Thank you for this beautiful reminder that there is a safe space within us all. I am heartbroken not for myself right now but that a treasure like you has to feel grieved when you give so much of yourself all the time - when you SERVE people all the time, unconditionally. But I appreciate you sharing. Tonight I’m making turkey bolognese and using Worcestershire (a trick I learned from your small victories meatballs!). Sending love to you and your family. I am so grateful for this community.
I think cooking and food and connecting with friends are some of the only things grounding me right now. Thank you for being a positive voice amidst the grief. 💙
Thank you Julia, for the work you do. I've been thinking of some words from Adrienne Rich, "There must be those among whom we can sit down and weep and still be counted as warriors." I have needed to reach for my "those" this week, while we grieve, and before we can regroup.
Like millions I am grieving the outcome of this election. I think the hardest thing is realizing that we are not the country I thought we were. The worst of the worst has been chosen to be the highest leader in the land, and that is just not acceptable. But thank you for your positive spirit and activism, Julia. I have spent most of today in the kitchen, and that feels good. Onward...hopefully! 💪🏼
I was in that class yesterday - it was so meaningful to hold that space. Thank you for that and thank you for reminding us that cooking is caring for others. Cooking is a small way that I remind myself that we all have the capacity to care and create even as we all regroup and gather ourselves. ❤️
oh alex, thanks so much — I'm glad we all did that (and I am happy to have the pot pie I am currently eating!). and thanks for these smart, kind words.
I am full of grief and trying to sit with it, and not jump ahead to steps or logistics or explain it away. Just hold my bowl of sadness and feel it fully, while it’s here.
I have also been delighting in my puppy — she doesn’t read the news and she didn’t vote this election…she’s not much for politics, really, so she’s been as bouncy and silly and snarky as always. 💙
I once took a 3 week “mini-mester” class in college on US foreign policy. If you don’t know, this country was horrid, especially in Latin America. We basically turned a blind eye to dictatorship in the Dominican Republic so that President Eisenhower’s wife’s family could keep their banana company humming. Anyway, at the end of that class, the professor told us that we were probably disgusted with the United States, but that it was only due to being in the United States that he could teach us what he had.
I want to believe that we are still that country. That if Robert Kennedy tries to take fluoride out of the water, municipalities will refuse. That when the department of education is defunded every state fights back, even the deep red ones. That Hispanic men, when watching friends and family get rounded up and deported, will fight back. That America is too diverse by race, sexual orientation, religion, and any other category to succumb to authoritarianism like Poland has. That movements are created out of struggle.
Julia, thank you so much for this post. I have signed up for the class but unfortunately have a conflict. Although I feel like hiding, I read words of wisdom from Timothy Synder, who is a historian. He explained that fascists want us to be isolated, so I need to be connected to my community. I will miss cooking together.
I cried all day yesterday. I have the luxury of working from home, so it was possible. I work in legal aid, so all of my coworkers are as distressed as I am. I am fearful of the impact on our clients. Today I was thinking of you and Grace and how terrified you must feel. I'm glad you live in New York, which should protect you. I am in Texas and so frightened about what's to come.
Hi Lisa - thanks for this note. You'll get the recording of class so you can hang out with us all after the fact :) such a great point of using community to counter the intended isolation. thanks for your kind words. very grateful to be in NYS. xo
I have been at a loss for the past 48 hours—grieving and sitting in disbelief and fear. But tonight I rallied and made dinner for a close friend. After eating, I felt full and sleepy, in a good way. Then I opened your email. Your words have always been so encouraging and comforting to me over the years, Julia. And I truly appreciate your honesty and vulnerability and how much you care about people. Thank you for providing a safe, loving space for us to turn to when fear and grief seem insurmountable. ❤️
Thanks for this Julia - community is always so important. My well is feeling pretty empty - trying to fill it with cooking from your books, using my “good” dishes, lighting candles l usually save / not sure why, using my mom’s table cloths, inviting friends over for simple foods and complicated emotions. I feel the need to nurture - at 68 l may be in the group of your older readers - now l need and want joy, peace, kindness and warmth. I have turned off the news and turned on music , dusted off novels and stacked them along with cookbooks 😃 next to my reading chair - l am guilty of tuning out - l admit it - l need a break - l will stay aware but it just seems like the last 8 years had been so much … as l walk forward l know l am in the closing chapters and l want them to matter - to me - gotta figure some of that out now - in this new world. Thanks for all you do - it is such a comfort and helps me show up - everyday.
