That reminds me of.....

Thank God for Tylenol!  For some unexplained reason, I have had a fever ...everyday ...for two weeks. I have had several sets of blood work and cultures of basic bodily fluids.  I have had a chest Xray, a TB Test, a CT scan, and an echo cardiogram.  Tomorrow I go for a mono test and a Lyme disease test.  In the meantime, when my fever reaches the 100 mark, I take two Tylenol, and sweat it out.  It's been like the movie , "Ground Hog Day".  Of course, the next thing on the horizon will be the added joy of the results of no arthritis meds.  Anyway, no 'Woe is Me" intended...I actually want to share a positive yet unexpected moment of yesterday.

I had a 4:15 appointment for an echo cardiogram which is a test that I had not yet experienced.  It was in the same building as my primary care physician, and a feeling of familiarity settled in as I entered the waiting room. I had many appointments in this office thirty-five years ago when it was a different set of doctors' offices.
So, I was instructed to remove my clothes from the waist up, put on a gown with the opening in the front and get onto the table to have the test.  The doctor advised me to,
"Pay no attention to the sounds you will hear as they are a normal part of the test."

At first it was relatively uneventful.  Then I heard a rhythmic " swoosh-swoosh sound" that I recalled from years ago.  It was like an instant memory! It was so similar to the first time I heard the "swoosh-swoosh" sound of my son's heartbeat before he was born. What a thrill that was!!  Unforgettable.
And where did that take place some thirty-five years ago?  It was in the very same office that I was listening to the sound of my heart!  Because 35 years ago, it was my OBGYN's office where I went as a pregnant woman while gestating that wonderful 10 pound boy!!
What a far- out kind of deja vu moment that was and  might I add that it was pretty high up there on the 'smile meter'!!  Wahoo for that deja-vu!!!!



Inner Beauty

Sometimes, it is just so easy to make judgments based on how things look on the outside.  Some circumstances like age, residence, behavior, etc. could cause you to dismiss or give no more thought about the person.
People are often 'deeper' on the inside, and as we 'human beings' age...our talents are not so obvious. No where is this more obvious than in a nursing home.  My mom is certainly a mere 'shadow of the torch' she was and we who know her are well aware of her fine qualities.
In the dining room, I am on a first name basis with both staff and residents.  So when Mary [not her real name] burst into song, her dementia and unruly behavior  took a back seat to her beautiful voice.  She had sung in a choir and and was quite musical.  There is an organ in the corner of the dining room, and I asked her if she could play the organ. 
"Uh...I think so."
There was no sheet music. As those aged hands pressed on two rows of keys and her foot added 'pedal support', you could tell that the pleasant chords and sounds were 'right on' and beautiful.  It was a treat for me as I seem to have a connection with both ends of the rainbow:  the children and the elderly.
It prompted me to want to initiate conversation that would
shed some light onto the hidden talents that I know were present in the room!!

Way to go, Mary!!
Mary and I have launched into 'Amazing Grace' at the dinner table more than once which will usually bring on a comment from a resident along the lines of.
"There she goes again!!  She's singing again!"
To which I answer,
"Aren't you glad she has such a beautiful voice?"

What I meant to say was....

Has anyone noticed how often people interrupt each other?

Or begin to 'talk over' or louder to make their point?

Sometimes...it is difficult for me to get beyond it.
Comments?
Suggestions?



A Teacher [ Look Back] Moment...

On Monday, we took my mom to the doctor as a preventative measure when all of her cold symptoms started the 'bronchitis is next' syndrome. While we were in the room awaiting the arrival of the doctor, I found myself trying to occupy her mind for the 5-10 minutes that I knew we would be waiting.  Without even thinking, I began to 'interview her' with questions the way that I did in the classroom.  The kids always loved it, and since there was always the 'pass on that one' option, it was no stress entertainment while passing some time.  Here are [100 year old] Flo's answers:
a favorite flower: a rose
a favorite color: pink
a song title:  Star Spangled Banner
a movie star: Clara Bo
a singer: Enrico Caruso...[Be My Love!!!}
good food: spaghetti and meatballs
a person [living OR already passed] with whom you would like to have lunch with/ talk with: probably my mother
three words that describe you: nice, kind, polite
if you could go anywhere in the world: heaven [sigh~]

I had more prompts in my head, and then...there appeared the doc.  The whole scenario reminded me of former times interacting with the kids and I kind of had a twinge where I missed it...the fun parts of the classroom and the kids.  Funny how sometimes 100 is a lot like 10.

