Yesterday, I picked up my grandchildren at school and stayed with them until their father came home. Their house is always a mess, at least according to my standards. My son calls me Mrs. Clean.
He was messy when he lived at home, except when he was smaller than I was, and I could frighten him into obedience about cleaning his room. My daughter's room was a pig sty also, worse than his, really, but she has turned out to be a good housekeeper. Despite having three boys, her house is generally in pretty good shape.
Since his wife left, my son talks a lot about cleaning house, but he never seems to quite get to it. He's had someone come in to clean several times, but it's not a regular thing. I suspect it's partially because he has to pick up before they come. I know of no one who would go in to clean his house, without having things picked up first.
I'll hasten to add that when his wife was there, the house was just as bad. At least he does better with the clothes. While she was there, I'd sometimes find such a large pile of clean clothes on the floor in the living room, that it could have amounted to five washer loads. What a daunting task having to face folding that many loads of clothes at one time. Sometimes I'd fold them while waiting for someone to come home. I couldn't put them away, because I didn't know where they went.
When I arrived at his house yesterday, there was the vacuum cleaner sitting in the middle of the living room. I looked around, and the floor didn't look too clean to me, so I assumed the vacuuming had not yet been done, and I proceeded to do it. Although for my advanced age, I'm still in pretty good shape, vacuuming is something that's hard for me to do. I have a back problem that vacuuming seems to aggravate.
When that chore was done, I looked around the kitchen floor, which is made of brick. That floor didn't look too clean, either. The vacuum doesn't work well on the brick floor, so I decided to sweep. After finishing that, I looked around and felt better about things in those two rooms, expecially after wiping off the tables in the kitchen and living room.
There was a pile of dishes in the sink, but I could not tell if the dishes in the dishwasher had been washed or not, so I let them be.
My son's room was not too bad. He had even made his bed! The children's rooms were a mess, as were the bathrooms. I picked up some towels and washcloths and put them in the washer, and then I decided to quit.
The children wanted popcorn, so I made popcorn. They're allowed to eat all over the house, which my children were not allowed to do, and soon I could see popcorn crumbs around - even in the living room which I had just vacuumed.
I'm sure that you are all spellbound by my house cleaning tale, but what I'm doing here is indulging in a bit of "murmuring". You know, that "murmuring" which caused the Lord God to become angry with the Israelites as they wandered in the desert. Please do not tell the Lord God about my "murmuring", just in case he might not have heard me.
When I clean other people's house, I feel somewhat like a wanderer in the desert.
I forced myself to take part of my regular walk when I got home, and by the time I reached my house after the walk, I was staggering.
Thus endeth the murmuring.
Saturday, March 3, 2007
John and Charles Wesley Feast Day
Today is the feast day of the Wesley brothers, John and Charles. John was best known for his preaching and Charles for his hymns, many of which we still sing today. Both served in the Church of England, and neither intended to found a new denomination. The separation to Methodism occurred after their deaths.
The brothers attended Oxford University and received an education in the classics. John was later named a fellow of Lincoln College, Oxford. I have visited John Wesley's study, which is preserved at Lincoln.
I love this story that James Kiefer tells at The Lectionary web site about an incident in John Wesley's life:
But, although Wesley found it natural to approach the Gospel with habits of thought formed by a classical education, he was quick to recognize the value of other approaches. The early Methodist meetings were often led by lay preachers with very limited education. On one occasion, such a preacher took as his text Luke 19:21, "Lord, I feared thee, because thou art an austere man." Not knowing the word "austere," he thought that the text spoke of "an oyster man." He spoke about the work of those who retrieve oysters from the sea-bed. The diver plunges down from the surface, cut off from his natural environment, into bone-chilling water. He gropes in the dark, cutting his hands on the sharp edges of the shells. Now he has the oyster, and kicks back up to the surface, up to the warmth and light and air, clutching in his torn and bleeding hands the object of his search. So Christ descended from the glory of heaven into the squalor of earth, into sinful human society, in order to retrieve humans and bring them back up with Him to the glory of heaven, His torn and bleeding hands a sign of the value He has placed on the object of His quest. Twelve men were converted that evening. Afterwards, someone complained to Wesley about the inappropriateness of allowing preachers who were too ignorant to know the meaning of the texts they were preaching on. Wesley, simply said, "Never mind, the Lord got a dozen oysters tonight."
Charles was the better hymn-writer of the two. He wrote over 6000 hymns, including about 600 for the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper.
