The Current Atmosphere: A World on Edge

While not as memorable or studied as presidential campaigns, midterm elections frequently stand as pivotal pivot points in U.S. history. Smithsonian Magazine famously curated a list of the top historic midterms. To see the stark relevance of what is at stake for our upcoming November 2026 elections, we only have to look at how closely today’s headlines echo our past.

Here are four historical flashpoints where everything was on the line:

• 1826 — The Era of “Hard Feelings”: The founding feud over limited versus less-limited government seemed to fade as the Federalist Party collapsed and the Democratic-Republican Party splintered, ushering in a completely new era of partisanship.

• 1858 — A House Divided: Facing a severe recession and a nation bitterly fractured over slavery, many Southerners openly threatened to secede if a Republican were ever elected president. Ultimately, they did.

• 1874 — Deconstruction: Dogged by White House scandals, a severe financial panic, and disputed electoral votes, this cycle cast deep doubt on the subsequent 1876 presidential election. Federal troops eventually left the South, effectively ending Reconstruction.

• 1994 — The Republican Revolution: Following stumbling efforts to overhaul healthcare and intense debates over military bans, Washington experienced a massive surge in partisan polarization, setting the stage for the dramatic decade to follow.

It seems today’s headlines are rarely new; they are echoes.

The Weight of the Present

There is a reason so many of us are feeling heavy today. Whether it’s personal or global, the intensity of our current climate is hard to escape. I know people who have completely stopped listening to the news—choosing total disconnect just to avoid that sudden, deep drop in their stomach whenever our political environment gets pushed to its limits.

Nevertheless, choosing to help make the world a better place is the most positive combatant against despair. While “not my problem” might work in minor situations, we have a collective responsibility to think about America’s future for the generations following us. Paying attention to what is fractured—and actively considering how to fix it—says something deeply positive about who we are.

We possess the ultimate power to empower others. Between now and October, I plan to launch a “Get Out the Vote” postcard campaign through the Outreach Committee at my church. I will keep you all posted on our steps and progress right here.

But as the flight attendants always remind us: we must put on our own oxygen mask first. We do that by:

1. Making intentional time for self-care.

2. Making deliberate space for gratitude.

3. Acknowledging negative emotions without dwelling in them.

The Broken Toe Analogy: Think of it this way—if you have a broken toe, you have to care for it until it heals. You can be incredibly grateful that you don’t need a rigid splint, or that you’re still able to slip your shoes on. But if someone accidentally steps on that foot? You are fully entitled to a negative reaction, and you’re allowed to sputter a few choice words until the sharp pain subsides.

What the World Thinks of Us

Every morning, I listen to TVP World (Poland’s English-language breaking news) because I want to know exactly what the rest of the world has to say about America. It’s written in the very same vein as the classic question, “Do these pants make me look fat?” (A phrase I can thank my mother for introducing to my vocabulary).

Lately, I’ve been tracking the global reaction to the international stage. Following the recent NATO Summit on July 7, public and media commentary surrounding Donald Trump’s unfiltered public declarations has left many international partners adopting a careful, placating stance to manage sudden policy shifts.

To see how America itself feels about our direction, I pulled up the latest job approval data from July 10, 2026. “Deportment” isn’t a graded category like it was in my elementary school report cards, but the raw numbers speak volumes:

Polling Aggregator / SourceApproval Rating

Here’s latest data on July 10, 2026:

• Ballotpedia has Trump with a 40% approval rating.

• RealClearPolitics has Trump with a 40.4% approval rating.

• Quinnipiac University has Trump with a 38% approval rating.

• The Economist/YouGov has Trump with a 37% approval rating.

• ABC News/Washington Post/Ipsos has Trump with a 37% approval rating.

• CNN has Trump with a 37% approval rating.

In the strict metrics of grading, anything below a 65% is an “F.” Fortunately for any sitting leader, the term is a long road, leaving time to pull those averages up. But why does this lack of stability matter right now? Because we run the risk of slipping into a fundamentally dysfunctional country.

As political analyst Marvin Kalb poignantly wrote - October 28, 2013

“The U.S. remains the indispensable nation, even though a large number of its senior officials appear to be increasingly unhappy about its apparent inability to govern in an effective manner, both at home and abroad. Only one person can right the ship of state, can lead it into calmer waters, and he is the President of the United States.”

The Current Landscape: A Nation Navigating Transition

If we look at a snapshot of where America stands right now, the country is navigating a complex web of rising domestic energy costs, tense international friction points, and massive structural shifts in Washington. Reuters

• Geopolitical Ripples: Renewed military friction between the U.S. and regional actors in the Middle East has temporarily disrupted global oil lines, leading to a noticeable spike in U.S. gasoline prices. While federal officials stress that deep domestic production shields us from total foreign reliance, the pocketbook impact remains real for everyday citizens. Al Jazeera

• Washington in Transition: The capital is experiencing a profound period of political transition following the sudden, unexpected passing of key Trump ally Senator Lindsey Graham. At the same time, leadership questions persist as Senator Mitch McConnell remains hospitalized, creating an unprecedented wave of speculation over the future balance of congressional power.

  MPR News

Your Guide to November: The 2026 Party Platforms

To empower others to vote effectively, we have to understand the literal rules of engagement. As a baseline reminder of our constitutional foundation:

“The right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of sex. Congress shall have power to enforce this article by appropriate legislation.” — The 19th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution

With all 435 seats in the House of Representatives and 33 regular seats in the Senate on the ballot this November 3, 2026, here is where the primary platforms stand:

The Republican Focus

The conservative platform focuses heavily on border enforcement, structural tax policies, and public safety initiatives to retain and expand congressional majorities:

• Border Security: Implementing strict immigration enforcement and enhanced measures to halt unlawful entries.

• Economy & Taxes: Advancing free-enterprise initiatives and scaling back federal regulatory rules on business operations.

• Crime & Safety: Offering robust support to local law enforcement alongside tougher criminal penalties.

• Education: Expanding state-level school choice systems and emphasizing parental rights.

The Democratic Focus

The progressive platform centers on lowering immediate consumer costs, codifying protections for personal liberties, and expanding housing access:

• Cost of Living: Targeting corporate price-gouging on daily necessities like groceries and fuel.

• Affordability Programs: Restoring internet broadband subsidy discounts and expanding nutrition support initiatives like SNAP.

• Housing & Rights: Enacting rent-burden relief packages, expanding housing supply, codifying federal reproductive freedoms, and safeguarding voter access against gerrymandering.

• Technology & Climate: Advancing green energy jobs while introducing strict federal oversight on artificial intelligence and consumer data privacy.

The Independent Perspective

For those who find themselves outside the rigid binary, independent perspectives generally unite around foundational structural reform rather than strict partisan ideology:

• Pragmatism Over Base-Pleasing: Prioritizing practical policy outcomes on infrastructure and healthcare over messaging wins.

• Direct Accountability: Demanding that officials answer to local constituents rather than major donors or national party mechanisms.

• Systemic Rules Reform: Restructuring open primaries and redistricting laws so that actual voters hold the true balance of power.

These aren’t inherently left-wing or right-wing values. They are common-sense, structural goals that a quiet majority of Americans share.

I am going to end this week’s post with a community poll. Keep an eye out just below this text to cast your vote on which of these three Independent values resonates most with you!

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Baltimore Immigration Museum

I am not a formal student of history, but I know this much: America was built by immigrants who displaced indigenous people. There is hardly a country in the world that can claim a different past. Tribes became empires; empires fell and became countries; countries sent explorers to find new lands. Even today, nations fight to assimilate and conquer. We feel as though we are constantly on the verge of World War III, or about to be overcome by the next pandemic. (I am binge watching and recommend The Last Ship on Netflix. It’s patriotism on steroids!)

As someone who reads and writes historical fiction, history is always top of mind for me. I just finished Min Jin Lee’s Pachinko, which beautifully covers six generations of Korean history from 1910 to 1989.

As I write my second book—set between 1918 and 1930—I find myself constantly uncovering immigrant history and the vital role immigrants played in surviving the Great War, Spanish Flu and the Great Depression. In today’s political climate, there is a loud push to rewrite history. It feels as though some of us simply don’t want to face what it actually takes to build a nation.

As a second-generation immigrant, I was surprised to hear the grand declaration that “America is back.” It reminds me of when people ask if I have “found Jesus”—I never knew he was lost?

Worse, I recently heard the words: “Send them into exile. We need to make space for the people who support me.” Those are the classic words of a fascist, yet they were uttered by an American.

The July 4th Washout

Living in Baltimore, just 30 miles from Washington, D.C., we spent this 4th of July trapped under a oppressive heat dome paired with severe thunderstorm warnings. Mother Nature canceled parades, postponed fireworks, and put a definitive damper on family cookouts. What is a country to do when its birthday plans are ruined and Madison Square Garden is already rented out?

Since I am descended from the last pagans, I decided to look into Lithuanian gods and goddesses to see if any of them would wish bad weather on an occasion like this. It turns out they weren’t into revenge; they were into reverence. They seemed far more benevolent than many humans today.

Unfortunately, our current weather reality isn’t looking much better. Rain dates are already scheduled to be rained out, and oppressive heat has become a worldwide event. Heat domes can kill. As Fox Weather reported:

“The massive heat dome that set up shop over the eastern half of the country is finally starting to weaken, but not before it packed a punch and killed nearly two dozen people... Extreme heat gripped hundreds of millions of Americans starting Tuesday and lasting through the July 4th holiday weekend.”

According to meteorological organizations like the Copernicus Climate Change Service, the sobering scientific consensus is that 2023 may have been the coolest summer for the rest of our lives.

We can’t wait for better weather to celebrate America’s 250th birthday—or can we? It turns out we can. We can take a whole year to mark the semiquincentennial of the Declaration of Independence.

Dueling Speeches & Divided Realities

The heat dome kept me trapped inside on the 4th. I spent the day finishing my book, completing five online jigsaw puzzles, and listening to competing political speeches. A few core definitions kept swirling through my mind as I watched the programming:

• The Constitution: A system that limits power to prevent tyranny through checks and balances, protects individual rights from government overreach, and stands as the supreme law of the land.

• Capitalism: An economic system driven by private ownership, where investments, prices, and production are determined primarily by free-market competition.

• Conflict of Interest: A direct clash between a person’s private interests and their official responsibilities in a position of trust.

