It' s A Crock

Well, I am going to devote my little blog today to shoes. Specifically crocs. Now, I love me some shoes. I would not want to even gestimate on how many pairs I've had over the years or how many I own at the moment. In my older years I can no longer wear heels but man, these new little flats just drive me wild. I can't seem to get enough of them.

Now comes the crocs. I am sure I don't have to describe them. I doubt there is one of you who doesn't know what they are. Several years ago while in Flordia, my son-in-law, Tom, just had to have a pair. They weren't cheap and if my memory serves me correctly, they started a small war when he bought them. My son hates crocs. Anyway, eventually later that same year the crocs started showing up in the north and more and more, they became popular. Now Tom wanted his for something easy to slip on to take the dog outside. They are sure good for that. I bought a pair to wear around the house for cleaning, etc. and they are sure good for that.

Then the nursing industry got involved. I think medical supply magazines always sold a similar washable clog to the doctors and nurses; but suddenly you could get these cheaper and more abundantly. They came in great colors. Knock-off's became popular and they are super comfortable. With nursing scrubs, they can look great to match an outfit. How good they are for being on your feet all day? That I wouldn't want to guess on but I wear mine all the time around the house and my feet feel great.

One of the things that became popular a couple years ago was charms you could buy to put into the holes of your crocs. Because they are rubber, there has to be vents, so there are holes. Now the picture above is deceiving because mine are cheap imitations so the holes are rather large.

I don't wear these anywhere in public. I do have one pair of "real" Crocs that I sport to the grocery store once in awhile, but that is the extent of my public display of them.

At the hospital where I work (and I won't mention any names for those of you who don't know me), the wearing of Crocs and knock-off crocs has become big. I think some people have a color to match every scrub. Money was invested. Suddenly we get a directive from HR saying that a new nursing policy is not going to allow any shoes with holes, specifically Crocs, even if you fill the holes with charms. They gave a time line so to "...allow ample time to change to other acceptable shoes in the event you currently only wear these shoes to work." Now there is the crock!!! They didn't offer to give you any money to replace these shoes ... just get rid of them. I supposed they are standing behind the supposition that the holes are unsanitary. But, Crocks can be washed rather easily and I'd rather see that than some of the dirty sneakers I've witnesses. Yeah, go ahead and clean the garage and mow the grass, and then wear your dirty shoes to work. Well then they should stop the girlie doctors from wearing flip flops all summer. What about the clerks and administrative people (even in HR) that show up in slides and strapy sandals? I don't care if you don't work in a clinical area, rules are rules, and eventually you will show up near a patient with your dogs sticking out. And are visitors going into patient rooms going to have to change??? They all wear flip flops or some show up in bedroom slippers, filthy ones at that.

This isn't a blog for clogs or Crocs. It isn't against Crocs. It is against being told what to wear when the rules don't fit everyone. That seems unfair to me. That is a crock!!!!

Walk Softly and Carry a Big Stick

What dog doesn't like sticks. From tiny rat terriers to big dobermans, I'm sure all dogs can be enticed by someone willing to throw a stick for them. Well, this is a tale of my Grand-dog, Chai. She loves sticks. Her favorite time (well one of her favorite's -- she has lots) is Sunday morning. Because she is a "shop dog", she is required to do work time five days a week at Pretentious Pooch in Baltimore. Like most of us, Chai HATES going to work. She knows that Sunday and Monday are non-work days and she has the routine down pretty pat.

Sunday morning you get the Daddies up early and if the weather is decent enough, you go to Druid Hill Park and play stick. Poor old Daddy Tom has a sore elbow and is going to the doctor because he threw too many sticks. That is just how Chai Dawg's are!!

Another thing Chai likes at the park is squirrels. She loves to tree a squirrel. They run and she runs but they always reach the tree first. She doesn't understand when she visits Grammie in Harrisburg and the squirrels run on the electrical wires. She has to look up high to see them. I tell her they are ghetto squirrels. One time, because my ceilings are very, very high; she was looking up in my living room for squirrels.

Now Monday is day care day so you get to go to Good Doggie Daycare and play with puppies. That is her second most favorite day of the week. She does get to go back on Thursday's too but that is because the Daddies need a "Chai break" in the middle of the week.

The next favorite day is Saturday because if the weather is nice, Chai gets to go to Oregon Ridge, Loch Raven or some other nearby park to go on a hike, and then maybe go for a swim. Of course those hikes always have lots of good sticks available, too. (and maybe sometimes squirrels)

Lately, I've learned that life is too short not to enjoy the simple things like squirrels and sticks. I think we should all take Chai's advice. Walk softly (so the squirrels don't hear you), and always carry a big stick!!!!

Real Friends Cry Together

Now I don't mean to be morbid, but once again I have to mention the funeral I was at over this past weekend for my friend Sherman. It was really a learning experience for me.

Since Sherman was only 43, a big majority of the people there were young......way too young to be saying goodbye to one of their peers. Most likely this was the first experience at death, or funerals for a lot of these young people.

We used to have a big group of friends. We partied hardy, drank, danced, and laughed together every weekend. We could make a party out of just about anything (My friend Maddie used to make drinks out of anything we could find in the fridge and call them simply "Maddies".) Anyway, we thought we had a great bond amongst us. And at that time maybe we did. But like everything else, good times come to an end. People in our group moved away, coupled up, or just grew up. No one was in their 20's anymore, 30's were getting used up and a slow approach to 40 was haunting more than a few. (Of course I was the old coot ... in my mid-40's when I started with this great bunch.) Some people just couldn't get along any more. No particular reason ... just different personalities, hurt feelings, and so forth.

Now on a one-to-one basis, I'm sure many of us cried some unhappy tears with each other over the years. But this past weekend there wasn't a dry eye among us ... and no one was ashamed to "let it out". We cried, hugged, stared into space, and then cried some more. Although this was a small sampling of the big group we used to have, it made one thing abundantly clear. Real friends cry together, hurt together, and for a small moment in time can forget all the hurts and pains of past misunderstandings and stand together to be one. I only wish we could keep that feeling going because as sure as rain, there will be more tears in our future.

I have a favorite poem called "I LOVE THE WORD IMPOSSIBLE". It has hung in my kitchen for more years that I can remember. It was written by Ann Kiemel. My hope is to one day have someone cross stitch and frame it for me. I'd like to share it with you because it surely says what is in my heart.

i love the word impossible...it's like joy after sorrow

people being friends after being enemies.

rainbows after drenching rain,

a wound healed,

sunsets on quiet evenings after hot, noisy days.

paralyzed, injured limbs learning to grow strong and useful again,

forgiveness after wrong

truth after fog,

new love-made babies.

birds, learning to fly and own the sky,

bitterness turned to mellowness

fresh, genuine hope ... once abandoned

people finding each other at right moments

in unexpected, obscure places ...

for God-ordained reasons.

i love the word impossible because my God believes in adventure

and extraordinary mountains,

and He dares to be alive in a world

crawling with terrible situations.

He promises to be bigger than any impossibility

because He is love ...

and love always finds a way through, in time.

----Ann Kiemel---

God bless all my friends, old and new.

The Good Die Young

One week ago today (September 13th) a good friend of mine, Sherman W. Lett, passed away. This young man was only 43 years of age; but had battled a long fight with multiple myeloma for 17 years. Oh, and what a fight it was. I knew Sherman for a long time before I knew he was sick. He was a very private person and kept his battle to himself...fought it alone with only the help of some family and very close friends.

