Share the LOVE!

Good news + the power of hugs + delish chocolate cupcakes + thank your Democratic members of Congress

Happy Valentine’s Day, folks!

1. We’ll start with some good news first to warm the cockles of your heart ‘cause there’s nothing like hot cockles. 📰🙂

• Leave it to beavers. Good news from the Czech Republic where a group of beavers stepped in to build a series of dams to create a protected river wetland south of Prague. The government had planned to build a dam to protect endangered species but the project was delayed for years by ongoing land negotiations. Meanwhile, the beavers took over, building a number of dams to create a large thriving protected wetland and saving the government 1.2 million euros. Full story (unlocked)

• Bring it on, brats! On Tuesday, dozens of middle schoolers walked out of school to protest the Trump administration’s recent executive orders and attacks on DEI during an official visit by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth during a visit to an American military base in Stuttgart, Germany. A group of adults also gathered near Hegseth’s delegation, booing and chanting “DEI!” Full story (unlocked).

• Cecil the Turtle Sees Reason. Republican Senator Mitch McConnell (aka “slow talking tortoise man” per Jon Stewart - it is remarkable how much he resembles Cecil the Turtle) cast a “No” vote in Tulsi Gabbard’s confirmation as Intelligence Secretary. McConnell had also voted against confirming Pete Hegseth as Defense Secretary. This is somewhat cold comfort, I suppose, since both were overwhelmingly confirmed and McConnell is still a truly horrible person but we’ll take what we can get. Full story.

• Republican Senators Urge Trump to Respect the Courts. Even some of the asshats masquerading as humans have figured out it’s in their best interest not to burn the social compact our country relies on to the ground and are encouraging Trump to follow the court’s dictates. Again, it’s not much but it’s something. Full story.

2. Next, it’s time to show your Democratic members of Congress some love.❤️

I’ve been calling my Senators and Representative (all Dems, thankfully) every few days to exhort them to stand up to Dusk/Eloland/Mump and protect our rights and democracy and I always make sure to say a big THANK YOU. When they’ve done something specifically great, I make a point of saying that I read about it and am grateful for it. Guess what? The staffers really appreciate it! I’m sure these folks are all exhausted and scared, too. It’s critical to let them know what you want them to do and also to thank them for doing their jobs. Show them some love today - it should take no more than five minutes and is a critical act of resistance. (If your members of Congress are Republicans, you get a pass.)

🔎Find your two Senators and House Representative here (then add them to your contacts).

📞Pick up the phone and dial the first number.

🗣️When someone picks up or if you’re told to leave a voicemail, use the script below (feel free to veer from it):

“Hi, my name is your name. I’m a constituent calling from your town/city. I want to thank the Senator/Representative for standing up to Trump and Musk and speaking out to protect my rights and our democracy from their attacks. Please keep it up and be even more vocal, create even more opposition. Don’t let up! Please share my appreciation with the Senator/Representative and I hope that he/she and have a good Valentine’s Day and a good weekend. And I hope that you do, too. Thank you.”

Repeat for your other two members of Congress. Boom. Done!

3. Make These Amazingly Moist, Delicious, Easy Chocolate Cupcakes 🧁🍫

These are verrrry easy to make, super moist, chocolatey, and delicious. They’re also inadvertently vegan which means you can spread the love to even more people this Valentine’s Day. Why not make a batch?

4. Hug Someone 🫂

Research shows that hugging lowers our heart rate and blood pressure, can lessen feelings of depression and anxiety, boost our immune systems, and even relieve pain. A good hug can release endorphins and those lovely hormones serotonin and oxytocin. More on the power of hugs.

Happy Valentine’s Day to you all. 💝