SR 595 needed 121 Yea votes to pass as an amendment.

It just got 122.

I cannot believe how completely wrong this is, and how badly I wished I could crawl under a rock until all this insanity passes.

I’ve been watching this debate on SR 595 on the House floor for two hours, and I’ve been so angry that I’ve screamed at the monitor for the ignorance and outright lies that the Republican representatives have been spewing, and I’ve been so elated by those debating in opposition that I’ve cried. My district representative is speaking right now, and after he finishes, we’ll know what the final vote is. I’m extremely anxious right now.

SR 595 is going before the Georgia House within an hour or so, you can watch the live coverage by clicking here

“To sin by silence when they should protest makes cowards of all men.”

- Abraham Lincoln

The Recipes

Salads

Blue Caesar Salad ~ My own variation of a traditional Caesar salad, with crumbled blue cheese

Greek Salad ~ The REAL deal, not the second rate crap you find in most restaurants

Mozzarella & Tomato Salad ~ Insalata Caprese, with Balsamic Vinaigrette and fresh basil

Yucatan Tuna Salad ~ With avocado, cucumber, tomato, and a creamy lemon dressing

Mexican Potato Salad ~ With green chilis, corn, cilantro, and more

Cinnamon, Apple, & Pecan Chicken Salad ~ Odd combination, I know - but it works

Cajun Potato Salad ~ With green onions, bacon, a creamy Creole mustard dressing

Curried Rice & Artichoke Salad ~ Addictive stuff, with artichokes, roasted red pepper, and green olives

Shrimp Salad with Avocado & Roasted Corn ~ One of the more unusual but REALLY good versions of shrimp salad

Spinach Salad with Bacon ~ Served with a warm Champagne Vinaigrette

Spicy Asian Cucumber Salad ~ Sesame, chili, rice vinegar, and cucumber

Island Salad ~ Cucumber, jicama, tomato, Bermuda onion, and red wine vinegar

Thai Chicken Salad (Larb Gai) ~ Warm chicken salad with toasted ground Jasmine rice, lime, cilantro, green onion, and chili

Salad Dressings

Blue Cheese Dressing ~ Very thick and creamy

Blue Cheese Vinaigrette ~ Phenominal on a Cobb salad

Cumin Citrus Dressing ~ Toasted cumin, lemon, lime, and garlic in a Ranch style dressing

Garlic-Oregano Ranch Dressing ~ Because regular Ranch is boring

Balsamic Vinaigrette ~ My friend Shannon eats this by the spoon. Excellent marinade for grilled vegetables!

Raspberry Vinaigrette ~ For everything from salads to fresh fruit

Greek Dressing ~ Simple and light, for a real Greek salad

Compound Butters

Roasted Jalapeno-Cilantro Butter ~ For grilled corn on the cob

Garlic Butter ~ The base of many recipes and a kick ass spread for fresh bread

Main Course Entrees

Jerk Chicken ~ Very intense, rustic, and spicy

Peachtree Chicken ~ With peach preserves and pecans

Chicken & Andouille Sausage Gumbo ~ Thick, hearty bayou style gumbo, the one that made the true Cajun concede defeat!

White Chili ~ Chicken, navy beans, chickpeas, cilantro and lime

Thai Chicken Satay ~ Grilled coconut-curry chicken

Chicken in Brandy Cream Sauce with Mushrooms ~ Unbelievable - this is one you’ll want to impress people with

Chicken & Dumplings ~ #1 on my Ultimate Comfort Food list

Raspberry Dijon Chicken ~ Tangy and slightly sweet, with fresh raspberries and Creole mustard

Hawaiian Chicken ~ Maggie’s mother came up with this one, and it’s one of my favorites

Roasted Salt Brined Turkey & Dressing ~ This is the Thanksgiving turkey I make every year

Pan Barbecued Shrimp ~ My version of a New Orleans favorite

Shrimp Alfredo ~ Blackened shrimp in Fettucine Alfredo

Scallops and Mushrooms with Cream Sauce in Puff Pastry ~ Also called Coquille St. Jacques, and a favorite of scallop lovers

Crab Cakes ~ Maryland style

Chicken Santa Fé ~ Blackened chicken with Colby Jack cheese, fresh tomatoes, and green onions

Chicken Pot Pie ~ #2 on my Ultimate Comfort Food list

Granny’s Chicken & Rice ~ #3 on my Ultimate Comfort Food list

Pork Chops & Mushroom Gravy ~ Fork tender pork chops, they’re like buttah…

Salsa Verdé Braised Pork Chops ~ Tomatillos, garlic, jalapenoes, green onions

Cajun Barbecue ~ Smoky and spicy pork barbecue, and I LOVE me som
e good barbecue.

