✨ The Real Housewives of Bozeman? Nah

Aug 24

4 min read

This week Cosmopolitan magazine and Yahoo News reported that the Bravo Reality TV series "Real Housewives" was casting in our little mountain town. Bravo has insisted no such show is in the works, but the rumors are swirling.

I'll pass, thank you very much.

That said, I'm still smiling after the real life connections made in Bozeman at the OneGreenThing Forum. It was day about lifting each other up, committing to staying in this work, and envisioning a healthier, green, more just future. (No one threw a drink or left in a dramatic huff as often happens on the Bravo series. I mean I've never watched those types of reality shows, right? So how would I know? Right?)

Instead, at the forum we dove into meaningful conversations about service leadership, climate storytelling, community action, and climate solutions. Sponsored by the United Talent Agency Foundation (UTA) Foundation, National Wildlife Federation's Green Hour, Counter, Catawba College, the Plastic Pollution Coalition, and many more wonderful organizations, we took time to reflect and met new friends. Grateful to all our speakers, attendees, volunteers, and community sponsors.

Look Mom! We made the front page of the Bozeman Chronicle. Stay tuned for more information soon about next year's gathering.

Celebrating the 19th Amendment

By Getting Ready for November

The 19th Amendment turned 106 years old this week. Believe it or not, the phrase "repeal the 19th" was trending on twitter. Obviously this would be wildly unpopular and ludicrous, but fringe groups are trying to socialize the idea of disenfranchising more than half of the US population. With the gutting of the Voting Rights Act through the Louisiana v. Callais Supreme Court decision, the overturning of Roe v. Wade with the Dobbs decision, and a look at U.S. history in the post-Reconstruction era, we know that these rights can be taken away. That's why democracy is a NOT a spectator sport and we all have to get involved.

My grandmother was 15 years old when the the 19th Amendment became the law of the land. My mom grew up with stories about Tennessee state legislator Harry T. Burn following his mother's advice to cast the deciding vote to ratify the 19th Amendment. Of course, Black women weren't fully allowed to vote until the passage of the 1965 Voting Rights Act. I don't take the right to vote for granted. I decided to celebrate this week by blaring Cyndi Lauper & reflecting on the positive changes we've seen since the 19th amendment - more here.

The midterms are on November 3rd, and the dismal polling means the current Administration is running scared. Its rumblings about "election security" are alarming to say the least. I've checked my voter registration, researched the candidates, made sure my college aged kids absentee ballots will count, and speak up when I can. I'll likely volunteer with my local voter protection team to make sure votes are counted and lawful voters aren't turned away.

How are you getting ready? What's your voting plan? As a former Gore 2000 recount lawyer, I've also been following election litigation through the Democracy Docket by Marc Elias to learn more. One thing is certain: the next two months are going to be a wild ride.

AUGUST MUSINGS

What I'm Reading:

Hamnet by Maggie O'Farrell -- this NYT bestselling historical fiction book chronicles the death of Hamnet, Shakespeare's 11-year-old son. Besides the spectacular prose and the deep welling of feeling of loss, the book also describes the healing power of nature with profound beauty. I haven't seen the film yet, but highly recommend this read.
The Book of Alchemy by Suleika Jaouad - a collection of essays by artists and global thinkers like Jon Batiste, Gloria Steinem, and Salman Rushdie about journaling. I'm a big believer in journaling (with a pen and paper!) and enjoyed Jaouad's reflections and learnings about this practice.
End of Story by Alexandra Schwartz-- This New Yorker article describes the work of death doulas and how we should all talk more about death, dying, and grief. One of the ideas is embracing a "mortality moment," each day to contemplate, faith, legacy, and the logistics of planning for death. Outstanding article (sorry there is no gift link option.)

What I'm Watching:

Silo - love this sci-fi, post- apocalyptic show about 10,000 citizens living in underground silos. It's part mystery, action-hero, and melodrama with Tim Robbins & Common. The show addresses authoritarianism, memory, and biophilia. Have loved the first two seasons. Here's my overview.
Platonic - I haven't finished the first season of this show with Seth Rogen and Rose Bryne about male and female friendship. So far, so good - funny, quirky, and sweet.

What I'm Listening to:

Medium Build - my friend from NPR (humble brag!) suggested this soulful indie artist with touching lyrics and fun pop beats
Big Thief - cannot wait to see them here in Bozeman in October.
Cowboy Junkies - I saw them in concert this summer and have the 90s hit "Misguided Angel" on repeat from The Trinity Sessions album.
The War & Treaty -this country R&B duo visited Bozeman and it was one of my top five concerts of all time.

My favorite #onegreenthings:

Spending time outside by kayaking at Hyalite Lake near Bozeman, taking long walks on the beach in the Outer Banks of North Carolina, and hiking in far Northern California.
Having my "go kit" ready for wildfire season in Montana.
Loving my buckwheat soba tea.
Calling the Congressional switchboard 202-224-3121 and telling my members of Congress to push back on the proposed rescission of the Roadless Rule, protect public lands, stop masked federal agents kidnapping people without due process of law, support a humane immigration policy, enable access to affordable healthcare, end the war in Iran, and speak out against this disaster of an Administration.
Enjoying these skincare oils from Counter (one of our sponsors of the OneGreenThing Forum).
Checking out books, events, and classes at my local library, a font of #onegreenthing opportunities.
Following foodsafety.gov for the latest news on food recalls, safety alerts, and the cyclospora outbreak. Turns out government regulation and food safety are quite important. Trigger warning: there is a ton of food on this list!