Books short fiction Five SFF Stories Featuring Mother-Daughter Relationships Stories of conflict and sacrifice, but also love, healing, and unbreakable bonds. By Ratika Deshpande | Published on November 7, 2024 “Nurse Reading to a Little Girl” by Mary Cassatt (1895) Comment 0 Share New Share “Nurse Reading to a Little Girl” by Mary Cassatt (1895) Out of all people in the world, I’m most attached to my mother. Yet it can sometimes be hard to find stories where mothers and daughters are on good terms. Fairy tales often do away with parents altogether or make them—especially mothers—evil. When both mother and daughter do come together, there’s generally something wrong, or some distance between them. But recently, to my delight, I’m seeing writers portraying healthier, more wholesome interactions between mothers and daughters. Conflicts still take place, but not everything is doomed. Here are some of my favorites… “The Staircase to the Moon” by M.K. Hutchins Earth goddesses are destined to die so that their daughters can take their place and serve their people, until their daughters can take up the role. Their death is a form of service too, for their bodies turn to clay and stray, which the priests make into bricks to build walls, roads, and aqueducts. It is a daughter’s responsibility to make good use of her mother’s sacrifice, and in turn sacrifice herself when the time comes. But what if there are other ways of serving? What if one can break this cycle and still be useful? “Benni and Shiya Are Leaving” by Jerri Jerreat The school where Shiya’s been working as a teacher no longer requires a big staff, so Shiya has to look for work elsewhere, away from the family-like community where she’s been building a life as a single mother with her child Benni. How will the two navigate another community, located not in a city but in a small town, where things work quite differently and everyone already knows everyone else?  “Only Kings and Doves” by M.S. Dean When our narrator was savagely bitten by a dog and her refugee mother went to the apothecarist, the latter refused to help, instead trying to sell her medicines at an inflated price. So the mother, who had been a surgeon-scholar in Oxos, their homeland, took matters into her own hands. It took her several days, but by the end of it, our narrator could walk again. When they went to the apothecarist for medicines to help rebuild her strength, he wasn’t pleased to see that the refugee had performed a surgery, disgusted by the “filth” and “barbarity” of the people of Oxos and their ways. Eventually, the knights come for the mother, taking her to the King’s Turrets. The king had destroyed Oxos to find the knowledge that would make him godlike, just like past rulers. He could make use of our narrator’s mother, who sends her daughter a letter, giving her instructions. Except that the letter is written in the language of the Oxos, which she never taught her daughter. How will she make sense of the message and do what is asked, especially now that the surgery’s after-effects are transforming the narrator into something strange and dangerous and out of her control? “Eat Cosmic Jello” by Emily C. Skaftun A shapeshifter experiments with several forms. When she becomes human, she adopts a daughter and tells her all about her home planet. On her deathbed, too, she insists that her daughter remember an old jingle about jello. The daughter is curious to know why the mother kept telling her the “lie” that she was a shapeshifter and what the truth really is. Skaftun presents a wonderful story about finally believing, understanding, and acceptance. “The World Away From the Rain” by Ella Menzies Where Keza lives, the world has already ended. The planet heated up, taking many lives with it. The rain fell, full of acid, scarring people like her mother, who still fears the littlest showers. And so Keza hasn’t been near the sea or out in the rain because her mother doesn’t want her to put herself at risk. But there are other people out in the rain. The turtles are out looking for plastic to eat because there’s none of it left in the ocean. Things are better than they were back when the rain scarred and the heat killed. Can Keza help her mother understand that? Can they both finally venture out into the natural world again, enjoying its rain and its beaches once again? [end-mark] The post Five SFF Stories Featuring Mother-Daughter Relationships appeared first on Reactor.

Want to create your own beautiful, natural holiday decorations? Come learn how to make a DIY dried orange garland in this step-by-step guide. They’re easy to make using either the oven or a dehydrator and only a handful of supplies. This sustainable craft project is one of my favorite winter holiday season traditions! Catching light like candied stained glass, dried orange garlands look absolutely stunning strung across a sunny window, glowing on a Christmas tree with lights, and more. In this guide, I’ll show you exactly how to make one – along with several ideas for how to hang and decorate with them, tips for storage, and how to make them last. RELATED: Looking for more natural holiday decor ideas? Come learn how to make a fall leaf garland or DIY grapevine wreath! Our guide on how to dry orange slices also highlights other ways to use them: as Christmas ornaments, in stovetop potpourri, table centerpieces, wreaths, and more.Disclosure: Homestead and Chill is reader-supported. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Drying oranges in the oven vs dehydratorTo make a DIY dried orange garland, you can dry fresh orange slices in either an oven or a food dehydrator. Both options work great! The most notable difference is the final color, shown below. Or, you could buy already-dried orange slices to make a garland.Drying oranges in the oven is faster, but is easier to accidentally overcook or burn your oranges, resulting in a darker color. Even on the lowest temperature setting and with a very watchful eye, oven-dried orange slices will always turn out slightly more brown than those dried in a dehydrator – but still look beautiful and rustic!On the other hand, using a dehydrator to slowly dry the fruit at a lower temperature will result in lighter, brighter colored dried orange slices, nearly preserving their raw natural color. Starting light means the garland will look better and last longer over time (up to a few years) since it will gradually darken and turn more brown. While it takes a little longer, a dehydrator requires less oversight than the oven. Just set it and forget it!SuppliesFresh oranges (or