For the better part of the time that I knew him, he was in remission. I do remember a time several years back when he was very ill and I was able to visit him at that time. He was undergoing treatment and in a great deal of pain; but he didn't complain and tried to live a normal life. Fortunately that time, he once again went into remission and had several good years. Many people did not realize Sherman was even sick or suffering. Sherman starting coming out of his remission early in 2009, and by late Spring he was incapacitated to the point where he stayed inside his home and only allowed family and very close friends in to see him. I am quite sure his death was quite a shock to a lot of people.

Let me pay tribute to Sherman. He was the life of the party. In the picture above we see Sherman dressed as a pimp at one of our annual Halloween parties. Oh how Sherman loved that role. He would bring a video camera and play the roving reporter and sneak up on everyone. Those videotapes were played hard over the years with many laughter and tears.

Sherman was a dancer. He could literally rip up the floor at our local dance club. You would be dancing with him and the next minute he would be at the other end of the dance floor. You couldn't keep up. He had this little hop that was his alone and was sort of his trade mark move. No one has ever been able to duplicate it. But you knew when Sherman hit the floor, a fun time was in store.

Sherman was a very considerate person. Someone said at the funeral that he never rose his voice. I had to think about that and it is true. I don't remember one time hearing him raise his voice. He wasn't one to go out looking for a fight or causing trouble. He had a mild manner, a smile and was just mischievous enough to know he was always up to something. The wheels were always turning.

Another thing Sherman was famous for was "taking in strays". Sherman always left a strange array of people stay at his house. I have heard through the rumor mill that he had strict rules and if you didn't abide by them, you were out. But he did give you a chance, which was more than most people would. If you could befriend Sherman, you would never be homeless.

Sherman sang in the Penn State Glee Club and travelled world-wide with them. Although I personally have never heard him sing, I know that music was his life. He loved playing it, singing it, dancing to it, listening to it. I am sure he is now singing with a choir of angels.

We will miss you, Sherman. NO ONE can ever fill your shoes. Harrisburg lost a good citizen and we lost a good friend. May you rest in peace. I know life won't be the same without you.

Oh Book Club, Why?????

I belong to a book club. Actually, for the moment, I somehow got rooked into actually planning the darn thing. It is actually a team effort (which it should be); but I take care of the "paperwork" so to speak.

Well, this past month no one had any good ideas for a "read" so somehow we ended up with "The Time Traveler's Wife" ... I think because the local Harrisburg Book Club was also reading it.

Well, let me tell you. I was so stupid I did not even realize this book was coming out in one week as a movie. However, after reading a few pages, the movie was looking better and better for a "report back". I just could not get into this book. It jumped around and drove me crazy. But (and only because I want to set an example) I stuck with it. About 55-60 pages into the book, I started to like it and now that I am about half-way, I am enjoying the read.

I am really puzzled as to how this book was made into a movie and as soon at it hits Netflix, I will be ordering it. In the meantime, I'll have to wonder.

Someone told me tonight they thought it was "filthy" the way he appears to her as a young six year old girl, and he is a grown man, totally naked. Because they do eventually end up loving each other and getting married, I guess the author thought that was OK. But is it really? Don't you think this experience probably tainted her for anything else in her life that might have come along?

I don't know and I am not really recommending this book. I just want to tell you this is a different one and if you've seen the movie, let me know.

I haven't blogged for a long time. It's not that I don't have anything to say; it is just that I don't think anyone wants to hear it. Anyway, I'm going to try harder and I promise they won't all be book reports!!!!

God Doesn't Like Ugly - Part I, Racism vs Classism

My daughter posted a news story on her FB page regarding a black Harvard professor who was arrested outside his home for disorderly conduct when he refused to cooperate with the police at his door. Without going into particulars, I made a couple comments about his not being above the law, and one response said it wasn't racism, but perhaps classism. This got me to thinking. I love a good argument and know that if you stand up for what you believe in; you have to be prepared to respect the other side of the proposed subject. However, I did a little internet research on this subject and I also "picked my own brain" and here is my opinion. (my opinon only; but I would LOVE to hear your's, too.

Here is one quote from the Internet: "Classism exist before racism was prominent. It is the main reason why the Pilgrims left Europe." Now we are taught that the basis for the Pilgrims was religious freedom. BUT, isn't religion a form of classism??

Here is another longer quote that I liked. " I think the powers that be are happy as long as the masses of ALL colors are kept in a perpetual state of financial insecurity and competition with one another."

I don't honest think I have ever felt a "subject" of racism. However, I have felt a subject of classism many times. I work in a hospital where doctors, and yes, some nurses, have the "God syndrome. If you don't have letters after your name; well you just don't fit in. I -- for one -- am doing a job that has no back-up because the only people in my department that are trained to do what I do are registered nurses. Formerly, this job was done by registered nurses, and in many states, the law requires a registered nurse to give clinical review to an insurance company. The difference: I do it for about half of the pay. Is that classism? Is that fair? But what can I do about it. When I asked this question I was told that my employer embraced "degrees". Is that classism?

Another example: Early in my hospital career we had a janitor that ate his lunch in a little back room with no fan or air conditioning. In the hot summer he asked me if he could eat his lunch in our conference/lunch room. He ate earlier that our group so I said yes. One of the nurses came back early one day and wanted to know "what that man was doing in our room"? I thought, well, gee, he's a human being and it's hot in his room. But it didn't digest with her. She, as a nurse, was not going to eat with a janitor. It made me wonder what she thought of me, the "secretary". This young woman died an early and tragic death and I often wondered if she was every happy a day in her life. See ... God doesn't like ugly.

Some classism is meant to be funny. You could call someone a "redneck" if you were Jeff Foxworthy and people would call is humor. (Hey, I personally like NASCAR; my father was a race car driver so it is in my blood.) If your a rapper you can use the work "nigger" without too much flack. "White trash" is as common as the world "colored". My sister still uses that word and doesn't think there is anything wrong with it. Racism brought about by classism.

Have you ever experienced any of this? Come on people, I want to hear it. Now, don't address prejudice here in the form of gender, sexuality, etc. That is a whole other subject that we will approach later. But what do you have to say? I'd like to know.

Remember: the opinons expressed here are the sole thoughts of the writer. This is my blog so I can say what I damn please!!!!! LOL

A NEW QUEST

I am on a new quest this month. Now my life is pretty simple, so I have to think of things to keep myself amused. This month my quest is to not wear the same outfit twice for the month of July. Sounds pretty self-centered, doesn't it. Well, it is just something I want to do and it certainly doesn't hurt anyone, so let me alone.

Truthfully, I could probably go the entire summer and not wear the same outfit twice if I wasn't so lazy and really put my mind to it. How, you ask? My name isn't Beyonce or Rockefeller, and I am actually pretty poor but I'll give you the secret....wise shopping, taking care of your clothes, and keeping the same size. (whether you be big or small). Not to mention accessorising. Now here goes ...

First, wise shopping. I've had some of my clothing, shoes, etc. for years and years. A big part of my outfits were purchased at bargain stores like Walmart and Gabriel Brothers. Here's the trick, NEVER pay full price for anything. Watch sales. Unless you see an item you just HAVE TO HAVE, never buy anything that doesn't already match with something you have. It will just sit in your wardrobe and you can look at it and that is about it!! Unless you have tons of money to waste on items that end up not matching anyway. I once did this with a pair of slacks that I thought were soooo neat. I've ended up with about ten tops in my closet, of which only two ended up actually matching the pants and the rest kind of just hang there. DON'T DO IT!!