As I listened to our political leaders speak, I noticed a stark divide in how America’s upcoming 250th birthday is being handled. It perfectly mirrors the tension between public service and private interest.

America 250

• Origins: Established by Congress in 2016 (a bipartisan initiative signed by President Obama) to coordinate educational initiatives and public programs.

• Events: Focuses on grassroots and nationwide celebrations, including neighborhood block parties and historical exhibits.

• Funding: Supported by federal dollars allocated by Congress and private nonprofit donations.

• Oversight: Required to submit annual spending and funding reports directly to Congress.

Freedom 250

• Origins: Created via executive order by President Trump to establish the “White House Task Force on Celebrating America’s 250th Birthday”.

• Events: Manages landmark, administration-led events on the National Mall, such as the 16-day Great American State Fair, fireworks, and White House-connected sports showcases (like UFC matches).

• Funding: Operates primarily as an external public-private partnership, raising money via private donations and leveraging federal event grants.

• Oversight: Contained entirely within the executive branch, meaning it operates without direct congressional oversight.

• The program included the new Air Force One, a $400 million aircraft generously gifted to the United States by the Qatari government.

The contrast became even clearer in the speeches themselves. Consider the different lenses through which our leaders view the nation right now:

Donald Trump:

“After 250 years, unlike so many others in the world, in this country we have freedom of speech, freedom of religion, equal justice under the law — although I wasn’t treated that well, but we won’t get into that... And the right to keep and bear arms...”

Bill Clinton:

“With the help of lifetime appointees to the Supreme Court and a compliant Congress, they [Republicans] have weaponized government to settle personal scores, prosecute enemies, stamp out free speech, and made the federal government a new profit center for themselves and their allies.”

JD Vance:

“Reject the view of your nation that sees only its sins, but not its grace and its greatness. Everything that we have done... we have done together, not as citizens against each other, but as a common people working toward a common future.”

Josh Shapiro:

“...What we’ve got to focus on — not just as a party but in politics in general — are real deliverables for people on getting stuff done for people and shying away from this performative politics that just makes noise but doesn’t make anybody’s life better.”

Realism vs. Pessimism: Why I Fly My Flag

As we celebrate American independence, many of us lull ourselves into believing we are completely safe. We aren’t.

People sometimes ask why this second-generation Lithuanian flies a Ukrainian flag off her front porch. It’s not because I don’t believe in America. It’s because I feel the “pain of blood.” It is written directly into my DNA.

In her piece, What Ukraine Means for Lithuanians Haunted by Soviet Past Inga Rudzinskaite-Colman writes:

“The deportations of Ukrainians to Russia make me think of the cattle trains that took an estimated quarter of a million Lithuanians in the 1940s to the frozen wastelands and gulags in Siberia. Tens of thousands perished along the way. More than 30 years after the fall of the Soviet Union, Ukrainians are fighting for their very right to exist. Our part of Europe understands the stakes, and we know exactly who the enemy is. Ukrainians are fighting for our future, too.”

My mother’s two cousins were among those tens of thousands who were sent to Siberia.

The Future is in Our Hands

Substack readers generally know what is at stake and how vital it is to vote. Yet, despite record turnouts in recent years, 80 million Americans still do not vote.

When surveyed, their reasons are revealing:

• 29% are not registered to vote

• 23% are simply not interested in politics

• 20% do not like any of the candidates

• 16% feel their vote won’t make a difference

• 10% remain completely undecided

What every single one of us can do right now is engage in conversations—not by telling people who to vote for, but by talking about why it matters. We can be real-world examples of what it looks like to realize that the right to vote is something that can actually be lost. Become familiar with the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility Act, especially if you are a woman who changed your name.

What about you? Do you view voting as a fundamental right, or a civic obligation? I would love to hear your thoughts in the comments below so we can discuss how to protect this country we love.

Many events were happening in June, starting with my birthday. But as the month comes to a close, I want to look back with a nod to Father’s Day and an observation on the evolving definition of the masculine.

This past Saturday, I got into a bit of a tiff on a neighborhood forum. A local woman had posted a polite request asking neighbors not to set off fireworks for the entire week surrounding the holiday. Her reasoning was sound: it triggers people with PTSD, sends pets into absolute panic, and keeps everyone from sleeping.

Surprisingly, the backlash she received was swift, intense, and mostly from men. The defensiveness of the responses immediately reminded me of the phrase “disenfranchised white male” that surfaced so prominently during the 2016 election cycle. Curious about where that cultural tension stands today, I decided to do a little digging.

Here is what I found.

The Modern Narrative vs. The 90/10 Rule

Earlier this year, on January 13, 2026, Judd Legum touched on this exact cultural friction in his piece, The truth about being a white man in America:

“America is a big place and there are undoubtedly some instances of “reverse discrimination” against white men in the country. But Trump’s claim that, as a group, white men are discriminated against in higher education and the job market is flatly false.”

This brings to mind the 90/10 theory: ninety percent of people generally do the “right thing” and fly under the radar, while the ten percent who are disruptive or extreme absorb ninety percent of the attention. To me, this is exactly what we are witnessing in the current cultural discourse.

Looking Back to Move Forward

I graduated from college on the cusp of the second wave of feminism. It was an era of monumental shifts: the passage of the Equal Pay Act and landmark Supreme Court decisions like Griswold v. Connecticut (1965) and Roe v. Wade (1973). But progress has always faced friction. Even though Congress passed the Equal Rights Amendment in 1972, a conservative backlash ensured it fell short of the states needed for ratification.

Living through that era meant experiencing firsthand gender discrimination and the palpable angst of men who openly claimed I was “taking a man’s job away.”

Even today, some of my male contemporaries still look at my engineer daughter and comment on her “non-traditional” career choice. These same mindsets continue to hold a disproportionate amount of power in our legislatures and supreme courts. When will it ever end? No one lives forever. Sadly, we Baby Boomers currently have far more funerals to attend than doctor’s visits.

But there is genuine hope on the horizon. Shortly after the 2020 election, Torsten Landsberg captured the beginning of a shift:

“Traditional gender roles are no longer valid, but men are dealing with the new expectations of masculinity in different ways. From vulnerability to metrosexuality, gender is transforming….. There is nothing bad to be said about the person who is able to empathize with others. The modern man is also able to admit weaknesses, even flaws and defeats...”

A New Trend in Masculinity

Last week, I wrote about the Pride Day celebrations in Portsmouth, New Hampshire. Amidst the joy, I witnessed a fascinating trend in male fashion. I’m not referring to the drag queens or cross-dressers. These were clearly heterosexual men with neatly trimmed hair and beards, comfortably holding hands with their female partners—while wearing skirts.

Naturally, I had to validate what I was seeing. Sure enough, journalist Tina Lončar recently highlighted this exact movement:

“...How men are wearing skirts this season with waistcoats, shirts and blazers, they have become an essential element of unconventional menswear tailoring.”

It was incredibly refreshing to be part of a celebration where “anything goes,” provided it remains polite and civil. Of course, there were still a few self-proclaimed “alpha kings” gunning their Harleys and blaring music loaded with profanity. (And if a guy feels he’s too much of a “Beta,” I suppose he can always find a boot camp for that!) According to right-wing commentator Nick Adams, “being an alpha male means, among other things, marrying a woman who is both hot and low maintenance, and never apologizing.”

Please excuse my digression, but I have a different take.

Real men wear skirts, do laundry, care for children, and can be incredibly low maintenance. The same goes for trans people. At the end of the day, it isn’t about rigid gender boxes—it’s just called being human. And as for me? This hot fossil of a Baby Boomer will happily apologize if I’ve offended anyone. I am still a work in progress.

Striking the Balance: The Divine Masculine

I think a wonderful note to end on comes from Scott Hilburn’s reflections on the rise of the Divine Masculine:

“When teaching men about our Divine nature, I often use the Yin-Yang symbol. The circle represents Divinity which is split in two: Masculine and Feminine. Each one has the other within it, symbolized by the little dot of the opposite color within each side. We all have Masculine and Feminine within us. Ideally, we are able to use both of these expressions to serve ourselves and the world.

Both qualities are equally important and do not exist without the other. As we embrace the healthiest version of our dominant quality, we have the ability to more fully receive the other quality. So this means as men embrace their Divine Masculine Energy, they now can receive and understand the Divine Feminine within them and around them more readily.”

I propose we continue to embrace both the feminine and the masculine in all of us.

Let’s Chat: From neighborhood tiffs over fireworks to men rocking skirts in Portsmouth, June gave us plenty to look back on. How do you find balance between the masculine and feminine energies in your own life? Leave a comment and let me know—and remember, we’re all works in progress!

Esquire Magazine 2023

I am incredibly proud of the fact that I mailed in my ballot before traveling north to spend a week with friends—most of whom I met during my graduate school days as fellow students or faculty. Returning to Portsmouth, New Hampshire always highlights a stark contrast to Baltimore, where I was born and raised. It is the difference between living in a metropolis or a microcosm.

The 17 years I spent living in New Hampshire taught me a great deal about socio-economic diversity. To put it in perspective, from 1972 to 1989, the population of New Hampshire was 95% white, while the remaining 5% was categorized as “all other.” Despite prevailing myths about urban vs. rural safety, that 5% certainly did not drive up crime statistics.

It wasn’t until 1995 that New Hampshire turned its attention to establishing the Black Heritage Trail of New Hampshire, which beautifully addresses the “Thirst for Freedom: From NH’s Slave Trade to Its Civil Rights Movement.” Needless to say, the history and impact of civil rights look vastly different in Baltimore than they do in New Hampshire. Baltimore has much more to atone for—but also much more to celebrate during Juneteenth.

While New Hampshire’s recent weekend celebrations focused heavily on Pride Month, Baltimore hosted AFRAM, one of the largest African American festivals on the East Coast.

Maryland vs. New Hampshire

Both of my husbands were New Hampshire natives, and they were the reason I relocated north, and eventually, back south. One was French Canadian and the other a Yankee. Even though I was embraced as the “wife of,” the locals occasionally made it clear that I was still an outsider.

But that isn’t why I left.

I returned to Baltimore to become the primary caregiver for my mother during her time in home hospice. Eventually, I inherited my childhood home and made the conscious decision to stay rather than sell. The rest is history. Baltimore is home again.

