Can barely breathe

I feel like I can barely breathe -- that's how little energy I currently have. Last night's all-night work session was cut short by the most spectacular lightning storm I have EVER seen: constant volleys of lightning flashing in the sky, accompanied by torrrential rain and nickel-sized hailstones. Given the conditions, I decided to call it a night and grab a few hours of sleep.

John came by at around 8:30 this morning and dropped off a lovely pair of 10-pound barbells, which I will certainly be making good use of. I was barely able to stay awake long enough to greet him and converse for about 15 minutes, so deep was my tiredness and underlying state of depression, which increased the longer I was awake. After he was kind enough to see that I was suffering and leave me to myself, I crawled back into bed and slept until 2 pm, when George almost literally dragged me out. I could easily have stayed in there all day and all night... >.<

I finished all but a half-page of flats on Star Wars: Republic last night, so today it's on to flatting Hardy Boys. I'm not even going to try to lay true colors; right now, I'm just going to do what I can and be pleased with anything I CAN do. It might not be much, but every little bit helps toward the finished job.

ravyne_hawke, I saw your post about your brother and Daniella, and the serious car accident that landed her in the Frankfurt hospital. I will light a candle for her just as soon as I'm able.

For pets abandoned as a result of Hurricane Katrina

At times like this, I find the following prayer, by Albert Schweitzer, both appropriate and comforting:

"Hear our humble prayer, O God,
for our friends the animals,
especially for animals who are suffering;
for any that are hunted or lost or deserted or frightened or hungry;
for all that must be put to death.
We entreat for them all Thy mercy and pity,
and for those who deal with them
we ask a heart of compassion and gentle hands and kindly words.
Make us, ourselves, to be true friends to animals
and so to share the blessings of the merciful."

Sending energy to those abandoned pets, and hoping that rescue workers to tend to their needs -- yes, even if it comes down to euthanizing them to end their suffering -- will soon be able to reach them.