phyllis, your writing combines the lyrical and the lovely.  Thank you for sharing this with me. I never miss one of your posts as I always gain clear-sighted perspective or a smile…often times both.

Peace and grace

Brava, ladies…easily the most positive thread on contoversial issues in months.

Peace and grace

Sincere question, seeking information:  why are so many American factory jobs shipped overseas?  I thought businesses did it for cheaper labor and to avoid taxes.  How do we bring those jobs back here?

Peace and grace

Well,the ‘ole computer is powered by sluggish hampsters running in the circular cage today, thus; I missed the video.  Whatever Liz said.

Peace and grace

You make an important point, Baby Snooks, in that the bipolar condition in particular is the result of a chemical imbalance.  Frustrating as it is to successfully arrive at the correct combination of drugs which will balance out the cycling moods, one hopes that researchers continue to work diligently. 

And, as you mentioned, Danielle, the side effects of medications can be burdensome for some, particularly children whose body chemistry is contantly changing, rendering whatever ‘cocktail’ ineffective. Currently, anti-psychotics, anti-depressants and anti-seizure medicines are prescribed for those who do not respond well to lithium. 

Some highly successful individuals are believed to be driven by the hypomania part of the bipolar condition.  As well, history looks back at tortured souls like Van Gogh, Abraham Lincoln, other scientists, world leaders…Einstein who, in hindsight, are thought to have displayed ‘chemical imbalances’, brilliant genius and/or melancholy. Patty Duke, Patrick Kennedy, Carrie Fisher are some current names that come to mind, individuals who have publicly shared that they battle being bipolar.  Some athletes as well have told their story of how they lost their careers, not because they were bipolar, but rather they were not diagnosed.  Celebrity does not allay the fears and frustrations of mental illness, but the knowledge that one can, hopefully, function with some degree of success is promising…these stories can penetrate the isolation of mental illness.

Well. quite obviously, this is a subject which has profoundly gripped me.  So many of my peers dismiss suicide as ‘a long term solution to a short term problem.’  How self-righteous. Would that we could all have the luxury of steeling our hearts with an empty phrase.

Peace and grace

Brave, Phyllis Doyle Pepe.  What seems curious to me is that if life experience, background, education and personal bias do not enter into the judicial process at the highest court, how is it that we predict, most times accurately, how individual justices will vote on any given issue…excepting presidential elections?  And probably presidential elections, too..if one accepts the premise that the decision was the courts to make, which I do not.

What we now have in Texas is a Republican Senator who is voting against Sotomayor’s confirmation, who is resigning midway in her current term in Washington to come home to a population, at least 50% Hispanic, to run for governor.  Kay Bailey Hutchison just lost the election.

Peace and grace

My heartfelt sympathies extend to each of you here who have shared a most painful loss.  I read the interview and the posts, then had to sit quietly in another room to regain some composure.

Dana, I had seen a preview of your documentary after watching the last HBO presentation in the Summer Series.  At the time I could comprehend the devastating loss, the indelible impact on your family, but I could not visualize how a documentary could come together in the trauma of your experience.  Reading this interview, I can see it: you reaching out for every memory, every image of Evan to put in some ‘tangible’, visual record so that tormenting tape playing over and over in your mind might be subdued, if not completely silenced.  And as you mentioned, Evan had begun to express his creativity in film..priceless glimpse into his perception of his world.

Your courage in sharing your journey will be experienced on so many levels;  those who would criticize are likely those who’ve not had any exposure to the realities of mental illness.  As a teacher I identified those kids who were not just ‘eccentic’, but kids who were isolated in their own worlds, apart from the rest of us.  We need to do a better job taking care of kids in the educational system.  Your documentary shines a brighter light on the issue.

In the 21st century, one would think that the facts of mental illness would be more mainstream. Had Evan been experiencing the ravages of cancer, his story would be tragic but everyone’s heart would be filled with sympathy.  People uneduated about mental illness do not recognize that it too can be devastating in its process and an uneasy peace, but peace at its end.  I’ve seen mental illness in my family.  We  have neglected a part of our souls when we allow the vulnerable mentally ill to wander our streets unprotected, undiagnosed. We have to do better.

Thank you Dana and Hart, for your courage.  For your souls and the honor of Evan, I pray we’ll all keep talking.

Peace and grace

Joan Juliet Buck, I read your Turlington piece in ‘Vogue’; I didn’t know that I didn’t know so much about this beautiful model/scholar/mother and wife of the gorgeous Ed Burns….two enchanting parents.  The pressure on the spawn.  Also took note of the full length photo of you in the ‘table of contents’.  Your snapshot on wOw presents a much different persona than does ‘Vogue’;  seems you are not merely a head in a box, but rather a ‘totally’ attractive woman.  Brava.

I know not of currants, only currents and current events.  I do wonder though if you are familiar with the google maps which allow one to identify favorite restaurants, shops, parks, currant stands, etc?  They are accessed through Google..the ‘famous’ person lists her favorites with a note about the site and then the locations are identified on an actual map.  Fascinating..to me, anyway.  Probably, I am the last one to find out about this, but what a great idea for you women on wOw to share you favs with us.  Please do.

Peace and grace

Lauriate, do you remember what mannerism Welch’s character displayed?  She encountered Elaine on the sidewalk and accused her of mocking her.  For the life of me, I cannot find that in my memory bank.  Glad we share a pleasant memory.

Peace and grace

Thank you, Andrea.  I had a different interpretation, thinking, perhaps, another country might have one of the top three plastic surgeons.

Peace and grace

Are you suggesting out-sourcing, deber B?

peace and grace

Yes, aud b, that’s what I’m  hoping for…a few adjusts in my mind, so at least, I don’t realize I’m old.

peace and grace

Seeing a gorgeous film star play self-deprecating humor creates the height of laughter for me.  Still stunningly beautiful, Raquel Welch appeared on an episode of ‘Seinfeld’ in which she was failing miserably in a Broadway musical.  As Seinfeld’s go, Kramer received a Tony while being a seat holder.  The producers said he could keep it if he would fire Raquel Welsh….She beat him continually about the head and shoulders and threw him with the Tony in even worse shape. She should have had a sit-com.   And I’m with her, Roslind Russell was the cat’s pajamas.

peace and grace