Fortunately, I love to travel. Family and friends have a way of spreading out, and I am the one who usually boards a train, a plane, or both to visit the family and friends who share my history.

Our country has changed greatly since 1972, and the cultural gaps between states tend to shrink thanks to technology. In New Hampshire, the IT industry has completely replaced the shoe factories, tanneries, and automotive parts manufacturers that were already on the verge of obsolescence when I first arrived—jobs that were ultimately lost to cheaper labor overseas.

A Convoluted Career Path

My history with the workforce started incredibly early: I actually began earning Social Security when I was just six years old as a professional child model for Hutzler’s department store. I like to joke with people that I “ate myself out of a job” when I turned 18, but the truth is that college took priority.

Beyond modeling, I remained a contingent employee at Hutzler’s working in the back offices during high school and college vacations. I finally quit just before my July 1972 wedding. By August, I was working as a clerk in a New Hampshire shoe factory.

My path was rarely linear. I went from clerical work to sales, transitioned into academia, and finally retired at the age of 62.

Setting Priorities

Like so many women, I have worked my entire life. That is exactly why exercising my right to vote was an absolute necessity before I ever stepped onto a plane for this trip.

My NH friend showed me a tote bag she just had to buy.

Please take the time to read every word printed on it, and make sure you are voting for what you truly want this country to stand for.

Over to You: Drop a comment below and let me know if any of the reasons listed on the bag resonate with your own reasons for voting this year. Do you see yourself living in a metropolis or a microcosm? Let’s chat!

Eye Candy

It is a great compliment to have my novel, Ona’s Tears, compared to Kristin Hannah’s The Nightingale. Her book is almost twice as long as mine, plus she took twice as long to do the research and write it—her acknowledgements were at least two pages long! One distinct advantage she had was the ability to interview people who were personally familiar with World War II.

By contrast, Ona’s Tears is set prior to the Great War, covering a pocket of Lithuanian history you will not find in many novels written in English.

“Historical fiction bridges the gap between abstract historical knowledge and lived human experience. By bringing readers into the emotional, social, and moral worlds of people from the past, historical fiction allows history to be felt, not just understood. Such feelings and understanding for people from long-ago worlds create empathy.”

History was never my educational strong suit. Do you actually know when or where the War of 1812 happened? That was always a trick question that many of us get wrong. Like me, a lot of us truly learned our history through sweeping novels like Gone with the Wind or Roots.

The Escape vs. The Reality

According to the charts, the most popular book genres right now include:

• Romantasy & Romance

• Psychological & Techno-Thrillers

• Genre-Bending Fiction

• Cozy Fantasy & Science Fiction

• Feminist Horror & “Dark Academia”

Do you see a theme? There is a writing course circulating right now that promises to help you write a complete manuscript in eight weeks for $200. None of the trending genres above strictly require rigorous historical research or deep cultural perspectives. Instead, they provide a means of escape—and there is nothing wrong with that. It can be incredibly healthy.

But escape alone doesn’t bridge the gaps in our current world.

Bridging the Gap

“Our culture tells us to be unafraid of our differences and shows us how extremely practiced we already are at integrating the influences we all bring to the table. That should bring us hope.” — Anthony Foxx

Prejudice and class divisions will always exist among us. Is it possible for humans to live in harmony, or are we trapped in a cycle of the “survival of the fittest”? Miriam has given us some interesting examples of what we are up against:

• The natural process by which organisms best adjusted to their environment are most successful in surviving and reproducing - We see this cold, evolutionary doctrine everywhere. Writers point to it in nature, where the snapping turtles and snakes in the woods punctuate daily life.

• Often used figuratively to describe a situation, attitude, etc., of fierce or ruthless competition - We use it to describe our human systems—warning that Fashion Week is “survival of the fittest,” or arguing that competitive, “fit” companies are the ones that create jobs.

Left unchecked, it is a ruthless way to view humanity. But historical fiction reminds us that we are capable of more than just fierce competition; we are capable of empathy and cooperation.

One American Identity, Two Distinct Meanings

Right now, partisans from different political realities routinely misunderstand their fellow citizens on a basic level. It feels as though we are no longer operating from a position where, despite our differences, we share a common identity. The very definition of what it means to be an “American” has diverged.

Finding common ground means looking past the polarization to recognize where we actually align. Studies consistently show that the vast majority of U.S. adults broadly agree on practical, day-to-day priorities: the need for good jobs, affordable healthcare, a lower cost of living, and shared passions for culture, sports, and food.

How do we begin living in harmony? It starts with us as individuals.

In a spiritual context, harmony is a state of equilibrium—an alignment of mind, body, and spirit operating without internal conflict to allow for authentic peace. In a broader context, that individual peace ripples outward into world harmony: a global state of mutual understanding and equitable cooperation among cultures.

A Summer Reading List for the Soul

If you are looking for pure beach reads to help you escape this season, Oprah has plenty of recommendations on her 35 Best Beach Reads list.

But if you want to learn more about what we as humans—and Americans—have in common, I recommend diving into the Best American Historical Fiction list.

As for me? I am currently working on part two of the sequel to Ona’s Tears. I am specifically diving into two books to find inspiration for my Russian governess character, Stanislova. I’m hoping they will help me master the art of creating narrative tension (as suggested by that 8-week course syllabus!).

• The House of Special Purpose by John Boyne
  A beautifully imagined novel told through the perspective of a personal bodyguard to the Tsarevich, moving seamlessly between the twilight of the Romanov court and modern-day London.

• The Romanov Prophecy by Steve Berry
  A fast-paced modern thriller that weaves a mystery around a cryptic message left by Rasputin and the lingering possibility of an imperial survivor.

Summer is traditionally a time to “lighten up,” but my suitcase tells a different story. Alongside my summer clothes for an upcoming visit to Portsmouth, New Hampshire, I’ve packed Ariel Lawhorn’s I Was Anastasia. It follows a woman pulled from a canal “with countless horrific scars” and is absolutely loaded with heavy historical detail.

It is definitely not a light beach read. But it is exactly the kind of book that makes history feel alive.

What about you? Do you have a summer reading list packed yet? Are you escaping, or are you bridging the gap? Let me know in the comments below!

Magnific

June Gives Us Opportunities to Celebrate

Graduations, wedding anniversaries, birthdays, the end of the school year, Father’s Day, Juneteenth, and the Summer Solstice (we all have pagan roots).

As we celebrate—and, in some cases, mourn—we can find direction from the words of a prayer for social justice:

“...that barriers which divide us may crumble, suspicions disappear, and hatreds cease; that our divisions being healed, we may live in justice and peace…”

For me, June got off to a good start. I ended last week’s post with a list of things one should do after a Blue Moon. Most of my list got checked off while tending to my perennial garden. Cards, phone conversations, and text messages on my birthday added a wonderful human touch to the workflow.

The Blue Moon Checklist:

• Release what has fully run its course

• Complete a cycle

• See the truth of a situation

• Make a big-picture decision

• Reconnect with intuition and divine feminine energy

• Name what you actually want next

• Do the thing that lights you up

A Formula for Pivoting

I have known my oldest friend since her December birth, six months after mine. Her lovely birthday card to me arrived with a tear-off calendar page for June 2 with a to-do list

My June To-Do List:

• Make your own path & keep on shining

• Capture the moment & protect your heart

• Listen to your intuition & embrace alone time

• Brighten someone’s day & seek out serenity

• Explore new places & see the glass half-full

• Appreciate your assets & turn up the tunes

At the week’s end, Sunday’s sermon and chapel prayers inspired me to focus on the word “pivot,” specifically how it was used in a recent graduation speech. The new graduates were encouraged to pivot frequently while pursuing their dreams. Both of the lists above demonstrate exactly how to do that.

Curious about the bigger picture, I asked AI if America needs a national pivot. The response was telling:

“Whether America needs a national ‘pivot’ depends heavily on the policy focus. Economists and strategists are currently debating several vital shifts, weighing the impacts of recent federal tax cuts, trade tariffs, and immigration policies on inflation and job markets.”

Last week’s national and world news actually made me hopeful, because my love bucket—my glass—was more than half full. Not all the news was good, but my intuition and divine feminine energy pulled me toward the light. Challenges require action, and they require releasing what has run its course.

We can choose to move toward words of hope, or we can cling to a need to see the glass as half empty and blame others. We have the power to name what we want to do, even if we do not say it out loud. Perhaps America will finally make a big-picture decision that we can all agree to. Party over politics is a divisive, losing strategy.

July 4th is Less Than a Month Away

Most Americans celebrate July 4th as the day the U.S. won its independence from Britain. But millions also recognize a second Independence Day: Juneteenth, which marks the day in 1865 when the last enslaved Americans in Texas finally learned they were free.

Tragically, this freedom came late for that select group, and today, systemic efforts are still being made to chip away at voting equality. The ongoing judicial battles over the Voting Rights Act threaten a half-century’s worth of hard-won gains.

Early Voting and Due Diligence

Here in Maryland, early voting begins on June 11. This year, I am especially exercising my right to due diligence—a concept that my friend Miriam reminds me exists powerfully in both law and business:

• In Law: The care that a reasonable person exercises to avoid harm to other persons or their property.

• In Business: The research and analysis of a company or organization done in preparation for a transaction.

I will do the right thing that lights me up. I will vote, and I will remind everyone to do the same.

We must see the truth of our political situation through rigorous research, avoiding the trap of fake news by actively comparing sources. After all, would you buy a car just because you liked the way it looked and your friend drove one?

(Though I have to confess... that is exactly how I bought my first car, a bright green Datsun!)

A Lithuanian Perspective

Not many people are familiar with Lithuanian or Ukrainian history, which is precisely one of the reasons I wrote Ona’s Tears. I cannot stress enough the importance of recognizing the early warning signs of the rise of fascism. Vladimir Putin openly wants to re-establish the USSR, yet we often lull ourselves into thinking fascism could never exist in America.

Let me know what you think in the comments section below. Your voice, your research, and your vote are important.

Let’s discuss: How are you planning to “pivot” or practice due diligence this June?

Do you ever get the notion that the universe is sending you a message?

Last week, my messages had a distinct theme: snakes. It started with a poem, then a news clip, a text message from a friend, a deep dive into Lithuanian folklore, a phone conversation, a shirt emblem, and two pictures from local yards.

