Today is a great day! I finished my Teacher Professional Assessment 4 on time and with a measure of dignity. No one I know personally died today. My mother-in-law Peggy is healing from a mysterious seizure. Silky the cat is throwing up from the 86.5 degrees Farengheit (but still purring). Binky the bunny has escaped my husband Bob's imaginary thoughts of being made into Flambe lapin au cognac. My laptop did not explode before the TPA was done. The walking stick bugs survived the day's heat by bonding with a moist paper towel. To sweeten the deal, I can sleep in tomorrow morning. Teachers need their sleep.... For Mother's day, Audrey and Tom adopted an African elephant from WWF in my name. We'll assume she/he had a good day too!

A little morbidity for a Thursday...death: you cannot escape it. If you are a Christian you believe you do but you do not escape the moment. Do we fear death itself or just the perceived pain that comes with it. Today a grandmother died. Her son and his estranged daughter dressed her in clean clothes, fixed her make up and hair, and make her presentable because this was the way she was in life, always needing to look attractive and appropriate for the occasion. Now her body rests waiting for the final rituals the living need for closure. So to those of you alive today, tell your estranged ones that you love them, mention what you appreciate to those who you are close to, share the kisses and tenderness, make love, find your chi. Be ready....

We buried a young woman today June 27, 2006: Sasha Caraveo. She was my 8th grade science student and had just graduated from Alverno High School where my daughter had gone. Her sister is my student now and I taught her oldest sister. [Why this does not make me feel old, I do not know.] Sasha died from leukemia after 13 years of painful suffering and miracles from prayer and faith. This has happened more than I would have expected at this age, to bury one's own child or student or grandchild. But Sasha's funeral was celebration of life and the fighting spirit that hones one's will. Until we see you again, to your memory we dance the light, spin the air, and sing the wind.

I figured out why I am listed twice. One of the identities is bogus. That is somewhat comforting because essentially I have felt that I have had to go undercover in some elements of my life. I also noticed that the Blogs with pictures get better responses and more comments. Some are exquisitely beautiful and strange. Who knew Blog could create a sense of global community without people actually having to see, talk to, touch, or interact.

i have no idea why i am listed twice but this would be just like the ethereal electronic universe to have me doing something that i am sure i do not know what i am doing. may the force continue to be with you!