pre-dried orange slices). You can use other types of dried citrus in your garland too, such as mandarins, lemons, limes, or blood oranges. I personally love to use grapefruit for a beautiful pop of pink! Sharp knife and cutting board Jute twine, string or ribbon of choice Lint-free cloth towels or paper towels for blotting Oven method: baking sheets lined with parchment paper or a wire baking rack OR a food dehydrator Optional: mini clothespins to clip the oranges to the twine, or even to a strand of petite twinkle lightsInstructionsIf you’re making your garland using already-dried oranges, skip straight to step 3.1) Prep OrangesFirst cut the oranges into thin even slices, approximately 1/8 to 1/4 inch thick. Try your best to cut them all the same thickness so they’ll dry evenly. Your dried orange garland will look the best if the oranges are cut across the middle “equator” instead of top-to-bottom, revealing the perfect cross-section. Lay the orange slices out in a single layer on a cloth towel or paper towels. Then use another towel on top to gently blot them and remove excess moisture. Don’t smash them though! Finally, transfer the oranges to either food dehydrator trays, a wire baking rack, or baking sheets lined with parchment paper. Spread them out in a single layer, not overlapping. 2) Dry the Orange SlicesIn the oven:Dry the orange slices in the oven on 200 to 225°F for several hours, until they’re fully dry*. (See notes below). I found 215°F is the sweet spot for my oven! 200 was taking forever, but 225 made them more brown. It should take anywhere from 3 to 5 hours to dry, depending on your oven and thickness of the orange slices. Carefully flip the oranges every hour or so to promote even drying (unless using a wire baking rack).  Once they’re done, transfer the oranges to a cooling rack.In a dehydrator:To dry orange slices in a dehydrator, set the thermostat to 130-135°F (a “fruit” setting or medium heat).  If your machine doesn’t have a precise temperature control, check them after an hour or two to ensure they’re not turning brown and adjust as needed.  Allow them to dry until no moisture remains. (See notes below.) In my machine, most orange slices dry within about 8 hours, but if there are a few damp pieces left I turn it down to 125F for a few more hours to finish off. Depending on your dehydrator (e.g. if it has a top or bottom fan), you may also want to rotate the trays after several hours to promote even drying. I don’t find the need to do this with our Excalibur since the fan is located in the back with even airflow.With either method, the orange slices are considered “fully dry” once they appear dry, and the thickest parts of the fruit are no longer gooey or soft to the touch. It is okay if they feel ever-so-slightly sticky still, since they will continue to dry and harden once they’re removed from the heat. If you plan to keep your garland for many years, make sure the oranges are extra dry so they won’t mold in storage!3) Add TwineNow it’s time to string the dried oranges onto twine to create a garland. There are a number of ways to accomplish this, so I’ve shared my favorite simple method and tips here, along with a few alternative styles in the section to follow! Begin by cutting a piece of twine as long as you’d like your garland to be, plus some extra length – just in case. Use the tip of a pen, chopstick, a thick nail, wood skewer, or other slender pointed object to make two small holes in each orange. (I used a kitchen probe thermometer.) Creating two holes instead of one helps the orange slices hang in a nice straight line along the garland. Poke the holes through the orange slices near the rind (the strongest part) and about an inch or so apart. Thread one end of the twine through each hole in the orange slice, and then gently pull to the end of your garland. Repeat the process and continue to add more dried oranges to the garland, spacing them however far apart you prefer. Keep them close together for a very full look.I recommend poking holes in two separate “sections” of the orange flesh (separated by white membrane) which offers strength and prevents tearing.Alternative MethodsThere are plenty of other clever and creative ways to make a DIY dried orange garland. You can attach the orange slices to twine using mini clothespins, connect the oranges end-to-end using smaller sections of string (shown below), or even hang the garland vertically – such as several sections hanging vertically in a window like a dried orange curtain or mobile!5) Enjoy!Now it’s time to find a special place to hang and admire your beautiful new DIY dried orange garland! I always hang a couple in our living room windows near the Christmas tree, which is also adorned with matching orange slices and blown egg ornaments. Here are some other pretty ideas:Where to hang a dried orange garlandWrapped around a Christmas tree On a fireplace mantle Strung across a sunny window, or hung vertically Down a stairwell banister or other railing Hung on the front door Draped across the front of a bookcase, cabinet or other shelving Wrapped around a wreath Across an open doorway or nook From a chandelier Thoughtfully laid out as a part of a tablescape centerpiece Use several strands to create a dried orange mobileOur tree, adorned with dried orange ornaments and a garland in the window. Storage and Shelf LifeTo keep your dried orange garland for next year, store it in a cool, dry, dark location where it won’t get crushed. You can carefully fold and stack the garland into a bag, or lay it out to store flat. Either way, I recommend protecting the fragile oranges with tissue paper or other cushioning. FAQ: How long do dried orange garlands last? Dried orange garlands can last for many years! With proper drying and storage, they should not mold. However, the oranges will gradually turn more brown and darken over time – so it’s a personal decision as to how long you enjoy yours. Some folks love the look of more aged, rustic brown dried oranges! Easy peasy. I hope you enjoy your beautiful natural homemade garlands as much as I do. Please spread the holiday joy and leave a review, or ask any questions you may have below! Don’t miss these related posts:How to Make a DIY Fall Leaf Garland  Holiday Stovetop Potpourri Mason Jar Recipes (Free Printable Gift Tag) How to Make Dried Flower Candle Jar Lanterns (Pressed Flower Crafts) DIY Bath Salts Recipe: Beautiful Natural Herbal Bath Salts How to Make Pressed Flower Pumpkins: No-Carve Pumpkin Decorating Idea Print DIY Dried Orange Garland (Oven or Dehydrator) Come learn how to make