3 Stories About Why I'm Voting Blue

Your vote is not a Valentine; you aren’t confessing your love for the candidate.It’s a chess move for the world you want to live in.— Rebecca Solnit

Dear Braveling,

Are you also losing sleep over the upcoming election? Last night was rough 😵‍💫, but it strengthened my resolve to record today’s podcast episode. In it, I share three stories that illustrate both the importance of this presidential election, and why I’m voting for Kamala Harris.

The stories I tell are about:

* An innocent question from a South American high school student in 2017 that stopped me in my tracks;

* A 1963 pregnancy gone very much awry;

* A news clip I heard last week, and how it relates to the way I teach drawing.

The episode is a 20-minute listen. Afterwards, I’d love to hear your thoughts, and even engage respectfully with those who might take issue with my comments.

If you’ve been lulled into wondering Why all the drama around democracy this year? or Why do people take Trump’s words so seriously? He doesn’t really mean it! then I especially encourage you to have a listen.

Most importantly, my fellow Americans, please vote! ✅

Tuesday, November 5th is right around the corner. Make your plan, so it doesn’t sneak past you unawares. (Note to inexperienced voters: It’s not like the SAT test where you get dinged for leaving answers blank. You’re allowed to only mark your choices for the things and people you feel informed or care about, and turn in an incomplete ballot.)

Let’s keep shaping this country we call home into a place where we are free to be our truest selves, to hold our leaders accountable, and to co-create a healthier future for generations to come.

In solidarity and love,Pam

Lots happening around town and online in the coming weeks:

👉🏽 I’ll be dancing and singing (tho not at the same time) in a flamenco show on Saturday, November 2nd at 7 pm, in SE Portland. It’s a free event and I’d love to see you there! Click here for more info.

👉🏽 Our next monthly Doodle Your Way Out of Stuckness workshop is Sunday, November 10th from 12:30 - 2:30 at Cafe Eleven. Veterans attend for free this month, and there’s also a discount when you sign up for either two workshops or two people. Click here for info and registration.

👉🏽 On Sunday, November 10th from 5:30 - 9-ish pm I’ll be hosting a traveling storyteller from New Hampshire in my studio. Will we be celebrating or mourning the recently-held election?? Either way, coming together to share food & drink and hear stories of our shared humanity will be medicine. Mark your calendars now! Potluck supper to kick off the evening 🥘; potential dance party to close. 🎶🕺🏼

👉🏽 My new book is coming soon! Save 💰 when you pre-order your copies of Dear Beautiful Human, a gentle guide for stepping deeper into that precious life of yours. Like its predecessor, I’ve been lovingly hand-writing and drawing Dear Beautiful Human, leaving lots of space for you to add your own notes and doodles. The trust-me-you’re-gonna-love-it pricing 😉 expires after Sunday, November 17th. Pre-order yours today! (I expect to ship the books to you in early December.)