Seven different sources caused me to look for the meaning behind the message. Ultimately, I realized I was being sent a good omen. Nothing bad to see here.

Snake Facts: Friends vs. Foes

Snakes can be friends or foes. It helps to know the difference, although “good” snakes can easily act like deadly ones when threatened.

The pictures sent to me allowed me to identify a Black Rat snake and a Colorado Bull Snake. Both like to eat the small mammals we don’t want in our gardens. Both will actively avoid humans—unless you block their escape route, causing them to hiss and possibly bite.

In the News: Just in case you missed it, RFK Jr. has been in the snake news lately. Last week, he wrangled two non-venomous snakes and a rattlesnake. One bit him. The man has talents we never expected. Luckily, all three snakes were unharmed and returned to a safe environment.

Closer to home, grass snakes live right in my garden. The only one I have seen this year was the unfortunate victim of the neighbor’s cats—as confirmed by her son when he examined the uneaten half: “They bring them in the house all the time.”

Lithuanian Folklore & The Queen of Grass Snakes

All these encounters made me remember something my former Lithuanian Department Chair once told me. We shared the same penchant for sarcastic humor—a trait that often evolves as a non-violent response to oppression. He told me that snakes were deeply honored by us Lithuanians and historically kept as household pets. They even cleaned up after babies who never wore diapers!

Intrigued, I took a deep dive into the source of this reptilian reverence. It led me to the myth of Eglė, a young maiden who discovers a grass snake coiled around the sleeve of her blouse after bathing in a lake with her sisters. The grass snake demands that Eglė pledge herself to him in marriage in exchange for her clothing. She relents and agrees.

It’s a fascinating, sweeping story—far too long to include here—but it is well worth reading. Grab a cup of tea on a rainy afternoon and read the full tale of Eglė, the Queen of Grass Snakes (a wonderful post from 2016).

What Wiki Says About Snakes

Even before the Bible, the serpent was revered and feared across cultures as a symbol of duality, transformation, and the eternal cycle.

• In Psychology: Carl Jung interpreted the serpent as an archetype of the unconscious mind and personal transformation.

• In Medicine: The caduceus—a short staff entwined by two serpents and surmounted by wings—has become a universal medical symbol. This was the exact emblem I spotted on a t-shirt last Monday.

Of course, my friend Miriam notes that the noun “snake” has a few distinct definitions:

1. Any of numerous limbless scaled reptiles with a long tapering body and salivary glands often modified to produce venom.

2. A worthless or treacherous fellow.

3. Something resembling a snake (not to be confused with a garden hose).

Take Me In, Tender Woman

I can think of three “tender women” in this post: Eve, Eglė, and the subject of the poem, who were all taken in by Miriam’s second definition of a snake. Just this past week, Sunday’s Gospel covered the seven days of creation, reintroducing us to Eve.

The poem that started this entire journey for me is titled The Snake, written by Oscar Brown. It happens to be president Donald Trump’s favorite poem to recite. He likes to boast that the electorate “got what they asked for” by electing him, quoting the poem more than 35 distinct times over the years.

This usage caused Oscar Brown’s daughters to send Trump cease-and-desist letters, noting it is antithetical to everything their father stood for. As one of his daughters stated on CNN:

“The elephant in the room is that Trump is the living embodiment of the snake that my father wrote about in that song.”

Once in a Blue Moon

I want to close on an upbeat note. The Universe was clearly trying to tell me something ahead of my birthday on June 2nd.

Since I am proud that my ancestry holds the title of being the last Pagans, I am happy to share what I recently found in a pagan grimoire. (Click at your own risk; I am not advocating for the rituals and spells!)

“A Blue Moon adds the feeling of a second chance, a turning point, or an opportunity that doesn’t come around often.”

I accept the invitation given to me below:

• Release what has fully run its course

• Complete a cycle

• See the truth of a situation

• Make a big-picture decision

• Reconnect with intuition and divine feminine energy

• Name what you actually want next

• Do the thing that lights you up”

It pairs perfectly with a fortune cookie I saved from a month ago: “June will bring exciting new adventures and opportunities.”

What about you? What is the Blue Moon inviting you to do?

Weekend of Rain

In my part of the world, Memorial Day weekend festivities have mostly been canceled by rain—and I am glad.

The true reason for this four-day weekend so often gets overshadowed by celebrations, when it should be a time of remembrance for those who lost their lives fighting wars for our freedom. It should be filled with men and women who dusted off their uniforms to march in parades to honor comrades who died. These are the people who may carry the weight of PTSD and survivor’s guilt. Cookouts, parties, and fireworks seem entirely inappropriate when you stop to truly think about it.

Personally, this is an especially mournful weekend because of the people I know who recently passed: a neighbor, a best friend’s spouse, an in-law, and many others. There are also the Americans who recently lost their lives in military operations that were never intended to be wars. Confronting this collective loss naturally turns the mind toward the ultimate question: What comes next?

The Colbert Questionnaire

I read an article from the Christian Post regarding Stephen Colbert’s final late-night interview segment. The article claimed Colbert was a “heretic” based on how he answered his Colbert Questionnaire: “What do you think happens when we die?”

Colbert replied:

“I think of, almost like, it’s more like a feeling, and the feeling is that when we die, I think there is some continuance of some kind. But it’s like a dispersion of the self into some other greater being. And I don’t have any other feelings beyond that.”

What I Believe Happens When We Die

The truth is, no one knows for sure. Like Colbert, I believe we return to our origin. Humans existed long before the Bible was written. People are born all over a world composed of many religious and non-religious beliefs; therefore, no single belief prevails over another.

Also like Colbert, I was raised Catholic. I came to my own enlightenment in the third grade, when our nun explained the “resurrection of the dead.” She warned us that we had to be careful about what we were buried in, because on the last day, our coffins will pop open and we will come out of them to be reunited with our loved ones.

This blew my eight-year-old mind. In all the open-casket wakes I had attended thus far (and there were many), the men were dressed in suits and ties wearing brand-new dress shoes. The women wore nighties and bedroom slippers. The one exception was my ten-year-old cousin, who wore a sweater instead of a suit. The image of a graveyard popping open to reveal women dressed for bed and men dressed for work felt absurd.

By third grade, all of us had memorized the Baltimore Catechism. Question 21 directly challenged what the nun was telling us, proving God could not have created the literal, physical version of heaven she described:

• Question 21: Is God all-wise, all-holy, all-merciful, and all-just?

• Answer: Yes, God is all-wise, all-holy, all-merciful, and all-just.

I don’t remember “Sister Mary Gumdrop’s” real name, but I would like to thank her for sparking the philosophical section of my brain.

Colbert’s idea of the “dispersion of the self into some other greater being” is exactly what I believe. This epiphany actually came to me during a Bible study of Revelation 21:16, describing the New Jerusalem:

The city was shaped like a cube, because it was just as high as it was wide. When the angel measured the city, it was about 2,400 kilometers high and 2,400 kilometers wide.

To me, it resembles Star Trek’s Borg—a collective, unified consciousness. I think the writers knew the Bible reference. The Borg is a cube!

America’s Answer to Where We Go

There is no single correct answer, and our country was built on that very fact. Religion played a major role in the American Revolution, which is why freedom of religion is protected by the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. It explicitly prevents the government from prosecuting “heresy.”

Instead of a traditional heaven or hell, I find myself believing in the Old Soul Theory.

“An Old Soul is someone who has lived many lives before this one, possessing a depth of wisdom far beyond their years.”

This isn’t strict reincarnation. An old soul can abide in any living thing—even a tree, as many pagans believe. All that has life has a soul.

Consider the timeline: the Earth is approximately 4.54 billion years old. Humans are about 300,000 years old. Christianity is roughly 2,000 years old. “Soul age” simply refers to the level of developmental maturity a soul has reached across a long cycle of incarnations. You can believe this or not, according to your personal comfort level.

Room Enough for Us All

I think there is room enough for all of us to believe whatever gives us solace.

The Pledge of Allegiance reads:

“I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the Republic for which it stands, one Nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.”

Let us not forget the indivisible part this Memorial Day. Let us honor all who died while protecting our First Amendment right to freedom of speech and belief—regardless of what those individual beliefs might have been.

AI generated 1950’s dysfunctional family

Why I Wrote My Book

Several of my subscribers have already read my novel, Ona’s Tears, which launched on November 1, 2025. Since then, many of you have shared your thoughts with me, and May has been a whirlwind of book signings. I’ve met so many wonderful people—some bought the book, some took my card, but everyone started a conversation.

The question I hear most often is simple: “Tell me why you wrote this book.”

My answer usually depends on who is asking, but at its core, my motivation was to understand how my family became dysfunctional. (I know there are at least two of you reading this who came from perfectly functional families—I would love to read your reactions to this in the comments!)

Depending on what catches a reader’s eye at my table, the story behind the book changes:

• The Culturally Curious: Some people come up just to get a better look at my Lithuanian amber necklace, ring, and earrings. Many pick up the book simply because of the cover, which features flax flowers on a background of linen. I often display a traditional Lithuanian linen cloth and explain just how vital flax was to the Lithuanian economy.

• The History Buffs: For those interested in historical fiction, I explain the deep research required to uncover a story my grandparents were too afraid to tell. Most of our anecdotal family stories, passed down during holidays and funerals, are sprinkled throughout the book—alongside traditional Lithuanian dishes you can easily look up for recipes.

• The Baltimore Locals: My grandparents lived on Herkimer Street in Pigtown. This fact always grabs the locals. These readers can follow my characters down familiar streets and see the landmarks in their minds. For instance, Old Major, on the corner of S. Carey and Herkimer, is the bar my father frequented when we visited my widowed grandmother on Friday nights. I never thought my dad’s favorite haunt would become my favorite bar! Last Saturday, someone told me that Dad is probably sitting on the stool next to me. I like to believe my chaperone will hang around until he’s no longer needed, just as our folklore dictates.

Patrons of the Lithuanian Hall on Hollins Street have thanked me for putting this history into words, and my most recent buyer was actually from the Embassy in D.C.

As an author, you can feel incredibly naked because you are exposing yourself to the world. Everyone who reads a book forms their own unique impression. It feels a lot like giving birth to a child—or an idea. Like a new mother, I found myself remembering Chris Argyris’s book, Reasoning, Learning, and Action: Individual and Organizational, which I used to teach an Organizational Behavior course back in the 1980s. Ideas and books truly take on a life of their own.

