Sad

When I worked as a reporter for newspapers, I loved my job.
It was so great to always be meeting new people, to hear new stories, to learn new perspectives, to see the world in a slightly different way.
And these days, I'm thinking that maybe I missed my calling & should've been a political reporter - I feel as though I am truly able to see things from many perspectives. The topic fascinates me greatly and sure, I have my own biases, but I feel as though I could be pretty darn objective.

But my job right now can't get much better. Sure there are issues there (where aren't there?) but the benefits are too many to count. When working for a newspaper, I was doing all kinds of stories (news, feature, etc.) every day, which I loved. Working for a magazine, however, the pace is much slower. You have more time to dig deeper, to get to know people a little better, to get more of their story. And for this particular magazine - I share a common tapestry with all of them.

In college, a friend told me that I always got too attached to my stories. I guess I still do. Which makes it that much harder when tragedy hits the "subjects." Today I learned that one of the liveliest women I've ever met - and one of my favorite interviews in how many years - has weeks to live, at best - her cancer has returned with a vengeance. Her children asked for extra magazine copies to display at her funeral.

Karen, thanks for welcoming so many to the Table of Plenty.
http://www.malonemagazine.com/fall-2008/come-to-the-table-of-plenty

The tour of "No"

Yesterday, Dominic's grandma came over for dinner.
After dinner, Mike & I went upstairs to pay bills (oh, the exciting life of newish parents!) while Little D kept Grandma entertained.
He decided to take her on the tour of "No." He led her over to the bookshelf by the mantle, climbed up onto the bottom shelf, and shook his head "No."
Then he led her over to the French door with a register behind it. He picked up the register cover, shook his head "No" and put the register back down.
Then he took her to an electrical outlet, touched a cord, and shook his head "No."
Then he went to the tv, pretended to push the button, and shook his head, "No."
Finally he led her into the kitchen, persuaded her to give him sippy cup of milk (which she happily obliged), marched back to the living room, sat down, took a big gulp of milk, and gave her an ornery grin. He was done!