Second, is taking care of your clothes. Now when it comes to t-shirts, I am a slop. I get all kinds of stains and food down me. Thank God I don't often eat in my good clothes. However, keep your clothes clean, don't throw then around, (hang them up), and change into old stand-by's when you get home. This is really important if you want something to last. Believe me, I just looked at a perfectly nice top that I've had since Christopher was a baby and I still get compliments when I wear it. I don't tell people it is old enough to vote.

Keeping the same size is the next step to having a grand wardrobe. I can wear things I've had for years. I go on a quest to lose weight every once in awhile but I like to stay within a certain limit. If I had a dream of being thin and attained that goal, I would have nothing to wear. I like the things I have so I try not to grow out of them....either up or down. Once in awhile when a favorite becomes too tight, I am sick about it. But it happens!!

The fourth item is accessorising. I am very big on that. A simple scarf, jewelery, or a a pair of shoes can make an outfit go from simple to stunning. Try different accessories with the same outfit and you'll make all the difference in the world. When I was younger, I had a supervisor who looked stunning every day. I started watching her and realized that she didn't have a vast amount of clothes. What she had were all interchangeable with each other and she had tons of accessories to change them up. It taught me a lot. Carole G., I thank you!!! Anyway, you don't have to spend a lot of money. Avon has great sales on jewelery; Pay Less has great shoe sales; and you can hit Gabriel Brothers for other items. Try yard sales, flea markets, or grandma's attic. (oh yeah, and add a little make up...nothing like dressing up and looking dead!! But don't paint too much, either. Leave that for evening.)

Now, the pic of me above is a good and a bad example. GOOD: the outfit matches. The accessories are all in-tune with each other, and look good together. BAD: first off ... I think the outfit was a little too "youthful" for me but it was taken in Jamaica and I was on vacation, so it didn't matter. It wasn't exactly flattering to my "figure". Second, it was sleeveless. This is certainly OK for Jamaica; but don't do sleeveless for the office. It is unprofessional and doesn't flatter anyone. If you have a sleeveless dress you love, add a little jacket or sweater. Even a shirt with the flaps knotted will look better than your flab arms. And yes, we ALL eventually get wings...even skinny people.

Oh yeah, the draw back is having enough closet and storage, which is pretty difficult. If you don't believe me, ask any man that has helped me move. It can be pretty cumbersome, but eventually is worth it.

Well, that's my advice for today. Take it or leave it. I'll let you know how July fares out.

PEACE!!!!!

Cape Cod ... I miss you!!!

Well, folks, I just came back from a wonderful vacation … getting to spend time with my daughter. We went into Boston on the first day and ate a fabulous dinner at the Harbor Hotel. What a ritzy place and the food was delicious, if not different. I had what I called shrimp stuffed with spinach “Jello”. It wasn't Jello but I've never seen spinach quite like that … very good though.
Saturday I got to meet my little friend Hazel. She is now walking all over the place and is very cute. I finally got to meet Hazel's Daddy, Michael. Kelly, Erica, Michael, Hazel and I went to several yard sales in their neighborhood. It was fun.
After Hazel, Kelly and I drove to Cape Cod. It took us awhile but we finally arrived to find our motel on a large hill with a beautiful view. It was very nice. The people on the Cape are much friendlier than Bostonian's and the motel was very clean. We unpacked and then went to find some lunch and drove around sightseeing. We came back to the motel and conked out for a couple hours. Then we went into downtown Province town and had a wonderful dinner (lobster potpie) and looked around a little. Sunday we spent the entire day in P-Town looking in and out of stores and visiting the beach a couple times. We then went back to our motel and tried out the pool. Kelly did some swimming but I just soaked my aching feet. We then went to an Italian Bistro for a nice dinner and back to our room for a good night's sleep.
On Monday we got up and headed “one more time” around the area, and then headed up to Cape toward home. It took us the entire day as we did a lot of stopping at stores, beaches, restaurants, etc. We also stopped at a Heather Farm, but it wasn't in bloom yet. We never made it back to Jamaica Plain until late in the evening. Of course, we relaxed and then went to bed because I had to be at the airport early the next morning.
The stay was short and went fast but we had a great time. I can't wait to go again!!!

LEAVING ON A JET PLANE

Well, fellow bloggers, I will be away from the old computer for a few days. I am flying out of BWI tomorrow to visit my daughter in the Boston area. Kelly lives in Jamaica Plain and I will be heading there tomorrow afternoon. On Friday we plan to visit her work site ... the library at Simmons College ... and then we are heading into the city for some lunch along the bay with her friend, Megan. Whatever else we do will depend on the weather. Saturday we get to visit her friend Erica and her little girl, Hazel. We might even take Hazel for breakfast.

Later Saturday we are heading on a road trip to Cape Cod and spending a couple days in Provincetown. I am hoping it will be warm enough to partake of the motel's heated pool; but you never know in New England.

I'll catch up with all you fine folks next week. Until then .....Adios Amigo's!!!!!

A SWEET LITTLE BOY

I just want to write a short blog to tell you about a sweet little boy. The picture above is my little kittie, Minxie. Now I have three cats >> two females and this little male. Minxie is an old cat but he still has the heart of a kitten. He has been my bed partner for many years. He is a Manx cat, which means he has no tail and longer back legs -- more like a rabbit. When he runs, he sort of hops like a little bunny. He is a lap cat and loves to give kisses and is constantly by my side. Now don't get me wrong, I love my girls too but I've found that they are more independent and don't have as much time for me. They have more important cat things to do, rather than follow me around. I don't mind because I always have my little boy. Isn't he cute???

I am the Queen

Today I'd like to toot my horn a little bit. You see, where I work, we are doing "The Biggest Loser". It was the brainchild of our Human Resources Department to get folks to lose a little weight and get healthy. We have a "Wellness" program whereby you collect points throughout the year on your "wellness scorecard" and then at the end of October you hand it in. If you get the required number of points, you can get a nice discount on your health insurance on your paycheck the following year. Last year was the first that Pinnacle supported this program, and come January, it was really nice to see a reduction in my insurance rate. Now this year, everyone wants to get in on the savings!!!

Hence, the Biggest Loser program ... patterned after the TV Program, if you participate in this, you can receive a whopping 10 points. Now, that is a lot and all you have to do is participate. Of course the goal is to lose weight; but if you do not, you still get credit for participating.

Well, I decided to start a team. Teams had to consist of ten members, and you could pick a pseudo name. I knew the ladies I worked with would participate, but I invited one person's husband for our token male; whose name happened to be Jack. We call ourselves "Nine Queens and a Jack" and each of the ladies has taken a queen name for reporting purposes. Each week we weigh in on Friday and then report our team's progress. Queen Bee won the first two weeks but guess what ... Queen Mother won this week. Guess who Queen Mother is??? ME

Yes, this week I was the biggest loser and I am happy because next week I will be on vacation and probably will eat like a pig.

Each Monday as team leader, I send out a little history on each of our queens. We have Queen Anne, Queen Victoria, Queen Elizabeth, Queen Bee, Queen Nefertiti, Queen of the Nile, Queen of Hearts, Queen Mother, Queen Guinevere, and of course "Jack". I went to the Dollar Tree and secured a lovely crown, scepter and some gorgeous one-of-a-kind gifts for each week's winner. Everyone is trying hard to win one. Fun, you bet ... makes work more interesting and we just might get a little healthier!!!!

Double House; Double the Family????

