And now, for your consideration

I'm going to send you over to my new blog, wherein I display and hopefully sell some of my images. I've had one order so far!

My Washington Experience

I am visually delighted by new vistas. During one day on Steamboat Island, we were treated to a variety of climates. M. and I walked the island at low tide, and still couldn't get all the way around. But I did get a lot of good photos. One photo I didn't take was the dead seal washed up, with its skull exposed while skin and hair was still present elsewhere. I thought I'd leave the beast in peace. The seagulls were having a feast.

Being at Steamboat for the weekend felt like being away for a week. A completely new environment and perspective. Yes!

Wordless Wednesday

April is NOT the Cruelest Month

October is Depression and Anxiety Awareness Month. Really? I received this email with diet tips for depression, which amount to eating a healthy, well-balanced diet. Duh. I thought bags of chips and vats of chocolate were the cure....silly me.

Can I get someone over here to plan, buy and cook nutritious food for me? I've run out of steam and the bag of chips is looking better than ever. I've been doing the bulk of the meal making since my retirement in June, and while I started with great enthusiasm, my efforts are largely unappreciated (I think). There's always left-over food that nobody eats...and I hate to throw out food. How many ways, how many times, can I come up with a good chicken recipe? I've got cook books, lots of 'em, and I browse the Internet...but shit. This is hard.

Most things feel hard right now. Nothing for it but to go forward. Take the dogs for a walk and air myself out. Try and stick to some kind of schedule. Read a book. Take photos of the autumn light.

Here comes our descent into winter, and I'm not starting out so hot. I don't need suggestions; I've been here before and I know the drill. Just not real thrilled about any of it. Whoop.

Autumn Leaves

The falling leaves drift by my window
The falling leaves of red and gold
I see your lips, the summer kisses
The sunburned hands I used to hold

Since you went away the days grow long

And soon I'll hear old winter's song

But I miss you most of all, my darling

When autumn leaves start to fall.

Since you went away the days grow long
And soon I'll hear old winter's song
But I miss you most of all, my darling
When autumn leaves start to fall.

I miss you most of all, my darling

When autumn leaves start to fall

Johnny Mercer

Call Your Representatives in Congress!

Jesus H. Christ in a bucket. The American people are being assaulted by health insurance companies, and now the latest WTF moment from Wall Street. Bonuses? Billions? We need regulation now. We need public financing of campaigns and an end to lobbying. Our country is being bought and sold to the highest bidders. I'm getting on the phone to my representatives today to insist they enact some regulations to reign in greed on Wall Street.

Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy

National Coming Out Day

My story. Coming out as a lesbian at age 33, with a 3 year old daughter, divorced from her father for 2 years. Coming out to myself was a life-long process, and the more clarity I got about my sexuality, the more memories came flooding in: the girlhood crushes, the make-out sessions that were never talked about or acknowledged afterward.

The most difficult conversation I had was coming out to my parents. They mattered most. I was already living with my girlfriend at the time, and the folks were coming to town for a visit. I couldn't have them in our house with this big secret - it just felt so wrong. I needed to call them, to tell them on the phone, give them the chance to absorb it all before their visit.

I barely slept the night before, sweaty palms, heart palpitations and the dread that they would forever reject me.

"Hi dad. Uh, could you get mom on the other line? I want to talk with you both." That's how it started. I used the word, "Gay" oddly enough. I guess "Lesbian" was just too shocking. I explained that L. and I were a couple, and I wanted them to know this before they came for their visit. My dad asked if this were the reason I'd left my husband. "No," I said, "I left him because he was an asshole!" Ah, laughter from everyone. Sweet, sweet laughter.

They assured me they loved me, and that this revelation didn't change that. They'd see me in a couple of days.

After that conversation I felt as i I could take on the world. My parents now knew, and they still loved me. This gave me the strength to tell anybody, anybody, and not give a damn if they didn't like it. I had the love and support of mom and dad, and that was everything.