I am writing to you regarding federal voting lists following Executive Order 14399 in which Trump mandated federal verification of voter citizenship before federal elections. The constitution states that federal elections are conducted by the individual states, although Congress has gradually enacted laws that regulate those elections.
This is not the first time that Trump has attempted to override the powers of Congress.
I see that Secretary of State, Steve Hobbs and Attorney General, Nick Brown have sued the federal government because of Executive Order 14399 which is unnecessary and doesn’t improve election security. I believe it represents federal overreach, makes it hard for homebound people to vote, and takes the rights of the state away.
Please continue to defend voter’s rights to free, fair, and accessible elections.
I was reading a post yesterday regarding Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS), which is a program that allows eligible individuals to receive long-term services in their homes instead of institutions. The author was concerned because of our nation’s history with improper care of disabled people in institutions.
After a search online, I learned that the One Big Beautiful Bill Act will bring dramatic changes to Medicaid. This bill does, in fact, make cuts to HCBS, even though institutions are more expensive and less safe than letting people stay at home. The bill also requires people to check and recheck eligibility for Medicaid every 6 months, which sounds like more paperwork and cost to me. This seems like a waste. As a chronically ill person, as I understand it, my 13 diagnoses are never going to get better. I manage them, but 6 months or 6 years from now, they will still be here, just like they have been here for the last 12 years, I have known about them. Blatantly, senior citizens, families, rural and low-income people are being targeted by this bill. Yet billionaires and trillionaires got their tax cuts.
Our country found $100 billion for a useless war that created even more debt than we started with. We have $400 million for a ballroom at the White House, which was never necessary before now. $14 million was wasted on the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool, but it’s ok to treat United States citizens like animals because we don’t believe in Universal Healthcare like the other free countries in the world. Yep, I am proud to be an American!
I am writing regarding Social Security and Medicare. I am wondering how Congress can justify cutting benefits to people who are currently receiving Social Security and Medicare by 2032. Social Security is funded by employees and employers every month. How can anyone rationalize calling it an entitlement? SS is not a privilege, we paid for it and I pay for Medicare out of my Social Security benefits.
I have read that some leaders have suggested that the cap on taxable income be raised in order to bring in more dollars. Others have said we should continue to raise the retirement age. But politicians have been borrowing from the Social Security Trust Fund since Vietnam and they never pay back these “loans.” If the trillions of dollars were paid back, people needing SS and Medicare wouldn’t have anything to worry about.
Why is it we have billions of dollars to throw at futile wars or demolishing wings in the White House or useless downgrades to national monuments, but when it comes to caring for United States citizens, we are fighting about necessities? I should not have to say this to you. You should already know that people who have worked hard and paid into Social Security and need their money, should have it. But here we are; Please fight for me and my fellow United States citizens who need our Social Security checks and Medicare. We worked and we paid for it. Now it’s up to you to make sure we get it.
I am writing to you regarding the electoral college. We must end the electoral college. We no longer live in a society that is uneducated. We no longer live in a world where information is difficult to come by. We as learned people must be heard. Our votes must be counted. We do not need to rely on electors anymore
I see that Washington State has enacted a National Popular Vote Compact on April 28, 2009 and it was signed into law. I would like to encourage you to continue to support this law and to talk to other states to establish the National Popular Vote Law.
I want to promote the National Popular Vote Law which would guarantee the Presidency to the candidate who receives the most popular votes in the entire United State of America. This plan which has already passed into law here in Washington State, would ensure that every vote, in every state, will matter, in every presidential election. Please oppose any attempts to repeal it.
The spots on my pillow
are from when I bled in my sleep
The tears of my people
who have walked with my feet
The groans I hear inside
usually do not overcome
the ringing in my ears
To suffer is to have lived
To have looked at your fears
Many can ignore this
But I am uniquely wired
~
The water tasted different when I was a child
Delicious and refreshing
Now metallic and pithy
But I think the change came
as a choice to protect us from Industry and Commerce
so that our needs for bills to be paid
For homage to the Almighty Dollar
would not strip us of our need
for a glass of water
~
The men came home yesterday
from the medical examiner in Seattle
Soon they will be laid to rest
among their people
May we never forget the light they carried
May we hold it for them
and honor them in our love and laughter
May we hope and dream
May we learn and lean
May we never let what happened at Nippon
happen again
~
But let us cherish the way we came together
How we loved each other
in honor of these every day people
Who just showed up to work
on a Tuesday in May
But didn’t go home to their homes on earth
So we rallied and supported their children and each other
Because there are many kinds of families Cowlitz County isn’t perfect
but we are family
We don’t say drive safe
because you are a bad driver
But because sometimes you might be tired
from working overtime so you can pay your bills
And what about people who get sick
Because a stroke of genius
is not the only thing that can
happen behind the wheel
And what about people who just don’t care
because no one makes you hand over your keys
when you take a toke or a drink or however you escape
That’s why we wear seatbelts
and they don’t care what color you are
~
The same goes with White Supremacy
it tastes different in everyone’s mouth
Because we know it at different degrees
You might not actually hate
but you might know someone who does
You might hold beliefs born of this disease
But if you don’t or you won’t look at it
it wont change
You might not hate me
or my Black wife
But if you won’t even look at it
what does that say to me? Fear is an equal opportunity employer
~
Dr Samuel Johnson said in his 1775 treatise Taxation No Tyranny “How is is that we hear the loudest yelps for liberty among the drivers of negroes?”
Most of our founding fathers owned slaves
because they had never known a world without them Black people were seen as property
and used against us even by the British
It was wrong but if you can’t see it
How do you change?
