HAPPY NEW YEAR

I will raise a glass and toast to the New Year and the hope that 2009 will be a better year for everyone.

I'm sure we are all glad to see an end to 2008.

Percption is Everything

It was just reported on the news that President Obama and his wife will attend, no less than, ten Inaugural Balls. I support our new president but I think that in these economic times, ten expensive balls is a bit to much. Actually, its a lot to much.

Random Thoughts

Well, the Bucs lost again today. Coach Gruden said he was proud of their effort and they will learn from this loss. Excuse me! Isn't that something you say to Pee-Wee and High School football players? These guys are professionals bringing down the very big bucks. Aren't they suppose to already know how to do it?

Every year when the temperature drops below zero and the snow and ice storms rush across the country everyone is so surprised. Hello! It's winter. This is what happens in winter.

I couldn't find the crowds at the mall last Sunday but they were sure out there today. I finally had to resort to stalking people coming out of the store in order to find a parking place.

The Holliday arrived for us last Tuesday. Our son from North Carolina surprised us with a visit. It was short but very sweet.

Economy

My recovery from falling down is almost complete. It took a whole lot longer than I anticipated but I am not hobbling as much anymore.

I am not a Black Friday shopper so we didn’t get to the stores until last Sunday. How bad is the economy? I was amazed. They are practically giving merchandise away and still no one is buying. I expected crowds and long lines but there was, comparatively, no one in the mall. If big business is having this bad of a time it means small business is out of business. This is very sad. Perhaps this a “correction” for business but I don’t think so. I think we are in real trouble and I don’t know what the answer is. I just hope there are some very smart people out there who do have the answer. Congress keeps banging its head against the wall – they think all they have to do is bail everyone out with tax payer dollars. I think this is just throwing good money after bad.

The company my brother-in-law works for was laying people off last year and he was in danger of losing his job. He went to his employer and ask if he could take a pay cut in order to keep his job. The boss was very impressed and said yes. Others lost their jobs but my brother-in-law kept his and is now making his original salary again.

I know this is not a cure for all of this country’s woes but perhaps if we all give a little things will get better.

When I first entered the work force many years ago, the attitude toward our jobs was, “how much can I do for this job”. Over the years I have seen this change to where workers now ask “how much can this job do for me”. Perhaps we need to concentrate less on “me” and more on “we”.

But do I want to be found?

I just saw a commercial for ZoomBack. This is a device, which seems to be similar to the Lojack thing for cars, but this one you can put on your car, your kid, your dog or just about any thing that moves. You then go to your computer and you can track it.

I don't know whether to feel more secure or scared.

Guess it might be good for Alzheimer patients who wander off.

Falling Down

Don't you just hate that?

I fell down the other day. Flying forward, flat on my face.

First, it's embarrassing and second you usually get hurt. Everyone crowds around asking if you are all right. Of course I'm not all right - I just fell down.

When I was eight months pregnant with my daughter I fell down on the sidewalk in downtown Denver. I was working in the medical field at the time so I was wearing a white uniform. I looked like a beached, white whale laying there on the street. The saving grace then was that no one knew me. This was not the case the other day. Everyone knows me. The fact that I was at a public place (the pool) in a bathing suit did not help.

The final result is that I twisted my foot so now I am hobbling around unable to do much for myself. It is getting better and should be back to normal by the first of the week. Unfortunately, the embarrassment will last much longer.

Bailout

Do I have this right?

The government wants to give the big 3 auto makers money so they can keep making big, gas guzzling cars that, do to the economy and unemployment, no one can afford to buy.

Some smart person - please explain this to me.

VOTE

Tomorrow is election day (you would have to living in a cave under a waterfall to not know this), but in case you have forgotten - yes, tomorrow is the day.

Do your duty and VOTE!

It doesn't matter which side you are on. On every ballot there will be someone or something that you will care about or that will affect your life. Take a stand - VOTE!

Terrorism

I have been attacked by a Political Terrorist.

Someone stole the Obama sign off my lawn in the dead of the night.

Now, I have been doing this political thing for a very long time but, never, even in the most heated of campaigns, have I ever stole an opponent's sign.

I guess there are some people in this country that still do not believe in free speech.

My Hero

Colin Powell has always been a hero of mine. The interview he gave on Meet The Press today was one of the best political interviews I have ever heard. If you missed it, go to MSNBC.com where you can see it in its entirety. If you are one of the undecided voters out there, this should give you clear direction for your choice.

Tom Brokaw ask some very hard questions and Powell hit every one of them out of the park (sorry, I have been watching baseball). His reasoning for his choice of Obama for President is sound and well thought out. Many have come to the same conclusions but Colin Powell puts in into words the best I have ever heard.

We Voted

Yesterday we voted our absentee ballots. We have had them for a couple of weeks but there are several amendments with confusing language so it took some time to understand them (wanted to be very careful and get it right). Also there are lots of judges to be retained and information on them is scarce. We finally waded through it all and completed the ballot.

We then drove to the Supervisor of Elections office to hand deliver them. Not trusting the mail with such an important item. In the lobby of the elections office is a giant trash can with a sign that reads "place all ballots here". Makes you wonder doesn't it?