a beautiful DIY dried orange garland using the oven or a dehydrator, plus tips how to hang and store them. This is an easy and sustainable natural holiday craft idea! Keyword diy christmas decor, diy dried orange garland, diy holiday decorations, dried orange garland, dried orange slices, natural holiday decorations Cook Time 1 hour hourDrying Time 5 hours hours EquipmentSharp knife and cutting boardBaking sheet lined with parchment paper (for oven method) OR a food dehydratorLint-free cloth towel or paper towels for blotting Twine, string, or ribbon of choiceMini clothespins (optional) IngredientsFresh oranges (or lemons, grapefruit, limes, blood oranges, etc) InstructionsPrepCut the oranges into thin slices, ⅛” to ¼” thick. Try to cut each slice the same thickness for even drying. Cutting across the “equator” or center of the orange (as opposed to top stem to bottom) to reveal the perfect cross-section. Gently blot them with paper towels or a cloth towel to remove excess juices and expedite the drying process.Spread the orange slices in a single layer on either a parchment-paper lined baking sheet or food dehydrator trays. Drying Oranges in a DehydratorSet the thermostat to 130-135°F (a “fruit” setting or medium heat). When in doubt, check them after an hour or two to ensure they’re not turning brown and adjust as needed. Allow them to dry until no moisture remains** (See notes below.) In our machine, the orange slices were mostly dry within about 8 hours, though a few damp pieces remained, so I turned the temp down to 125F and let it continue to run overnight to finish off.Depending on your dehydrator, you may want to rotate the trays after several hours to promote even drying. Drying Oranges in the OvenDry the orange slices in the oven on 200 to 225°F for several hours, until they’re fully dry* (see notes below). It should take anywhere from 3 to 5 hours, depending on your oven and size of orange slices. I found the sweet spot in our oven to be 215F, where 200 was going too slow but 225 was turning them brown.Carefully flip the slices every hour or so to promote even drying, then transfer to a cooling rack once complete.Create a Garland on Twine or StringCut piece of twine as long as you’d like your garland to be, plus some extra length – just in case.Use the tip of a pen, chopstick, a thick nail, wood skewer, or other slender pointed object to make two small holes in each orange. Creating two holes instead of one helps the orange slices hang in a nice straight line along the garland.Poke the holes through the orange slices near the rind (the strongest part) and about an inch or so apart.Thread one end of the twine through each hole in the dried orange slice, and then gently pull to the end of your garland.Repeat the process and continue to add more dried oranges to the garland, spacing them however far apart you prefer. Keep them close together for a very full look.Hang and EnjoyHang your dried orange garland across a sunny window, on the Christmas tree, down a stair railing, on the fireplace mantle, on the front door, across a bookshelf, as part of a tablescape, and more. You can also hang your garland (or several strands) vertically!Storage and Shelf LifeStore flat in a cool, dry, dark location. Use tissue paper or other cushioning as needed to protect the dried oranges. If dried and stored properly, a dried orange garland can last many years. However, they will all naturally turn a darker brown color over time. Notes**For either method** The orange slices are considered “fully dry” once they appear dry, and thickest parts of the fruit are no longer gooey or soft to the touch. It is okay if they feel ever-so-slightly sticky still, since they will continue to dry and harden once they’re removed from the heat. The post How to Make a Dried Orange Garland (Oven or Dehydrator) appeared first on Homestead and Chill.

If you're tired of censorship and dystopian threats against civil liberties, subscribe to Reclaim The Net. Canada’s authorities are keeping up with the “AI/disinformation panic” being relentlessly spread by their current counterparts south of the border. The chief electoral officer in Ontario, Greg Essensa, now wants greater powers, and more tools, to fight whatever is deemed to be “misinformation” as well as the ability to more effectively remove content branded as “false and misleading.” Essensa’s recommendations, found in a report he recently submitted to the Canadian state’s Legislative Assembly, seek those extra “tools” as a way to protect against “rapid spread of misinformation” thanks to supposedly rapidly advancing AI, as the “unwanted” content is “amplified” thanks to algorithms. Essensa is out to persuade legislators that the current powers the office of the electoral chief has – laboring constrained by the Election Act and the Election Finances Act – are “insufficient.” In his recommendations, Essensa goes through the usual list of examples of why the recent developments around AI, as it pertains to electoral processes, are supposedly more dangerous than ever: somebody was sending “convincing text messages” apparently coming from candidates, there have been unspecified “false announcements” in different languages, etc. Spam, and even fraud during a campaign – that’s been around in one form or another as long as campaigns. But the point here is to reinforce the (unproven) narrative that AI is “mightier and more dangerous than ever.” Meta and X are mentioned as social media companies that have rules meant to curb misleading content – but once again, Essensa finds these insufficient in the face of the alleged significant increase in the speed at which this information spreads. In particular, this “outpaces fact checking or content moderation,” he wrote. With this statement we finally arrive at the heart of the matter: a call for more efficient censorship. To deal with that, Essensa wants “automated election ads” to be labeled, along with “swift” removal of content, and other proposed more stringent measures. For those found not in compliance regarding political ads, the electoral chief wants fines ranging from up to $20,000 (Canadian) for an individual and up to $100,000 for a company. As for “misleading content” concerning elections, the recommendation is to penalize individuals and companies with up to $20,000 per day, and up to $50,000 per day, respectively. If you're tired of censorship and dystopian threats against civil liberties, subscribe to Reclaim The Net. The post Ontario’s Chief Electoral Officer Seeks Powers to Tackle “Misinformation” appeared first on Reclaim The Net.

