Aaron, such a great newsletter which I enjoyed reading just now. I've just completed my Christmas letter which I'll be sending out in the next few days. I'm forwarding your email to Dave & Carolyn who remember Diane from the time when she was a member at Grace. I believe they will enjoy reading it, although they will be busy over the next 10 days or so when their son Andy will visit them from Japan along with Andy's wife and 2 sons.
Marilyn, if you reload the web version of the page, I've just added one more piece of art mid-story that I know you will appreciate — a news clipping from the Grace days!
Good to hear from you, Aaron. I'm glad you're keeping the faith, keeping the soup hot, and keeping up with Diane.
My surprising method for dealing with the insanity coming to Washington is to read more international news. The Guardian will take you through stories continent by continent. Makes the trumpian dystopia look like a sideshow. I also recently subscribed to El Pais out of Madrid but with Mexican, Colombian, Chilean, and Argentine editions. Oh yeah, also a US Version, but I don't read that. Who knew they was so much going on in the Latin world?
First, a happy holiday season to the both of you, and really to anyone who subscribes. I know you don't want to hear hazzahs, Aaron, but to heck with that, "Hazzah."
I have a semi-regular discussion with a good buddy of mine who was extremely active on the left in the '60s, so much so he was one of the Chicago 7, and the discussion involves something you touch on, when or if do you surrender the activism and just enjoy the time you have left. I still don't know the answer to it. Neither does he, because as we say one thing, our emails are filled with the other. Having just finished a book on the Hiss case after 50 years of on and off work, I've come to believe that work toward justice doesn't and can't end. Yet, justice for someone comes in all forms. I'm sorry for another hazzah, but in many ways you are doing justice for Diane in its purest form.
.... and yes, you have peered into the soul of this project. I think it helps that I'm not even 60 yet and am (obviously) ranging around for something new and challenging. Thanks for this.
Thank you for the inspiration. What did they used to say, "the political is personal" or vice versa. Too many progressives I fear have forgotten that. You haven't.
As for the book, check the Amazon page which if you scroll down is filled with all sorts of wonderful blurbs from genuine people
I'm sorry I haven't kept better contact with you and Diane. I probably would have done better than I did with the election results. Now that I am coming back to sanity (for a few days each week), I really appreciate you sharing your thoughts and experiences with this terrifying disease, and with the disease of 21st-century America. I have been listening to PanacheDesai.com in the mornings, and it has helped me to realize that "there are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio, than are dreamt of in thy philosophy." As does your blog here. Most of all, I appreciate your recounting of your love for each other over the last 30+ years. Thanks for the encouragement, and "keep on bikin'!" Blessings to you both for the next year. I myself have to keep on remembering that survival is not an option, but love is!
Thanks for the book recs, the uncommon sensibility about the future of our country, the reminder to get off X and other tedious anger stirrers, the stories about your soup club, and the joyful presence of your life and your pain and your love. Beautiful family picture! Love you guys - Kirsten Tretbar
A gracious Merriment. I love you all.
Aaron, such a great newsletter which I enjoyed reading just now. I've just completed my Christmas letter which I'll be sending out in the next few days. I'm forwarding your email to Dave & Carolyn who remember Diane from the time when she was a member at Grace. I believe they will enjoy reading it, although they will be busy over the next 10 days or so when their son Andy will visit them from Japan along with Andy's wife and 2 sons.
Marilyn, if you reload the web version of the page, I've just added one more piece of art mid-story that I know you will appreciate — a news clipping from the Grace days!
I don't know how to reload the web version of the page. I always say I'm semi-literate with computers.
Good to hear from you, Aaron. I'm glad you're keeping the faith, keeping the soup hot, and keeping up with Diane.
My surprising method for dealing with the insanity coming to Washington is to read more international news. The Guardian will take you through stories continent by continent. Makes the trumpian dystopia look like a sideshow. I also recently subscribed to El Pais out of Madrid but with Mexican, Colombian, Chilean, and Argentine editions. Oh yeah, also a US Version, but I don't read that. Who knew they was so much going on in the Latin world?
Thank you for sharing your Life. By the way, checked out the Dick Van Dyke/Coldplay - fabulous!
First, a happy holiday season to the both of you, and really to anyone who subscribes. I know you don't want to hear hazzahs, Aaron, but to heck with that, "Hazzah."
I have a semi-regular discussion with a good buddy of mine who was extremely active on the left in the '60s, so much so he was one of the Chicago 7, and the discussion involves something you touch on, when or if do you surrender the activism and just enjoy the time you have left. I still don't know the answer to it. Neither does he, because as we say one thing, our emails are filled with the other. Having just finished a book on the Hiss case after 50 years of on and off work, I've come to believe that work toward justice doesn't and can't end. Yet, justice for someone comes in all forms. I'm sorry for another hazzah, but in many ways you are doing justice for Diane in its purest form.
Jeff, you buried the lede! The Hiss book is done!!
All I found was a BN.com link: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/rewriting-hisstory-jeff-kisseloff/1146000200
drops 3/19/2025. I'll grab a copy, congrats!
.... and yes, you have peered into the soul of this project. I think it helps that I'm not even 60 yet and am (obviously) ranging around for something new and challenging. Thanks for this.
Thank you for the inspiration. What did they used to say, "the political is personal" or vice versa. Too many progressives I fear have forgotten that. You haven't.
As for the book, check the Amazon page which if you scroll down is filled with all sorts of wonderful blurbs from genuine people
https://www.amazon.com/Rewriting-Hisstory-Fifty-Year-Journey-Uncover/dp/0700638334/ref=sr_1_1?crid=UAVL38AHTIBB&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.ylKqC93Z8rwbd_1w27_yUSKpdpbxGuf2CT-9Da-fYm1Iad5mzqJyck-UBQ8bFBdWOoEdOng6r6vRc_xJB-OL5-H4RKygVUGCdbJKSumAXPpR0s8BfxAiUEDHhQUmjGusGFFq1Q9oFxJA7YpsAXD7HAJ9_MzXeyzAKmtFiXbR-nnt1aT3raXD8XnyX2u1kBbW.B_GDmhEm8rfQWpYv8PAxgQWIw5EjlsWIRo9JYlkyWVo&dib_tag=se&keywords=jeff+kisseloff&qid=1735234938&sprefix=jeff+kisselo%2Caps%2C386&sr=8-1
Ok then, attagirl to Diane! Seriously, though, Aaron, thanks for sharing these thoughts of hope and perspective.
I'm sorry I haven't kept better contact with you and Diane. I probably would have done better than I did with the election results. Now that I am coming back to sanity (for a few days each week), I really appreciate you sharing your thoughts and experiences with this terrifying disease, and with the disease of 21st-century America. I have been listening to PanacheDesai.com in the mornings, and it has helped me to realize that "there are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio, than are dreamt of in thy philosophy." As does your blog here. Most of all, I appreciate your recounting of your love for each other over the last 30+ years. Thanks for the encouragement, and "keep on bikin'!" Blessings to you both for the next year. I myself have to keep on remembering that survival is not an option, but love is!
Thanks for the book recs, the uncommon sensibility about the future of our country, the reminder to get off X and other tedious anger stirrers, the stories about your soup club, and the joyful presence of your life and your pain and your love. Beautiful family picture! Love you guys - Kirsten Tretbar