New Orleans Pasta ~ Chicken, Andouille sausage, and shrimp blackened and served in Fettucine Alfredo with peppers, onions, fresh tomatoes, and parmesan cheese

Cajun Pot Roast ~ With Cajun gravy, ideal for real New Orleans’ style Po Boys

Roadkill ~ Hamburger steaks smothered in mushroom gravy and blanketed in Provolone cheese

Vegetarian Entrees

Eggplant Parmesan ~ Lightly sauced

Spanakopita ~ Spinach, Feta cheese, and pine nuts in Phyllo pastry

Red Beans & Rice ~ The New Orleans’ Monday standard

Black Beans & Rice ~ Cuban style

Redneck Rellenos ~ Roasted poblano peppers stuffed with cheese grits, they’re amazing

Asparagus Tart ~ Simple cheese tart with Parmesan and fresh asparagus

Pizza Margherita ~ Pesto sauce, artichokes, mushrooms, spinach, black olives, and fresh tomatoes on a crisp, thin crust

Potato Gratin ~ Simple gratin, yet rich and satisfying

Corn Maque Choux ~ fresh corn smothered in onions, bell peppers, & fresh tomatoes - traditional Cajun fare

Fried Green Tomatoes ~ #4 on my Ultimate Comfort Food list

Jamaican Vegetable Patties ~ Spicy and light, with sauteed cabbage, carrots, onions, celery, and chili peppers in a curry pastry shell, served with raspberry sauce

Rosemary & Fresh Plum Tomato Foccaccia ~ #5 on my Ultimate Comfort Food list

Falafel ~ Lebanese chickpea fritters

Hummus ~ a favorite dip & sandwich spread, only mine is a little on the hot & spicy side

Pasta Sauces

Vodka Sauce ~ Tomato, garlic, cream, and a little kick of Vodka

Pesto Sauce ~ Traditional basil pesto, used in several different things I make

Puttanesca Sauce ~ My favorite pasta sauce EVER

Roasted Red Pepper Alfredo Sauce ~ Maggie’s responsible for this one

Desserts

Bread Pudding with Praline Sauce ~ Because it’s good as hell, that’s why

Tiramisu ~ FOOD-GASM

Caramel Apple Tarts ~ Like an individual Tarte Tatin, only better

I’ve decided that since I’m going to be spending a lot of time behind the lens this spring and summer that I’d start a new project while I’m collecting pictures for later work. Anyone who knows me knows that I spend a lot of time in the kitchen and that I cook 90% of the meals in our house at any given time. I have tons of recipes, and my friends are constantly asking for them. I’ve spoiled people on caesar salad, as they have mine and all others fail in comparison. I make gumbo that even authentic Cajuns have said is better than their own - something you’d rarely ever get one to admit! I make about 20 different salad dressings, I make bread from scratch, I even make croutons for my salads.

Anyway, back to my current project. Earlier in the week, I decided (at a close friend’s urging, which was more a threat than an urgence) that I should start writing down my recipes. I was told I’d never be forgiven were I to suddenly die and took my recipes with me. Can you imagine? Me croaking and my friends weeping and cursing me with “You bastard! Now I’ll NEVER have another caramel apple tart!” So after I thought it through, I started the process of writing down the names of my recipes. Then a realization hit along with the hand cramp. I can type a lot faster than I can write, and the LOGICAL thing to do would be to type out the recipes, no? Well, that’s where it began. Now, four days later, I’m on a mission. Not content with mere Word documents, I’ve decided to make my cookbook a website. I’m going to have an ingredients and shopping list for each recipe, as well as the preparation method and serving suggestions for each that will link to other recipes. I’m going to have a Pantry page that gives you a list of things you should have on hand at all times… A Gear page will tell you what kitchen tools are essential, and where to find them… A Resources page that tells you where to find specialty items and cookware… Tips on prep and cooking methods… The whole thing is going to be pretty extensive once I’m through with it, but that’s the best way I can think of. I’m even going to have recipe card templates that you can print and have on hand for your own collection, should you want them. Below is a link to the index page image. Bear in mind that this is just the first draft, and I know that a lot has to be tweaked before it will be ready for content. Pretty cool, huh?