Here's a verse from one of his most popular hymns:
Oh for a thousand tongues to sing
my great Redeemer's praise,
the glories of my God and King,
the triumphs of his grace!
The preface for the feast day:
Lord God, who inspired your servants John and Charles Wesley with burning zeal for the sanctification of souls, and endowed them with eloquence in speech and song: Kindle in your Church, we entreat you, such fervor, that those whose faith has cooled may be warmed, and those who have not known Christ may turn to him and be saved; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.
The brothers attended Oxford University and received an education in the classics. John was later named a fellow of Lincoln College, Oxford. I have visited John Wesley's study, which is preserved at Lincoln.
I love this story that James Kiefer tells at The Lectionary web site about an incident in John Wesley's life:
But, although Wesley found it natural to approach the Gospel with habits of thought formed by a classical education, he was quick to recognize the value of other approaches. The early Methodist meetings were often led by lay preachers with very limited education. On one occasion, such a preacher took as his text Luke 19:21, "Lord, I feared thee, because thou art an austere man." Not knowing the word "austere," he thought that the text spoke of "an oyster man." He spoke about the work of those who retrieve oysters from the sea-bed. The diver plunges down from the surface, cut off from his natural environment, into bone-chilling water. He gropes in the dark, cutting his hands on the sharp edges of the shells. Now he has the oyster, and kicks back up to the surface, up to the warmth and light and air, clutching in his torn and bleeding hands the object of his search. So Christ descended from the glory of heaven into the squalor of earth, into sinful human society, in order to retrieve humans and bring them back up with Him to the glory of heaven, His torn and bleeding hands a sign of the value He has placed on the object of His quest. Twelve men were converted that evening. Afterwards, someone complained to Wesley about the inappropriateness of allowing preachers who were too ignorant to know the meaning of the texts they were preaching on. Wesley, simply said, "Never mind, the Lord got a dozen oysters tonight."
Charles was the better hymn-writer of the two. He wrote over 6000 hymns, including about 600 for the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper.
Here's a verse from one of his most popular hymns:
Oh for a thousand tongues to sing
my great Redeemer's praise,
the glories of my God and King,
the triumphs of his grace!
The preface for the feast day:
Lord God, who inspired your servants John and Charles Wesley with burning zeal for the sanctification of souls, and endowed them with eloquence in speech and song: Kindle in your Church, we entreat you, such fervor, that those whose faith has cooled may be warmed, and those who have not known Christ may turn to him and be saved; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.
Friday, March 2, 2007
Alpha Series
After Evensong last night, we had our first Alpha meeting. We're using the "Alpha Express", which, I presume, is the shorter version The course is pretty basic but not scary. Nicky Gumbel talked about how he used to be before he was a Christian, that he wanted to prove that God didn't exist. He talked about the emptiness inside that only God can fill. I don't know that everyone experiences the emptiness. I have had non-believing folks tell me that they don't have that emptiness. However, if you're attending the course, then you must be seeking something in your life. Unless you're like me, and going to see what it's all about.
He talked about the head - heart thing, that faith is not purely working it out intellectually, that It must be experiential also, and I do agree with that. There was no talk of hellfire or punishment, and I can see how it might work for some who have very little knowledge of the faith.
At the end was the, "Jesus, come into my heart," prayer, without the altar call. Gumbel's manner was much gentler and less pressuring than the pushy style of the Billy Graham and TV evangelist types. It was more, "If you'd like to do this...."
In the discussion afterward, we talked about how some evangelists teach that once you've said the prayer, it's all done, except for the, "Come to my church and give me money," part, when it's really a journey.
I have tried to go with an open mind and heart, but so far, the series seems so very much for beginners in the faith. Not that I'm a scholar, or that I know it all, but I've been doing this faith thing for a while, and I was hoping for something a bit more challenging.
He talked about the head - heart thing, that faith is not purely working it out intellectually, that It must be experiential also, and I do agree with that. There was no talk of hellfire or punishment, and I can see how it might work for some who have very little knowledge of the faith.
At the end was the, "Jesus, come into my heart," prayer, without the altar call. Gumbel's manner was much gentler and less pressuring than the pushy style of the Billy Graham and TV evangelist types. It was more, "If you'd like to do this...."
In the discussion afterward, we talked about how some evangelists teach that once you've said the prayer, it's all done, except for the, "Come to my church and give me money," part, when it's really a journey.
