Last night I finally had some time to visit with my cousin Lynn, my aunt and Lynn's kids (hubby wasn't home yet). I had Iowa shirts for the kids and a free evening.
Lynn, knew how unhappy I was about not being able to do the stuff on my blog which Joan and the rest of you can do so she offered to walk me through some of it. Unfortunately even though she is a teacher and explains stuff exceptionally well, it still seemed Greek to me, and she ended up doing all of the changes, including adding the award Patti graced me with plus adding some of my favorite blog reading lists.
Lynn also took every opportunity to tease me - her only oldest (by the way,the name comes from the fact that I am the oldest of Lynn and Joan's three cousins, and since there can be only one oldest, they have called me "only oldest" for many years)on my lack of computer abilities. My aunt and 12 really enjoyed the bantering between us but it made me think of times past when my aunt's memory was still very much intact and how when I was a child, every word she uttered to me was gold. Now, thankfully, unlike our grandmother, my aunt still has people recognition and past memories,although her present memory span is but a couple of minutes tops. It doesn't dimish my love and respect for her but it makes me sad that my same eyes which looked upon my aunt with wonder, now look upon her with compassion.
Watching Lynn play with me about my lack of computer skills last night while my aunt just enjoyed us being together,I was reminded of a time when I was the one Lynn and Joan looked at with hero worship in their eyes while they hung on every word I said. Those same wide eyes Lynn had as a child, now are teasing eyes when she talks to me all the while shaking her head at my lack of knowledge.
I am grateful that my cousins have these wonderful capabilities. I am very grateful that Joan was able to go to every doctor appointment with me when I had my stomach bypass surgery and ask important questions when I forgot to ask them. These two women are as important a part of me as my aunt has been all my life.
When I was 16, Joan was 6 and Lynn was 3, always tagging after me when our two families were together. I complained to my aunt as teens often do. She wisely told me that some day, the age bridge would close. I now know that it has closed completely. The only problem is that while the bridge Joan and Lynn have is sleek and ultramodern, made of stainless steel with innovative changes being learned daily, my bridge is still made of old wood with slats, and technology learned seem to keep falling through the empty spaces where the slats have fallen off.
I appreciate everything my cousins do for me and I am very grateful they encourage me to try to walk on their bridge. Unfortunately when it comes to technology (computers, digital cameras etc) my brain seems to be holding on to my old wooden bridge. I do know I can always count on both of them for whatever help I need even though there is teasing which accompanies the help. Without these two, I would probably be using paper cameras and the old 1905 Underwood typewriter which sits holding long past memories on my bookcase. These things always remind me that I am one very lucky "only oldest".
Tuesday, July 31, 2007
Tuesday, July 24, 2007
Looks like Lindsay will follow Paris - only more so!!
I am sure everyone knows by now that Lindsay Lohan was arrested last night after the Santa Monica police stopped her chasing another car. Her blood alcohol was extremely high .21 (.08 is legal) plus there was something like cocaine found in her pocket. All this just 4 days after she was released from a 45 day rehab facility plus she was wearing an ankle bracelet which is supposed to notify the police when the wearer is drinking. I have no idea how one of those is supposed to work but apparently it doesn't work too well. Lindsay, like Paris, was driving with a suspended license, plus she is still waiting for sentencing for her last drunk altercation last June when she wrecked her car while drunk. Based on the noise about Paris when she was released early, then sent back to serve the rest of her time, I am guessing that these two incidents will garner Lindsay much more time in the pokey than Paris' 23 days.
So who is to blame for this 21 year old child (the Government may consider her an adult but it's obvious that mentally she is a child) being so out of control. I blame her mother (and to some extent her father who was a drug addict himself but has been drug free for over a year). Lindsay's mom Dina lived her dreams through her child. Most parents lead by example and Dina Lohan was the same. Unfortunately her example was taking her underage child into bars and clubs all around the world. Dina said it was because if they were together, she would know what Lindsay was doing. Bull Crap, now we all know what Lindsay was doing and none of it was anything good.
It's suspected that Lindsay might be incarcerated for at least 2 years, maybe more. I think Dina should be sent up the river with Lindsay. She shared the fun for the past 10 years, it's only fitting she should share the punishment.
