If you missed Judith Tarr's take on Alexander and Egypt, read on!

Judith Tarr is one of the most fantastic fantasy writers out there, and today a historical period dear to her heart returns to her catalog -- Alexander the Great. Judy LOVES her Persian royalty, and under her skillful hands, you'll love them, too. If you missed LORD OF THE TWO LANDS in the early 1990s, now's your chance to read it -- immediately, DRM-free, the bulk of the money going directly to the author. Bonus -- this book was a World Fantasy Award nominee.

And there's a sample chapter, of course!

In 336 B.C., Egypt lies under the yoke of Persia. But from the north a spirit of fire moves across the world. His name is Alexander, and he is the destined conqueror of the Persian Empire--and the king foretold of Egypt.

Meriamon, daughter of the last Pharaoh, journeys out of Egypt to find him and bring him home. From the battlefield of Issus to the siege of Tyre, from the founding of Alexandria to the divine revelations of Siwah, Meriamon both leads and follows her divine charge, who becomes her friend and her chosen king.

I have neglected my children, but you can help

This is a post for Live Journal, and it's about stuff I don't discuss casually. We're talking about the nitty gritty of carving out a new life for myself. But if you have a moment, you can improve my situation.
( Since I cannot turn off Facebook, we'll try hiding behind a cut )

Thanks for your attention, and all your kindness. And now -- it's Allie's turn again.

How Doctors Die

If you hope to die peacefully, without crazy and costly measures taken to prolong your life, you're going to have to script it, in detail, and make sure that your doctor, your spouse, your siblings, your children and even your best friends know what you want. My father was shocked to find out that DNR meant that no one would attempt to resuscitate him if he had stopped breathing. But if it was anything short of that, the caregivers would call an ambulance. Because everyone fears lawsuits, and no one wants to explain why they didn't do enough.

My father had to say no. In fact, once he had decided that he was not going to "even out," that there was not going to be an easier period before his death, even with a dozen medications assisting, he kept saying no. It was the last thing he said -- no, to everything, for fear that he'd be taken back to a hospital and we'd be unable to get him unhooked from those machines he'd had a horror of.

A large percentage of doctors die at home, gently. Hospice is not always easy or pretty, but it can be painless for the person dying -- and that's the point. If the pain and fear is controlled, you can have the best death any of us can hope for. Sometimes, people even have more time left, relaxing, away from hospitals and medications.

Which is why Doctors tend to refuse all the things other people get talked or pressured into. Start thinking about it a bit now -- do little things like create documents with passwords, phone numbers, staff to contact. There are nonprofits you can join and put your last wishes on file -- and make sure your family knows you've done this.

Because in the end, you probably don't want the torture that gives you a ten percent chance at lousy quality of life. You want to say goodbye to the people you love, and see a few movies that make you laugh.

Re-reading Allie #3 after being away for two months --

Sixty pages in. Guess what?

It's good! (Phew!)