Still more ‘Magical Thinking’

Since some of you have thanked me for recommending Joan Didion’s memoir, “The Year of Magical Thinking,” you may be pleased to learn that she has turned the book over to British playwright David Hare for adaptation into a one-woman play for Broadway. The book has sold more than 200,000 copies, and in Hare’s words “It’s almost like a detective story in which the mystery is ‘How the hell do I find a way to suffer less.’ “

Generous Book Lovers

On Oct. 7, the Friends of the Moran Prairie County Library will hold its traditional book sale, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the library at 62nd Avenue and Regal Street. This year’s sale will highlight books from the estate of Bill and Betty First. Bill First served as House Speaker Tom Foley’s press secretary for almost 25 years. Through the generosity of his wife there will be several hundred volumes on politics, government, current and historical issues. Most books are not priced; donations are accepted. If you haven’t already checked out (no pun intended) this beautiful new library, now is your chance.

‘Techno stress’

The Inland Northwest Homes and Lifestyles Journal Aug./Sept. 2006 issue features an article about “techno stress,” the latest buzzword to describe a condition in which we often feel bombarded by new technology. It now appears that cell phones, blackberries, laptops and all the high-tech trappings are adding problems instead of merely solving those we have. Mary Murphy, Spokane licensed therapist. reminds her clients of their need to communicate personally, to hug and touch family, friends and clients. We need “face time” more than ever and Mary’s clients are learning some techniques for “unplugging” from the demands of work without feeling guilty.

We are not Luddites; we are very excited about new technology appearing every day, but we don’t want to lose our awareness of nature, and the joy of a life filled with harmony and balance. To discuss this further, Mary Murphy can be reached at (509) 280-1432.

Easy Math

“A simple way to take measure of a country is to look at how many people want in and how many want out.” – British Prime Minister Tony Blair

Finally

I am always fascinated when fantasy smacks up against reality, as in Judith Slater’s 2004 poem:

In the Black Rock Tavern

The large man in the Budweiser tee

With serpents twining on his arms

has lukemia. It doesn’t seem right

But they’ve told him he won’t die for years

if he sticks with the treatment.

He’s talking about his years in

the foundry,

Running a crane on an overhead

track in the mill.

Eight hours a day moving ingots

into rollers.

Sometimes without a break

because of the bother of getting down.

Never has an accident.

Never hurt anyone. He had that

much control.

His problem is that electricity

Raced through his body and

accumulated.

When he got down at the end of

a shift

He could squeeze a forty-watt

light bulb

Between thumb and finger and

make it flare.

All the guys came around to see

that.