Tiptoeing out of Hibernation
In the early morning winter darkness, I move around inside our house with sure footedness. We have lived in this home for 30 years. I know the path down the hallway in the dark to my office to find the light switch that won’t wake my sleeping partner.
“Surefootedness” is a key phrase here. Coming out of a month of recovery from hip replacement surgery, I have left behind the walker and the cane and am now confidently moving around on two nearly strong hips.
Healing from surgery in December was a sort of hibernation—an inward time except for the visits of some friends. Certainly, it involved lots of sleep—both naps and long nights. Unlike the hibernating bear, though, I remained aware of the changes outside my home.
Into the Shock of Recent Trump Actions
Since my surgery on December 15, the U.S. has illegally invaded Venezuela capturing and removing its governmental head and taking over their oil supplies; Minnesota has literally been invaded by thousands of brutal ICE agents that are terrorizing citizens, including murdering one innocent white woman; and Trump is saber rattling against our own NATO alliance members Greenland and Denmark. Coming out of the hibernation and retreat-like setting of our home, I am in shock.
And so, in my first “public” outing since the surgery I joined our local ICE OUT protest here on the island. Using two hiking poles for stability, I was proud to be taking a stand with other protestors against the horrible things currently happening in Minnesota.
Ann and Christina protesting at local ICE OUT NOW
Out of Hibernation
I have been calling friends and family in Minnesota to share support. I have also been calling our senators and representative. Our Democratic Senator Patty Murray is the ranking Democratic member of the Senate Appropriation Committee. I have asked her to cease funding for ICE immediately. We watched Minnesota Governor Tim Walz give a powerful six-minute speech to his state on January 14 calling for calm and congratulating them on the ways they are coming together to resist peacefully, including escorting teachers and students to and from school and supplying people with food who are afraid to go out.
Current photo from Minneapolis from Instagram
Coming out of hibernation I feel fierce about joining with others in the most effective way possible to oppose the evil that is going on in my country right now under the pretense of governance. We must not isolate. That is precisely what Trump’s fascist government and his gestapo ICE thugs would have us do—retreat in fear and isolation.
We all Need an Antidote for Stress
There have been many protest times in my 76 years of life—the Viet Nam War, the first Earth Day, the Gulf War, Standing Rock—the list is long. A lifetime of activism is never done and the maintenance of energy for a lifetime of activism requires a solid core of spiritual care and wellness. Time outdoors has always been my antidote for wellness.
Ann on her porch with walker at her side during recovery
Right now in the mild climate of western Washington hellebores, heather, and sarcococca (sweet box) are blooming—a source of beauty and wonder to this native Minnesotan who scarce can still believe flowers bloom in January! Opening to nature’s beauty keeps alive a much needed sense of wonder about our natural world.
Heather blooming by our front walkway
Hellebores about to bloom in the shade of our backyard
Tiny Sarcococca (sweet box) flowers waft their fragrance out to anyone passing by
In talking to my Minnesota relatives and friends about the importance of self-care to prevent burnout I speak about exercise and connection to nature.
One of them texted back, “I was joking the other day that all the moms in Minnesota are going to be very fit because everyone I know is exercising extra to stay sane.”
These are perilous times for our entire country, not just Minnesota. However, we do have the strength to resist and turn this horrible tide. In Nazi Germany and Austria in the late 1930s Hitler was on the rise. Citizens of those countries had only known of democracy or a Republic for a couple of decades. In the United States we have known democracy for 250 years. We are a nation made tremendously strong by diversity that will not be put into a box of white nationalistic supremacy!
Thank you, take care of yourself too.
Good to hear from you, Martha!
Thank you so much, dear Ann! I always read both of your posts and always feel inspired, informed, and ultimately more hopeful after reading them. Congratulations on making it through hip surgery. (Hip Hip Hooray!) With every good wish to you and Christine as we navigate this world in community.
Excellent to hear from you, too, Chris! Yes, navigating this world through community is our only way through. All the best, Ann
All in with you on that, Ann–both your healing journey and the need to stay out and vocal in support of our diverse communities. Memories of Stephen Stills and Buffalo Springfield…”it’s time we stop, children, what’s that sound? Everybody look what’s going down. Singin’ songs and carrying signs…” Being companions to the community is a really good thing! Carry on!
Thank you, dear singer/songwriter friend. Love being reminded of the words of Stephen Stills and Buffalo Springfield. Carry on, indeed! Ann
Dear Ann,
It is a dangerous and inspiring time calling on all of us to link arms globally sharing strategies and comfort.
