Another Sunday

I'm back at the apartment. Last week was terrible. The ice storm/snow storm left us with about 8 inches of icy snow that I had to chisel off the car. How I hate that!

Geraldine Ferraro has died. Elizabeth Taylor has died. Zsa Zsa Gabor is near death. I will be 60 this year. One day I too shall die. That makes me really want to spend my time enjoying my life, not slaving away grading papers. But unless we win the lottery, I don't have much choice.

I talked to my sister Sheila for a short while this week. We did not mention the family issues. Sheila likes to pretend that all is well, even when the shit hits the fan. It's how she copes, I guess.

I'm reading some interesting books. (Yes, this is what I am doing with my time rather than doing FSU work.) Right now I'm reading things that relate to how authoritarianism is a mindset that is in current vogue, but such a mindset (held predominantly by Republicans and conservatives) does not allow open-minded tolerance toward minorities, people from other countries, gay and lesbian people, women. It's a keep-the-status-quo mindset that harkens back to the 1950s. Yep. That's the Bush administrations for you. Hey, George, try being a woman in the 1950s, and see how free you feel.

I bought a CD by Idol runner-up Krystal Bowersox. One song in particular, "Farmer's Daughter," really touched me because she's obviously singing about and to her alcoholic negligent mother.

It's going to be a hard week. Groan. I wish we at least had the warmth of spring to comfort us. Instead, my parking lot here at the apartment is icy and hard to navigate, either on foot or by car.

My right hip is trying to go out on me. And I've been plagued by stomach/intestinal issues this week, ranging from diarhhea to nausea and vomiting. Old age is not for sissies.

I just want to retire. But obviously, that's several years into my future.