People keep asking me to change my profile picture to make it more in keeping with the things I write about. You have to keep your bearings even in a hard-scrabble world & for me being morose & dour wouldn’t work. I write about the oppressed because I love people, hate the suffering of children, & think everyone has the right to a rich & peaceful life. I love being around people, love my book club mates where this photo was taken, & love laughter. I only wish I had put on some earrings & a little more lipstick when this picture was taken so that young guy from Kashmir who said I looked hot a few years back would still pony up with the compliments.