Olivia and I got our second shots. Pfizer for Liv, Moderna for me, with zero side effects for either. Mateo’s scheduled for mid-May; Tim’s been fully vaxxed. We’re relieved, happy, still cautious (probably always will be). So very grateful to dedicated scientists, medical personnel, healthcare workers, volunteers. The millions of minds and hearts that have made the world a safer place. 
A friend shared this Earth Day broadcast by ABC National News, “Central American drought creates climate change refugees” with a focus on Guatemala. For me and probably for you, it’s very interesting and informative to see a village up close and hear from residents about their struggles and reasons for migration. Also important to see the fees paid to smugglers–up to $13,000–and the collateral required–a family’s house or farm. A very high stakes journey and one that, according to the report, up to 60% of villagers plan to make because they see no other option.
Finally: I looked up Jocotan on the map; it’s in the department of Chiquimula in the east, surrounded by Zacapa, Jalapa and Jutiapa, bordering Honduras. That’s a dry region of Guatemala to begin with, made more severe by drought, hurricanes and climate change.
Climate change migrants Read More »
“Physical walls don’t stop people. We’ve witnessed this. But prosperity walls do.” Said by Guatemalan President Alejandro Giammattei in this excellent piece of reportage by MSNBC’s Ayman Mohyeldin. Read the article and watch the two video clips–all contribute to a deeper understanding of our current border crisis.
What I responded to in the piece is the depth of inquiry. We who follow Guatemalan politics are aware of the reasons why thousands of Guatemalan citizens risk their lives and leave behind family and home to make the dangerous journey. But so many US viewers not involved in Guatemala or adoption or Central America don’t know the back story, are not aware of Guatemala’s history and current reality. For me, this news report feels more multi-faceted and nuanced than most, and thus, worthwhile.
Read and watch here: “I flew to Guatemala to investigate the human side of America’s ‘immigration problem.'”
MSNBC report worth watching and reading Read More »
I’m sharing this fantastic KQED Perspectives by my good friend and fellow Write On Mama, Dorothy O’Donnell. When a hiking group told Dorothy she was “too old” to join their ranks, Dorothy — characteristically — didn’t take the news sitting down. She did what all good writers do: used her voice and pen to fight back.
Her last line resonates: “You can call me old. But please — don’t tell me what I’m too old to do.”
Bravissima, Dorothy!
“Don’t tell me what I’m too old to do” Read More »
Just in case you were thinking of buying my novel, Mother Mother, but haven’t gotten around to it yet: I was checking my listing on Amazon (as one does 
) and noticed a huge price drop on the paperback, to $7.93. Now whether this is a good sign or a bad one, I don’t know, but since I myself can’t resist a bargain, I’m passing along the info. Buy one for a friend? Mother’s Day is around the corner.
“For a limited time only” (as they say) Read More »
