Glad to hear you're on the mend, Stacey. After my own hospital trip from an intestinal malady in March, I completely empathize. If it was bacterial, and they've loaded you down with antibiotics, start consuming as many probiotics as possible.

Wow. Thanks for this, Mandy. So well told. And so sad. There are no answers, I don't think. Just constant reminders that we're pretty insignificant creatures in the realm of things. Love to all, jm

That's really good. The only other recruitment ad that may be better, was only one word: http://bit.ly/iNtHdc

Thanks Marie. I fear critique groups at this stage. I just need to get some things out, that are bouncing around in my head. Finding the time to qualify them and organize them are my biggest obstacle right now. Committing to doing more than short works is my challenge.

I love you for that comment, Nichole.

So, it's against some religions to go to public school? And for the record, all religions are businesses. Also, poor children go to public school. Not private school. Poorer children have LESS access to the internet than kids who aren't as poor. Let's call those kids private school kids. Thus, this 'contest' that the public school kids didn't 'win' was skewed to the rich religious kids in the first place. This contest was a really bad idea. Sorry man.

Why do private schools exist to begin with? As a business. Every child has the opportunity to attend public school, but because of personal reasons some folks choose to pay for their children to attend private school. And that costs money. If these schools need money, raise tuition. It's that simple. And if the student's family isn't able to pay this tuition - there's always the public school option. I could go on a rant about how I think that private schools get over on their clients to begin with, but I'll leave it at that. Like it or not, the majority of students in this country who stand to benefit most from such benevolence attend public schools. Despite your pointing out that many private school children are in desperate need.

Thanks for your concern, but since this is my blog and I feel strongly about this topic, I'll say whatever the hell I damn well please thank you very much. Why do private schools exist to begin with? As a business. Every child has the opportunity to attend public school, but because of personal reasons some folks choose to pay for their children to attend private school. And that costs money. If these schools need money, raise tuition. It's that simple. And if the student's family isn't able to pay this tuition - there's always the public school option. I could go on a rant about how I think that private schools get over on their clients to begin with, but I'll leave it at that. Like it or not, the majority of students in this country who stand to benefit most from such benevolence attend public schools. Despite your pointing out that many private school children are in desperate need.