Anniversaries

Two years ago today, my buddy Dawn married her Joe. I've written about it in the past (one of my best posts, in my humble opinion) but I never had a photo to post until I stole this one from her Facebook photo album. Didn't she look absolutely beautiful? Joe looked very handsome that day as well. What a cute couple, eh? So in the two years since the wedding, guess what they've been doing, er, look what they made...

This is their daughter Haley (I stole this photo from Dawn's Facebook page as well) and she looks to be one sweet, happy and gorgeous little girl.

I could not be happier for all three of them! Happy Anniversary Dawn and Joe. May you have many, many more happy years ahead.

Drive Safely

My own personal little anniversary today is that 15 years ago I picked up my brand new spanking clean and shiny Volvo at Auto Show. A mere 15 years later, that Volvo has seen better days, but I love it as much today as I did 15 years ago.

I haven't had a car payment in 11 years, which may be why I love it so much. Still gets me from point A to point B without too much worry.

Father's Day

Hmmm...

I'm not even sure I know why I'm posting today. I think it may be because just last night I came across a quote written by Anne Sexton:

"It doesn't matter who my father was; it matters who I remember he was.”

I don't have a relationship with my father and I'm okay with that. I saw him at a funeral several years ago. It was very strange to see him, and I remember thinking how nice his complexion was - go figure. Surprising, it was very unemotional for me.

At times, he could be the best father. But, mostly he wasn't.

I guess the best word to describe how I remember him would be disappointing.

And, I also wonder, just when do parents fall out of love with their kids? I've seen it repeatedly where a child is born and the parents are head over heels in love with their little bundle of joy.

Then the years pass and before you know it there's no longer respect for this child. They find it okay to spank (or worse) this little person. They use sarcastic tones when speaking to this little person. They forbid, with no explanation as to why.

Over time, the actions of the parent start to chip away at a child's confidence.

Parents should love their children more than anything else in the world. Anything and everything.

35 Years Seems Wrong

This June 7, it will be 35 years since I graduated from high school! In so many ways that time seems to have flown by. In other ways, it seems so like a really long time since getting up and going to school every day.

My high school reunion is scheduled for sometime later in June. I've already sent back my questionnaire and let them (whoever they are) know that I will not be attending.

I didn't have a really great time in high school. It was okay and I was relieved to graduate and move onto working full time. I still stay in touch with the people who I want to stay in touch with. Jerry and I met in 11th grade cooking class, where we were assigned to the same table. He and Faith, who I met in 12th grade, got married a couple of years after graduation and I see them pretty regularly. I am godmother to their daughter and look forward to spending time with all of them. Tom, who married Janice about 3 years after graduation, graduated with me and Faith. Jerry had gone to Tollgate and Janice to Pilgrim, yet we have all remained best friends all these many years later.

So I did (very grudgingly) go to the 20th reunion. It was okay. Not great and not bad, just okay. It was strange to see people who looked familiar, yet different. There were no great surprises, just a bunch of people who used to know each other a long time ago. Now, 15 years past that, it seems pretty silly to go. I suppose it would be interesting to see who ended up where, but we did all that at the 20th and I don't remember who ended up where. I think I forgot because I didn't really care.

Faith/Jerry and Tom/Janice have gone to every reunion. Each time I would tell Faith to let me know if one particular classmate was there. If so, I would get dressed and meet up with them. But he never showed. About 6 years ago, I ran into his brother who gave my numbers to him. I got a call and we reconnected. He was living in DC and after talking for a couple of months he planned a trip to RI. I picked him up at his downtown hotel and we went for dinner and then to a PawSox game. During our dinner conversation I realized two things; the first being that he was a total and complete drunk and, secondly, he had no recollection of me at all. After all those years of wondering what happened to him, now all of a sudden, I couldn't get rid of him. It took some time and many late night calls where he was pretty loaded to finally get him to stop calling. I also moved and changed my phone number which may have helped as well.

So, mostly, I don't want to know the details of the lives of a bunch of people I don't recall all that well and didn't really care about to begin with.

However, at 52 years old, I am finding that life is pretty tenuous. Just a couple of days ago I ran into an old school friend. She is having some health problems and has lost most of her eyesight. She also mentioned that a guy from our class, who was at that kitchen table with Jerry and I back in 11th grade, had come to a mini-reunion that was held in March. A couple of weeks later, he was dead after suffering a massive heart attack.