So who is to blame for this 21 year old child (the Government may consider her an adult but it's obvious that mentally she is a child) being so out of control. I blame her mother (and to some extent her father who was a drug addict himself but has been drug free for over a year). Lindsay's mom Dina lived her dreams through her child. Most parents lead by example and Dina Lohan was the same. Unfortunately her example was taking her underage child into bars and clubs all around the world. Dina said it was because if they were together, she would know what Lindsay was doing. Bull Crap, now we all know what Lindsay was doing and none of it was anything good.
It's suspected that Lindsay might be incarcerated for at least 2 years, maybe more. I think Dina should be sent up the river with Lindsay. She shared the fun for the past 10 years, it's only fitting she should share the punishment.
Monday, July 23, 2007
Of course I too am reading Harry Potter
I am up to page 126 having started the book yesterday afternoon My sister actually brought the book up Saturday morning but I had a ton of things to do plus even though I would have loved nothing more than just diving into the book Saturday night, I attended the 50 wedding aniversary of some Moose friends instead, and when I got home, I was too pooped to read. I started reading yesterday afternoon but decided to put the book down in time to watch 60 minutes. I never made it through the entire show and the next thing I knew it was 11:30. Too late to read, especially when I had to go to work this morning.
I read the first issue of Harry Potter and the Sourcerer Stone in the summer of 2000 having been introduced to Mr. Potter by my Godson Kyle age 13 who was visiting from Vermont. The third issue was due to be released while he was visiting and I promised his mom that Kyle and I would stand in line waiting at midnight for the release. When we got to our local Borders at 10:00 PM, I was shocked at the number of people, both kids and adults patiently waiting for the "magic" hour since up until Kyle arrived, I had never even heard of the Harry Potter books The store had a magic show and other entertainment scheduled to keep the kids occupied so while one hundred or so parents and I waited in line, I received my first lessons in the magic of Harry Potter and why so many were interested. Once Kyle and I got the chance to buy book 3, I bought a copy for him plus books 1 through 3 for me. Kyle and I both stayed up all night reading. I finished book one before morning and I have been hooked ever since.
So here we are at the end of this excellent series. I haven't seen Movies 4 or 5 yet. I actually enjoy reading more than seeing but sooner or later they will be on television and I will watch them just as I have watched the first 3.
Tonight I will go home and hopefully get the chance to do some reading before I fall asleep but no matter, there is plenty of time to read the last chapter of this wonderful series. I have not enjoyed reading as much as I would like and my thanks go to J.K. Rowling for allowing all us of to share her fantastic imagination. Good for you Joanne!!!
I read the first issue of Harry Potter and the Sourcerer Stone in the summer of 2000 having been introduced to Mr. Potter by my Godson Kyle age 13 who was visiting from Vermont. The third issue was due to be released while he was visiting and I promised his mom that Kyle and I would stand in line waiting at midnight for the release. When we got to our local Borders at 10:00 PM, I was shocked at the number of people, both kids and adults patiently waiting for the "magic" hour since up until Kyle arrived, I had never even heard of the Harry Potter books The store had a magic show and other entertainment scheduled to keep the kids occupied so while one hundred or so parents and I waited in line, I received my first lessons in the magic of Harry Potter and why so many were interested. Once Kyle and I got the chance to buy book 3, I bought a copy for him plus books 1 through 3 for me. Kyle and I both stayed up all night reading. I finished book one before morning and I have been hooked ever since.
So here we are at the end of this excellent series. I haven't seen Movies 4 or 5 yet. I actually enjoy reading more than seeing but sooner or later they will be on television and I will watch them just as I have watched the first 3.
Tonight I will go home and hopefully get the chance to do some reading before I fall asleep but no matter, there is plenty of time to read the last chapter of this wonderful series. I have not enjoyed reading as much as I would like and my thanks go to J.K. Rowling for allowing all us of to share her fantastic imagination. Good for you Joanne!!!
Thursday, July 19, 2007
Things still to learn at my age
I am honored to be nominated for an award by Patti. Unfortunately, I still have no idea how to post this award on my blog. I also have no idea how to post pictures, or other interesting do dads. In short, outside of writing, I don't know how to do diddily, and it's frustrating he heck out of me. Now my cousins Joan and Lynn on the other hand are quite adept at this. The only reason my moose picture is on my blog is because Joan put him there. She also found the wonderful picture on top. I am sure Joan is feeling sorry for me, and one of these days, she and I will get together (we do live a distance apart) so she can teach me how to do all these great things which all of you are able to create and I envy so. I ask all of you to be patient with me. One of these days my Canadian flag might appear, and I hope to be able to add some pictures taken at our Moose Family center's Hawaiian shinding last weekend.