Perhaps the most undervalued addition to any successful homestead, the right type of fence can not only provide security from unwelcome predators, but it can also add value and security to your land, ensuring that your homestead thrives and survives as long as possible. Choosing the Right Fence For Your Homestead Selecting what type of fence your homestead needs can be quite a challenge. There’s much to consider; what type of livestock you’re cultivating, how wide your space is, and the terrain of your land are all factors to take into consideration when selecting a type of fence for your property. Here, we’ll take a look at the pros and cons of various types of fencing approaches, and this will help you in making a selection for the perfect fencing option for your home. Woven-wire fence: This approach alternates between metal posts and wooden T-posts spaced 12 to 16 feet apart. It should be noted that this type of fencing will cost approximately $1,500 per quarter mile. This set-up also demands usually about 40 hours of labor to execute the entire installation. | Some positive contributions that this type of fencing will provide are that it is a strong and sturdy source of security. It is a relatively attractive option and quite commonly seen on homesteads; additionally, it confines almost all types of livestock, even bigger animals such as sheep and goats. However, it is worthy considering that this type of fencing is the highest in cost, and it also requires the most maintenance upkeep and installation. Perhaps the most time-consuming part of the installation process involves digging up the postholes, which is the majority of time spent in the estimated 40 hours of labor. However, T-posts do not resist the pull of a tight fence wire, and can hold upright without compromising the strength of your fence. Barbed-wire fence: Just shy of the estimate price of the woven-wire, barbed-wire fence installation averages at approximately $1,100 per quarter mile, also alternating between metal posts and wooden T-posts. As noted, it is obviously less expensive (and lighter!) to install than a woven-wire fence, and it provides the greatest deterrent to cattle who will not attempt to push down a barbed wire fence. The downsides to this type of fencing is that it often produces an aggressive appearance which can come off as making your homestead appear unwelcoming, and it can be dangerous for young children and less assuming animals such as sheep and goats. It does employ the same type of post arrangement as a woven-wire fence, but requires far less maintenance and upkeep after installation, as you are note required to handle large rolls of woven wire. Additionally, barbed wire is much easier to install over rolling terrain, as the wire follows the land’s contour. High-Tensile Electric Fence: This type of fencing costs approximately $700 per quarter mile, and requires about 20 hours of labor. A high-tensile approach is clearly the least expensive and requires the shortest amount of time dedicated to installation, as well as a low annual cost of ownership. Additionally, this type of fence typically generates good containment performance for almost all livestock breeds. As a downside, this fence is the most technically complex and requires regular monitoring; also, if it is not properly protected it can be ruined by a lightning strike, which is another potential danger for animals and people alike. Most homesteaders, however, consider high-tensile an ideal choice. Its installation process is similar to non-electric fences, and it is easily the cheapest option that requires the lowest amount of upkeep and maintenance. This type of fence will require an energizer, which typically costs around $200, and will also require ground rods that will work to complete the circuit, giving the fence its effective electric shock. Lightweight Poly Wire Fence: This installation process will estimate at about $200 per quarter mile and requires no more than two hours of labor. Although it is an easy and inexpensive approach, as well as flexible with movement, it is not an ideal solution to containing large livestock, so this fencing type will be more suitable for vegetation and gardens. This type of fencing is generally positioned too low to the ground to ensure that cattle and larger animals are kept enclosed in the area; however, they might suit for internal grazing purposes, as they can be lifted and easily moved for temporary fencing needs, such as feeding. If a poly fencing system is combined with a high-tensile system, a second energizer will not need to be purchased as the first will suffice. Additional information that you will need to consider is the durability and sustainability of wooden versus plastic posts. Read on to learn more about the benefits of each type, and which material is suitable for the types of fences listed. Wooden posts – These are inexpensive and easy to find in forested regions. They’re also lightweight and allow for the homesteader to practice drilling, nailing, and stapling. However, wooden posts are susceptible to rot and locust infestations which will eventually lead to the demise and necessary replacement of wooden posts. Plastic posts – These can be cut and worked the same way as wood. As a downside, they are generally more expensive than wooden posts and are also not as strong or rigid. Unfortunately, many homesteaders have been disappointed with their plastic posts failing to remain straight upright. There can be lots to consider when choosing the right type of fence for your unique homestead, such as material, approximate cost, and mobility of the fencing approach. The pros and cons of these various fencing types will surely help you narrow your selection, and most importantly ensure that both your crops and your cattle are kept safe and secure. Up Next: 12 Food Storage Ideas for Small Homes Follow us on Instagram, Twitter, Pinterest, and Facebook!

Hispanic Voters Shifted Dramatically to the Right

"Without advances in DNA, this murder might have gone unprosecuted.”

"It is a bit like Schrödinger's cat, which is both alive and dead, a supersolid is both rigid and liquid."

Non-human animals have culture, and that culture can accumulate and grow even in animals we consider simple, so there has to be something else that sets our culture apart.

Is it the shape? The shallowness of the cut? The feelings of embarrassment that come from being injured by paper?

