In Iraq yesterday, as part of our new mission to “train and advise” local soldiers fighting the Islamic State, the U.S. led a commando raid to rescue 70 hostages. The Army Times today reported the name of the American soldier killed in the raid: Master Sgt. Joshua L. Wheeler, 39, died Thursday in Iraq’s Kirkuk province from wounds … read more There will be more
Category: Refraction
How a wave changes direction. Life changes, creating change and recovery from change
Day 97: Tired of words
Too many words. That’s the impression I have from reading a few chapters of a book I was working on in 1997-2004, “Difficult Places”. I felt literally sick reading it. So much effort to produce … a lot of words. Just two things today: Not that these two bits are so spectacular. One is an attempt … read more Day 97: Tired of words
Day 96: To me, 1982.
Dear 23-year-old self, Who told you that you were “too tall,” anyhow? You are not taller than any of your future lovers will be. A tall woman with straight posture looks so elegant that men of all heights will jump to be with her. So stop slumping. Right now! It doesn’t make you shorter, it just makes you look … read more Day 96: To me, 1982.
Day 91: Calling
My chiropractor is a compact, athletic guy who can adjust my neck and spine with the ease and speed of a hotel maid making up a bed. My limbs fall like sheets under his hands, and he tucks and straightens until I am aligned to the structure I was manufactured with. I appreciate anyone who does their job well; … read more Day 91: Calling
Day 88: A charmed life
I’ve been sorting through memorabilia, and found my charm bracelet from high school. Each charm was supposed to represent one of the meaningful things in my life. There’s one of a woman playing tennis. Well, I tried it for a summer. Spent most of my time chasing the ball. I think the charm was more meaningful because … read more Day 88: A charmed life
Day 82: Is the Pope Catholic?
I’m a recovering Catholic. I don’t think I’ve been to church more than a dozen times since I turned 20, and most of those were for weddings and funerals. But this pope, Francis. He is Catholic??? You might wonder, if you grew up in the era where Catholicism was all about damnation and guilt, and exclusion and … read more Day 82: Is the Pope Catholic?
Day 79: Sitting with myself
I’ve been sitting for 56 years. You’d think I would have mastered it by now. But no. Today I couldn’t sit at the table and eat breakfast. I hopped around, doing dishes, doing laundry, noshing on random bites to eat. At my desk I shifted, adjusted my chair, stretched, got up again. Jumped from one browser tab … read more Day 79: Sitting with myself
Day 77: The T and me
It turns out that I, a cis, have a lot in common with transgender women and men. (Stop laughing, transgender people.) It started when I discovered how I completely relate to transgenders’ quandaries about clothes. I resent having to pick a gender every time I go out in public. I resent how conformity pushes at me. I want to … read more Day 77: The T and me
Day 76: Heart’s desire
Friday my fortune cookie said, “Your dearest wish will come true.” Well, that would be nice. Maybe then I’d know what it is. In the early 1990s, I was struggling to figure out my next steps in life. A very wise friend of mine told me, “The hardest part is knowing what you want.” So … read more Day 76: Heart’s desire
Day 75: Hand me down
Yes, that’s me, and no, I was not a refugee from Russia. I am the youngest of four girls, and we all wore hand-me-downs from our cousins and siblings. They were sometimes embarrassingly ugly and shabby, but we were not allowed to complain about this. “Your father works hard,” Mom would say. The implication being, Whatever … read more Day 75: Hand me down