The other thing I have always envied and wanted to learn is how to whistle so that it can be heard a distance away. A few of our Moose Chapter members can do this without any effort at all. Some use their fingers and some don't. On Saturday night, one of our state officers whistled loudly using her fingers. I told Carol that I always wanted to learn how and she showed me what, in her words, was a simple way to do it. I have been practicing for 4 days. Most of the time all I get is dribble down my chin, but once in a while a very shrill whistle will come out so it's obvious I am doing something right some of the time. I will continue to practice (in my home bathroom where I no one can see or hear) and, hopefully, I will be able to remove this item off my "wish to learn" list. When I next see Carol in February of next year, I hope to be an expert.
So stick with me folks. Sooner or later I will learn the tricks of blogging which you all have mastered and the way to whistle which Carol has perfected. It takes me a while to learn new things but I promise to make an effort. Hopefully one day soon I can show all of you the world as my camera sees it (after I learn how to download the camera)!!!
The other thing I have always envied and wanted to learn is how to whistle so that it can be heard a distance away. A few of our Moose Chapter members can do this without any effort at all. Some use their fingers and some don't. On Saturday night, one of our state officers whistled loudly using her fingers. I told Carol that I always wanted to learn how and she showed me what, in her words, was a simple way to do it. I have been practicing for 4 days. Most of the time all I get is dribble down my chin, but once in a while a very shrill whistle will come out so it's obvious I am doing something right some of the time. I will continue to practice (in my home bathroom where I no one can see or hear) and, hopefully, I will be able to remove this item off my "wish to learn" list. When I next see Carol in February of next year, I hope to be an expert.
So stick with me folks. Sooner or later I will learn the tricks of blogging which you all have mastered and the way to whistle which Carol has perfected. It takes me a while to learn new things but I promise to make an effort. Hopefully one day soon I can show all of you the world as my camera sees it (after I learn how to download the camera)!!!
Wednesday, July 18, 2007
My Co-worker and his teen daughter
One of my co-workers in a single dad whose 17 year old daughter is slowly driving him insane. Actually he has two children but apparently his 22 year old son was a breeze to raise, and I think he expected the same of his daughter, but alas as we moms know, he hasn't a prayer of an easy life. Actually until recently, she was no trouble, but the past year has been a living H_ll for him and he is in shock.
I have been trying to explain to him that teenage girls have something in their hormones which change them from loving little girls into the completely unrecognizable incredible hulk and that he is lucky it's taken her this long to convert. It doesn't make it any easier on him because now he is living in this time warp with sweetness one moment to a beastly unreasonable, hysterical stranger the next.
Maybe we women handle it differently because we all remember being this horrible person ourselves. My mom was pregnant when I was 15. Once I was an adult, I understood how miserable I was to live with for 7 months. I remember when she and my dad told my brother and I that she was pregnant, I went ballistic. I had no reason for that reaction but I guess my selfish genes took over and I was a beast to my mom until my sister was born. My selfishness wasn't much better after but I think I retreated into my bedroom right after school each day and stayed there for the next 3 years.
I feel so sorry for my co-worker. I tell him that she will outgrow this phase, probably by the time she is 20 but it's very difficult for him to address the daily changes in his beloved child, never quite knowing what to expect when he gets home from work. He is so frustrated it makes me sad. Maybe some of you former female teens might pass on some words of advice which he can cling to while he is waiting impatiently for his child to climb out of the teen years.
I have been trying to explain to him that teenage girls have something in their hormones which change them from loving little girls into the completely unrecognizable incredible hulk and that he is lucky it's taken her this long to convert. It doesn't make it any easier on him because now he is living in this time warp with sweetness one moment to a beastly unreasonable, hysterical stranger the next.
Maybe we women handle it differently because we all remember being this horrible person ourselves. My mom was pregnant when I was 15. Once I was an adult, I understood how miserable I was to live with for 7 months. I remember when she and my dad told my brother and I that she was pregnant, I went ballistic. I had no reason for that reaction but I guess my selfish genes took over and I was a beast to my mom until my sister was born. My selfishness wasn't much better after but I think I retreated into my bedroom right after school each day and stayed there for the next 3 years.
