The day after I wrote Rain and Ghosts On All Hallow’s Eve, voters in the United States chose Trump for president. They also gave him a senate. For those of us in the pro-democracy coalition, this is devastating. The most painful part is knowing that our fellow Americans, in a show of breathtaking stupidity and mean-spiritedness, preferred a grifting, convicted felon and sexual predator over a bright, articulate woman of color. She had experience as a leader and ideas that would benefit everyone –even those who would not vote for her. Misogyny clearly runs deeper than we imagined. Disinformation triumphed. Americans chose fascism over compassion and rational government. Now we brace for Project 2025 and Christian nationalist policies. Dark times will be upon us. I will be there for the resistance –eventually. First I will rest, meditate, walk, winterize the house, talk with friends and family, hang out with my dogs. I will cry. We should all tend to our mental health and prepare. Remember this: fascists count on despair and defeatism. I hope you will join me in taking a break. Find your community. Because after January 20th, 2025 we will need to gather our courage, love, and wits to protect vulnerable people, the planet, and our very democracy.