How to Find Ona’s Tears

Because I am a self-published author, there isn’t a massive publishing company stocking my books in major brick-and-mortar stores (though you can absolutely walk in and ask them to special order a copy).

If you prefer ordering online, searching my name or the book title will bring it up on major platforms. You might even find it on a certain convenient, free-shipping site if you have a membership—though it has been a bit of a roller-coaster lately! Last week, a relative called to tell me the “great news” that my book was sold out there. That certainly explained why my April sales numbers looked so strange.

I looked into why this happens, and it turns out that certain dominant online vendors heavily favor books printed through their own Direct Publishing system. They sometimes show artificial stock delays to encourage publishers to switch over from other Print-on-Demand (POD) sources like IngramSpark.

The good news? It is widely available across formats:

• Kindle: At a recent signing, a new mother was delighted to find it on Kindle. Her husband had bought it for her so she could read on the go, and I highly recommend this budget-friendly, handy option.

• IngramSpark: This is the best option for shipping Ona’s Tears directly to you in a timely fashion.

• Local Libraries: I am incredibly proud to share that the Baltimore County Public Library has accepted my book for their shelves. I am already planning an upcoming local author event with them!

• Your Local Library: You can always ask them to add Ona’s Tears to their shelf.

Last, But Not Least...

Whether I sell eleven books or two books at a signing, the absolute best part of this journey is meeting people. I have had so many beautiful conversations where readers have shared their own heritage and family stories. I love hearing, “My mother would love this!” from people looking for the perfect meaningful gift.

Right now, I am about one-third of the way through my follow-up novel—Rooted in Baltimore is the working title. Because of that, I am always anxious for feedback on Ona’s Tears. Most of your comments have been deeply complimentary, but as an author, it’s just as important to know where the hiccups are.

If you leave a comment below, let’s keep it spoiler-free for those who haven’t finished, but feel free to leave a plug about why others should read it! I would also love to answer any questions you have about the background of the story.

Happy Reading!

Anna Jarvis around 1909. Image courtesy of the Library of Congress.

“You have the most important job there is in America or any place else... I just want to wish you all a very happy Mother’s Day.” — President Donald J. Trump, Mother’s Day 2026

The Origin of the Day

It’s always nice when the President of the United States emphasizes the importance of mothers; without them, none of us would exist. Yet, if only mothers could be compensated for this “most important job.” While brunch and flowers are lovely, they often obscure the true origin of Mother’s Day. It was meant to be more than a Hallmark moment.

The Mother’s Day origin story has gained prominence this year. When founded by Julia Ward Howe, greeting cards were not on the agenda. She agreed with the sentiment that mothers shape the world, famously stating:

“I earnestly ask that a general congress of women, without limit of nationality, may be appointed… to promote the alliance of the different nationalities, the amicable settlement of international questions, the great and general interests of peace.”

Later, Anna Jarvis established the national holiday to honor her own mother, who birthed more than twelve children. She chose the second Sunday in May—the anniversary of her mother’s death. Eventually, President Wilson issued the first national proclamation in 1914, just before the world descended into the Great War.

Tradition and Memory

Mother’s Day can be bittersweet for women whose children have died and for daughters who have buried their mothers. Anna Jarvis chose white carnations to celebrate her mother’s memory. My own mother made corsages, choosing a specific color for each: her corsage was white because her mother had passed, while my sister and I wore pink or red. In church yesterday, all the women received yellow carnations—symbolic of friendship and new beginnings.

Beyond the Binary

During coffee hour, the conversation turned to single mothers who act as both mother and father daily. Kudos go to the noncustodial parents who play an active role, yet we must acknowledge the fathers who are absent even when physically present—and, in all fairness, the mothers who are less available.

The good news is that the existence of the Divine Feminine suggests that complementary energies exist within every being. As Emily McGowan notes, we must move beyond a morality judged solely on the “sins” of one lady who once gave a guy an apple. Single parents are innately endowed with the balanced energies needed to raise children. I recommend reading Emily McGowan’s complete article.

The Goal is Enlightenment

Between Sunday’s sermon and a presentation on coping skills for our current political climate, a theme emerged: we spend so much energy trying to convince “the other side” they are wrong that we lose sight of what we actually stand for. But when is the other side “dead wrong?”

As Proverbs 28:13 says: “A person who refuses to admit his mistakes can never be successful. But if that person confesses and forsakes those mistakes, another chance is given.”

“There is nothing wrong with making mistakes, but one should always make new ones. Repeating mistakes is a hallmark of dim consciousness.” — Dave Sim

I admit when I make a mistake. When confronting a nemesis, I find it more powerful to say: “I must have made a mistake.” Being right is not my goal. Enlightenment is.

Language and the Goddess Within

Language evolved to specify gender, but it is generally agreed that the word “God” derives from a Proto-Indo-European neuter passive perfect participle. I once attended a retreat co-led by Joan Borysenko on the importance of the goddess within us. She began with the original Aramaic of the Lord’s Prayer:

Abwoon d’bwashmaya (O Birther! Father-Mother of the Cosmos)

The word Abba (father) replaced Abwoon when scholars reasoned Jesus was praying to a paternal figure, but the original version was non-binary. Gender identification is not a “new thing.” That retreat was mystical; in guided meditation, I saw the trail of mothers stretching back through my grandmothers to Mitochondrial Eve. It was a deeply grounding experience.

Before Eve: Power and Balance

Nemesis, in Greek mythology, was the goddess of divine retribution. She was feared as the deity who delivered justice against hubris—the sin of excessive pride.

When we recognize the Divine Feminine within every person and move beyond gender wars, we become less divisive. Our world today requires the goddess within all of us to rise up and assert our right to be both feared and respected. To claim that power, we must find balance:

• Balance Fear and Respect: The most effective power uses both.

• Demonstrate Competence: Respect requires proof of capability.

• Set Clear Boundaries: Consequences keep systems in line.

• Be Fair, Not Cruel: Unjust punishment only breeds hatred.

• Prioritize Truth: Respect collapses without honesty.

• Adapt to Context: In crises, lean on strength; in stability, lean on respect.

I would love to read your thoughts about this in the comments below.

Daylight and the sound of the ocean woke me up this morning. I traveled to the edge of the world to spend a few days in Ocean City before the “June Bugs” descend and take over the boardwalk.

My parents let me take the 1963 Ford Galaxie convertible to spend a week in an apartment here after high school graduation. My friends and I had worked weekends at Montgomery Ward’s headquarters; we were required to join the Teamsters Union and were promptly fired as soon as our dues were fulfilled. We didn’t care. We were about to become June Bugs ourselves—this was our last fling before full-time summer jobs and the Great Scatter toward different colleges. We had no idea how much the world would change between 1968 and now.

From Tethers to Drones

In those years, our friends and brothers enlisted or were drafted to fight in Vietnam. Since then, we have sent more soldiers to fight endless wars, though today, drones and robots often replace human “cannon fodder.” Technology runs the world now. Thanks to the Internet, the world is smaller, and our phones are no longer tethered to a wall outlet. Sadly, social media has often replaced conversation.

Television news has evolved from a brief 10-minute evening broadcast into a 24-hour buffet of local, regional, and national coverage. YouTube has made me a morning news junkie, but lately, the focus is so narrow and repetitive that I’ve begun to experience “gaslighting exhaustion.”

The “Miriam” Webster Definition

My friend Miriam Webster defines gaslighting as:

Psychological manipulation... that causes the victim to question the validity of their own thoughts, perception of reality, or memories.

Psychology Today suggests resisting this by recalling one’s own successes. Fortunately, my trip to the ocean included a book signing at The Greyhound in Berlin, Maryland. I am a published author in the last quarter of my life, and I spent a wonderful day signing Ona’s Tears and talking about historical fiction. Last Friday, a Counselor for the Lithuanian Embassy in DC bought a copy of my book and thanked me for writing it. Very few people have written novels about Lithuanian history; it was a moment of profound “light.”

See the Light

According to Miriam, there are 16 definitions for the word “light.” While I experienced “dawn” (No. 2) this morning, these three are particularly relevant for those of us feeling gaslighted:

• 6. Spiritual illumination; truth.

• 7. Public knowledge.

• 8. Something that enlightens or informs.

Watching the sunrise reminds us that no matter what humans do, the sun will continue to rise for at least another five billion years.

The Endurance of the “Lost Generation”

Hemingway’s The Sun Also Rises reflects the disillusionment of the “Lost Generation” after WWI—a world where traditional meaning failed to provide fulfillment. Yet, his later work, The Old Man and the Sea, offers a different perspective. It is a story of endurance that left an indelible impression on me during college.

Finding the Balance

To endure the modern world, I’ve had to find my own balance:

• Digital Detox: I’ve exchanged the stress of the news for jigsaw puzzles on Jigidi while watching Netflix before bed.

• Self-Care: Acupuncture, chiropractic and massage help me manage my fibromyalgia.

• Connection: Weekly dates at the Silent Book Club and Lithuanian Hall keep me social.

• Family: Yearly trips keep me tethered to my long-distance friends and kin.

What keeps you balanced when the world feels like a quagmire? Let me know in the comments.

While US news holds our myopic attention like obedient goldfish, there is other news we should be thinking about.

1.Putin’s Stuck in a Nightmare Scenario

Putin can’t back out of the war he started because his “personal survival” is at stake. Like The Little Engine That Could, Ukraine is proving how the “smarter, not harder” principle works. Through rapid innovation in drone technology, Ukraine has brought Russian soldiers to their knees, literally. Once a Russian Soldier hears the whir of a drone they know the only option is to surrender. When Putin started the war he threw cannon fodder at the Ukrainians. The cost of employing one soldier can not compare to the cost of a drone. Russia is running out of human resources. I have nothing against the Russian people nor any people ruled by despots.

“A despot is a ruler or leader holding absolute power, typically exercising it in a cruel, oppressive, or tyrannical manner... Synonyms include tyrant, autocrat, dictator, oppressor, and potentate.” — Merriam-Webster

The Russian people seem unable to recover from the collapse of the USSR, lost in a dream of living a free life. Meanwhile, the Baltic countries—who led the resistance that toppled the Soviet Union—have reestablished their independence, joining NATO and the EU. In June 2024, Vilnius, Lithuania was named one of the happiest cities in the world for people under 30. I was there in August, 2025 and could see why.