So.

Yesterday morning Damien & I drove to Rome to visit my mother for her birthday. It was a surprise, as she didn’t know any of us were coming. My sister Shay went Friday with her family and then my brother Mark and my sister Lucy went just ahead of us yesterday morning. At one point we were right behind them, but we stopped off at a florist so Damien could get my mother some yellow mums, which were stunning. Anyway, by the time Mark & Lucy got there she was already very happy and excited, but when I walked in the door it changed somewhat. At first she couldn’t focus on me, as I was on the other side of the room and her vision isn’t what it used to be. As I got closer to surprise her and give her a big hug, she burst into tears and began saying “My baby is here too!” Yes, I’m the baby of the family. I held her for a minute or two and kissed her - then she excused herself and took a second Valium.

We had a big barbecue on the creekside, and it was really nice to spend the time with her and my other family. Damien had a good time as well, which I had hoped for in spite of our nervousness about being there at all in the first place. He really liked my mother and she absolutely adored him - which I figured on happening anyway. He’s very lovable, what can I say. She gave him lots of hugs and cheek kisses, and called him precious, sweetie, honey, darling, baby, and probably several other endearments that are customary for her when she takes a shine to someone. He’s also quite fond of my sister Shay and my niece Amber, both of whom were there and both of whom think he hung the moon. All in all, we had a great time. Even the drive was nice.

I was told about a new addition to the family as well! Apparently my cousin Ben and his wife welcomed a new baby boy recently, and as if that weren’t nice enough it was made even sweeter by the fact that he was named after me. Yes, I now officially have a namesake. The irony was that he was born with a birth defect in his heart, some sort of tear or hole or something that required a rather serious surgery, but he’s recovering nicely. I say there is irony there because my namesake was also born with a broken heart. Figure that one out.

For whatever reasons, some I know about and some that just escape me, all I really wanted was to be back here at home the whole time. Not that I didn’t enjoy myself, just that it felt very haunted and bitter at times and I just really have a hard time being there in the first place. I go with an open and objective mind, I leave drained, feckless, and with more questions than are good for me to ask. I like it here at home where things make sense and I feel that I belong and fill some sort of purpose. Parts of the last two days left me feeling like I was an invisible witness at someone else’s party, full of people I didn’t know. The proverbial fly on the wall.

I’m glad I got to see her and that our being there made her happy. Now I really want a glass of merlot and a cigarette on my front stoop in the cool air with nothing going on around me but the sky and the sounds in the yard. But my reality is that I am not getting a drink this late, I don’t smoke anymore unless I’m already somewhat soberly impaired, and the front stoop smells like cat pee. So much for what I want for myself.

I’m going to bed now, this introspective stuff is a motherfucker. I’m already going to have enough trouble as it is over the next few days just getting back into my life without all of the constant reminders of things I’d just as soon forget.

Props to Dorothy. There’s no place like home.

So. Tomorrow morning we’re driving to Rome for my mother’s 70th birthday, which promises to be interesting. Coming back on Sunday, so if you need to get in touch with me I won’t be available until Sunday evening. Today I plan on finishing the work on Paige’s computer, getting packed up for tomorrow, and finishing some household stuff around here. There’s not a lot more going on other than the usual. I’ve become so boring that it’s almost mind numbing!

If you guys haven’t seen it yet, there’s a really funny cartoon called Tripping The Rift. It airs on the Sci-Fi channel. The first episode, the only one I’ve seen so far, is called “God Is My Pilot”. Memorable quote from the episode:
”They must be out doing something religious, like bombing abortion clinics.”
- Chode

In The News:

White House targets Clarke
Bush aides move aggressivelyto head off political damage

ANALYSIS
By Mike Allen

Updated: 12:10 a.m. ET March 26, 2004

As his advisers tell it, President Bush had tired of the White House playing defense on issue after issue. So this week, his aides turned the full power of the executive branch on Richard A. Clarke, formerly the administration’s top counterterrorism official, who charges in his new book that Bush responded lackadaisically in 2001 to repeated warnings of an impending terrorist attack.

