election shock
dinnertime talk
our broken hearts
made into art
post-election mourn
Tyrannosaurus Rump born
prototypes paid
video made
as President sins
nonprofits win
crowdfunding source
social media force
30 day try
some mistakes, sigh
hearts laid bare
because we care
generous souls
didn't reach goal
Recently our family dipped our toes in the resistance effort. In
response to the devastating election results, our family created a
Tyrannosaurus Rump plushie. (
Video here.) We set up a crowdfunding campaign to fund
the manufacturing and to donate to three important organizations (the
ACLU, Planned Parenthood, and the Union of Concerned Scientists) that
help those affected by our Predator-In-Chief. Though we fell short of
our goal, 34 people backed our campaign and pledged $2050. All of the money was returned to the supporters because we didn't reach our goal. Throughout
our journey we were met with kindness and support - especially in the Poetry and Kid-Lit community. Thank you! And we didn't experience any backlash or haters, which is saying something in this day and age. Now we are focusing our resistance efforts on communicating with our Senators and Representatives and VOTING. Will you join us?
Join the Poetry Friday fun at
A Teaching Life
I love your Tyrannosaurus Rump plushie! My kids would love it, too. We are resisting in my house, too. When did telling the truth become a political decision?
ReplyDeleteThank you, Brenda! Crazy how the truth is fraught with so much controversy and emotion. And yet we continue to persist! =)
DeleteI applaud your effort, Bridget & wish it would have come to be. I'm writing and supporting all that I can do, hoping that there are more and more of us resisting!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Linda! I truly appreciate you backing the T-Rump. It was an interesting learning experience. I think as the days go on people are less able to look away...hopefully it will bring about change. Soon.
DeleteEven though you didn't reach your goal, I don't call your efforts a failure. Your Tyrannosaurus Rump brought hope to people and taught lessons on how to take action even when we are overwhelmed. Keep up the resistance!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Kay! From every experience there is always a lesson to be learned and we will persist in our resistance. =)
DeleteYou've raised awareness, started conversations, and encouraged the next generation of truth-seekers. AND unlike some orange-tinted politicians, you've been an example of how to gracefully accept when things don't turn out as planned. You may not have succeeded in the way you originally intended, but it's not a failure!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Jane! I love how you look at things. When this campaign fell short we did feel bad for a bit, but then we realized we learned a lot about humanity and we were happy with what we saw. Kindness is still out there... =)
DeleteI absolutely adored the video you made. It helped me try to find ways to turn my upset into more positive feelings and actions.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much, Liz! You've been an amazing supporter since the beginning. You helped us have courage to launch our campaign. =)
DeleteThanks to you and your family for showing us one path of resistance. If awareness was raised (and it definitely was), and the project helped your family cope (I think so!), then this was a success! There is much work to do and we'll all continue to find ways to resist and persist.
ReplyDeleteThank YOU, Jama, for getting the word out about our little project. I truly appreciate the support and kindness that is in the kidlit/poetry world - especially YOU! =)
DeleteI've been admiring the photo of Tyrannosaurus Rump for weeks and appreciate hearing the backstory. So sorry it didn't work out. Time to RISE UP! -- Christie @ https://wonderingandwondering.wordpress.com/blog/
ReplyDeleteThank you, Christie! Yes, rising up is all we can do at this point. Thanks for the support. =)
DeleteI love the Tyrannosaurus Rump and I am resisting. I wish a big march was happening now with all that has happened this week.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Jone! Yes, I, too, wish we could really show you-know-who how much we disapprove of everything he is doing - especially recent events. Crowd size is everything with him... =)
DeleteHurray for your family's resistance (and creativity...and persistence)! I'm already there with you on contacting senators and representatives. Let's keep our voices loud and outraged!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Mary Lee! We learned so much through this process - my girls are quite the vocal activists these days. I, too, am weekly pen pals with John, Jeff, and Martha. It was daily, but I was getting too emotional/burnt out. Loud and outraged is our family's motto right now. =)
DeleteI think it's wonderful that your family worked together to focus your aggravation/devastation/mortification in a positive direction. We all have to keep it up, and we need each other's support to keep up our spirits and our energy. Happy Mother's Day!!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Tabatha, for your support keeping our spirits up. I'm looking forward to the time when we don't have to resist...
DeleteHappy Mother's day to you, too! =)
I applaud your efforts, and your poem. Small acts can can grow into change, we have to keep at it! I don't remember if I mentioned earlier when you started your Tyrannosaurus venture, I created a zine with poems (and artwork) I wrote from Laura Shovan's February poem a day group. I've posted it in my Etsy shop, haven't sold any there yet but have gotten some likes. Though I have sold a handful, and these small funds will also go to Planned Parenthood. Here's a link to the zine: https://www.etsy.com/listing/505175308/voices-words-art-zine-magazines-books?ref=shop_home_active_4
ReplyDeleteThank you, Michelle! I have to believe our "small acts will grow into change" - it's what keeps me able to face each new day (and new scandal coming out of the WH). I will check out your zine! Thanks for sharing the URL. =)
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