A few years ago, I ran into the mother of another classmate who I was pretty close to in 9th and 10th grade. They were a pretty wealthy family and when I would go to their house, I was surprised that they had a live-in housekeeper and an elevator in their house. The big surprise, however, was the master bedroom and bathroom which was one big room. The bed was huge and round and the bathtub was a double and there was a beer tap right into the tub! We'd hang out in that bedroom, not that we drank the beer, but it was funny to sit on the round bed and look at the double tub and the two toilets, one of which had a phone next to it. Anyway, when I ran into Mrs. Casey, I asked how Mary was and found out that she had passed away a few years earlier from cancer. I couldn't believe that I hadn't known.

Just in the past couple of months there have been two other classmated who's obituaries were in the newspaper. One guy I didn't recognize at all, but I did remember the girl (hard to say woman.)

So my thinking is that why should I spend time filling my brain with information that I don't need to store, when there is so much I work hard to remember, mostly regarding my nieces and nephews.

The only thing is that 52 is much too young to die.

X-Ray Vision

If I had my choice of any superpower, I would chose invisibility - can you imagine going anywhere and nobody knows that you are there with them; listening, watching, etc.?

Next, I think, it would be nice to have X-Ray Vision. Look at the right bottom corner above - it's a guy working on a copier!

The bottle is empty - is that why he's leaning?

A football player who took his helmet and football along for the picture!

My personal favorite - 2 fruit bats.

The wheels on the bus go round and round...

Good Morning

Wow!! It's a new day, a great day for us all.

I honestly feel like a new person - that there's a new purpose in life!

As difficult as the campaign was - I first supported Hillary - but then John Edwards decided he'd run and I thought he was the best candidate (what did I know!) But when he dropped out a week before Super Tuesday, as upset as I was at the time (again, what did I know) I supported Hillary, whom I have always admired. I wasn't crazy about how her campaign was run and, ultimately, others felt the same way, I think.

I didn't really like Obama as a candidate at first. I thought he should have waited and run in 2012 (again, what the heck did I know.) I liked him as a person just fine, and really admired what I knew of his wife. But little by little he sold himself to me. Then I (finally) realized that he was exactly who we needed to repair the messes created by Bush and his cronies.

Of course, Barack Obama has a monumental job ahead of him, but I can actually feel and sense possibility in the air! He's smart enough to make some good decisions, unlike his predecessor.

I feel so happy for black Americans! How, just overnight, the world has changed for them - now it will be easier for them to feel as white people have always felt; they can become anything they want, with hard work - even President Of The United States! Just by being elected, Obama has shown other people of color that anything is possible. I can only imagine how wonderful that feeling is for them today! Two of my nieces, who, like Obama, have a white mother and a black father, are overjoyed at this victory. They had favored Obama all along and it's now easy to understand why. They look like him - with that same beautiful skin color. Their lives will be enriched by Obama as my life never will. I am overjoyed with that thought.

I'm looking so forward to watching those two beautiful little girls grow up - it's crazy, insane, and wonderful that a black family will be living in the White House! That just makes me smile.

It's truly a great day for America and the world. Anything is possible.

Mother Nature Can Be So Cruel

China has has a one child only policy since the 1970's. Now, after the devastating earthquake that killed so many children, many parents are now without any children.

My heart breaks for them.

The people of Myanmar have had a really tough time also. Almost 100,000 killed and their government not accepting all the aid that is offered.

Here in the northeast of the United States we have to be very grateful for the weather we have. In my lifetime (almost 52 years) we've had our share of hurricanes and an occasional minor earthquake or tornado, but we haven't had any natural disasters similar to the ones that have crippled other parts of our country and the world. We've been very lucky.

I've often thought of moving to a warmer climate. I think, however, that I will stay put as long as possible (which means we must elect a Democrat this year, or I'll be heading out.)

Happy Belated Birthday Rosie O'Donnell

Rosie O'Donnell turned 46 yesterday! (I thought today, Saturday, was the 21st)

I really like and admire Rosie - she is a wife, mother, artist, writer, comic, actress and an advocate for disadvantaged children.

I first noticed her and her comedy when she was the host of VH1's Standup Spotlight back in the 80's. And I've enjoyed her ever since. She makes me laugh and when she had her own show, she was a fan, just like all of us, of the stars she was lucky enough to meet; Barbra Streisand, Elton John and, of course, her Tommy among others. She brought her friends and family along for the ride and they got to meet people they admired also. And, as her fans, we got a peek into that world.

Thankfully she has a blog - rosie.com - where we can still get a glimpse into her life. It's always fun to read her answers to questions asked of her in the Ask Ro section. She ocassionally posts videos of what she's doing, who she's with and pictures of her kids.