Bush’s aides unleashed a two-pronged strategy that called for preemptive strikes on Clarke before most people could have seen his book, coupled with saturation media appearances by administration aides. They questioned the truthfulness of Clarke’s claims, his competence as an employee, the motives behind the book’s timing, and even the sincerity of the pleasantries in his resignation letter and farewell photo session with Bush.

The barrage was unusual for a White House that typically tries to ignore its critics, and it was driven by White House calculations that Clarke would appear credible to average viewers. Bush’s advisers are concerned that Clarke’s assertions are capable of inflicting political damage on a president who is staking his claim for reelection in large measure on his fight against terrorism.

James A. Thurber, director of the Center for Congressional and Presidential Studies at American University, said he had been stunned by the ferocity of the White House campaign but said Clarke “is raising fundamental questions about the credibility of the president and his staff in regard to what they did to keep America safe.”

“They are vulnerable, which is why they are attacking so hard,” Thurber said. “You have to go back to Vietnam or Watergate to get the same feel about the structure of argument coming out of the White House against Clarke’s statements. They’ve had multiple people rebutting him, with information that is incomplete and selective at best.”

White House communications director Dan Bartlett said officials had to take Clarke seriously because “at face value, based on his résumé and experience, you would think this guy is credible.

“Particularly because of how egregious the accusations are, you couldn’t let them stand,” he said.

They invited reporters into West Wing offices where they rarely tread, for on-the-record interviews with top officials. They released an e-mail from Clarke to national security adviser Condoleezza Rice that they contend is at odds with the account Clarke gave during his testimony to the independent commission investigating the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks. They said he was disgruntled because his application to be dep
uty director of the Department of Homeland Security had been rejected.

An official also read reporters an e-mail that Rice had sent Clarke chastising him for skipping several of her morning staff meetings.

Perhaps most surprising, aides who routinely spar over such distinctions as “White House official” and “senior administration official” granted Fox News permission to unmask Clarke as the anonymous briefer in an August 2002 White House conference call that highlighted the administration’s efforts in the war on terrorism. The administration’s allies say Clarke’s statements that day conflict with allegations in his book.

In contrast to his assertions that the Bush administration did not consider terrorism an urgent problem, Clarke told reporters in that briefing that before the attacks, Bush’s aides had developed “a new strategy that called for the rapid elimination of al Qaeda.” He said the administration also approved a fivefold increase in CIA funding for covert action to pursue al Qaeda.

Clarke said Wednesday that as an administration official delivering the background briefing, he focused on positive developments but left out the administration’s failings.

‘Classic political triage’
Officials from both parties said it would be at least a couple of days before it is clear whether the offensive succeeded in eroding Clarke’s credibility or whether the public, and especially independent voters, would wind up viewing him as a courageous whistle-blower.

Joe Lockhart, a press secretary in the Clinton administration, said he believes the White House is going to pay a price for focusing more on Clarke as a person than on the substance of his contentions. “This was classic political triage,” he said. “You do what you think you need to do to get through the day. At the end of the day you feel pretty good about yourself, but you may have created a bigger problem for yourself down the road.”

Although Clarke had submitted his book to White House lawyers for security clearances months earlier, communications officials said they did not see it and did not know the extent of his denunciation until they saw his comments Sunday on CBS’s “60 Minutes.” Some officials said they believe Clarke has been more critical in his public comments than he was in the book.

Two hours before airtime, the White House released the text of a rebuttal interview that deputy national security adviser Stephen J. Hadley taped last Friday for the “60 Minutes” segment, on which Clarke made his case. Also before airtime, the White House sent reporters a six-page document titled “Setting the Record Straight,” with entries divided between “Myth” and “The Facts.”

‘Fantasy fiction’
Later in the week, James R. Wilkinson, deputy national security adviser for communications, said on CNN, MSNBC and Fox that Clarke’s tome should be in “the fantasy fiction section” of bookstores.

Rice told network correspondents summoned to her office Wednesday that Clarke’s book, “Against All Enemies,” is “180 degrees from everything else that he said.” Yesterday, the White House circulated an e-mail headed “Richard Clarke v. Richard Clarke” listing what they said were contradictions between his statements this week and in the past.

Administration officials were so intent on mobilizing every possible argument that they did not worry about potential contradictions. Collectively, they said Clarke was responsible for counterterrorism but out of the loop, claimed he was obsessed with which meetings he could attend but refused to go to some meetings, and argued both that his book was published too soon and too late.

