I really feel the ache and love, intertwined here in your story, Robin. How my heart yearned, as I read, for you to be able to stay on the land that feels like home. How moved I am by the love and sweat you poured into each place, knowing you might need to leave one day. I see your heart, your courage, your firm feet planted. Standing with you, my friend.
What a lovely story and narration you made - your appeal tugged at my own heart, and stirred feelings within me that resonates. I really appreciate how this made such a lovely visual with change after change, and left me wondering where you were going until you tied it all together with a nice neat bow. Very well done! Also, thanks for the mention :)
Today is my birthday. This feels like the best gift, to see so many folx standing up to say this is my space, I belong here, and you can't scare me away.
It is absolutely beautiful to see how many writers on Substack are coming forward to join with us today. Queer, not queer. I love the message in this post, Robin. As a queer woman, a queer, Jewish woman, a queer, Jewish, fat woman, a queer, Jewish, fat, aging woman I feel like a target for so many reasons. AND what you said about being home? When the devil won the election I went through moments of fear. Of wondering if I should leave the country for good. But no. This is my home. It's where I've lived all my life. It's where the majority of the people I love most in the world live. And though I'm not a gardener, I've planted too many seeds to pull the roots up and transplant myself. Thank you, thank you. You're a wonderful writer, a fabulous teacher, and a magnificent friend. Sending my love and gratitude to you. xo
All I have is so much love for this. For what you are doing. I am out here holding ground and making space too, and am so grateful not to be alone. To know that we will resist. We will grow our tomatoes, and guard our hearts, and our community with a fierce love.
I wish there was a way to communicate "standing on my chair and cheering" in a comment! I loved reading this Robin, especially these lines: "Because I’m not going back, and I’m not giving up. I cannot be chased away or destabilized or taunted into leaving. This is my home. This is where I belong."
I've been having this conversation with queer pals IRL. No matter how we identify, we need to stick together, stand up for each other and cheer eachother on.
Thank you for sharing your beautiful work with the world. It is always a pleasure to read 🏳️🌈
Robin, I loved the momentum of tender strength in this piece and the resolute feet rooted-not going anywhere. Definitely not going back! I stand with you and my queer daughters and trans and gay friends everywhere
What a powerful and deeply rooted piece, Robin. Your narrative of moving, planting, and finally staying mirrors not just your resilience as an individual but the collective determination of the queer community to thrive, despite challenges. I appreciate how you tie your love for gardening—a literal connection to the soil—to the broader metaphor of belonging and grounding oneself amidst adversity. It’s such an evocative way to convey the importance of finding and defending spaces where we can be authentically ourselves.
Your closing statement is especially poignant: the refusal to give in to hatred and the declaration of pride and resilience resonates on so many levels. It’s inspiring to see someone claim their place so firmly, both in the physical and metaphorical sense.
Thank you for weaving solidarity into every word, inviting others to stand alongside you—not just in spirit but in action. Sharing this post or contacting lawmakers feels like such a tangible step toward meaningful change, and I’m grateful for the clarity and call to action you’ve provided here.
Your voice, your story, and yes, your carrots, are all so essential.
Thank you Robin. I’m crying. For the past year I’ve been anxiously waiting, nervous to make plans or live my life with any degree of permanence. I feel like I have to lie and hide and stow away whatever I need to survive. We don’t know what’s going to happen so plan for the worst. Be ready to run at a moment’s notice - as if I had the money or resources to do that. As if there were anywhere I could go. As if other places were any better.. and I am in a place of immense privilege in many ways. So reading your post makes me breathe a sigh of relief. If you’re staying then so am I. We will survive. We’re not going back.
As a fellow run-for-the-hills type, I know this sensation well. I'm always planning for an apocalypse. But this time feels different, and maybe I'm just getting older or more stubborn. Leaving isn't the answer for me. I'm not leaving, and I'm standing with you. We've got this.
They are underestimating what we’ve had to learn to do to survive up to this point. They have no idea what we’re made of. They will. Because you’re right. We are staying. Thank you for this Robin 🏳️⚧️🌈
I'm glad to hear that you've found your place and you aren't going anywhere. I'm in a very red state and I'm staying and fighting alongside my lovely, wonderful community.
I've left a few gardens behind and I'v inherited a couple, one that hd been worked for a century before I arrived.
I couldn't help but imagine all of the fortunate souls that may have been inspired to continue what you started. A foot of topsoil is a wonderful thing to discover for all of the loving effort that it represents!
I really feel the ache and love, intertwined here in your story, Robin. How my heart yearned, as I read, for you to be able to stay on the land that feels like home. How moved I am by the love and sweat you poured into each place, knowing you might need to leave one day. I see your heart, your courage, your firm feet planted. Standing with you, my friend.