Biden vs Palin

Joe Biden. Joe Biden is Joe Biden. What you see is what you get and what you get is good.

Sarah Palin did not embarrass herself last night. She did announce. early on, that she would not be following the rules (not a good sign in a leader). She would talk about what she wanted to talk about - and she did - repeatedly. All in all she did not do to bad.

But (you knew there would be a but)

I considerate myself to be a somewhat intelligent middle class American. I resent being called "Joe Six-pack". Does she think all middle class Americans sit around drinking beer and scratching themselves all day? Also, we could do without the gosh darn folksiness. I'm capable of understanding the King's English. I'm not sure the candidates do though. When are they going to stop using the double negative "have got"?

If you want my vote - don't talk down to me and don't insult me.

A Ghost Story

The Country Doctor’s Wife related a story about her husband’s nurse picking up her mother’s ashes at the post office. This reminded me of a story that happened at the law firm I used to work for.

Long before I went to work at the law firm, they had a German client that died. In his will he requested that he be cremated and his ashes sent to relatives in Germany for burial. The probate paralegal notified the family in Germany that we would be sending his ashes to them and we received a letter back saying they didn’t want him. The paralegal thought it was her duty to carry out his last wishes so she boxed him up and sent him on his way. After all, what are they going to do? Once he’s there they will have to keep him. Right? She closed the file and sent it to storage and forgot about him.

Several months later the mail man delivers a package and lo and behold – it’s the dead German sent back to us. Apparently, he was not a very nice man and when the relatives in German said they didn’t want him, they really meant it.

By this time no one can remember his name so we can't find his file. What to do with the dead German? Finally the paralegal stuck him on a shelf in the storage room and everyone forgot about him.

Years and years went by and the dead German became more of an urban legend than a reality. Strange things would happen from time to time in the office. My boss and some paralegals, working late at night would hear doors shutting when there was no reason for it and lights that would come on or go off by themselves. They all thought the place was haunted - by the dead German in the closet.

One day, a few years ago, someone attempted to put something very heavy on one of the shelving units in the back of the storage closet and the whole thing gave way and fell down. Guess who came tumbling out? The long forgotten dead German.

For some reason he ended up on my desk. One of the Attorneys’s said to just throw him in the trash. I didn’t think that was such a good idea. What if some one found him? So, I said I would take him home with me and scatter him in the creek near my house. On second thought I decided it would probably be breaking some kind of pollution laws (who know what was in that guy) so I just put him on the work bench in the garage.

One day my son came home for a visit and I said “sweetheart, there’s a dead German in the garage, would you please bury him in the back yard”? And he did.

Paul Newman

Today we mourn Paul Newman. Not only a great actor but a great man.

And those eyes - those eyes. We all fell in love with those beautiful blue eyes.

He will be missed.

Bailout

My husband and I have worked hard all our lives. We paid our mortgage off. It took 30 years to do it but we did it. We paid off our car loans and helped put our kids through college.

We don't have a lot left over now but it should be enough to get us through. Or so we thought.

We can't afford to bail out anyone. What little we have in our financial portfolio we will need to live on in the future. Where is my Golden Parachute?

Happiness

Saturday night I attended the 26th (all of my friends tend to procrastinate) Anniversary party of my friends Keith and Lucy. The party was held at a hotel/resort on the beach. As we enjoyed the open bar and yummy appetizers we watched the sun set over the Gulf of Mexico. There were around 70 guests. Dinner was very good and there was a band and dancing. Lucy’s sister and her husband along with her brother and some very cute children put on a hilarious skit chronicling Keith and Lucy’s path to 26 years of happiness together – and they are truly a very happy couple.

Yesterday I watched multiple episodes of Bridezillas (there was NOTHING else on). I have never seen so many self centered, nasty women in my life. Why anyone would want to marry these women is beyond me. These couples will not make it 6 years let alone 26. I’m sure some won’t make it 6 months.

So I got to thinking – what really makes a happy marriage?

I’ve heard many say it’s all about communication. Communication is important - depending on what you say. The couples on Bridezillas were doing a lot of communicating but it was all really bad.

I think the secret to a happy marriage is respect. Respect you spouse for who he or she is as an individual. It doesn’t mean you have to always agree with them (how boring would that be?) but you should respect their right to their opinion. If you can’t say something nice, don’t say anything at all. The lesson I’ve learned is to think before you speak. Disrespect cuts to the bone and is never really forgotten. If you love someone, you should never purposeful hurt them.

Keith and Lucy have that kind of marriage and I am sure that some day they will celebrate their 51st anniversary and I hope I am still here to see it.

Experience?

Everyone seem to be concerned with the candidates "executive experience".

I am more concerned with their common sense and I haven't seen a whole lot of it yet.

Tell me the truth

I watch CNN, Fox News, MSNBC and NBC News. I read the newspaper every day and I have watched several speeches by both Obama and McCain. I think (or at least I thought) I was fairly well informed.

Then I received this email the other day.