2. Victor Orban’s Nightmare

While I am not well-versed in all of Hungarian history, I am watching how the country is beginning to shift away from its despot toward Péter Magyar and the Tisza Party.

The Respect and Freedom Party (TISZA) is a centre to centre-right, pro-European, and populist movement. In recent elections, turnout reached nearly 80%—the highest in post-communist Hungarian history. Young people turned out in droves.

• The Shift: “This is the end of an era,” some say of the shifting power.

• The Reaction: “We must bear this defeat with dignity.”

3. The Pig in the Python is on the way out

The top of the Baby Boomers’ generation turns 80 this year. We are busy contemplating death with dignity, bucket lists to complete, keeping our brains from rotting. My calendar is a minefield of doctor’s visits and self-care appointments; I even triple-booked myself recently.

We are blamed for ruining this country born of the greatest generation. Gripe, gripe gripe….. I don’t have time for that.

Americans under 30 are often cited as the most “miserable” age group due to social media and economic anxiety. After reading the New York Times article I shared last week I have hope. I believe in the 90/10 theory: 10% of the “rotten kids” get 90% of our attention, which means 90% of them are doing just fine. We are making way for them to turn this world around.

4. 10 Things We Can All Do to Protect “d”emocracy

The Primaries are on! Arkansas was first and the results are in. What exactly is at stake? That is a rhetorical question and one I am not going to ask out loud because it will only cause noise. Instead you can read what Democracy Docket proposes.

Note: If you are a fan of our current president, I suggest you skip the link. I am sticking to my self-imposed rule of not offending my readers.

5. Walking Away with Dignity

My core values aren’t negotiable; they are the moral compass I live by. In 1980, a class required us to write our life goal in one sentence. Mine has guided every decision I’ve made, personally and professionally:

My goal is to help people get where they want to go. I am a flawed human being and I have failed at times, but I always take responsibility. Last week, I felt rewarded by my readers. Then, on Saturday, my mood plummeted due to a single email. It was a gut punch. I went through the stages of grief, called my best friend, and hugged my foster dog.

I crawled out of that rabbit hole realizing I was experiencing the “shoot the messenger” effect. It is a tested psychological phenomenon. Look it up—but don’t blame me if you can’t get out of the hole!

Up for a discussion?

Let me know if your hope has been renewed this week. Have you experienced the “shoot the messenger” effect? My response to the one who pulled the trigger is: if you don’t like the answer, don’t ask the question.

Raising Discerning Adults

I learned about decisions and consequences in graduate school. Human Resources courses in the MBA program provided a plethora of evolving theories on how to manage employees. I won’t drag you through the list from the 1970s to the start of the 21st century; they all boil down to the fact that decisions result in consequences. Employing a “loose/tight” relationship with subordinates allows people to learn by doing while keeping guardrails in place to minimize disasters. It’s also an excellent way to raise responsible children.

Since both my children were born in April, I have been thinking about how they and other adult children have turned out. It makes me wish for more adults my age to have learned that poor decisions can result in disastrous outcomes with global consequences. (Names need not be mentioned.) We are the ones who must now make our decisions based on the consequences caused by others.

Help from AI

My Substack Village has provided thoughtful responses to the nightmare we can’t seem to wake up from. Rather than repeat or echo their work, I turned to AI and asked, “How do we deal with consequences of world leaders’ actions?” Gemini provided an apolitical response that helps us navigate the fallout without getting lost in the noise:

• Shape the Narrative: Use public communication to steer discussions toward constructive outcomes early.

• Manage Political Stress: Constant consumption of political content fuels anxiety. Set boundaries, prioritize self-care, and find productive outlets for activism rather than passive consumption.

• Foster Dialogue: Engage in nonpartisan community dialogue to combat the intense polarization that often follows bad leadership decisions.

Psychological and Social Management from the Pulpit

In addition to my MBA, I earned a Certificate in Advanced Counseling Services from the University of NH. Back in the day, it was the first two years of a PhD in Psychology. Before moving back to Baltimore, I had a private practice in Psychotherapy.

I have the good fortune of attending a church where our Pastor is a PhD and Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor. His talk today reminded me of my final paper for Psychological Stress and Adaptation.

Back in my undergraduate Biology Major days, I learned cell theory, and I’ve often used it as a model for the human spirit. The cell has a semi-permeable membrane:

1. It closes in toxic environments for protection.

2. It must open in safe environments to let toxins out and nutrients in.

If the cell remains closed indefinitely, it will poison itself and die.

The sermon today offered three points: Spread joy, have a purpose, and stay open. The purpose I share with my Substack Villagers is to create a space for reflection. We participate in each other’s comments, staying open to views and spreading joy.

Three April Rabbit Holes

Curated links for your entertainment.

Going Down the Rabbit Hole

• Renewal Amidst Turmoil — Jeanette Lewis reflects on finding peace when the world feels like a scary place.

• The Constant of Growth — A reminder that Spring is nature’s way of proving that fresh starts are always possible.

• What Gives Teenagers Hope in 2026 — You must click on this one. While many see a “country of cynics,” the overwhelming majority of our youth refuse to despair. From “The Great Meme Reset” to a renewed focus on community care, these kids have some great parenting behind them!

I would love to read your comments and insights.

A Mother’s Worry

TSA lines and volatile weather launched the “airport nightmares” of Spring Break 2026. Since both of my children had travel plans, I was especially tuned in to the news. Ultimately, my daughter canceled her trip, and my son flew back from Japan on April 2nd, where the domestic TSA and Spring Break chaos weren’t an issue.

How is Spring Break Determined?

In the United States, Spring Break for universities and K–12 systems depends on term dates and where the Easter holiday falls on the calendar.

During my thirty years in academia, the “separation of church and state” was always a touchy subject during the week the college closed after the Fall semester. Our time off was technically a collection of saved holidays: New Year’s Day, President’s Day, Columbus Day, Veteran’s Day, and Christmas Day.

Today, Christmas and Easter have shifted from primarily religious observances to broader cultural and commercial festivals. This evolution involves the absorption of pagan traditions and a move toward secular celebration.

A Rabbit as an Easter Agent

The association of bunnies with spring comes from their reproductive abundance, making them a symbol of fertility long before “Easter” existed. Rabbits have deep roots in pagan spring festivals and were often given as offerings around the spring equinox.

The first connections between the religious holiday and the bunny can be traced to 8th-century Britain, when early Christians merged customs with the celebrations of the goddess Eostre (from whom Easter receives its name). Thanks to the candy industry, some traditions have adopted the name “Resurrection Sunday.” It makes one wonder: is Christmas up for a name change next?

Easter Eggs

Ancient Romans used vegetable dyes to color eggs, giving them away to symbolize new beginnings. Early Christians viewed eggs as symbols of fertility and abundance; they would refrain from eating them during Lent, preserving and dyeing them instead to be eaten first on Easter Sunday as a symbol of resurrection.

Family Tradition

When my grandparents moved to Baltimore, they lived in a Lithuanian community that practiced “picking an egg.” It is a perfect example of combining pagan and Christian traditions.

Before Easter dinner, we would each select a dyed egg (usually from a PAAS kit). We picked the one we thought was strongest, often testing them by tapping them against our front teeth. My dad loved telling stories of the neighborhood kids playing this game. You would hold the egg protected in your fist, and everyone would take turns cracking them—point to point, then “butt to butt.”

The one whose egg didn’t crack won the opponent’s egg. The boys made it interesting: a loser might swap their cracked egg for a dyed raw egg and slip it into the winner’s back pocket to be slapped later. But heaven help the boy who cheated by sucking the raw egg out, filling the shell with sugar, and letting it sit by the furnace until it turned into a rock-hard weapon.

Easter Baskets

The first Easter baskets were filled with foods forbidden during Lent, brought to church on Holy Saturday to be blessed. Because candy was off-limits during the fast, baskets eventually became laden with sweets.

If you’ve ever had a Mary Sue Easter Egg, you’ve tasted a Baltimore staple. Founded by the Spector and Ashton families in 1948, Mr. Ashton named the company after his daughters, Mary and Sue. Both eventually became nuns. It must have been hell not being able to eat that chocolate!

Dropping “Easter Eggs”

Now that my first book is published, readers of Ona’s Tears might remember the “easter eggs” I dropped throughout the story. I’m currently working on the sequel and applying those same subtle nods—a trick I learned from authors who specialize in world-building.

Running Against the Wind: A Reflection

Holidays are their own kind of rabbit hole; they remind us of those no longer with us. The petals from spring trees—the cherry blossom, flowering pears and magnolias—are short-lived. Driving through a tree-lined street during a “petal storm” is unforgettable.

After my mother passed, I had the good fortune to “adopt” two mothers also born in 1918. One lived to 80, the other to 102. Both were vision-impaired, yet they were in absolute awe of the petal storms we drove through.

On my drive home from Easter service, a female cardinal nearly flew into my car. She caught the wind just in time, veering away from my left headlight. Many believe cardinals are symbols of the deceased visiting us. At that exact moment, Running Against the Wind was playing on the radio.

The song is a mid-tempo ballad about aging and pushing through life’s challenges. Bob Seger once said:

“I always say it’s human nature that people are gonna love you sometimes and they’re gonna use you sometimes. Knowing the difference... that’s what ‘Against the Wind’ is all about.”

“I’ve got so much more to think about
Deadlines and commitments
What to leave in, what to leave out”

What do those lyrics mean to you as you run against the wind?

That mother cardinal got my attention. Perhaps she got yours, too.

The Long Journey Across the Street

Palm Sunday 2026 fell on March 29. It is the Sunday I dread most because, if you are a Catholic who slid into the Episcopal Church, you know the routine. Three hours is a marathon: two-plus hours for the service and another 30 minutes for the essential socializing.

I found my church home shortly after retiring in 2012. It sits across the street from the Catholic church and school where I was indoctrinated and married. I left that church to move to NH and eventually return to my childhood home. It took me forty years to make the journey across Edmondson Avenue, “shopping” various denominations along the way. When I finally arrived, I witnessed something transformative: a service where every person on the altar was a woman that Sunday.

Episcopal Church: Making Women’s History

The year 2024 marked the 50th anniversary of the first ordination of women as priests in the Episcopal Church (July 29, 1974). The hurdles didn’t vanish with ordination; women priests faced immense pushback while striving for equal footing.

