A Month of Literary Gratitude, Day 30 - The Dresden Files, by Jim Butcher

The Dresden Files by Jim Butcher is one of those series whose characters are complex, flawed, and sometimes full of shit.

Harry Dresden is a wizard who lives in Chicago. In many ways, he's kind of a hot mess, and gets himself into far more trouble than is strictly warranted. He's opinionated and willful, powerful and vulnerable, and sometimes a complete dumbass.

But he and his companions try to fight the good fight. Even when they make mistakes - serious mistakes - they do so out of a desire to do good. The problem, of course, is that intention doesn't matter much when you kill someone, or change the course of their life in some fundamental, foundational way. What matters is the deed, and some of the deeds can be horrible, indeed.

The stories are interesting, and his overarching arc is getting more and more dreadful. Each book puts Harry deeper into a corner, until I fear he will run out of options eventually.

I look forward to each one, though, and want to find out what happens to Harry and his friends (and his enemies). And I love Mouse, who is far wiser than his owner, and a complete bad ass in his own right.

Don't annoy the Temple Dog.

Link Me Up, Scotty - Credibility Edition

Why Sesame Street finally allowed other cast members to "see" Mr. Snuffleupagus, instead of just Big Bird.
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Outside the Beltway points out why losing graciously is such an important part of our political process here in the United States, and why Hillary's decision to do so makes her a more dedicated public servant that Trump could ever be. The money quote:

Clinton’s followers may take consolation that Hillary Clinton was the only major-party candidate in the 2016 election sufficiently devoted to her country to honor the electoral system, win or lose.   She was the only candidate who consistently held to the essential belief that democracy only works when vying candidates hold democratic elections to be more important than their ambition or ideology.   By her words and example in defeat she reaffirmed, and strengthened, the American way.  Let us then be grateful for gracious losers, for our losers no less than our winners carry forward the American experiment in self-rule. 

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Author Barbara Kingsolver on our obligations as citizens and human beings during a Trump presidency. Let us not grow weary, indeed.
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Some suggestions on how to protest the alt right/white nationalists/actual nazis post election season. Stay strong and active, my brothers and sisters.
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Words can be, as my friend Kathy puts it, "bullets for the soul." I wish I had learned this lesson earlier in my life.
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Why do the whackadoos always feel they have the skills and expertise to represent themselves when their heinous acts bring them to trial? I don't approve of the death penalty as a matter of principle, but if the state is going to charge someone with a capital crime, then I don't think self-representation should be an option.
________

The doucheweasel who is now Internet Famous for his 45 second President Cheeto rant aboard a Delta flight is now banned from flying Delta for the rest of his life. WTF, Delta? As much as I would like to smack the doucheweasel in the head with the Shovel of Doom™, he didn't do anything illegal, and quieted down once the flight attendant told him to STFU. This is the kind of shit that makes conservatives think liberals are big ole crybabies. He was offensive. So what? Lots of people offend me on airplanes with their shitty behaviors, but I don't think people should be banned for them.
________

Video of my Heart: How a Bookmobile saved the life and future of a young migrant worker. For me, this is the primary purpose of a library - to give hope, to inspire, to teach, to encourage people with limited options.

A Month of Literary Gratitude, Day 29 - The Secret Life of the Grown Up Brain: The Surprising Talents of the Middle Age Mind, by Barbara Strauch

Are you middle-aged? Is your once agile mind slower to learn new things? Is the mind that was once a steel trap more like a sieve these days?

Yeah, me, too.

Which is why I enjoyed this book so very much. The Secret Life of the Grown Up Brain by Barbara Strauch is one of those books that gives you hope and a sense that even though you might think you're losing your goddamn mind, you're really not. 

Strauch takes the idea that an aging brain is not valuable, not as smart as a younger brain and tips it on its head.

For many years, scientists thought that the human brain simply decayed over time and its dying cells led to memory slips, fuzzy logic, negative thinking, and even depression. But new research from neuroscien­tists and psychologists suggests that, in fact, the brain reorganizes, improves in important functions, and even helps us adopt a more optimistic outlook in middle age. Growth of white matter and brain connectors allow us to recognize patterns faster, make better judgments, and find unique solutions to problems. Scientists call these traits cognitive expertise and they reach their highest levels in middle age.

So even though you can't remember where you left your phone, your keys, or your glasses, there are other things for which your aging brain is just right. Go, brain, go. 

A Month of Literary Gratitude, Day 28 - Zoo City, by Lauren Beukes

I just loved Lauren Beukes' Zoo City.

Beukes is a South African author, and this fantasy story has interesting elements of her culture and country, which enriches her story. The writing is unique in that I would categorize some concepts in the story as weird fiction, and other supernatural aspects of this world are not explained at all.

In some ways, leaving these elements to the imagination makes me feel itchy and unfinished, but in other ways, it makes the story more compelling.

A great writer, and a great book.

A Month of Literary Gratitude, Day 27 - The Tao of Pooh, by Benjamin Hoff

The Tao of Pooh by Benjamin Hoff was published shortly after I graduated from high school and turned eighteen.

This is a book about Taosim and its basic concepts told in the context of Winnie the Pooh and his forest friends. As a youngster, I loved Winnie the Pooh, and as a young adult, I had a lot of interest in Eastern religions. So of course I found this book delightful. 

The author uses the archetypes of Pooh's world to help western readers how to calm you mind, live in peace, and just be. 

I still haven't learned this lesson, of course. My mind is seldom still, I seldom feel peaceful. I don't resemble Pooh very much in this regard. But I can continue to try. 

A Month of Literary Gratitude, Day 26 - The Chief Inspector Gamache Series, by Louise Penny

The Chief Inspector Gamache Series by Louise Penny are a fairly recent find for me.