The six late night comedy shows vacillated between liberal pep talks, sadness, and anger on Wednesday as most of them reacted to Donald Trump’s presidential election victory. From asking “What the actual [bleep], America?” to mourning the demise of democracy, here is a Notable Quotables-style compliation of Wednesday’s tapings of Comedy Central’s The Daily Show, ABC’s Jimmy Kimmel Live!, NBC’s The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon and Late Night with Seth Meyers, and CBS’s The Late Show with Stephen Colbert and After Midnight. Reacting To The Results “Well, [bleep]. It happened. Again. After a bizarre and vicious campaign fueled by a desperate need not to go to jail, Donald Trump has won the 2024 election. It's almost like you rehearsed that. The deep shock and sense of loss is enormous, okay? But let's look on the bright side. This way, at least there'll be a peaceful transfer of power.” “Now, as a late night host, people often say to me, ‘Come on, part of you has gotta want Trump to win because he gives you so much material to work with!’ No. No. No one tells the guy who cleans the bathroom, ‘Wow, you must love it when someone has explosive diarrhea. There's so much material for you to work with!’ Now, you understand that? Is that good? I wish, you wish, so many of us wish this hadn't happened.” —CBS’s Stephen Colbert     “You know, every once in a while when something bad happens, we let our kids curse for 30 seconds. We tell them they have 30 seconds to say any word they want and all the words they choose are curses. So, at breakfast this morning, my wife tells our daughter, Jane, who's upset, she said, "You know, you can do it" and just as she starts the cursing, our 7-year-old son, Billy, comes down the stairs. He's wearing a black Adidas tracksuit, high tops and a pair of Ray-Bans. He looks like the fourth member of Run-D.M.C. and he says, "What's going on?" My wife says, "Well, Donald Trump won," He goes, "[bleep].” I have to say, it almost made losing the election worth it.” —ABC’s Jimmy Kimmel “But I will say, it is an honor to be on television while women are still allowed to be. That feels great. So, yeah, how did everyone sleep last night? I mean, seriously, which sedatives did you take? I personally took a sleeping pill and then a family sized bag of duly jelly beans, and then, I'm not kidding, I restarted watching Game of Thrones to calm down.” “I just like, why does he have to be president? Usually when you are reintegrating a con back into society, you just let them work at Baskin-Robbins. I don't understand why you can't have that job. I'm honestly really mad, mad at everyone who comforted me and said it was going to be okay, I'm mad at myself for believing this would not happen. I’m mad at CBS for hiring me so I can not immediately leave the country. There’s a lot of misplaced anger right now.” —CBS’s Taylor Tomlinson     Attacking The Voters “All day yesterday, I was walking around proudly wearing my "I voted" sticker. Today, I wore my "I am questioning my fundamental belief in the goodness of humanity" sticker...This is a democracy. That's democracy with a capital 'Duh.' And in this duh-mocracy, the majority has spoken, and they said that they don't care that much about democracy.” "Last time Trump won, it felt like a grotesque fluke. This time, America knew exactly what they were getting and they went hard for him anyway. It's like that famous quote, 'Those who do not learn from history--are me! Hey, that's me! Which reminds me, I wanted to look something up. Hey Google, did Joe Biden drop out of the election?" —CBS’s Stephen Colbert “That was the worst Taco Tuesday of my whole life. We had the choice between a prosecutor and a criminal, and we chose the criminal to be president of the United States. More than half of this country voted for the criminal who is planning to pardon himself for his crimes.” —ABC’s Jimmy Kimmel     “Well, guys, last night, America decided to get back with their crazy ex and elect Donald Trump as the 47th president of the United States... Of course, Trump's already super busy. First, he's got to move all those classified documents back into the White House.” —NBC’s Jimmy Fallon “And that's [abortion ballot measures winning] truly great and I'm very happy about that. But I can't get over the fact they voted to restore rights while also voting for the guy who ripped away those rights in the first place. It's like voting to make chainsaws illegal, while also voting to make Leatherface president.”     —NBC’s Seth Meyers “Is it too late to un-decide? Well, if you're just joining me in this waking nightmare, yesterday was Election Day. We were all hoping it would make history, and boy, did it ever…Yeah, it's official. America elected its first criminal president before electing its first female president. What a day for proud felonists. What the actual [bleep], America? We've had two qualified, accomplished women nominated for president, and both times they lost to the worst man in the whole country.” —Comedy Central’s Desi Lydic     “We had assumed we wouldn’t know the results of the election yet, but we do have the results: a second Donald Trump presidency and I know people have said this before, but reboot culture has gone too far and I say that as the host of a show that was rebooted.” —CBS’s Taylor Tomlinson Attacking Trump JIMMY KIMMEL: You think it would be easier or more difficult to write for Trump? DAN PFEIFFER: We don't speak German.  JON LOVETT: ... he's annoyed and a bit bored by his prepared remarks because I do find— the kind of high dudgeon, kind of like "Deutschland Uber Alles" vibes, blood and soil, he's like, “Ugh, kind of boring, I want to talk about some windmills, what RFK’s going to do for the women! You know, I want to riff!” —The Cast of Pod Save America on Jimmy Kimmel Live! “Donald Trump ran a dark and ominous campaign where he called his opponents vermin, scum, and the enemy within. He's not gonna suddenly become a soft and cuddly uniter. I know he likes to play dress up, but that's one costume he can't pull off.” —NBC’s Seth Meyers “It was a huge night for Republicans, they also took the Senate, and a lot of the news media is asking whether or not a Republican Senate will "keep Trump in check." Which feels like asking the getaway driver of a bank robbery, "So, you're gonna make sure they spend the money wisely, right? You're going to save half for taxes and donate to sustainable charities? Right?" —CBS’s Taylor Tomlinson Worrying About The Future “As we're all about to plunge back into the Trump hole, here's what occurs to me. The first time Donald Trump was elected, he started as a joke and ended as a tragedy. This time, he starts as a tragedy.” “Who knows what the