UPDATED Update

I am laughing and crying at the same time. Quiplash, a long-time reader, commenter, and webfriend, has started a SBpoet Blog- Web- Flickr- AThon on my behalf. And people have actually contributed money.

Just look at that picture! This is what you get for using a Creative Commons license. Quiplash, you are too sweet, too funny, for my words.

You people do realize, don't you, that I am a poet? Poets are supposed to be ignored; expected to live in poverty.

And before you contribute to this big-hearted, generous fund, be aware that I do not live in poverty. I have a small house, a small (mossy) car, a small garden. While I am, like many others, one crisis from having to sell it all, I do have it to sell. And this is not that crisis.

Though I admit that it is, for me, a maddening and saddening situation.

I am struggling with mixed feelings about this. It's both flattering and discomfiting to be the object of such attention, and of that painful word, "charity".

For some time, I've battled feelings of insignificance, unimportance, unworthiness. To go from a social-worker workaholic to a disabled layabout is a shock, and one I've not managed well -- at least in some ways. A friend, just a few days ago, told me that my poems and photographs are "soul work" -- important work -- and that I need and "deserve" (another difficult concept for me) to have the tools to do that work.

So I am trying to view this as another challenge to my old, rigid ways; a new path, to be welcomed and greeted with the kindness which inspired it.

More specific updates:

• a port replicator/docking station will not solve the problem, as it connects through the same damaged equipment
• I have a call in to my brother-in-law
• I have a list of places to call and ask if they do 'component level repairs'.
• Just in case, I have a call in to Costco to see if they can find when, exactly, I purchased this computer -- I can't find my receipt, though I know I kept it.

And now -- nap time.  Thank you all. I have still been taking pictures, and they are on this molasses computer for me to play with when energy allows.

Comments

[Ryan Schultz (Quiplash)]

SB: "Quiplash, you are too sweet, too funny, for my words."

Thank you!

But I must disagree with your statement; I can never escape your extraordinary ability to sculpt with words :-)

--Quiplash.

[Theresa Q]

Your work IS important, and it is not charity for you, although we care about you, but charity for our community, which we want to keep strong. We can't afford to lose your voice.

[Ryan Schultz (Quiplash)]

Current tally of donations to this evening is US$255.00.