But 250 years later we are celebrating our freedom
and it is time to look at our foundation and
see if there are holes to be filled
~
We are the United States of America
We are not a continent
We are a community
and together we need to live
To do this we must take our good medicine
Take our seatbelts off and move around
I want to see if we can trade any of this fear for love
then maybe we can be on the solid ground Celebrate all of us
Even the hard parts because we deserve it
Acknowledging everyone is scary
but only for a little bit
Because freedom is found in the daylight
My friend sent an article today
about people I’m related to
And I don’t see it her way anymore
Because I can’t
Because even though our skin looks the same
I got some skin in the game
and I know things I didn’t know before
things I can’t label but I definitely believe
~
I might have overreacted
The article was written by a Black man
She doesn’t understand why that doesn’t apply
Since everyone is an individual
If you can pay your way out
or you are smart enough
You might be able to get better faster
But it is not her job to make me comply
~
I educated her again
But she would not look at my pain
Would not acknowledge she brought it up
Just a week after a local catastrophe
I’m still trying to catch my breath
In fact we’ve had a few lately
I get she has her own trauma
I don’t understand the self sabotage
~
I have been here before with her
this plateau before goodbye
Where you consider whether
to jump or not
Because I won’t be abused
I had hoped her mind
would catch up to her big heart
Maybe it will before I take off
Somewhere over the rainbow
the world is exactly the same
because God
doesn’t like illusions
But He is love
and there is no evil in Him
So we don’t wear masks
or play mind games
and every person is important
~
White Liquor has a pH over 13
it can take hours to wash off
By itself it causes deep tissue damage
Mix it with any other substance
and you’re adding more trouble
Hours under running water to
remove this corrosive compound
sounds like a reason to want to die
or at least disassociate
~
If you are new to Kelso-Longview
you might not understand
Why we walk carefully
around the topic
We were created to be a Mill Town
and that is what we are Shift work and rough hands are our foundation
But we rally to care for
brothers and sisters
~
The same love that is God
that keeps you chasing life
even when chemical burns are eating you alive
And neighbors who may never have met before
join at a barbecue
to raise money for our family
It brings us together
because no matter what you call love
We have it in Cowlitz County
I’m on fire again
but I have been knocked down
so many times
I can function at any level
I find myself at
I’m not always at my best on my feet
because I have spent so much time getting back up again
~
I’m used to the smell of cinders
I have considered changing
my name to Cinderella
but I like Birkenstocks
I am sure they are better for plantar fasciitis than glass high heels
Plus I love my queen
I don’t want a mere prince
~
It’s tragic how the water in the slough
turns black
when it gets flooded with White Liquor
But who needs wild life and fresh water
Even in a Mill Town
that requires trees
How many more defensive attacks
will we experience before we are through
~
Dispatch called in EMS
because my heart stopped
But I will be ok
I just needed a reboot
Give me a minute
I will be with you shortly
Thank you for your patience
We have just experienced a catastrophic event
Holy, Holy, Holy Is The Lord God Almighty and I am one of His but there are people running around screaming Trump Derangement Syndrome And the odd thing is I am sure they have it and they scream DTS to throw off their scent while they don’t realize that we are not in Washington DC
~
I love them but what they are doing Never feels, looks, or sounds like love to me Lord Jesus I need an ice pop because hell fire is right here It’s all in the bible but it is the opposite of what You said to do The fines cost less than compliance and no one made them comply The mess is so dangerous to clean up and some of them they will never find
~
My hometown is suffering catastrophic consequences due to ignored due diligence Because economics sometimes outweighs the needs of people Because even though some try to sell us the lie That religion is our foundation Back room deals and doctored balance sheets are the real leader of the US of A
~
Thank You to my Creator for the people who are working together The Kelso-Longview community who will support each other When the president has said nothing The GoFundMes the fundraisers and the soft words mean the world to me Because we are Cowlitz Strong We don’t even realize the shoulders we are standing on and the tears I cried today were not just my own
This Store has been set up as a fundraiser store to help raise money for the Families affect by the tragic events at the Nippon Mill in Longview. With tragic events such as this, we have to come together as a community and do what we can to help. We would like to donate a portion of our proceeds(10$ per shirt/15$ per hoodies) to the Lower Columbia Longshoremen’s credit union donation account for the families affected. We will make and ship orders in batches, roughly every 2 weeks. Thank you so much for your support!
If you are curious about us and how we make your gear, check out http://TGArtCo.com.
PLEASE NOTE, CREDIT CARDS WILL SHOW TEAM UNIFORM ORDERING (TUO) ON YOUR STATEMENT. PLEASE DO NOT DISPUTE THE CHARGE OR YOU WILL BE ASSESSED A $15 FEE THAT THE CREDIT CARD PROCESSOR CHARGES. IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS REGARDING THIS, PLEASE CONTACT US DIRECTLY BEFORE ORDERING
Sometimes we moan
whether in our body or Spirit
when words aren’t enough “The Spirit intercedes with groanings too deep for words and God who searches hearts knows the mind of the Spirit because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to His will”
~
We are His creation and He is mine
Though I wasn’t born here
I am a daughter of Kelso-Longview
I have not slept for longer than and hour or two
since Monday May 25th of 2026
Nothing would shut down this Washingtonian body
wired and rebooted in Cowlitz County I know this pain I feel is not just mine
~
The sounds and sirens and wailing
whether imagined or real
was louder than the ringing in my ears
or the music on my iPhone
So as the electric pulses shot through my face
as I Googled electromagnetic force field
because even though science is a topic
I never excelled at, words intrigue me
and this phrase flashed in my mind
~
This group of words explains why opposites attract
and why being neutral goes nowhere
I think that is why I hate ignorance
and stagnance
and I love questions
This town was built by people with rough hands
but people without calluses run it
I love the color green because I love trees
not because I love money
~
But financing is necessary to keep
currency flowing in all fields
However love is free when we want it to be
and right now 2 people are confirmed dead
and 9 humans are missing and 8 injured
and I can’t look at the picture of the implosion
that happened at Nippon yesterday without feeling sick
I love you
Be blessed
I think we all have an innate need to be known. I am Summer. My name is sometimes easy for people to remember and all my life, I have heard people say, “Oh, that is Summer,” but I had no idea who they were most of the time. I have always been a behind the scenes person. That is where the people who are great at getting things done but not so great with people go; that is also where they put the fat people.