I grew up in a double house. It was a structure where two families lived under the same roof; however in different living areas. The house I grew up in was not originally designed to be a double house, but before I was born, someone decided it cold be turned into one. Hence, the Utt house in Lightstreet was born. It was a big stately house with a large wrap-around porch that sat on the corner of Main and Easy Streets. My parent's side faced Main and the Easy street side was a "rental" (of sorts). I was born in December of 1947, and I think my Uncle Fred and his various wives lived on the Easy Street side when I was a baby. My earliest memory of someone living in that side was when I was seven. My sister, Barbara, had gotten married and she and her husband started their married life in that house. We had a door in our living room that connected to their kitchen. I remember when their first daughter, Linda, was born, she used to pack a little bag and "run away" via that door over to Grannie's for awhile.

Later Barbara and her husband took a job in a nearby town that came with housing, so they moved away. Hence, my sister Joan and her three little ones came to live in that house. Their oldest daughter and I were pretty close in age so since I was being raised as basically an "only child", it was fun to suddenly have two nieces right beside me. (although they only lived two doors down the street anyway). Joan and her family stayed there until she remarried and moved to the great state of California -- never to come East again.

My parents at that time decided to rent out that side of the house. Renters came and went. Some were good and some were not. The last renter that lived in the house was in 1972, and they litterly ruined the place. My mother and father were so discouraged because they had just lost their second home to Flood Agnes and did not want more fixing up to do. They had since both retired and decided to purchase a motor home and winter in Florida. What a good idea to have a family member living on the other side of the house to "take care of things" when they snowbirded to the south. Hence, when my son was about six months old, my mother and I worked and worked and fixed up the house for my husband and I to move into. During our stay we did a lot of remodeling and fixing, putting in a brand new kitchen and making one large bedroom into two smaller ones for our two children. We stayed until my Father died in 1982. My mother started making noises like she was going to sell the house, and we got an opportunity to purchase our own home, so we left Lightstreet for the Danville area. The summer of 1982 my mother and I took a month-long road trip out west to visit my sister and her family, who had since moved to Las Vegas. On the way home, we stopped in Little Rock, Arkansas and looked up my long-lost brother.

Well, as fate would have it, about two weeks after we got home, my brother and his entire family showed up on my mother's doorstep. Wasn't it convenient that the old house on Easy Street was once again vacant; hence he, his three children, two grandchildren and one soon-to-be son-in-law moved into that house. Near the end of 1983 my brother became very ill and was diagnosed with terminal cancer. He died in February 1984. Shortly thereafter, my widowed sister-in-law and her children became very dependent on my mother and she decided the best thing she could do is sell the house and once and for all get out from under the burden of owning a large property. The house sold very fast and she moved to Danville into a senior high-rise to be close to me and my family.

My niece told me recently that she has visited the house a couple years back and that it was strange walking through a house where her mother grew up. That house had changed drastically since the time her mother was a young girl, giggling in twin beds with her sister Barbara, on the Main Street side. But oh, the memories...if those walls could talk.

All my parent's children lived there except Jane, the oldest, who was married before they moved to Lightstreet; and therefore never made the move north. She lived her entire life in Delaware County, also dying of terminal cancer in December of 1984.

Once again, Roxanne, this memory is for you. More to come later...

PS--As my son-in-law, Tom, has said previously, it would be nice to have "real" pictures to accompany my blogs. However, digital cameras were not available back then and I do not have the equipment or expertise to put old pictures on line. You'll have to excuse the ones I use; but I do try to find "believable" ones. Enjoy!!

WHO DECORATES THE TREE? IS IT SANTA?

I haven't had too many blog subjects in my mind lately but I was asked by my niece in Ct. to write more about my memories of growing up in the tiny village of Lightstreet, PA. Specifically, she wanted more stores about her mother. Unfortunately her mother was 16 years older than me and my memories of her were as an adult and not that exciting. However, I promised I would do my best so today I am delving into my memory bank and trying to come up with a few interesting subjects. Roxanne ... this one is for you.

My sister was divorced and left with three small children. Me, being a "change of life" child, was 16 years her junior. Her oldest daughter and I were really only five years apart and more like sisters than my actual sister. However, because I was the Aunt, there were times when I had to act like the "big girl". One time that I clearly remember was at Christmas. I think I was probably only 11 or 12 but I was helping my sister get ready for the big day.

Now in our family, we always were taught that Santa Claus decorates the Christmas tree. Therefore we would go out as a family and get a nice tree the week before Christmas and stick it in a bucket outside until a couple days before the big event. The Sunday before Christmas the tree would come into the house but for at least one day it had to sit and "warm up" or as my Dad would say, for the branches to "fall out". Then the next day the lights could go on, but that was all. The decorating was done by Santa.

This means that on Christmas eve, if the mother didn't already have enough to do, she had to play Santa and decorate the damn tree. Well, I finally was old enough to know there wasn't a Santa (although I don't think I helped decorate a tree at my own home until I was well into my teen years). My mother had a problem breaking tradition I guess.

This particular Christmas, for the very first time in my life, I was getting to play Santa and help my sister (who lived next door) decorate her tree for the little ones. Well, as Christmas Eve approached and dinner time came, I was so excited that I couldn't wait for them to go to bed. Finally after bath and much excitement, into bed they went. My sister and I then drug out the decorations from the basement and she got a small ladder and we were ready to start. Also hidden in the basement were some Christmas items that (on her very small budget) she had been fixing up for Christmas ... like a play table and chairs, doll cribs, etc. Well, before we started our decorating, we hauled all the bigger gifts into the living room. Finally we were ready to start. We were doing a pretty good job, but from time time we would hear little noises from up the stairs. The kids were so excited they just couldn't settle down. We went out on the porch and made big footsteps and came in and Ho-Ho'd, hoping to scare the little rascals to sleep. It got real quiet and we thought we were in good shape. Back to decorating. About 1/2 hour later, as my sister was standing on the step stool and I was handing garland to her, we heard a noise behind us. There stood three little urchins watching us. My sister (much to my dismay) let them stay up and help decorate the tree. That was the end of Santa doing the decorating in that house!!!!

A Plug for James Patterson

This will be short, but since I keep telling you that I am an avid reader, I had to share another new reading experience.

My newest summer fiction love is reading the Women's Murder Club series of books by James Patterson. I know it was a television series that I did not watch this past season; however I am really enjoying the books. So far I've read the first one (1st to Die) and am half way through the second one (2nd Chance). They are really easy to read and exciting.

The only problem I have found with this series is that I stay up too late at night and then can hardly drag my ASS out of bed in the morning. The chapters are short and you keep saying "just one more". But, it's all good!!!

Oh yeah, he just published number eight. Guess I won't be getting much sleep this summer!!!!

Blood Thicker Than Water??? You Decide!!

I've been on this Earth for almost 62 years. One thing I've learned is that people cannot survive alone. My Mother often said to me "I don't need anyone." Do you realize how much that statement can hurt a person? Anyway, she did end up needed someone, and I think I was that person was me -- more often than anyone. But she was my Mother; that was my duty --being there for her. I wouldn't go back and change that for anything.