A generic question for you:
If you could trade places with someone for a day...who might that be and why?

Comfort

Do you have articles of clothing that you just refuse to get rid of because they are so darn comfortable?  I have three...a Ziggy teeshirt that feels so soft that it is in a league of its own.  It has an assortment of stains that don't come out [at least 10 years old] and so I wear it as a nightshirt.The second 'gem' is a floral short sleeved cotton dress that is kind of my official ' Relax...you're home and you can chill out in whatever makes you happy!!' Generally these two favorites do not go out in public.
The third [again more than 15 years old] is a soothing royal blue valour long sleeved pullover. The common thread with this cherished friend is again its soft touch.  Sweaters and tops have come and gone, but this one has never made it in the pile 'to donate '.  Just can't do it.  Nope.
In chatting with a friend, she told me she had a pair of thin leotard-like pants that was her favorite.  Somehow a couple of splashes of bleach happened onto them while in the wash. Did she throw them out?  Nu-uh.  Some things have the 'it' factor.   And beauty is in the eye of the beholder...or the way it makes you feel.
So, what do you keep because...well...'cause you want to regardless of the fact that it has seen better days. Fess up.

Life 101

Each one of us arrives into time and place unaware of everything and in control of nothing.
A phone call from Sarah got me thinking about life, people, and happenstance. Most often we are first judged by outward appearances and first impressions. And yet what makes us unique as an ' individual' are things that are not visible.

I met Sarah a year ago when she became Mom's hospital roommate in need of some 'steroid therapy'.
I thought, "Oh! Sounds good...sign me up!"

Sara has multiple sclerosis and needed therapy to improve her walking capabilities. In her late 50's with one sister who lived an hour away, no children, and a husband on dialysis who had no more energy for her, the hospital was the place for some R&R...rest and recuperation. Sarah, Flo, and I spent about 4 or 5 days visiting and I kind of double teamed helping both patients since I was the most ambulatory of the three of us. The most challenging hurdle , though, was her speech impairment[not related to the MS] . Uncomfortable to listen to at first, it soon became clear that she was making perfect sense but talked so excitedly that it wasn't easily understandable. I'd have to say."I'm not understanding you yet...slow down."
And sometimes, it was"One more time, Sarah."
It was an adjustment for me and definitely outside of my comfort zone. I would guess that people often opt out of sharing a conversation that was so difficult, and kind of embarrassing to both people. It required time and getting past uncertainty.
The point is that an intelligent and witty woman was in there hidden by the outward appearance of chronic pain and 'other than perfect speech'. There was some hearty laughter mixed in our conversations. It was good.

Whenever I visited my mom, Sarah would comment on my colorful pocketbook. It was a red fabric bag with small daisies that was a birthday gift about 10 years ago. I had pressed it into service many times and my mom did, too. The last night when I left the hospital after visiting hours, I went home on a mission. I dumped the handbag's ingredients, and put it in the washing machine and then the dryer. Into one of the flaps, I tucked an index card with my name and phone number in case there was anything I could do for her. The next day, Flo was to be discharged, and I went to get her. I handed Sarah the red pocketbook and she said how much she really loved it. She didn't understand at first that I was giving it to her. Tears rolled down her face and I honestly don't know who was the happier camper!!! It was a grand moment and she still talks about it.
We have chatted several times on the phone, and I visited with her when she was in a rehab center. She told me that now she had some help come into her house two times a week and that the young woman recognized my name and thought that she was a former student of mine. Turned out to be true.

I was invited for cake and ice cream on a day that her helper would be there. So as Estelle Getty used to say on 'The Golden Girls'....Picture this:
I was sitting in Sarah's living room and she had her red pocketbook anchored at her feet. Across from me was my former student who was 10 years old when I met her...[and then her two sisters], too. As a part of her helping job, she had the refreshments ready to go. The three of us enjoyed a Pepperage Farm cake with chocolate ice cream as we all caught up on each other's lives. I remember thinking how unscripted and unique and enjoyable this whole scenario had become.
Sarah summed it up best. She said

"I can't believe that I found a friend in the hospital. I never thought that would happen."

Me, too, Sarah.
It's been a real adventure.

I was thinking that I knew Sara more because I had spent a couple of days in her presence. How many people don't get a fair chance at life, jobs, or friendship because it is difficult to get past the outside?   On Dancing with the Stars, there is an Iraq Vet whose Humvee was blown up when it encountered a land mine. He was badly burned, has had 30 surgeries, and is now dancing up a storm on network TV after an acting stint on 'All My Children. I give him a lot of credit. Initially it is difficult to look at his face. I have seen him on TV for a year and his smile is awesome.
Will the majority give his dancing a chance?

