Maria, I hope you can get some real rest tonight. My best to you, hon.

Get some rest, Maria. I am glad we can be here for you. And you and yours are in my thoughts.

Echoing what Cass and javachick said. Go rest, hon.

Yeah, definitely rest, Maria. And I agree profoundly with the wisdom upstream.

Furthermore, I would like to add that literal curling into a ball is also perfectly acceptable behavior. Behavior in which I indulged Saturday night between sets. I was barely hanging on anyway, and then singing just took the rest of what I had to give, and then the pastor started talking about Japan, and it was just too damn much and I was all sobby and didn't want anyone to see. So I went behind the last stage curtain and laid my cheek on the floor and went fetal. No one saw me. Except my band leader. Who, bless him, totally pretended he didn't. And when I got myself together and walked back out into the greenroom, he drew me into a conversation about his new computer (air), total geek fodder, and a great way to get me back on board with the living world. He knew, and he knew I knew he knew, but he just gently brought me into normalcy. He's awesome. And then I went out for the second set and rocked the mic.

So.

Going fetal? Totally helpful sometimes. Surrounding yourself physically or digitally with awesome people who can help draw you alongside them? Made of win.

You do what you need to do, Maria, and we're all here for you.

I hope you are fast asleep, Maria.

Liese, in an odd way, that is really supercool. That you knew what you needed, and did it, and that he responded so well, and then you kicked ass. Urgh, not sure I'm making sense.

Another one of those nights where I fall right asleep and then wake up (POING!!!) in the wee smalls. Feh. I think I'll go drink some water.

Walking Shanie is wonderful, GC!

Wishing you sleep, Maria.

The Girl has flown out to Houston at short notice - her father had to fly back from Thailand as an emergency and is now having brain scans and all sorts. He has a lot of these health scares, but I don't think that makes it any easier for my Sharon. Mostly, we're just praying he'll still be well enough to come to the wedding. It would be great, after he's agreed to come despite so much resistance in the past.

Am writing. Thousands of words on gospel healing narratives, and as usual I'm sure they're coming from somewhere other than my own head. Oh well - if I'm possessed, it's at least by a spirit that wants me to get a PhD.

Today, for me anyway, is not shaping up to be any better than yesterday was, although this

if I'm possessed, it's at least by a spirit that wants me to get a PhD.

made me smile. I wouldn't mind being possessed by a spirit that wanted me to exercise, because my current one just wants to sit on the couch.

smonster, when are you coming down to New Orleans?

Dropped L. off at Historic Green today, looked bustling! It's a glorious day, too.

I seem to have lost amyth's current address. Could someone who has it please email it to me? Profile address is good. Thank you!

Burrell, I really loved that Emily Dickinson poem you posted. I haven't read much Dickinson, but after visiting her home in Amherst a couple of years ago, I'm much more interested in her poetry and I'd like to read more of it.

Maria, I hope you got some good rest last night. We're all keeping you in our thoughts.

Seska, that's such a hard situation for Sharon, and for you. I hope her dad is able to come to the wedding. It's coming up soon, right?

Insent, Kate.