Do I Have an Infection!

The problems of being single include being sick, having to take my work week off and know I won't get paid. Part time, no sick pay benefits. I was able to pay $1000 on my visa bill this month, not sure how much I will be able to pay next month. I thought I could live on $1600 a month (Dow's support pays almost all my rent) but I had to buy things for the apartment and couldn't wait any longer. So I have bills to pay and work to work.

I am allergic to molds and here in Chicago it was 55,000 however they are measured. A hot, wet summer in the Great Lakes is not good for allergies. My nose became Niagara Falls and I knew an infection could not be far behind-either sinus or bronchitis. I called the MD's both were off so they patched me through to other folks, MD in one instance who gave me a prescription without seeing me. The nurse practitioner never called me back. When I picked up the prescription I noticed that it had 875 whatever of penicillin. I said, "Oh no" that is diarrhea land and I don't want to go there. So back to the phone, get a new prescription-leviquin or something like that. One pill a day for 10 days. Side effects: dizziness, etc. I will see how it goes.

I have been busy speaking out against the war. I have been on the Iraq Summer Campaign with Iraqi Veterans Against the War (IVAW) and spoke at two different events. They are targeting Republican congressmen who support Bush's war 100%. It is time to "pull ourselves out of this quagmire" and get onto the business of rebuilding America's infrastructure, jobs and human services. And change our oil-guzzling lifestyles too! Let us bring our troops home now! Going to have a huge demonstration here in October. I am on the committee as a representative of Pax Christi and MFSO. I do like demonstrations, I feel it is the grassroots' folks expressing themselves.

Jason is in orientation this week for Un of Florida at Gainesville. He will enter a 2 year MBA. Jason has a new computer for taking notes. He writes with his left hand(he does not wear a prosthetic right hand) and the computer "translates into a word document" so my daughter reports from her visit with Jason and Jodi. The animals are doing fine-2 dogs, 2 cats and one Clive (hedgehog). I guess there is some discussion on what kind of dog to get to replace Mr Foo who has congestive heart failure. Jason wants another Australian cattle shepherd, Jodi a border collie. I think miniature sheep for the shepherd would be good.

Tomorrow I will be a co facilitator for a workshop on Peace Ministry, leading a conversation on the challenges, connections, and commitments of this ministry. It is part of a conference "Celebrating Catholic Feminist Ministries." A radical group of Catholic women who believe that the only way for women to share equal power is to create new structures without hierarchy. Just like the original Jewish-Christian communities. So women are called to minister-Go forth and do it is their motto and their life.

Divorce:
We try to go to court again this Tuesday. I don't know what the outcome will be. I am ready to sign papers and finish the legal stuff. Come what may, I know my soul is at peace. I told the full story of my journey to a group of Corpus (married priests) and they expressed appreciation. I don't think I will tell the story again in that way. Most groups are not prepared to accept the raw suffering of a soul. It was a theological reflection on life, death and resurrection-a spiritual journey. Can't be any better than that. At 64 I feel I have arrived and am not sure what Godde has in store for me, but I know it will be an adventure.

I feel I have to lead a balanced life which includes more social/recreation. Don't know what I will do but feel the need to do it. I am slowly beginning to exercise again, keeping my weight down to low 130's, eating simple foods, fruits and veggies. My only social life is a once a month book club. I feel I can't do anything until I get the apartment straightened out. I feel I brought too much stuff with me. I will just have to weed it. I have a whole drawer of tee shirts that I have not worn once this summer which means I probably will not wear them next summer. I think I will send some to FL for visits there and the rest to give away as much as I like them.