I feel so sorry for my co-worker. I tell him that she will outgrow this phase, probably by the time she is 20 but it's very difficult for him to address the daily changes in his beloved child, never quite knowing what to expect when he gets home from work. He is so frustrated it makes me sad. Maybe some of you former female teens might pass on some words of advice which he can cling to while he is waiting impatiently for his child to climb out of the teen years.
Monday, July 16, 2007
What a great Moose weekend it was!
Well, I am still recovering since I was up very early three mornings in a row. It was my responsibility to bring bagels and cream cheese to the lodge so that everyone could have breakfast at 8:00 AM. Others brought muffins and fruit. We also had orange juice and the most important drink COFFEE!!! For lunch we had "make your own" sandwich, salad, chips and dessert. I couldn't eat so I walked around mingling, renewing friendships and confirming that everyone was having a good time.
Approximately 60 women attended the session. The Moose International organization just completed our International convention in Orlando and many changes were announced. Not all were well received so it was up to our California/Nevada officers to present the changes and explain why they were necessary. It took all Saturday morning, but once everyone understood the reasoning behind the changes and the idea of hoping to appeal to younger women so that we can keep increasing our membership, most agreed that the changes are necessary. Once the work part was out of the way, we were ready to party and just have fun. I think at least 15 prizes were given out, some were door prizes but others were won for winning games or for catching the officers if they made an error when providing information. All was done in good humor with everyone joining in the laughter.
Saturday night, we had our Hawaiian chicken and rice dinner which was very successful then we had some Hawaiian hula competition. One of our members was raised in Hawaii and knew how to hula. She agreed to perform then offered to teach it to the others. Talk about good sports!!! The 6 senior Officers in attendance performed their version in grass skirts. Professional dancers have nothing to fear from this competition. After they did their dance, everyone was invited to come up and give it a try and I think about 20 gave it a try. Very entertaining and very funny. There was a lot of good teasing and laughter. The members who prefered Country Western line dancing also had the opportunity to do their thing and we even had some great karioke. Everyone had a great time, no one wanted to leave, but we all knew that we had to be up bright and early Sunday morning, so we grugingly broke the party up near 11:00.
Sunday morning we finished up our Moose business then played games, gave out more prizes (about 30 in all for the weekend plus everyone got to take home a goody bag) and the meeting closed at 10:30. Some will see each other at convention in September but others like me (I used my vacation for Iowa) won't have to chance to meet until next February, so goodbyes were tough with many tears and hugs.
I love this organization and the women (and men) who belong. We are dedicated to the "Service to Children" concept which is what the Loyal order of Moose and Women of the Moose are all about. Our officers are super loving women who lead by example and having this opportunity to share the fun with them in an informal setting really keeps everyone reminded why we all volunteer so hard to keep our Moose family centers alive and thriving.
Approximately 60 women attended the session. The Moose International organization just completed our International convention in Orlando and many changes were announced. Not all were well received so it was up to our California/Nevada officers to present the changes and explain why they were necessary. It took all Saturday morning, but once everyone understood the reasoning behind the changes and the idea of hoping to appeal to younger women so that we can keep increasing our membership, most agreed that the changes are necessary. Once the work part was out of the way, we were ready to party and just have fun. I think at least 15 prizes were given out, some were door prizes but others were won for winning games or for catching the officers if they made an error when providing information. All was done in good humor with everyone joining in the laughter.
Saturday night, we had our Hawaiian chicken and rice dinner which was very successful then we had some Hawaiian hula competition. One of our members was raised in Hawaii and knew how to hula. She agreed to perform then offered to teach it to the others. Talk about good sports!!! The 6 senior Officers in attendance performed their version in grass skirts. Professional dancers have nothing to fear from this competition. After they did their dance, everyone was invited to come up and give it a try and I think about 20 gave it a try. Very entertaining and very funny. There was a lot of good teasing and laughter. The members who prefered Country Western line dancing also had the opportunity to do their thing and we even had some great karioke. Everyone had a great time, no one wanted to leave, but we all knew that we had to be up bright and early Sunday morning, so we grugingly broke the party up near 11:00.
Sunday morning we finished up our Moose business then played games, gave out more prizes (about 30 in all for the weekend plus everyone got to take home a goody bag) and the meeting closed at 10:30. Some will see each other at convention in September but others like me (I used my vacation for Iowa) won't have to chance to meet until next February, so goodbyes were tough with many tears and hugs.
