Thank you for filling me in on your life, I appreciate it. As for the book, I am serious, I am a writer. Read over the post I wrote about the technicalities involved in getting started ... theme, outline, type, seems like an easy task, but, really, this is the hard part. After everything is laid out, we do the easy part, what we do best. I am winding down from a chaotic day, am tired. So, Here are a few ideas I can throw at you tonight. Short Stories - with illustrations. The short stories would be our experiences, embellished towards the dramatic. What do you think? Or, poetry and illustrations (hard to sell poetry books) - the publishing houses like novels. Self help books are in - spiritual books are in - little inspiration books are in - think about it... Nite Nite, Maria

Maria, let's start with where I live..Charleston, SC., and used to live in Cocoa Beach, FL. Had a wreck and moved here for the medicals. Now, I am a Virgo-Libra cusp. I am an artist and see beauty everywhere...even here. There is a lot of history in this city and in a way, reminds me of where I was born and raised and lived half of my life..Philadelphia, PA. So living here is a cross between FL and Phila. We are surrounded by water here. The Atlantic Ocean and the waterway, rivers, the bay, ETC. Lots of water. I miss Fl and would like to move back, but I don't know how , when my doctors are here. I am being very well cared for by that team. It takes about 6 or 7 hours to Cape Canaveral..not too far..and about $150.00 RT from Myrtle Bch to Orlando. My friend Frances flies up to spend time when she can. Let's talk about my physical state after I tell you that my spirit is alive and well, inside this decrepid body. The body is a vehicle for the soul, or spirit as you say. The body can walk and does well for a little while. I use a cane, and if I have to, I can use one of those electric carts in some stores. I usually do OK if I use a regular cart..I use it for support. When I go out with friends, I have to rest up for a day or so, and then I will have sufficient energy to fight the pain. Pain tires you out..the kind of pain I fight is miserable. I have a neuropathy..or nerve pain, similar to what the diabetics get. It is very painful, plus the chronic pain, and now with all of that, I have a recent injury, for which I se my surgeon on Valentine's day. Some gift..I can't wait..he is so super. Forget the sympathy..I require none. I wish to be treated as a normal person, and accepted as such.Even with my panic disorder. Pain does not make me a leper. I look completely normal and walk with a slight limp. I use the cane as a reminder to keep my attention on walking, so as not to fall. I also have a walker, which I use after having a nerve block, for support. I also used it after surgery in my quest to learn to walk again. Rehab is hard and it tired me out so much. Every miserable second was worth it..i can walk again. I sleep in a hospital bed, mostly for comfort and for support. It is great. I have it well- disguised with fancy comforter and luxurio

Dear Red, First of all, where is 'here'? and, when your friends come by and take you out, how do they do it? Is it in a wheel chair? Forgive me if I seem insensitive, but, I am truly curious about your situation. I admit I am at a loss for words. I can only imagine how your life must be. However, I will not do you the disservice of pouring sorrow your way - I would never take away your dignity, in fact I give dignity to you! You know, in the end, we are all only spirit. And, I believe, even while on this earth plane, we can strive to be spirit. I know, I know, this does not deal with the physical. Do you get massage therapy? This would be a great way to get phyiscal contact. Again, if I am being stupid about your situation, forgive me. I remeber when I lived in Omaha for a few months, my son lives there. For the life of me, I could not find a bit of beauty in the environment there. Came back to Florida as soon as Spring broke. I need to be enveloped in the beauty of nature. Be surrounded by beautiful things, colors, etc. If I am not, I get sick - feel depressed. I am a Libra and we need beauty and balance. What sign are you, and, are you close to nature - and, does the beauty of nature give you any solice? Bye for now, Maria

Here is a new problem with a twist. I have suffered all of my life, trying to get over a fear of being in the company of other people. I was doing very well, and had the problem under control, when I got into a car accident which left be a virtual shut-in. Now, my problem is just the opposite...how to get involved with other people while being home in my hospital bed. This site has answered many a prayer for me. It is somewhere I can go to be involved., but it still doesn't quite help the urge to be physically out with others. Once in a while, someone will come by and take me out, or just visit, but really I never got to meet anybody here. I moved here for medical reasons..and got what I came for. It just seems ironic, that the first half of my life I spent trying to fight the problems, finally got to where I was comfortable with people, and them fate struck. Now I am back where I started..only I don't like it..I'm not comfortable with it..and strive to accept..but I miss the involvement..on a physical level. I guess I went full circle in my life. Red