Thanks so much, ITW!

I love all of your posts and pictures, especially the inspirational ones.

It is harder than I thought it would be. Sitting at home, I felt bored and restless. Now I am feeling a little overwhelmed. It will get easier though. And everyone is so nice and helpful. I just missed my coworkers and of course, the kids. I'm actually surprised at how empathetic kids can be! They are so sweet. (Thanks, parents for raising such good kids!!)

I went back to work today.

I was off for seven weeks recovering from an injury. It was great to be back... but wow, am I tired! Seven weeks of being a shiftless layabout --- and now I have to be a productive member of society again! Ouch!

Thanks DU and especially the Lounge for helping the time to pass, making me laugh, and keeping my brain from turning to farina. Thanks also to Neoma and backwoodsbob for sharing their tales from the trenches.... I was in there with you and it helped to find a couple of fellow recuperators along the way.

Is anyone watching "60 Minutes"?

They are doing an interview with US aid worker Jessica Buchanan who was rescued from 3 months captivity in Somalia. She and a Danish co-worker were rescued by Navy Seals. What an amazing story. Her book comes out this week. What a brave young woman!

Imagine what is like to be them!

Constantly living in fear and dread? Maybe they need some anti-anxiety meds.

I look at it differently and see the changes as a positive force. I do worry about the proliferation of weapons and hope that the movement for more regulation will continue to grow. But I really believe that the pendulum has finally swung to the left after being stuck on the right since 1980. I think the 2012 election was a turning point with the passage of more equal rights and the legalization of marijuana in a few states. Once people have more freedom, no one will take it from them.

Now we need to get rid of those repuke governors who are trying to roll back progress on voting and labor rights. We can do it.

Glad to hear that you are doing better, bob.

I am going back to work tomorrow too. I have been off for 7 weeks. Ugh. I still need a cane though.

That is really nice that your employer is accommodating you. I'm a little worried about getting around, but plan to put anyone who is available to help to good use! I work with kids and they love to help.

You must be doing well if you can go tubing! Have fun!

My sympathies to NC if that is where they are headed next.

We have had our share of nightmares in PA. There are no bounds to their greed. It seems crazy to dispose of the wastewater in that manner. It won't matter to them though. All you can do is organize, fight, and hope you can make it so uncomfortable for them that they will go somewhere else. Good luck to you all.

I ran for delegate to the DNC in 2004.

I have been politically active since I was in junior high. I actually worked for a neighbor who was running for mayor of our city. I organized a group of classmates to hand out campaign literature in the park.

I worked my butt off for Mondale in 1984. Since then I have attended rallies, worked for candidates, etc. Most recently was for a slate of school board candidates two years ago.

I love election day! it's better than a holiday for me! When I retire I would like to work at the polls.

This is a great question.

I am a non-practicing Christian. I vote for the democrats because in my mind at least, they represent the poor and the working class. I know this is not always true, but they hold the best hope compared to the other party.

I believe in helping others, equality and fairness. I loathe everything the republicans stand for.

Happy Teacher Appreciation Week!

Revisiting the Bangladesh garment factory tragedy....

I found this on HuffPo.... It is about retailers with shameful records of doing business with countries that use sweatshop labor and other safety violations. The article mentions that almost all retailers are "guilty" of this practice, however.

You might be surprised at some of the retailers pictured in the slide show. Link:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/05/04/retailers-sweatshops_n_3196850.html?view=print&comm_ref=false