I listened to the first one several years ago, and then immediately recommended them to everyone I knew. Louise Penny has a way of writing that sucks you in, sort of a fireside chat narration where even though the narrative is somewhat low-key, you just can't stop reading.

Her main character, Chief Inspector Gamache, is smart, sneaky, and not to be trifled with. The people around him, both from his department and also in Three Pines (the town where most of the stories occur) are interesting, nuanced, and colorful.

These are not earth-shattering books. No fundamental epiphanies can be found between their pages, and reading them has not made a better, more educated human being.

What they are is a fine example of craft. Louise Penny is an extraordinarily gifted writer, and that's reason enough to read her books.

Random Thoughts and Words to Live By, Part 21

When someone begins their sentence with, "I don't want to sound racist, but..." what follows is almost invariably racist as fuck.

A Month of Literary Gratitude, Day 25 - The Prydain Chronicles, by Lloyd Alexander

The Prydain Chronicles by Lloyd Alexander were the books that got me hooked on reading. Prior to their introduction in my life, I wasn't really a recreational reader. I would read for school (and mostly enjoyed it), but in my free time I was more of a crafty kind of person.

But the tales of Taran, Eilonwy, Fflewddur Fflam, Doli, Gurgi, Hen Wen, Gwydian, Dallben and Coll are what brought me to the point where I loved reading. After finishing these books, I moved on to other YA fiction, including The Great Brain by John D. Fitzgerald, the Judy Blume books, The Riddle Master Trilogy by Patricia A. McKillip, The Heinlein juveniles, and many, many more.

But it all started with Taran, Assistant Pig Keeper, Hen Wen, the Oracular pig, and their many friends and companions. Mr. Alexander changed my life forever with these books. And for that I'm truly grateful.

Link Me Up, Scotty - Rot and Ruin Edition

My favorite Christian Pastor on giving thanks for things that appear to be terrible, but can give meaning and purpose to our lives. Happy Thanksgiving, y'all.
________

A fascinating article on the economic and social consequences of electing Trump to the White House. The money quote:

In fact, this alliance was not primarily economic—although painting it so was politically potent—but cultural. Many of its members were affluent, quite a few well off. They had little problem with technology and globalization, much less well-placed lobbying, from which many benefited. Their grievance was that they were being left behind not economically but socially. As Donald Trump astutely pointed out in cultivating them: “This is your last chance.” His brilliant appeal to “make America great again,” was, for most, not a call for economic redistribution or job opportunity but for social relevance. His message was nothing less than to literally Take America Back to an imagined past that was as longed for as it was illusory, a past where their values were ascendant and where the others knew their place.

Make no mistake, this election was not primarily about the economy. For Trump’s adherents, it was about nothing less than saving the soul of the nation. Their quarrel with government was not that they were doing badly but that “the others” were making inroads, catching up, and, if unchecked, they would somehow surpass the Real Americans. The impulses of Trump’s legions were not racial, but tribal. What was “elite” about their foes was not their finances but their fluidity, their openness to change, which conservatives saw as a challenge not to their pocketbooks but a threat to their belief system.

Which is why the passions of this election had the force of a religious war and Donald Trump was seen as a savior. It explains why so many people voted for him, well aware of his deficiencies and how unfit he was for the White House. In religious terms, a tool of divine deliverance may be flawed, but it must still be wielded. Trump was such a scourge. We will see how he does the Lord’s work.

I believe this analysis is spot on. The concept of "whitelash" against a country that is making inroads to a more egalitarian society is right on the money based on my own experiences and the Trump supporters I know. Terrified of giving up (or even acknowledging) their unearned privilege, they completely went off the deep end in effort to retain it.

H/T Brother Eric
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Pfizer sues the State of Texas for having the temerity to share the prices Pfizer charge to Texas Medicaid for their prescription drugs. I find this completely unsurprising, actually. Why are people still so shocked that publicly traded pharmaceutical companies are primarily interested in making money rather than in healing the sick? From their point of view, the former is their job. The latter is just a means to accomplishing their job. These people are not humanitarians.
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It appears Mitt Romney is being seriously considered as the new Secretary of State. While I don't agree with Mitt's politics, at least he appears to be a moderately decent human being, and (more importantly) he's qualified. I'll take it.
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An open letter from a transwoman to her in-laws. This is one of those things where you're either all-in, or you're not. And if you're not, then don't be surprised when your family member holds it against you.

Most of you know this is a hot-button issue for me. Everyone should have the right to live authentically, and insisting that people hide who they are for the comfort of bigots is never an acceptable alternative.
________

Helen's annual Thanksgiving Family letter. I kind of want to go to Helen's house for the holiday...
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Apparently President-Elect Trump's many, many, conflicts of interest in his new post are not his fault and completely acceptable anyway because...people voted for him? It must be nice to have none of the rules apply to you, ever.

Also: Will someone on his staff who isn't a complete fucking idiot delete his Twitter account already? Geez.
________

A thought-provoking article on what Democrats and liberals should concentrate on for the next four years. The entire thing is worth a read, but here's the money quote:

The focus of left-of-center politics in the dark years to come must be on protecting the groups of people who are targets precisely because of their identities. To sideline their interests is to accede to a backlash that has just begun and will only get worse. If Democrats standing up for diversity makes Trump voters feel disrespected, the best response is a slogan popular among enemies of political correctness at Trump rallies: Fuck your feelings.

________

Millions of Muslims march against ISIS in Iraq, and no one notices.  I'm sure it's just an oversight and not because this story contradicts preconceived notions about the Muslim culture. Yeah, that's it.
________

Video of my heart: Vice President Joe Biden on CBS' Note to Self writes a letter to his younger self, explaining the purpose and value of his life to his family and his country. I'll miss you, Uncle Joe.

