What would we do without it?

It’s all right to curse, I’m convinced. It occurs to me that folks who don’t know how to deliver a swear word deftly — possibly loudly — aren’t being honest with themselves. Around children, I’d say keep it to yourself. But when with other adults — or if by yourself — something makes you mad, let ‘er rip. Beats getting ulcers.

This time of year makes me think north to Quebec City’s beautiful autumnal self. The only time I was there, I pretended I didn’t speak English b/c a friend had told me I’d be ridiculed for not speaking French. So I spoke Russian. And, yes, Russian was fine with the natives. Quebec City has water, trees, culture, beauty. It made me want to sit down and settle in.  I remember some beautiful sunflower fields — miles and miles and miles of them — in Manitoba some years ago and how wondrous that blue sky looked as a backdrop.

Just love the sound of Canadian geese flying south for the winter. Pleased my house is situated along their flight path. Other lovely gifts of the Fall: weeds and what the sun and shadows do to them this time of year. Pumpkins, prettily orange. Aster, the purple ones that hold the cold at bay to stay and be pretty for us.

My niece is a woman of substance. Recently, she experienced some challenges that would have cut many folks off at the knees.

Meaghan, though, dug deep — and triumphed. Here’s the fruit of her labor.

To say that I am very proud and honored to be this woman’s aunt isn’t saying enough. But she knows, and that’s what matters.

I agree with the Council for Foreign Relations’ Walter Mead when he says the Nobel vote for Obama is a vote of confidence in the U.S.’s potential for effective foreign policymaking. I also agree with Mead when he argues the prize puts pressure on Obama’s administration and could incline the President to swagger (more than he does) on the world stage.

While I could do with less swaggering on the part of our President, I am thrilled with the overtures he’s made to the Muslim community. Indeed, Western policies toward the Muslim community have harmed the world.

There is an answer to the problem of terrorism. I hope this award will do something toward finding it.

You may click here if you’d like to see Mead talking about this issue.

My niece Ellen, age 15, is a gifted and gorgeous girl. As it turns out — though this comes as no surprise, really — she can act. Watching her in a skit recently made me so proud. In fact, all of them — Meaghan, Ben, Anne, Ellen, Carolyn, Eric, Celia and my daughter Caroline — are all gifted, lovely people. I feel blessed to be a part of their lives.

Bob A., during one of our marathon breakfasts, suddenly punctuated the air with his fork, saying, “Katie, do you know that even now, even while we’re sitting here, space is expanding?” I hadn’t known that, really. Hadn’t ever looked into the matter — no play on words there. But now I like to think about it: space offering an infinite number of chances. Googled it and came up with this item. 

Am also intrigued with the notion that thought changes matter, that it doesn’t just spill into action but that it changes matter. This is physics. Reading books might be better, but physics matters.

Steeleye Span was one of my favorite bands when I was in my teens and twenties. Love ‘em still, though I don’t listen as much to their music. Did, however, hear All Around My Hat the other day — and smiled hugely at the memories the song evoked. If you happen to be in here and feel like smiling hugely today, click.

Katyn is worth seeing. The film is about the Soviet slaughter of thousands of Polish military officers in 1940 in Katyn Forest. Directed by a Pole, it’s  an unsentimental, straight look into a horrific event. After watching the film yesterday, a Polish man who was born in 1951, told me he remembers being forbidden to even say the word “Katyn.” The Soviets tried for years to erase the nation’s memory. It didn’t work.