I love this organization and the women (and men) who belong. We are dedicated to the "Service to Children" concept which is what the Loyal order of Moose and Women of the Moose are all about. Our officers are super loving women who lead by example and having this opportunity to share the fun with them in an informal setting really keeps everyone reminded why we all volunteer so hard to keep our Moose family centers alive and thriving.
Friday, July 13, 2007
Big Moose weekend coming up
Our Women of the Moose Chapter has been given the honor of hosting a California/Nevada function this weekend. All week while I should have been concentrating on my paying job being a buyer, my mind has mentally been at our Moose Family Center making plans to help carry it off, hopefully without a hitch.
In the Moose organization, there are honors which can be achieved by volunteering to accept positions within each Chapter. The Senior Regent (President) can achieve what's called the "College of Regents" degree if for two years, the Chapter accomplishes all the goals set by Mooseheart including all the reports done correctly, enrolling enough members plus community service. The highest degree of the Women of the Moose is called the "Star Recorder" degree. This means that the person has accepted the position of Recorder (basically the accountant of the Chapter" and all proper paperwork has been properly submitted, the monies received by the Chapter for all year balance to the penny and the Chapter has received the award of achievement signifying that EVERYTHING has been done correctly.
I am pleased to say that I am one of the members who has achieved all my honors and this weekend, only others from California and Nevada who have achieved the same honors have been invited to attend a very special weekend session at our Moose Family Center. We expect about 70 women to attend.
Our theme is going to be Hawaiian and today we will decorate with posters and signs. After the informative and fun day session tomorrow (9:00 to 3:00 including games and door prizes), we will be having a wonderful Hawaiian dinner (our lodge members, men and women have also been invited), after which we will have Hula lessons (with the necessary grass skirts) then a contest with prizes for the winners. It's going to be a blast (this is the 2nd time we have sponsered such an event - the last time 3 years ago had a marti gras theme). We had so much fun that when we were asked this year if we would be willing to do it again, everyone jumped at the chance.
There is so much to do for this weekend event. Hotels for those coming from distant locations had to be arranged, two breakfasts, Saturday lunch, door prizes were acquired, goodie bags for each woman who attends, plus all the dinner arrangements. As I said, I have been working with others not only in our Chapter but via E-mail with the other state planners to pull this off.
So we start tonight filling the goodie bags (note pads, pens, Hawaiian fans, candy plus other things being brought down by other ladies, then at 6:30 tomorrow morning we will get the continental breakfast ready for everyone and registration will start at 8:00. I am so excited I can barely stand it, mainly we will have a chance to visit with other members we really don't have too many opportunities to see (outside of the 2 conventions a year) because they live so far away.
So I am ready to go over to our local warehouse store to pick up plastic plates with matching napkins of course, and head over to our Moose family center to decorate the hall. The food has been gathered by others all week so we are almost ready for a super shinding.
Stay tuned for Monday's report!!!
In the Moose organization, there are honors which can be achieved by volunteering to accept positions within each Chapter. The Senior Regent (President) can achieve what's called the "College of Regents" degree if for two years, the Chapter accomplishes all the goals set by Mooseheart including all the reports done correctly, enrolling enough members plus community service. The highest degree of the Women of the Moose is called the "Star Recorder" degree. This means that the person has accepted the position of Recorder (basically the accountant of the Chapter" and all proper paperwork has been properly submitted, the monies received by the Chapter for all year balance to the penny and the Chapter has received the award of achievement signifying that EVERYTHING has been done correctly.
I am pleased to say that I am one of the members who has achieved all my honors and this weekend, only others from California and Nevada who have achieved the same honors have been invited to attend a very special weekend session at our Moose Family Center. We expect about 70 women to attend.
Our theme is going to be Hawaiian and today we will decorate with posters and signs. After the informative and fun day session tomorrow (9:00 to 3:00 including games and door prizes), we will be having a wonderful Hawaiian dinner (our lodge members, men and women have also been invited), after which we will have Hula lessons (with the necessary grass skirts) then a contest with prizes for the winners. It's going to be a blast (this is the 2nd time we have sponsered such an event - the last time 3 years ago had a marti gras theme). We had so much fun that when we were asked this year if we would be willing to do it again, everyone jumped at the chance.
There is so much to do for this weekend event. Hotels for those coming from distant locations had to be arranged, two breakfasts, Saturday lunch, door prizes were acquired, goodie bags for each woman who attends, plus all the dinner arrangements. As I said, I have been working with others not only in our Chapter but via E-mail with the other state planners to pull this off.
