Front Pocket: Dispatch from the Storm

"Storms make trees have deeper roots"

The front pocket is a small dispatch of easily reachable, small guilty pleasures, curated by yours truly, packed in one snug spot.

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a note

Hi friends 👋 — old and new. Welcome to Fort Bianchi.

For those just joining—thank you for coming. You’re catching me mid-programming shift: I’ve been a bit haphazard with my correspondence this year, but I’m trying to send things when they feel meaningful, not just because the calendar says it's time.

And for those who’ve been here a while—hello! hello! hello! Pensive I’ve been, but forgotten you, I have not.

Lately I’ve been haunted by what I wrote to you this time last year—a rallying cry, a love letter to America. I said:

“So this week, when SCOTUS ruled the president is above the law, paired with the prospect of Project 2025, it meant to me that this election is now about whether this July 4th is our last one as a democracy. I always like to believe people when they tell me who they are—so I will believe them when they say they intend to dismantle the federal government, make all birth control illegal, and institute religious training in government. I believe them when they outline a 900-page document on authoritarian rule. To be clear, these policies are entirely un-American and completely authoritarian—some might say, fit for a Theocratic King.”
— July 4, 2024

And here we are. Was this Fourth our last as a democracy? Not yet. But we’re living in less of one than we had last year. That’s undeniable. And somehow, through the dismantling, I’ve found myself more deeply rooted in my love for this country. The anger, the heartbreak—it’s deepened my sense of patriotism.

So once again, I beckon:

“I need to look back and know I did everything within my current freedoms, scope of influence, and power to fight for America.”

But this time, I offer an approach grounded in inches - small, steady acts of introspection and optimism. If storms make trees take deeper roots, then maybe this storm is our invitation. To strengthen what we stand for. To redefine how we show up.
To reclaim patriotism as daily practice. So - how are you deepening your roots? (sincerely would love to know).

Happy (belated) Fourth. To those who loved this place enough to change it, to the patriots before, and the ones we are becoming.

From the Storm, With Resolve - Bianca

P.S. When I think about what being an American patriot looks like, I channel Dolly Parton. Rhinestones. Resolve. Radical kindness.

(my) patriotism by the inches, take what you need

• Wisdom to consider when you feel alone or want to silo off - "Well, if I were You-Know-Who, I'd want you to feel cut off from everyone else. Because if it's just you alone, you're not as much of a threat" - Luna Lovegood. How do I feel less alone and bring others with me?

• “I decided to host a monthly themed happy hour at our house.” That one line had me hooked. Erin’s Substack,

  Well-Crafted
  is exactly the kind of life I’m trying to build—warm, thoughtful, a little scrappy. Do yourself a favor and read her June and July issue (and subscribe). It’s community-building, one inch at a time.

• Leading by example is Papa Leone (Pope Leo)! I’m not a practicing Catholic, but I’ve always treated popes like popular footballers—and right now, I’m rooting for my team. Watching priests and bishops escort migrants to their court hearings and publicly condemn their treatment? *Fist in the air* Woot! woot! woot!

• There’s a line - thin, but critical, difference between a government and its people. Forgetting that leads to lazy thinking. Netanyahu is not all Israelis. Hamas is not all Palestinians. Trump is not America. Khamenei is not Iran. Language matters. Add the word government and watch how a sentence softens, clarifies, invites humanity back in. Saying “I oppose the X government” is worlds apart from “I oppose X” The first critiques power. The second flattens people. Be precise.

• And when we flatten people, when we “lazily think”, when we pit Muslims and Jews against each other, when we create tension and fear between the two - white supremacy wins. Precision is resistance. Be sharp.

• “I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it.” - Voltaire. I have always liked this sentiment because it offers an olive branch to whomever you disagree with, an undertone of camaraderie.

• “Patriotism is supporting your country all the time and your government when it deserves it” - Mark Twain.

my unsolicited opinion*

Corn Dogs should be served in bite size. One bite is enough to get the idea, a whole corn dog is way too much. Hard to enjoy the rest of what a good BBQ has to offer after that.

endorsing or bookmarked

OKAAYYY Ikea, coming out with a perfectly adorable 12.99 cooler bag for the summer picnics. I swear I want to buy them in bulk and give them as cute christmas gifts with a bottle of wine and a “save the date” note for a summer picnic. Sinners is now on HBO, it’s good! And I encourage folks to be curious about the plot beyond the surface of “it has vampires.” Look up the themes it explores (christianity and ancestral spirituality, white supremacy, power of music, conformity)- it is rich. Consider re-visiting this Backpack packed with reflection - it is timely.

appreciation

All of your patience with my lack of programming this year. I’ll come back more often eventually. For now it’s nice you are accepting of this whimsical schedule. And thank you for being here.

an image

Today's Subject Line is mine, but the sub-text is a quote from Dolly Parton, my favorite “lead by example” patriot
If there are typos in this newsletter - they are on purpose.

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