Gabriella West Edits

A queer indie author myself, I'm also the copyeditor for Sonoma Magazine. On hiatus otherwise. Loves Flaco (RIP).

[Gabriella West Edits @EditforIndies]

A good thought for the day.

[Dr. Brian Weiss @DrBrianWeiss]

When we understand that our struggles are chapters in a much longer story, patience grows.
Compassion deepens. We begin to see ourselves not as broken, but as evolving. Each lifetime offers opportunities to refine courage, forgiveness, kindness, and wisdom.

[Paul Rieckhoff🇺🇸🇺🇦 @PaulRieckhoff]

There’s a lot about this UFC White House event that should not sit well with you.

At the top of the list should be that you can’t watch it unless you subscribe to Paramount+.

It’s not public.

Americans cannot see this event happening at The People’s House without paying a private corporation.

The White House is for sale.

And tonight for the whole world to see.

[Echoes of War @EchoesofWarYT]

On this day in 1777, the United States chose its flag in one sentence, and the men who voted on it had no idea what they had just done.

The timing could not have been worse. The country was barely a year removed from declaring independence and it was losing. The British had taken New York. Washington's army was battered and short on everything. Congress was drowning in crises: no money, restless officers, a war that might collapse at any moment. Survival, not symbolism, was the daily business.

Yet on June 14, 1777, in the middle of all that, the Marine Committee tucked a brief resolution into the day's work. The full text was almost absurdly simple. "Resolved, that the flag of the thirteen United States be thirteen stripes, alternate red and white, that the union be thirteen stars, white in a blue field, representing a new constellation."

That was the entire thing. No record of debate. No designer credited. The popular story that Betsy Ross sewed the first one is a charming legend that appeared a full century later, told by her grandson, with no solid evidence behind it. The resolution did not even specify how the stars should be arranged, which is why early American flags came in wild variety, stars in circles, rows, and scattered patterns, each maker improvising.

These exhausted men, fighting for their lives, voting between a dozen other emergencies, accidentally created one of the most recognized symbols on the planet. That flag would go on to survive a civil war, fly through two world wars, get planted on the summit of Mount Everest, and be driven into the gray dust of the moon, where it still stands today.

249 years ago it was a single afterthought in the minutes of a desperate Congress. That sentence is why we celebrate Flag Day. Happy Flag Day.

[ian bremmer @ianbremmer]

the world needs the strait of hormuz reopened. should have happened months ago, but today’s outcome is the best option available.

having said that, iran war has been a disaster. no agreement on nukes, ballistic missiles, support for proxies…and one of the world’s most brutal regimes remains in place…and is getting paid off.

biggest foreign policy failure of trump administration by a long margin.

[KevTarot @KevTarot]

There are two ways of looking at the current situation. One is that, despite your best efforts, you still haven’t made a breakthrough and might as well give up.
The other is that, despite all of the frustrations, you know you’re on the right track - so you must keep going.
The cards know which option gets their vote - you, on the other hand, might best be described as a "Swing voter."

Today’s Gemini New Moon brings a moment of reset and the chance to recommit to something that has recently left you wondering.
This is a reminder that new beginnings often appear when you least expect them, right in the middle of the most testing periods.
Trust the process and have faith that the coming lunar cycle will reward your dedication.

[Margo Gontar 🔱 @MargoGontar]

It gives me chills : rain started in Kyiv today right after explosions and Lavra monastery catching fire after Russia bombed it.

war is full of this: magic , in the middle of horror

[Tal Shalev @talshalev1]

Netanyahu is seeking an urgent meeting with Trump, a Israeli source told @CNN , and is trying to arrange one after the President returns from the G7 in Europe next weekend or soon thereafter
https://t.co/gxxKtmRnAr

[Debbie N. @BeatlesFanDeb]

“I draw flowers every day and send them to my friends so they get fresh blooms every morning.”
~ David Hockney

[Dr. Annie Andrews @AnnieAndrewsMD]

I took care of sick kids at the hospital today.

[Gabriella West Edits @EditforIndies]

Hoo boy.

[Eric Trump @EricTrump]

This is completely fake! I have never reached out to Daniel. In fact, this is scary.

[Gabriella West Edits @EditforIndies]

Did you have to?

[Secretary Marco Rubio @SecRubio]

America is lucky to have a leader with such incredible courage, remarkable strength, an unmatched sense of humor, and an unparalleled love of country.

Happy Birthday, Mr. President!

[Lisa RichBrook @MooGooAcu]

Three trees near Thixendale (series). 2007-08
"Trees are the largest manifestation of the life-force we see. No two trees are the same, like us." David Hockney

[Keith Ellison @keithellison]

A year later, I still find myself thinking about my friend Melissa Hortman.

There's a photo of Melissa hanging in my office. Every day, I walk past it and am reminded of her friendship, her leadership, and the deep love she had for Minnesota and the people she served.

I think about her laugh. I think about her determination. I think about the countless times she brought people together to solve a problem that others thought couldn't be solved.

Melissa believed in people. She believed in public service. She believed that government should work for everyday folks and that we all have a responsibility to make our communities stronger.

Today, we remember Melissa and Mark Hortman and continue to hold Senator John Hoffman, Yvette Hoffman, and Hope Hoffman in our hearts.

At Melissa's memorial, I said that she would expect us to carry on bravely. I believe that as much today as I did then.

The best tribute we can offer is to continue the work she devoted her life to: serving others, treating people with dignity, and building a Minnesota where everyone can thrive.

I miss her every day.

[Andrew Desiderio @AndrewDesiderio]

News: Sen. Mitch McConnell “was admitted to the hospital this morning. He is receiving excellent care,” per spox @davidpopp

[Pepel Klaasa @pepel_klaasa]

The Russians shelled the Kharkiv Art Museum, causing significant damage

[Nancy Burns Counseling @helpyouhealnow]

So true -
“The narcissist is like a bucket with a hole in the bottom: No matter how much you put in, you can never fill it up. The phrase “I never feel like I am enough” is the mantra of the person in the narcissistic relationship. That’s because to your narcissistic partner, you are not. No one is. Nothing is.”
― Ramani Durvasula, PhD

[Hillary Clinton @HillaryClinton]

Remember, during today's literal cage match on the White House grounds:

No matter what, it's not his house. It's our house.

Get a hat, coaster, or sticker to support groups and candidates who will respect the form AND the function of the people's house. https://t.co/yGDgJciDQZ

[Robert Costa @costareports]

VP Vance to @CBSSunday:

"I have no doubt that the president of the United States is going to be very supportive of anything that I ultimately decide to do," Vance said. "But we really just haven't talked about what that thing will be."

VP also says that he and his wife, second lady Usha Vance, will discuss whether he should seek the 2028 Republican presidential nomination later this year, following the 2026 midterms.

"Usha and I will absolutely sit down and talk about what comes next for our family."

https://t.co/uwKczb9PVS

[LizaMinnelliOutlives @LiZaOutlives]

Liza Minnelli has outlived 53 years of heartbreak. The NY Knicks have won the NBA championship.

[Mary-Ann Thorson𐃆 @NoctrnlValkyrie]

“I hope you will go out and let stories, that is life, happen to you, and that you will work with these stories . . . water them with your blood and tears and your laughter till they bloom, till you yourself burst into bloom”
- Clarissa Pinkola Estés, Women Who Run With the Wolves: Myths and Stories of the Wild Woman Archetype