Subject: Taxes - this is important
Proposed changes in taxes after the 2008 General election:

We’re trying to figure out the impact on the economy, job creation, interest rates and the equity markets of the candidates respective tax programs.

CAPITAL GAIN TAX ON SALE OF HOMES:
MCCAIN
0% on home sales up to $500,000 per home (couples). McCain does not propose any change in existing home sales income tax.
OBAMA28% on profit from ALL home sales

TAX ON DIVIDENDS:
MCCAIN 15% (no change)
OBAMA 39.6%

INCOME TAX:
MCCAIN (no changes)
Single making 30K - tax $4,500
Single making 50K - tax $12,500
Single making 75K - tax $18,750
Married making 60K- tax $9,000
Married making 75K - tax $18,750
Married making 125K - tax $31,250

OBAMA (reversion to pre-Bush tax cuts)
Single making 30K - tax $8,400
Single making 50K - tax $14,000
Single making 75K - tax $23,250
Married making 60K - tax $16,800
Married making 75K - tax $21,000
Married making 125K - tax $38,750

INHERITANCE TAX:
MCCAIN 0% (No change, Bush repealed this tax)
OBAMA Restore the inheritance tax


OTHER NEW TAXES PROPOSED BY OBAMA:
New taxes on retirement accounts

New government taxes proposed on homes that are more than 2400 square feet.
New gasoline taxes (as if gas weren't high enough already)
New taxes on natural resources consumption (heating gas, water, electricity)
New taxes to pay for socialized medicine

In all the speeches I have heard I have never once heard Obama propose these changes. In fact he says he wants to reduce taxes for 95% of Americans.


Am I not hearing correctly or am I just stupid?

There is an ad on TV now that says that McCain went to Washington, took on the Senate Republicans (yes Republicans) and reformed Washington.


What?

When?

How?


Am I also blind because I haven’t seen any reform of Washington.

McCain says Sarah Palin but the Alaska Governors plane on ebay and sold it for a profit. Reports say she put it on ebay but it didn’t sell and was later sold privately - at a loss.


The air waves are full of contradictive propaganda ads.

Will someone, PLEASE, just tell me the truth?

Just keep piling it on

We all know that life ain't fair but just how much crap does one family have to take?

I know there are others much worse off than we are and I shouldn't complain but right now - life stinks. It really, really stinks.

To add insult to injury - here comes category four Ike.

Education

I just went to the bank. It was 2:45. It was like running an obstacle course. The school across the street was letting out and there were kids, cars and parents everywhere. It was 2:45.

When I went to school we went from 8:00 am till 4:00 pm. Everyone complains about the poor quality of education our kids are getting. Well, it's no wonder. They are not in school long enough to get a good education.

That's what I think.

Stuck on the Fence

I am a rabid feminist. Equal rights for women, equal opportunity, equal pay – all that stuff. So, you would think that I would be ecstatic about John McCain picking Sarah Palin as his running mate. Sorry, wrong – I am not pleased – not pleased at all.

Let’s face it. John McCain is old and we all know old people can face life threating circumstances much faster that young people. Do we really want someone with so little experience a heart beat away from the presidency?

She may be young, pretty and well spoken but she has no international experience at all and very little domestic experience either. She has only been Governor of Alaska for two years. That is hardly time enough to break in the chair. And really, how hard can it be to govern Alaska. It may be a huge state but until Global Warming, they had more Polar Bears than people.

I jest, of course. I know better that that, but compared to the problems some of our states in the lower 48 face, Alaska is doing pretty well.

Also, she is ultra conservative. She will appeal to those Republicans that were going to vote along party lines anyway but I think this ticket will lose middle of the road Republicans like me.

I watched Obama’s speech and found it very inspiring.- very uplifting.

But (there is always a “but” isn’t there)

Obama wants to cut taxes for 95% of all Americans (lets hear an Amen). 95% is a lot. At the same time he wants affordable health care for everyone, jobs for everyone, energy independence in ten years, and the list goes on. My question is – how are we going to pay for all this and still cut taxes for 95% of all Americans?

At this point in tiem, I'm not sure who I will be voting for but for the first time in a Presidential Election I think I am leaning to the left. It's time for a change - I just hope it's the right one.

Tax Savings?

Last November, the good citizens of Florida passed Amendment One. This was an attempt to lower property taxes – something this state really needs.

Essentially the amendment increased the Homestead Exemption from $25,000 to $50,000 and made the tax rate portable (which is immaterial since the real estate market is so bad you couldn’t sell you house if you wanted to).

The result of this was, City and County governments went ballistic. In anticipation of decreased revenue they implemented hiring freezes, cut programs, fired non essential personnel and raised fees on all services. There was lots of pulling of hair and gnashing of teeth. Our Sheriff told the County Commission that the result of the budget cuts to his department would be “carnage in the streets”.

So it was with great anticipation that I awaited my “Trim Notice”. The proposed property tax assessment that is sent out ahead of the actual bill. This compares last year’s assessment to this year’s. I was giddy with joy thinking of all the things I could buy with my savings.