A Month of Literary Gratitude, Day 24 - The Riddle-Master Trilogy, by Patricia A. McKillip

The Riddle-Master Trilogy by Patricia A. McKillip was a series I read again and again in high school.

These stories are the tale of a man named Morgan. He is the land ruler of a small island called Hed, and like other rulers in this world, he has what is called the "land rule." Land rule is a deep connection between the ruler and the land, and serves to provide rulers the knowledge and needs of the land as a means of governing.

But there's more to Morgan's life than Hed, to his great regret. He plays many other roles in this world, none of them easy, and none of them without dire consequences to himself and those around him. As he finds his way to his destiny, he leaves a trail as wide as a house, and coming to terms with all that it entails.

I think the reason I liked these books so much is because all the main characters are just a hot mess. And since I was in high school at the time, I, too, was a hot mess. Reading about the trials and tribulations of these fantasy characters made me feel less like a failure, less like a disappointment to everyone around me, less confused about who I was and what I wanted to do.

A Month of Literary Gratitude, Day 23 - A Wrinkle in Time Quintet, by Madeleine L'Engle

These were the books that helped define my childhood.

I don't remember how old I was when I first read the A Wrinkle in Time Quintet, but I just loved the adventures of Meg, Charles Wallace, Calvin, Mr. Jenkins, Dennys and Sandy. I was an awkward youngster (or at least I certainly felt that way), and i identified with Meg while simultaneously wanting to be special like Charles Wallace. I found the uneasy compassion and dedication to duty of Mr. Jenkins to be awkwardly endearing. I loved the point of view of Proginoskes, who first exposed me to the idea that "love" is not a feeling.

I have to admit I preferred the first three books to the last two, but even though Many Waters and An Acceptable Time didn't speak to me the other three did, I still found them enjoyable and well written. I cried when I read that Ms. L'Engle had passed. Once I'm done rereading the Harry Potter books, I may put these in queue, as well.

ALL the Feelings, Revisited

It's now been two weeks since the white people in this country elected Trump to the highest office in the land, and I'm starting to get a handle on my feelings. The vitriol is slowly fading. I no longer want to punch Trump supporters in the head (at least not all of them). And I have a better handle on why this election outcome has affected me so negatively.

For me, the bottom line is this. The main reason I am still so personally upset by this election has to do with my understanding of what America is, and the progress we've made toward our ideals.

In my pre-election world, America was a place where character mattered. It was a place where "most" people could understand why a bully, a racist, a bigot, a misogynist, an incompetent, a white nationalist, is simply not the best choice to lead our nation. After President Obama was elected, I thought that while racism was still very much a problem in this country, we had turned a corner in our cultural history. I thought that Trump's honesty in telling America who he was by word and deed was sufficient to deny him the highest office in the land. I thought I lived in a world where America honored their veterans, regardless of race, religion, or the national origin of their families.

The reason I'm so upset is because I was so very, very wrong.

We do not live in that America. We do not live in a country where the self-admitted character flaws of an unqualified candidate is sufficient to keep him out of office. We do not live in an America where the majority would dismiss a white nationalist out of hand because we valued our fellow citizens and neighbors, even though they're not the same color as us, or don't worship like us, or don't talk like us. We do not live in a country who values courage in the face of adversity. We've proven by our actions that we do not value compassion, service, egalitarianism, and competence.

No, we don't live in that America, if we ever did.*

We live in a country where the ethnic majority elected someone who is, without question, a bully, a racist, a bigot, a misogynist, an incompetent, and a white nationalist as the leader we want to represent us to the world.

I just cannot wrap my head around this. How is this okay? Do the majority of white people really think this is the best we have to offer to the world, to ourselves? Does this truly represent the way most white people think about our country? Do they believe these are the values that most closely align with who we are and who we want to be?

This is the reason I'm so upset, so heartbroken, so angry about our election result. Because I thought I lived in one America, and it turns out I don't. I live in an America who has forsaken our ideals. I live in an America who has disrespected my service by betraying our national character. And that makes me sadder than I can say.

________
*I know every single person of color who is reading this is thinking, "No shit, you privileged, oblivious white girl." And they are so, so right. In spite of my efforts, I'm still very much a product of my environment, with much to learn about the experiences of my countrymen and women who are not like me. A work in progress, y'all.

A Month of Literary Gratitude, Day 22 - Angry Housewives Eating Bon Bons, by Lorna Landvik

Angry Housewives Eating Bon Bons, by Lorna Landvik is one of those books where I was so invested in the characters that I spent my reading time alternating being crying, laughing out loud, shaking my fist at the resident doucheweasel, and smiling like a loon.

This book spans forty years, and describes the deep friendships between five women who are neighbors and members of an unofficial book club. It describes their triumphs, their tragedies, their secrets, and how they support each other in crafting their lives to suit them.

Lorna Landvik has a way of writing her characters that makes it very easy to care about them, and identify with their struggles. I wanted every single one to have a happy ending, but life's not like that, unfortunately.

Link Me Up, Scotty - Less Social Media, More Civility Edition

This article was brought to my attention by Kathy, and it addresses how I'm not the only one who gave Facebook and other social media the straight-arm after the election. People are either quitting altogether or have significantly cut back on the time they spend on social media. I myself am back on social media, but I'm limiting my time and emotional investment, and am seriously considering removing "friends" who post only political content. I can only consider this to be a net good in the world.
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A testimonial to "what kind of people" fall victim to suicide. Yes, yes, a thousand times yes. 
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From the there's hope for America yet files, high school girls in Duluth choose to stand with their Muslim classmates in an effort to make them feel safe and welcome. THERE'S SOMETHING IN MY EYE, because this is totally something my Moe-Moe would have done.
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My favorite Christian pastor addresses those who voted for Trump and how he's completely willing to give them the benefit of the doubt - unless they stand in silence when the new administration makes good on their bigoted promises.

