I saw a video online of a person who does custom "action figures" - not necessarily a Marvel or DC character, but a figure of some sort. A recent, much enjoyed commission, had her creating a possum figure - type of character not important, just a possum. Well, she decided on a wizard possum - she put magnets in the possum's hands so it can hold a wand or staff or something else. It has a little wizard's hat, plus a fabric cape that she embroidered and made buttons, etc., to decorate. But ... a WIZARD possum.

Sheryl, Karl, Amy, lisah - I'm sorry and I'm keeping you in my thoughts.

Hi, friends. It's been a minute. This week was a lot. First, I'm reorganizing volunteer gigs. Found a place with a better fit, even though cooking really helps the soul.

I found the answer to "where do you get hugs and meet friends now". The answer is funerals and memorials. Hiding some triggering details in the next line - -

On Tuesday someone who was once a friend, then less than a friend, died by suicide. I'm also a friend of his ex wife. The funeral was yesterday. Not sure what to say about it other than it really, really, really sucks, and please promise me you'll ask for help. It's devastating.

In better news, I got my COVID shot this morning. I also manged to conduct 50% of the conversation about it, as well as buying Jerusalem Bagel and venting about bus schedules in Arabic (the clinic is on the border with East Jerusalem, so they're mostly serving Palestinian population. I prefered to go there and not to wait another two weeks for an appointment in a closer clinic to home). It also felt reassuring: the clinic is right next to the police headquarters that now get attacks every few days (a policewoman was stabbed there just 48 hours ago), so it was nice to do everyday stuff as if some stuff are still normal. And I guess they are. Or can be.

I also got today the key to a friends' house. I'll water the plants and take care of the cats while they're abroad - they dont want their kids to be here during all of this. The plus side is that they have a secured room in their place which I now can freely occupy if things will get worse (the sheltering options in my building are less secured).

That's the update from here. My current hope is that US government will step in even more and make all of the terrible governments here to play nice. It's not a good hope, but the other options are a military coup or a regional war, so this might be the most peaceful option of them all (I'm afraid Bibi is not going to step down on his own. Ever).

Anyhow, it's getting late. May the war be over soon. I'm hanging in there. And one day, this indeed will be over.

I'm sorry for your loss, Karl.

Thanks so much for your update, Shir

Timelies all!

I’m sorry for your loss, Karl.

Sheryl, I think of you and Gary and Mr. S every day, and hope with all my heart for good outcomes for all of you.

It's been such an awful few months for so many of those closest to me. Thank you all for looking out for me and for each other.

I'm sorry, Karl.

I also got today the key to a friends' house. I'll water the plants and take care of the cats while they're abroad - they dont want their kids to be here during all of this. The plus side is that they have a secured room in their place which I now can freely occupy if things will get worse (the sheltering options in my building are less secured).

A coworker was telling us how she ended up late to a meeting because she had to go into a safe room/shelter space until there was an all clear the other day, which I have to say beats my frequent "sorry, there was a line for the bathroom in my own house" reason. I'm glad you've got a good sheltering option now.

ltc woke up screaming about spiders around midnight. It took forever to calm her down, and now I can’t get back to sleep. Sending out hugs and love to everyone. I’m sorry so many people are dealing with so much right now.

Karl, I'm sorry for your family's loss.

lisah, keeping you and yours in my thoughts as you navigate this with your dad.

Sheryl, always hoping for some solid help for you guys

Shir and Nilly, in my heart always.

I know I've missed some important things, but, essentially, this place is always in my mind and in my heart.

Friends, I'm sorry I've been so absent lately. I have been reading and sending virtual hugs and positive wishes; I've just been operating in overwhelm. My troubles are minuscule compared to war and loss of life, of course.

Had a great trip to Boston with 20 of my journalism students Nov. 1-5, but since I'm on JEA's board, I was pulling 16 hour days with very few breaks. Got home, taught for two and a half days and then caught a plane to Florida Wednesday afternoon to be here for an important follow-up appointment with my dad's pulmonologist. Unsurprisingly after 59 years of smoking — despite having quit in 2009 or so — Dad has Stage 3 severe COPD on top of the ongoing issues with vascular dementia. I REALLY like his doctor, though (yay for good doctors!), and he's got him on a new treatment plan that should help. He's supposed to also start PT...we shall see if I can actually get him to go. Anyway, I had lunch with Dad after the appointment, dropped him off, drove back down to Miami to the hotel, and spent five hours straight in virtual parent-teacher conferences. 0/10, do not recommend. The parents were fine, but I was TOAST by the end. This morning, I grabbed a bite, dropped off my rental car (and then cursed myself because I forgot to refill the tank on the way, and they charge $10.60/gallon to do it for you), and I'm now sitting at my gate, ready to fly home. At least it's Veterans Day, so I didn't have to take the day off.

Anyway, I'm not posting about it publicly aside from here, but the combo of ND and I dealing with some significant financial setbacks, Dad's ongoing health, and work stuff, I've been a bit more of a hermit than usual.

But I'm reading and thinking about you, especially Nilly and Shir, and sending you all my love.

I know I've missed some important things, but, essentially, this place is always in my mind and in my heart.

Yes. This. Thank you.