So we start tonight filling the goodie bags (note pads, pens, Hawaiian fans, candy plus other things being brought down by other ladies, then at 6:30 tomorrow morning we will get the continental breakfast ready for everyone and registration will start at 8:00. I am so excited I can barely stand it, mainly we will have a chance to visit with other members we really don't have too many opportunities to see (outside of the 2 conventions a year) because they live so far away.
So I am ready to go over to our local warehouse store to pick up plastic plates with matching napkins of course, and head over to our Moose family center to decorate the hall. The food has been gathered by others all week so we are almost ready for a super shinding.
Stay tuned for Monday's report!!!
Monday, July 9, 2007
Am I back on here???
Since last Friday, I have been unable to creat anything on this blog. I never though I would admit this, but I have felt kind of lost. I had to be encouraged to do this by my cousin Joan (the Erstwhile Librarian) but now that I have been blogging for about 6 months and people have been responding to my blogs, it's been kind of exciting and I am really enjoying myself doing it.
I really don't have anything earth shattering to write today, except that I went back to the dentist last Thursday and had the two teeth the dentist worked on before my vacation permanently capped and also had a good cleaning. There wasn't any pain so I was a very brave soldier. Now comes the tough part. I still have to have a tooth pulled on the right side, an implant and cap completed for it. I must make an appointment with another dentist to pull the tooth, but still haven't gathered up the guts to do it. As I said in prior, I am not very brave when it comes to going to the dentist. One day soon, I will make the appoint since I plan to get everything done by the end of summer.
I am happy to be back on track (at least I think this will show up) and I thank everyone for your comments.
I really don't have anything earth shattering to write today, except that I went back to the dentist last Thursday and had the two teeth the dentist worked on before my vacation permanently capped and also had a good cleaning. There wasn't any pain so I was a very brave soldier. Now comes the tough part. I still have to have a tooth pulled on the right side, an implant and cap completed for it. I must make an appointment with another dentist to pull the tooth, but still haven't gathered up the guts to do it. As I said in prior, I am not very brave when it comes to going to the dentist. One day soon, I will make the appoint since I plan to get everything done by the end of summer.
I am happy to be back on track (at least I think this will show up) and I thank everyone for your comments.
Thursday, July 5, 2007
Thinking about Christmas......
You are probably wondering why I am thinking about Christmas when it's only July. This morning on the radio, I heard that Hollywood is thinking about cancelling the annual Hollywood Christmas parade (held the Sunday after Thanksgiving) due to lack of funds.
Although the parade is not as famous as the Rose Parade January 1, it is a 50 year old tradition. I am not even sure it's televised nationally but many stars participate (riding on floats, on old convertibles), plus there are high school and college bands from all over the country. Thousand of people line the famous streets of Hollywood to say they were part of this wonderful event and if I am not mistaken, Lynn, Joan and I even went down to watch the parade one year a very long time ago.
Hollywood has hit on hard times lately. The famous Hollywood sign has just been rebuilt with donated money, since it was hanging precariously down the mountain and desperately needed a new paint job. The even more famous Hollywood Blvd and Vine corner is being rejuvinated by the city because lately it hasn't been the safest corner for the many tourists who visit the Grauman Chinese theatre to look at the movie star footprints and the mile walk of fame stars down the the sidewalks, and to be honest, the whole neighborhood was looking shabby. This is where the city is investing these days.
Bottom line, the city just doesn't have enough money to foot the bill for the parade, and they are desperately looking for corporate sponsers or wealthy members of the community to share the cost.
While I was listening this morning I had a brilliant idea. When Paris Hilton got out of jail last week, she promised to turn over a new leaf and contribute to charity. Wouldn't it be great if she supported something this special in her home town. How sad so many kids and adults will be if this parade is cancelled and how great would she come off making the parade happen just by contributing money.
I hope someone mentions the need to Paris and the rest of the Hilton family or some other corporate sponser comes up with the cash to fund this wonderful Hollywood tradition. It would truly be a loss to this famous city if the parade must be cancelled.
Although the parade is not as famous as the Rose Parade January 1, it is a 50 year old tradition. I am not even sure it's televised nationally but many stars participate (riding on floats, on old convertibles), plus there are high school and college bands from all over the country. Thousand of people line the famous streets of Hollywood to say they were part of this wonderful event and if I am not mistaken, Lynn, Joan and I even went down to watch the parade one year a very long time ago.
