Disassociating Productively, a round-up

books, shows, links, and beauty products, obviously

I. am. so. tired. I’m struggling to know how to show up here because there are so many HIGHLY CONCERNING THINGS happening in America. I really do not know how to process them. I am grieving, praying, and taking action in my own corner of the universe. My senators hear from me on a regular (here’s the numbers for yours). I’m keeping up with the Project 2025 tracker because I read that damn terrifying 900-page Heritage Foundation document that the current administration said they didn’t know anything about. (Yet here they are, halfway through enacting the policies and it is only March 20th.) The diabolical signing of an executive order to end the Department of Education broke my heart. Even though I know that Congress is the one who ultimately has the authority to really make that happen, this is scary.

We’re preparing to host a border immersion in less than a week with We Welcome and paying attention to immigration policy is enraging. The Venezuelan immigrants (who are not gang members) forced on planes to a notorious global prison in El Savador is crushing. The abortion bans hit a new low in Texas where a midwife has been arrested and charged, Maria Rojas, a devout Catholic who provides care for Spanish speaking, low-income communities. Not to mention, Canada is like, nah, y’all wild and is shoring up European support, rightly retaliating with tariffs on electricity and goods, while the countries who meet to garner world peace are now having meetings without us. Because of course they are.

We are a mess. Specifically, the “Christians” are a mess and it is sad that organizations like Heritage Foundation are behind most of the insane policies hitting us hard during this administration. I’m unpacking the enmeshment of evangelicals with public policy and the societal ramifications in grad school (including the oppression of marginalized people and the exploitation of labor of which the bible has plenty to say). Maybe in the years to come, I’ll have a thoughtful critique and a rebellious hope to offer, but today, I am grieving. I am pissed. I am tired.

So, excuse the mini-rant, but despite the times, I am working hard to do what one of my professors, Dr. Tommy Givens says, “not cave to cruelty.” Hope you are, too.

Please acknowledge that even if you don’t always know how to show up in light of everything, you’re getting up every day and putting two feet on the floor. You’re working hard and showing up for neighbors. You’re caring for family members and engaging in community. You’re taking your meds and enjoying your hobbies. I’m proud of you. Of us.

You’re doing what you can where you are and in case no one’s told you lately, it is no small miracle. If you’re tired <waves hand around fanatically>, of course you are. You’re not alone. You’re not crazy. Don’t let up. We’re going to get through this together.

Anyway, let me help you disassociate productively with books, shows, links, and beauty products.

Say yes to these books:

• When Women Were Dragons by Kelly Barnhill

• Emergent Strategy by Adrienne Maree Brown

• James by Percival Everett

• Sunrise on the Reaping by Suzanne Collins - A NEW HUNGER GAMES RIGHT ON TIME FOR THE TIMES. READY FOR HAYMITCH’S BACKSTORY!

• When the Bones Sing by Ginny Myers Sain

• Thick by Tressie McMillan Cottom

Say yes to these shows:

I’m too tired to link all of these. Sorry. Love you, though!

• Real Housewives of Beverly Hills, Salt Lake City, and Potomac - do not come for me, I do not care, this is top-tier television. Long live these goddesses who have kept me sane and sober. #bye

• White Lotus - obsessed (they are nailing the way wealthy white women use niceness to TEAR EACH OTHER TO SHREDS - shew wee, scary - also, Parker Posey is perfection. Chef’s kiss!)

• American Murder: Gabby Petito (Netflix) - dear god. wild.

• Silo (Apple TV) - scifi forever!

• Missing You (Netflix - Harlen Cohen novels, of which I watch them all, no matter which country made them; they are good, not great, but this one is the better release thanks to the Brits.)

• Formulaic Terribly Bad, Wonderfully Good shows: Tracker, FBI, Law & Order SUV, Law and Order, Will Trent, NCSI Sydney - lord knows I love these - yes to wrapping up the worst things on Earth in 40-60 minutes.

• Love Is Blind (Even though no one can tell these Midwestern men apart it was great watching women and men hold their convictions all season.)

Say yes to these links

• How an Empty Internet Gave Us Tradwives and Trump Nobody does it like

  Tressie McMillan Cottom
  my favorite writer, scholar, and culture commentator.

• Aimee Lou Wood Brings It Girl Energy to The White Lotus

• The Loneliest People (and Places) in America

• Are We Still Calling Ourselves Christians?

  Sarah Bessey
  is always on it - this is phenomenal.

• ‘It Is Facing a Campaign of Annihilation’: Three Columnists on Trump’s War Against Academia

• The Unbelievable Scale of AI’s Pirated-Books Problem - Meta, maybe the most unethical company on Earth, is stealing content (including both of my books) to train its AI.

• Letters from an American with

  Heather Cox Richardson
  who is speaking truth and helping us interpret the times.

• Maintenance Phase: Rachel Hollis — Hashtag Relatable - I don’t know what she did but she’s in trouble again and I thoroughly enjoyed this old, two-part series on fake relatability that plagues influencers and evangelical stars.

• Aerie Bodycon Low Back Maxi Dress - my favorite dress is on sale for $20 - you will never take it off!!!

Say yes to these beauty products

• Seoulceuticals Vitamin C Serum

• Bewants Collagen Lifting Cream - roll this on your neck and live your best life

• Dior Lip Addict Lip Glow Balm

• Essie Longwear Couture Polish - if you’re giving up gels, this is a GREAT alternative - the colors are fab and it lasts for a few weeks (make sure you use the topcoat)

• Illia cream highlighter - love and I also love the bronzer

• Collagen Peptides - the only way I can protein in my body in the mornings is adding this to my coffee

Your turn, how are you disassociating productively? What are you reading and watching? What are you wearing and hearing? Do tell us about your fave beauty products to survive the apocalypse….

Love y’all so much. See you soon.

Ashley