✨The Bright Side✨ Joy in the Resistance
Finding peace in cluttered rooms, spring blooms, and a week full of reminders that community care works.
This week I’ve been feeling really on-edge… like a pressure cooker. Part of it was the chaos in the news. But honestly? A lot of it was the clutter in my house.
My daughter’s room had become a tornado zone. I didn’t want to clean it for her. I wanted her to learn how to do it herself. But it was just too overwhelming for her to tackle alone. So we waited until we had a few uninterrupted hours and did it together yesterday. We sorted through everything with a little Marie Kondo energy, made donations and trash piles, and by the end? I wish I had taken before-and-after pictures because the difference was spectacular.
When I asked her how she felt, she said, “It is so peaceful.”
That’s what I want her to remember: the peace that comes when your space feels calm and the pride of doing something hard and finishing it.
Afterward, I dove into practicing my latest piano piece. I’m working on Arabesque by Friedrich Burgmüller. Not at full speed yet, but I’m proud of the progress.
Also bringing me joy: the cherry blossoms, magnolias, and camellias that are blooming all over town. My husband took a few photos this week, and I swear, it is dangerous to drive surrounded by that much beauty.
Now that my home (and head) feel a little more in order, let’s talk about the things that brought me peace this week outside the house.
🏳️🌈 Community Power in a Deep-Red County
In Rolla, Missouri, a county where trmp won by 43 points, voters just ousted three city council members who pushed anti-LGBTQ+ policies, including drag bans and book censorship.
The challengers, backed by a local LGBTQ+ group, won. That’s community power in action.
🗣️ People’s Town Halls Are Here
While House Republicans gear up to vote on a budget that slashes Social Security and Medicare, cuts veteran jobs, and threatens food and health aid, Democrats are showing up to face voters even in Republican districts.
Some Republicans are hiding. But Democrats are hosting People’s Town Halls in their districts, to tell the truth about what’s at stake.
Here are five happening this month:
April 13 – AZ-06 (Rep. Juan Ciscomani) (this one was already full!)
April 22 – PA-08 “Good Trouble Festival” (Rep. Rob Bresnahan)
April 24 – CO-08 (Rep. Gabe Evans)
April 24 – NC-09 (Rep. Richard Hudson)
April 25 – MO-02 (Rep. Ann Wagner)
🧡 This Week in Immigration: When Communities Fight Back
A small town stood up for their neighbors.
In Sackets Harbor, NY, ICE arrested a mom and her three kids even though the raid wasn’t targeting them. The town’s population is 1,400. More than 1,000 showed up to protest with signs that read “TOM HOMAN TOOK OUR KIDS.”
Thanks to their pressure, the family is home now.
A DACA dad is finally home.
Evenezer Cortez Martinez, a Kansas father of three, was deported while trying to return from a trip to visit his grandfather’s grave in Mexico.
After two terrifying weeks, he’s back in Kansas City, hugging his kids again.
Kilmar Abrego Garcia is alive.
After being wrongly deported to a Salvadoran prison, the trmp administration finally confirmed that Kilmar is alive. He never should have been deported.
He has no criminal record, was protected by a court order, and was mistakenly labeled a gang member. A federal judge is demanding daily updates on efforts to bring him back.
⏳ Elon Musk Could Be Forced Out
House Democrats are invoking a law that limits how long “special government employees” can serve. If successful, Elon Musk could be out of the trmp administration by May 30.
I am counting the days until this happens.
Oh, and if you need a little extra laughs, watch this AI takedown of Elon. Chef’s kiss.
🗞️ A trmp-Appointed Judge Just Protected the AP
This is a big win for press freedom, and it came from a judge appointed by trmp himself.
Here’s what happened: trmp's team kicked the Associated Press out of major events (like Oval Office meetings and Air Force One trips) because the AP refused to call the “Gulf of Mexico” the “Gulf of America.”
But this week, a federal judge said no.
The ruling makes it clear: if the White House grants access to some reporters, it can’t ban others just because it doesn’t like their coverage. That’s a violation of the First Amendment.
🙌🏼 Bernie and AOC Draw 36,000 in LA
The “Fighting Oligarchy” tour is bringing people together across the country.
This weekend in Los Angeles, it drew more than 36,000 people.
AOC fired up the crowd. Bernie warned about the power grabs and greed of Trump’s second term. And the energy? Pure resistance and love.
🛑 A Dangerous Abortion Ban Is DOA in North Carolina
Republicans in NC tried to push a bill that would ban virtually all abortions beginning at conception, including for rape and incest.
But Speaker Destin Hall confirmed the bill won’t move forward this session. For now, it’s dead.
That’s it for this week. If you’re feeling overwhelmed, take a beat.
Look at the trees.
Declutter one corner.
Go do something you love that has nothing to do with the news.
Then remember, we’re in this together.
What is something that brought you joy this week? Let me know in the comments!
Un abrazo,
New fan here!