I am a great person for finishing jobs. I hate lists but I can get them done, not in order but I can accomplish things, in my own time and probably 10 other tasks you didn’t ask for, and maybe, not how you intended them, and most likely you would have preferred that I followed the itemized list, and even though I brought value to your life, you didn’t know you needed, you still need me to finish #2, #6 and #9 and you are wondering why the books had to be alphabetized because you had them in an order, that made sense to you, before I touched them. But don’t worry about that because I will make sure to always bring you the book you need, when you ask, because, remember that is now my job and your way was too hard for me to remember.
If you hand me a manual, I will read it. I will follow all the rules to a T, unless they are about clothing and then I might question to see if there is leeway for my Birkenstocks, piercings and whatever else I want to wear because I prefer modesty, and I don’t like to wear what people tell me to wear, and I have plantar fasciitis.
I am a sensory person. I didn’t know that until a few years ago. It would have helped to know that when I was younger, but here we are. I live with several chronic conditions that cause constant pain. I have had to learn to read a room and myself because sometimes my brain lies to me, but I am a great reader and a fairly good actor so you might never know that I am suffering, unless it is so great that I can’t cover it, in which case, I will either stay home or go there.
I have danced with politics several ways. I have hated politics, but learned that it touches everything so I need to be aware and communicate with my representatives about what I want, or why vote? I have been a republican, democrat, independent and currently I am disenfranchised. However, I believe there are good humans in all people groups and if we find the right ones, I can support those people.
After years of reading and learning about different people, I see that the freedom to marry, which Karen G Clemenson and I did vote for, even before we realized we were voting for our own civil rights, had been hard fought by many before us. People all over the world have been persecuted, criminalized and even killed because they loved someone that went against what other people decided was wrong. They even rewrote the bible to make it a sin in 1947. So even though I have always loved rainbows because they are a promise from God to never destroy the earth, they also are a promise that God loves all of us and the colors signifying: Life, Healing, Sunlight, Nature, Serenity, and Spirit. So Pride Month is important to some of us, whether all of us like it or need it, and I can think that is great.
I have always had an ability to interact with children. Adults and peers have always been hard for me to trust and relate to. I started caring for other people’s children when I was 10. I often had other people’s children with me until I was at least 25, and my nephew, Casey, was born. Then I often had my nephews and nieces with me. Around that time I was trying to learn to interreact with the people around me. I met Karen in 2003 and she was so natural with everyone. I wanted to be like that. Between therapists, books and lots of time with Karen and Jamie Holloway, I have put a lot of time into learning how to listen and respond to people in a more gentle manner.
I started writing, I think as soon as I could put words on paper. I remember writing stories and drawing pictures to go with them even before I could really read. I was a very smart child. My parents saw that and I tested beyond kindergarten so I skipped it and went to 1st grade early. I don’t think that was a good idea. I think there are things I was supposed to learn in kindergarten that I missed. I have often felt like I didn’t fit with people my own age. When Casey was super smart, and my sister was talking about having him skip a grade, I asked her not to. He was a little awkward like me too. I told her I thought there were social things that I missed and I didn’t want him to miss those things. I am thankful that she considered my words.
I have a lot more confidence in my writing than I do my speaking ability. But I don’t just want to be Jamie’s friend or Casey’s auntie or Joanne’s daughter or Karen’s wife. So maybe since I have noticed that people don’t like to read as much as they do listen, I should learn to speak as well as I write.
If you notice, my mouth is small, that is on purpose. I have nerve pain in my face. There might be times that I can’t speak at all. I tend to try to keep the movements in my face small so that I don’t aggravate the muscles in my face.
I was always an active as a child. I rode my bike everywhere and danced every day. I was not wired for sports at all, but I could outdance all my friends. Yet I was always fat. Not as big as I am now. I wish I had known that when I was growing up. I wish that it hadn’t been an issue. Because that is why I would not go to the doctor unless I thought I was dying. I didn’t want to be told I was fat. Duh! If I could change that I would have. I didn’t figure out what I needed to do to lose weight until I had been chronic for 10 years, working to be as well as possible, got cancer, nearly died twice from blood clots, caused by Megestrol. After lots of learning to set boundaries, making myself important, making good habits, and even telling my doctor no, I was losing weight. I have lost 95 lbs so far.
Do I have a reason for this message other than to be known? Maybe but just like, the fact that I didn’t learn my middle name until I was in 4th grade because Summer Clemenson took a long time to learn, Summer Deanne Clemenson was even more of a mouthful, being known takes time.
