What was my childhood disease? Love, I suppose. I was susceptible to contracting great love, suffering the chills and delirium of that pox. But it seems I am safe now, unlikely to contract it again. The advantages of immunity are plain. People contort themselves around the terror of being alone, making any compromise against that. It's a great freedom to give up on love, and get on with everything else.
--Barbara Kingsolver, in The Lacuna.

Sinus infection. More swanning about. Anxiety about the election. Reading.

Reading is the best.

And sometimes reading other people's Blips is the best. This one by Arachne is powerful. Don't miss it.