literal, metaphorical, metaphysical

Traveling between CANADA and USA has always been my life. Not as a tourist. As one whose family has always been spread (in my lifetime) up and down the west coast. Between California and Alberta, to be specific, with other major constellations in Oregon and Washington (and now in Colorado). The places I've lived most of my life include, at various times and for varying intervals, all of the west coast states including Alaska in the USA, as well as Alberta, Canada. This is simply the story of my life and loves and families and schooling. A lot of comings and goings.

Which continue these days, as I primarily live with my dad in Calgary (next door to my youngest daughter) and travel with my dad to his other home in California and elsewhere, and also have my other home in Portland, where I am so blessed to live alongside my daughter, her husband and my 3 year old grandson.

With current world affairs such as they are - the sinister and intentional system of chaos behind the madman ruling the USA, and Canada's resisting and strong new prime minister (whew! and yay Mark Carney won!) - I am aware of the "othering" of Americans in an all new way (within my lifetime). In Canada, understandable changes in response and retaliation to the stupidity of the US president and (among many other things) his crazy tariffs, resulting in supply chain issues, fear of traveling on airplanes, a lot of pulling together as Canadians and flag waving. And in the USA, an envy of all things Canadian and a longing to be able to move here.

(I know there are differences. I also know how many similarities there are between us. And, I'm both. Being a "Canadian born abroad" I am a dual citizen, and have always been grateful for what that has enabled me to do in this lifetime. It comes with the burden of filing USA taxes no matter where I'm living, but I've been OK with that.)

What I want to say is we must remember our togetherness, our sameness. This can be super challenging, as I've written about before. Our differences can feel so large, and insurmountable. Within my family (my dad and siblings) we have a range of political views and religious beliefs. It's fairly obvious, even if we don't discuss these things openly. When we sometimes stumble into the conversation there is usually regret, because our family doesn't know how to have conversations across differences. As long as you go to church and get your "news" from the same sources, you can all sing from the same song sheet. Sameness, hegemony, is highly valued. Reinforcing what you already believe, and eschewing any new information, is a deeply held belief called "clinging to the truth" and not letting Satan mislead you.

I also know there are vast differences of impact, depending on your life circumstances, privilege, gender orientation, etc. I'm not blind to how my life is very well insulated from a fear of starving or living in the streets, and even how safe I feel. I am not suggesting that we relax our vigilance and I believe we must continue looking for ways that we actively support the changes we want to see (or resisting the changes we don't want to see).

And yet. We are all together in this mess. And we will be throughout. All the way through. And even beyond. I don't know how to do this other than taking care of the next right thing, with love. As a friend used to say, just seeing the next lily pad is all we need. Not to worry too much about the future. But love well, today. Which usually means doing dishes, brushing teeth, folding the laundry, holding on to each other and lifting each other with love. Showing up. Love, the verb. Oh, the humanity.

Thank you for being here, for giving your attention to this letter.

xo

Karen/Blue

Here are some conversations that I have found uplifting and/or inspiring in the past few weeks. I hope you'll take time to watch them.

Heather Cox Richardson speaking at the 250 Lanturn Anniversary in the Old North Church

Naomi Klein on Trump's End-Times Fascism (with an interesting note about all the people who think the world is coming to an end and then Jesus will come)

NOW Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney on the Prof Galloway's podcast - BEFORE he was elected on April 28, 2025