What a lovely story and narration you made - your appeal tugged at my own heart, and stirred feelings within me that resonates. I really appreciate how this made such a lovely visual with change after change, and left me wondering where you were going until you tied it all together with a nice neat bow. Very well done! Also, thanks for the mention :)
Today is my birthday. This feels like the best gift, to see so many folx standing up to say this is my space, I belong here, and you can't scare me away.
I'm done running, too.
Sarah, happy birthday!! What a brilliant day to celebrate you AND this whole community! I wish I had brought a cake for you now.
No more running for either of us. You belong, and I’m grateful you’re here.
It is absolutely beautiful to see how many writers on Substack are coming forward to join with us today. Queer, not queer. I love the message in this post, Robin. As a queer woman, a queer, Jewish woman, a queer, Jewish, fat woman, a queer, Jewish, fat, aging woman I feel like a target for so many reasons. AND what you said about being home? When the devil won the election I went through moments of fear. Of wondering if I should leave the country for good. But no. This is my home. It's where I've lived all my life. It's where the majority of the people I love most in the world live. And though I'm not a gardener, I've planted too many seeds to pull the roots up and transplant myself. Thank you, thank you. You're a wonderful writer, a fabulous teacher, and a magnificent friend. Sending my love and gratitude to you. xo
All I have is so much love for this. For what you are doing. I am out here holding ground and making space too, and am so grateful not to be alone. To know that we will resist. We will grow our tomatoes, and guard our hearts, and our community with a fierce love.
I appreciate you. So very much.
I wish there was a way to communicate "standing on my chair and cheering" in a comment! I loved reading this Robin, especially these lines: "Because I’m not going back, and I’m not giving up. I cannot be chased away or destabilized or taunted into leaving. This is my home. This is where I belong."
I've been having this conversation with queer pals IRL. No matter how we identify, we need to stick together, stand up for each other and cheer eachother on.
Thank you for sharing your beautiful work with the world. It is always a pleasure to read 🏳️🌈
🧡🥕🧡🧡🧡🧡🧡🧡🧡🧡🧡🧡🧡🧡🧡
Robin, I loved the momentum of tender strength in this piece and the resolute feet rooted-not going anywhere. Definitely not going back! I stand with you and my queer daughters and trans and gay friends everywhere
Thank you 🙏
This is very heartening. Absolutely everyone needs to get this! Nobody is going anywhere, and nobody is going back.
What a powerful and deeply rooted piece, Robin. Your narrative of moving, planting, and finally staying mirrors not just your resilience as an individual but the collective determination of the queer community to thrive, despite challenges. I appreciate how you tie your love for gardening—a literal connection to the soil—to the broader metaphor of belonging and grounding oneself amidst adversity. It’s such an evocative way to convey the importance of finding and defending spaces where we can be authentically ourselves.
Your closing statement is especially poignant: the refusal to give in to hatred and the declaration of pride and resilience resonates on so many levels. It’s inspiring to see someone claim their place so firmly, both in the physical and metaphorical sense.
Thank you for weaving solidarity into every word, inviting others to stand alongside you—not just in spirit but in action. Sharing this post or contacting lawmakers feels like such a tangible step toward meaningful change, and I’m grateful for the clarity and call to action you’ve provided here.
Your voice, your story, and yes, your carrots, are all so essential.
“But this soil knows me. It expects me to spread fertilizer in the spring when the garlic shoots emerge.” Oof! This was such a beautiful piece
Thanks, NJ.
Thank you Robin. I’m crying. For the past year I’ve been anxiously waiting, nervous to make plans or live my life with any degree of permanence. I feel like I have to lie and hide and stow away whatever I need to survive. We don’t know what’s going to happen so plan for the worst. Be ready to run at a moment’s notice - as if I had the money or resources to do that. As if there were anywhere I could go. As if other places were any better.. and I am in a place of immense privilege in many ways. So reading your post makes me breathe a sigh of relief. If you’re staying then so am I. We will survive. We’re not going back.
As a fellow run-for-the-hills type, I know this sensation well. I'm always planning for an apocalypse. But this time feels different, and maybe I'm just getting older or more stubborn. Leaving isn't the answer for me. I'm not leaving, and I'm standing with you. We've got this.
They are underestimating what we’ve had to learn to do to survive up to this point. They have no idea what we’re made of. They will. Because you’re right. We are staying. Thank you for this Robin 🏳️⚧️🌈
Brilliant, Robin, just brilliant. I’m so moved. Love, D ❤️🏳️⚧️🏳️🌈
Standing with you, Robin. Lovely piece.
I'm glad to hear that you've found your place and you aren't going anywhere. I'm in a very red state and I'm staying and fighting alongside my lovely, wonderful community.
I've left a few gardens behind and I'v inherited a couple, one that hd been worked for a century before I arrived.
I couldn't help but imagine all of the fortunate souls that may have been inspired to continue what you started. A foot of topsoil is a wonderful thing to discover for all of the loving effort that it represents!