That being said, time has taught me a few things. Some people say blood is thicker than water. Some people disagree and say you can pick your friends, but not your relatives. Well, maybe both statements are true. In my life I've had an abundance of friends. I have a small family and I came late in life so my relatives are few and far between. I was the youngest of five siblings and 13 years spanned me and the next offspring. This made for a lonely existence ... sort of an only child; but not. I know this much -- I would have traded with anyone to have a sibling my own age both growing up, and now. This is certainly why I'd never advocate an only child. It might seem like a wise decision financially; but is it always in the best interest of the child? I have a relative who is an only child and she is now very convinced that all of the burden of "being there" for her parents has come down to only her. She has no one to turn to. I may have only two children and they may be worlds and miles apart in both distance and thoughts...but one thing I do know; when times are really tough, they know they have a sibling somewhere on this Earth.

I was the only remaining child in the geographical area when my Father became very ill. My "independent" Mother never learned to drive. Who do you think she depended on? After battling Alzheimers Disease, my Father took a gun to his head. Who do you think my Mother depended on? And late in life when dementia took what was left of her independence away, who do you think she depended on?

Now, like I said, I've had lots of friends. They come and they go. But relatives are still there whether you like them or not. Nine chances out of ten, you can depend on them when the going gets rough. Yes, blood is thicker than water. (it has platelets - LOL) BUT, the point I am trying to make (and I do include in-laws as relatives, too) -- is that your family should always be important to you. Hold them close, pray for them, and even if you are miles away or across the street, keep that relationship nearby in your heart. Some day when you are 61, you'll yearn for it.

Take care, and God bless.

Alcoholic? I Don't Think So - Week End Drunk? Maybe

Now people that don't know me very well, or have just met me in recent years, will not know that I've had my share of good times. Back in the 90's, right after my divorce and moving into Harrisburg, I was quite the party animal. I ran with a rather large group of gay men (yes, I was the token "fag hag") and we partied hardy. My one friend, Steve, and I were out on the streets every single night. There is (was) a place in Harrisburg that was fondly known as the "fruit loop" because Gay men solicited for "friendship" or what have you. It is a street that loops down from the Capitol building to the river and back. It was a couple blocks of fun back in those days. The center of the loop was planted with beautiful flowering trees, there were tulips everywhere, and it was really pretty. In the evening you saw cars parked in just about every slot and would hear music, laughter, see dancing, and what have you. We'd stay until the cops would have enough and send us packing. There are also several churches on this street -- old stately buildings with majestic facades. Steve and I used to go to the local sub shop and get a sandwich and eat on the church steps. We often called it the "State Street Cafe". We would undoubtedly run into a group of our friends and be there until the wee hours.

Then came the weekend. (Ours started on Thursday night and ran until Monday morning). We didn't want to miss out on anything. It would consist of club hopping, starting at what we fondly called the "troll bar" and then work our way up the street, ending at Stallions ... the local gay hot club. (They are still all there ... just not nearly as hot or as much fun.)

Now, this was the days before everyone had a cell phone, could text, and the Internet was only in offices. Homes didn't have computers so if you wanted to solicit a little "fun", you did it on the street. My friends all did it. I was the "innocent" fag hag ... just there for the fun and drinking.

Many Friday mornings I stumbled into my job, barely awake but made it through. I never missed work and have to tell you, I am still at the same job all these years later. On Sunday night we often travelled to State College for a dance and a couple drinks. After the club closed at 2:00, we dwould travel to one of the local eateries and continue our fun and then have to head the couple hour drive back to "The Burg". There were a few times when I got home on Monday just long enough to take a shower, (wash the smoke out of my hair), and go into work an hour later. Obviously, Monday night I went to bed pretty early.

In later years ... late 90's and early 2000's, a bunch of us got together and had huge Halloween parties. Actually, we had little parties every weekend at some place or another ... we had to start off somewhere since the clubs didn't "hop" until midnight. At Halloween, a bunch of us would put together about $500 and have a theme Halloween party which all the town would eventually wander into. We did such themes as "Studio 54", just to mention one. We spent months preparing. We even had notes, meetings and newsletters. Come every October, it was the place for all the local hot guys, drag queens, and everyone in between. We had a blast.

Of course, parties meant drinking. I hardly ever drank before I moved to Harrisburg. I wasn't a "tea-toatler", but alcohol was reserved to holidays or special occasions. Once I met the gay crowd, drinking was a part of everyday life. My friend Carl and I would do shots of Jack Daniels like it was mouthwash. He would say "Nancy, are you a big dog?" Damned if I wanted to be left on the porch. I still have my "Big Dog" t-shirt. I would hate to see the gallons of beer and alcohol we devoured over the years. However, Carl was always adamant that we were not alcoholics. We fondly called ourselves "weekend drunks". And that we were. My roommate and I fought over the china throne many a weekend morning.

But was it fun ... yes. I cannot remember the last time I had a drink. I surely don't remember the last time I was at a party. Carl and I now spend hours on the phone talking about the old times and how great they were. Nostalgic. I couldn't do it now; but I wouldn't trade those days for anything.

Some folks would judge me and I surely don't care. My children were raised and out on their own. We never hurt anyone and we had fun. I never missed work and my bills were paid (as well as they are now ... I've never been a financial genius). BUT, I did not spend the rent money on alcohol. I worked two jobs to pay for my fun times.

But when they close the lid on me, I'll be able to rest knowing I had fun in my life. By the way, I don't want to go into a coffin. I think being cremated and put in a Coor's Light bottle on the back of Stallion's Bar would be a fitting resting place for me.

Now, wait until you read the next Blog ... you'll think ......my God, who is this Bitch?????

The Shack

I haven't blogged in awhile. I haven't really had anything to say (can you imagine that?); but tonight I am going to talk about a book I read recently and just cannot get out of my mind. Now I am an avid reader with usually at least two books going. I belong to a book club and love to discuss different types of "reads". Recently ... on my own ... I selected a book by William Young called "The Shack". Our book club read this book awhile back and I was absent for one reason or another that month so never got into the real discussion. After reading it "on my own", I just can't get it out of my head. What a thought-provoking book.

I simply cannot tell you about this book because you really need to read it for yourself. I am sure you can get it anywhere as it is on the best seller list and has become "the book" for everyone to read and discuss.

Now, don't be turned off if you read the cover or a review and think "I don't want to read any religious mumbo-jumbo. This book is NOT religious. However, if you believe in God (how couldn't you ... just look outside at the flowers, the sky, look at your children, look at all the beautiful things) ... this book is spiritual. I have to tell you ... I've done my time as a Sunday School teacher, attended church EVERY Sunday (just ask my kids ... I even made Kelly wear dresses), and was the president of the church council at one time. I attended Bible studies, read scriptures, did the whole "nine yards" of religion. Lately, I have been really turned off by listening to people who are so hung up in "organized religion" that they -- so to speak -- cannot see the forest for the trees. In other words, they are so hung up on man's version of what religion is supposed to be and all the church rules, do's and don't's, that they forgot about God and what it would feel like to be spiritual and "one with Him".

This book also explains the Trinity. I would hope my kids know exactly what that is. I may quiz them one day. I am amazed at adults who have spent their whole life going to church (especially ones schooled in Catholicism), and tell me they never understood the Trinity until they read this book. WOW, is all I can say. Young does an excellent presentation of the Tri-Three.

I just discussed this book with someone today at lunch. We are both in our 60's and have both had trials and answered prayers in our life. We've both had enough reasons to know their is a God and both agreed this book just "blew us away".

I wonder about these young people on Facebook who put "atheist" in their religion column. Do they really know what that means? I guess I am naive but I cannot believe that you can travel this world, see the miracles every day, and not believe there is a Supreme Being in charge. I do not know if I came from the "Big Bang" theory, from Adam and Eve, from an ape (I am thinking Adam was an ape of sorts), but I do know that where man started, it was the result of a Superior Existence much greater than you or I.

