Affliction

Giving advice is a thankless task, spurred on by hope, that evil thing with feathers that makes us keep on keeping on. Every bridal shower I've ever attended has included the advice on how to be a good wife, keep the spark, make it work. This is usually followed as long as one continues to put on the bridal shower lingerie. And of course, at the end of things, advice abounds. Fast, like ripping off a band-aid. Take your time, you'll find your way. Don't do it by e-mail. Pretend you died. And at the beginning of love -- send flowers, call all the time, don't call, play hard to get, don't play games, etc. And while most of us love giving advice, taking advice is as rare as a hen's tooth. Some of the best advice I have received: Recovery is eighty percent (Willie Nelson on playing guitar -- it applies to everything), Take care of the little things, Wade (Wade's brother telling him to deal with his bad tooth -- he doesn't and ends up pulling it out himself with pliers, not pretty), and Eggbeaters are not eggs (myself to myself after trying a low-carb fiasco).

Today is a take care of the little things day. Like the great Nick Nolte who plays Wade Whitehouse in Affliction (side note -- in the past week, I've seen two disturbing fashion trends -- people wearing t-shirts that say Affliction in big letters and women wearing gladiator sandals which are great if you want to look shorter, fatter, and as if you are going into battle), I can ignore the day to day while focusing on bigger issues over which I have no control. And like the actual Nick Nolte, I've never been a fan of real life. Like those arty pictures of men holding infants where neither the man or infant has a shirt on and appear to be staring at the most beautiful object in the distance, I always feel it is a Bit Much. But even after feeling knocked around more than the cast of North Dallas Forty (another great Nolte film), I know the best thing is to breathe and start at the beginning. As I was told when I was learning to do yoga and when I was learning to shoot a gun, if you don't breathe, you will faint. You have your fear and like the poor, it will always be with you. Even so, a good exhale can help.

Michelle's Spell of the Day
"The afflictions to which we are accustomed, do not disturb us." Claudian

Cocktail Hour
Nurse Jackie -- one more episode -- so good!

Benedictions and Maledictions
I'm having computer problems right now so please send good thoughts this way. If you emailed me about books or anything else, please resend your e-mails so I can send/answer. I've lost some addresses and information and need to do a virtual and psychic reboot. This will help. Happy Tuesday!