Shhh...

I've mentioned that I do a writing exchange with Dana. Every other Sunday I send her some sort of fiction. Either a micro story like I post here, or a poem like I post here much to Skippy's chagrin, or a chapter in a longer story. The Books story I posted here last year was one of those. I wrote it over a long stretch sending stuff to Dana as I had it.

I'm doing another longer piece right now. I could have maybe turned the idea into a short story but it felt longer. Like it could benefit by build out. So I've been working it out and sending it to her. You all know I love a twist but this story isn't a twist, there is a reveal coming, but the reader knows there is a reveal coming from the first chapter.

So last Sunday I sent Dana my latest chunk of it and she told me she was looking forward to seeing what the reveal is. And I had a moment of...Oh that's right, you don't know what's coming. Like I had honestly forgotten that just because I know what's coming she does not. Even though neither of us have any idea exactly how I'm going to get there, at least I know what the destination will be.

And that's a good thing. Of course it is. It will make the story a better one for her. When the reveal comes she will get that moment of congratulating herself that she was right, or being surprised and having to go back over what was doled out to see if she could have seen it coming. She will either be happy with me that it's a good reveal or mad that it took me so long to get to such a lame moment. Neither of us knows at this point.

And speaking of knowing things other people don't...

I got this reminder from someone last week and I passed it along to my daughter. It's good advice for our times so I'll share it with you as well.

Anyone who demands to know exactly what you are doing to protest the current administration should be considered to be a cop.

You know what you are doing. Nobody else has to know. You can share what you are doing to help inspire others, but you don't owe your agenda (your five things I did this week to smash the oligarchy let's say) to anyone. And anyone who acts like they have a right to know doesn't. And anyone who demands you tell them should be looked at as a narc.

These are the times we are living in. Keep your cards close to your chest. Don't tell people everything you are doing. It might not be illegal today, but that doesn't mean it won't be tomorrow. Keep your own counsel, or at least only share with people you absolutely trust.

And seriously think about getting a messaging app like Signal that encrypts everything and cannot be subpoenaed by law enforcement. And even when you have that keep in mind it's only as secure as the person you are messaging. If they share your messages it doesn't matter that you thought it was secure.

Tonight Trump is going to stand in front of the nation and lie. And push a divisive message. He's going to act like what he's doing is good for the country and not at all illegal. But it is illegal. It's unconstitutional. It's immoral. It's evil. He and his co-president are dismantling our country and selling the pieces to the highest bidder. People are going to die under his watch.

You don't have to tell anyone how you are working to stop him.