She and I agree on most things; politics and human rights especially, and while I don't always agree with everything I admire that she always knows the facts before she voices her opinions and she makes me think about her point of view.

She calls those of us who know her but haven't met her stranger friends. I think that if we ever got the chance to meet, we'd become real friends.

A True African American

I have never liked the term "African American". I don't even remember when it was first used.

It is certainly a much better term than "colored" or "negro" which was used when I was a kid. But I'd like to know what was wrong with the term "black" anyway? Being called "brown" should also be acceptable as most black people I know are different beautiful shades of brown.

Are we to assume that every black person's ancestors actually came from Africa? Should I be known as a "Irish/English/French Canadian American"? And what about two of my nieces who are half black? Would they then be "Half African American"? Their distant ancestors may have been from Africa, but it's not information that has been passed to them.

I like the term "person of color". And I especially like the term"black". After all, I am called "white!"

Barack Obama, however, is a true African American. His father was from Africa and his mother was from America. So it's okay when he is called an African American. But other people, I'm just not so sure.

Maybe I'm being too literal, but as I wrote in my blog the other day, aren't we taking political correctness just a bit too far.

Shouldn't we think that maybe any labels aren't even a good idea at all.

The Awful Waffle Dilemma or LeggoMyEggo

Several years ago I was forced to buy a 4 slice toaster.

For years when Vanessa and Veronica would stay over on our regular Friday night sleepovers a 2 slice toaster worked just fine. We'd make toast, or english muffins. Veronica especially liked when I made her an egg mcmuffin. Life was pretty good with my 2 slice toaster.

Then came Chelsea, Matthew and Emilee!!!

In a nano-second my perfectly adequate 2 slice toaster became a burden, a major burden. And it was all because of waffles! Eggo waffles to be precise.

There's Homestyle, Buttermilk (big no-no), Chocolate Chip, Blueberry, Apple Cinnamon, Banana Bread, Cinnamon Toast, Brown Sugar Cinnamon, French Vanilla, Nutri-grain Cinnamon, Nutri-grain Blueberry, Flip-Flop Choco 'Nilla and the New French Toast Waffle!

Then there's Mini Homestyle, Mini Buttery Maple Syrup and so on...

Ya see what I'm getting at?

When they sleep over, the first thing out of Chelsea's mouth when she wakes up (besides her pretty smile) is "I'm hungry!" And so it begins...

Cooking waffles for these 3 kids in a 2 slice toaster was a nightmare. Which kid gets the first 2 waffles? Or if 2 kids get the first 2 waffles and they're finished with theirs before the next 2 waffles are done toasting, do they get seconds while the 3rd kid has none? Or if I give the 2 waffles to the 3rd kid, the other 2 kids complain that they've only had 1 waffle each! So I would quickly put 2 more waffles into the toaster, but it took so long that the kid noise level would increase until the 2 waffles were done.

Then there was the numbers of waffles. Chelsea has been known to eat 10 waffles! Matthew 8 waffles! And Emilee 6 waffles! Some times I would be standing at that 2 slice toaster for an hour and not even had a waffle for myself.

Getting a 4 slice toaster helped immensely, at least 2 kids could have 2 waffles while the other 1 kid waited. And then 4 waffles would be done so the last kid could have 2 waffles and the other 2 kids could have 1 waffle each. Then I would have the next 4 waffles, pop 4 more waffles in for whichever of the kids wanted more.

And because these kids love waffles so much, the next part of the dilemma is the sheer quantity of our waffle needs. Do I buy the single pack which has 10 waffles, or the double pack which has 16 waffles? If I buy the single pack there are 2 waffles left over when cooking 4 waffles at a time. So If I buy the double pack the 16 waffles work well, we get 4 waffles each, except 4 waffles usually aren't enough waffles for these hungry chowhound kids. The next box size is 24 waffles, but then there was the problem of freezer space.

So I went out and bought a big refrigerator - A BIG REFRIGERATOR. It's much too big for my little tiny kitchen, but there's one thing about a big refrigerator - it has a BIG FREEZER! Big enough, thankfully, for as many waffles as I might need when those hungry kids come to visit.

And now, because the BIG FREEZER is on the bottom of the BIG REFRIGERATOR and now that the kids are bigger they can reach the toaster and now they can cook their own waffles!!

