Yikes!

Quite the series of events happened this week in my little corner of the world!! Nothing life threatening or comparable to real problems...inconveniences that were annoyingly timely. First of all, at the onset of the 95 degree weather...the air conditioning in my car quit. For many people, this would not be a huge problem. I contemplated calling 911 in anticipation of my passing out because I feel the heat more than anyone else that I know. So to answer the question,
"How hot did it get last week?"

Try NOT turning on the air in your car even for just one errand, and you will get a better appreciation.

Today, Saturday, my cable TV box decided to quit. Yes, it is on a weekend, of course! After about 3 attempts of trying to reboot it, along with a new signal sent magically through the air waves by cablevision....a house call is now scheduled to fix the problem.
And my mom who never allowed us as kids to use the "B" word [that would be 'bored'] said,

"Is there anything to do besides sit here and look out the window?"
I immediately thought...Holy mackeral...this could be a long and bumpy night!!

"Are you saying that you are kind of ...bored...Mom?"

"I think so...Yes, I am!"

I was immediately trying to spin a solution to that problem.

I know better than to ask the question, 'What else could happen?'

Because...there was the dog directly in front of me with her huge brown 'laser beam' eyes staring at me and saying,

"I hear thunder in the distance. You know that I will be in altered states before you can say..."
Lord have mercy!!

Well, 'the old and the restless' are now both fast asleep no longer bored and/or scared. What a good idea...I think I will join them....ZZZZZZZ~

Oprah...and my favorite word...Imagine!

Yesterday was 'The Oprah Winfrey Show Finale'. Her talk show has been a major influence for many people. She wrapped up 4, 561 shows over a 25 year span of sharing, learning, laughing, ...understanding.

For the past two days, many people, both the famous and the unknown, convened in a large arena to surprise her and demonstrate the fact that she has influenced so many lives. I was inspired by many people...mostly those whose lives were changed by Oprah.

Quite an awesome memory for her was combination of the 'Wicked' Broadway Show star singing the song, "I have Been Changed [for good]" as 400 graduates of Morehouse College dressed in tuxedos and carrying a single light walked in the aisles to assemble on the stage. They had all graduated from college with scholarships from Oprah's benevolence where they would not have been able to attend college without the assistance. Just a wonderful thing to be able to make a difference in the lives of others...kind of like the 'pay it forward' initiative in action.

One guest, a neuroscientist Dr Jill Taylor, wrote a book about [her] stroke that changed her life forever. Her 'Stroke of Insight' is an amazing read about the mysteries of the brain.

Two insights worth repeating:
All life is energy.
"Please take responsibility for the energy you bring into this space."

So, to conclude my thoughts...Oprah...

There are so many focuses on her...her history, her money, her weight, her hair, her power, her choices, ....whatever.. Like her...don't like her. Watch her...don't watch her.

But you cannot go without acknowledging the good deeds that she has made happen...the changes that she has orchestrated on this planet...one person at a time.

Good for you, Oprah.

And to go back to Dr. Jill's quote:

Please take responsibility for the energy that you bring into this place...

I choose good energy. How 'bout you?

Time To Vent

I try to keep my blog in a positive light aiming for a laugh or two. Lately, there has been one too many publicized stories of that which should have remained private. What is wrong with people?
Here are some examples:
1. The former Miss California believes that she was fired because of her answer about same sex marriage. Now she has written a book that she is a victim of unusual scrutiny in the wake of the resurfacing of a 'sex tape' she made of herself [alone] and mailed to her boyfriend. Huh?
2. In Barbara Walters autobiography, she reveals affairs and relationships that should have been remained private. What good came of that? Huh?
3. Sarah Palin will just not go away. She has also written a book that I'd bet would probably fit right in 'Grimms' Fairy Tales. I'll leave it there to avoid any political discussion. And then...who would ever imagine that her [ex] almost son-in-law would publicly work out to become 'buffed' for when he poses for the centerfold of Playgirl Magazine!! He has also made some indiscreet Palin 'family happenings' public. And the possible result of these actions? There is word with video of Donald Trump telling him that The Apprentice is interested in his presence? Huh?
4. David Letterman? The governor who 'left his heart in South America?' How about the politician with $90,000 wrapped in aluminum foil in his freezer? The commercial airline pilots who were out of radio contact for more than an hour...and then another pilot who was charged with an alcohol level unsafe for flying[ the general and unsuspecting public.]
Bernie Madoff?? The banking industry?? Foreclosures??
5. Michael Jackson died...didn't he? And he left a will that is being publicly contested by his father because...oh yeah...he is refuting that he was purposely omitted!!
6. The saga of 'Jon and Kate Plus Eight'... so sad it's public entertainment for many.
I avoid watching the news because of the wars and the military families' despair is heartbreaking.
Ok everybody...tell me something good!!
There...I'm done venting. Next post: Back to the Humor!!

" TV...or not TV..That is the question!!"

I got thinking about television...what a huge force it is, and how different it is now as compared to the 50's and 60's. The physical appearances have certainly been altered -everything from the size of the screen, the present day ultimate thinness that it has morphed to, and a picture broadcast in high definition!! I can recall our first TV: big console and small screen, black and white picture, and programming that was memorable. No swearing, no steamy scenes or content, fewer commercials.
As a kid, Saturday mornings we watched 'Sky King.'[ Remember Penny?] