Navy wives, the jet jocks went to Happy Hour and we were alone…and alone…and alone…Then there were the O Club parties. I found myself drinking a little gin to put some distance between myself and the partygoers. My son turned out to be a drug addict. So, even though Daddy was OK…others may not be and vice-versa. I have a doctor who still talks about “moderation,” and although he sounds like an old poop, he is right.

Thanks, phyllis. That was a satisfying answer. I was a Navy wife in the 60s (living on Whidbey Islqand) when Friedan’s book came out. The other women I knew were college educated and also married to Navy pilots, officers. The men were often deployed or at Happy Hour. The women were waiting, always waiting. Many young pilots were killed on routine “hops.” I am just now trying to sort out how those years affected me. Ultimately, after a divorce, my husband was killed when the children, then 9 and 11, were on their way to see him in Japan. It altered their lives even to this day. So, being a woman in those times meant taking a back seat to “self.”

Sexy? He needs to talk the plain speak now. Tell us who he is, who he was, and what he plans to do. He could learn a lot from Hillary’s specificity. And yes, I voted for him in the primary. But I believe McCain’s fear mongering will get us another four years of Republicans. Hope not. Well, Leslie, maybe you are right. I did not think Sexy was the right word. Maybe it is after all!

We could learn a lot from our intuitive animals…they predict our behavior, run to high ground when there is trouble, drink the well water, and know when we are leaving them. I have a blog, “do you talk to your cat?” I do. All the time. Camilla tells me I have to figure things out. So I do.

Religious and nationalist fervor often go hand in hand. My country, My God…right or wront. Well, to change the topic somewhat, here is a great link…a little test called BELIEF-O-MATIC: http://www.beliefnet.com:80/story/76/story_7665_1.html It take about 5 minutes to complete this—and voila! It tells you what you ARE in percentages. Two of my friends were 100% Pagan. I am 100% Secular Humanist with other leanings in lower percentages. Great fun. Remember what Seneca said: “fear begets gods.”

How do you wind down?

The vacuum cleaner…it grinds, sucks, spews…and is transformational. Moves from anger to joy, doesn’t it?

Lecture in front of a mirror Please look closely at the topography of your face before you enter that—well—final state of grace. Consider the perfect contour of your nose where neither time nor past emotion shows. Then you may be inclined to dwell upon the once-taut skin that hides your tougher shell. Measure what you have and what was lost by taking a path while another was quickly crossed. Above all, be thankful for your waning sight. And one last thing—avoid a raking light. Kay Weeks September 2007

Yes, I like the site too. Here is a poem—Not desks, but looking: Lecture in front of a mirror Please look closely at the topography of your face before you enter that—well—final state of grace. Consider the perfect contour of your nose where neither time nor past emotion shows. Then you may be inclined to dwell upon the once-taut skin that hides your tougher shell. Measure what you have and what was lost by taking a path while another was quickly crossed. Above all, be thankful for your waning sight. And one last thing—avoid a raking light. Kay Weeks September 2007

Edith! It isn’t that it wanders, in my opinion, but that all things are connected. Things remind us of other things. It is difficult to focus. I don’t attribute this to aging, but to a creative, expanding consciousness. But before this explodes, I need to work on two online courses I am taking. Mindfulness, yes…but let the creativity flow! Try to avoid guilt and negative introspection. Yeah, and apply this to yourself, Weeks.

Hillary Clinton has the most specific programs and can speak clearly to explain them. Visionary she is not. I would rather have some concrete plans and, although I voted for Obama in the MD primary, have changed my mind. Alas—too late.

Right on, Eve.

Someone back there said “greed and fear” get in the way of trusting intuitions. The brain does that, don’t you think? The ego, always barging in and getting hurt or angry? My cat is not mad; she is, in the words of New Age folks, “pure source.” When she doesn’t like it, she throws up. Wish I could be that honest. We KNOW in our hearts (gut) what we should be doing, for instance, I should be writing and painting now instead of doing this…but our need to be part of a group, even for a minute and even if we aren’t listening to each other, outweights our gut instinct to be alone and DO IT. Get it done. Back to my courses.

Disagree with you dude…Hillary is supported by many men, Hispanic, Black. I believe she could represent all of us and is not an intellectural visionary.

See, it is beauty rather than knowledge or trust, or respect. Do you think men are progammed (genetically) to DO, while women are progammed to NURTURE? Our country could use some nurturing…not always in a war posture. Are men afraid of a woman in (er) control, do you think? Wome in other countries are made heads of state—look at Thatcher? Very feminine, very strong. What is the problem with a female President? I mean, for you, personally. Men cook, men garden, men create beautiful art; women pilot airplanes, women do karate; women are tougher than you think.