Please, try to read this book. You may not agree with me in the smallest sense. BUT, I will guarantee you that it will make you think.

And if you ever want some proof of miracles, just call me. I can quote a few that no "Big Bang" can explain. Mothers, just look at your children; if birth isn't a miracle, then life isn't worth living. I rememeber the first night I held my first-born and with tears streaming down my face, I thanked God for the miracle he gave me. The second was no different. It still gives me chills.

Have a great day!!!!

Good Bye Steve

I would like to say that an era ended in Harrisburg yesterday on Election Day. Mayor Steven Reed was defeated. Now, I suppose some would say it is time for new blood and time for old Steve to "move on".

Over the past few years, he was criticized for trying to make more cultural places in Harrisburg., which of course would cost a lot of money. It was the story of the good child that does a few bad things and the only things that are noticed are the bad ones. All the good he did over his years of service seemed to be put into the back bin.

Steve Reed has been Mayor of Harrisburg since 1981. I moved here in 1991. I have seen so much improvement since I moved here within this city. I hear longer residents tell stories of what it was like before Steve "cleaned up the city", and I can't imagine.

No politician is perfect. As a matter of fact, the person who defeated Steve is tagged as being very negative. She will have VERY BIG shoes to fill and apparently she thinks she is up to it. All I have to say is that it is a sad day for Harrisburg.

I Love Being Near the Ocean

Well, I haven't written for awhile. I didn't know what to write about and since Tom's suggestion was to use my "own" pictures, I went through my photo's and randomly picked one. This is me at the beach in Florida.

I love being near the beach. I've been going to the ocean since I can remember. Summers as a child my family and I spent weeks at Atlantic City. Boy, that was the place to be back then with the Steele Pier, Diving Horse, BEAUTIFUL boardwalk and beachs, salt-water taffy, etc. My brother always stayed out late at night playing all the chance games on the Million Dollar Pier and I would wake up each morning with a different stuffed animal in bed with me. We always stayed in a big hotel that had lockers and showers in the basement because you were not allowed to come into the main hotel in your swim clothes and sand in your pants. Air conditioning was not even thought of and the doors to your room were the louver kind with open tops and bottoms. No one even thought someone would try to come in at night (even though it was, after all, New Jersey). Anyway, I learned to love the beach...the smell, the sounds, the food, everything.

Of course, today Atlantic City has been taken over by the casinos and it is an ugly place, There are outlet stores, big hotels, and the beach is dirty and construction makes everything ugly. If you are lucky enough to remember it like I can, you know there will never be another.

Now I cannot swim, nor do I want to. I used to love playing around in the sand and jumping waves. Since two knee replacements, I am frightened of the tide water pulling me down so I don't go into the water but I love sitting on the beach. My daughter and I are going to Cape Cod next month and I'm hoping to spend some time just watching the water and sand.

My ideal vacation spot would not be the woods, historic sight seeing, Paris, or any of the other thing people go for. I would be happy just sitting near the beach.

Our Options Have Changed ...

I work on the telephone all day. My job involves calling health insurance companies such as Blue Cross, Gateway, Cigna, Aetna, etc. Get the picture? Now if your job involves calling on the phone, do you get the packaged answer. "Please listen to this entire message as our options have recently changed." Now I am wondering, how often do this options change. And did they change at every business world-wide? Do they honestly think that people really want to listen to some monotone voice go over everything from A to Z when C is all you want??? How long does it take to get a "real" person? Let me tell you, some of these places make you go through as many as ten options just to get the elevator music and sit on hold for another half hour because "All Our Agents are busy ..." What happened to all the unemployed people? How about putting them to work at minimum wage answering and fielding questions so the rest of us don't have to waste our "better paid" time sitting there like a dummy waiting for someone only to find out that this was the wrong option, then they transfer you and you start all over again.

I'm sure I'm not the only person who hates this. And then you come home to call in about your phone or gas bill (God forbid Comcast), and you go through the same thing on your personal time which is always worth more than your work time.

Of course without hold time, I wouldn't know that if I stepped down and moved the ladder a few inches instead of leaning, I wouldn't fall. Or how about the spiel on alcohol abuse and what numbers to call. I already know I need eight glasses of water a day and I need to get my annual mammorgram. Do these places honestly think hospital employees call there for nonsense information? Oh yeah, I love the ones that play the church organ music (Gateway) and I already know my call is very important to someone. . . so important that I have been on hold forever.

Well, this is my job and I like that paycheck so I guess I'll keep putting up with this. But I don't have to like it!!!

A Gift to End all Gifts

On my way to and from work each day I pass a huge cemetary. I've never seen much action around there but according to the dates, it has been there forever. Recently I noticed that they have been putting out signs with specials and sales. How tacky is that?

Tonight's sign said "Memorial Day Special ... Stop in and See Us". Is that just for the veterans or what? A couple weeks ago one sign said "Mother's Day Special". Now, I don't know about the rest of you mom's, but a grave plot sure isn't what I would be expecting (or want) for my Mother's Day gift. It sure would make you wonder what your kids were planning in the near future.

I am wondering what this place does for Christmas? Or maybe this would be a good wedding gift for the month of June. After all, it is one you can always use ... eventually. Note to anyone wanting to buy me one>>not interested. First off, I don't want to be put into the cold ground to begin with and secondly, this is just not my idea of what Santa Claus had in mind!!!!

Have a good weekend, folks!!!!

Raised by the Village

I grew up in a small town in NEPA called Lightstreet. It is only famous for being a stop along the Interstate but of course that wasn't in existence when I lived there as a child. My childhood was happy, safe, and lacked excitement. That didn't keep us kids from riding bikes all day, playing tag and hide-n-seek at night and every other thing in-between. We rode our bikes to the nearest creek bed and I'll bet there wasn't a mother in town that didn't have bunches of pretty violets on their table after that trip.

I didn't realize until I was at least fifty years of age how lucky I was. Now I know what it means to be "raised by the village". All of the mothers (and others) were looking out for us. Of course we didn't have to worry back then about being snatched up by some vagrant but I'm sure we could have found our share of trouble. If you were hungry or thirsty, a friend's house was always close by. The winters were spent sledding down the local hills. Heck, the local farmers didn't care ... we didn't know what trespass meant anyhow, and certainly didn't know we were doing it. The whole village belonged to us. When we became teenagers, my friend Sally and I spent every Saturday night at the old Grange Hall square dancing. Heck, we both met our future husbands there.

I moved away for a short time after I got marred but in a couple years I was back in town where I grew up. My biggest regret is moving my own two children away. As much as I thought that the people were nosey busybodies ... I know know it was the best place ever. We had two local grocery stores where you knew exactly where everything was on every shelf. My kids just reminded me at Easter about the loose jellybeans we bought by the pound. Also, the Pepsi machine at Davis' Market was the greatest place for a cool drink. Many a sodas came from there. I only wish Chris and Kelly could have had the experience of living there throughout their entire childhood. Chris even told me once he never forgave me for moving them away.

Well, I am sorry. I can't change things and from what I hear, the old town has grown into convenience marts, stop lights and more important things. The old two church buildings in town are no longer houses of worship, being replaced by new, bigger, modern buildings. We always had the "white" church (clapboard Lutheran) and the "red" (brick Methodist) church. You went to one or the other. What a shame. I still have a cross made out of the stained glass windows of the "red" church. Memories are all I have.