I realized the last few nights I was stress cooking. Making chili, beans and chard, ginger cookies, steak, & lobster mac and cheese (the latter in anticipation of a celebration after Tuesday). It helped me to chop and mix and taste and move around the kitchen and create what I love so much. Good food.
I have had you in my thoughts, waiting for your cookbook at whatever small bookstore I ordered it from months ago…and sharing your zoom options with friends.
I picture you always with a smile and it gives me peace and calms my mind.
Whoa, that essay by Remen on service brought it all home for me. And your post made my day...a day peppered with every human emotion, often in rapid succession, but also a day that illuminated what you point to so sweetly: that caring for each other will always be the way forward. I'll take that reminder with room for seconds, so thank you, thank you for serving it so beautifully. 💗
Thank you for this post. Grief is definitely what I’m feeling right now. Looking for anything to bring joy at the moment - and that will be found in attending your live class on Sunday (the first live that I have been able to attend in months!) 💙
Not really holding up very well I must say but yet again...your wisdom in this newsletter brings me comfort and this community is part of the path forward for me I am certain. Tonight I ate possibly close to expiring frozen processed chicken nuggets left over in freezer...can't cook, barely getting through my work day, exhausted but not sleeping well. This is the mourning phase and for me moving into the fear phase...what if my daughter and I are in a protest soon and my son in the army is deployed against us....this is the craziness in my head. Next I'll take action..I know that is the salve and I'm choosing to start with a group that we know will be greatly impacted- trans youth. I'm researching all that I can do to protect them. Every instinct I have now is to protect young women, all women, the queer community, immigrants....any pointers welcome. I live in the bubble of San Francisco so I'm privileged and have to channel that privilege into protection of others.
Thank you for this beautiful reminder that there is a safe space within us all. I am heartbroken not for myself right now but that a treasure like you has to feel grieved when you give so much of yourself all the time - when you SERVE people all the time, unconditionally. But I appreciate you sharing. Tonight I’m making turkey bolognese and using Worcestershire (a trick I learned from your small victories meatballs!). Sending love to you and your family. I am so grateful for this community.
oh ariel, this is a sweet note and I appreciate it. I hope your bolognese brings lots of comfort and I'm so glad you're in this community xooxox
I think cooking and food and connecting with friends are some of the only things grounding me right now. Thank you for being a positive voice amidst the grief. 💙
thanks erin. i'm with you.
Thank you Julia, for the work you do. I've been thinking of some words from Adrienne Rich, "There must be those among whom we can sit down and weep and still be counted as warriors." I have needed to reach for my "those" this week, while we grieve, and before we can regroup.
oh that is such a beautiful line — thank you so much for sharing. glad you're part of my "those"
Like millions I am grieving the outcome of this election. I think the hardest thing is realizing that we are not the country I thought we were. The worst of the worst has been chosen to be the highest leader in the land, and that is just not acceptable. But thank you for your positive spirit and activism, Julia. I have spent most of today in the kitchen, and that feels good. Onward...hopefully! 💪🏼
I have grieved so much. At first, I wanted to believe in a conspiracy because I don't want to believe the majority of our country is hateful.
I understand this!
I totally understand this grief. Glad the kitchen is helping. xo
I was in that class yesterday - it was so meaningful to hold that space. Thank you for that and thank you for reminding us that cooking is caring for others. Cooking is a small way that I remind myself that we all have the capacity to care and create even as we all regroup and gather ourselves. ❤️
oh alex, thanks so much — I'm glad we all did that (and I am happy to have the pot pie I am currently eating!). and thanks for these smart, kind words.
“Community care is never not an answer.” The most inspiring and accessible thing I’ve read this week. Thank you, Julia.
xooxoxoox
I am full of grief and trying to sit with it, and not jump ahead to steps or logistics or explain it away. Just hold my bowl of sadness and feel it fully, while it’s here.
I have also been delighting in my puppy — she doesn’t read the news and she didn’t vote this election…she’s not much for politics, really, so she’s been as bouncy and silly and snarky as always. 💙
"bowl of sadness" yesssss and also yes to your puppy!
I once took a 3 week “mini-mester” class in college on US foreign policy. If you don’t know, this country was horrid, especially in Latin America. We basically turned a blind eye to dictatorship in the Dominican Republic so that President Eisenhower’s wife’s family could keep their banana company humming. Anyway, at the end of that class, the professor told us that we were probably disgusted with the United States, but that it was only due to being in the United States that he could teach us what he had.