In peace and solidarity,,
Ellen Woodsworth Co President WILPF Canada
Thank you, Ellen! Wonderful to hear from you and to put forth the name of Women’s International League for Peace. In peace and solidarity, indeed! Ann
One thing I did after a new hip was to get back to the swimming pool for limited water exercise.
I am with you, Larry! As soon as my scar is healed, I will be back in the pool! Ann
Perilous times, indeed. You and Christina are amazing in your encouragement of all to take a stand. We will gladly follow your lead. Onward!!
Onward together, that is our motto now going forward. Ann
Thank you Ann for restoring faith and hope for the future.
Bonnie🙏🏽
You are welcome, Bonnie. We all have a lot of work to do together. Ann
The white hairs are also holding the line in the Northeast! Love you both for being who you are!
Hello Longtime friend and longtime sister protestor! We carry on because what else can we do? Ann
We Minnesotans greatly appreciate your support, Ann! We are under siege, even in my small town of Willmar. People have been detained and “disappeared,” businesses are shuttered and children are kept home from school. We need to know that we are not alone.
Dear Mary, I am so sorry to read this. Had not heard of the challenges out in Willmar, but obviously the whole state is under siege! We are watching. Minnesota is not alone! Ann
We march AND we need to write our representatives to fight and no longer wait for Trump to blow over. Activism is frightening but it’s also frightening to hide under covers. Keep string. Sending love,
Yes, activism is frightening, but the option of hiding and hoping things will go away simply will not work. Yes, we stay strong and we protest together. Ann
I’m so please to know the hip surgery went well and your are healing smoothly. I’m glad to have you back on the front lines of this resistance to evil fascism.
Thank you, Prescott. I am glad to be back and deeply concerned about what is going on. Ann
Always grateful for your wisdom, leadership, and Minnesota mindset that keeps you walking your talk, no matter what shape your walk is in! I want to be like you when I grow up. 😊❤️
Thank you, Deb, but I know you have a long track record of activism, too. We have shared many a protest. Ann
Your courage and commitment to democracy and justice inspire and give a new burst of hope to those for whom hope is fading. Very few would choose such an outing as their first after hip surgery. Thank you.
And I hold all those with Minnesota connections especially close during these horrendous days.
Thank you, Laura. Yes, we must turn our eyes to Minnesota and reach out to anyone we know there!
Thinking of you with love. You are such a light!
👋❤️🤩😁💋🤗😘
Thank you, friend. Just wish I could be more of a light for friends and family so far away. Ann
thank you for your sane and clear voice. It resonances far and wide. love to you dear friend.
Appreciate your kind and thoughtful voice. Love, Ann
Dearest Ann, I am so glad to hear of your recovery and regaining your surefootedness. I never had any doubt about your suremindedness, especially in these difficult times. Everyone I know here in Australia has their eyes on America with shock and we hope that sanity will prevail. A cautionary tale about the fragility of democracy and to not take it for granted. Warm wishes from Australia. XXX
Dearest Linette, Thank you for these powerful, important words from Australia. Indeed, democracy is fragile. My hopes and actions are that enough of us are working to protest and support one another that this wobbliness steadies out.Some in Congress appear to be waking up—sending a delegation to Greenland, sending observers to Minnesota.More is needed and none too soon. Blessings, Ann
Thank you for speaking up about all this tragedy Ann. We shall march forth as sure-footedly as possible with hope! Heal well and soon my dear friend. xoxo
GG
Thank you, Glenda.We have a long ways to go, but we are steadfastly getting there one step at a time. Ann
Thank you for the timely message and the reminder to find our own antidote to stress. Mine is walking in the fresh air and allowing myself to become immersed in the distraction of bird song and behavior. It’s a way of reminding myself what is at stake: freedom to roam, a healthy environment and places of wonder to gather my thoughts and chart a path forward. Thank you for this. Happy to hear you are healing well and getting out!
Thank you, Bonnie Rae. Yes, indeed, thank you for sharing your incredible gift of photography and knowledge of bird song and behavior. It raises your spirits and ours at the same time—a doubly good thing. Ann
Dearest Ann,
This new hip just might get you back on good trails!! I’m happy to hear it~ Thanks for “making good trouble!” We all need to be out there saying NOOOO!!
Thank you, Diane. Yes, indeed, we all need to be making Good Trouble! Ann
Thank you for sharing your story of coming out of hibernation to protest. I have hip surgery in 20 hrs, so I am relating closely! Love always, peggy
Dear, Dear Peggy!
Very best wishes for your hip surgery! May the surgery and the recovery go smoothly and deliver you back to your life with renewed energy and less pain!!!!
Ann