Or will a good looking ordinary dancer have an advantage right from the beginning?
The world would certainly benefit from giving each other basic kindness regardless of outward appearances and/or fashion.

I don't know if that is possible. Maybe one person at a time.

Highlight of the day...fun...both entering and exiting!!

The Christmas Tree Shoppe is a chain of stores that is not really about Christmas most of the time. It is more of a multi-seasonal presentation of neat things. I had the opportunity to explore the new treasures with a good friend. The sun was shining and it sure looked a lot like spring. For me, this was therapy...

As I approached the entrance to the store, a car pulled up to let someone off at the door. The passenger was an elderly woman who struggled to get out of the front seat as the driver gave her a helpful nudge from behind for momentum.

"Need a hand?"

I reached toward her and she grabbed my hand, then my arm, and reached back to retrieve the cane that she had brought with her. We put a shopping cart in front of her, she tossed the cane into it, thanked me repeatedly, and headed inside to begin her fun. I guess the driver knew to catch up with her inside. Very refreshing!!

Well, I found many things that I could not live without..[haha], and I headed for the checkout, and to meet my shopping buddy. As the cashier [surely in her fifties] scanned the items, one of the ceramic flower pots had a small ding on the saucer part. The cashier offered to go and get a new one as I continued to put the remainder of the stuff on the counter. I was feeling kind of bad for the woman in line after me, and I began to chat with her.

"You are a very patient woman" I said smiling at her friendly eyes and very wrinkly face.

"You have to be in this day and age."

I noticed that her fingernails had glittery nail polish on them and the pointer nail had a pink daisy. I complimented her fancy nails, and she added,

"I'll bet you wouldn't guess my age!!"

Not wanting to offend her spirit in any way, I asked her to tell me.

"I am 98!"

"You are an amazing person!" I did not share that my 99 year old Mom lived with me 'cause there was no way I was going to rain on her parade.

I paid my bill, and smiled at her to say how nice it was to meet her.

She was by herself sporting blue jeans and sneakers.

After I walked out the door, I had to go back and ask her what her name was or I'd always wonder. At 98, I figured it had to be an interesting one...turn of the century-unique.

"My name is Robetta. R-O-B-E-T-T-A. My father's name was Robert and my mother's name was Etta."

She was beautiful. And a bright spot in my day. A surprise.

I guess that was the 'Christmas" part of that March play day for me.

Madison Square Garden

My son and his college friends went to Madison Square Garden to watch Syracuse University play in the Big East Tournament yesterday. Having never been there, it was an impromptu adventure where things fell miraculously into place for them as they arrived for The National Anthem. Oh, to be in your early thirties at a wonderful event with great friends!!! Two such memories immediately jump out for me.
The first was a Moody Blues Concert. On the way to an early morning college class, we heard an announcement on the radio that the tickets were going on sale at 10 AM in NYC. Damn! No way we could get there. And then Janet said the incredible words,

"I'll call my mother and ask her if she would go and pick up tickets for us."

"What? Are you kidding me? She would even entertain the notion to do that?"

I was NOT a believer in even an outside chance that this would possibly happen.

Well it did. Her mom [my adopted mom] went to the city and got those precious tickets. As we sat in our seats among thousands of fans, the lights dimmed and favorite song after favorite song resonated throughout the massive arena. It was absolutely the best!!

The other 'frozen in time' event in Madison Square Garden was also at a concert where many artists were featured. After Peter, Paul, and Mary concluded their part, Neil Young hopped up on stage and began his featured set. As he finished a song, a man went up to the edge of the stage and called Neil Young over to him to give him a message. Neil came back to the microphone and said,

"Hey people...the war is over. It has finally ended."

The entire audience stood up and applauded for 20 minutes. And as you looked around the arena, out of the relative darkness, came light one by one as people held a flame in the air [from a lighter]. It was an amazing experience. Can't really put it into words effectively.

And here it is 35+ years later, and my son says,

"Hey Mom...You've been to Madison Square Garden, haven't you?"

"Oh yeah! On more than one occasion."

Memories of a former life for me...in my twenties...in the 70's...in the 'Garden'.

Other than people...

Other than people, a baker's dozen of things that I love... in random order:

---the Hankster, my Grandpup

---Listening to my son on the radio discussing sports with knowledge and confidence while continuing to pursue new avenues in the professional field that he loves.