I want to believe that we are still that country. That if Robert Kennedy tries to take fluoride out of the water, municipalities will refuse. That when the department of education is defunded every state fights back, even the deep red ones. That Hispanic men, when watching friends and family get rounded up and deported, will fight back. That America is too diverse by race, sexual orientation, religion, and any other category to succumb to authoritarianism like Poland has. That movements are created out of struggle.
I’m ready to fight.
It's all so complicated!!! I'm so glad you've got readiness to fight. I don't feel quite there yet but it's nice to know you are. Thanks for sharing.
Julia, thank you so much for this post. I have signed up for the class but unfortunately have a conflict. Although I feel like hiding, I read words of wisdom from Timothy Synder, who is a historian. He explained that fascists want us to be isolated, so I need to be connected to my community. I will miss cooking together.
I cried all day yesterday. I have the luxury of working from home, so it was possible. I work in legal aid, so all of my coworkers are as distressed as I am. I am fearful of the impact on our clients. Today I was thinking of you and Grace and how terrified you must feel. I'm glad you live in New York, which should protect you. I am in Texas and so frightened about what's to come.
Hi Lisa - thanks for this note. You'll get the recording of class so you can hang out with us all after the fact :) such a great point of using community to counter the intended isolation. thanks for your kind words. very grateful to be in NYS. xo
Thank you. That Ada Limon poem is just beautiful, and I really appreciate your post today.
thank you megan :)
I have been at a loss for the past 48 hours—grieving and sitting in disbelief and fear. But tonight I rallied and made dinner for a close friend. After eating, I felt full and sleepy, in a good way. Then I opened your email. Your words have always been so encouraging and comforting to me over the years, Julia. And I truly appreciate your honesty and vulnerability and how much you care about people. Thank you for providing a safe, loving space for us to turn to when fear and grief seem insurmountable. ❤️
Thank you so much Esther - this is so kind. Wishing you all my best.
Thanks for this Julia - community is always so important. My well is feeling pretty empty - trying to fill it with cooking from your books, using my “good” dishes, lighting candles l usually save / not sure why, using my mom’s table cloths, inviting friends over for simple foods and complicated emotions. I feel the need to nurture - at 68 l may be in the group of your older readers - now l need and want joy, peace, kindness and warmth. I have turned off the news and turned on music , dusted off novels and stacked them along with cookbooks 😃 next to my reading chair - l am guilty of tuning out - l admit it - l need a break - l will stay aware but it just seems like the last 8 years had been so much … as l walk forward l know l am in the closing chapters and l want them to matter - to me - gotta figure some of that out now - in this new world. Thanks for all you do - it is such a comfort and helps me show up - everyday.
“Simple food and complicated emotions” - yes yes. And it sounds to me you’re doing exactly what you need to do right now.
I realized the last few nights I was stress cooking. Making chili, beans and chard, ginger cookies, steak, & lobster mac and cheese (the latter in anticipation of a celebration after Tuesday). It helped me to chop and mix and taste and move around the kitchen and create what I love so much. Good food.
I have had you in my thoughts, waiting for your cookbook at whatever small bookstore I ordered it from months ago…and sharing your zoom options with friends.
I picture you always with a smile and it gives me peace and calms my mind.
So thank you. This is therapy for me.
Thank you Sarah 🩷
Whoa, that essay by Remen on service brought it all home for me. And your post made my day...a day peppered with every human emotion, often in rapid succession, but also a day that illuminated what you point to so sweetly: that caring for each other will always be the way forward. I'll take that reminder with room for seconds, so thank you, thank you for serving it so beautifully. 💗
Thank you Kristin 🩷🩷🩷
Thank you for this post. Grief is definitely what I’m feeling right now. Looking for anything to bring joy at the moment - and that will be found in attending your live class on Sunday (the first live that I have been able to attend in months!) 💙
It will be so nice to see you there in real time 🩷🩷
Not really holding up very well I must say but yet again...your wisdom in this newsletter brings me comfort and this community is part of the path forward for me I am certain. Tonight I ate possibly close to expiring frozen processed chicken nuggets left over in freezer...can't cook, barely getting through my work day, exhausted but not sleeping well. This is the mourning phase and for me moving into the fear phase...what if my daughter and I are in a protest soon and my son in the army is deployed against us....this is the craziness in my head. Next I'll take action..I know that is the salve and I'm choosing to start with a group that we know will be greatly impacted- trans youth. I'm researching all that I can do to protect them. Every instinct I have now is to protect young women, all women, the queer community, immigrants....any pointers welcome. I live in the bubble of San Francisco so I'm privileged and have to channel that privilege into protection of others.
You’re definitely not alone and your instinct to protect is beautiful 🩷