It will be up to women

I am in disbelief one minute and totally angry the next when I hear the talk about restricting women's health services.  Who in their right mind would seriously think about banning birth control? 

Although I disagree with folks who want abortions to be totally illegal, at least I can understand the moral ground they are defending.  But birth control?? 

Women need to stand up, and speak up about their own health care and reproductive rights.  Deja vu of the '60's and '70's.  Been there, done that.  Men need to also stand up to say that any thought of banning contraception is idiotic.

State of Virginia?  What are you thinking?     

back in the groove

Last week, I encountered a bad head cold, which has not happened to me for a long time.  It knocked my socks off.  (See previous blog entry about a little germ taking people down.)  I was out of the office for a couple of days, and the boss was gone, and the phones were way too busy and work piled up and... and....and.... Whew!

So today, I am trying to get back in a groove.  Plenty of work to do, but at least I can actually show some productivity!

I haven't blogged for a few days, and it seems very similar to any good thing that you stop doing for a while - it's hard to back into it.  Such as going to the gym, and then life gets complicated.  After a few days of laying off, it is hard to haul one's behind into the gym to restart the groove. Even when you know it is good for you.

scale phobia

There may be a scientific name for my phobia:  getting on a scale. 

Our agency initiated a "biggest loser" event for the purpose of motivating folks to lose weight and get healthier.  I am totally in favor of both of those goals.  I want to lose weight and feel healthier.  I think about it every day, multiple times a day.

Unfortunately, I have a horrible aversion to the scale, which of course, boils down to being ashamed of myself.  I cannot overcome the notion of getting "weighed in" and having someone record my weight.  I don't want to know what the number is, let alone have someone else know it, and record it in ink.  So no "biggest loser" for me. 

Shame is a powerful emotion.  I am overcome by it.  It is that part of myself that I need to shed.  As much as the actual pounds, I need to shed the old junk that helps me carry around my shame like a shroud. 

fragile and strong

Human beings are so surprisingly strong and weak at the same time. 

People can endure hardships that seem beyond survival.  Accidents, disease, malnourishment, torture...name the challenge, and you will find examples of humans finding a way to overcome the worst circumstances that could be imagined. 

And yet, humans are fragile.  A little germ, a seemingly innocent bump on the head, a stray bullet or a small clot can quickly kill a previously vibrant being.  A broken heart can take down the strongest of us.   

SOTU

I tend toward being an optimist and an idealist.  With that framework in mind, you can see how I would be pleased about President Obama's speech last night. 

There really is no end to what can be accomplished when people put their minds to it.  The old adage about a little inspiration combined with a little perspiration is so true.  There was plenty of inspiration in the SOTU address.

I enjoyed watching the sourpuss faces of the Red Team.  And the episodes of clapping by some of the Republican leaders, only because they knew the cameras were on.   

Speaking of optimism, can anyone not be inspired by Gabrielle Giffords?  What a fighter and a vision of determination.  I hope she feels the love and good wishes for her future from the masses.

And I send love and good wishes to the masses today, because we all need a little more love.

too many passwords

I tried to get information from one of my health insurance systems today by going to the website.  But I forgot my "username."  The process of trying to find my user name and password was so complicated, you would think I was trying to hack the computers of the CIA. 

I am told that it is important to regularly change your password for security.  But don't write it down so someone else could find it.  And don't make your password obvious. Well, I understand all this in theory.  But, honestly, how does one keep track of all those different codes and passwords?  I am on password OVERLOAD!! 

Any day now, there will be a mini-quiz which will identify that problems remembering your passwords is a symptom of the early onset of something horrible.  Sign me up for the "How to Enhance Your Memory" class.  I think I have that Something Horrible.  Wait a minute...I think I remember reading about a treatment for Something Horrible.....yes, I remember now....the treatment starts with a day home from the office, a glass of cabernet and a rice krispie bar.  I am all about wellness!    

Adios Uncle Jim

My Uncle Jim has been in my thoughts a lot the past few days.  He was my dad's oldest sibling, and I always loved him.  He had a thick head of hair that he combed back in perfect, silver waves.  He had a crooked smile and shockingly blue eyes.  He had a bad knee, and he was always a little crooked when he stood up. When our families got together, he always spoke to me about things he knew were important to me.  He was a cowboy/rancher who loved his horses.

My dad was the youngest of seven.  He died six years ago, and there are only three siblings left.  My cousins and I see each other more often these days - at the funerals.

I am pleased that Jim has moved beyond the physical realm.  I hope he will send a signal to me from the other side - a message of love to the niece who is missing him.