From CNN's website:

"The Washington Post also reported in its Friday editions that many of the top FEMA directors lacked emergency management experience and had close ties to Bush's 2000 election efforts."

It occurs to me today what a fun thing it would be if I could be a stay-at-home mom this school year, and just full-time manage my daughters' careers. Older daughter as a high school senior transitioning to college, younger as a dancer and somewhat-obsessive student. But then, they probably wouldn't like that very much either, and I'd probably just ensure they would need more psychotherapy later in life.

I've got a little brain fog today. Suppose that's age-related?

I'm finding that I just can't be exposed too much to negative people. Or people being negative. I'm like a sponge, and I can't seem to resist soaking it up. And then it drags me down. This is pretty tricky, because negativity is so prevalent.

School will start soon, and both my girls are glad. I will have a sophomore and a senior this year, and I am taking note at each stage that a year from now my first-born will be gone from the household. I am remembering the first year I had with her, and how fast that went. It's not that I can't stand her being away, because she's grown up very nicely and is strong and smart and resourceful. She's just very good company these days, and it will just be so odd to have her gone.

And where will she be? Either at a good state school an hour and a half from here. Or. Where she WANTS to be - Queens University in Belfast, Northern Ireland. However, somehow I don't think financial aid will reach that far. I hate to crush dreams, but reality must intrude sometimes.

Sorry, no pictures to post from N. Ireland. I don't have the deluxe version of Xanga. Just trust me - it's as gorgeous as the pictures you've seen. From my vantage point, it was calm, sane, peaceful, sweet. Full of Type B personalities.

One of my favorite co-workers died in an accident over Memorial Day weekend. At the funeral they read a poem he had written that I thought was quite wonderful:

I stood there mute with wonder
shivering in my smallness
appalled that I had the audacity
to exist in such a universe
And the storm I had been watching
came upon me then
And the wind rose and
spoke into my ear
and I was blinded and restored
my vision in a single lightning flash....
and I still hear the echo of that thunder
I learned the peace of power
and the power of peace
for I am included in the Great All
the Great Only. And I am amazed
at my outrageous fortune
Many wise and nobel men
search all their lives
for some sign of the existence of God
and I pity them
for I can perceive of nothing else
--Luke S. Lund