Silence is acceptance, and Pastor Pavlovitz points this out with compassion, grace, and forgiveness. I'm working to let go of politics in my personal relationships, and this is a good place to start. I want to give Trump supporters the benefit of the doubt. But their behavior moving forward will determine how I judge them.
________

New York Magazine has decided to publish a weekly inventory of all of Trump's most jaw-dropping, stomach-churning, spine-tingling affronts to liberal democracy. Forewarned is forearmed, y'all.
________

Vice-President Elect Pence proves he's not a complete douchecanoe after being booed as a member of the audience during a performance of Hamilton. His response was to compliment the show, and then comment that the boos were "what freedom sounds like." I agree with VP-Elect Pence on basically nothing, but I can appreciate this response...

...unlike his whiny-ass boss, who is apparently as thin-skinned and touchy as ever. Because he "heard" it was "overrated." Probably by other white nationalists, I suspect. ::snort::

Whatevs, Cheeto.
________

Getting your news from Facebook instead of a reputable news source? You might want to reconsider that strategy, especially if you consider yourself a conservative. The truth matters. It really, really matters.
________

Still think the hateful rhetoric women endure on-line when they attempt to work in a public space isn't a big deal? Check this out and imagine you saying some of this shit to your mother. 
________ 

The FADA (First Amendment Defense Act) is the most heinous piece of legislative fuckery I've seen in quite some time.  Serious fuckery, y'all. I shall contact my Senators and Representative forthwith.
________ 

Video of the Week: My platonic celebrity boyfriend Leslie Odom, Jr. sings Winter Song from his new Christmas album, Simply Christmas. 

A Month of Literary Gratitude, Day 21 - Final Salute: The Story of Unfinished Lives, by Jim Sheeler

Jim Sheeler won a Pulitzer Prize for the material contained in this book, and he damn well earned it.

Rocky Mountain News reporter Jim Sheeler and photographer Todd Heisler spent a year with the Marines stationed at Aurora's Buckley Air Force Base who have found themselves called upon to notify families of the deaths of their sons in Iraq. In each case in this story, the families agreed to let Sheeler and Heisler chronicle their loss and grief. They wanted people to know their sons, the men and women who brought them home, and the bond of traditions more than 200 years old that unite them.


Final Salute is an amazing book. This narrative is profoundly moving. I have performed aspects of this duty, and yet I still found myself choking up as the author describes the heartache and devastation left by the loss of my brothers-in-arms.

Most people in this country will never know the grief associated with losing a child, spouse or parent in the service of our country. But if you can understand the process, and realize what the families and the service members are going through as a result of this sacrifice, you begin to address the isolation associated with the life of a professional soldier, sailor, airman or Marine. And we could all use a little more of that kind of understanding.


NOTE: You can find the accompanying photographs for this book here.

A Month of Literary Gratitude, Day 20 - Stiff: The Curious Lives of Human Cadavers, by Mary Roach

I love Mary Roach's books. Her unique writing style and extensive research on her topics make her a joy to read, and she always picks interesting topics. But my favorite is Stiff: The Curious Lives of Human Cadavers. 

This book was so fascinating. Mary Roach explored the uses of human cadavers, how they can help in medical research, medical training, safety tests, and more. She explores funeral traditions, and how human cadavers have been viewed over history. She travels from place to place, interviewing Funeral Directors, Doctors, and companies that broker body parts for research purposes (no shit). Her findings took out a lot of the "ick" factor associated with dead bodies, and clearly articulated the value of donating our bodies to science for the good of everyone.

So while I still think embalming is the grossest, most violating thing I've ever heard of, I'm all good with the military industrial complex using my raggedy ass lower leg to test combat boots for effectiveness against IEDs and land mines, or a surgical training center using my busted out knees to practice knee replacement surgery, or a safety organization using my carcass as a crash test dummy. After all, I won't be using it anymore, and if by donating it to science I can improve the lives of other people, it's all to the good.

A Month of Literary Gratitude, Day 19 - The All-Girl Filling Station's Last Reunion, by Fannie Flagg

I've always enjoyed Fannie Flagg's books, but The All-Girl Filling Station's Last Reunion is one of my all-time favorites.

This is the story of a woman who starts to research her family's past, and finds evidence of women leading daring lives, taking their own destinies in their hands, and making a difference for their country and their community.

Most of the retrospective takes place before, during, and after World War II, and follows the creation of the W.A.S.P.s. The military service of these women was so much different than my own, but far more risky and less appreciated. These are the women who began the sea change surrounding women in the U.S. military, my professional foremothers, and reading about their stories makes me appreciate their spirit and courage all the more.

Fannie's always funny, of course, but in this book she really explores the ideas of self-determination in a society where women's suppression by the patriarchy is an accepted part of life. My foremothers, indeed.

A Month of Literary Gratitude, Day 18 - The Pern Stories, by Anne McCaffrey

Anne McCaffrey's The Dragonriders of Pern stories started coming out when I was 3 years old. Being such a prolific writer, these books continued to be published well into my adulthood, and I read them all.

My favorite series was probably the Harper Hall books, because I was a singer in my youth, and felt empathy for a young, gifted, awkward girl trying to make her way in a man's world.

I loved them all, though, and would disappear for hours in these stories, reading them again and again. They taught me that a formidable woman could succeed in spite of not coddling men's egos (thanks, Lessa!). They taught me that even the most egregious of emotional injuries could be survived, and that you could build a life worthy of your loss in the aftermath (thanks, Brekke and Lytol!). They taught me that it was possible to define your own life and still fulfill your duty (thanks, Jaxom!).