The dispute became deeply personal. Clarke said Wednesday on ABC’s “Nightline”: “These are mean and nasty people, when it comes down to it.” White House press secretary Scott McClellan said yesterday that the author “has a growing credibility problem.”

Clarke chuckled during a phone interview when he was told that the White House had leaked word that during his departure meeting in the Oval Office, he had t
old Bush that he would be happy to help “if you need a friend on the outside.”

“If I had done anything else, they would now be telling you that I was a rude person,” Clarke said. “Their complaints have nothing to do with the argument I’m making. I would like them to start talking about the argument that I’m making and the facts about what they did and didn’t do prior to 9/11.”

Senate Minority Leader Thomas A. Daschle (D-S.D.) yesterday pointed to Bush’s promise in 2000 to change the tone in Washington and said that, instead, “the people around him . . . are doing things that should never be done and have never been done before.”

But Sig Rogich, a crisis and image consultant for President George H.W. Bush, said that the White House “is doing everything they have to do and should do to point out the fallacy of what Clarke has had to say.”

“I don’t think the American people believe that a president would, in a cavalier way, turn his back on information that could jeopardize the nation,” Rogich said. “The White House has done an effective job and should continue to do that.”

© 2004 The Washington Post Company

Oh yeah - and by the way, does it seem particularly interesting to anyone else that Condoleeza Rice is now requesting a private meeting with the 9/11 commission, yet STILL refuses to testify under oath? THIS from the Bush administration’s National Security Adviser? Were there sufficient strength in her convictions about the administration and its history, shouldn’t she be jumping at the chance to testify under oath? In an election year, with her boss lobbying so hard to get reelected, shouldn’t she be putting her money where her mouth is? Mark my words, this action alone is going to be another nail in the campaign’s coffin and a big wedge between her and the entire cabinet. Here is a transcript of her statements to the press at the White House on Wednesday.

Neo-Nazi music files spark German raids

Majority Of Americans Reject Anti-Gay Constitutional Amendment

Dem Leader Breaks From Kerry & Supports Gay Marriage

Investigation Launched After Teacher Tells Class He’s Gay

Court Strikes Down Ban On Gay Dad From ‘Exposing’ Son To Homosexuality

No Difference Between Gay & Straight Parents Court Told

MLK Widow Condemns Anti-Gay Amendment

Community That Tried To Imprison Gays To Get A Taste Of Rainbow Pride

Governor/Former Pro Wrestler Jesse Ventura Body Slams Gay Marriage Amendment

Gay Holocaust Denier Dumped By GOP

Federal Anti-Gay Amendment Rewritten; Senate Amendment Hearing Shows Little Movement On Same-Sex Marriage

I tweaked a few more settings on the Queer As Folk layout for my journal. There’s now a flashing rollover when you mouse over a link, I like that a lot. Also, I’m still having trouble with the lower right hand corner image. It won’t fit like I want it to, and saved as a .GIF it has that halo I really don’t like - but saved as a JPG it doesn’t line up with the background gradient. Most distressing. I might try and save it as a JPG without the gradient background, though I’m sure that’s going to be a problem as it will throw in a white background by default. Just to piss me off. Yup. I finished Damien’s layout background to his specifications, so hopefully that’ll prove entertaining and enjoyable for him. Few more tweaks on that and it’ll be all ready to go.

Cole had his first day in the gifted program today, and he really enjoyed it. Considering he was reluctant to go in the first place, this is a good thing. I’m very proud of him, he deserves this. He kicked butt on the soccer field tonight as well. That’s my team captain and MVP!!

My antihistamines are kicking in, I’d better get some sleep. Tomorrow morning I’m meeting Damien at the car dealership so he can drop his truck off for servicing, then dropping him off at work and coming home.

In preparation for next month’s season premiere, I made a new Queer As Folk layout for my journal. I’m presently working on Damien’s “Oceana” layout, which has to be tweaked a bit. It’s his Friends’ View, and for some reason the code is missing to tell you who the poster is. Will have to make image adjustments and then help him on that code - with any luck I’ll find it myself.

We got a call yesterday from the kids’ caseworker at DFCS, and it was disappointing news. Because we’re not family and haven’t completed the foster parenting classes and such, the kids cannot come to stay with us. It’s a shame, too. We really wanted them and we wanted them to be together. As it is, we are satisfied that we did everything possible to get them. Maybe in the future if their current foster parents decide we WILL have them come live with us. We’ll see.