BIG WOOP! I will save exactly $116.00. Guess I’ll get a tank of gas.

All Dressed Up & No Place To GO

Storm Shutter Update

Ah - the tricks I have tried, the lessons I have learned. All I can say is WD40 is my new best friend.

Most of the shutters are up. I have nine panels left and they cover French Doors so I won't put them up till I see exactly where Fay is going.

Now that they are up, most of them will stay up till hurricane season is over. It may not make me to popular with the neighbors but I'm not going through this again.

From now on my family will refer to me as Wonder Woman. Old Wonder Woman!

Here She Comes

Get ready - the Hurricane is coming! I feel like Chicken Little running around with my head cut off. I am attempting to put the storm shutters up. Manual labor is not my thing. Last time we had to do this my son was still at home and he had them up in less than an hour. I figure it will take me about two days. I finally learned how to make the drill work with the little wing nut that holds the shutters in place - took me about an hour. Then I discovered that when we had the house painted last year and they took the shutters down - they put them back up to close to the window so now the storm shutters will not line up correctly. I spent another hour trying to bend this heavy metal in so they would fit. Then I spent some more time trying to hammer them in place. I have three windows covered - eight more to go.

I am hot, sweaty and dirty. And, of course, the pool still isn't fixed so I can't jump in there in between wrestling matches with the shutters to cool off.

What the hell - maybe it will be better if we just blow away.

If you don't hear from me again, you will know what happened.

More on the Olympics

The Olympics are all consuming. I can’t get anything else done (not that I really have anything else to do). In every Olympics I usually find some off beat sport and just fall in love with it. In the Winter Olympics it’s Curling. I love Curling! I haven’t found that quirky sport yet this year although I kind of like the guys with the shotguns and the little pink clay pigeons. The Archery is really cool also. I have tried to watch Badminton but, like Ping Pong, I don’t see the point. Are these guys even athletes? Do they lift weights or run to train for this. Really, how much does a shuttlecock weigh?

My favorite events are Diving and the Cross Country and Jumping Equestrian events. I can’t wait to see them.

World records are being broken at an alarming rate in the pool and I expect that will be the case also when Track & Field starts. This makes me wonder – is there a limit? Just how fast can a human swim, run or jump? Is there a point somewhere in time when the body will say “I can do no more” or will evolution create some kind of super human that knows no limits?

I guess France will think twice before it "trash talks" our swimmers again.

So far these games have exceeded my expectations. The Chinese people have been gracious and supportive of all the athletes and that puts a real big feather in their cap.

And then there is George. He is everywhere. Tell me – who is having more fun at these games than George?

And the Schmuck of the year award goes to

Mr. " holier-that-thou", that great family man -

JOHN EDWARDS

We all know that politicians have affairs - it's like a badge of honor with then. But really, while your wife is dying of cancer. How low can you go!

Let the Games begin

I just finished watching the opening ceremonies of the Olympics. Got to hand it to the Chinese - they did a wonderful job. Much better than I was expecting and much better than some of the previous ceremonies. In past events I found them to be way over the top. So much going on you couldn't take it all in. This was very organized and orderly and at the same time telling a story of the Chinese people and their culture. I can't wait to see how they handle the rest of the Olympic Games. One thing I did notice. In the past the athletes took an oath to compete fairley and honestly. I did not see that happen tonight. I wounder why?

One more word on Gay Marriage

There are many definitions of the word marriage. Many people view marriage as a religious rite. The manner in which marriages are conducted vary with the many different cultures of the world. I believe that marriage is a legal, domestic contract. How you “sign” that contract depends your view of marriage. Some couples have church weddings. Some couples go the court house and are married by a judge. I have seen couples come to our law firm and be married by one of our many notary publics. And some couples go to their sister’s house and get married under a tree (one of the best weddings I have ever been to).

It doesn’t matter how you do it – it is still a contract sanctioned by the government.

The important thing is that the two people who enter into this contract love, honor and respect each other. That they agree to stand by each other in good times and bad. That is what a marriage is all about – love. At least in my opinion.

Who is it hurting if both parties are the same sex. It takes nothing away from me.

If the objection to Gay Marriage is strictly a religious one let us remember that not everyone believes the same thing. Some don’t believe in a religion at all. As I said, marriage is a legal contract. It only becomes a religious one if the couple getting married choose to make it one.

My nephew Tim and his partner Anthony are in love. They have a shared life in a happy, stable home that is warm and giving and they are a joy to be around – just like many other couples that are of different sexes. Why shouldn’t they be entitled to the same rights.

I haven't made up my mind

I just finished taking one of those telephone political surveys. I really love those things - no, seriously, I do. This one was about my opinion on discrimination in general and about my view on Gay Marriage specifically. Like anyone is really going to say "I think discrimination is a really good thing". They always ask the same question three or four different ways. I guess they think I will change my mind from one question to the next or they just think I'm stupid. They also ask "if the election were held today, who would you vote for"? They ask it twice because I said I hadn't decided yet. I guess they thought I was lying the first time I said it.