Hollywood has hit on hard times lately. The famous Hollywood sign has just been rebuilt with donated money, since it was hanging precariously down the mountain and desperately needed a new paint job. The even more famous Hollywood Blvd and Vine corner is being rejuvinated by the city because lately it hasn't been the safest corner for the many tourists who visit the Grauman Chinese theatre to look at the movie star footprints and the mile walk of fame stars down the the sidewalks, and to be honest, the whole neighborhood was looking shabby. This is where the city is investing these days.
Bottom line, the city just doesn't have enough money to foot the bill for the parade, and they are desperately looking for corporate sponsers or wealthy members of the community to share the cost.
While I was listening this morning I had a brilliant idea. When Paris Hilton got out of jail last week, she promised to turn over a new leaf and contribute to charity. Wouldn't it be great if she supported something this special in her home town. How sad so many kids and adults will be if this parade is cancelled and how great would she come off making the parade happen just by contributing money.
I hope someone mentions the need to Paris and the rest of the Hilton family or some other corporate sponser comes up with the cash to fund this wonderful Hollywood tradition. It would truly be a loss to this famous city if the parade must be cancelled.
Wednesday, July 4, 2007
Is this really a Happy Birthday America???
Well, the Canadian flag I had up in front of my home is down and the American flag has taken it's place. Since it's not Flag day or Memorial Day and I am off work, it must be July 4th. Next to July 1st (for obvious reasons), July 4th is one of my favorite holidays and has been since I moved to this great country 43 years ago.
I may not agree with everything America does (both Joan and Lynn's husbands and I have had many conversations). Having been born in Canada which is a very peace loving country (I always joke that Canada has only 3 helicopters, maybe a boat or two, possibly 4 military airplaines and a lot of horses for the Mounties) I am not a big fan of the war. It upsets me that America and Britain's children are dying in Iraq, a country which doesn't seem to hold the value of life as we know it. I admit I will never understand the attitude of the suicide bombers. I don't care that they want to kill themselves for 72 virgins in Heaven they believe will be waiting for them, but taking all those innocent people with them is just not right.
My brother who actually is still a Canadian works for am American company which makes military hardware. He was in Vietnam through the 60's, Iran through the 70's, Afganistan and now finds himself spending too much time in Iraq. When the war began, Frank said that President Bush did not understand what we were committing to. He said then that Iraq was a war like Vietnam but without the trees and knowing the psychi of the Iraqui people, he described what would happen once Sadaam was gone and others would do horrible things to rid Iraq of those who try to bring peace. To the letter of his description almost 5 years ago, we are facing exactly what the told me. This is a tribal war which has been going on for 3000 years. Nothing will change their attitude and sooner or later our soldiers will leave Iraq having accomplished nothing and another dictator will come to power and life in Iraq will go on as it has for another 3000 years.
So I wish this wonderful country a happy birthday and pray that all our beloved soldiers are back here with their familities who love them to celebrate our next July 4th. Please God, let our children come home soon!!!
I may not agree with everything America does (both Joan and Lynn's husbands and I have had many conversations). Having been born in Canada which is a very peace loving country (I always joke that Canada has only 3 helicopters, maybe a boat or two, possibly 4 military airplaines and a lot of horses for the Mounties) I am not a big fan of the war. It upsets me that America and Britain's children are dying in Iraq, a country which doesn't seem to hold the value of life as we know it. I admit I will never understand the attitude of the suicide bombers. I don't care that they want to kill themselves for 72 virgins in Heaven they believe will be waiting for them, but taking all those innocent people with them is just not right.
My brother who actually is still a Canadian works for am American company which makes military hardware. He was in Vietnam through the 60's, Iran through the 70's, Afganistan and now finds himself spending too much time in Iraq. When the war began, Frank said that President Bush did not understand what we were committing to. He said then that Iraq was a war like Vietnam but without the trees and knowing the psychi of the Iraqui people, he described what would happen once Sadaam was gone and others would do horrible things to rid Iraq of those who try to bring peace. To the letter of his description almost 5 years ago, we are facing exactly what the told me. This is a tribal war which has been going on for 3000 years. Nothing will change their attitude and sooner or later our soldiers will leave Iraq having accomplished nothing and another dictator will come to power and life in Iraq will go on as it has for another 3000 years.
