Robin – Don’t ever worry about what you post here, and feel feel to track mud on the carpet while you’re at it. My feelings about 9-11 are so complicated and layered – the love, the priorities falling into place, the rage, the rage at our government, the shutting down, all of it. If you have something to say, it’s important and welcome here.

I’m glad you checked out Mikel K and Joe. And I’m right with you about Green-Hand.

Ric – That’s a good question. I think part of dropping out of writing had to do with feeling depressed and hopeless. I tend to avoid grieving by trying to play rescuer and caregiver, and then at some point, I’ll get whammied by my own emotions. So part of it was just needing time to move through that depression and also the sense that my writing was too trivial or personal for such monumental times. I ended up auditing a writing class where Mr. Henderson’s a professor just to see if I still had it in me. And it helped to have topic assignments and deadlines. What I found was that I was still alive in there, and the writing came out more ferocious than ever.

Peter – I’m a huge fan of Kafka and appreciate you bringing him into the discussion.

Elizabeth – I need to drop you a note.

Lance – Mutual about the smile.

Kasper – Well-chosen article. And thank you for the irises!

Mikel K – Thank you for bringing everything into perspective.

Aurelio – I like you.

Carolyn – The girls were grossed out, which, for Green-Hand, means they were impressed.

* * *

BTW, did Green Hand ever say whether the girls were impressed?

And I thought: Sometimes there are people like you, Susan, who bring special meaning to the details.

Thank you for making me smile so often.

to show me the stars
by mikel k

there is nothing to calm
the fear of the day
full of creditors
who can t be satisfied
dunning letters that can t
be replied to

except for…

a walk in the dark
to the store for ice cream
with a dog happy to see me
and a daughter who brings
a flashlight
to show me the stars.

http://buffaloreport.com/2006/060914.christian.retaliation.html

–Kasper

and I hate to be the one to break it to you, but;

Susan-
that post put a smile on my face. Not that anything about it was the least bit funny, but, your words and depth of sharing= fearlessness.

so, from here on out I’m just not buying that you lost that. Maybe it took a holiday but it’s back now.

love, respect and endless kudos!!

xo-L.