As for the Gay Marriage questions (there were at least 20 of them) I told them them truth - two people who love each other should be entitled to a long and happy legal entanglement no matter what sex they are.

I just can't win

I zoomed thourgh Steak N Shake last night. They are having a "special" - A bacon, cheese double steakburger for $2.99. I ordered a double steakburger plain - nothing on it - nada - zip ( I like to dress my own so I get it exactely the way I want it). When I got to the window the girl said "that will be $3.59". I asked why since a double with bacon & cheese is $2.99. Apparently you must pay 60 cents more if you do not want bacon and cheese. Does this make any sense at all? I just can't win!

Woe is me

This is my pool - care for a swim?

I ask my son's friend, Tait, to come over a fix a leak in one of the jets - no problem. After we lowered the water level we decided we should probably just go ahead and refurbish the whole thing as it has been at least 15 years since any thing was done to it and the coating on the fiberglass sides is wearing off.

First - the company that makes the coating went out of business.
Second - finally found new company but would take at least a week to order the coating.
Third - Tait went on vacation (to visit my son in NC) for ten days.

Tait finally returned but couldn't start to work as he had to build a fence for his father, who lives one street over from us, so one of the neighborhood coyotes won't eat their four little dust mop dogs (somehow the fence still isn't built - I have no idea what Tait has been doing).

One month goes by and we have tree frogs living in our pool. One wasn't so bad but he invited friends over and they have a party all night long. Tree frogs are very small but they are VERY LOUD! I wish the coyote would come and eat the frogs.

Tait showed up on Tuesday morning and said he would go get his helper and all of the equipment and be back in the afternoon. He finally arrived on Friday afternoon. The pool has now been drained but it has been raining off and on ever since so no more work has been done.

I know that this is how our friend Tait is but it is still irritating. I am always on time, if not early, and I am always where I say I will be when I say I will be there. Why can't the rest of the world be like me?

At he very least - Bell invented the telephone for a reason - use it!

Yes, I know I need to post

There hasn't been very much of interest happening in my world lately. Summer is here and it seems like I am in the pool all the time. We have classes morning and afternoon and on Sat now. With only three instructors we are kept pretty busy. I don't teach every day but my body feel like it does.

I finally bought a bicycle. I thought it would be good exercise and save money on gas as I can ride it to the pool. Guess what? The old adage "it's just like riding a bicycle - you never forget how", is wrong, wrong, wrong. You can forget how to ride a bicycle. Sonja's husband came over and adjusted the seat for me (he has tools and I don't any more) and I got on to ride down the driveway and immediately fell off. All he said was, "just how long has it been since you have been on a bike"? I will try again in a few days.

My candidate was elected without opposition - Yea! The only drawback is that now I have to write prorated checks back to all the contributors. It's really a lot of checks. Major writers cramp.

Hope everyone has a Happy and Safe 4th of July.

And to Dave - thanks for checking on me.

Reality TV

I don't like "Reality TV" shows as a general rule. I have never watched Survivor or Gladiators or American Idol. But last year I did watch America's Got Talent. It was one of the most entertaining shows I have ever seen and I couldn't wait for this season.

I have not been disappointed. Last night there was a lot of terrific talent, some really crazy bizarre stuff and some down right disgusting stuff also.

There were two that really stood out. First was a little girl with the sweetest face you have ever seen. They ask her how old she was and she was and she held up four fingers and said "I just turned four". They ask her where she was from and she hesitated for a second (this was obviously not a question she had been anticipating) and then said "I'm from America". She sang "Somewhere Out There " and although her voice is that of a child she was on pitch and hit all the notes. She brought the house down.

Second was the last contestant of the night - a very over weight, 32 year old, insurance salesman who sings Opera. Man-O-Man can he sing Opera. His voice does not have the education and training of a Pavarotti or a Domingo but it is pure and clear and honest. He received a standing ovation form the audience and the judges. He is my pick so far to win. I can't wait to hear him sing again.

The only problem I have with this show is that it's called "America's Got Talent" and yet two of the judges are British. Don't we have anyone in America that can judge wether or not we have talent?

Cats - Not The Ones On Broadway

My neighbors are, once again, off to the "Holy Land" (anywhere there is gambling - this time Biloxi). They have five Siamese cats. They usually hire a friend to come and take care of them but he is not available this week - so, I am in charge of the cats.

They vary slightly in size but otherwise look alike so its hard to do a head count. I know there are at least still four in the house and I'm sure number five is just hiding somewhere.

This is a very big deal to these people. I have a schedule of who gets fed what, where it goes and when. One cat gets a special food on top of the refrigerator once a day. They are suppose to be fed twice a day but evening isn't critical and I skipped it today since they hadn't eaten everything from last night - thought I would make them appreciate my efforts a little. Also, I discovered that someone has been throwing up around the house - probably over fed. You can get to much of a good thing you know. No one would come out and fess up. I hope it's not number five and he is dead somewhere.

I also have a flyer with phone numbers in case I need help. They even called me from Biloxi to tell me their room number in case I needed it.

I am a big cat lover and will be getting a new kitten soon. I just hope I can be as good a parent as these people are.

