interim immobility

Good morning, lovely humans. Just a note to say that you are not alone, that beauty matters, and … even if something is normalized by frequency, fiat, fibs, fascism, or force … that doesn’t make it right.***

Obviously you know this! I’m just here to tell you that you’re not bonkers.

^ Red, a new friend (among the several wonderful mammals I met in Camrose, Alberta, at the start of the Year of the Fire Horse)

In my embodied hunker-through this time, and also because I shoveled 18” of heavy wet snow in my Middle Ages, a massive sciatica flare-up announced itself (read: leveled me totally) on the day that I was supposed to cross the Atlantic for a research fellowship. Among other outcomes: Moments of Zenner has been delayed since pain has a way of swiping left on anticipated “schedule.” My big accomplishment yesterday was standing up long enough to wash lettuce. Please enjoy this salad:

A follow up with links from February 11 and 12:

• “AI and Environment: Hidden Costs and Inequalities”—Spirit Alive webinar series, VIDEO HERE. Three parts with slides! —I. Social Impacts, II. Environmental Impacts, III. Ethical ways forward. My remarks start at 5:45, I dig into the Hemsworth/Alexa Superbowl ad at 12:45, and my favorite slide is EITHER one about “Technocratic Falsehoods” (of which there are many) or the “Unholy Trinity” or the Sources at the end where I cite all the badass ladies. Thank you to the Sisters of St. Joseph of Brentwood for hosting this series.

• “Wild Women and Just Water”—Chester Ronning Centre conversation with Dr. Joe Wiebe and Dr. Kim Carfore, VIDEO HERE. We dug into real-life dynamics of academy, ecology, my crush on Darwin (it was his birthday, after all!), theology, working at Catholic institutions, and more. Huge gratitude to the University of Alberta and hosts in Camrose!

^ from a window seat at sunrise, departing Edmonton, February 14, 2026

***

To conclude, for now …

As an ethicist and human I know (as do you) that “what is right” is not always self-evident or easy, that moral fervor is easily corruptible, and that many people are making superb arguments about what is important and right and what course correction would look like—for example, Kelly Clancy at PACES is on point as ever (for many more reasons than our agreement that “No is a complete sentence”).

And if you’re not sure what it looks and feels like to operationalize the political in your daily life, try attuning in these ways:

• Support that which encourages heartfulness and gentle connection

• Cultivate power-with instead of power-over

• Care for green things, living things, water and rocks and land

• Empower other people towards greater freedom and joy

• Express love, care, and facilitate fellowship

• Let your conviction be porous to dissent

• Protect the vulnerable

• Honor what is rare and illuminating

• Connect with others about your shared enthusiasms

• Seek beauty and delight

• Recognize wisdom as a force for good

• Give “voice to the voiceless so it can be heard” (Audre Lorde)

• “When people show you who they are, believe them” (Maya Angelou)

Until next time, folks — have courage, be kind, and do what’s right, even if it’s not easy. The world and your heart will thank you. ~ CNZ