I love the getaway idea. This should be baked in to the "reality" of Life on Earth". Your birth certificate comes with 10 free ones, and you can opt in for additional leases during times of fascism and disarray. And divorce.
Love the idea of the opt out button! That would be so amazing 🧡
Also, hell yeah to “we will rise!” We always rise, although I wish we didn’t get pushed down so much that we had to keep rising and rising…but nevertheless we persist 💪
I think that’s the very least we deserve. Where is the button and the trapdoor with the fun slide, Sonbol?! I agree of course. I long for a world where we did not have to keep rising. Where we could rest and recover and frolic and breathe. But until we get there, we rise together. Which makes it a lot easier. Thank you for being here from the bottom of my heart ♥️🐦🔥
I have DMV stories I can’t think about today. Too infuriating and they relate to my dead mother who was elderly and disabled and her name not matching her birth certificate. Stop it Mary. I have to get my licensed renewed this year. I did it through the mail last time. Pretty sure I’m going to have to get a new picture since my photo on my license is 18 years old. Damn, I was wanting to look 52 forever. I never informed them I had cataract surgery in 2020 and can now see so if I pass their eye test they can remove that restriction. My state can’t force Real ID to vote and I use my passport for flying so hopefully my little town will make this year’s DMV trip easy. I better put it in my calendar to do early because I will be traveling for my big 70th.
I was shocked it was as easy as it was, Mary. Not that it was easy given…all the things. And I did the Real ID because she assured me it would be easy with voter registration, I guess we will see. I have my original birth certificate (found it in my dad’s stuff) and my passport so I think I should be okay, and it’s the first thing I’m going to verify when it comes in the mail. I’m sorry about your Mom and whatever you went through there. Government agencies and aging parents are a dreadful combination for those of us who end up navigating them 😩 Sending you a lot of love. 2026 here we come ❤️🔥🐦🔥
Thank you 🙏 for making me feel less crazy every time I read your work, Ally. I go through the motions, mostly compliant, until there's just one too many stupid red tapes wrapped around my neck while being asked over and over again to clarify, to provide more information, and to do the work myself after paying for a service. For her birthday, my sister spent years going to a silent retreat. It's a lovely idea isn't it? Thank you for being a bawdy, brave and kind expression of humanity.
Aw Laury thank you for being here. I think we’re all reassuring each other that we are not crazy for feeling like things have gone completely off the rails. Few things feel worse than gaslighting if you have a history of being gaslit! I adore you and appreciate you and we will get through these unthinkable times together. Lots of love xox
This was awesome. My first thought was if I had a three day getaway with nothing to do I might have a nervous breakdown thinking of all things I should be doing. My second thought was hell ya. I found my posse. Getting ready to ride.
I think we would all have that moment of…wait…what?! Three days of whatever I want? Or a week? And then I think it would be absolute mayhem and bliss. Honestly, I kind of want to make it happen, Diane. With all my spare time 🤣 Welcome to the posse, I am so stoked you’re here.
It’s funny, Ally. I am writing “more than full time.” And I dance in a studio daily. I can’t bring myself to say I am retired — retired from corporate life maybe — but not retired from the rest of life. I know I am privileged to have the time to focus on what I want.
It’s a pleasure to meet you, too! And that sounds so lovely, Diane. I write every day, but I also have an online yoga studio. And teenagers, one in college, one still home. A memoir I’m finishing, and college tours coming up for my second. I would really love a grown up sleep away camp 😂 What kind of dance do you do?
Confession: some essays I read on substack can go on and on. There are times when I just scroll to the bottom without reading it all. But yours? I taste, chew, and ingest every word. I am always left perfectly satiated.
The DMV AND the Social Security office all in one day is so impressive I think you could get nothing done for the next six months and still feel accomplished. Great job!👏
Ha! Thank you, Sarah! I am proud I carried forward once I was out. It was a slightly crazy thing to do but it worked out well and now I can finger paint for six months if I want to 🤣 Happy New Year, thank you for being here ❤️🩹🙏🏼
You are a treasure Ally - your words are like magic, and your courage and resilience are inspirational. May 2026 usher in kindness and peace by the bucket load ❤️. I wish I had had a mum like you 🥰
Oh Cathy this was so kind. I hope 2026 is better by far, but regardless of what’s in store I’m so thankful we will face it together. And I wish we all had mums who were able to receive us the way we deserved to be received — with awe, delight and absolute gratitude ❤️🩹❤️🩹 Hugs and love to you, thank you for being here 🙏🏼
I love the getaway idea. This should be baked in to the "reality" of Life on Earth". Your birth certificate comes with 10 free ones, and you can opt in for additional leases during times of fascism and disarray. And divorce.
Yessssss. Why is this not a thing? It feels like it should be obvious. Thanks so much for being here, Valkyrie. I appreciate you 🙏🏼❤️🔥❤️🩹
Loved this. Bon courage.