I have tried to go with an open mind and heart, but so far, the series seems so very much for beginners in the faith. Not that I'm a scholar, or that I know it all, but I've been doing this faith thing for a while, and I was hoping for something a bit more challenging.
Thursday, March 1, 2007
The Grace of God
Last night my husband took me to a dinner meeting of a group which was organized to draw attention to the need to restore the Louisiana coastline and offer ideas to the powers-to-be. It's a fine organization with excellent goals, but I'm near to the end of my tolerance for dinner-speech affairs.
The main speaker was to have been a popular radio personality, but he became ill and was unable to attend. His appearance was the only appeal for me about the whole affair, and he wasn't there. The other speakers were members of the group, a politician, and the man who replaced the main speaker. My prayer as each one got up to the microphone was, "Lord, let this be a short."
Near the end, an old guy who was one of the founders of the group, was given an award. He gave a short speech after he received his award, and mentioned that if hurricane Katrina had made landfall a little to the west, our area would have borne the brunt of the storm. He said, "It was the grace of God," and many were nodding in approval. I'm thinking, "What! The grace of God protected us rather than New Orleans and the Mississippi Gulf Coast?" I looked over at my husband, and he was nodding in agreement too. I said to him, "So the grace of God protects us, but not New Orleans. God smiles on us and frowns on New Orleans and Mississippi. That is stupid." My husband looked at me as though I was the crazy one. It was amazing to see how easily crowd mentality can sweep over a group of people. I admit that by then I'd listened to a few too many speeches and was in critical mode, waiting to pounce.
At the end of his speech, he said loudly, "Stay the course! Stay the course! Stay the course!"
What do you want to bet that the guy is a Bush diehard supporter even today?
The main speaker was to have been a popular radio personality, but he became ill and was unable to attend. His appearance was the only appeal for me about the whole affair, and he wasn't there. The other speakers were members of the group, a politician, and the man who replaced the main speaker. My prayer as each one got up to the microphone was, "Lord, let this be a short."
Near the end, an old guy who was one of the founders of the group, was given an award. He gave a short speech after he received his award, and mentioned that if hurricane Katrina had made landfall a little to the west, our area would have borne the brunt of the storm. He said, "It was the grace of God," and many were nodding in approval. I'm thinking, "What! The grace of God protected us rather than New Orleans and the Mississippi Gulf Coast?" I looked over at my husband, and he was nodding in agreement too. I said to him, "So the grace of God protects us, but not New Orleans. God smiles on us and frowns on New Orleans and Mississippi. That is stupid." My husband looked at me as though I was the crazy one. It was amazing to see how easily crowd mentality can sweep over a group of people. I admit that by then I'd listened to a few too many speeches and was in critical mode, waiting to pounce.
At the end of his speech, he said loudly, "Stay the course! Stay the course! Stay the course!"
What do you want to bet that the guy is a Bush diehard supporter even today?
People's Rebuke for Bush's Photo-op in NOLA
Copied verbatim from Scout Prime at First Draft:
People's Rebuke for Bush's Photo Op in NOLA today
Bush will be in New Orleans today. A Rebuke of Bush is planned at 2pm. Via Humid City is the statement of rebuke from Katrina Survivors....
JOIN THE KATRINA SURVIVORS’ REBUKE OF PRESIDENT BUSH
2:00 PM THURSDAY MARCH 1
SAMUEL GREEN SCHOOL
2319 VALENCE ST.
(Near Freret and Napoleon)
NEW ORLEANS
New Orleans Needs Federal Aid, Not Presidential Photo-Ops.
Mr. President: Katrina Survivors Do Not Welcome You, We Rebuke You!
We live in a devastated city and you are a big part of the reason why it sill sits in ruins. Your administration has abandoned our children by savaging their public schools. Your administration has tortured our working class people by refusing to reopen the city’s public housing developments. And your administration is fully complicit in placing our uninsured in harms way by ruthlessly pursuing the privatization of local public healthcare in the aftermath of Katrina. And, finally your administration is guilty of sending our sons and daughters of to war for oil and empire just when we need them most to help us rebuild our community.
Mr. President, we, Katrina Survivors all, do not welcome you to our city, we rebuke you!
Sponsored by Survivors Village, United Front For Affordable Housing.
If you have a blog please consider posting this today.
