I promised myself to avoid everything connected to politics – both American and Middle-Eastern.  I promised myself to stay out – even of the “No Kings” demonstration.  Even though it was all around us.  “I’m cool.” I said – “I’m taking care of us now.”  So I’m standing in a shoestore surrounded by some of the most gorgeous shoes I will soon own, and the salesman asks me casually where we’re from.  We tell him, expecting the usual blank face, but he answers, “I’m so glad for you all that it’s over, after so much loss and bloodshed.”  And would you believe it, I began to cry.  So much bloodshed, I muttered, again and again.

So much for me being cool.  

No wonder I’m not being productive – just keeping us together.  It may be the first time I haven’t promoted a book, or done readings, or whatever.  just trying not to jump when a siren goes off.