I have been a receptionist, a Vacation Bible School teacher, a preschool teacher, a nanny, a janitor, a manager of a retail store, a website designer, and Executive Director of a nonprofit. I am a Creative Director of an LLC, a wife, a sister, a daughter, an auntie, a friend, a reader, a writer, a cook…and I am not dead yet, so there will be more to come. How do you really know someone if you have never at least sat with them and had a cup of coffee with them? Are you up for it? Let me know.
I love you. Be blessed.
~
~
Feel free to leave your comments below!
My name is Summer. That is how you can call me. I hope that I am a blessing to you. I am not perfect. I will fall again. But I am forgiven. For anyone reading this that isn’t a Christian, unapologetically, I am a Jesus Follower, but I believe there is room for lots of beliefs and religions in the world. It is not my intent to offend people with different beliefs than I have and I would be open to open-minded conversations with no goals of changing anyone’s mind, but sharing information. If you are interested in becoming a Jesus Follower…Do you know Jesus? Do want the Holy Spirit to fill you and give you understanding and salvation? Ask Him. Want someone to pray with you? Contact me.
If you would like to know Jesus as your friend, but want to make this amazing commitment by yourself please pray something like this: Thank you Jesus that You are the Son of God, the God that created heaven and earth. Thank you Jesus that You came to earth in the form of a man so that You would be able to empathize with my humanity. Thank You that You did this in order to fulfill the promises You made at the foundation of the world. I realize that I am a sinner and do things that hurt myself and keep myself away from you. Thank You that You died for my sins so that You could defeat death and bring me into Your life. Please forgive me. I ask You to be Lord of my life. I ask you to heal my hurts and show me what my new life, empowered by You looks like. Thank You for Your mercy.
I remember my mom watching The Late Show. She LOVED David Letterman. I didn’t grow into his sense of humor until, well, I never totally grew into a level of dryness that fit him. But when I married Karen G Clemenson, I suddenly had to accept that I married a person who was really addicted to TV and that my nights were going to be filled with commercials and late night TV and Colbert was, oddly, one of our nightly routines. I didn’t get it because Karen is a republican and Colbert is not. Karen said it is good to listen to your enemies and he was smart and funny and kind. Tonight it is time to say Goodbye to The Late Show and I have been trying to find peace about it and I can’t.
I am just angry that the current administration has struck a blow at my favorite show and won. There is no other late night show I enjoy and want to watch. Because I enjoy Stephen Colbert. He is not too silly, too mean, too dry, too left, too anything, unless he is having a hard moment, as all humans do. And by the next day, or even the next segment, he finds himself back to his intelligent, thoughtful and creative self. For weeks, I have been hoping to hear that it was a joke to get ratings up, but I know it isn’t because Stephen would not have let it go this long.
So before the final show begins I will answer The Colbert Questionnaire:
The Best Sandwich: Thick sliced Tomato and Provolone on Sourdough with lots of mayonnaise and sea salt and pepper
First Concert: DC TALK and Michael W Smith
What is the Scariest Animal: Humans
Apples or Oranges: Apples
Have You Ever Asked Someone Else For Their Autograph: No
What Do You Think Happens When We Die: I think our soul, which holds our energy is free from our body and if we are not tied down by expectation and pain, we are free to go back to our Creator. If we have not finished important things, maybe we get stuck. But I think we also get to come back and visit with those we love, because I have had visits from my grandparents and they have helped me and answered questions I had.
Favorite Action Movie: Speed
Window or Aisle: Window
Favorite smell: Leather and peppermint
Least favorite smell: Cow fields
Earliest Memory: I used to have a dream of being stuck up high with the floor at a 45 degree angle dipping away from me and what looked like green peas falling from me. I had this dream every time I was sick and it would wake me up and I would be terrified, every time. When I was a young adult, I told my mom about it and she asked me how I could remember that. She said I was a baby. We were on a boat on Lake Washington and a belt broke that keeps the boat level. My father was working to get the boat level and my mom threw herself on top of me to keep me in the boat and those peas were the water dripping down from us. Wow!
Cats or Dogs: Cats
You Get One Song…the rest of your life when you listen to music this is the song you get to listen to…: Amazing Grace
What Number Was Stephen Thinking Of? (The answer was almost always 3): I always thought it as 42
Describe the Rest of Your Life in Five Words: Trading love for fear always
In the end, I have enjoyed Stephen saying anything he wants, because what can they do, cancel him? I have loved the variety of guests coming to say goodbye. And I look forward to seeing what he decides to do next because I know he can’t just go home.
Hello Goodbye My Friend
I love you. Be Blessed!
~
Feel free to leave your comments below!
My name is Summer. That is how you can call me. I hope that I am a blessing to you. I am not perfect. I will fall again. But I am forgiven. For anyone reading this that isn’t a Christian, unapologetically, I am a Jesus Follower, but I believe there is room for lots of beliefs and religions in the world. It is not my intent to offend people with different beliefs than I have and I would be open to open-minded conversations with no goals of changing anyone’s mind, but sharing information. If you are interested in becoming a Jesus Follower…Do you know Jesus? Do want the Holy Spirit to fill you and give you understanding and salvation? Ask Him. Want someone to pray with you? Contact me.
If you would like to know Jesus as your friend, but want to make this amazing commitment by yourself please pray something like this: Thank you Jesus that You are the Son of God, the God that created heaven and earth. Thank you Jesus that You came to earth in the form of a man so that You would be able to empathize with my humanity. Thank You that You did this in order to fulfill the promises You made at the foundation of the world. I realize that I am a sinner and do things that hurt myself and keep myself away from you. Thank You that You died for my sins so that You could defeat death and bring me into Your life. Please forgive me. I ask You to be Lord of my life. I ask you to heal my hurts and show me what my new life, empowered by You looks like. Thank You for Your mercy.