Those are a lot of lessons for a fantasy series, and I'm grateful to Ms. McCaffrey for taking the time to teach them.

A Month of Literary Gratitude, Day 17 - The Great Influenza: The Story of the Deadliest Pandemic in History, by John M. Berry

The Great Influenza by John M. Berry is not a book for the faint of heart or those who do not lack in imagination. It is scary. REALLY scary.

And the reason it's so scary is because it's true. This pandemic killed over 100 million people in 24 months, and one of the things that made it unique was that the mortality rate was worst among young, healthy people in the prime of their lives. Typically when we thing of the flu we assume that the most vulnerable people are the very old, the very young, and those with compromised immune systems. Not so here, and this flu was not fucking around.

Such a strain of flu in our modern age of global travel and commerce would be much more deadly. And we don't really have a good handle on what to do in order to contain it should it arise. Yikes. 

A Month of Literary Gratitude, Day 16 - Embassytown, by China Miéville

I really like China Miéville. He writes weird fiction, and he's one of those authors you either love or hate, and I love him. I've read everything he's written, but I have to say my favorite was Embassytown. 

This book tells the story of a human colony on an alien world, and the very unique language spoken by the sentient species that lives there. Because I listen to China's books rather than read them (trust me on this - a far better experience), the audio artists were able to give a gross approximation of how this language sounds. 

I always find China's books entertaining, but they usually have a larger point, as well. In this case, my takeaway was an anthropological one pertaining to the dangers of cultural contamination when different cultures collide, conflicted loyalties, and the perils of dedicating one's life to the "foreign service."

I have ALL the feelings

WARNING: VITRIOL,  RANTING, AND JUDGE-TASIC CONTENT AHEAD.

I have been off my RSS feed, Facebook, and my Twitter account since November 9th. I've continued to write my literary gratitude posts, but other than that - I've embraced the online hermit lifestyle.

The reason for this is simple. I have feelings. ALL the feelings. Some of them are completely contradictory, and all of them are churning around in my head and my heart like boiling lava. I had sworn off politics on Facebook since well before the election, and I see no reason to change that now. I suspect both my RSS and Facebook feeds are just a rotting pile of yuck right now as the right gloats and the left weeps, and I don't want to hear any of it. I don't know when I'll go back, but for now - HERMIT.

But these feelings need to go somewhere, and this space has always been where I've been able to share my thoughts and feelings with the knowledge that people don't HAVE to come here. If you're here, it's a completely voluntary decision on your part, so if you're going to go all Offended Ophilia, perhaps you should just move along. These are my feelings, and I'm still working through them. A month from now, I'm sure I'll have completely DIFFERENT feelings.*

So in no particular order, here they are:

1. From a statistical point of view, I believe the majority (i.e., over 50%) of Trump supporters are misogynists, or racists, or cowards, or completely lacking in empathy, or some combination thereof. I cannot think of another conclusion that fits the facts of electing such an immoral, bigoted, unqualified goon to our highest office. The interesting thing is that none of his supporters consider themselves to be misogynists, racists, cowards, or completely lacking in empathy. But as the lady said, "It's not who you are underneath. It's what you do that defines you." And what they did was vote for a man who is a misogynist, a racist, a coward, and completely lacking in empathy. This suggests at the very least his supporters are just fine with those values leading our nation. The company you keep.
2. We're going to survive this. In my lifetime, the United States has survived one of the most corrupt Presidents in history (Richard M. Nixon) and one of the most incompetent Presidents in history (George W. Bush). We'll survive Trump, too, and I have hope that this election will end up being a fluke of history, rather than our new norm.
3. To those 47% of you that voted for Trump, I have to say - this is your dumpster fire. He has shown the country and the world who he is, again and again and again. But you wouldn't believe him. So when he continues to be who he is, I don't want to hear about how "you didn't know." Of course you knew. You just didn't care because he appealed to your baser instincts and you fell for it, hook, line, and sinker.
4. I'm not giving up. My Momma taught me that standing up to a bully is always the right thing to do, and without a doubt, Trump is now a very powerful bully. As of this week, I'm making monthly donations to the ACLU, Planned Parenthood, the Council on American - Islamic Relations, and Black Lives Matter to help them fight the good fight. Because the American ideal deserves my support now more than ever, and after 17 years in uniform and 15 years serving my community, I will not bail at this critical juncture. 
5. I've been hearing rumors (remember, media blackout up in here) of Democrats and liberals behaving very badly indeed since the election. Stop it. Just stop it. You do not further our cause by acting like a doucheweasel, and you make all of us look bad. America is a country governed by the rule of law. You don't like the outcome? Me, neither. But we're stuck with it, because that's how the Constitution works. So instead of resorting to hate and violence, let's get off our asses and help the Democrats nominate someone who is actually electable in 2020. 
6. I am deeply, profoundly, sad. That our great nation has come to this impasse, that so many of my fellow Americans would want this kind of "change" for our nation, makes me want to weep. 
7. The Christian right and alt-right has reached new and unprecedented heights of hypocrisy this election season. If I hadn't held them in utter contempt before, then this election would have sealed their fate in the "no room for redemption" category.
8.  I don't want to talk about this election. I don't want to talk about Donald Trump, or Hillary Clinton, or any politician at this point. I have burn out, and mostly I just want people to STFU about it when they're around me. 
9. The fact that the executive and legislative branches of the government are now controlled by the party of bigotry and misogyny, the party with no fiscal responsibility, the party that believes stripping people of their civil rights is A-OK, scares the shit out of me. It scares the shit out of me because they (and their supporters - make no mistake) have already indicated what their plans are moving forward. And those plans basically consist of taking the U.S. back to about 1960, where men were men, women and brown people knew their places, nobody gave a good goddamn about pollution, and CIS white dudes could get rich by marginalizing those that weren't straight, white, and male. BONUS:  We'll get to accumulate an enormous amount of national debt at the same time due to tax cuts on the super rich and corporations! BONUS: Maybe I can even give up the right to vote, too! Boy oh boy - I can't wait to live in that society.
10. I will really, really miss Barack and Michelle Obama. Their grace, dignity, intelligence, and class will be sorely missed in the White House.
11. The next four years will require vigilance. I have my doubts about whether even a Republican government would resort to internment camps or whatever the latest conspiracy theory is, but it's all of our duty to watch the watchers, whoever they're affiliated with. Because if ANY administration started rounding up my neighbors and fellow citizens FOR ANY REASON WHATSOEVER (or anything equally as heinous), I would have no compunction about standing with my countrymen and women in opposition to the government. To the end, if necessary, because history demands no less.
12. Crap on a cracker, the United States is still SO RACIST it embarrasses the shit out of me. I knew this before, of course, but if you think it's not, go ahead and take a look at the demographics of the Presidential vote. Trump's a terrible, awful, unapologetic bigot, and a bunch of white people voted for him and won him the election. Nice job, white people! The good news, of course, is that the current demographic growth pattern implies that won't always be the case. Which in part is what I think this election was about.