Thank you, Susan. And thank you for being here ❤️🔥❤️🔥
Love the idea of the opt out button! That would be so amazing 🧡
Also, hell yeah to “we will rise!” We always rise, although I wish we didn’t get pushed down so much that we had to keep rising and rising…but nevertheless we persist 💪
I think that’s the very least we deserve. Where is the button and the trapdoor with the fun slide, Sonbol?! I agree of course. I long for a world where we did not have to keep rising. Where we could rest and recover and frolic and breathe. But until we get there, we rise together. Which makes it a lot easier. Thank you for being here from the bottom of my heart ♥️🐦🔥
I have DMV stories I can’t think about today. Too infuriating and they relate to my dead mother who was elderly and disabled and her name not matching her birth certificate. Stop it Mary. I have to get my licensed renewed this year. I did it through the mail last time. Pretty sure I’m going to have to get a new picture since my photo on my license is 18 years old. Damn, I was wanting to look 52 forever. I never informed them I had cataract surgery in 2020 and can now see so if I pass their eye test they can remove that restriction. My state can’t force Real ID to vote and I use my passport for flying so hopefully my little town will make this year’s DMV trip easy. I better put it in my calendar to do early because I will be traveling for my big 70th.
I was shocked it was as easy as it was, Mary. Not that it was easy given…all the things. And I did the Real ID because she assured me it would be easy with voter registration, I guess we will see. I have my original birth certificate (found it in my dad’s stuff) and my passport so I think I should be okay, and it’s the first thing I’m going to verify when it comes in the mail. I’m sorry about your Mom and whatever you went through there. Government agencies and aging parents are a dreadful combination for those of us who end up navigating them 😩 Sending you a lot of love. 2026 here we come ❤️🔥🐦🔥
LFG Ally. DM me for an open invitation to a recharge getaway.
Thank you, Kate, I may take you up on that. I don’t know why there isn’t a trapdoor, there really should be! Hugs. So happy you’re here ❤️🔥🙏🏼
Thank you 🙏 for making me feel less crazy every time I read your work, Ally. I go through the motions, mostly compliant, until there's just one too many stupid red tapes wrapped around my neck while being asked over and over again to clarify, to provide more information, and to do the work myself after paying for a service. For her birthday, my sister spent years going to a silent retreat. It's a lovely idea isn't it? Thank you for being a bawdy, brave and kind expression of humanity.
Aw Laury thank you for being here. I think we’re all reassuring each other that we are not crazy for feeling like things have gone completely off the rails. Few things feel worse than gaslighting if you have a history of being gaslit! I adore you and appreciate you and we will get through these unthinkable times together. Lots of love xox
"Soulless turdskeeters"....you've done it again, Ally. I echo all of your other fine sentiments as well.
I probably would have had a temper tantrum at the DMV and laid down on the floor kicking and screaming. So kudos for keeping it together. xo ❤️
It’s either 35 years of yoga or not enough energy in the tank for a breakdown 😁 Thanks, Eileen, I adore you ❤️
This was awesome. My first thought was if I had a three day getaway with nothing to do I might have a nervous breakdown thinking of all things I should be doing. My second thought was hell ya. I found my posse. Getting ready to ride.
I think we would all have that moment of…wait…what?! Three days of whatever I want? Or a week? And then I think it would be absolute mayhem and bliss. Honestly, I kind of want to make it happen, Diane. With all my spare time 🤣 Welcome to the posse, I am so stoked you’re here.
It’s funny, Ally. I am writing “more than full time.” And I dance in a studio daily. I can’t bring myself to say I am retired — retired from corporate life maybe — but not retired from the rest of life. I know I am privileged to have the time to focus on what I want.
Anyway, it’s a pleasure to meet you!
It’s a pleasure to meet you, too! And that sounds so lovely, Diane. I write every day, but I also have an online yoga studio. And teenagers, one in college, one still home. A memoir I’m finishing, and college tours coming up for my second. I would really love a grown up sleep away camp 😂 What kind of dance do you do?
So good, thank you!
Thanks for being here, Nancy ❤️❤️🔥
To us all harnessing that ever rising energy in the year of the horse!!
Yes!! Onward ❤️🔥 Thanks fir being here, Holly 🙏🏼
Hell yes, Ally. We fucking rise. 💪
Confession: some essays I read on substack can go on and on. There are times when I just scroll to the bottom without reading it all. But yours? I taste, chew, and ingest every word. I am always left perfectly satiated.
Oh Michele, thank you so much. Means the world from you. Thanks for being here, and so happy to know you 🙏🏼❤️🔥❤️🔥
Thank you for such a good read!
Thank you for being here, Denise! ❤️🩹❤️🔥
The DMV AND the Social Security office all in one day is so impressive I think you could get nothing done for the next six months and still feel accomplished. Great job!👏
Ha! Thank you, Sarah! I am proud I carried forward once I was out. It was a slightly crazy thing to do but it worked out well and now I can finger paint for six months if I want to 🤣 Happy New Year, thank you for being here ❤️🩹🙏🏼
Great, as always. Copied "soulless turdskeeters" for future use. Let's be HAPPY if only to spite the miserable fuckers. xoxo
Absolutely. Every chance we get, and loudly. Happy New Year, Helia. I adore you ❤️❤️🔥🐦🔥
Likewise! xoxoxo
You are a treasure Ally - your words are like magic, and your courage and resilience are inspirational. May 2026 usher in kindness and peace by the bucket load ❤️. I wish I had had a mum like you 🥰
Oh Cathy this was so kind. I hope 2026 is better by far, but regardless of what’s in store I’m so thankful we will face it together. And I wish we all had mums who were able to receive us the way we deserved to be received — with awe, delight and absolute gratitude ❤️🩹❤️🩹 Hugs and love to you, thank you for being here 🙏🏼
"That is the energy of women, you may have noticed. No matter what you do to us, we fucking rise." Happy new year, Ally.💜
Happy New Year, Mary Beth! ❤️🔥🐦🔥