I thank my parents for letting me be "raised by the village".

On Being a Mother

I've been pretty sick today so this will be short; but this blog is dedicated to my children. Yesterday being Mother's Day, I had to work and was disappointed because I HATE working weekends, especially holidays. However, my kids always come through and I ended up having a wonderful Mother's Day.

My son and son-in-law came to visit and brought me a beautiful plant and took me out to dinner. My daughter is in Boston and sent flowers and called me last night and talked a long time. I was so thankful for all of it.

Sometimes we think being a Mother is hard, and there are days when you wonder if you did it right. Apparently I did ... if you are contemplating motherhood, don't miss it for the world. It is the best job you could ever pick.

Thanks so much, Chris, Kelly Jo and Tom......(Chai and Janie, too)

EMPTY CONTAINERS AND OTHER PET PEEVES

Most of us complain when someone ahead of us uses the last sheet of TP in a public restroom. A lot of times there isn't anything we can do about this except complain to the management about keeping extra rolls on hand. By the time we do this the pee is dripping down our legs so it really doesn't matter. But what about when you come upon an empty roll at home? Does it drive you to the moon? Now I live alone so I don't have all those woes and can only blame myself if I forget. That way I don't have the empty milk carton, the empty cereal box, etc. etc.

HOWEVER, I have to say something about those same people out in the working world, among other places. What about if youare in the staff restroom and use the last TP or towels? Can't you either replace them, call a janitor to replace them, or at least warn the next person in???

How about this one? We have a water fountain that has a big bottle on top. Because my hospital won't pay for water, I pay for this myself. I belong to a nice bunch of girls and we have a sunshine fund, so it is covered. Today, like a lot of days, the damn thing was empty. I notice on the days it is empty, the "regulars" don't come in as often. That is because they know darn well it is empty and they don't want to fill it. Now, these bottles are heavy but you only have to lift it a few feet and if I can do it, anyone can. If you can't, don't walk away...ask the first gentleman coming down the hall to help. I've never been refused.

Here is another one. The copier is either jammed or out of paper. What do you do? Well, you could just walk away and pretend you never saw the warning. That is what most people at my office do. I even put up a sign asking to be notified if there is a problem. Either people can't read or are just plain stupid. I have to train myself to "if the copier isn't making noise, something is wrong". What a waste.

This can apply is so many places...it is just plain rude and there is NO other explanation for it. I hope I trained my kids better than this. If I didn't, I know they read this Blog so it is time to learn. Consider the people behind you...don't be like the people I work with.

CHANGE THE ROLL!!!!!

FREE -- THERE IS NO SUCH THING AS A FREE LUNCH!!!

Hey you .... want a free MAC book? Just click on this "icon" and fill out our "easy" questionnaire and you will get a brand new lap top -- absolutely free. Did you ever see the teeny-tiny print below that says you have to complete about 100 offers in order to get this "free" lap top.

Then you get to the page. Well, it asks a few survey questions, but not before it directs you to almost a million pages of other "free" offers. Of course if you don't read the fine print, you will be signing your life away for everything from changing your phone service to giving them your first born. (which, by the way, I've considered from time to time).

We get free things where I work. We get everything from pens to umbrellas to cookies. Of course the vendors want us to use their services; hence the free stuff. This precipitated our supervisors into saying "NO" you can't accept because a few vendors complained we were taking the stuff and then not calling them. Heck, I thought it was free. (Now, Matt ... I don't mean you.)

Water used to be free. You got a glass anywhere you asked. Now you have to pay upwards of one dollar and get it in a bottle. Of course if you want "designer" water to keep up with the Jones', you will pay more. Even the air we breathe isn't free anymore. It is so full of pollutants and pollen that we are broke buying antihistamines and inhalers.

Does anyone know what really is "free"???

Dogs, Leashes, and My Opinion

Should a dog be leashed? This is a big topic in Baltimore right now ... or rather, I guess the big topic is the new $1,000 leash fine. I hesitate to voice my opinion because most of the time I have a strong opinion and I don't want to offend anyone.

I love dogs. I really love my grand-dog Chai, and because I love them ... yes, they belong on a leash. Now, do not misunderstand me. I don't mean all the time. I don't think dogs should be tied outside; although I know I was guilty of that in my past life. (We all make mistakes.) I do think dogs ... especially big dogs like Chai, need to be left loose to play and to exercise. I think there should definitely be dog parks, and I think that in contained areas, there is NO reason why a dog cannot be off of it's leash, as long as no harm will come to the dog, or anyone within range of the dog.

Now, there are exceptions to every rule. Once when Chai's Daddy was young, he took our little poodle on a bike ride/walk. A bigger dog (untrained, obviously) was in his own fenced yard and jumped the fence and attacked our little poodle. If it weren't for a kind neighbor, who knows what could have happened. For a good long time, Christopher was afraid of big dogs. They had to earn back his trust. Also, I have a veterinarian friend who told me that many times when someone brings in a mangled dog hit by a car or caught in something, they always tell him that they just left them off the leash this "one" time. One time was all it took.

As dedicated pet owners, we are responsible for the safety of our animals. I have cats. I do not let them outside because of the dangers posed there. If we take on ownership responsibility, then it is our duty to make them as safe as possible. Dogs are animals. No matter how much training and love they have, they are still animals. Animals have instincts and it only takes one stray cat, one squirrel, or one heartbeat for them to run out into the road and get hit.

As far as the leash law, yes there has to be laws to protect everyone and every living thing. I don't think there needs to be such costly fines; but on the other hand, a alternative should be available. Baltimore people shouldn't be fined if there are not adequate dog parks available for them. Once there is a dog park within walking distance of everyone, then they could impose a fine (but certainly not such a steep one). For someone to say people with big dogs should reconsider city living is just plain stupid. How about people with kids and no play yards consider only the country. Anyone has the option to live anywhere and adapt to the place they have chosen. It is certainly a free country. Laws aren't made for people with just "little" dogs. Besides, those little ankle-bitting yappers are the worst anyway. People think because they can pick them up or put them in pocketbooks, they are exempt from most rules. WRONG.

I guess my opinion is this ... on city streets, leash your animal for their protection. They may not like it, but who says we get to do what we like all the time. Even animals have rules. Take the time to take your pet to a safe area where he or she can run and play (and swim). Rally for the cities to build responsible dog parks where owners can feel safe. When you are in a dog park, obey the rules; clean up after your pet and respect others.

I hope I didn't offend anyone. It is after all, only my opinion and lately I've found that probably isn't worth ten cents anyway.

Love you, Chai!!!!! Sloppy kisses from Gammie.

An Opposition to the Beautiful Spring Lawns

Couple days ago I wrote a Blog about the beautiful flowers and trees that I have been experiencing on my way to work in the morning. God has been out with his paintbrush and the flowers and bushes are just beautiful. People have been mowing and trimming and making everything look so nice.

In the morning on my way to work, everything is fresh, covered with dew and just starting to open up for the day. A few days later I realized something else. I suppose I am more alert to things on the drive home ... more aware and more awake. I finally realized some of these lawns are so littered in political signs that it is disgraceful. Who (except the people running for office) sincerely want to look at those things?

Now, I would imagine the people tacking these damn signs up have to have permission from people to put them in their yards. They are also littering along highways and by-way's where no one lives but the little creatures that do not appreciate them either.

I have decided that since I like to exercise my right as an American and vote; I am also going to exercise my right and start counting the signs. The one who has the most signs ... loses my vote!!!!