I'll end with Stephen Colbert's closing remarks from election day. Because they help restore equilibrium, and because I am not an animal.

*Please note that I have rewritten and edited this piece dozens of times since Election Day as I continue to process ALL THE FEELINGS. Much of the vitriol is fading, much of my courage is returning. Which is all to the good, I think.

A Month of Literary Gratitude, Day 15 - The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency Stories, by Alexander McCall Smith

The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency Stories by Alexander McCall Smith describe the adventures of Precious Romatswe and her assistant Grace Makutsi as they solve mysteries, improve people's lives, and navigate the hazards of being a "modern lady" in a traditional society.

The thing I like about this series is that Alexander McCall Smith has spent a great deal of time in Botswana, and as a result, he paints a wonderful portrait of its people, landscape, and culture. Precious and her friends are decent, gentle people, with a deep connection to their country and what it stands for. The people the Agency investigates often don't have good character, but Precious gives people the benefit of the doubt in a way few people can. I love that about her, and her trusting nature is balanced by Grace's more acerbic world-view.

I've tried other series by AMS, but none engaged me in the stories of the characters' lives like these.

A Month of Literary Gratitude, Day 14 - Night Watch, by Terry Pratchett

Night Watch was the first of the Discworld books I read. It was given to me as a gift from my friend Michelle, because she's awesome and thought I would enjoy it.

Boy, was she right.

This book is HI-LARIOUS. Laugh out loud in public funny, laugh until you cry funny. No one does a turn of phrase or develops odd characters better than Terry Pratchett, and this book is proof positive of that fact.

I've read many of the Discworld books since I first received this book, and while I've enjoyed them all to a greater or lesser extent, none of them tickled my funny-bone more than Nightwatch.

A Month of Literary Gratitude, Day 13 - Code Name Verity, by Elizabeth Wein

When I read Code Name Verity, I couldn't believe how good it was. It's a young adult novel, and while I firmly believe we live in a Golden Age and YA fiction, this was the best book I read that year, regardless of genre.

This is the story of two English girls who fought for their country during World War II, and the consequences of both that choice and of their deep friendship. It's a twisty kind of book, and interesting, but the reason it's made it to my Literary Gratitude list is because of the incredible courage of these two young women. They knew the seriousness of their commitment to MI6, and they also knew the seriousness of their commitment to each other.

It's basically a book about making the hard decisions when it's necessary, and how often those decisions give a terrible outcome no matter which way you go.Very much like life. 

A Month of Literary Gratitude, Day 12 - Misery, by Stephen King

I'm not a huge fan of Stephen King. I'm not particularly drawn to horror stories, and while I've read a decent portion of his catalogue, Misery is the only one on my "best of" list.

This is a story - one of the very few - that kept me up until three in the morning on a work night because I just couldn't put it down. It is, quite simply, one of the most compelling books I've ever read. The antagonist is a woman named Annie, and boy-howdy, does SHE need a whole team of psychiatrists. She's completely unpredictable, and I was gnashing my teeth the whole time, wondering what was going to happen next. Paul, the protagonist, is basically caught up in a Black Swan event, where he has no control whatsoever over his fate or his life.

One of the things that made this such a good read was the way in which King made both characters nuanced. In spite of Annie's obvious psychopathy, you kind of feel bad for her. In spite of the horrible things happening to Paul, you kind of think he may be a jerk.

This is the book that convinced me that Stephen King wasn't overrated. Yikes.

A Month of Literary Gratitude, Day 11 - The Speed of Dark. by Elizabeth Moon

The Speed of Dark by Elizabeth Moon is another one of those books that simultaneously changes how I view the world while making me more compassionate about those who are different.

The story is about a young man named Lou who is neuroatypical, and has a gift for spacial relationships and mathematics. He lives independently, likes his work, likes who he is. And then he's offered a chance to have his Autism "cured" and live a "normal" life.

The story explores how our uniqueness as individuals both restrains and frees us, defines who we are and gives us the opportunity for change. Elizabeth Moon has a son on the Autism spectrum, and her insight into Lou and his thought processes are profound and revealing.

This book gave me a short glimpse into how a neuroatypical individual might view the world, their place in it, and look at the rest of us. Both sad and uplifting, this book looks at the concept of choice, and how our choices define us in ways we cannot begin to understand. I've read a lot of Elizabeth Moon's books, and liked most of them, but for me this is her masterwork.