The leadership continued to evolve:

• 2011: Mariann Budde became a Bishop in DC and Maryland. She noted, “There’s nothing that says a Christian can’t be involved in politics…. Scripture teaches us to be committed to the issues that affect the common good.”

• 2025: After Trump’s 2025 inauguration she asked him to “have mercy upon the people in our country who are scared now,” she said, “invoking gay, lesbian, and transgender children, as well as undocumented immigrants and asylum seekers.”

• March 25, 2026: Dame Sarah Mullally was installed as the 36th Anglican Archbishop of Canterbury, the first woman to hold the role.

“Once a Catholic, always a Catholic, but Episcopalians rock regardless of gender.”

Finding a Place to Belong

During the Palm Sunday 2026 service, the Right Rev. Carrie Schofield-Broadbent delivered the sermon. She did not tell us who to vote for, but she did say that politics is part of any congregation like ours where all are welcome regardless of all the labels that can divide us. It is a safe place where we respect differences and handle tough discussions. She said we had what many people long for today: a place to listen to great music (Our organist and choir master earned his Ph.D. at the Peabody Institute), and active involvement with each other and our neighbors.

Later Sunday afternoon I half listened to an NPR program where the speaker spoke about the need to belong to groups. He mentioned how a person could watch a sports game on TV all alone and feel the exhilaration when their team scored.

Lately, I’ve been thinking about this need to belong. I heard actor Edward Norton mention that we are “one of a crowd” needing a way to deal with the anxiety of a world designed to drive us insane. Between a broken legal system and the “madness in the night,” we need something bigger than ourselves.

For me, that “something” is a trio of communities:

1. My Church

2. A Silent Book Club

3. The Lithuanian Hall Association

In Baltimore, these spaces are populated by diverse individuals. We may not always agree, but we enjoy respectful conversation.

Writing Away the Madness

I write to keep the madness at bay. This past Thursday, I joined a group of local authors at a book fair. About 170 readers showed up. Many people came up to ask me what my book was about. Bookstores remain one of the best places to find your tribe.

One woman asked if my father played table tennis; apparently, her father knew a “Sabalauskas” who did. I never expected that. I knew my bachelor dad had a tennis racket, but ping-pong? It makes sense. It’s another small thread of connection in a world that often feels disconnected.

Join the Conversation: How was your March? Did you travel, take a class, go on a cruise, travel abroad, see a game, drink green beer or find a new group? What resonated with you this month?

The 2026 Women’s History Month theme is “Leading the Change: Women Shaping a Sustainable Future,” announced by the National Women’s History Alliance. It honors women who are rebuilding systems for long-term environmental, economic, and social sustainability, promoting equity, justice, and opportunity.

This post is in honor of the women lawyers I know who promote equity and justice today. I doubt many smoke Virginia Slims, but these women have come a long way thanks to the pioneers who cleared the path.

The Numbers: A Shifting Tide

Based on early 2025/2026 data, the legal landscape has been fundamentally reshaped:

• Law School Enrollment: Women made up 55.1% of the first-year class in 2025.

• Professional Representation: Total women in the legal profession rose to 41.31% by 2025.

• The Era: The 2016–2026 period is now widely described as the “Decade of the Female Lawyer.”

The Pioneers

In 1970, the legal field was only 8.6% female. Breaking through required extraordinary resilience:

• Ruth Bader Ginsburg: Began landmark gender-bias litigation with the ACLU in 1970.

• Doris Brin Walker: The first female president of the National Lawyers Guild.

• Marguerite Rawalt: A tireless advocate for the Equal Rights Amendment.

• Hillary Clinton: One of only 27 women in her 1973 Yale Law graduating class.

• Kamala Harris: Earned her degree from UC Hastings in 1989, rising through the ranks to the Vice Presidency.

Historical Context: From 1950 to 1970, women consistently made up 3% or less of the profession.

The Personal Cost of Progress

Many lesser-known women paid a heavy price for breaking into this “man’s profession.” I knew a woman who graduated from Georgetown in 1969 with a JD in International Law, later earning an LLM in Taxation. She was an Assistant State’s Attorney for Maryland and a DC lobbyist—a true trailblazer.

However, she was also a victim of the harassment inherent in a male-dominated field. The toll was high; her career took a downward turn, leading her to serve as a hearing officer for the Maryland District Traffic Court. In 1985, due to Veterans’ Preference rules, her role was reassigned to a less-qualified male candidate. She never practiced law again. Her story serves as a reminder that “paving the way” often left the pioneers themselves with the deepest scars.

Prominent DC Lawyers Today

Today, women hold the most influential—and scrutinized—legal roles in the country:

• Pam Bondi: Former Florida AG; chosen to lead the U.S. Department of Justice as Attorney General.

• Alina Habba: Senior advisor and legal counsel; formerly served as acting U.S. Attorney for New Jersey.

• Harmeet Dhillon: Appointed Assistant Attorney General for the Civil Rights Division in 2025.

• Sally Yates: Former Deputy AG; now a Distinguished Lecturer at Georgetown Law focused on voting rights.

• Lindsey Halligan: Former insurance attorney; appointed to a prominent role at the White House.

• Christina Bobb: Focused on election-related litigation and government document investigations.

• Jenna Ellis: Conservative lawyer and former senior legal adviser to the 2020 re-election campaign.

Admission to the Bar

In order to practice Law, Men and Women lawyers in the United States take a solemn oath to support the U.S. Constitution upon admission to the bar. While specific language varies by state, almost all jurisdictions require this pledge, often alongside a promise to uphold their state constitution and faithfully discharge their duties to clients and the courts.

When you see a woman lawyer this month, thank her for “Leading the Change: Women Shaping a Sustainable Future.”

We Mourn Together

It is futile to discuss the politics of our current wars. For over a week now, we have witnessed lives lost as a result of decisions made by those who have little regard for human life.

I mourn for the damage done to our fragile island home. Žemyna, Mother Earth, is angry with our lack of respect. As the evening news shifts from bombs to tornadoes and floods, we see the lives lost to climate change—a different kind of warfare.

The Cycle of Consumerism

In 1962, Rachel Carson published Silent Spring. As high school students, we were encouraged to be “ecologists.” This led to the environmental movement and the birth of fuel-saving cars.

• 1972: I bought my first car, a Datsun 1200.

• 1973: The Yom Kippur War set off a gas crisis.

• The Aftermath: We forgot. We demanded bigger, “safer” cars to survive accidents caused by even bigger cars.

Now that gas prices are soaring again, perhaps we will hear fewer 2026 Ford Mustang Darkhorses racing up and down our streets.

War: What Is It Good For?

Since February 28, 2026, a specific song from June 1970 has invaded my brain. Reflecting on my years at Hood College, I remember wearing my long hippie dress for my senior yearbook picture. I chose a quote from Peanuts:

“It doesn’t matter what you believe as long as you are sincere.”

Today, what we believe does matter, even if we are sincere. Our beliefs have divided us.

The Scars of Reality

Shortly after graduation, I married a Marine Corps Veteran with two Purple Hearts from Vietnam. When my father saw him in swim trunks, he simply said, “Nice scars.” They were impossible to miss. Today, I think of the soldiers in Iran and the new Purple Hearts being earned.

In 2008, I returned to Hood College to visit my daughter. Entering her dorm bathroom (which was exactly the same when I lived in that dorm) was a literal time warp; someone had left a boombox playing Edwin Starr’s “War.”

Ever since John Fogerty played Green River on Colbert (November 17, 2025), I’ve been listening to his station. His Vietnam protest songs feel like a premonition for this “four-week war.” Estimates for Armageddon range from one second to 7.5 billion years. Mark your calendars.

Returning to the Old Ways

I want to reminisce about the days when we were all Pagan. Paganism predates organized, monotheistic religions by thousands of years. These were decentralized, oral traditions—a way to explain the unexplained before we had the scripts to lock them down.

Milestone - Approximate Timeline

• First Human Language 150,000 – 200,000 years ago

• Sumerian Cuneiform 3400 – 3200 BCE

• Earliest Bible Scrolls 7th Century BCE

• Lithuanian Language Distinct by 6th Century AD (Roots 3,000+ years old)

Lithuanian is one of the oldest living languages, preserving features of Proto-Indo-European (akin to ancient Sanskrit). It is a language that remembers the earth.

Final Rabbit Hole: The Steward

In essence, a Lithuanian pagan “steward of the earth” is a guardian. We are stewards, not owners. We honor the sanctity of the landscape and the spiritual tether between humans and nature.

This old hippie flower child has found a rope to tie a knot in. I am holding on until the end of my final quarter. Meanwhile, I will research, write, and post in hopes that I can teach others to find their own rope.

Once a teacher, always a teacher. I just can’t seem to stop.

Time to Reflect

Please join me in the comments.

• What gives you hope right now? In my part of the world, the bulbs are pushing through the soil. Mother Earth will survive with or without us.

• We often talk about the politics of war, but we rarely talk about the silence it leaves behind. I would love to hear how other ‘old hippies’ (and young ones!) are processing 2026.

• I’m holding onto my ‘rope’ by researching and writing. What is the one thing—a hobby, a ritual, a memory—that you are holding onto tightly this week?

Pictures were taken in Lithuania, August, 2025

I promised myself that I would keep things light while on vacation. Last week I wrote:

“I glance at the world weary news and relax knowing many competent global states people are working hard to prepare for the new world order.”

All that changed on Saturday.

A Response to the Unprecedented

I am a faithful subscriber to Viktor Kravchuk’s Substack and replied to his post regarding the events at the White House on February 28, 2025. I wrote:

“There is nothing good to say about Trump and his sycophants. They do not deserve our judgement or attention. We will all remember February 28, 2026, and the subsequent consequences. Our work is to hold on to our human integrity and support those who can lead us through these unprecedented times.”

The Fallout

There will be a lot of armchair quarterbacking as we await the fallout from Trump’s military strikes on Iran without prior Congressional authorization. As Trump said, American lives will be lost. We will all remember where we were when we heard the news; I am grateful I was in my cousin’s living room during my visceral reaction.

Looking Ahead

I will be back to work on Thursday to create a thought-provoking post for us to discuss next week. Until then, I will continue to fill my love bucket and hope you do the same, as we are at the mercy of myopic news channels.

