Simple fact is that alcohol isn’t evil, but the way I drank was a sin.

We murder to dissect.

St. John’s Wort has interested me - a few years back, I wound up taking an anti-depressant (serotonin uptake inhibitor) because it seems that I really do have that problem; however, the med I take (Effexor), while mild in its effects, has withdrawal symptoms that can be completely debilitating; and now I’ve started to taper off of it (under medical care, of course) because a) I don’t like the idea of continuing to take something so scary, and b) one of the long-term effects is weight gain, which has happened to me.

We make light of it, but mood and depression are serious business. People talk about the rain up here in Seattle, but I think the real characteristic of the winters here is the darkness. We are far enough north we only get a bit of sun for four months or so — you jog in the dark, go to work in the dark, come home in the dark. I’ve got the tan to prove it. Seasonal affective disorder is legitimate, at least out here. I’ve known two doctors who moved away because their spouses were just too depressed during our winters.

But you’re a runner. You’re a lot faster than I’ll ever be, but runners always seem to migrate back to running somehow. It’s not a cure, but I think it helps. I seem to be able to take more slings and arrows without getting too blue if I have my miles in. But in truth, running is not enough alone, and coffee and Marx Brothers movies are not enough alone (much as I love them). I like the light-box trick, I think that helps people out here. And the predictable drugs are valuable for some ( . . . I call Paxil the “house brand” because about half my relative seem to take it — can’t tell you which half).

I suspect for you writing is a bit like running. Am still awaiting your great American novel. We continue to read with interest. Your fan, E