A Month of Literary Gratitude, Day 10 - Being Mortal: Medicine and What Matters in the End, by Atul Gawande

Being Mortal: Medicine and What Matters in the End by Atul Gawande, is a profoundly moving and informative book.

Dr. Gawande uses his experiences as a physician and his own father's journey to the end of his life as a backdrop for open and honest discussion about our seniors and the critically ill. The focus is primarily on quality of life care, and what constitutes a good outcome for people. He addresses the fact that most physicians die at home, but most civilians do not, and why that is. He provides guidance on the questions to ask, not only as a physician treating seniors and the ill, but that we need to ask ourselves.

Is prolonging life the goal when someone is sick and/or infirm, or is improving the quality of life that remains the goal? How far are we willing to go in treating illness? How can we as individuals improve our own outcomes when many physicians are unwilling to speak the truth when it comes to aging and illness? How can we manage old age with dignity, respect, and compassion while recognizing that aging is not a disease to be treated, but rather a phase of life that needs to be managed based on the desires and values of the individual?

This book made me think about old age and disease in a new way, and forced me to reevaluate what I want for myself, and what my older relatives want for themselves. It's a tough subject, but one that we need to face with honesty, compassion, and courage.

Thanks, Dr. Gawande.

A Month of Literary Gratitude, Day 9 - The Vorkosigan Saga, by Lois McMaster Bujold

The Vorkosigan Saga by Lois McMaster Bujold is one of my very favorite series.

These are the stories of the Vorkosigan family, who live in a militaristic society plagued by misogyny, prejudice, and the inequalities that come from living in a feudal system. The main character is Miles, the son of a great military and political icon and his very liberal wife. Miles suffers from a prenatal injury that makes his bones extremely frail. You can imagine how well this disability goes over in his social group. Not.

The thing I love about these books is that while they're incredibly entertaining, the author has written characters that are so engaging, you really, really care what happens to them. Miles spends much of this series as a hot mess, but you root for him nonetheless, hoping that his latest shenanigan does not include horrifying consequences for him or those he cares about.

And there are consequences. Severe ones. Lois does not give Miles and his family a pass when it comes to horrible shit, and often that horrible shit is a direct result of the protagonists own terrible choices. My heart aches for them during these times, since I want them to be happy, healthy and successful. And the series progresses. Miles and his family are not the same people now that they were at the beginning of the saga. They've matured, learned, and now carry the sorrow of their burdens.

Keep writing, Lois - we can't wait to see what happens next.

A Month of Literary Gratitude, Day 8 - Watchers, by Dean Koontz

Watchers by Dean Koontz is the story of a dog whose intelligence has been enhanced by science, the family who finds him, and the genetically engineered "super soldier" who wants to destroy the dog.

I loved this book. Love, love, love. I loved it because it made me feel all the feels. I loved Einstein, because who doesn't want a dog who is as intelligent (albeit in a different way) as a human? I loved the bravery of Nora, and took joy in her transformation into a self-sufficient woman. I loved Travis, and his unshakable loyalty to Nora and Einstein. I had tremendous sadness for the Outsider, who was a slave to his own nature, while simultaneously wanting to belong. And I grieved when Einstein was ill, and there was a chance he would not recovery. I was on the edge of my seat during the last quarter of the book, and felt like cheering at the epilogue.

The entire sentiment of this book was uplifting. LOVE.

A Month of Literary Gratitude, Day 7 - The Pendergast Stories, by Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child

The Pendergast Series by Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child, are thrillers written around an FBI Agent named Aloysius Xingu Leng Pendergast. 

There are currently sixteen books in this series, and I've read them all. Pendergast is a complex character, and the first in the series, Relic, is the best thriller I've ever read, bar none.* The thing that makes these stories so compelling is not only the interesting history of Pendergast, but the history of his family and friends, as well. These are all complex people, with their own stories to tell. 

A number of books ago, Preston and Child ended up pushing Pendergast into Gary Stu territory, which annoyed me. But they did a course correction, showing a bit more of his vulnerabilities, and the stories are better for it.

Again, these are not profound, or educational, or moving. They're good thrillers, with a touch of the supernatural, and I'm always anxious to start the next one. I've gotten hours and hours of entertainment out of them.

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*The movie was abominable. Don't waste your time.

A Month of Literary Gratitude, Day 6 - The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks, by Rebecca Skloot

The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot is a book I found fascinating, appalling, and enlightening.

This is the story of a poor, black woman who died in the early 1950s of cancer. Her cancer cells - taken with out her knowledge in 1951 - became the source material for a cell line known as "HeLa," which has been used for countless research purposes including developing the polio vaccine, cloning, and gene mapping. Millions of dollars have been made from this cell culture, but she and her family were never paid for this contribution to science, and her descendants continue to live in poverty.

This book touches on race and medicine, the "ownership" of biologicals, medical ethics and more. This nation's long history of medical experimentation on unsuspecting African Americans is well documented (if not well known in white communities), and I was appalled and fascinated by the depth and breadth of this behavior.

I think one of the reasons this book touched me so much is it personified the circumstances by which a poorly educated, marginalized population can be taken advantage of, used, and cheated by those who believe their positions of power justify their shitty behavior towards those they consider "less than." That aspect of this story made me ill.

It also made me realize that medical ethicists have a long way to go when it comes to managing the moral implications of modern medicine.

A Month of Literary Gratitude, Day 5 - Harry Potter, by J.K. Rowling

The Harry Potter books, by J.K. Rowling, will always have a special place in my heart.

These books are just delightful. I thoroughly enjoyed them when I read them with the kids, and I'm now listening to them (narrated by Jim Dale, who is the Bomb Diggity) and enjoying them all over again. 

But that's not why they have a special place in my heart. This series was one of Moe's all-time favorites. She and I were both Ravenclaws, and we had that in common, even when we struggled with our relationship.

