This week's horoscopes from Seattle Weekly.

Sign Language by Caerial Crestin

Cancer (June 21–July 22)

500 yards from the finish line in an epic road race, you get a flat tire. Do you soldier on and just roll across it with a bum wheel? Probably. How about if the flat occurs a mile from the end, or five, or 20? At some point you'd make a decision to stop and fix the damn thing before proceeding. It's all about guessing what will be best in the long and short run (and acknowledging that there's frequently a conflict between the two). Where do you draw that line between "make do" and "make it right?" This week, like it or not, you'll need to figure that out.

Leo (July 23–Aug. 22)

The QWERTY layout of most modern keyboards is inefficient and counter intuitive by design. An early version of the typewriter jammed up if the keys were pressed in rapid succession, so its inventor sought a way to slow typists down. He came up with the layout we currently use, which makes many of the most-used keys harder to reach, so his invention would work as intended. Now we're more or less stuck with it. You, too, sort of put up obstacles to your own evolution, way back when, to slow it down. You had good reasons at the time, but they're no longer valid. Luckily you don't have an entire industry stopping you from getting rid of them and adopting something more intuitive and efficient. Please do.

To read yours:
http://www.seattleweekly.com/2009-04-08/diversions/sign-language/

Ah, a beautiful spring day and so far a lovely one. Was going to go to FL to visit aunt but that's been rescheduled for next week. So am going to hang out at home today and just rest and relax.

Had a phone conversation with my mother in which it came up in conversation that she would like me to forgive biological father (aka the asshole) for not being a part of my life. She's mellowing in her own attitude toward him and is being grateful that he at least gave her 2 beautiful children. It only took her 40+ years to come around to feeling this way. She did love him and probably would have stayed with him had he not become the asshole he did. Whoa! Good for her for feeling this way.

I don't know if I'm ready to forgive him yet. My Pop became my father and has been my father in every sense of the word. He filled the gap and left me not wanting for the real thing. Mom thinks that my feelings toward the asshole are getting in the way of my happiness (we didn't get into all the reasons) especially when it comes to my feelings about relationships with men. Is she right? I don't know but it's something to think about.

Also today, was encouraged about writing from unexpected source.

The other day, one of the women I had tried to help find flights for, at the end of the conversation asked me for my email. She wanted to send me a copy of an essay she was probably going to write, so I gave it to her. This is how that all played out (so far and I'll copy the highlights)

...Last night I had a truly wonderful experience with a servant [her essay was religious in nature]. She showed concern and helpfulness that went beyond the norm. When have we exclaimed about the “extra mile” a ticket agent has walked for us? Well, this woman at a certain airline’s 800 number gave me a new picture of service.

She not only carefully listened to the need I had—an award ticket around noon on a certain day—but cheerfully tried every means at her disposal to find the best possible deal. She made my search her own, all the while entertaining me with her commentary on the ins and outs of flying. I should have known I had connected with somebody special when she picked up the phone laughing.

How often do we come away from a situation like this disgruntled, weary of “the system?” Because of her genuine attempt to help, even though she couldn’t come up with a ticket to meet my needs, I put down the phone with a smile. Refreshing! Her attitude made all the difference. Maybe others would have searched as long and as hard as she did, but I’ve never known one to do it with such humor and good nature.

[Now my reply to her] ...Thank you for this. I've had people talk to my supervisors and "sing my praises" but never has anyone gone to this extent to make me feel good about what I do.

It's stuff like this that keeps me going some days.

I'll be honest, I'm not a particularly religious person having spent quite a few years when I was a lot younger as a Jehovah's Witness. I won't bore you with the story but I walked away from religion but not spirituality. So I was bit surprised to see how you incorporated your experience with me into this but it was nice. I will keep this and re-read it again, especially when I'm feeling discouraged about the job.

[Her turn again]...Thank you for taking the time to reply. Hey - that story would NOT be boring to me--in fact, I "collect" stories that can help other people!! And I've never had one about the J.W. scenario, so please, if you wish, send it along!! And I have two grown children in just about the same spiritual realm as you--it's pretty common w/your age group. I'll admit, this time it was tough to integrate my two experiences, but finally, there it WAS...Jesus saw the HEART, and you are all about heart, that's obvious.

I can also see you're a good writer, just from your reply (I teach expository writing @ the college level) - I do encourage you to write out your story, whether you send it to me or not--writing is such a POWERFUL tool for living--The Artist's Way by Julia Cameron taught me so much about this.

[My turn again]...Thank you for more lovely words Gail.

My mother [part of why she sold me her laptop so cheaply] has been encouraging to write the story of my life (there has been multiple step-fathers, moving a LOT (including out of the country) and various other exciting (or not so exciting?) things and of course a big part involves the religion, but it's a long story so I'm dragging my feet a bit. I guess I could just start and take it one year at a time.

In the meantime, I blog (I know, I know, who doesn't these days?). I started it recently and am LOVING the freedom to express myself. I do love writing, just lack the discipline to do it seriously. Maybe that will change the more I do it.

I've always been a bookworm and then when I took creative writing in High School it gave me some formal education about actually writing.

I haven't done the college thing so am glad you liked my email and are encouraging me to continue writing.

What a nice experience this is turning out to be! I do believe that people are brought in to your life for a reason and I do feel that He is looking out for me (I just don't want to have to follow anyone else's rules for how my relationship is with Him) and am happy we've exchanged these emails.

If you're interested in the blog, I'll send you the link (won't presume to just send it to you now)

...If I do write the story, I'll send it on to you -well, the religious part of it anyway.

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Nice huh? I think the thing about deciding to have a better attitude about work is paying off. It's not a perfect job but I'm getting out of it what I put into it.