Actually, I have to admit that the real dilemma is now that the kids are bigger they don't come visit me as often :-(

Miscellaneous Stuff

A few days ago I was thinking about the Beatles which is not all that unusual. But I was specifically thinking about George's first wife, Pattie Boyd which is a bit unusual. For those who don't know her and her history; while she was married to George (my personal favorite of the Fab Four) he wrote the song "Something" for her.

Eric Clapton, (Clapton IS god) who was one of George's best friends, fell in love with Pattie while she was still married to George and wrote the song "Layla" for her. Pattie later left George for Eric and while they were married he wrote "Wonderful Tonight" for her! Anyway, I was thinking that she should write a book, since there's so much musical history that she was part of and privy to. On Friday I went to the library - and there it was - a book by Pattie Boyd Harrison Clapton!!!

I'm sure I'll learn things - some things that I probably won't want to know, but I'm glad she has written her story. I had no idea she had written a book. I started reading it last night and I am trying to make it last - I read so fast that it's annoying -I think I'll read another book at the same time, so that I can enjoy and savor what she has to say.


TV - The other night I watched a movie - I don't remember the name of it now, but there was a guy in it that I just couldn't (and can't still) place. I looked at the credits - Campbell Scott - which rang no bells for me. I have no idea what show or movie I know him from, so I looked up his name on the DVR and recorded all the movies he was in so that I might be able to place him.

Last night I was browsing through my list of recorded movies and found one Saint Ralph. So I decided to watch and see if it helped at all. It didn't help one iota, but I found the movie to be one of the best movies I've seen in a very long time. It's the story of a 14 year old boy whose father had died in WW2, his mother is very sick in the hospital; his best friend writing letters from a non-existent grandmother to cover up the fact that he's on his own. Going to a catholic school, he somehow gets the idea that if he can win the Boston Marathon which would be a miracle - he could then use that miracle to make his mother better. If you get the chance to see this move, do watch it, it's sweet, funny, sad, inspiring. And if you recognize Campbell Scott (he plays Father Hibbert) and why I might know of him, please let me know because it's driving me crazy (more crazy than usual.)

Speaking of TV...
I have to admit to a guilty indulgence - Miss America Reality Check - I know, I know it's hard to believe since I really do not enjoy reality shows. I watched the first 4 or 5 Survivor shows and then got tired of it. As for American Idol - over however many years they've been on - I think I've seen about 45 minutes total and that was while visiting my brothers house. I just don't enjoy these shows, in fact, I actually get annoyed by them. But this Miss America reality show is quite interesting on many levels.

Edwards - I'm listening to the Solid Gold Oldies station on the TV tonight - Edwards bombed in the Nevada Caucuses and I am not able to watch MSNBC, especially with the loudmouth Chris Matthews and the obnoxious conservative duo of Joe Scarborough and Pat Buchanan.

I wish more people would listen to and learn about John Edwards. He's not taken any money from individuals with agendas; therefore he would owe NO ONE if he's elected President. Common sense tells me that means a lot!! With the press owned by the corporate world his message just is not getting out there - you'd think there were just 2 Democratic candidates in the running!

I think I'll go read now...

I'm Always MADD And I'm Not A Mom

Another teenage death in Barrington because of drinking and driving. Another friend now arrested and charged with his death. When will these kids learn?

I went to a party,
And remembered what you said.
You told me not to drink, Mom,
so I had a sprite instead.

I felt proud of myself,
The way you said I would,
that I didn't drink and drive,
though some friends said I should.

I made a healthy choice,
And your advice to me was right.
The party finally ended,
and the kids drove out of sight.

I got into my car,
Sure to get home in one piece.
I never knew what was coming,
Mom, something I expected least.

Now I'm lying on the pavement,
And I hear the policeman say,
the kid that caused this wreck was drunk,
Mom, his voice seems far away.

My own blood's all around me,
As I try hard not to cry.
I can hear the paramedic say,
this girl is going to die.

I'm sure the guy had no idea,
While he was flying high.
Because he chose to drink and drive,
now I would have to die.

So why do people do it, Mom
Knowing that it ruins lives?
And now the pain is cutting me,
like a hundred stabbing knives.

Tell sister not to be afraid, Mom
Tell daddy to be brave.
And when I go to heaven,
put "Mommy's Girl" on my grave.

Someone should have taught him,
That it's wrong to drink and drive.
Maybe if his parents had,
I'd still be alive.

My breath is getting shorter,
Mom I'm getting really scared
These are my final moments,
and I'm so unprepared.

I wish that you could hold me Mom,
As I lie here and die.
I wish that I could say, "I love you, Mom!"
So I love you and good-bye.

