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Today the dynamic-duo Bouvier adventure we began on Halloween, 2002 has come to a gentle end. Lillie died today as gracefully as I’ve ever seen, all on her own.

My prayer for each creature for whom we’re given stewardship responsibility has long been, “May this one be granted her fullest measure of days, lived in health and happiness. And when that full measure of days has arrived, may I have the grace to recognize it, not a day too soon, not a day too late, and on that day act with decisiveness and compassion to assist this little one out the door in peace.”

We rescued Emma the Bouvier back on Oct. 31, 2002 (along with her lifelong pal, Lillie). Their first 4-5 years had been tough, mostly left by themselves in a basement with little to do but eat, sleep, and only occasionally get to go outside. As a result, when we got her Emma was obese, dazed, and unable to trust.

In these seven years since then, Emma blossomed into one of the most present, big-hearted life enthusiasts I’ve ever known. She always thought a ride in the car was the best thing ever! Sometimes, looking deep into her beautiful big brown eyes, I think I saw an almost-human intelligence shining through.

Well. I still sometimes feel like a stranger in a strange (and crazy) land.

We continue to witness clashing worldviews here in the U.S. that seem to me less like disagreements and more like we’re from different planets.

For example, the current U.S. health care reform conflagration. As I see it, I’m thinking, who in their right mind wouldn’t want the U.S. health care system changed, improved, made more effective, made more sustainable? (Even if it takes more than one try to get it right.) Yet many of us, including ones who stand to benefit the most from health care reform, are nevertheless violently opposed to any change¹.

Four years later,

Today is the day that the curse is lifted.

Dear God, I can breathe again for the first time in eight years!
We have demonstrated to the world now that we are not, in fact, eat up with stupid.

I think this nation is going to come back to life now. As of tonight, immoral and ignorant are no longer cool. Decent and bright and informed are the new cool, no longer objects of ridicule and derision, but back in their rightful place as worthy values.

Suddenly, I finally get Sigur Rós^*.

And now I am nearly speechless, in awe at the sheer melancholy beauty all around me as I proceed through each of their recordings.

As an example, check this lovely video of Glósóli, which ends in a way some of my dreams begin.

The thing I’m loving most about studying Spanish here in the U.S. is it’s such a big ol’ FU to [Lou] Dobbsian anti-immigration bigotry.