graduation time
May 15, 2013, 8:04 P.M.

And they're coming thick and fast--2 BAs in education (Wisconsin Nephew and his Fiancee), 2 in law enforcement (Iowa Nephews), and 1 Associate's in Culinary Arts. (Wisconsin Niece, who is going on to Alverno and a business and management major.) I'm so proud of them all! Amazingly smart, hard-working, service-minded young people who give one hope for the world.

Well, if anything or anyone could give one hope for the world. That is a rather large "if" for me, lately. It has been such a battle recently with the depression and lack of energy. And when you are spending big chunks of time & energy trying to act convincingly undepressed, it just makes that whole lack of energy thing worse. At first I wondered if it was my thyroid meds needing adjustment again, but usually there are other symptoms for that, in addition to the depressed mood and energy crisis.

I think I'm "just" depressed. But lately there has been a lot to be depressed about--family, friends, and aquaintances suffering from horrific illness and medical screw-ups, co-workers and co-worker's spouses dropping dead, one person in my LinkedIn network actually being murdered by her husband...I mean it just seems to have exploded lately, and it makes me feel sad and fed up with the world. Then I add in the violent, effed up world, the socio-economic mess, the unrellenting attacks on women's rights, the rise of every type of horrible fundamental religious sect (these last to coincide for a reason)--and my complete powerlessness to change any of it.

I mean--how in the name of all that's reasonable and rational can anyone NOT be depressed?!

/end unhappy ranting.