She read them again and again, and couldn't wait for the next book to be published so she could find out what happened next. The last book was released while we were in Oklahoma for a family reunion, and in order not to waste any time, she convinced her Grandma to take her to the book store at O-Dark-Thirty in order to get her copy. She then spent the rest of the day with her nose buried in it, until she had finished it. Because that's who she was. 

I don't reread much anymore. With so much new and interesting content available, I don't really see the point. But I will come back to these stories again and again, because they remind me of my Moe-Moe, and make me happy.

A Month of Literary Gratitude, Day 4 - To Kill a Mockingbird, by Harper Lee

To Kill a Mockingbird, by Harper Lee, is one of the books that affected me far more profoundly in the reread than it did initially.

Like most people of my generation, I read this book in school as an assignment. I remembered it fondly, but at that time, it did not affect me profoundly. It didn't stick with me, or make me cry.

And then, earlier this year, I bought the Audible version narrated by Sissy Spacek. I couldn't stop listening, and I found the experience profoundly moving. This time around I identified most with Atticus rather than Scout, and found much to admire in his choices. Atticus lived his life without fear, staying the course of the righteous rather than the one of expedience. Embracing fear, living bravely and authentically in spite of it, is a trait to be admired. While I was listening to it, I compared my own choices to those of Atticus, and found myself wanting.

But isn't that the purpose of literary archetypes? To give us something to aspire to, and to inspire us to be better people?

I love this book. It's one of my all time favorites, and one of the very few stories I would consider listening to again.

A Month of Literary Gratitude, Day 3 - The Belgariad, by David Eddings

The Belgariad, by David Eddings, is one of the those sweeping fantasies that spans the continent and the price of the characters' failures is basically the end of the world.

I read this series - and its sequels - over and over again in high school and into my young adulthood. I loved Polgara, the strong, independent matriarch, and identified with Garion, the befuddled main character whose humble beginnings hid a great destiny. I loved the scope of the series, and how the prophecies and destinies of the characters paid not one wit for how the objects of their focus may have wanted to perhaps do something else with their lives.

These books are not particular profound, nor did they teach life lessons for a young woman. But they were fun, and comfortable like an old shoe - a series that I returned to again and again, especially when I was tired, or depressed, or emotionally stressed by my bad choices. And I think that has a value all its own.

A Month of Literary Gratitude, Day 2 - Damage, by Josephine Hart

Damage, by Josephine Hart, reminds me of a classical tale from the dawn of literature. It's one of those stories that touches on archetypes, and distills them into a searing narrative that haunts your thoughts for months after.

Damage is the story of a British politician who basically implodes his entire life by succumbing to the temptation of an inappropriate relationship. But the manner of his implosion, and the character of the woman he selects, is fascinating. It speaks to anyone who has wanted more in their life, and anyone who has been betrayed by that desire. It speaks to the damage caused by people who sacrifice compassion and empathy in service to their own desires. And it speaks to the train wreck that occurs during the juxtaposition of these characters.

Twenty six year old me could not put this book down, and I've thought of it often over the years. I probably will never reread it, however - it's been twenty five years, and I don't know if fifty one year old me will find it as compelling.

Link Me Up, Scotty - Counterpoint Edition

My platonic semi-celebrity boyfriend Eric Garland provides a counterpoint to the excellent Cracked article by David Wong about rural America this election season.
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Smart Man, fellow UCFer, and History Professor David wrote an excellent explanation of what, exactly, the Electoral College does, and why the Founding Fathers felt it necessary to include in our founding documents. Hint: They didn't trust their descendants. Part 1, and Part 2.
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It should come as no surprise to anyone that when I voted this election season, I voted for Hillary Clinton. And while it should be obvious why I would never, ever, in a million years even if you set my hair on fire, vote for the Trumpsicle, it's less obvious why I would vote for Hillary. I will probably write my own essay post-election, but for now, here's why.
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Some food for thought from Mayim Bialik on our overconnected world (and brains).
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More than a million individuals "checked in" to the Standing Rock Indian Reservation Facebook page in an effort to thwart data mining by the authorities. I was one of those people, and even if doing so did not accomplish the original purpose, the end result was a nation-wide show of support for the Water Warriors.
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Video of the Century: This American Life asked Sara Bareilles (Broadway’s “Waitress”) to imagine what President Obama might be thinking about the current election and Donald Trump, but can’t say publicly. My celebrity boyfriend Leslie Odom, Jr of Hamilton fame sings.

A Month of Literary Gratitude, Day 1 - Starship Troopers by Robert A. Heinlein

Each year me and several of my friends do some writing about gratitude. Usually the topics are people, circumstances, health, life...but this year, inspired by the Incredible Jeri, we're doing a Month of Literary Gratitude.

In the Month of Literary Gratitude, each day I will give thanks for a book that has moved me in some special way. These books, in no particular sequence, will be profound, mind-expanding, hilarious, provocative, or simply hold a special place in my heart and memory. Some of them I have outgrown, some lacked meaning for me in the reread, and some improved over time. But all of them had import on my life when I read them.

The first book on this list is Starship Troopers, by Robert A. Heinlein.

I read this as a teenager, and it helped to shape my attitudes, feelings, and thoughts about what service to self, unit, and country was all about. It led me to a sense of longing for this level of comradery for myself, and inspired a stronger desire in me to serve.

I have since evolved my political opinions and left Heinlein far, far behind. But after all these years, the book still expresses some things about duty, honor, and service that ring true to me today.

You don't leave anyone behind, no matter what. Happiness consists of getting enough sleep. Violence settles everything. To permit irresponsible authority courts disaster. Authority and responsibility must be equal.

Thank you, Lieutenant Heinlein, for expanding my mind and my world.