Oroville Dam Forebay, Beaver Lodge, Table Mt. The latter is famous for its Spring wildflowers on lava cap. The beaver lodge is on the forebay in Butte County.
Questions for Asumi Kato
She is studying in university in Scotland, researching imactful social structures and beliefs such as the split between humans and nature, Global North and South, capitalism, etc. She founded a Fridays for Future chapter in your home area of Nagano, Japan, as discussed in her chapter in "Climate Girls Saving Our World."
Looking back, what did you do that worked and what didn’t work? You mentioned strikes, digital strikes, talking to politicians, and educational events and organizing byconsensus. What have you learned since then? What do you see works and doesn’t work in Scotland where you’re going to college? Why did you pick it for university? What is yourarea of study and career goal?
In terms of my book-in-progress about youth anxiety, depression and neurodivergence, what do you observe about these issues in Japan and Scotland? Is there a focus on helping youth with climate anxiety?
Nancy Wiegman, host of "Nancy's Bookshelf," interviews Gayle Kimball about "Calm: How to Thrive in Challenging Times." She reads from her mother's book "50 Ways to Enjoy Life More" about being caught in a riptide.
Gayle is offering a Zoom workshop on How to Develop Your Clairvoyant and Healing Abilities, beginning 10-2-25.
Hilda Cruz immigrated to the US as a child and became anactivist for immigrant rights. She is a spiritual coach for social justice leaders. Her writings:
*https://a.storyblok.com/f/45074/x/f12ffd15bc/called-to-welcome-and-accompany-asylum-booklet.pdf Called to Welcome and Accompany Asylum Seekers is an easy-to-navigate toolkit that includes an invitation to host a dialogue leading to collective discernment on how to engage your faith community or ministry in standing in solidarity andaccompanying immigrants in your community.
*A Name of My Own, a children's book in process Based on a true story of an immigrant girl in fourth grade, this book has activities that do more than reinforce literacy; itteaches empathy, cultural awareness, and self-confidence. They also give kids a chance to see themselves in Hilda’s story, even if their background is different.
* In process, a digital booklet: "Raids, Detention, and Profits: The Urgency of Immigrant Justice:" community resource to understand the abuse of ICE raids, detention, and how we can respond with justice and compassion”
Questions Discussed in the Interview
Describe your journey to US citizenship. In California, 3.7million children have at least one immigrant parent. What would you advise to other immigrants seeking green cards and then citizenship? What role do immigrants play in the US economy?
Please define terms for us, including ones to be avoided andwhy: Global crisis, immigrant justice, migrant, immigrant, asylum seeker, refugee, DACA, Alien, illegal
It seems to me that a key tactic in current progressiveorganizing is telling personal stories of injustice to galvanize protest. What tactics have you found to be most powerful in your organizing? Tell us about your activist toolkit.
You emphasize spirituality and have worked closely withCatholics and perhaps Liberation Theology? What is the goal of the Interfaith Movement for Human Integrity and Mercy Global Action. Collective healing? You call yourself a spiritual coach for social justice leaders. Explain.
What is transformational coaching? Leading throughcomplexity? Grassroots philanthropy?
ICE and military in our cities is a major threat todemocracy. How would you lead and design a national strategy?
Your hopes for the UN’s Second World Summit for SocialDevelopment in November?
Protest against Trump's attacks on democracy, organized byRe-Sisters and Indivisible in Chico, CA, part of a national Labor Day demonstration onfreeway overpasses, symbolizing workers over billionaires. A nationalorganizer, 50501, a group that emerged in early 2025 and is short for "50protests, 50 states, one day," called this "Workers OverBillionaires." 1. Stop the billionaire takeover corrupting ourgovernment. 2. Protect and defend Medicaid, Social Security,and other programs for working people. 3. Fully funded schools, and health care andhousing for all. 4. Stop the attacks on immigrants, Black,indigenous, trans people, and all our communities. 5. Invest in peoplenot wars."
Radio host Donna Seebo interviews Gayle Kimball about Barbara Kimball's "50 Ways to Enjoy Life More." Barbara writes inspirational 50 stories, including what she learned from surviving polio.
You will see my videos of Bingvellir National Park on the rift between the North American and Eurasian continental plates, waterfalls, geysers, hot springs, and two active volcanoes. It’s one of the youngest land mases, over a hot spot between the plates, only 16 to 18 million years old.
