My friends Pat and Shannon lost the babies today. Twins. Barbara Walter’s was once asked what was the most sorrowful thing in life and she replied “the loss of a child.” It marks you like little else. It would be good to send up your prayers.

On Monday, Rebecca sent me this article about Sudan. The government of Sudan has surrounded the refuge camps. They are refusing to let in humanitarian aid workers. No medical, food, or water supplies can come into the camps either. The African Sudanese in the camps are afraid that the soldiers will force them back to the villages, all sites of earlier massacres. This will make them sitting ducks for more raids by the government-sponsored Janjaweed – Arab Sudanese “rebels” who sweep through the country raping women and girls and killing the men and boys. Janjaweed means “devils on horseback.” A chilling image.

The conflicts, like those in the Middle East, are very complicated and very old. I heard a reporter … {read more…}

i am not really stuck here. i just don’t realize it.

I have been struck with a sudden and difficult bout of depression. My council of wise women says that I am sad, and that I am stuck. Karen tells me to embrace the light. (Seems like I’ve heard that somewhere before…what’s that saying about taking your own medicine?) Okay, I’ll try that.

Embrace the Light….

1) Five busy women took the time to read my long email and write me long ones back…right away…with pictures!

2) Alanis Morrisette wrote this: (listen here)

how ‘bout me not blaming you for everything
how ‘bout me enjoying the moment for once
how ‘bout how good it feels to finally forgive you
how’ bout grieving it all one at a time

how ‘bout no longer being masochistic
how ‘bout remembering … {read more…}

I’ve cried so often these past few days. It’s odd how I won’t cry for ever, then suddenly these spurts of tear seem to well up for awhile.
Today I saw my friend Colleen Echohawk-Hayashi for the first time in—what–maybe a year? We immediately teared up upon seeing each other. How often do you have friends like that? Those were good tears.
Early in the week one of my oldest friends, Wendy Chamberlain moved away from me again. This is not uncommon. Wendy and her family live in Nepal and only get to come back to the states every three or four years. We were so lucky to have them with us this Summer – exchanging childcare so our kids could … {read more…}

I haven’t been blogging lately. My migraine medicine made my heart freak out, so I had to stop taking it. A faulty valve in my heart is making it impossible for me to take most of the traditional migraine meds. Now I’m in pain again almost every day. I’m still seeking a solution, but it is slow going.

I was describing how my current only-if-you-have-to meds made me feel to my friend, Gwen. I told her the pain was gone, but the side effect was that I felt like my whole brain was gone too — like my head was a big helium balloon. It takes me forver to think of the answer to questions like “Do you want ice … {read more…}

Here’s an interesting tidbit….Did you know that the migraine medicine topomax causes increased anxiety in 10% of the people who take it. NIIIIICE! Out of the frying pan and into the fire…..