---traveling to see the many wondrous sights...both in our National Parks where nature offers so much, as well as man-made phenomena like a Broadway Show.

---massages...ohhmmm...[altered states]

---the beauty of EYES
---the fact that 'I've go the music in me!'

---technology like my laptop computer on which Facebook, Email, and Blogging keep me entertained along with a great TV to watch my favorite shows...like Modern Family, CBS Sunday Morning and The View.

---going to the movies and getting lost in the story on the big screen for a couple of hours.

---harmless practical jokes and/or surprises

---animals...especially Amazing Grace whose spunk and devotion is something that I had never had the joy of experiencing in a dog.
---being a leftie and enjoying the fun in thinking and seeing differently than most 'cause it's flowing from the right side of the brain!

---my personal space [land and house] with the babbling brook[creek] and birds and flowers...especially sunflowers and glads [gladiolas]

---macaroni salad, Turkey dinners, Rice Krispy Treats , chocolate chip cookies, peppermint patties, and coffee ice cream.

And of course, 'don't you just love a bargain?

That's a given!!

Shots, shots, Hit Me With Your Best Shot...

The week: News in Review Good news...bad news!

My trip to the dentist was a scheduled one to address a tooth on its last root.
Hello ....king me! That would be a stunning $975 crown!! Less 5% if paid by cash or check. Credit card companies charge the dentist to use their services, and so the office passes it along to those who use it. In my case that is would be $48 less, and as a result, my home equity line will go up by $900 more !! More or less...less is more....

The hardest part was the Novocaine which I think...mind over matter...for a matter of [peace of] mind because I knew there'd be a whole lot of drilling. I had brought my Ipod and ear buds which proved to be a decent distraction in trusting the Novocaine's effectiveness. A temporary crown now rests in place for a couple of weeks 'til...Dah-da-da-Dah!!! The official coronation. Oh yeah...the good news? The tooth that I had lost a piece of while eating some trail mix the week before was THE tooth in question. I said to the dentist,

"That is good news. Hey! I wanted to chip in and make your job a little bit easier!! "

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

On my way home, I stopped by one of the schools where I taught and dropped off some gladiolas. I wanted to see a couple of people for sure as well as others. In the parking lot, I recognized a parent of a student that I had taught many years ago. [Geez! Pretty amazing when you recognize the parents, too! That's the 'ole right brain's snapshot ] .
When I asked her to relay my 'hello', she said,
"He remembers you! He used to tip/rock on the back legs of his chair and you took his chair away!!"
Ooof! I didn't see that one coming!!

I have a pretty clear conscience relative to leaving bad memories with the kids and so I quipped, "Would you have preferred a concussion? And he must have had many warnings to lose that chair for just about 5-10 minutes!!"

We laughed about it, but I was thinking 'Jesus, Mary, and Joseph...are ya kidding me?'

I had a good time walking around the building and seeing familiar faces as well as those of new people. When I tracked down the one person who I really wanted to connect with, she asked if I had mental telepathy because she was talking about me that morning. Kindred spirits.

In the lunch room when I related my conversation with the parent, this 'kindred spirit' said,

"I remember when I started working in the district, there was a PARP [Parents as Reading Partners] campaign going on, and there was a [relatively unstable] kid who wouldn't be able to reach whatever goal had been set to be a part of the ice cream sundae party due to 'circumstances beyond his control.' I was asked to let this kid read to me because she told me that when he was eighteen years old he'd come back and shoot her because he didn't get to go to the ice cream party!!!"

I'd prefer to think my intentions were more altruistic!! Really!!

While this story didn't totally surprise me, this situation was also one that I had forgotten. Within my final years of teaching, there was a message written on the playground equipment about 'Beware of something [bad]happening on Sept 31'. Even though we knew that there were only 30 days in September, it still made you think.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

When we took Flo to the doctor as a follow up to the last visit, I called ahead to ask if flu shots were available. Whoever answered the phone informed me that,

"Yes we have them, but there are 3 clinics set up for that purpose. You will have to get it then."

I could not believe the ridiculousness of this and stated[nicely],

"What? I have to bring my 98 year old mother who is in a wheelchair back at another time to wait in line for a flu shot when she is coming in today and you have them there? I am not one to 'shoot the messenger', so thank you for the info." And I hung up.

