Umass construction continues

I haven't posted about it in a while, but many construction projects are still continuing at UMass Amherst. The 7am arrival of the construction workers for the new dorm continues to happen every morning, and I also see their departure just after 3pm every day. The last project is at Dickinson, the former home of the Umass Police Department. I'm not sure what they are doing really, but they have had to dig up the ground all around at least 2 sides of the building. They also dug up the road during Spring Break. I wonder if maybe it is to hook up the utilities for the new dorms, but I don't really know. I can't imagine working in that building though, surrounded by construction. I'm not sure if any of the ROTC programs are still in there, or if it's used for classroom space or what. Air Force ROTC was in there but I can't tell if they still are.

I write

I write reviews on Tripadvisor.

I write for “Stories from Clessonville”.

I write for “Tari’s Steps”.

I write and photograph for “View from Lake Wyola”.

I write poetry.

I write short stories.

I write letters for my daughter.

I write editorials, that once or twice have even been published.

I am writing a novel even though I know it is junk.

I scatter my life story through the social media of Facebook.

I tweet when I can.

I don’t write letters enough.

I don’t write “thank you” enough, but I try.

I am a writer and a poet.

Always have been, always will be.

To my daughter- I hope some day you like to read.

Supreme Court hearing arguments regarding same-sex marriage

This stuff is important. Pay attention. Legalizing same-sex marriage on a national level is important. Worldwide would be wonderful, but we can't control the rest of the world. It has been legal in Massachusetts for ten years now, but it needs to be legal in the whole country. Everyone deserves it. Legalizing same sex marriage gives children and spouses the same rights that straight couples take for granted. Things like being able to visit in the hospital, family sick time, being a 2-parent family in the eyes of the IRS, adoption rights, and many many more that I can't even articulate without more coffee. It also means that the non-birth parent doesn't have to adopt his/her own child. That is something right there that I hadn't even wrapped my head around until just a few weeks ago.

It's good for families, and it needs to happen. I hope it happens soon.

Here's a good article on the current situation-

http://www.lgbtqnation.com/2013/03/history-in-the-making-same-sex-marriage-reaches-the-high-court/

And she's gone

It's been a week now, since my neighbor passed away. On Monday, March 18th, just before the snow started she slipped away. I wrote about her a few months ago here:.

http://storiesfromclessonville.blogspot.com/2012/10/prayers-and-help-needed-for-neighbor.html

I didn't go to the candlelight vigil on Wednesday because I was sick with a cold that knocked me to sleep before suppertime. There is a memorial service on Saturday that I plan to attend. I don't think there will be a burial. Seems strange to me, but I have to accept it.

She was only 35 years old. Younger than me. Life can slip away too fast. A reminder to the rest of us to make today count. Don't procrastinate. Do IT, whatever IT is.

Cancer sucks.

Chance of Rain

"Chance of Rain"

The weather said “chance of rain”

I packed my umbrella and put on my sneakers

I was tired of my old winter boots

It is spring now, although still March.

I stepped outside into a snowstorm

and reached back in the door for my winter hat.

It is just getting light out as I reach my car

I take my camera out for a photograph.

Past the lake and up the hill it is still snowing.

In the center of town it is a blur of white.

I come down the other side

by the time I reach the bottom

the snow is only a memory.

Not a flake to be found anywhere.

I take off my hat finally and unzip my coat.

I step out of my car under a gray sky and continue on my way.

--Rebecca, March 26, 2013

Broken but healing

Want a laugh? In the hopes of being a "good parent" I finally gave in to my daughter's pleas to go rollerskating. I even put on skates. Quads as a pro told me. I didn't go with blades, although a cooler parent told me I should have. Three hours of skate time we had. I fell hard 4 or 5 times. It wasn't the skating, it was the stopping. No, I didn't fall on ice. I fell rollerskating. I was excited for the calorie burn. Excited for the fitness points I would log on Sparkpeople.com (check it out, it's free). I was not expecting to make a fool out of myself.

I thought maybe I would break a leg, but I wasn't a wuss. I was ready to set a good example for my daughter and get some winter exercise in, in a place that was warm and wouldn't hurt my lungs.

The next day I went to Urgent Care. My elbow was swollen (still is). My wrist hurt too. Left side, and I am a lefty. X-rays were done. Very painful x-rays. I cried from the pain and sat stunned when they were over. I couldn't turn my arm all the way (still can't).

A follow-up a week later and the wrist isn't broken, although probably sprained. The elbow is cracked though. It is holding itself together and that is a good thing. As far as injuries go, this could be a lot worse. It still takes time though.  It's been just over 2 weeks so far. Will be halfway to healed at the end of the week I hope. Another follow up is scheduled for the 18th. Probably more x-rays. I don't want to think what this is costing me in medical bills.

Anyway, I hope I will skate again, and when I do I will wear the protective gear so that hopefully I don't crack and break again.

Watch out Interskate 91 North! I will return!!