribute this chaos and lawlessness to John Roberts, spineless congress and Garland. The icing on the cake is tonight where I read this monster wants to reinstate nuclear testing. FFS

[littlemissmartypants]

30. Where are you, vapor2? Are you personally in danger? What's your support system like?

❤️

[yellow dahlia]

32. Thanks for checking in with us, LMSP.

I often say: hanging in there...sometimes by a thread.

Every day brings new horrors to respond to, and I am usually apoplectic a few hours in.

I use the F word more than ever. There aren't enough words in the dictionary to describe the insanity.

But I keep moving forward and doing what I can to stand up for truth, justice, and the American way.

The camraderie of the DU community helps get through the day. I am grateful for the information sharing and supportive communication.

I find inspiration in activism and the people alongside me in the resistance. WE ARE THE PEOPLE!

[littlemissmartypants]

33. Go, go, go, yellow dahlia!! So happy to hear such encouragement!

I have been letting the f bombs fly, too. I'm at the point where I'm ready to "bless the heart" of anyone who gets in the way of my freedom of speech (and every single other freedom) but I don't anticipate losing my cool.

That's one thing that I've always been known for, my patience. I've also set some major boundaries with "undesirables" so I'm feeling good about that.

You're so right about this. "The camraderie of the DU community helps get through the day." Thanks so much for your reply.

Love you! ❤️