talking about school shootings...

There's just nothing you can say about this week's horror. Here are some good articles for those who are looking for guidance in helping themselves or others heal...from the American Psychological Association.

Tips for College and University Students: Managing Your Distress in the Aftermath of the Virginia Tech Shootings

Talking to your children about the recent spate of school shootings

Managing stress after traumatic events

And related...
Violent Video Games Can Increase Aggression

I should note what prompted this post so late after the news of this event...this morning I was sitting in one of my very last university classes before graduation and I kept hearing a "popping" outside...just like a handgun (sounding eerily like the video as well as I have shot handguns before and know what they sound like)...and even though I was 99.9% sure it really was construction, it was very, very unnerving to keep hearing it. It went on for about 10 minutes and finally stopped.

for the love of Pickles...

The most precious little mutt ever, Pickles, our little pup we rescued from a neglectful neighbor nearly 15 years ago was put to sleep yesterday...

Something terrible happened, possibly a brain tumor or a brain bleed. She wasn't able to do anything but pace as if she were blind, unable to recognize us or respond. It was as if she had developed sudden severe dementia. It was really horrible, especially knowing what a sweet spirit she was...never once a bad mood, never once unhappy to see us, never once a complaint...always sweet, always 100% loving. We miss her horribly.

Please go give our little gal a bone on Dogster...

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