Tipping chambermaids is not customary in the US. In Europe, maybe, but

not in the US.

I've seen cards in rooms - My name is Zelda (example).
Trouble is, Zelda may not be tidying your room every day - she may be off, and Rosa may be there. When you leave a tip rather than giving it directly to the individual, you can't be sure the person you want to get the tip will indeed get it.

Secondly, I don't carry much cash, and what I do have I want to be with me going out into the world. In restaurants, I use a credit card & add on the tip, same thing at the hairdresser, etc.

Many travelers have experience with cruises, where tips are now charged per diem, usually $11 or $12/day charged to your bill. That covers all staff - waiters for 3 meals/day, room maids, bartenders, and all others. If you break that down per staff member, it's not very much, and likely many travelers take their tipping cues from that experience.

I've never regretted a dollar we spent on the education of

our four children. In fact, I've never counted - or added up- the amount, but wouldn't be surprised if the total was more than I could have imagined.

Two were National Merit Scholars, with scholarships to good colleges, one private, one public.
The other two children didn't have those academic talents, but still benefitted from the training as well as the education they received in their parochial and private schools.

This is not to say that I don't respect public schools. My first two went to kindergarten and first grade in our good, local public schools.
Having our religion integrated into their daily was important to spouse and me, and I do believe the kids appreciate the schooling they were provided.

I do vote for local public school levies because I want our urban public schools to be able to offer strong education to all our children.

Sad to say, this would only make the local news in the US.

Family homicide is not uncommon.

Whoever said Democrats/ Progressives were perfect?

I'm sure you'll find the same faults among Progressives that you find among the human race in general.
Maybe some faults more in one area and less in others.

I've long observed that there are those here filled with anger.
They may believe it's righteous anger, but that's not always obvious or even correct.

Maybe most do not vote. nt

ISIL is to Islam as the Westboro Baptist church

is to Christianity.

He didn't get far.

Found in the Lima OH area.
Police had asked local citizens to not post police positions, etc. on social media.

It's highly likely that the third escapee, who was caught, will

reveal how they got out.

My impression is generally negative -(I'm also not a doctor )

My spouse had a diagnosis of severe, intractable depression, noticeable in his early 60's, though possible starting earlier.
He would take to his bed, not want to eat, bathe, or take any kind of self-care.
This would go on for a several months, then eventually the depression apparently left, and he and we resumed a normal life - traveling, going to performances,- until the depression struck again.
He saw the head of a hospital psychiatry dept., who was unsuccessful in treating him with meds.
Eventually he was in three different hospitals' psychiatric sections, and with several psychiatrists. None were successful in alleviating the depression.
During one hospitalization, ECT was recommended and he had one session, the effect of which lasted no more than an hour.
We decided there would be no more ECT.

Eventually a neurologist diagnosed him with amyloidal angiopathy - bits of amyloid, a naturally occurring element in the human body, were clogging the ends of the arteries of his brain. No cure available, but the depression was evidently a secondary result of the ailment.

Again, I'm not a doctor, but I hope you've had a complete neurological workup to rule out a physical cause.

A long-time friend is now suffering from long-term depression. She had some relief from Risperdal, which took away her anxiety, but the depressive state recurred.

I could recount more, but will stop here. You are the only one who knows what you are going through, and it has to be your decision in the end. ECT will likely not harm you permanently, but I'd be surprised if it solves your problem long-term.

In my opinion, ECT is recommended when the psychiatrist has no other answers. We are still in the dark ages in the matter of psychiatric illness - so much to learn about the human brain.

Good luck in your quest for health.

He signs "As Always". Is he always that vile? NT