As Flo's actual visit was concluding, I asked the [wonderful] physician's assistant who inquired..."Anything else?"about the possibility of a flu shot. Her answer was,

"Absolutely! And one for you, too!"

In my head as I checked out at the desk, I was thinking...NAH-nah-nah-NAH-nah!!

That wouldn't have accomplished anything positive, and so I smiled a big smile, and left.

And there you have it.

Shots of Novocaine, a flu shot, parental shots from the past, my arthritis shot...

I think there's only one shot left to be had....that would be the one in a 'Tequila Sunrise'!!!

Care to join me?

Omm-mmm!

My Life Has Been a Tapestry [Carol King]

I am trying to chip away at the multitude of 'things' that occupy my space with me. From gathering clothes that I can pass along...to throwing out or giving away stuff that doesn't fit into a 'recycling frame of mind', little by little I am making progress. Today was the day to accept the fact that VCR Tapes are in reality soon to be the dinosaurs of the entertainment industry. I have many, many recorded movies[some from HBO] that span 30 years. Often there were 2 or 3 movies on a tape [Lady and the Tramp, The Flight of the Navigator, Die Hard], cartoon specials [ It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown, Garfield, Disney specials], sitcoms [Wonder Years, Alf, Perfect Strangers], evening TV programming[LA Law, X Files, Cheers] beginning from time before my son was a little kid, all the way through to now especially since the emergence of DVD and DVR capabilities! It was like my life passing in front of me in the form of the TV and Movies that played a part in life. The examples I listed are merely a sampling of the many titles that I taped for my son [in the 18 years before he left for college], for Flo when she would travel to NY to visit us[her Soaps], and... for me to watch when I wouldn't fall asleep after a long day at work.

The 40 or so [homemade] tapes really needed to go. I kept the ones that were a professional store bought tape of some of my favorites like...Tootsie, The Wizard of Oz, A Few Good Men, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles....etc. and no...that last one was not for me!!!

Well, I did it, and they have gone to the great beyond of 'the dinosaur dumpster'.

Where the 8 track tapes reside...Anyone remember them?

And....SMILE!

My dentist visit had two purposes. I had a 10 AM routine hygienist appointment, followed by time allotted to fix two teeth that needed some TLC. On the mere chance that I would postpone it, last night one tooth made it perfectly clear that was not an option. It had gotten worse in that cold and sweet things annoyed it. It wouldn't quit throbbing, and it was keeping me awake. Okay! I get it! And the newest addition to the grocery list is Ambesol, so that it is in the house when the next 3-alarm toothache sounds an alarm!!

I grabbed 6 glads[ gladiolas] to take with me for the people in the office, headed the car west, ordered an egg mcmuffin in the drive thru, and hoped for the best.

The screaming tooth showed nothing on the xray, but something was clearly wrong. The cleaning, four x rays, and one filling [$338...ouch!!] removed a cavity beneath the existing filling. I hope that it solved the problem and the tooth calms down. Now I have a date for a crown...I wonder what should I wear to the coronation??

On my way home, I passed the house of a former colleague whom I haven't seen in ten years. I pulled into her driveway, and we talked and laughed for an hour catching up on all that has happened in our lives as well as people we know in common. There was never a pause in our journey recounting situations we encountered with the kids!! And then there were new events that each of us shared to fill in personal headlines of the decade where our paths didn't cross.

Just like a snow day, it was a surprise gift of unplanned time to chill out...no rush...no hurry...easy living.

Breathe in...breathe out.

Time I would refer to as 'smell the roses'....

And it was sweet!

Good laughing with ya, Brooksey.

I'd like a hot cup of cocoa...and some marshmallows too!

The title is a song sung by the chorus kids in 'rounds' that was one of my favorites from a concert directed by the best [Kudos, Diane!]. And now that I have said that, the song will be stuck in my head for the rest of today.
Today, now this is winter weather! When I was teaching, I would have been annoyed this was happening on a Sunday. Perfect snow day conditions! Ah-h , those were the days! The reason that snow days were so terrific was because you never knew when they would happen. It was an unplanned, unscheduled, "You're going to have to kick back and take the day off because school is closed today!" No! Yes!

It was out of your control, no guilt, and it was pure glee...bliss...joy!

For me, it was an opportunity to watch my son and his friends gather on our dead end street and play hockey...uninterrupted. Laughter and snow fun!
I would enjoy talking with my favorite 'snow day kindred spirit', kindergarten teacher Laurie, because she was the one who got as thrilled as I did at our unexpected 'Time Out'! Even when we were in different buildings, we always did a 'Yahoo' together by phone when we laughed that our 'snow dance' had been successful! Yes!

