There is an interesting article in Salon today about the physicist Stephen Hawking, whose brilliance was tested by his medical condition.  Prof. Hawking has a form of ALS, which is also known as Lou Genrig's disease.  He has had the illness for most of his life.  Despite having a terri… Read full post »

My brother-in-law, Larry, has ALS (Lou Gehrig's Disease).  He is 58.  He has been married to my sister, Lillian, for 33 years.

His symtoms began last August, when his speech became slurred.  After numerous medical tests, he was officially diagnosed in March of this year.  H… Read full post »

Four years ago this month, my aunt died.  She loved spring.  March 1 is springtime in Alabama.  The daffodils bloom; the narcissi give off their dank/ sweet smell; the crocuses herald the deep-South lushness that is to come.

My aunt loved spring.  She was 83 when she died.&… Read full post »

Haley Barbour, the faux-good-ole boy millionaire governor of Mississippi, is offended, I say, boy, offended (he reminds me of Foghorn Leghorn when I am not thinking of Boss Hogg) when people question whether his hometown of Yazoo City encountered trouble when the schools were forcibly desegregated in… Read full post »

In 9993, at the age of 42, I was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis.  I already "knew"  I had the ailment--my mother and sister both had RA.  I had symptoms for five years before I was diagnosed. ( I thought if I was was not officially diagnosed, the problem would disappear.… Read full post »