A Moment Of Silence For A Genius

Jimi Hendrix (November 27, 1942 – September 18, 1970 was an American guitarist, singer and songwriter. Hendrix is considered one of the greatest and most influential guitarists in rock music history. After initial success in England, he achieved worldwide fame following his 1967 performance at the Monterey Pop Festival. Later, Hendrix headlined the iconic 1969 Woodstock Festival before his death in 1970, at the age of 27.

A self-taught guitarist, Hendrix usually played a Fender Stratocaster guitar turned upside down (so that the right-handed guitar could be played left-handed) and restrung to suit him. Hendrix helped pioneer the technique of guitar feedback with overdriven amplifiers, incorporating into his music what was previously an undesirable sound. He built upon the innovations and influences of blues stylists such as BB King, Muddy Waters, Albert King and T-Bone Walker, and derived style from rhythm and blues and soul guitarists Curtis Mayfield, Steve Cropper and Cornell Dupree, as well as from traditional jazz. Part of Hendrix's flamboyant stage persona may have been inspired by rock pioneer Little Richard, with whom he toured as part of Richard's back-up band, "The Upsetters". Hendrix is also widely thought to be influenced by Pete Townshend of The Who, a band performing in London when Hendrix started his career there. Carlos Santana has also suggested that Hendrix's music might have been influenced by his Native American heritage.

Hendrix strove to combine what he called "earth", a blues, jazz or funk driven rhythm accompaniment, with "space", the high-pitched psychedelic sounds created by his guitar improvisations. As a record producer, Hendrix also broke new ground in using the recording studio as an extension of his musical ideas; he was one of the first to experiment with stereophonic and phasing effects during recording.

Hendrix was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1992 and the UK Music Hall of Fame in 2005. His star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame (at 6627 Hollywood Blvd.) was dedicated in 1994. In 2006, his debut album, Are You Experienced, was inducted into the United States National Recording Preservation Board's National Recording Registry.. Rolling Stone named Hendrix number 1 on their list of the 100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time in 2003.

from Wikipedia

New Workplace Words

Essential additions for the workplace vocabulary. How many do you recognize?



BLAMESTORMING: Sitting around in a group, discussing why a deadline was missed or a project failed, and who was responsible.


SEAGULL MANAGER: A manager who flies in, makes a lot of noise, craps on everything, and then leaves.

ASSMOSIS: The process by which some people seem to absorb success and advancement by kissing up to the boss rather than working hard.

SALMON DAY: The experience of spending an entire day swimming upstream only to get screwed and die in the end.

CUBE FARM: An office filled with cubicles.

PRAIRIE DOGGING: When someone yells or drops something loudly in a cube farm, and people's heads pop up over the walls to see what's going on.

MOUSE POTATO: The on-line, wired generation's answer to the couch potato.

SITCOMs: Single Income, Two Children, Oppressive Mortgage. What yuppies turn into when they have children and one of them stops working to stay home with the kids.

STRESS PUPPY: A person who seems to thrive on being stressed out and whiny.

SWIPEOUT: An ATM or credit card that has been rendered useless because the magnetic strip is worn away from extensive use.

XEROX SUBSIDY: Euphemism for swiping free photocopies from one's workplace.

IRRITAINMENT: Entertainment and media spectacles that are annoying but you find yourself unable to stop watching them. The O.J. trials were a prime example (and as of today, might be again.)

PERCUSSIVE MAINTENANCE: The fine art of whacking the crap out of an electronic device to get it to work again.

ADMINISPHERE: The rarefied organizational layers beginning just above the rank and file. Decisions that fall from the adminisphere are often profoundly inappropriate or irrelevant to the problems they were designed to solve.

404: Someone who's clueless. From the World Wide Web error message "404 Not Found," meaning that the requested document could not be located.

GENERICA: Features of the American landscape that are exactly the same no matter where one is, such as fast food joints, strip malls, subdivisions.

OHNOSECOND: That minuscule fraction of time in which you realize that you've just made a BIG mistake.

WOOFYS: Well Off Older Folks.

CROP DUSTING: Surreptitiously farting while passing thru a cube farm, then enjoying the sounds of dismay and disgust; leads to PRAIRIE DOGGING.

Why Men Are Better Than Dogs

Men only have two feet to track in mud.

Men can buy you presents.

Men don't have to play with every man they see when you take them around the block.

Men are a little bit more subtle.

Men don't eat cat turds on the sly.

Men open their own cans.

