Last Day of July...Where Did the Summer Go?

I know, I know...it's not over yet; it just seems that the relative freedom of June was "a few minutes ago". Now, we're entering the last days of summer as school starts on August 29th around here.

I've got two sons; my youngest is 15 - and is a "home schooled" student. My oldest is now in a classroom environment, preparing for the rigors of junior college - learning how to take notes, and take tests...all the things home schoolers don't do.

In 28 days...summer is over for us.

How about you?
Are you enjoying what's left of the season with you family and friends?

If not...start!

I'm putting the finishing touches on a new article - getting it ready to go to my editor at the end of the week. In the meantime, I'd love for you to post on topics you'd love to see on DeathRites.com. You know what I'd love to write about? Let's see....here are some topics I'm addressing:

Death Masks: a cross-cultural look at the use of masks in death rites

The Colors of Death: Where You Are Determines What You Wear!

I'd love to write about the origins of embalming; how our society uses the mass grave for paupers - are they less important than everyone else?

I guess we're unequal even in death, huh?

Remember, life is short. Go out, enjoy it. Try to have no regrets.
Be safe, so you can tell your stories to your children and grandchildren.

Until next week,

Kim

Sunday night

It's been a busy weekend here. I've been working on a new article, as well as trying to clean the carpets. Seems the house is "stale"...the heat (it's hot summer here in Boulder Creek...probably 80 degrees F....seems to bake the house and make smells more apparent. With an inside dog and a cat...we've got smells, no doubt about it.

My foster son came for a visit - wonderful boy, in his 8th week in an alcohol/drug rehab center. He's so brave; facing things "head on". He's my hero right now...and I know he's going to succeed at this hard job.

How's your summer shaping up?
When you have time, I'd like you to spend a few minutes thinking about how you define a "good death". This definition, albeit personal - has distinct socio-cultural overtones. I've been doing research for my latest work, and I'd love to hear from you. So post here! The opposite is also of importance. How do you define a "bad" death?

Make it a great Monday. It's 11pm here, and I'm off to bed.

Mid-week chit~chat

I've been getting some interesting comments on the famidahana ritual article; most of them having to do with how little corporal involvement is incorporated into our Western rituals. More and more, the memorial service or life celebration doesn't even include the body of the deceased!

Strange isn't it?
Some cultures reveal the reality of corporal death and decomposition, while ours has removed that element of human existence from the ritual almost completely. Which functions better?

Any thoughts on that?

I'd love comments!

K

Famidahana Ritual: My New Article in "American Cemetery" magazine!

Hey, everyone!
Sure hope you're having the grandest Saturday. My day is a quiet one; the boys are off at their dad's house, and I'm just researching and writing - but, I wanted to take a moment to share with you that I have another article published in the July issue of American Cemetery. Now, since most of you are not IN the death-care field, and therefore don't have access to this trade publication, I've taken the liberty of posting the article (without the marvelous photos included in the glossy mag) for you to read.

I sure hope you enjoy it. This ritual is one of the most loving, cross-generational, life-affirming spectacles you could hope to bear witness to; and it puts our rituals and beliefs into stark perspective.

The link is:

http://www.kimstaceycopywriter.net/deathrites/famidahanaritual.pdf

It will be available for the next week.

Why not subscribe to DeathWrites, the monthly email newsletter on death rituals and death-consciousness? Just send an email to: deathwrites@kimstaceycopywriter.net.

If you have any topics you'd like to see investigated, just drop me an email at: editordeathwrites@sbcglobal.net

Enjoy the rest of the weekend, and the week to come!

Most warmly,

Kim

Post Flu Report

Fourth of July weekend was a quiet one for me - I had the stomach flu! Both the boys were busy outside the home, and I had HOURS of quiet...once I stopped feeling so bad, it was glorious!

I spent the recovery time watching a marathon of the HBO series, Six Feet Under. Now, THAT'S a rollicking good time! I wonder if the hidden messages get through to people?

Life is terribly short for each of us; even if we live a full, long life.
Enjoy every day.
Do something you love to do, each and every day.
Realize that reality is benign. It is only our perception of it that colors our experiences.
Be happy.

For those of you who have subscribed to the ezine, DeathWrites - you can expect your next issue in mid-July.

Until then, if you have specific questions you'd like answered in the newsletter, write me at:
editordeathwrites@sbcglobal.net

Love,
K