next four years are gonna be be like? What we do know is that we are going to be governed by a monstrous child surrounded by cowards and grifters and my brain keeps pumping out an unlimited supply of ramifications. It's really hard to see a bright side here.” —CBS’s Stephen Colbert “Let's be honest, it was a terrible night last night. It was a terrible night for women, for children, for the hundreds of thousands of hard-working immigrants who make this country go, for healthcare, for our climate, for science, for journalism, for justice, for free speech. It was a terrible night for poor people, for the middle class, for seniors who rely on Social Security, for our allies in Ukraine, for NATO, for the truth and democracy and decency and it was a terrible night for everyone who voted against him, and guess what? It was a bad night for everyone who voted for him too. You just don't realize it yet.” —ABC’s Jimmy Kimmel “Look, I wish I had some trenchant words of wisdom to impart. I'm sad to say I don't. We're about to step over the precipice into truly uncharted territory. You need only look back to Trump's first term to get a sense of how dangerous his second term will be and no one can say they didn't know what they were getting because Trump made it crystal clear.” —NBC’s Seth Meyers     “Donald Trump has proven, what he has proven in the way he has won has proven is every voter has an identity. Every voter has an identity and he tapped into one of the most powerful of American identities, he tapped into white identity…He said 'you don't need to be ashamed of this identity, I'm going to give it a name and I'm going to make you feel good about it, and you don't have to sacrifice a thing.' Donald Trump played identity politics like a fiddle. So, when you say the Democrats lose because we play identity politics, it simply isn't true. This is about whose identities win when you appeal to them. That means you should double down on the identities of your base. You should go out to them, something I think Democrats really only did cosmetically this time.” —Professor and New York Times columnist Tresssie McMillan Cottom on The Daily Show. “A lot of people want solutions, so they're posting today about what we can do to move forward. And I think that's valuable. But also, let's have a [bleep] second to be sad. It's all right. You know. If your friend dies, you go to the funeral and say, "I really miss my friend." You don't go to the funeral and immediately scream, "Volunteer at the library!" Like yes, okay, I'll volunteer at the library, but let me bury democracy first.” CBS’s Taylor Tomlinson Pep Talks “Today some people said to me, "Sorry you have to do a show tonight," which is nice of them to say, but I don't have to do a show. I get to do a show tonight. I'm so grateful to be with all of these talented people, those people over here, those people that you'll never see, with the audience in the Ed Sullivan, with you people at home, because especially in times like this, what do we most want to be? Not alone. So, thanks for being here. We're going to do a comedy show. It's a comedy show. We are going to do some jokes in just a minute, 'cause that's what we do, and I'll let you in on the little secret. No one gets into this business because everything in their life worked out great. So we're built for rough roads.” —CBS’s Stephen Colbert “But I do know everyone who works on this show agrees on our mission, which is to find laughter, to find connection, and to find joy, even when things are bleak, and to tell you how we feel. And look, it might be challenging. But to that challenge, I say ‘Let's [bleep] go.’"  “All I do know is that the fight for justice doesn't end with one election. We must all gird ourselves for what comes next and do everything in our power to make real the world we want to live in. In times like this when everything feels overwhelming and impossible, like all hope is lost, we have no choice but to look back on the broad scope of history. Justice is not automatic. Comeuppance is not guaranteed. Politics unfortunately is not a Marvel movie, even though Joe Biden does look eerily like old Captain America. That doesn't mean — that doesn't mean the struggle toward a more just and compassionate world is futile. It just means it's [bleep] hard and heartbreaking and soul-crushing and agonizing and it never ends. Democracy does not happen only Election Day.” —NBC’s Seth Meyers Here are transcripts of the November 6-taped shows: CBS The Late Show with Stephen Colbert 11/7/2024 11:36 PM ET STEPHEN COLBERT: You know, today some people said to me "Sorry you have to do a show tonight," which is nice of them to say but I don't have to do a show. I get to do a show tonight. I'm so grateful to be with all of these talented people, those people over here, those people that you'll never see, with the audience in the Ed Sullivan, with you people at home, because especially in times like this, what do we most want to be? Not alone. So, thanks for being here. We're going to do a comedy show. It's a comedy show. We are going to do some jokes in just a minute, 'cause that's what we do, and I'll let you in on the little secret. No one gets into this business because everything in their life worked out great. So we're built for rough roads. You guys ready? Are we cool? Okay. We're going to start the show now. And correct me if I'm wrong, Louis, we usually start with a cold open? Something like that? Do we have one? We do? Great, Jim? … COLBERT: Well, [bleep]. It happened. Again. After a bizarre and vicious campaign fueled by a desperate need not to go to jail, Donald Trump has won the 2024 election. It's almost like you rehearsed that. The deep shock and sense of loss is enormous, okay? But let's look on the bright side. This way, at least there'll be a peaceful transfer of power!  Mike Pence, olly olly oxen free! All day yesterday, I was walking around proudly wearing my "I voted" sticker. Today, I wore my "I am questioning my fundamental belief in the goodness of humanity" sticker. They give those out. They give those out at the bake sale right outside.  Now, as a late night host, people often say to me, "Come on, part of you has gotta want Trump to win because he gives you so much material to work with!"  No. No. No one tells the guy who cleans the bathroom, "Wow, you must love it when someone has explosive diarrhea. There's so much material for you to work with!" Now, you understand that? Is that good? I wish, you wish, so many of us wish this hadn't happened. But that is not for us to decide. This is a democracy. That's democracy with a capital "Duh." And in this duh-mocracy, the majority has spoken, and they said that they don't care that much about democracy and I want to take a moment to congratulate Kamala Harris and Tim Walz on running an amazing 107-day campaign. No, come on, that was extraordinary. Right out of the gate, they hit it right of the gate. Personally, I hope they stay in touch. I know they're really good at texting.  