I really like taking care of Sonja's cats. I go over every now and then and throw some dry food in the bowl (just in case they haven't been able to knock the bag over and get it for themselves) and flush the toilet so they will have fresh water - yell goodbye and leave.

My neighbors will be back Friday and the cats will be happy again.

Yea - Right!

I saw a commercial the other day for a remarkable product. It was a razor, but the remarkable thing about it is that it is "the last razor you will ever have to buy". It will "last you a life time".

A good looking, buff, young man came on the screen with save cream on his adorable face and said that he had been using this razor for five years and he was still getting the same smooth shave as the first time he used it.

Sounds great!

But wait - there's more. If you order right now they will send you a second razor free.

Why - if one is going to last you for rest of your life?

Peace

Let there be peace on earth,and let it begin with me

Much to do about nothing.

My Aunt Ida served in World War I. She was a WAC and served her country honorably.

Oh! Wait! She was not my Aunt. She was my Great Aunt. We always called her Aunt Ida because that's what my parents called her.

My Nephew has two daughters. They call me Aunt Cheyrl. They are my Nieces.

No - Wait - They are my Great Nieces.

What a bunch of nonsense!

I'm sure Obama called him Uncle because that was the way he heard him referred to growing up.

Running Mates

I am a Republican but I will very likely vote for Obama in November. I will NOT vote for him if he takes Hillary Clinton as his running mate.

John McCain is hosting three likely running mates at his ranch this weekend. One of them is Florida Governor Charlie Crist. I like Charlie. I have know Charlie for many years – since, way back when he was the President of one of our local Young Republican Clubs. Over the years he has matured political and I believe he would make a good Vice-President.

BUT

Charlie has only served one and a half years of a four year term as governor. I believe that when a person runs for office (any office) he is entering into a contract with the voters. He says, if you elect me I will serve you to the very best of my ability for the length of the term to which I am elected – not untill something better comes along.

Several years ago I worked on a campaign for a candidate for my local State Representative. My candidate was a retired executive. He had great managerial skills and a firm grasp of the issues. He was open minded and willing to listen to the concerns of the people in his district.

His opponent was a young good looking attorney with a pregnant wife. He was very well spoken but lacked a knowledge of some of the major issues. Shortly before the election his wife had their baby and he sent a mailing with a picture of the baby in all her cuteness – “Vote for my Daddy, I need diapers” – or some such message.

The race was very close and my guy lost by a very slim margin.

A few months later the newly elected, young representative quit to take a better job in government at the state level.

A new, expensive election had to be held – of course, we, the tax payers had to foot the bill.

So you see where I'm coming from? Don’t do it Charlie – fulfill your contract with Florida voters.

Yea for California

The California Supreme Court overturned its ban on gay marriage today.

Then there is my crazy state of Florida. In November there will be a constitutional Amendment to ban gay marriage on the ballot. It apparently isn’t enough that we already have a law against gay marriage, we must now have it written into the constitution. It’s called the Marriage Protection Act and many are raising the question that it might also outlaw all sorts of other things, such as domestic partner benefits or legal arrangements made among long-time companions. This has to do with the wording of the amendment which says:

Inasmuch as marriage is the legal union of only one man and one woman as husband and wife, no other legal union that is treated as marriage or the substantial equivalent thereof shall be valid or recognized.

The question is - what does “substantial equivalent thereof” mean?

Does it mean any kind of rights that married people have? Would it take away insurance benefits for non-married couples or the ability to visit loved ones in the hospital, etc?

I don’t know. What I do know is that what other people do with their private lives is none of my business or anyone else’s. If two people want to live together and they aren’t hurting anyone else, they should be given the same benefits as everyone else.

Unfortunately, it will probably pass. Florida is a rather right wing state. You mention "gay marriage" to the old folks here and they almost have a cornary.

Yes they do!

Last weekend my daughter and I were going shopping. On the way she stopped at her bank to get money from the ATM. When she got the receipt she wadded it up and threw in the little trash basket in her car. I pulled it out and said “you should never throw anything like this in the trash, you should shred it”. She said, “you know people don’t really go through your trash”.

Friday morning is trash pick-up for our street so every Thursday night I put out the big can and also the recycle bin. At about 1:30 in the morning I woke up to a noise and looked out the window. Parked beside by trash cans was a pickup truck and someone was looking through my garbage. I immediately threw on my robe and rushed outside (because that’s what I do – I run towards danger, half dressed, in the middle of the night). By the time I got outside the truck had gone on up the street but since we are a dead end he had to turn around and come back. Finally, good sense prevailed and I moved back up the drive way out of sight. He turned off my street but I heard him go up the next street which is also a dead end. I shred everything so I'm sure he was really disappointed.

So – yes they do too - so please everyone, buy a shredder.

We will miss you

Make the world go away
Get it off my shoulder

Country singer Eddie Arnold has died. His effortless singing made him one of the most beloved country singers of all time. Even though he said he sang a little of everything, he was true country. His mellow tones were never forced and when you listened to him you could close your eyes and a sense of peace would come over you.

There are few with his style any more - he will be missed.