UPDATE: From the New Orleans Times-Picayune:
After lunch, the president arrived at Samuel J. Green Charter School in Uptown, a block away from a group of fewer than 100 protesters waiving anti-Bush signs. At the school, he visited a fifth-grade math class and a third-grade science class. Bush complimented students on their "sharp-looking uniforms," navy polo shirts and trousers, and posed for pictures with students.
That's disappointing.
On the other hand, New Orleanians are turning out en masse to sue the US Corps of Engineers.
Submitting a claim for a staggering $77 billion, the city of New Orleans joined tens of thousands of would-be plaintiffs who rushed to beat a Thursday deadline to alert the Army Corps of Engineers that they may sue for losses resulting from the levee breaches after Hurricane Katrina.
....
By the time of the morning commute, cars already had clogged the two-lane River Road and miles of connecting arteries. The miles-long traffic jam got so thick that the federal agency established satellite pick-up points on Carrollton Avenue and Magazine Street.
It was the faulty levees, you see, THE LEVEES, that caused the flood in the aftermath of the hurricane.
People's Rebuke for Bush's Photo Op in NOLA today
Bush will be in New Orleans today. A Rebuke of Bush is planned at 2pm. Via Humid City is the statement of rebuke from Katrina Survivors....
JOIN THE KATRINA SURVIVORS’ REBUKE OF PRESIDENT BUSH
2:00 PM THURSDAY MARCH 1
SAMUEL GREEN SCHOOL
2319 VALENCE ST.
(Near Freret and Napoleon)
NEW ORLEANS
New Orleans Needs Federal Aid, Not Presidential Photo-Ops.
Mr. President: Katrina Survivors Do Not Welcome You, We Rebuke You!
We live in a devastated city and you are a big part of the reason why it sill sits in ruins. Your administration has abandoned our children by savaging their public schools. Your administration has tortured our working class people by refusing to reopen the city’s public housing developments. And your administration is fully complicit in placing our uninsured in harms way by ruthlessly pursuing the privatization of local public healthcare in the aftermath of Katrina. And, finally your administration is guilty of sending our sons and daughters of to war for oil and empire just when we need them most to help us rebuild our community.
Mr. President, we, Katrina Survivors all, do not welcome you to our city, we rebuke you!
Sponsored by Survivors Village, United Front For Affordable Housing.
If you have a blog please consider posting this today.
UPDATE: From the New Orleans Times-Picayune:
After lunch, the president arrived at Samuel J. Green Charter School in Uptown, a block away from a group of fewer than 100 protesters waiving anti-Bush signs. At the school, he visited a fifth-grade math class and a third-grade science class. Bush complimented students on their "sharp-looking uniforms," navy polo shirts and trousers, and posed for pictures with students.
That's disappointing.
On the other hand, New Orleanians are turning out en masse to sue the US Corps of Engineers.
Submitting a claim for a staggering $77 billion, the city of New Orleans joined tens of thousands of would-be plaintiffs who rushed to beat a Thursday deadline to alert the Army Corps of Engineers that they may sue for losses resulting from the levee breaches after Hurricane Katrina.
....
By the time of the morning commute, cars already had clogged the two-lane River Road and miles of connecting arteries. The miles-long traffic jam got so thick that the federal agency established satellite pick-up points on Carrollton Avenue and Magazine Street.
It was the faulty levees, you see, THE LEVEES, that caused the flood in the aftermath of the hurricane.
Wednesday, February 28, 2007
On Being A Semi-Recluse
My diocese will have its convention at the end of this week. I wanted to attend to see if I could hear a word of reaction from anyone in my diocese as to the happenings in Tanzania, and TEC, and the Anglican Communion and also, perhaps to catch a glimpse of what the Windsor bishops are about. I am not a delegate, so I would go as a simple person-in-the-pew observer.
But, I find that I am so thoroughly drained by the recent court proceedings pertaining to my son's divorce, that I can't comtemplate getting myself there. Since September, when the family uproar began, I have been in semi-recluse mode. I am not rebuffing contacts, but I am not initiating contacts either. I stay home more, and it requires more of an effort on my part to get out, except to do my granny duties with my two grandchildren.
I feel totally cut off from what my bishop is about, except that I know that he is involved in working on recovery from Katrina with various groups. I was pleased to hear Bishop Katharine's suggestion in her talk this morning for more creative solutions for those in the affected areas, such as services conducted in homes, with eyes on the early church for models. The church is not a building, but a gathering of the people of God.
