It's been an interesting week here in the lovely little town of Darrington, Washington and the Seattle metro area. We have been visited by what some here are calling "Snowpocalypse 2019." Or, what people in my hometown of Coeur d'Alene would have called, "Sunday afternoon."

THE BAD

SELF Magazine, which purports to be a "magazine for women that specializes in health, fitness, nutrition, beauty and happiness"(1) asks marathon runner and cancer survivor Monika Allen for permission to use a photo of herself in an article, saying only that they were looking for photos of runners wearing tutus.

Allen, who was recently diagnosed with incurable brain cancer BUT RAN A MARATHON ANYWAY!!! said yes, assuming that her photo would be used in a positive way. SELF Magazine then publishes an article called "The BS Meter" which makes fun of Allen and other runners wearing tutus. Their art department and entire editorial department somehow miss that one of the two women pictured has "DIE TUMOR DIE" emblazoned across her chest.

I was honored to be asked to be a part of the 35 Year Celebration event for Life Choices Clinic this past Tuesday evening. Scott and Susanne Maynes approached me a few weeks ago with this slideshow presentation project, featuring Susanne's song "In the Balance" and photos of babies the clinic has helped along with staff and volunteers who make it all possible.

Oh, this is just too rich not to share! I've been hearing this intermittent, almost indescribable squeaking noise at my computer all morning. It's been driving me bonkers. At first I thought it was my nose, actually, since I'm a bit stuffed up and it honestly seemed to be coming from that direction. You know, when you're stuffed up and it starts to clear, sometimes you hear a little squeak? I blew my nose twice but kept hearing the noise, very intermittently.

So then I started going through all the other things the mysterious noise might be. Animal? I have two cats, so it's very doubtful that I have mice. I actually got up and went into the living room to make sure Reepicheep, my dwarf hamster, was still safely snoozing in his cage. He poked his head out of his little hut but went right back to sleep, since I didn't have a treat for him.