In a way I am relieved about this, because it was a pressing decision that would have affected us all in ways I know we were not prepared for, but it (like everything else in life) would’ve all been a matter of doing the work to make it happen. The other side of it is the fact that they are separated not only from their mother (again), but from each other (again). As I understand it, they’ve been horribly neglected and living in absolute squalor pretty much all of their lives. I look at all we have and I just want to cry because they cannot be here to see what living with a real family is all about. I’m trying hard not to think about it, because for now there is nothing more we can do.

As is our habit, when things don’t go our way in this family, we sate ourselves with comfort food. Last night Maggie made pasta with a mushroom cream sauce and fresh bread, and for lunch today I made crab cakes and a mozzarella and tomato salad. Tonight I think we’re picking up dinner, most likely El Mexican. Which I’m sure will be good.

Oh yeah - in other news, Avery has used the potty almost all day long. We’ve been doing the “Pee-Pee-In-The-Pot-TAY!” dance each time she does it. Did I mention that her new favorite word is “NO!”? Yes indeed, and she says it emphatically, sometimes with an index finger pointed and a scowl on her face for effect. Today we were at Barnes & Noble and I saw a book on The Wiggles that she hadn’t seen before. In case none of you have seen or heard from Avery lately, EVERYTHING is all about The Wiggles now. You’d think she had no other interests. Anyway, back to the new Wiggles book. I pointed it out to her and said “Wow - a Wiggles book you haven’t seen before!” to which she replied in her astonished voice - much like Dory on Finding Nemo - “No… way…” The ladies standing next to us just cracked up.

Later on I will attempt to write out what is currently going on around here, as there is the potential for a huge undertaking of sorts that will require a lot of my time, energy, patience, and love. In short, there is the very real possibility of us taking in three children whose mother is a crystal meth addict - and assuming legal responsibility for them for at least a year. There are many details, there are many reservations on our part, and there are three children who are well on their way to being separated from their family forever and becoming wards of the state. Their mother is already headed to state mandated rehab with the possibility of having her parental rights completely revoked, and currently they are separated from one another in foster care. The father is not part of the picture, though whose choice that is I’m not entirely sure. It’s a really bad situation. These children are abused, neglected, and far too young to process anything that is happening to them. The oldest of the three is a boy, and he is 6 years old. His younger sisters are 5 and 4. From what I understand they are all very well behaved and sweet children, although the boy is sometwhat of a crier - which, given his set of circumstances, I think is completely typical and wouldn’t begrudge him that in the least. Sooner or later I’ll have the opportunity to detail all of this but for the time being, we trying to come up with as many questions as possible to ask the family and DFCS.

I have just come into possession of an amazing body of musical work, in the form of a Dead Can Dance 4 disc boxed set. I’ve already ripped it to MP3 and will be using it often for inspiration while I work. It’s truly amazing music, and I’ve been a fan for almost 20 years now.

I am absolutely bursting at the seams to create. I was showing some of my artwork to some friends last night and in doing so and (with the exception of three or four pieces), I think I’ve outgrown the things I’ve done thus far. They are looking more and more to me like something I’m far removed from, something that no longer represents my headspace and vision. I’m going to take a ton of pictures of Savannah next month and a lot in between places that are going to be a new series of works already scripted out in my head. For me, making these graphic treatmentsand images and photographs is a lot like my writing, at least in approach. I write because I have to. I take photographs to document an idea I already have in my head. Imagine seeing something very clearly and using environments, lighting, and objects to replicate that vision as though it were all one singular thing. It’s like an internal itch that I can only scratch by exorcism - of thought, action, and perception. I think too much and it all gets convoluted into something completely different than what I intend, which is the death of my effort in so many cases it’s not even funny. For some reason, likely the change in season, I’m very inclined right now to create. I’ve always thought that Spring is rebirth and renewal of everything, it stands to reason that this idealism should include creativity. Besides, I need to find something redeeming for the the amount of suffering I do in the name of this season by way of allergies.

Life is wide open right now and has seldom ever been as full of possibility and discovery.

Hopeful.
Terrifying.
Motivating.

I could go on, but it’s Monday and I have things to do that require me to be elsewhere.

Please send s good energy, keep us in your thoughts and hope that whatever is decided one way or the other is something we can live with. For all my reservations, I’m doing my level best to remain optimistic.