[MD] Thus spoke Lila

[rapsncows at fastmail.fm]

Marsh,
greetings,

> Marsha:
> The process seems quite passive, but I usually feel better after having 
> mediated.

[Tim]
Fine.

(not as in 'okay, I guess; let's see', but as in 'this is as fine a way
of putting is it as ... --- that is, what room do you leave for the
'novice' if you too are a 'novice'? ;)   )
  
> 
> Marsha:
> You wrote a long post, and I read through it all, but it seemed to take
> flight 
> on its own.  These are individual journeys to understanding, and I judged
> it 
> best just to let it fly.  I certainly meant no harm or disrespect.

[Tim]
in reverse:

first: at the time, I thought you were blowing me off - and since you
had asked the question - and I had just gotten into it - I was miffed. 
Now, well it has been many days or a week since I looked back at my long
response, but I remember it having many different trains within it, and
it didn't hang together very well - anyway, it took a reprieve in order
for me to look at your decision more fairly.  If I was leaning towards
you then, I am in your camp now; I need no more convincing on: '...and I
judged it best just to let it fly.  I certainly meant no harm or
disrespect'.  Rather, it is I who disrespected you, so again, I'm sorry.

Next: "These are individual journeys to understanding," ... hmmm ... I
am at a loss for how to proceed exactly ... I must though ...  to start
playing with this, what happens if I move the 's': these are [this is]
individuals' journey to understanding?  ehhhh, I don't like this too
much, just a playful toying attempt.  But about your original, It just
seems to be missing the kick, that while every individual has her own
journey, we are all journeying together, intertwined as it were.  I
don't know how to fix the language so as to pay respect to that kick.
... hm! maybe: "This is individuals' journeys to understanding, ..."  I
kinda like this.  I think I'll sleep on it.  What do you think though?

last: "You wrote a long post, and I read through it all, ..." - I didn't
doubt that.  In fact, I think this is what stung.  Had you ignored it
completely, I could have thought, 'whatever'.  But it was in considering
this, that had you ignored it, I would not have felt disrespected; but
that it was because you did me the courtesy of not ignoring, and the
courtesy of letting me know that I should not be waiting for a response,
that I felt disrespected: that seemed very unfair, and backwards of what
I would want to encourage.  Anyway, it took a short bit, but I think it
worked out 'fine'.  If you have fully forgiven my overreaction and my
disrespecting you, then I think I can have solid confidence in that
assessment.

...

I just went back and looked over the 'Next' section.  (A minor edit or
two to true up the sense and timing):

This is individuals' journeys to understanding AND ...

I'm already taking a real shine to this!  Thanks!!!

Tim
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