July 23rd. Day 2: 17.5 miles 8.3 hours Today went well. Pam and I decided it best for me to wear my wet suit from Mc Farland Park to mile 243 since we did not have time to call the contact names we had for the State Dept. I feel people think me overly concerned; even the mussel divers said they had not ever gotten sick from diving there. My fear is not that I will get the "River Diet"...though it would not be welcomed, I don't lose sleep over it. Toxic waste, fertilizers, pesticides, and herbicides are my deepest concerns. Unfortunately, the effects of those do not show up for years. So, I protect myself now. People innocently and freely use fertilizers not realizing we literally have no idea what is in them. The law only requires companies to list the "active incredients". It is perfectly legal to put lead, cadmium, and low-level radioactive byproducts in fertilizers as "inert ingredients". All countries do it, but the United States does not have limits on how much you can put in. If interested check out, "Fateful Harvest", a pulitzer prize nominated book. What did I contemplate on my swim? A woman recently told me she had simply given up on trying to live right and act environmentally responsibly. "It is out of control" and "There is nothing we can do about it." She felt she had no "power" to change our government or the conglomerates. If that is true, what are we doing in the Middle East? What are we doing in any third world country? We go into countries that have oppresive governments, limited running water, electricity, and housing;and preach to them about democracy and prosperity. How hypocritical is that? We are so blessed to be citizens of the United States. To most countries we are the "land of milk and honey" and WE ARE! As citizens we have the power to make change, IF we are willing to expend the energy. The essence of democracy is "one person's ability to make a difference". Each and every one of us has that ability, but often retreat and settle for less out of fear. Don't! Follow your heart and your passions and keep Winston Churchill's words by your side, "Never, give up. Never, never, never give up." That quote also goes out to all my students who are taking the graduation exam this week. I am incredibly proud of all of you and my thoughts of encouragement went out to you today as they will tomorrow. Please....relax, take breaks, and never forget- I believe in you. A friend sent me a joke: There are only two things you need to know about women, and nobody knows either of them! Take care, mimi