When it gets too cold
my joints curse me
and talking becomes explosive
The nerves in my face might have
taken my ability to speak but I
can still use paper and ink
This warm blanket helps me sleep
in spite of my chronic illnesses
caused by childhood traumas
~
But if I allow it this blanket will
dull my senses
It will block out the voices of
those around me
Stop me from seeing the needs
of anyone but me
Let me think that my experiences
are more important that yours
even though you wear t-shirts that say Oppressed Minority
~
You say Love is Love
but when I said we should love them too
You said I was selfish and cruel
You called me names and told me
my words were illegal
You said I wanted segregation
You told the owner on me
You suggested you might leave
so they turned on me because I am not a Xerox machine
I can’t feel the way you demand
I don’t hate you but I don’t hate them either
I also love myself and I didn’t say what you said
~
What I actually said was love
like trauma is universal
Everyone has experienced it
Maybe we could share some empathy
and work together
But what I feared is what I already knew
The people who are stuck at the far
left or the right don’t really
want change
They like their warm blankets
~
It would have meant so much
if anyone would have stood up for me while I was being attacked
and called names
when it was
in fact
you that was abusing me
You didn’t seem so fragile in that moment
But I have been the scapegoat before
and the golden child never does appear to be who they actually are
and the flying monkeys never know the role they play
They will do just about anything to keep the peace
Because that is what enablers do
~
I have been schooled on narcissists
and Honey I won’t play this game
Many White men is assholes cause they can be
They live up on they hill with the bright lights
cause they has all the money
and they stand on people like me
~
They take what they wants like its a gift
While women and children cry rape
and prisons are filled with some criminals
and people that should be free
~
They take their pictures grouped together
with they chests proud and puffed out
But the darkness shows in they eyes and policies
Sometimes they bring a women along to make you believe they lies
~
The reason a judge had to order desegregation
was sho nuf proof of evil
And hardly no fathers would send they babies
while they still wore scars of whippings and lynchings at the hands of the Invisible Empire
~
They women is working behind they backs to move forward without em
Or right there beside em because they also have felt
the whip and the rape and the holding down
They want what is promised not matter what they hafta give em
~
They tell us to hate each other the blacks, the foreigners, the transgenders
They tell us they need tax breaks
but they make me pay’m even while they cut my hours
~
They love they’s hill when the flood comes
they gets to look down on us while the shit water drowns us
and proclaim the stock market is up
so everything is fine and we should keep our chins up
~
I may not be right educated
cause they stole the school tax dollars for their fancy party
But I ain’t too stupid to know what fleecing is
I have been watching this for all of history
There’s a clown running around
showcasing a monument
we have held dear since the beginning
He has all but lit it on fire
but even that would be to no avail
The ringmasters have failed to to a thing
~
As he juggles the elephants and acrobats
the ringleaders clutch their pearls
make excuses or cry
Not any of them have removed him from the stage
Although they whine about it
with the trapeze artistswhile they posture
~
The tent pegs are a relic
written in 1778 with a quill
he has filled his pillow with
But sleeping in bedrooms is not
where this clown or our government
ever got its thrills met
~
Sweat equity of all kinds
especially from people of color or the female kind
are the ones we rape, pillage and take advantage of
And then we blame them for their need of protection
Because the clown is really a symptom and not the problem
Do you practice in the Spirit or in the law
Is it more important to have butts in the seats
Or do you walk in the Spirit and Truth
When you vote is it based on blind elephants
or break neck donkeys
Have you considered your neighbor or you queer child
What is most important to you
When you serve is it because they told you to
or is it what you want to do
~
I love the pretty advertisements
the memes about relationships and love
But at least 70 percent of people
in ICE detention centers are innocent
Have you tried to do anything about that
There are over 70 thousand people just rotting
over traffic violations not violent crimes
What part about the least of these
doesn’t qualify this part of human kind
~
Love is light and Jesus is full of it
but surprisingly many Christians read dark
As I become more aware of the gift I live
I have no patience for the lies we are fed
by the spiritually bankrupt and the stagnant
I have walked with God for 45 years
I enjoy reading my bible but I don’t revere it
There is not confusion where my devotion lies
If creation can’t teach you love how can I help you hear it
~
The things humans worship are futile
power, money, things to own, even our ideas
traditions, expectations, even things that hurt us
Can tear us to bits
Can induce the building of monuments
Can cause us all to pay homage to them
Can make something innocent
Deadly
Can stoke the hell fire at our feet
~
But waiting in the silence you’re afraid of
learning who you are
It is terrifying but the best cure
Once you know yourself they can’t confuse you
There is no counterfeit you’ll accept
After you’ve tasted the real truth
Fancy dresses are for models
But if you can look yourself in the eye
You can accept how God really loves you
~
Whatever you call your Creator
If you have ever constructed something into existence
you know an intimate love
That is how much you are valued
You don’t need pews, stained glass, and special garments
to know how much you are renowned
to know any praise you can give
is reciprocated
Take a breath with the breath He put in your lungs
~
Community is wonderful
Making casseroles for people
who come to you is great
Jesus said to love God with everything you have
and love your neighbor as yourself
He said that all laws fell into these
He didn’t differentiate between nations
or neighborhoods, religions, races or caste levels
He just said to love
~
You don’t have to go to church to love God
In fact the people outside the church
are the ones Jesus broke bread with and healed
People need to be loved everywhere
In fact I have had trouble finding Him
at the churches where I am greeted by computers
ready for my online giving at the door
And the guest speaker that describes
heaven as a place that is carnal when we wont have need anymore
~
When people have asked me about heaven
beyond the light of love I don’t care I am here for my Creator
I think we will all be reconciled and I don’t need any more
If my eyeballs melted out of head
or I vomited this pain inside
The effects would probably last longer than
the migraine that was not invited
Thank God for sumatriptan
~
If I continue to rub my head
back and forth against my pillow
I might go bald
But what the fuck
I can’t see behind me anyway
~
My teeth are on fire
I had plans for tomorrow
but now I just want
my ears to stop ringing
and send the communication department on furlough
~
And then I woke up
to the burning smell
Much like racism
you wont believe that it is still burning
because your fascia is fine
~
Classism which allows everyone at the top
to do whatever they want
and makes fibromyalgia seem like a president
that could care less about a constitution written in 1778
~
How good is a document if nobody is honoring it?