As we're all about to plunge back into the Trump hole, here's what occurs to me. The first time Donald Trump was elected, he started as a joke and ended as a tragedy. This time, he starts as a tragedy. Who knows what he'll end as? A limerick? "There once was a man who was Orange. Dammit!"  Who knows what the next four years are gonna be like? What we do know is that we are going to be governed by a monstrous child surrounded by cowards and grifters and my brain keeps pumping out an unlimited supply of ramifications. It's really hard to see a bright side here. ... Last time Trump won, it felt like a grotesque fluke. This time, America knew exactly what they were getting and they went hard for him anyway. It's like that famous quote, 'Those who do not learn from history--are me! Hey, that's me! Which reminds me, I wanted to look something up. Hey Google, did Joe Biden drop out of the election? *** ABC Jimmy Kimmel Live! 11/6/2024 11:37 PM ET JIMMY KIMMEL: I hope you are well. You know, I spent a lot of time over the last 17 hours or so thinking about what I would say tonight, what there even is to say tonight. And — there's nothing, good night, everybody! Let me tell you, that was the worst Taco Tuesday of my whole life. We had the choice between a prosecutor and a criminal, and we chose the criminal to be president of the United States. More than half of this country voted for the criminal who is planning to pardon himself for his crimes. … My kids were very upset. You know, every once in a while when something bad happens, we let our kids curse for 30 seconds. We tell them they have 30 seconds to say any word they want and all the words they choose are curses. So, at breakfast this morning, my wife tells our daughter, Jane, who's upset, she said, "You know, you can do it" and just as she starts the cursing, our 7-year-old son, Billy, comes down the stairs. He's wearing a black Adidas tracksuit, high tops and a pair of Ray-Bans. He looks like the fourth member of Run-D.M.C. and he says “What's going on?” My wife says, "Well, Donald Trump won," he goes, "[bleep].” I have to say, it almost made losing the election worth it. … Let's be honest, it was a terrible night last night. It was a terrible night for women, for children, for the hundreds of thousands of hard-working immigrants who make this country go, for healthcare, for our climate, for science, for journalism, for justice, for free speech. It was a terrible night for poor people, for the middle class, for seniors who rely on Social Security, for our allies in Ukraine, for NATO, for the truth and democracy and decency and it was a terrible night for everyone who voted against him, and guess what? It was a bad night for everyone who voted for him too. You just don't realize it yet. … JON LOVETT: I think president Obama saw them more as about how you tell the story of the country and I think one lesson we've learned over the last eight years is, people don't care about policy.  KIMMEL: You think it would be easier or more difficult to write for Trump? TOMMY VIETOR: Whoo. JON FAVREAU: You know what – DAN PFEIFFER: We don't speak German.  LOVETT: I will say this. So easy, I will say this, you know, the speechwriters that write speeches for Trump, you can tell when he leaves the prepared remarks behind and starts kind of riffing because he's annoyed and a bit bored by his prepared remarks because I do find— the kind of high dudgeon, kind of like "Deutschland Uber Alles" vibes, blood and soil, he's like, “ugh, kind of boring, I want to talk about some windmills, what RFK’s going to do for the women! You know, I want to riff!” *** NBC The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon 11/6/2024 11:36 PM ET JIMMY FALLON: Well, guys, last night, America decided to get back with their crazy ex and elect Donald Trump as the 47th president of the United States. No matter who you voted for, I think all Americans can agree it's going to be a rough Thanksgiving. Really, right? Yep, Trump returning to the White House is a huge historic comeback for someone who literally never went away. Of course, Trump's already super busy. First, he's got to move all those classified documents back into the White House. Yeah, Republicans were thrilled about last night until they realized it's going to be four more years of Melania's Christmas decorations. *** NBC Late Night with Seth Meyers 11/7/2024 12:40 AM ET SETH MEYERS: But I do know everyone who works on this show agrees on our mission, which is to find laughter, to find connection, and to find joy, even when things are bleak, and to tell you how we feel. And look, it might be challenging. But to that challenge, I say "let's [bleep] go." And I promise, you know — yeah. Let's [bleep] go. … MEYERS: Donald Trump ran a dark and ominous campaign where he called his opponents vermin, scum, and the enemy within. He's not gonna suddenly become a soft and cuddly uniter. I know he likes to play dress up, but that's one costume he can't pull off. By the way, now that he's going to go back to the White House, I think Trump should keep wearing the orange safety vest, so we always know where he is in case he gets lost and accidentally wanders away on the White House lawn again. But it's not all bad news. Trump, of course, also bragged repeatedly about overturning Roe v. Wade, which has put women who can't get medical care in harm's way. And yesterday, voters spoke loudly and clearly that they disagree with Trump's position. RACHEL MADDOW: In Nevada and in Arizona and in Missouri, we've got the abortion referendums, the abortion ballot measures that were on the ballot in front of those voters. They have passed in all three of those states. So, this is Nevada. You see the "Yes" vote here for "Right to an abortion," Question 6 on the Nevada ballot, with 62-38. So, that passes in Nevada. That is the projection. In Arizona, we have similarly, the Arizona abortion rights measure, Proposition 139, right to an abortion. Look, similar margin there. 63 percent vote in Arizona in favor of abortion rights. Pretty stunning result there. And also a third one in Missouri, in deep red Missouri. A majority win and a win, a yes, for the right to an abortion. MEYERS: And that's truly great and I'm very happy about that. But I can't get over the fact they voted to restore rights while also voting for the guy who ripped away those rights in the first place. It's like voting to make chainsaws illegal, while also voting to make Leatherface president.  