Dogs have dog breath all the time.

Men can do math stuff.

Restaurants allow men.

How Dogs And Men Are The Same

Both take up too much space on the bed.

Both have irrational fears about vacuum cleaners.

Both are threatened by their own kind.

Both like to chew wood.

Both mark their territory.

Both are bad at asking you questions.

Neither tells you what's bothering them.

Both tend to smell riper with age.

The smaller ones tend to be more nervous.

Neither does dishes.

Neither of them notice when you get your hair cut.

Both like dominance games.

Both are suspicious of the postman.

Neither knows how to talk on the telephone.

Neither understands what you see in cats.

Dogs Compared To Men

Dogs Compared To Men or Why Dogs Are Better Than Men

Dogs miss you when you're gone.

You never wonder whether your dog is good enough for you.

Dogs feel guilt when they've done something wrong.

Dogs don't criticize your friends.

Dogs admit when they're jealous.

Dogs do not play games with you--- except fetch (and then never laugh at how you throw).

Dogs are happy with any video you choose to rent, because they know the most important thing is that you're together.

Dogs don't feel threatened by your intelligence.

You can train a dog.

Dogs are already in touch with their inner puppies.

Gorgeous dogs don't know they're gorgeous.

The worst social disease you can get from dogs is fleas. (OK, the *really* worst disease you can get from them is rabies, but there's a vaccine for it, and you get to kill the one that gives it to you.)

Dogs understand what "no" means.

Dogs don't need therapy to undo their bad socialization.

Dogs don't make a practice of killing their own species.

Dogs understand if some of their friends cannot come inside.

Dogs think you are a culinary genius.

You can house train a dog.

You can force a dog to take a bath.

Dogs don't correct your stories.

Middle-aged dogs don't feel the need to abandon you for a younger owner.

Dogs aren't threatened by a woman with short hair.

Dogs aren't threatened by two women with short hair.

Dogs don't mind if you do all the driving.

Dogs don't step on the imaginary brake.

Dogs admit it when they're lost.

Dogs don't weigh down your purse with their stuff.

Dogs do not care whether you shave your legs.

Dogs take care of their own needs.

Dogs aren't threatened if you earn more than they do.

Dogs do not have problems expressing affection in public.

Dogs mean it when they kiss you.

Dogs are nice to your relatives.

September 11

A strange thing happened to me on the morning of September 11, 2001. For the first time ever I decided at 8:50am to turn my television on to see what was going on in the world.

I was getting ready for an appointment at 10:00 and I don't know why, but I wanted to watch TV. So I turned on channel 10, the NBC affiliate in Providence and saw the Today folks sitting in front of a picture of the smoke coming from one of the Twin Towers. I have to admit that until that day, I didn't know what went on in the Towers, having been to NYC only a couple of times and having zero interest in the financial world, it had never seemed important. So as I watched the TV wondering what was going on I saw an airplane crash into the other Tower and I realized in that instant that we were under attack. Then the news told of planes that had been hijacked, an explosion and probable plane crash at the Pentagon, then news that another plane had been hijacked and the subsequent crash in Pennsylvania.

I knew that day would change the way we lived our lives in America, but never did I think it would lead to something so ridiculous as the Patriot act and our invasion of a country that had nothing to do with the attacks of that day. Even I, who did not like George Bush from the very first instant I saw him and knew he'd be a bad president, never thought he'd screw up so badly.

We had the sympathy of the world and we blew it!

So, the sixth anniversary of the attack by Al Qaeda on America brings back the horror and the sadness of that day for all of us. Particularly those who previous to the attacks had celebrated the date of 9/11 for anniversaries and/or birthdays.

Which leads me to my best friend, Lillian, who celebrates her birthday today, September 11. I can't imagine my birthday being the day that is thought of as such a sad day, but, she handles it as she does everything in her life; with her usual poise, dignity and good grace. All I can say, is thank goodness for September 11, the day my friend was born. It is a good date, after all.

Happy Birthday Lillian with much love!

The Sins Of The Fathers

I love a good boycott. There is nothing more fulfilling as a consumer to see a company go out of business if the way they conduct themselves is less than you like.

I noticed a few weeks ago that Hooters on Airport Road is closed! Oh, what a shame, they can no longer demean women, and the women who worked there can now go somewhere else for their daily dose of degradation. A successful boycott!

