Weather in the Tries:
Yikes! I started writing that this week would be cooler, and checked my phone to be sure I wouldn’t tell a lie. Well, part of the week will be cooler. Monday will be 71, Saturday will be 97. Hmmm, maybe I should consider switching to Celsius? It won’t affect the temps, but the number will be lower. A little psychological magic.

Monday will be 22, Saturday will be 37.Whatcha think? Shall I switch to Celsius until Fall?

Willed Body Programs:
We have two Willed Body programs here in Washington State—the University of Washington in Seattle and Washington State University in Spokane. I want to donate my body to a Body Farm, there are six of them, but none of them in the Pacific Northwest. They are all in the South and East. The original one is in Tennessee, started by forensic anthropologist Will Bass. I wish we had one in the PNW. Alas, we don’t. 

We do have Medical Schools, in Washington State, we have two of which I’m aware. The University of Washington(UW) in Seattle and Washington State University (WSU) in Spokane. Both accept willed bodies provided all the paperwork (oh, yeah, pages and pages) is complete and no next of kin objects. 

The UW accepts bodies from anywhere in the state and will cover transportation, and eventual cremation, with the ashes being placed in an unmarked grave (columbarium?) in their plot at Evergreen-Washelli in Seattle when finished with the body. WSU will transport, free of charge for bodies in a more localized area and charge the estate for transportation from farther away. I don’t know how much they charge.

Links to both schools’ Willed Body Programs are above. For me it boils down to: Do I want my ashes to be turned into mud, or to enjoy the seasons mostly in the sun. And can my estate afford the transportation costs?

Both sites have easily read and understood directions. Some things will disqualify—certain contagious diseases (at time of death) as well as horrendous trauma. If you will your body, there is no guarantee at the time of your death that either school will have need of you. Both strongly urge all donors to have a Plan B. 

If helping future doctors become good future doctors, this may be something for you to consider. This should be discussed with your family, as it will mean if you want a funeral, it will have to be without a body (I suppose you could use an empty casket. Hmm, would it have to be empty? Surely you can think of things to place in the casket to your weight? Those ugly sweaters Auntie Lenora did not give you (use them for wrapping so things don’t rattle), those computers you need to get rid of (especially the hard drives with incriminating letters?), those slick tires you need to dispose of? Well, you’ll think of something, I’m sure). UW will not return the ashes, WSU will, if requested. 

What will your family do with them, anyhow? Why would they want them, unless they’re going to use them for something other than put them in a vase to grace your living room or to use as a door stop? Yes, I know, cremains may be used for several things, but will they really go to go to such lengths?

Anyhow, I will post the links to both in my doula site, in the Resources page.  

Photos of the Week:
Be careful for what you ask! This guy was lonely. He sent out a call.

And this happened in minutes. He was ignored by everyone.

from the desk of Sammy snuggle pup;
my human sits on the bed to put on her socks and shoes. I lie in wait, and as she sits I sneak from behind her and crawl into her lap for pets and snuggles. for some reason, she enjoys it. I’ll have to do this more often, because I enjoy it, too. I also enjoy the warmer weather and sunshine we’re getting. happy dance time in my town.

Ear worm of the week:
Wolf Totem by the HU

Quote of the week:

“In such diffused changes of culture
two factors are necessary:
contact and understanding.” ~Hu Shih