From Phoenix, AZ

My Phoenix cousin and I recently fell into an interesting discussion about Bad Bunny’s 2026 Super Bowl LX halftime show. While news reports hailed it as a “transformative phenomenon,” others labeled it a “disgusting cultural affront.” Donald Trump weighed in, calling the performance “terrible” and specifically criticizing the use of Spanish on such a massive stage.

This sent me down one of my signature rabbit holes.

The “Official” Language Debate

Does the U.S. have an official language? The answer changed recently.

While English was the de facto language for government and daily life for centuries, our Founding Fathers intentionally avoided a legal requirement to ensure they didn’t alienate non-English speaking settlers. However, following an Executive Order on March 1, 2025, English was designated as the official language of the United States for federal agencies. Before this federal shift, 31 states had already declared English as their official language. Fascinating!

Resistance Through Language

Part Two of Ona’s Tears is written from my fictional great-grandmother’s point of view during a time when Lithuanians lived under Russian imperialism. Much like the modern debates over language, they were required to speak Russian as part of forced assimilation.

There is an old joke: What makes Lithuanians different from Russians, Poles, and Germans? Lithuanians can speak more than one language. Under the Tsar, Lithuanian books were banned, but “Knygnešiai” (book smugglers) kept the culture alive. You can see the story of the famous smuggler Vincas Juska here.

The Modern “Rabbit Hole”: Why are books banned today?

History repeats itself. According to the American Library Association (ALA)—which has advocated for equitable access to information for over 150 years—the most common justifications for modern censorship include:

• False claims of illegal obscenity for minors.

• Inclusion of LGBTQIA+ characters or themes.

• Discussions of race, equity, and social justice.

Excerpt from Ona’s Tears, Part Two

“Tell me what you know?” I whisper. (Helena asks Antanas)

“The stories I hear are that the railroad across Siberia has hit a problem. Japan has troops that will stop Russia. Nicholas was not ready for this and will be looking to recruit more of us. They do not want to be outnumbered by the Japanese again.”

“But they need our men to work on the Fort.”

“We will not be recruited until the fort is complete. That is all we know.”

Antanas puts his arm around my shoulder and hurries me along. Light snow begins to fall. We catch up with our neighbors and make our way to the meeting house.

Two hours later, we silently walk back to our troba and startle the geese. They shake their bodies in warning, then settle down. They curl their long necks and tuck their fierce beaks under their wings. These guardians protect us while we sleep.

We stomp our boots on the covered stoop and brush the snow off our coats before going inside and hang our coats on the pegs by the door. The books are safely hidden; our girls know the price for having them found in a raid. The chair by the stove is empty. Bobute is sitting on her bed.

“So?” she asks me.

“The Tsar’s men questioned us. They tried to trick us into speaking our tongue, but we know Russian. The Okhrana (Tsar’s secret police) are after the book smugglers. They threatened us to report smugglers or we would join the ‘King of Lithuania’ in prison.”

“Jurgis Bielinis has been arrested five times and is too smart for them. The Okhrana know if they ever sentence him, we will rebel. They are not the first fools to think they can kill our spirit. It is nothing new, Helena.”

“I know, but something is different this time. I feel it in my bones.”

History is a Mirror

Book bans are nothing new. In 212 B.C., the Chinese emperor Shih Huang Ti burned all the books in his kingdom because he believed history should begin with him.

There are some among us today who want to rewrite history in their favor. Some of us will make sure this does not happen.

I would love to read your reaction to this post. Have you ever felt your language was under threat? Is U.S. history being rewritten?

A Note from the Author: While I am away recharging, Ona’s Tears is out in the world and ready for you to discover. If you haven’t yet joined this journey through history and heart, you can find your copy below.

[Order Ona’s Tears Here]

Everyone needs a break to refill their “love bucket.” I’m doing just that—visiting family in Colorado and Arizona. I glance at the world weary news and relax knowing many competent global states people are working hard to prepare for the “new world order.” Before I left, I heard one of these leaders say that imperialism is the inherent DNA of Russia.

Before I could write Ona’s Tears, I needed to research why my grandparents left Lithuania. I needed to know more about how a child born of immigrants navigates thier emotional development while straddling two vastly different worlds. Now that my book is published, my mission is to show booksellers and readers alike why this story—and my perspective on it—is so vital.

When my grandparents were born, Lithuanians lived under Russian imperialism. Russia exerted absolute political, economic, cultural, and military power or control. Books were banned, people “disappeared” and peasants were forced into the front lines. Russia does not count soldiers when waging war—a reality that feels hauntingly familiar today.

As I wove the story of my fictional grandparents, I did my best to weave this history into the linen of their thoughts, fears and dreams.

Here is an excerpt from Part One:

My old worn house dress is replaced by my soft nightgown that still smells of Fels Naptha. I pull the covers back and crawl into bed. My body relaxes but my brain does not; busy days make busy minds, I will think of a story to calm me. Ragana Gamta taught me that the way to remember stories is to tell them, and pass them from generation to generation, but I have no listening children, so I will tell the story to myself.

Gamta used to tell us about the Great Northern War that took place 100 years before she was born and the story was passed by each generation to us. We must never forget what the Grand Duchy of Lithuania was, and the alliances we were part of before we fell under Russian rule; they wanted to gain access to the Baltic. Gamta would make us repeat the words until we got them right. A plague also killed many people during the War. Gamta wanted us to be aware of plague symptoms so as not to catch and spread it. It did come very close to our village.

“Never forget. Do not let the Russians make you think they ruled first.” She would prompt us with questions and we would take turns answering.

“What was the Grand Duchy of Lithuania?”

“It was the largest state in Europe and included people from different cultures and religions.”

“Who was the first ruler of the Duchy?”

“Mindaugas was crowned as Catholic King of Lithuania in 1253.”

“What were we before the Catholics?”

“We were the same as we are now, only we had many gods, not just one.”

A Note from the Author: While I am away recharging, Ona’s Tears is out in the world and ready for you to discover. If you haven’t yet joined this journey through history and heart, you can find your copy below.

[Order Ona’s Tears Here]

According to AI, Lithuanian humor is often described as “straightforward, slightly dark, and dry,” relying on sarcasm, irony, and absurd metaphors to cope with life under a “lead-colored sky.”

Those of you who know me personally should not be surprised. Our best humor comes out during funerals. Insults become verbal hugs. My one cousin once said he was named after the doctor. His brother shot back: “Yeah, but he was a Vet.” (as in veterinarian).

The Antidote to the Absurd

Humor is a survival mechanism. Research shows that when we are stressed or anxious, we become calmer after enjoying a good joke. Sharing laughter with others is a bonding experience. I’ve experienced plenty of bonding experiences lately because the world is tired and laughter is the antidote. Humor can also draw people closer together.

I was particularly funny at the dentist’s last week as the brunt of my own jokes. It seems I’ve dodged a root canal for now. I may be okay for ten years, but I could be dead by then—so there’s the good news.

When I need a plot twist while working on my sequel to Ona’s Tears, I know it is time to pull out the gallows humor and kill somebody off. That always makes me feel better. But when I have had enough of surfing the news on YouTube each morning, I switch to the satirists.

Political satire has roots in ancient Greece with Aristophanes and Rome with Juvenal’s biting critiques. It aims to hold those in power accountable. Historically, it’s been a dangerous game: Nixon didn’t just dislike satire; he treated it like an enemy operation, reportedly hiring private investigators to dig up dirt on the Smothers Brothers.

From Punchlines to Policy

Which rock group has four men who don’t sing? Mount Rushmore.

It’s easy to laugh at the stone-faced silence of the past. But today, the silence coming from the West feels less like a monument and more like a void. We tell jokes to celebrate Presidents Day, yet the data suggests the punchline is currently on us. The reality isn’t a play on words; it’s a shift in the world order.

This is no joke: Last updated on February 11th, 2026—387 days into the current administration—the president’s net approval rating is -18. While 38% still approve, I am more interested in the global fallout. A recent survey suggests we are “Making China—not America—great again.” Most Europeans no longer see the U.S. as a reliable ally. EU diplomats are no longer whispering about pushing back; they are planning for a “post-Davos” world.

As one diplomat put it: “Now that the trust has gone, it’s not coming back. I feel the world has changed fundamentally.”

The 1905 Connection: History Rhyming

When I traveled abroad, I realized how myopic American news is—a severe case of “American tunnel vision.” While our media was focused on Pam Bondi calling Jamie Raskin a “washed-up loser lawyer,” my attention shifted to the 130-year-old ghosts in the room.

I discovered that Raskin’s ancestral family left Russia around 1905—the same year my grandparents did to escape the Russian Revolution. We are two branches of a similar tree, planted in American soil only to watch the forest we left behind catch fire again.

On Feb 11, 2026, Euro News reported:

• U.S. Aid: Largely withdrawn, with contributions reduced by up to 99%.

• European Response: Noticeably increased, with Germany becoming the largest single military donor in 2025.

• The Reality: Russia is a declining power sustaining massive losses—an estimated 1.3 million troops killed or wounded—yet Ukrainian civilians are freezing to death because of Putin’s war crimes. One news person gave an interview by flashlight.

For Whom the Bell Tolls (All Kidding Aside)

In 1905, my grandparents fled a revolution. In 2026, I watch a world where the White House fumbles peace mediation, risking an unenforceable agreement that fails to constrain Russia. The gap between these two tragedies is filled with jokes and dentist appointments. It feels irrational.

As Albert Camus famously noted:

“I said that the world is absurd, but I was too hasty. This world in itself is not reasonable, that is all that can be said. But what is absurd is the confrontation of this irrational and the wild longing for clarity whose call echoes in the human heart.”

My “wild longing for clarity” is why I dig through global surveys and ancestral history. The “irrational” is a world where trust has evaporated. Humor is how we survive the collision of the two. We joke about “Vet” doctors and root canals because if we didn’t laugh at the absurdity, the weight of the 1.3 million Russian casualties would crush us.

“Life is short,” says the old blessing attributed to Henri-Frédéric Amiel. “So, be swift to love and make haste to be kind.”

And if you can’t be kind, at least be funny. In a world that has lost its mind, a well-timed joke might be the only thing that still makes sense.

A question for you: Camus spoke of the “wild longing for clarity.” Where are you finding clarity—or at least a bit of sanity—in the headlines of 2026? I’d love to hear your perspective.