My boycott of Bess Eaton Donuts resulted in their demise also. (yep, I'm taking full credit.) Had they refrained from putting biblical quotes on the coffee cups and donut boxes, there might have still been time to make the donuts (whoops, isn't that Dunkin Donut's catch phrase?) I know I wasn't the only one to be offended by their actions, actually the actions of their founder and chairman; Angelo Gencarelli. As a so-called "born again" christian, he felt that he needed to get his message out about his religious beliefs. As consumers, we decided that his messages were offensive and chose instead to make DD one of the most profitable entities in RI. At the end of his little reign Mr. Gencarelli filed for bankruptcy amid questions about their financial dealings. So much for his christian character, hmmm? Another successful boycott!

And speaking of christians, then there are the catholics. I was raised roman catholic and even as a young child found their celebration of mass to be a bit ridiculous. Of course, I find any sort of ceremony to be a bit silly, always asking myself who came up with this stuff? Sit, stand, and kneel; all on demand. I really never got it about a higher power either. Who says? Because it's written in a book? A baby whose mother was a virgin? A guy who walked on water and fed a lot of people with a little bit of food? A guy who rose from the dead? Sounds like a magician to me, or maybe just a tall tale - like Paul Bunyan. I just don't get it, period. But I acknowledge that there are people who believe, and while I don't get that either, I respect their right to their own beliefs.

However...

I have been boycotting the catholic church for a very long time. Yes, even when a kid asks me to buy a candy bar, I always have to ask who they are selling it for. It's hard to say no to those kids, but once I had realized that the catholic church employees (bishops and priests) said one thing and did the exact (and sometimes extreme) other thing, there really was no choice. Like child sexual abuse, also known as pedophilia.

I have up close and personal experiences in that department, and as a result I have always felt that one of my duties in life is to protect those who cannot protect themselves; your children.

So today I read another report of another diocese paying out money to the victims of these horrible priests. Here's a listing, get your calculators out, because we are talking HUGE amounts of money:

The Roman Catholic Diocese of San Diego said Friday it has agreed to pay $198.1 million to settle 144 claims of sexual abuse by clergy, the second-largest payment by a diocese.Earlier this year, the diocese abruptly filed for bankruptcy protection (still, they didn't want to live up to their responsibilities) just hours before trial was scheduled to begin on 42 lawsuits alleging sexual abuse. Bankruptcy could shield the diocese's assets, but a judge recently threatened to throw out the bankruptcy case if church officials didn't reach an agreement with the plaintiffs. Thank goodness for that judge!

In the largest payment yet in the scandal, the Los Angeles Archdiocese settled 508 cases for $660 million in July, two days before jury selection was scheduled to begin in the first of 15 trials involving 172 abuse claimants there. (Again, they tried to get out of it.)

The Diocese of Orange agreed in 2004 to settle 90 claims for $100 million after a judge promised to set trial dates and begin the discovery process if settlement talks collapsed.

Diocese of Covington, Ky., 2006, up to $84 million for more than 350 people.

Archdiocese of Boston, 2003, $84 million for 552 claims.

Diocese of Oakland, Calif., 2005, $56 million to 56 people.

Archdiocese of Portland, Ore., 2007, agrees to pay about $52 million to 175 victims to emerge from bankruptcy protection; sets aside another $20 million for any future claims.

Diocese of Spokane, Wash., 2007, agrees to pay $48 million for about 150 claims to emerge from bankruptcy protection.

Diocese of Sacramento, Calif., 2005, pays $35 million to 33 people.

Archdiocese of Louisville, Ky., 2003, $25.7 million to 243 victims.

Diocese of Tucson, Ariz., 2005, agrees to fund a settlement trust worth about $22 million for more than 50 victims to emerge from bankruptcy protection.

The Davenport, Iowa diocese, which faces claims from more than 150 people, is still in proceedings.

"The diocese has always been committed to resolving this litigation in a way that fairly compensates these victims of abuse and would still preserve the ongoing ministries and programs of the church," Bishop Robert Brom (of San Diego) said in a press release Friday. "We pray that this settlement will bring some closure and healing to the years of suffering experienced by these victims."

Well Bishop Robert Bozo, what you don't realize is that these "victims" are really survivors! They have lived their entire lives tortured by the memories of what was perpetrated upon them when they were just little kids! There isn't enough money in the world that could fix that for them. Shame on the catholic church, from every pope, bishop and priest who had any involvement or knowledge of what was happening repeatedly from one side of this country to the other and did nothing! Nothing!!!

I'm hopeful for yet another successful boycott.

What Was I Thinking?

I just realized that I didn't blog today (yesterday, actually.) I have no idea why. I didn't even think to check the blog to see if any comments were left.

