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My "weird Brady Bunch" poem, "family (a form somehow must)," is up at the new issue of the Mithila Review. There's audio of me reading the poem, as well. The issue focuses on visual arts, and it looks beautiful.

Just as I had begun to post about the above, it was announced that the U.S. has dropped a giant bomb in Afghanistan, I assume because our so-called president wanted another jolt of accolades like he got after bombing Syria. I am horrified; I also feel very tired.

(This is the first Dreamwidth post that I will not be cross-posting to LiveJournal. I still haven't deleted my LJ, but I will once I've resolved some import issues.)

It is Henna Day, on the warmest, sunniest day we've had in awhile. (We're supposed to get more rain and cool temps this week.)

Yesterday I saw the long-awaited Hidden Figures at my local movie theater. It made me cry a few times. As Lisa Bolekaja said on Twitter, the film "shows how racism (plus sexism sprinkled in) holds America back. Although a historical drama, it's really talking to 2017." The film seems more necessary than ever just now, with Trump's inauguration (I can barely type the words) less than two weeks away.

I am hennaing my hair on an autumnal LA afternoon. The political situation continues to evolve in alarming and surreal ways. It's shaping up to be a very strange holiday season.

I finally finished reading the wonderful Shirley Jackson: A Rather Haunted Life, which I began before the election. I'm not sure what I feel like reading next, which is to say I'm not sure what will keep my attention off of politics for more than a few minutes at a time.

I probably should be watching a lot more horror movies.

I slept badly last night after learning the election results. Today I have a headache and stomach ache, and I am full of despair and horror.

The "Animals" issue of Lackington's is out. It includes my story "The Hedgehog and the Pine Cone," with a beautiful illustration by Dotti Price.

We've been having a spate of lovely autumn weather--so of course we're about to have a mini heat wave. Meanwhile, this horrific election season is almost over. I've already voted for Hillary Clinton, and I'm a bundle of pre-election nerves (but it feels like that's been true for months).

I am so relieved and happy.

It is Henna Day on a vaguely autumnal day in Los Angeles (it's not broiling, anyway), and the wet henna is on my head. I'm still working on the finishing touches to this draft of the Jo book, but It Shouldn't Be Long Now. I hope.

George McGovern has died at age ninety. I remember watching Nixon's resignation speech on TV with my parents, then going outside and conferring with the neighborhood kids, all of whom said: "MY parents voted for McGovern!" (I also remember bumper stickers that said "Don't Blame Me--I Voted for McGovern.")

It is the anniversary of the publication of Harriet the Spy (link from Elizabeth Bear). Yay Harriet!

I actually heard about this today from a friend in Pennsylvania, so in case any of you in California haven't heard about it:

The California Senate is just 2 votes short to pass its single payer health care bill, SB 810 - the California Universal Healthcare Act, before the end of this legislative session on Tuesday.

Four Democratic Senators have not voted either way on this bill. Its author, Senator Mark Leno, can bring the bill up for reconsideration, as long as he knows that he has two more votes!!

Most of us have family or friends in California. Many of these Californians may not know how important it is to call and email these 4 Senators over the weekend, and first thing Monday. We can help. Alert your California contacts that they must take action right away. They don't need need to live in the districts - these Senators hold the key to all of California's health care.

The Senators need to hear loud and clear how important it is for Californians to get SB 810 passed. Call each Senator listed below and ask them to vote yes on SB 810.

The Senators who must be contacted are:

Senator Alex Padilla (District 20 - Pacoima/LA area) can be contacted
by email at Senator.Padilla@sen.ca.gov
In Sacramento at 916-651-4020
Or in Van Nuys at 818-901-5588

Senator Michael Rubio (District 16 - Fresno/Bakersfield area) can be contacted
by email at Michael.Rubio@sen.ca.gov
In Sacramento at 916-651-4016
Or in Bakersfield at 661-395-2620

Senator Juan Vargas (District 40 - San Diego) can be contacted by
email at Juan.Vargas@sen.ca.gov
In Sacramento at 916-651-4040
Or in Chula Vista at 619-409-7690

Senator Rod Wright (District 25 - LA area) can be contacted
by email at Senator.Wright@sen.ca.gov
In Sacramento at 916-651-4025
Or in Inglewood at 310-412-0393

Single payer in California is a huge step forward for healthcare. These four State Senators hold the key to our Healthcare. Have everyone you know in California call and email them.

This morning I got up early (something I hate to do on the weekend) and drove to Santa Monica for a special screening of the new documentary, Phil Ochs: There But For Fortune. It's a great, heartbreaking movie. Ochs's music has meant a lot to me for many years, but I would think the film would have great impact even without this--as a character study, a musical history, and a telling of recent American (and world) history and protest that's all too relevant today. During the Q&A after the film, someone--maybe Phil's brother Michael Ochs?--said that if Phil were still alive today, he would be in Wisconsin.

I'm not happy about yesterday's Republican gains. But I am delighted beyond words that Meg Whitman and Carly Fiorina lost. Delighted to say goodbye to Ahnold and hello again to Jerry Brown. (Maybe we'll even be able to pass a budget now.)

So, not thrilled about the state of the country, but happy to live in California...