New Mexico Monsoon Season

(the vertical lines are flyin'hail-balls)

Then after a while... it all goes away, til the next day.

To Do or Not To Do

I am an admonished daily by The Great and Powerful Critic Within for my lack of productivity, purpose and direction. “Too much TV, not enough busyness…you are drowning in a sea of sloth and self indulgence”… blah blah blah.

Because of my retirement, self imposed isolation and lack of domestic skills it becomes easier and easier to let go of daily chores and focus on things I enjoy. Having a gimpy knee doesn’t help and any activity that requires bending or kneeling is extremely difficult and usually to be avoided. By that definition, many of my domestic responsibilities get put off. I can manage to clean up the kitchen as well as load and unload the dishwasher. Laundry is a little dicier (picking it up and sorting it). I like doing windows but the ones that really need attention are “dog” level: hence-bending. Vacuuming is something actually enjoy, however… It seems to aggravate my L5-S1 degeneration, and when that happens, holy mama! Drugs and bed rest!

Now the good news, I have been doing something. Writing. That’s right I have been putting fingers to keyboard on a pretty regular basis and since November, I have completed three fiction manuscripts, started a fourth (sequels) and started a major rewrite of my first novel. Not counting the first novel, that means I have written approximately 140,000+ words! I submitted the first one to Create Space.Com for possible Print on Demand publishing (and now must do some serious editing).

In addition, since January I have logged approximately 300 hours and 500 miles as a National CASA volunteer (Court Appointed Special Advocate) for abused and neglected children. I was assigned two children in Foster Care with whom I schedule regular visits, attend progress meetings and school assessments. I have made endless phone calls, met with dozens of family and friends as well as professionals and written pages of notes. I have submitted court reports and attended hearings. I believe that I am, in good faith, advocating for these kids. The down side is that is emotionally draining and often frustrating. But I am not easily sidelined. I will still be advocating until these children have a safe loving permanent situation and then I will get another case.

So, for today I’m going to continue writing. I may toss in a load of wash and then I’ll call Merry Maids so upcoming house guest (My Bro and his Lady) will feel more comfortable and not think his old sister has gone bat-shit crazy out here alone in the desert, heh heh.

Tehran Rallies and the world reverberates

(this was a rally Wednesday)

While I have only watched some of the coverage from the Friday election in Iran, I was stunned by the letter from a young medical student. It’s frightening and could mean a huge shift in the Middle East. I agree that we should stay the heck out of this one and let the Iranian people handle it, our interference would only fan the flames growing inferno. Please read the following..

6:03 PM ET -- "What I have witnessed." A powerful note from a female medical student in Iran, translated from Farsi by a trusty reader.

"Hello, It's painful to watch what's happening.
I don't want anything to do with what has been said this far, as I neither have the strength nor the resilience to face all these unfathomable events.
I only want to speak about what I have witnessed. I am a medical student. There was chaos last night at the trauma section in one of our main hospitals. Although by decree, all riot-related injuries were supposed to be sent to military hospitals, all other hospitals were filled to the rim. Last night, nine people died at our hospital and another 28 had gunshot wounds. All hospital employees were crying till dawn. They (government) removed the dead bodies on back of trucks, before we were even able to get their names or other information. What can you even say to the people who don't even respect the dead. No one was allowed to speak to the wounded or get any information from them. This morning the faculty and the students protested by gathering at the lobby of the hospital where they were confronted by plain cloths anti-riot militia, who in turn closed off the hospital and imprisoned the staff. The extent of injuries are so grave, that despite being one of the most staffed emergency rooms, they've asked everyone to stay and help--I'm sure it will even be worst tonight.
What can anyone say in face of all these atrocities? What can you say to the family of the 13 year old boy who died from gunshots and whose dead body then disappeared?
This issue is not about cheating(election) anymore. This is not about stealing votes anymore. The issue is about a vast injustice inflected on the people. They've put a baton in the hand of every 13-14 year old to smash the faces of "the bunches who are less than dirt" (government is calling the people who are uprising dried-up torn and weeds) .
This is what sickens me from dealing with these issues. And from those who shut their eyes and close their ears and claim the riots are in opposition of the government and presidency!! No! The people's complaint is against the egregious injustices committed against the people."


This reporter (Nico Pitney) is blogging in real time.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/06/13/iran-demonstrations-viole_n_215189.html



Technology is really changing things and creating a huge world community where the truth cannot be hidden so easily. hmmm