Do You Believe in "Fate" and Views from the "Sleeping Prophet"

Folks -- I wrote a Blog on Fate a couple days ago and as fate would have it, somehow it got lost. I've looked everywhere and just like my inability to understand electronic things like computers, I guess somehow I deleted the damn thing.

Anyway, a couple days have gone by and I have had time to rehash Fate in my simple little brain. Do you believe in "Fate"? I certainly do.

Years ago someone gave me a book called "There Is A River" by the "sleeping prophet" Edgar Cayce. I read this book with zest and it sort of changed the way I thought about life. Now I am not into fortune tellers, palm readers, and all the mumbo-jumbo; but I certainly do believe in Que Sera Sera as more than just a song. Especially as I get older, I see more and more things that happen. Because of this, I believe everything is predetermined -- like Edgar Cayce. Not because some snake-oil salesman in a tent says so; but because I've seen it over and over in my life. Many times you don't get to do things you want; but as time goes by you see the sense in why it did or did not happen. When you get into the Autumn of your life, you are able to see that things you wanted in the Spring or Summer (or even early Autumn) were not the things that were good for you. Sometimes it takes a lot of hurt and pain to realize these things.

Now I am not a believer in organized religion but I certainly do believe in God. I believe in the power of prayer and I think simple miracles happen every day. We don't always get the answer we want; but we always get the one that is best for us ... we just can't always realize it. I also believe after many hard times that God never gives you more than you can handle and that some people are stronger than others. Surely the ones who fail have to be non-believers. But don't get upset ... that is just my opinion and at 61 I am entitled to it.

I attended a Celebration of Life last evening for a great friend. She was cut down in the early autumn of her life (same age as me) from the horrors of pancreatic cancer. She wasn't ready to die. She has very young grandchildren who are going to miss growing up with a wonderful grandma. But this illness has proved that no matter how hard you fight, when your time is up, you go...young or old. However, last evening it was revealed to me the beautiful things that have come out of her passing. Jackie was a party girl and what could be more appropriate than us celebrating her life on Cinco De Mayo. She would have loved it. (and yes, she did plan the entire thing from the throngs of her death bed) THANK YOU, JACKIE.

The next time things don't go your way...remember fate. Read the book "The Seven People You Meet in Heaven" . Check out Edgar Cayce. Think back on your life and see how God works every day for you. And I am not being morbid. I am very thankful for everything I have and every day I draw breath.

"This is my story, and I'm sticking to it."

Views from the Electronically Challenged

I am an electronic "drop out". Being from "Missouri.....the show me state", I cannot learn anything from a manual, guidebook, cheat sheet, you name it. Take for example, my digital camera. My computer was all hooked up to accept pictures. As soon as I plugged in the camera or the memory stick, a little whiz (I'm convinced a little man inside my computer), made a noise and bingo ... the application came on the transfer pictures. It isn't there anymore??? I got to thinking that maybe I needed to put the camera's disc in and add the application. Well, when I did that it started asking me all sorts of questions, so I popped it out in fear of really screwing things up.

Then I popped the memory stick into the front of the damn computer...nothing happened. I gave up.

I started to think about how a couple weeks ago I didn't even know how to "IM" someone until a friend walked me through it on Facebook. And guess what, I just found out that if you get your shift lock stuck on all caps ... you are shouting!!! How come these things just slipped by me???

I thought I was pretty smart.

Now here is the latest. My new cell phone ... the one I had to have because I couldn't figure out how to text without a full keyboard...all by itself called 411 three times this month. I never use 411 but I am guessing since it is at the very top of my contact list, I probably hit the wrong button three times, racking up a rather embarrassing bill.

I have to use a computer at work. There are things I do without thinking because it is part of my job. I love my computer at home because living alone is very lonely and it keeps me connected with those that I love and miss. I like my camera because I love the concept of having the pictures at your fingertips immediately. I guess I love my cell phone but I would love it more if it worked in my apartment. I'm sure I love my TiVo, even though I can't always figure it out, either. And God forbid my WiFi ever quits. I barely know how to stick a DVD into the player and watch a movie. I've never figured out how to fast forward, go back, etc. And I always have to watch the previews because I don't know how "not to".

Heck, I'm sixty-one ... I guess I wasn't a part of the electronic age growing up and some things just can't seep into this brain. My kids get sick of telling me how but I never get tired of asking for directions.

Gosh, maybe someday I'll get that Blue Tooth thingie that I just had to have out of the box and try that out.

Handbags, Purses, Pocketbooks and No Money to Put in Them

I LOVE PURSES. I can't get enough of them. I think it is a serious addiction that I just cannot get over. I am attracted to every kind, every color, every brand, and own more than I could ever use. Does that stop me from buying more? No, of course not.

I even scope out purses at yard sales ... my most recent one being a Coach for ten bucks. My son says it is a "fake", but I've never been opposed to knock-off's, so I'll use it.

Do you know that purses can be purchased for hundreds and even thousands of dollars? I think the most I've ever spent on one single purse is probably around $59. But don't think I haven't been tempted to spend the grocery money on more?

Of course the other part of my blog title ... no money to put in them. Isn't that the truth? I own all these purses and basically they are worthless to anyone but me. However, most weeks I'm lucky if I have ten bucks to my name to put in one.

I need help. Is there a PAA (Purse-hog's Anonymous Assoc) for people like me? Oh, never mind, I am enjoying myself too much -- and so what if I spend the grocery money? It will just help with my other addition -- food and eating it.

LOL

Should you hit a lady?

I like Chris Brown. I have from the beginning. I like his style. I am not a fan of any type of Rapp, but when Chris Brown seriously sings, I like him. I love his hit with Jordan Sparks, "No Air". I do not like Rihanna's music. I really don't think she has a great voice.

Now that I've claimed my opinion, I want to say something about the latest "fight" and Chris Brown's arrest. Why is it always the man? What provoked him to hit her? I don't think anyone, man or woman, deserve to be hit, but I surely think a lot of these young girls ask for it. Sometimes it is the only way to shut them up. Maybe they should think about that when mouthing off.

Chris Brown grew up in a home where from the age of 7 to 13 he witnessed domestic violence between his mother and father. Has anyone considered that maybe the guy needs help -- maybe some counseling -- maybe he's a victim, too.

Rihanna grew up in a fairly affluent home in Barbados. Once she was "discovered", she and her mother travelled back and forth between her home and the United States to pursue her career. As soon as she turned 16, she left Barbados to come to the USA and live with her producer and his wife. She also trained as an Army Cadet in the military in Barbados. Makes you wonder about the hitting incident, doesn't it. Is "poor little Rihanna" the only victim?

I'm sure this thing goes on every day in the towns and cities of America. I'm sure boys hit girls, girls hit boys, men hit women, etc. It isn't right and I am not condoning violence. I'm just saying that it isn't an issue for public display and I think this whole mess was blown way out of proportion just to advance Rihanna's career -- which hasn't come close to Chris Brown's fame.

Oh yeah, right after this "look at me, I got hit" incident, Rihanna and Chris spent a week "making up" at a Florida mansion owned by one famous rock star/actor. He refused to speak about it on the "Ellen" show. Probably because the fight wasn't that big of a deal to begin with.

Come on people, don't get so hung up in this crap. They are just people ... like anyone else standing out on the street corner fighting.

LAPD, give the damn jewels back and drop this stupid incident. Rihanna already got what she wanted.

Afterall, anyone named Christopher should be OK. Right???