In addition, I feel cut off from the wider church, except for news reports and internet contacts, and I am truly grateful for the internet contacts. I'd be going crazy (crazier?) without them.
Tomorrow evening we begin our Lenten Evensong program, followed by soup and sandwiches and teachings from the Alpha series. Perhaps the discussions after the teachings will serve as an opportunity for exchanges with others in my own church community about what is going on. We shall see.
But, I find that I am so thoroughly drained by the recent court proceedings pertaining to my son's divorce, that I can't comtemplate getting myself there. Since September, when the family uproar began, I have been in semi-recluse mode. I am not rebuffing contacts, but I am not initiating contacts either. I stay home more, and it requires more of an effort on my part to get out, except to do my granny duties with my two grandchildren.
I feel totally cut off from what my bishop is about, except that I know that he is involved in working on recovery from Katrina with various groups. I was pleased to hear Bishop Katharine's suggestion in her talk this morning for more creative solutions for those in the affected areas, such as services conducted in homes, with eyes on the early church for models. The church is not a building, but a gathering of the people of God.
In addition, I feel cut off from the wider church, except for news reports and internet contacts, and I am truly grateful for the internet contacts. I'd be going crazy (crazier?) without them.
Tomorrow evening we begin our Lenten Evensong program, followed by soup and sandwiches and teachings from the Alpha series. Perhaps the discussions after the teachings will serve as an opportunity for exchanges with others in my own church community about what is going on. We shall see.
Tuesday, February 27, 2007
Last Day in Court
A huge thank you and love and kisses to all of you who have shared your prayers and concern over the custody battle of my son and his soon-to-be ex-wife. They negotiated a 6/8 day settlement over a two week period. The children will be with my son for six consecutive days and then with their mother for eight consecutive days. This is not quite what we wanted, but it gives him more time with his children than he had before. For now, we will have to accept this and thank God for it. At least the children will not be moving around from night to night as they have been. Holidays and summers are split half and half.
The judge does not like 7/7 custody arrangements. Why, I do not know, but that's how it is. To try for more time, he'd have had to go to full trial, and more airing of the dirty linen, and we are all exhausted and not ready for that. I never had my turn on the stand, so all my careful grooming and thoughtful consideration of proper court clothing was for nought.
The court will review the situation in six months to see how everyone is doing. Thank God it's over for now.
This passage from Philippians comes to mind:
The judge does not like 7/7 custody arrangements. Why, I do not know, but that's how it is. To try for more time, he'd have had to go to full trial, and more airing of the dirty linen, and we are all exhausted and not ready for that. I never had my turn on the stand, so all my careful grooming and thoughtful consideration of proper court clothing was for nought.
The court will review the situation in six months to see how everyone is doing. Thank God it's over for now.
This passage from Philippians comes to mind:
Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. Let your gentleness be known to everyone. The Lord is near. Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Finally, beloved, whatever is true, whatever is honourable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is pleasing, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. Keep on doing the things that you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, and the God of peace will be with you.
Phil. 4:4-9
The Feast Day of George Herbert
Happy Feast Day of George Herbert.
Preface for the day:
After serving at Cambridge as Public Orator, Herbert was ordained to the priesthood.
Preface for the day:
Our God and King, who called your servant George Herbert from the pursuit of worldly honors to be a pastor of souls, a poet, and a priest in your temple: Give us grace, we pray, joyfully to perform the tasks you give us to do, knowing that nothing is menial or common that is done for your sake; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.From a brief biography by James Kiefer:
After serving at Cambridge as Public Orator, Herbert was ordained to the priesthood.
He served faithfully as a parish priest, diligently visiting his parishioners and bringing them the sacraments when they were ill, and food and clothing when they were in want. He read Morning and Evening Prayer daily in the church, encouraging the congregation to join him when possible, and ringing the church bell before each service so that those who could not come might hear it and pause in their work to join their prayers with his.1 Peter 5:1-4
....
Today, however, he is remembered chiefly for his book of poems, "The Temple", which he sent shortly before his death to his friend Nicholas Ferrar, to publish if he thought them suitable. They were published after Herbert's death, and have influenced the style of other poets, including Samuel Taylor Coleridge. Several of them have been used as hymns....
Now as an elder myself and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, as well as one who shares in the glory to be revealed, I exhort the elders among you to tend the flock of God that is in your charge, exercising the oversight, not under compulsion but willingly, as God would have you do it—not for sordid gain but eagerly. Do not lord it over those in your charge, but be examples to the flock. And when the chief shepherd appears, you will win the crown of glory that never fades away.THE HOLDFAST.
