Creating a life

Bog Child by Siobhan Dowd is an amazing read. This book, set in 1981 Ireland, tells the story of Fergus McCann and his family at the point at which he is studying for his A-levels to see whether he will be allowed to go to study in England. His uncle and he are packing up peat for black-market sale when suddenly the bog reveals a body. Scared and startled, Fergus tells his uncle to get help so that the body can be salvaged. Is it a murder? Is it a payback for political gain? More is revealed about the time and circumstances of this individual's death, and the story incorporates many details of the so-called Troubles in the political atmosphere of 1980's Ireland. Fergus is a young man torn between worlds and ideologies, and at the same time a kid, fresh and full of enthusiasm for life.

The story pointed up the fact that we are the product of our choices. We create the situations and circumstances in which we find the space (or not) to be able to deal with life as it happens to find us. This book is appropriate for ages 15 up. I recommend Bog Child by Siobhan Dowd.

Petty's advice

Never thought I would find myself living in my college buddy's basement. Seriously. This is embarrassing. I moved here in July 28 and promptly hit the airport to go to Houston. Then a close friend and I ended up in the upper peninsula for a few days. Finally I stopped running and landed in Milford. What a ride!

As basements go, it's not a bad place. There's a walkout with its own patio and chimenea. I get reception on my phone down there. There's wireless Internet so I can do my normal thing I do. Since I can't live at home, this is a good second.

Living apart-- the loneliness of the long-distance runner. It's been since March that my husband has been living and working in Houston without me. I'm here in Michigan, waiting to find out if I have been accepted to the Phd program at Wayne State University. I am excited about this program that I have been involved with since 2007, but all the same it's hard to be here when he's there... I am hoping my experience will help me be a better listener and friend to folks who have to endure this situation. I never planned for this development. Life is a trip. What I am finding, though, is that one's decision about the situation has lots more to do with the acceptance of it than the actual situation itself. In other words, my perception of the situation, good or bad, is directly related to how hard (or easy) it is to deal with.

My ability to say, "okay, I am really missing my man right now, and I could cry because I want him here or to be there, but if I give in to those thoughts and actions, I will miss the fact that I am in a great place with people who love me, and we are actually having a good time right now!" I am learning to put it away. I tell myself I can be sad later, because right now is not convenient. I've rolled away from being an escapee, a refugee, a flight case, to living in the moment and relishing it all. I obviously haven't got it down cold-- after all, I am no Bodhisattva. But I don't have to live (or feel) like a refugee. Excellent advice.