yeah this therapy is really about how dealing with mac makes US feel and how we deal with EACH OTHER. they are uni-focused on what can we do when he does X, how do we make X stop, will he ever be better?

Love this letter written August 7, 1865, from a former slave to his former master re: the former master's invitation for the man to return back to the plantation with his family. As the blogger says, "one of the all-time great examples of the cheerful and elaborately polite 'screw you.'"

As to my freedom, which you say I can have, there is nothing to be gained on that score, as I got my free papers in 1864 from the Provost Marshall-General of the Department of Nashville. Mandy says she would be afraid to go back without some proof that you were disposed to treat us justly and kindly; and we have concluded to test your sincerity by asking you to send us our wages for the time we served you. This will make us forget and forgive old scores, and rely on your justice and friendship in the future. I served you faithfully for 32 years, and Mandy 20 years. At 25 dollars a month for me, and 2 dollars a week for Mandy, our earnings would amount to $11,608. Add to this the interest for the time our wages have been kept back, and deduct what you paid for our clothing, and three doctor's visits to me, and pulling a tooth for Mandy, and the balance will show what we are in justice entitled to.

Please send the money by Adam's Express, in care of V. Winters Esq., Dayton, Ohio. If you fail to pay us for faithful labors in the past, we can have little faith in your promises in the future...

In answering this letter, please state if there would be any safety for my Milly and Jane, who are now grown up, and both good looking girls. You know how it was with poor Matilda and Catherine. I would rather stay here and starve and die, if it comes to that, than have my girls brought to shame by the violence and wickedness of their young masters. You will also please state if there has been any schools opened for the colored children in your neighborhood. The great desire of my life now is to give my children an education, and have them form virtuous habits. Say howdy to George Carter, and thank him for taking the pistol from you when you were shooting at me.

I love salad! Then again, I tend to love salad more when it includes either feta cheese or avocado or--even better--both, so salad rarely seems like a viable way to minimize calories to me.

They will get there, I am sure- it sounds like they WANT to, it will just take some time. In the meantime, though, I share your UGH.

Agreeing with the other Nora. And also with the hugs.

Say howdy to George Carter, and thank him for taking the pistol from you when you were shooting at me.

Nice. I mean the whole thing, but this last line is perfection.

Love this letter written August 7, 1865, from a former slave to his former master re: the former master's invitation for the man to return back to the plantation with his family. As the blogger says, "one of the all-time great examples of the cheerful and elaborately polite 'screw you.'"

Oh man, that letter is amazing.

Say howdy to George Carter, and thank him for taking the pistol from you when you were shooting at me.

What a perfect ending.

I love salad! Then again, I tend to love salad more when it includes either feta cheese or avocado or--even better--both, so salad rarely seems like a viable way to minimize calories to me.

I'll be having salad for dinner tonight. No feta cheese, but plenty of avocado and bacon. Mmmmmmmm.

For our librarians! [link]

That letter is brilliant.

And I like salads fine, but to me a meal needs more fat and/or protein than I had in my lunch-from-home.

No feta cheese, but plenty of avocado and bacon. Mmmmmmmm.

Yes, mmmmmm.

That's a great letter.

I love this blogger's occasional posts about long walks in Chicago. The latest is his ten-mile hike along 79th Street, through the heart of the South Side.

As one of the walkers says, the day ends up being a tribute to mom-and-pop stores.