I threatened to observe the strict decree
Of my deare God with all my power and might:
But I was told by one, it could not be ;
Yet I might trust in God to be my light.
Then will I trust, said I, in him alone.
Nay, ev'n to trust in him, was also his:
We must confesse, that nothing is our own.
Then I confesse that he my succour is:
But to have nought is ours, not to confesse
That we have nought. I stood amaz'd at this,
Much troubled, till I heard a friend expresse,
That all things were more ours by being his.
What Adam had, and forfeited for all,
Christ keepeth now, who cannot fail or fall.
George Herbert
Monday, February 26, 2007
How long, O Lord!
My friends, My husband and I spent all afternoon in court waiting to testify in my son's custody trial. We did not get our turn, and we will have to go back tomorrow. How long, O Lord! Please keep praying. Thank you all for the prayers.
Sunday, February 25, 2007
Riverbend, The Baghdad Blogger
Taking a break from parsing and discussing the hidden meanings in the statements coming from the leadership in the Anglican Communion and the Episcopal Church, I'm moving on. Perhaps some of you have noted the new blog link in my blog roll, called The Baghdad Blogger. The blogger, who calls herself Riverbend, blogs from the city of death, which the leadership of the "Coalition" has made of Baghdad.
Riverbend is a well-educated young Iraqi woman who began blogging in August of 2003. In the beginning, although she was living in a war zone, her posts were lively and full of humor and irony. Life was hard, but she and her family made the best of the difficulties and privations.
Now if you read her posts, they are filled with despair about conditions in Baghdad and with little hope that things will improve in the near future. She is quite bitter toward the American leadership. Can you blame her? She has lost family, friends, and neighbors to death and to flight from the unspeakable conditions in Baghdad.
She risks her life and the lives and safety of her family in writing her blog. Here in the US, supporters of the war claim that she's not who she says she is, that she lies, and generally seek to discredit her however they can. Of course, she must remain anonymous. She has enemies on all sides, because she tells the truth about the miserable conditions in which the people of Baghdad live.
Riverbend is a real person, and she is who she says she is. A collection of her posts was published and selected for the shortlist of a British literary prize, the Samuel Johnson Award, and her identity was verified by the prize committee. We know the British are never wrong about this sort of thing.
When she doesn't post for a while, I worry about her. I'm awed by her courage in continuing to blog. Her latest posts are about an Iraqi woman, Sabrine, who was gang-raped by Iraqi security forces, and who was brave enough to report the rape, but will get no justice from the authorities. Most women who survive after being raped don't report, because reporting can mean death.
I'm going to change my blogroll link for her to "Riverbend", since that's how she's best known.
Under the title of her blog, she has these words:
I'll meet you 'round the bend my friend, where hearts can heal and souls can mend...
Riverbend is a well-educated young Iraqi woman who began blogging in August of 2003. In the beginning, although she was living in a war zone, her posts were lively and full of humor and irony. Life was hard, but she and her family made the best of the difficulties and privations.
Now if you read her posts, they are filled with despair about conditions in Baghdad and with little hope that things will improve in the near future. She is quite bitter toward the American leadership. Can you blame her? She has lost family, friends, and neighbors to death and to flight from the unspeakable conditions in Baghdad.
She risks her life and the lives and safety of her family in writing her blog. Here in the US, supporters of the war claim that she's not who she says she is, that she lies, and generally seek to discredit her however they can. Of course, she must remain anonymous. She has enemies on all sides, because she tells the truth about the miserable conditions in which the people of Baghdad live.
Riverbend is a real person, and she is who she says she is. A collection of her posts was published and selected for the shortlist of a British literary prize, the Samuel Johnson Award, and her identity was verified by the prize committee. We know the British are never wrong about this sort of thing.
When she doesn't post for a while, I worry about her. I'm awed by her courage in continuing to blog. Her latest posts are about an Iraqi woman, Sabrine, who was gang-raped by Iraqi security forces, and who was brave enough to report the rape, but will get no justice from the authorities. Most women who survive after being raped don't report, because reporting can mean death.
I'm going to change my blogroll link for her to "Riverbend", since that's how she's best known.
Under the title of her blog, she has these words:
I'll meet you 'round the bend my friend, where hearts can heal and souls can mend...
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