Time to exit gracefully

All the political pundits are saying it is statistically impossible for Hillary Clinton to win the Democratic nomonation. Why then is she still pressing on? Why does she fail to see the truth? Why is she being so stubborn? Really – would we want someone with this type of mindset leading our country?

It is time to stop the madness. At this point she is only hurting the party and making herself look silly. The Democratic Party needs this time to prepare for the fight of its life. The next few months should be very interesting.

Today is Special

Today is my daughter’s birthday. Happy Birthday baby. I want you to know what a very precious gift you are. You are not only my daughter – you are my best friend. I don’t know how I got so lucky. You are bright, loving and caring. You are also one of the funniest women I know. Having a good sense of humor is one of the most important qualities a person can have. It makes the good times better and the bad times a little easier to take. Your father and I love you more that we can ever say and appreciate you always being there for us when we need you.

Enjoy you day and yes, there will be cutlets soon.

Just because you have money does't nean you have class

I just finished watching the Kentucky Derby and all the interviews in the winner's circle. While they were interviewing the trainer and the jockey there were two beautiful young women in the shot. To be where there were they had to be related to the owner or someone very important. They were beautifully dressed and had big smiles on their faces - quite lovely. What else were they doing? They were chewing gum - mouths open - jaws never stopping. Obviously their finishing school has not covered how to behave in the winner's circle.

Clinton Friends

It has been brought to my attention that many of the Clinton supporters of old are not supporting Hillary. I’m not talking about the tight, core group of Clinton advisors but the former Cabinet and staffers, including the former VP. Many are supporting Obama or not endorsing either candidate. Many choose to remain neutral and above the fray.

So I ask - why those people, who worked with them and knew them so well, are not supporting her?

The answer is – they worked with them and knew them so well.

The Squirrels are Mad

My Squirrels are mad at me. All six of them. I filled their feeder three times last week and they ate it all in a day. I told them if they did it again they would not get anymore for a week and guess what? They gobbled it all up in one day again. SO - they haven't had any food this week and boy are they mad. All day, every day this week, they sit out there and yell at me. I guess its time to give in and go feed them.

It's All About The Money

I just finished reading John Grisham's The Appeal. It's about the buying of a seat on the Mississippi Supreme Court. Although it's fiction, it's not to far off the mark. When I worked for a political consulting firm one of the first questions we ask a potential candidate was, how much money do you have - how much can you raise? Believe me - elections can be bought. The best man does not always win. How do we fix it? I don't know. Every attempt at election reform seems to fail.

My Gardenia

I love Gardenias. They are my favorite flower. Not because of the way they look, although they are very pretty, but because of the way they smell. I’m not someone who tolerates scents very well but I find the Gardenia intoxicating.

I have been told that they like well drained, almost sandy, soil and filtered sunlight. My Gardenia sits in a bog next to a swale and gets full sunlight all the time.

Poor baby. Maybe next year it will have more blooms.

I’m not Marty Stauffer

I have always admired wildlife photographers. When I was in school we often had an assembly where we watched Marty Stauffer wildlife documentaries. I watched the HD series on the Living Planet and was in awe as to how they got those shots.

We have always had lots of Cardinals at our bird feeder ever year and this year is no exception. There is a male and female that is exhibiting behavior I have not seen before. She waits on the picnic table, he goes to the feeder, get some seed and brings it back and feeds it to her. Back and forth he goes. This may be normal but I have not seen it before. She is a full grown female so why she can’t feed herself, I don’t know.

I decided I would get a picture of this. I set up a chair and around feeding time I positioned myself in the chair with my Nikon, take four shots, replace batteries and repeat, camera. I had the zoom all set and I waited – stone still. And I waited. Either the birds were not hungry or I didn’t fool them. I think the latter. After about 15 min I gave up.

So, now I have an even greater appreciation of wildlife photographers.

Best and Worst

There are two commercials running now that really give me the creeps. The first is the termite crawling out of Ben Franklin's eye on the $100 bill. The other is the woman wiping down her kitchen counters and refrigerator with raw chicken. Yuck!

On the other hand I love Meatloaf singing for Go Phone. I'll love him till the end of time!

English Lesson

If I hear one more candidate say "we have got to" blah, blah, blah I will scream. Oh, wait, I already am screaming. I think one of the requirements for President of the United States should be the ability to use proper english.

Orchids

I went to an Orchid auction yesterday. First one I have attended. I have a few but really don't know much about them. I just know what I like. My attitude towards mine is benign negligent. I water them now and then and maybe give them some fertilizer occasionally. They do just fine and bloom once or twice a year. I bought one with really pretty yellow blooms yesterday. I found the auction to be quite interesting. Your could tell who the really knowledgeable Orchid people were by the bidding. If it was something really good, the bidding got high and discussions (good natured arguments) broke out around the room. I came home and immediately took a picture of my new purchase. I print the pictures, laminate them and attached it to the plant. It's the only way I can tell them apart.

Letter to the Editor

The lead story of the St Petersburg Times this morning was "Rays: County could help fund stadium". This prompted me fire off the following letter to the editor.