So, I'm not sure what I'll say, though I'm sure something will come to mind.

I did get up to watch the eclipse. Looking west this morning at 5:00 am I couldn't see the moon from my house. So Hannibal and I got in the car and headed down Potowomut Road where there's a little fishing spot. I did spot the moon as I drove there and thought it would be a good place to sit and watch. Wrong. The moon was so low that the trees around the river were blocking the view. So I decided to head out to Post Road where there are more buildings than trees. As I was driving I was not able to find the moon at all. Then I realized that I was looking east, where the sun was starting to rise. DUH. Once I turned and looked west I saw the moon, found a spot to park and got my camera out, just as the clouds blocked the moon from my view. I waited for about a half hour and never saw the moon again. So I went to Dunkin Donuts and got a donut and headed home, knowing there's another eclipse coming before long.

I do enjoy the lunar eclipse so much more than a solar eclipse. I remember once, years ago, when we were having a solar eclipse, I decided to go outside (I was downtown at the time) and I looked up towards the sun (which you are NOT supposed to do), my eyes starting to hurt and they continued to hurt for weeks afterwards, so I do not recommend that. It's alot safer to watch a solar eclipse on TV or use a special pair of glasses or welders glass.

Here's some upcoming dates to watch the night sky:

September 1 is the peak of the Aurigids meteor showers.
October 8 is the peak of the Draconids meteor showers.
November 18 is the peak of the Leonid meteor showers.
December 14 is the peak of the Geminid meteor showers.

I do enjoy the night sky. Maybe that's why I like to stay up late.

The rest of my day was spent sleeping (I've been exhausted lately) and working on Castle stuff.

On the day that I went to the Castle, I left a letter for the owner at the house and mailed one to him at the address of the house. The mailed one was returned to me and I haven't been by the Castle lately to see if the one I left is still there. I have no clue as to where the owner of that house is. I did check and he's not in prison, nor has he been arrested for anything. I would sure like to know what's up with him and the house though. I can't imagine another winter passing and that place still being vacant and abandoned.

I guess that's it for now. My brain can't think too much longer at this late hour.

Storms

Hurricane Dean waves - south of Santa Domingo

I love a good storm, thunder and lightning, wind, driving rain. It doesn't get much better, unless you add snow. A nor'easter or a hurricane just make life more interesting. The fury of Mother Nature is something to behold.

Of course, here in New England, the hurricanes we've had have been pretty mild, at least in my lifetime. We've had some where trees get knocked over, power goes out. The worst hurricane experience I can remember is listening to a generator running for over a week at a house across Johnson's Pond from where I was living. I'm sure they wanted their power back on, but I was probably as ecstatic as they when that generator was finally turned off. Usually when it's blowing, I go outside and walk around feeling the air and rain around me.

One time while living on the pond, Hooke and I were sitting on the screened porch watching a thunder and lightning storm. All at once, I could feel the hair on my arms stand up and Hooke went wild barking and doing his little donut circles on the floor, then BOOM, lightning came down and hit a tree that was about 50 feet away. It was great. There was a little fire that the rain put out after a few moments.

Whenever the weatherman is forecasting thunderstorms, I anticipate where I'll be, what the best vantage point is, how long will it last, etc.. Often, like the last few days, I'm disappointed when nothing happens. Where did the storm go? Who was able to experience it? Why wasn't it me? Hannibal isn't fazed at all by storms, sometimes he picks his head up when lightning flashes, but the thunder bothers him not at all.

I never understand people who are afraid of storms. They're so exhilarating, you feel so alive. Last summer, when Chelsea, Matthew and Emilee were sleeping over there was a storm that started about 11 pm. They were all nervous so I decided they needed to understand the feeling of experiencing something so wild. I opened the window, pulled the shade all the way up, and pushed the bed up against it. Then we all laid there feeling the rain blow in, watching the flashes and feeling the house rumble. I think they appreciated it, as they didn't seem to be afraid anymore. I hope they still aren't afraid.

Hurricane Dean was just upgraded to a Category 5 storm, with winds over 156 miles per hour. I've watched the weather channel on and off today to see where it's been and where it's headed. Unfortunately, the islands have been hit pretty hard, and there has been a lot of devastation. The buildings and houses down there are not built for the harsh environment that hurricanes bring, I'm sure many people are homeless and many lives have been lost.

So maybe we'll be lucky and have a hurricane here in New England this summer or fall. My request would be a Category 1 or 2, maybe a 3 tops.