And then there were the times that we were already in school watching it snow wondering if the word would reach us that, 'We are closing early and dismissing at noon." We always had to wait for the high school bus run to go first so that little kids wouldn't arrive home first. Those high school teachers were always ahead of us...Don't even get me going about the end of the school year when "Regents Exams" were what they were responsible for monitoring while we were in the trenches with the masses of hot, sweaty little bodies in the elementary school where tempers were flaring if the little darlins' even looked at each other. I digress...probably my PTSSSD...Post traumatic sizzlin' students' stress disorder! Anyway...

Back to the 'There's no fun like Snow Day Fun" . [sung to the tune of 'no business like show business!] I love to belt out my super-duper Ethel Merman rendition of this song...and also 'God Bless America, too.'

Wrapping it up: The holidays are history, my amaryllis is now in full bloom, and the birds are seeking cover under the log cabin bird feeder's roof.
Mom and I are sitting on the warm side of the picture window on a 'deer' watch. I put a blanket in the dryer, and then placed it on her.

" Oh...God..mmm! This is wonderful!"

To which I respond,

"How did you recognize me [God] without my sandals?" Haha.

And then I placed into her hands...a hot cup of cocoa..with some marshmallows, too.

Uhhhh-Ohhhh! There's that song again!

Whiskers' words of wisdom!

When I was a kid of 7 or 8, we had a green parakeet named 'Peter'. He was an okay bird famous only for squawking when the evening news came on. My father would then begin squawking about how he couldn't hear the news, the bird's fabric cage cover was then put on...thus beginning nighttime for Peter. I also remember that Peter laid an egg. ???? We thought Peter was a male, AND since this bird never came into contact with another bird, we were kind of surprised! I don't remember the circumstances of his passing, but he did indeed do that at some point.

My family moved when I was 13, and another green parakeet became the family pet. This was 'Whiskers' and he proved to be quite the star. He was both friendly and pretty darned smart! I had read that you could teach a parakeet to talk by repeating a phrase often, and by kicking your voice up to a higher pitch..otherwise when repeated by the parakeet, it would just sound like mumbling and the phrase would be unrecognizable. And so I began with 'Good Morning!' every day and repeated it four or five times during the day for a month or so. And one morning when we were eating breakfast ...you guessed it... from the corner of the kitchen and as clear as a bell...came the parrakeeted "Good Morning" with the exact same inflection of my repetitive prompt. Wahoo!

Since my father's opinion of Whiskers was that he was just an ordinary 'dirty bird' , I thought we could possibly win him over if Whiskers greeted him personally. I began to go over to the cage and say,

"Good morning! And added on...Hel-lo Joe!"

Tacked on to the familiar phrase was the NEW phrase. And I repeated it several times during the day as I had for Whisker's first spoken words.

Yep! Yep! Whiskers was a genius!! Again, he perfected it!

Again I added a new phrase to the two that Whiskers already had mastered, and then he said,

Good morning!

Hello Joe!

Hello Tom! [my brother]

Hello Mare!

You're such a pretty bird!

Parlez-vous Francais? [I took French in high school.]

Buddha make... a miracle! [from The King and I ... our HS musical.]

I could call my friends, put Whiskers on the phone's receiver, and start off the entire litany of 15-20 phrases by prompting the first words of, "Good Morning" and he would say everything he had learned all into the phone.

Whiskers was a 'one of a kind'. A star!!

And a pretty good role model to those kids in school who said that they just couldn't recall those times tables!!

Smile...for the camel's aching back!

Okay everybody...listen up!

Whether or not you voted for Obama for President, the fact is that we can move forward faster if his every move is not scrutinized looking for a possible negative slant. Why must the Olympic 2016 games in Rio be debated as to whether the President helped or hurt the cause?

South America has never hosted the Olympics...EVER! We didn't lose anything...Rio finally gets to host the games. We still get to participate, and be so very proud of our athletes and our country.

For an administration trying to pull together the economy, a war, health care for everyone, and world peace [to name a few top priorities], it must be very discouraging to be constantly 'spoken about' as less than acceptable. I admire the way that the President has been able to weather the storm when it is always a high tide with a strong 'nay-saying' rip tide.

Our political system needs some overhauling...the Congress, governors, mayors, ...everyone could be a part of the solution.

So, how 'bout it? Just for today[ and then one day at a time],

If you can't find something positive to say...

let a smile be your statement!