ABSOLUTE NOT! With the passage of Amendment One the County Budget will already be stretched to the limit. My county tax dollars should go for essential services that benefit all the citizens of the county. If the Tampa Bay Devil Ray's want a new stadium for a team that has had very low attendance in the past, let them pay for it.

I doubt they will print it but at least I had my say.

I should mention that the Tampa Bay Devil Rays are not located in Tampa. They are from St Petersburg. The city nor the county of Pinellas receive no publicity or credit for having the team. Perhaps Tampa should pay for the new stadium.

I will have more to say about Amendment One in another post.

Question?

Reference: The women from the polygamist compound in Texas.

It is illegal for a man to have more that one wife at a time and a woman having more than one husband would also be guilty of polygamy (although I don't know why on earth a woman would want more than one husband at a time - I have enough trouble handling one).

My question is - are there any legal ramifications for these women married to a man with more than one wife? Is a woman who marries a man, knowing that he has other wives, guilty of anything (other than insanity)?

Muhammad Ali

The Olympics are fast approaching and I’m sure someone will bring up Muhammad Ali and what a great boxer he was and what a great American hero he is. Every time I hear this it makes me yell at the TV screen.

Muhammad Ali was a great boxer but he is not a great American. He is a draft dodger. When he found out he was going to be drafted, he fled the country, became a Muslim, changed his name from Cassius Clay to Muhammad Ali and declared himself to be a conscientious objector. His web site will tell you that he was a Muslim before receiving his draft notice - that may or may not be true – all I know is that the general public was not aware of it if that is the truth. By the general public I mean those who followed boxing at that time, which was everyone in my house. We got our first TV so Dad could watch boxing, Friday Night at the Fights was a ritual in our house.

By definition, a conscientious objector is a person whose conscience does not let him take up arms in warfare. There are a lot of jobs in the military that do not require the taking up of arms. The simple truth is that this man did not want to interrupt his lucrative boxing career to defend his country.

It seems a little strange to me that someone that makes his living using his fists to beat another man senseless can object to anything involving violence.

There were many other conscientious objectors at that time and I respect their right to believe as they wish – but – they, along with Muhammad Ali are not great Americans. They are, and always will be, draft dodgers.

Gun Control

I am a big believer in gun control. I am in complete control of most of the guns in my house (there is one I put in the air conditioning vent that I can't seem to find but I probably moved it and just can't remember where.)

The other day a ADT salesman knocked on my door.

He said: "Mam, do know that there was a break-in on your block last week"?
I said: "Really"?
He said: "Oh yes, have you thought about investing in a security system"?
I said: "I have one - guns".
He said: "What"?
I said: "Guns - lots of guns".
He said: "Really"? He then turned around and walked away. I haven't seen him since.

Buster Martin

Buster, the 101 year old Castro look alike, finished the London Marathon today. He never drinks water, only beer and smokes 14 cigarettes a day. Good for him. I'm sure some idiot reporter ask him what he attributes his longevity's to. The answer is obvious - good genes and a whole lot of luck. Way to go Buster!

Olympics

The Olympic Torch is being run around the world (a stupid idea in my estimation, but that's just me - I say take it from Greece to China and be done with it) and its drawing protests in many countries. The time for protests was when China was named as the host country. The Olympics are not going to be stopped now and the ones that are being hurt are the athletes. They just want to compete. Do they care about human rights - of course they do but they had no say in where the games would be held. Protest fine but we also need to support our athletes. The Olympic committee should have addressed the issue of human rights in China when it picked the country.

Hillary

Oh Yea - Just who I want for President - a woman who "bellies up the bar" with the guys.

What?

It's been a busy week. I'll have more later.

First Rant of my Blog - Save the Bison

Did you know that bison in Yellowstone National Park are being killed in record numbers. In the winter the bison wander a great distance in search of food and they often leave the park and cross over into Montana. They must be back in the park by May 1st or they will be rounded up and slaughtered. They are being killed because some of them might care brucellosis which can be passed along to cattle. 1,195 bison, or about a quarter of the park's population, have been killed by hunters or rounded up and sent for slaughter by park employees. This is outrageous.

Apparently the bison do not have little calenders or road maps to tell them when they are crossing state lines and when it is time to get on home.

Yellowstone's bison are one of only two genetically pure heards owned by the U.S. government. James Derr, a professor of genetics at Texas A&M, who is studying these bison said, "the great-grandmother, grandmother, mother and daughter often travel together." Killing them is like going to a family reunion and killing off all of the Smiths. You are affecting the genetic architecture of the herd." He fears that some behaviors or traits, including the propensity to migrate, could be lost with the killed bison.

We all know the story of the American Buffalo and how the herds covered the plains as far as the eye could see until the hunters killed them to the point of extinction in the late 1800's. Are we going to allow this to happen again? I hope not. Surely there is a better way.

Welcome

Welcome to my blog. I will not write every day but when I read or see something of interest I will pass it along. I will also rant from time to time as there is a lot to be upset about in the world today and sometimes, right or wrong, I just need to get things off my chest.