TO WRITE: Are Women and Men REALLY Different?
Gender differences have been discussed, and sometimes enforced, for eons, continuing in this election season, including tonight's VP debate. How real are these differences? More crucially, how important are they?

I'm observing all sorts of interesting things in this arena now that I have an 11-month-old daughter. Friends tell me they couldn't affect their girls' love of princess dresses even though they tried; men seem less likely to ask to hold the baby even when they beam contentedly when the offer is made and they reach out; strangers with a kind comment for the little one are unsure how to deliver it if s/he's wearing gender-neutral clothing below her short baby hair.

Play with this. . .
Write continuously for 20 minutes starting with: The real difference between men and women is... Or start with the differences between girls and boys. What differences have you observed recently? What conclusions have you drawn? Do you treat women and men differently? Do others role-cast you, and how does that feel? Is it advantageous or problematic to have differences? And do gender roles have any influence on your depression?

TO WRITE: The Youngest, the Oldest

OK, so I've got babies on the mind. . . humor this new mom. (See earlier post today.) As my beautiful little one seems to do something new everyday -- she is soooo close to crawling -- I'm terribly impressed by her rapid developments. Our accrued learning over a lifetime is amazing.

Play with this. . .
Describe the youngest person or the oldest person you've known. What stories do you recall about this person? What have you learned from her or him? My paternal grandmother, who I knew well, lived in reasonable health to 97 years of age. In China we met a 96-year-old man who was fascinating in his physical flexibility and apparent health. He said daily tai-chi was his secret. On the other hand, the youngest person I've known well since I've been an adult is definitely my new daughter, just turned 10 months old. I'm adoring watching all the changes she's made in just the month we've known her, and I know I'll learn a tremendous amount as we evolve as a family. I think that reflecting on all three of these people will be a help when I'm feeling really low.