Vote, but also Plan

So now it's pandemic autumn in these fucked-up, disunited states. Voting is underway, and I hope anyone reading this has already voted to throw out the incredibly corrupt, misogynistic, racist, anti-environment, antidemocratic, disgusting, criminal TrumpPence administration. Yeah!

But is the fix already in? They are using every trick they can -- to falsely disqualify non-white voters, to slow and encumber the postal service, to spread disinformation, even creating fake ballot boxes and who knows what other corrupt, antidemocratic shenanigans. Plus their ongoing horrific debasement and control of the Supreme Court. Maybe we are already completely fucked.

Vote anyway, if you haven't already! But also make a plan.

My short-term plan is to create an emergency evacuation kit, stockpile my necessary meds etc. (as much as that is even possible), and be ready to hide out someplace a bit further from the action. I am not *expecting* election-night violence, but we have seen many times this year that if there are protesters in the streets, there will also be sketchy paramilitary forces and right-wing vigilante troublemakers seeking to exploit the situation. I am not *expecting* an authoritarian crackdown that might include curfews, roadblocks, various suspensions of civil rights and liberties -- but I do think there are people with power who are eager for any excuse.

My longer-term plan is a lot less well-formed. I've begun gathering resources (on home gardening; on more elaborate evacuation/disaster preparedness strategies; on the history of illegal abortion in America, etc.) I'm trying to take extra good care of myself physically and mentally -- lots of yoga, enough sleep, all the hugs I can get. I'm scanning important documents and saving them in multiple locations. I'm trying to choose actions that are useful and positive. I will let you know how it goes!

And I would love to hear from you; how are you managing stress and anxiety, what resources or tips would you like to share? (And/or, what do you wish you knew, that I could channel some of this restless angst & go look into?)

Thank you to my dear friend Crafting Change for this much-needed quote from the late, wonderful Diane DiPrima:

"my vow is:
to remind us all
to celebrate
there is no time
too desperate
no season
that is not
a Season of Song"