Look, I wish I had some trenchant words of wisdom to impart. I'm sad to say I don't. We're about to step over the precipice into truly uncharted territory. You need only look back to Trump's first term to get a sense of how dangerous his second term will be and no one can say they didn't know what they were getting because Trump made it crystal clear.  All I do know is that the fight for justice doesn't end with one election. We must all gird ourselves for what comes next and do everything in our power to make real the world we want to live in. In times like this when everything feels overwhelming and impossible, like all hope is lost, we have no choice but to look back on the broad scope of history. Justice is not automatic. Comeuppance is not guaranteed. Politics unfortunately is not a Marvel movie, even though Joe Biden does look eerily like old Captain America. That doesn't mean — that doesn't mean the struggle toward a more just and compassionate world is futile. It just means it's [bleep] hard and heartbreaking and soul-crushing and agonizing and it never ends. Democracy does not happen only Election Day *** Comedy Central The Daily Show 11/6/2024 11:00 PM ET DESI LYDIC: Is it too late to un-decide? Well, if you're just joining me in this waking nightmare, yesterday was Election Day. We were all hoping it would make history, and boy, did it ever. LOCAL NEWS ANCHOR: Mr. Trump made history last night. He will be the first convicted felon to be president of the United States. LYDIC: Yeah, it's official. America elected its first criminal president before electing its first female president. What a day for proud felonists. What the actual [bleep], America? We've had two qualified, accomplished women nominated for president, and both times they lost to the worst man in the whole country. … LYDIC: You wrote a piece in the Time just today and you said “It is time for us to accept that American politics is identity politics.” Tell us what you meant by that. TRESSIE MCMILLAN COTTOM: I meant we have spent a lot of time and by we, I mean myself, people in the media, academics, researchers and politicians certainly have spent a lot of time saying identity politics is dangerous or at least it's murky, right? This is why we said Occupy was a distraction for the Democrats, Black Lives Matter was a distraction for the Democrats, right? The feminist movement is a distraction for the Democrats because they won't focus on real issues that matter to real Americans, right? The problem with that is you assume the only people with an identity are women and people of color, but as Donald Trump has proven, what he has proven in the way he has won has proven is every voter has an identity. Every voter has an identity and he tapped into one of the most powerful of American identities, he tapped into white identity. LYDIC: Right. COTTOM: Right. He said “you don't need to be ashamed of this identity, I'm going to give it a name and I'm going to make you feel good about it, and you don't have to sacrifice a thing.” Donald Trump played identity politics like a fiddle. So, when you say the Democrats lose because we play identity politics, it simply isn't true. This is about whose identities win when you appeal to them. That means you should double down on the identities of your base. You should go out to them, something I think Democrats really only did cosmetically this time.  But take seriously what the members of your base want based on who they are and how they view themselves. I think if we did that we would have understood why young men are anxious.  I think we would have understood why young women could, yes, be afraid of a post-Dobbs America but not think the woman president would help them, right? I think that if you appeal more directly, actually, to people's identities, how they see their identities, then you can play the game that Trump has played but without all the nefarious self-serving self-aggrandizement. *** CBS After Midnight 11/7/2024 12:38 AM ET TAYLOR TOMLINSON: But I will say, it is an honor to be on television while women are still allowed to be. That feels great. So, yeah, how did everyone sleep last night? I mean, seriously, which sedatives did you take? I personally took a sleeping pill and then a family sized bag of duly jelly beans, and then, I'm not kidding, I restarted watching Game of Thrones to calm down. I was like maybe this will give me some perspective, just desperately trying to get myself back to 2011, yeah. Remember 2011, back when Joe Rogan was not helping people decide elections, he was just helping them decide if they were going to eat bugs for money. Remember that? Yeah. I've been watching this TikTok on a loop all morning. ONSCREEN TIKTOK CAPTION: I wish I was a cow running in the rain right now. TOMLINSON Was that too dark? Like, The energy was like "[bleep] that wouldn't be nice." It was not funny at all? Everybody was like “Wouldn't it be nice to be anywhere else and be something else. Like nobody in here had fun with that all. Me neither. Oh my god, we had been preparing in advance for today's show, and we had assumed we wouldn’t know the results of the election yet, but we do have the results: a second Donald Trump presidency and I know people have said this before, but reboot culture has gone too far.  And I say that as the host of a show that was rebooted. I just like, why does he have to be president? Usually when you are reintegrating a con back into society, you just let them work at Baskin-Robbins. I don't understand why you can't have that job.  I'm honestly really mad, mad at everyone who comforted me and said it was going to be okay, I'm mad at myself for believing this would not happen. I’m mad at CBS for hiring me so I can not immediately leave the country. There’s a lot of misplaced anger right now. … It was a huge night for Republicans, they also took the Senate, and a lot of the news media is asking whether or not a Republican Senate will "Keep Trump in check." Which feels like asking the getaway driver of a bank robbery, "So, you're gonna make sure they spend the money wisely, right? You're going to save half for taxes and donate to sustainable charities? Right?" A lot of people want solutions, so they're posting today about what we can do to move forward. And I think that's valuable. But also, let's have a [bleep] second to be sad. It's all right. You know. If your friend dies, you go to the funeral and say, "I really miss my friend." You don't go to the funeral and immediately scream, "Volunteer at the library!" Like yes, okay, I'll volunteer at the library, but let me bury democracy first!  I— look, I know today is tough, but you came to us for some magic. Let's hope heartbreak feels good in a place like this.