It’s like a prescription that the pharmacy can’t fill
If the office never received the fax
Because my prescription is expired
Or my doctor is on leave
~
There comes a time
say after 250 years
That it is time to reestablish
the needs and expectations of We The People
We need a new prescription
~
You won’t hear me because you can’t
Your ears have been filled by Lewis Powell
and every white man who worshipped his memo
The crises The United States is in now
was dictated by a document created 1971 in the summer
~
Your mama was owned on paper
your ancestors too and maybe some of mine
And now you
We don’t call it slavery anymore but it’s a class war
Though at its finest its actually oligarchy
~
Thoughts are wonderful its where dreams begin
but CEOs and shareholders get all the bonuses
while heads of households get their hours cut
and on paper I could pay off my credit card every month
under the last administration
~
Now I live in a pressure suit
My fascia is deteriorating
When I try to speak truth to lies
The nerves in my face erupt when you argue with me
Tripping over paper is enlightening
She stands on top of Black ancestors shoulders
taught to read by White women
creating change the only way they knew how
The ones who came before her
paved the way
so as a Black Lesbian
she can hold my White hand
~
Mama was a slave before she was freed
by legislation that can never be complete
Because the hearts of men humanity can never be decreed
Mama taught her to hate no one
because being mulatto means
the founding fathers are skin deep
~
The United States has celebrated 250 years
and she is very proud Army is written not only on her chest
Are we perfect or is the fight over?
Hell no!
But the fact that we are here
Is a gratitude that she needs to speak
~
We don’t agree on politics
because I want to protect her
I see how hard she tries and I hate
how many taxes she pays
But I love her
and we love each other
and we love The United States
~
She’s a republican and a moderate
I have been a republican
a democrat, an independent, and disenfranchised
My gentle soldier solutes her flag
and I pray for us
Both kinds of allegiance speak of heritage
~
What is legacy but traditions and values
passed forth from those who came first
But when will we stop being victims
of the imbalance of power in relationships
meant to sustain the system
When will we stop honoring and treat the traumas
So we will actually all know the same freedoms
~
Favorite customs have been celebrated
but too many secrets have not been told
She loves what she knows
I want the light to be let in
I want the oligarchs to pay
the same percentage she owes
Instead of us closing our eyes at their rape and their uneven scales
now that would make America great
Have you ever looked at your reflection and thought
This is not me
or wow I have been through something
Have you watched yourself change
and not known what to do
Have you rejoiced in your return
Have you seen yourself in a gallery
and recognized all the different parts of you
Have you rebuked the evil Repented
and invoked the reverent power inside of you at will
Said hello to the part of you that is always soft but strong
You have the power of life and death in your tongue
Have you seen it
The only person you have the right to command
is yourself
But do you revere the one in the mirror
or do you write laws for others
I know you think we should all abide by the same rules
but it just isn’t that easy
My mind lies to me
and I have to live with it
If your mind tells you
you are a girl
when you have the parts of a boy
Whatever you have to do find peace
sounds like survival to me
But you might need to respect
the survivors around you too
We all have our own scars
I can’t carry yours
That’s why they are yours
I wake up every day and try to avoid reading or hearing about whatever our president obsessed about the night before and spewed on his social media site. I don’t follow him, but without fail, someone will make sure to splatter screen captures on Facebook or on the nightly news. I can never get away from him. Donald J. Trump has been the lead topic in my prayers, therapy sessions, and bitch fests since 2016, when he began campaigning for his first run as president. In my mind, he is the president who cried wolf. I didn’t believe this latest shooting was real until I saw Margaret Brennan and Weijia Jiang discussing the shooting at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner, April 26, 2026, where they were, less than 24 hours previously, on Face the Nation.
It is not that I don’t care about the president. I do pray for him and not just because the bible instructs me to, but because I believe that greatness is a team effort. If the president fails, we all fail.
“A man may die, nations may rise and fall, but an idea lives on.”John F. Kennedy
“Within our people is the strength, the vision, and the faith that will return prosperity to America.”Ronald Reagan
“American is a great force for freedom and prosperity. Yet our greatness is not measured in power or luxuries, but by who we are and how we treat one another.”George W. Bush
“Change will not come if we wait for some other person, or if we wait for some other time. We are the ones we’ve been waiting for.”Barack Obama
“In America, the impossible is what we do best.”Donald Trump
Donald Trump was not the only target of the shooter who traveled from California to Washington, DC, with plans to take out members of the Trump Administration. This third attempt of assassination is real. I feel sorry for the families and loved ones of everyone there. Melania looked terrified when she heard the shots. It is hard to process evil. But I also know our president loves the attention. Hopefully this will help him make good decisions about the war in Iran.
