THE NEW YEAR

May it be creative and healthy and as happy as possible at whatever stage of life you're at.

I'm looking forward to it. As a political junkie, a presidential election year offers a lot of opportunities for analyses and interpretations. I just hope Obama and the Democrats get a little better at pointing out all the good things they've accomplished and other good things they could have accomplished if they weren't blocked almost every step of the way by rightwing Republicans.

It looks like the race for the Republican presidential nomination might be over relatively early in the year the way the primaries are set up now. But given the volatility of that contest so far, it might drag on which could be fun to watch despite the distressing pile of lies and distortions that have already been promulgated in it so far.

But the good news will always be in the discoveries of new people and the work they're doing that adds something positive to my life and the world.

Like a new friend met recently at the end of 2011 who has written a book, as yet only in e-book form, about her experiences and advice and the experience and advice of other parents involved in either the Occupy Wall Street movement or any kind of political action.

Her name is Kirby Desmarais and her work both as an activist and a writer is inspiring. Check out her book here and if you're a parent it really offers great insights into how to bring your politics into the role of parent and vice versa.