So I wish this wonderful country a happy birthday and pray that all our beloved soldiers are back here with their familities who love them to celebrate our next July 4th. Please God, let our children come home soon!!!
Tuesday, July 3, 2007
Thanks for Everything Beverly Sills
Before I start, I have to say one thing. I really hate opera!!! When I was a kid, if my mom wasn't working, she would spend every Saturday afternoon listening to the Texaco Star Metropolitan Opera program. I didn't get opera then, I don't get it now. Maybe it was because even if they sang in English (which wasn't often) I couldn't understand either the words or the plot. Every once in a while an opera singer would appear in something which appealed to me. In the movie Going My Way, opera star Rise Stevens sings Ave Maria and that really touched my heart but all in all, most opera stars of the 60's and 70's stayed away from T.V and popular music.
Then along came Beverly Sills. She was one of us except she had the voice of an angel. When she and Carol Burnett did their T.V special, somehow she made Carol sing opera. She even help Miss Piggy sing opera and everyone loved it because it brought opera down to our level. I enjoyed watching her perform every chance I got. Her nickname "Bubbles" was most appropriate because it described her personality completely.
Beverly Sills passed away last night and I want to send my personal salute to this great person who gave us many hours of pure enjoyment and somehow gave us all more than a little bit of class!!!
Then along came Beverly Sills. She was one of us except she had the voice of an angel. When she and Carol Burnett did their T.V special, somehow she made Carol sing opera. She even help Miss Piggy sing opera and everyone loved it because it brought opera down to our level. I enjoyed watching her perform every chance I got. Her nickname "Bubbles" was most appropriate because it described her personality completely.
Beverly Sills passed away last night and I want to send my personal salute to this great person who gave us many hours of pure enjoyment and somehow gave us all more than a little bit of class!!!
Sunday, July 1, 2007
Happy Birthday To Me......
Today is my 64th birthday. I mention my age because for a lot of years, birthdays have filled me with sadness not joy. Until this year, the thought of getting older was not a pleasant thought because for 20 years, I was extremely overweight, never had enough energy to accomplish anything and looking back, even though I seemed to accept the weight and maybe even justify it, there was always a sadness in the back of my mind.
Last year I had my stomach bypass surgery. Even though I still have about 40 lbs to lose, I have lost 144 lbs. I was able to fly to Iowa, sit as comfortable as one can in a 15 inch seat, and for the first time in a VERY long time didn't have to suffer the embarrassment of asking the flight attendant for a seat belt extender which alone filled me with joy.
Over the past year, family and friends have commented on how great I look and while it's great receiving the compliments, it's not the most important result of this wonderful surgery. I now have a bounce to my step and having run through two airports last week without dying, I finally realize how much I have missed all those years, and I am very grateful for another chance.
When I was in Iowa, I was able to plan a future. When I carried all that weight and suffered from diabetes and high blood pressure, the future was uncertain. The diabetes is gone, my blood pressure is normal, and no longer are pills part of my daily routine. For the first time, shopping for clothes isn't a chore to dread but something to look forward to.
So this 64th birthday is the beginning of a new outlook for me. I can now plan a future including retirement, spending time with my family, especially my brother, good friends and just experiencing life at it's fullest.
Yes, I would definitely say life is good and this is indeed a very happy birthday.
Last year I had my stomach bypass surgery. Even though I still have about 40 lbs to lose, I have lost 144 lbs. I was able to fly to Iowa, sit as comfortable as one can in a 15 inch seat, and for the first time in a VERY long time didn't have to suffer the embarrassment of asking the flight attendant for a seat belt extender which alone filled me with joy.
Over the past year, family and friends have commented on how great I look and while it's great receiving the compliments, it's not the most important result of this wonderful surgery. I now have a bounce to my step and having run through two airports last week without dying, I finally realize how much I have missed all those years, and I am very grateful for another chance.
When I was in Iowa, I was able to plan a future. When I carried all that weight and suffered from diabetes and high blood pressure, the future was uncertain. The diabetes is gone, my blood pressure is normal, and no longer are pills part of my daily routine. For the first time, shopping for clothes isn't a chore to dread but something to look forward to.
So this 64th birthday is the beginning of a new outlook for me. I can now plan a future including retirement, spending time with my family, especially my brother, good friends and just experiencing life at it's fullest.
Yes, I would definitely say life is good and this is indeed a very happy birthday.
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