For many of us, hope has been in short supply during this past year. Which is why it is important to cultivate hope wherever it shows up. I find hope’s baby sister, promise, inherent in a blank page. Or in the brand new year represented by these 12 virgin calendar pages I’ve stuck to my wall. They’re for the countdown to the December publication of my memoir A Slice of Orange: loving and leaving the Osho/Rajneesh cult (Unsolicited Press, 12/8/26). Looking forward to my first book launch fuels my hope, and the calendar provides the delusional promise of better organization.
You are all invited to the first event on the 2026 calendar: I’m interviewing author Mimi Nichter at Warwicks, La Jolla, on March 24. Mimi met a horrendous challenge when her plane was hijacked by Palestinian terrorists in 1970. Her memoir, Hostage, takes us through this terrifying experience and shows how she was able to find the thread of common humanity connecting both Jews and Palestinians. Mimi’s book gives me hope
Another recent inspiration was meeting NASA astronaut José Hernandez whose journey took him from migrant farm laborer to outer space. José credits much of his success to a teacher who believed in him when he was a little boy. When I am deeply distressed by the cruelty inflicted on immigrants by current policies in the US, I think of Mr. Rogers’ advice to “look to the helpers,” such as José’s teacher. I get hope and inspiration from all the helpers actively protecting our neighbors and human rights—and flying into space.
Through life’s travails, large and small, let’s remember the joy of savoring. One of my supreme pleasures is an almond croissant. Mmmm. And it tastes even better on this gorgeous blue plate.
The challenges of 2025 forced me to find my political voice—through a voiceless persona. But even Nico the Kindness Clown needs to savor a tasty piece of naan bread after a hard morning at the No Kings protest. No Kings gave me a profound experience of a large and caring community with a shared hope for a better future.
And what says all this better than a cat on one leg launching a bird into the sky?
Wishing you all a hopeful New Year and a joyful winter holiday.
I’ll try to be more in touch this year.
Meanwhile, see you at Warwick’s and on Goodreads!
Nicola