Trump is not the only president that has seen political violence. On May 23, 2023 someone tried to drive a truck into the White House, in order to kill Joe Biden, Barack Obama had 11 plots or attempts against his life. George W. Bush had 2 attempts on his life. Bill Clinton had 4 attempts on his life. In April 1993, 17 men tried to kill George HW Bush. Ronald Reagan was shot, but not killed on March 30, 1981. A man was caught minutes before he could shoot Jimmy Carter on May 5, 1979. Gerald Ford had two attempts on his life…and that is every president in my lifetime.
We should all pray for or send good energy for our nation’s leaders. It is a hard job; one I would never want.
But I am really done with this president. I need to separate myself from this narcissist. He has led us, as a nation, to places I am not proud of. I care, but I need to not hear anymore crisis coming from the White House. I need to not hear about created chaos. So if I am not broke up, it’s because this president has caused my anxiety levels to rise to tiers that scare me and I just have to disconnect. There are things that I have read and pictures I have seen that I can’t relate to without confusion.
God is not in confusion.
Albert Einstein once said, “Synchronicities are God’s way of remaining anonymous.”
At the same time that the White House Correspondents’ Dinner was happening, 20 minutes away, Epstein Survivors were having dinner to commemorate the death of Virginia Giuffre; it was one year since she had committed suicide. And now, the energy, the chatter is alive in Washington, DC with the talk of the black male teacher from California. It doesn’t matter what political party you connect with; The Epstein Files are still not completely released.
We are excited but we wont make any changes to even make public schools safer from mass shootings. I am not against legal gun ownership. I support the second amendment, however, at some point, you must realize that there is something wrong with doing the same thing, while seeing more and more gun violence. There is nothing wrong with honestly looking at yourself and saying: What needs to change?
Change is hard. I know this. For my whole life I have had to change for others. In 2014, I was forced to start changing for me. I had never learned how to take care of myself. In the last 12 years, I have changed so much about myself. Nearly every aspect of my life has been touched by necessary change. I didn’t do it all at once but as I changed one thing, and then another, it got easier. It used to scare me, but now I am more curious about change. I know I don’t have to keep it if it doesn’t work for me. I have made the big changes.
This president has cried wolf so many times. I apologize if I have offended you. But I just have to be done. I need my energy for me. I can’t fix him and I can’t fix the United States of America.
Why does this president need so much attention?
~
Feel free to leave your comments below!
My name is Summer. That is how you can call me. I hope that I am a blessing to you. I am not perfect. I will fall again. But I am forgiven. For anyone reading this that isn’t a Christian, unapologetically, I am a Jesus Follower, but I believe there is room for lots of beliefs and religions in the world. It is not my intent to offend people with different beliefs than I have and I would be open to open-minded conversations with no goals of changing anyone’s mind, but sharing information. If you are interested in becoming a Jesus Follower…Do you know Jesus? Do want the Holy Spirit to fill you and give you understanding and salvation? Ask Him. Want someone to pray with you? Contact me.
If you would like to know Jesus as your friend, but want to make this amazing commitment by yourself please pray something like this: Thank you Jesus that You are the Son of God, the God that created heaven and earth. Thank you Jesus that You came to earth in the form of a man so that You would be able to empathize with my humanity. Thank You that You did this in order to fulfill the promises You made at the foundation of the world. I realize that I am a sinner and do things that hurt myself and keep myself away from you. Thank You that You died for my sins so that You could defeat death and bring me into Your life. Please forgive me. I ask You to be Lord of my life. I ask you to heal my hurts and show me what my new life, empowered by You looks like. Thank You for Your mercy.
I have been really careful about where I have put my energy this week. I feel there is a change in the air. It has been coming upon me for a while now. A teacher I listen to is saying that there is an upgrade; the planets and stars are aligned in a way that hasn’t happened in something like 125 years and the systems that live off our life forces are working overtime but this is a time for upgrade. Not a time to go back to what we used to know. I feel that. I am on day 4 of a parasite cleanse. I have been trying to sleep more. I have even gleaned clothes and shoes I don’t need, to give away. Today I’m tired.
I started following Amy E. Sousa on Facebook from my article yesterday, The Audacity. I think I have figured out what I was attracted to. She is familiar. She is afraid. She is a victim. She is intelligent. She gains power from all of these attributes. I asked a question of her on one of her videos — she has a lot. I gave some background information. She has not responded but her followers have.
I was not argumentative. I told her I agreed, that I understand why she believes we need to fight for neutral or family restrooms for the use of families and transgender people, for the safety of women and the use of families. But I also told her that I had known of a small bio-male child that announced they were a girl when they were very young and they were not supported. The child has still grown to be a non-binary person. I have met many other humans that, even though I don’t fully understand their situation, I see they are much happier after they have transitioned, and I don’t see how it hurts me to call them what they want. I even let her know that I am an empath and I can feel the feminine on a person with male characteristics and visa-versa. I even quoted scripture (Galatians 3:28) that says there is no nationality or gender, we are all one in Christ. I have been laughed at by several people. One woman said I was looking down on her. That was never my intention. I am just comfortable in my belief.
I have not unfollowed Ms. Sousa yet. I feel conviction to listen. At least for a while. Because even though I do dream of a world where I don’t have to resist. I love this video by Whitney Alese because civil rights are not just for Queer folks or Women or Black people or Disabled humans and I belong to all these groups, but all people. I hope this video is still here:
I also found myself enjoying this video by Rainbow Girls. I have paraphrased the words because it made a really profound statement to me, since I have walked with Jesus for 45 years and I can’t imagine Jesus this way at all. The video was available at the time I posted this article and I posted it below the words:
Which poor people would Jesus kill or starve? Would He be neutral about genocide?