I learned that 25% of the population of only around 400,000 are immigrants, about a third live in Reykjavik. Icelandic men are mainly of Norwegian descent and women are half Irish—their ancestors were brought over as slaves by the Vikings starting in the 800s. They lived in group longhouses with dirt floors, a fire in the middle, sleeping on wood planks, with a stable on one end and storage on the other. You’ll see where the world’s oldest parliament (930) was held in the rift between the plates. Their Irish and Norse ancestors brought a legacy of belief in elves, trolls, and Hidden People (see my video on folklore). They deforested the spruce trees, so now only 1% is forested, which creates long vistas.Students learn English and Danish is school, as well as Icelandic (which descends from ancient Norwegian). They got their independence for Denmark in 1918 and became a republic in 1944. Tourism is a major source of revenue, along with fishing, aluminum production (enabled by inexpensive thermal energy—see my video on that), and now AI production, again due to cheap electricity along with cold temperatures needed to keep computers cool.Women are the heads of the two universities (education and health care are free and taxes are about a third of income, said a teacher), the major political parties, the President and Prime Minister, and the Lutheran Church. Iceland has no army, just Coast Guard ships. “We honor our women,” the school teacher told me.
A video for children, Bloberino discovers how an almond tree grows and we can put almond butter on our sandwich.
We follow water from rain and snow to river to purification plant. A video for children.
Bloberino learns how paper is made after falling asleep in a tree.
Icelandic tales include elves, trolls, and Hidden People who live on another dimension. A Christmas tradition is 13 hungry Yule Lads (trolls) visit children one by one.
No Kings demonstration, July, 2025, Chico, CA
Discovera timeless guide to joy, resilience, and inner peace in 50 Ways to Enjoy Life More. Read a heartfelt collection of wisdom from Barbara S. Kimball—a woman who turned life’s challenges into spiritual strength. These essays invite readers into a world where everyday moments becomemeaningful, and the power of choice, perspective, and kindness lights the path forward. Whether you're savoring the serenity of clouds, learning the “magic ofpraise,” or finding courage in personal transformation, Kimball's thoughtful voice inspires you to live with purpose and playfulness.
My favorite story is about Barbara caught in a riptide.
On a very recent trip to Iceland, I learned about howgeothermal power is generated. I was thrilled to learn that the Hellisheidi plant captures CO2 from the atmosphere, as well as using geothermal hot water to generate electricity and hot water for residents. I include portions of videos shown at the plant, which is about a 40 minute drive from the main city,Reykavik. Because power is so inexpensive, Iceland is a center for AI production and manufactures aluminum. Its top income is from tourists.
What’s with theTalibanization of the US in a Pro-Putin Administration?
The Taliban aims to keep Afghan women athome under men’s control. Girls are forbidden education past elementary school.
Trump aims to eliminate the Deptof Education as well as diversity and inclusion programs in education.Patriotic education is the new theme.
The Office of Personnel Management sent a memoto researchers and universities prohibiting the use of 25 words, including“women,” “gender,” “activism,” and “minority.” (January 19, 2025)
Trump said during the campaign “I will protectwomen, whether they like it or not.”
The White House posted a photo of the presidentwearing a gold crown with the caption “Long Live the King.”
13 US State prohibit women’s reproductivechoice and more states limit it.
Trump frequently calls women leaders “nasty,”including the Episcopal Bishop of DC, Mariann Budde. When the Governor of Mainestood up to him he told her “Your political career is over” and “We are the federal law.”
He threatened to imprison Republican Liz Cheneyfor researching the mob assault on the capital on January 6, 2021.
At least 26 women have accused Trump ofassault, and he was convicted by a jury in the case of E. Jean Carroll. He wasrecorded delighting in his stardom allows him to grab women.
In a list of Musk’s DOGE techs chainsawing thefederal government, out of 47 listed, only seven have female first names. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Department_of_Government_Efficiency
Trump and Vance falsely blame Ukraine for the Russian attack on its sovereignty,cut off aid, and ended defense programs aimed at countering Russiancyber-attacks, etc.
Trump praises Putin (a KGB murderer who has his opponents poisoned) as“genius” and “savvy” for his invasion of Ukraine, along with “great charm.”
The young adult speaker at a Not my President rally explains her generation lacks experience in democratic activism. Various national groups aim to educate Young Leaders and Next Gen.
Remember how the Taliban are excluding women from leadership? The admin. is doing the same, with the addition of men of color, scrubbing their photos and articles from websites and photo galleries. Re-segregation is so backward and wasteful of talent. Let's ask our Congress members to restore Constitutional rights and respect for democracy.
A youth speaker and the Dean of Education at CSUChico are among speakers on Presidents' Day.
A Great Egret checked out my goldfish pond and me, looking at each other until my dog ran out. This is in Chico, California.
CSUChico Valene Smith Antropology Museum exhibit of kimonos worn throughout a woman's life. It states,
"Bound in Japanese tradition, the kimono, which means “the thing to wear,” is not just clothing. It represents who you are. Each kimono, crafted from a single bolt of fabric, provides clues about its wearer, communicating status, gender, virtue, and a connection to the natural world.
In the student-curated exhibition, Unfolded: Seasons and Symbols of the Kimono, selected kimonos from the Masami Toku collection, inherited from her mother Taeko Toku (1932 – 2020), are presented in thematic scenes weaving together history, art, symbolism, and identity."
