Heroes

Dear Ones,

We talked to Titi and Lek in Tel Aviv on Skype on Friday afternoon. They were in the "clean" room so Lek was masked and we could only see her eyes. Titi was wearing a cap; his hair has started to fall out. But he was in good spirits and able to walk up close to the computer camera to show us his crazy Mohawk 'do. He doggedly pursues wellness, taking each day at a time. Such individual heroism is quiet and unsung. We need heroes to show us how to live.

Yet greedy capitalists have all made the news. Business executives flew into Washington on private jets to beg the government for a handout and paid themselves millions of dollars in bonuses using taxpayer money. Meanwhile, Bernie Madoff stole from the rich to enrich himself and Thaksin's wife divorced him to preserve the bulk of the family fortune since any lawsuit aimed at him can't touch money that is ostensibly hers. We need heroes to remind us the best is still in us.

Then on Thursday, came Captain Chesley "Sully" Sullenberger who saved 155 lives by landing his crippled jet in the icy Hudson River. And on Tuesday next, Barack Obama will be inaugurated as the 44th President after overcoming daunting odds to make it all the way to the White House. Their achievements show that the best and the brightest do reap their own rewards; it's not just because of who you are and who you know.

Walk good,
Jo Anne

Interlude: With Dog

I think I figured out Gigi's problem.

Promptly at 5 p.m. each evening she became agitated. As there were no more fireworks since New Year's Eve, I began to realize that she was afraid we are going to leave her in the dark again, like that night when the power went out. I'm no expert on dogs--I just know Gigi.

First I tried to make the dark a positive experience by taking her out for walks in the evening. Then I showed her that only calm behavior is acceptable and that her place is in her crate, not scratching on my door. And to help her adjust quicker, I came home after school instead of going straight to the club to work out. Though I did that, I totally ignored her to show her that whether I come or go is no big thing. Now she's back to enjoying her normal pursuits--harmonizing the jingle of the Wall's ice cream cart and barking at anything that enters the cul-de-sac.

Andy said, Wait until the first thunderstorm. Silly Mutt.

Walk good,
Jo Anne