CHORUS: Who would Jesus bomb? Tell me who would Jesus bomb? Would it be kids in Palestine or how ’bout Vietnam? Would Jesus bomb the Atheists, the Muslims, or the Jews? I want you to ask yourself, well what would Jesus do?
Would He find situations “complicated”? If He was sleeping on a sidewalk would you help Him, or would you just watch where you stepped?
Would Jesus bomb LGBTIA+ people? Would He suggest they kill themselves? Would He tell homeless man to get a job or turn His back on the poor or look down on anyone?
How would Jesus vote? If He ran for office what type of government would He choose? Would he lead a megachurch? Would He build a border wall or use tools meant for war? Would he run a bank? Would He feel free in His skin when you found out He is brown?
We live in a world that forces us to always choose. I wish we lived in a world that just allowed us to be. I used to live in a world where I could choose to stay quiet and say I hated politics but after I got married, which was the about the same time that I became disabled, I had to become aware. Before then I was just a fat, white woman from a middle class family. Yes, I was the scapegoat for the shenanigans of my family, but if I followed the rules, I was essentially kept. But disability is not something that can be handled well or hidden. And I was not going to hide my wife. The fact that I had one was an abomination, but that she was black…
I had already decided that I loved people. I was learning how to love the inconvenient ones. It was on purpose. Because Jesus loves us all, on purpose.
I wish I could just say I hate politics and close my eyes. I wish I could pick a side and hate the other, but if I am honest, and I am brutally honest, there are failures on both sides. But there are successes on both sides.
John Kerry was on The Tonight Show recently. I had forgotten about him. It had been years since I had seen him. As I listened to him talk, I remembered that I had liked him, when I was in college. I voted for him. He didn’t win, but I know why I liked him. I like him for the same reason I like Pete Buttigieg. It isn’t because they are democrats. It is because there is something about them that reminds me of Grandpa Bill. Grandpa was a staunch republican. But he was also a gentleman that understood boundaries, the power of silence, and to take a breath and think before he spoke. All of these men serve. They don’t give beyond their boundaries. They know when to be quiet. They also always take a breath before they answer to consider what is right to say…and they also know how to use humor when necessary. My wife, Karen G Clemenson, is a republican and she also is working on learning all these habits.
If I could find a political party that stood firmly on equal civil rights for all people and a balanced budget, I would vote for that party. The republicans used to believe in a balanced budget, but nationally, we are so far away from a balanced budget; I have written about how the Trump Administration is lining their pockets in Oversite Can Mean Supervision or An Unintentional Mistake, I have also written about how the treasury has declared the United States insolvent in Regarding H.Con.Res.15, and I wrote about how 12 days before Trump’s One Big Beautiful Bill was brought before Congress, there was another bill that would have forced Congress to be fiscally responsible and have a balanced budget, in Regarding H.B. 3289. The MAGA’s in Cowlitz County have tons to say about our local government but Trump can do no wrong.
But I have listened to our republican representatives for Washington State. I have heard Jim Walsh make jokes about LBGTQI+ people. But it seems that his running mate Joel McEntire has made it quite the game online. Joel and I used to be friends on Facebook but he has unfriended me, however, I found some interesting posts he made online and I wanted to share them with you. If I was a woman…OH! I am…I would advise you to find someone else to represent you.
Click on any of these images to make them larger. Click on the arrow to the right of the screen to scroll through them. Click anywhere on the screen to make them smaller again.
If you are interested in researching someone else to represent you in Olympia, I have the name of a good guy. In fact Terry Carlson is it. I have met both he and his wife and they are lovely people and they appreciate and support all people in the state of Washington. He is running against Joel McEntire. I don’t know anything about Mike Coverdale but I will be watching him. He is running against Jim Walsh.
I hope I didn’t lose you while I processed a lot today, but I believe it was all connected. Because I love people. People are important and who we support, and why support them is important. Who we give our energy to, says a lot about us, whether we are aware of it or not. When you are done with your day, are you inspired or drained? Did you give too much? Does that happen after you have seen certain people? Have you watched too much TV or read too much news? Take care of yourself. Learn to say no. Learn to stick up for yourself and the people you love.
I dream of a world where everyone feels loved. I love you. Be blessed.
~
Feel free to leave your comments below!
My name is Summer. That is how you can call me. I hope that I am a blessing to you. I am not perfect. I will fall again. But I am forgiven. For anyone reading this that isn’t a Christian, unapologetically, I am a Jesus Follower, but I believe there is room for lots of beliefs and religions in the world. It is not my intent to offend people with different beliefs than I have and I would be open to open-minded conversations with no goals of changing anyone’s mind, but sharing information. If you are interested in becoming a Jesus Follower…Do you know Jesus? Do want the Holy Spirit to fill you and give you understanding and salvation? Ask Him. Want someone to pray with you? Contact me.
If you would like to know Jesus as your friend, but want to make this amazing commitment by yourself please pray something like this: Thank you Jesus that You are the Son of God, the God that created heaven and earth. Thank you Jesus that You came to earth in the form of a man so that You would be able to empathize with my humanity. Thank You that You did this in order to fulfill the promises You made at the foundation of the world. I realize that I am a sinner and do things that hurt myself and keep myself away from you. Thank You that You died for my sins so that You could defeat death and bring me into Your life. Please forgive me. I ask You to be Lord of my life. I ask you to heal my hurts and show me what my new life, empowered by You looks like. Thank You for Your mercy.
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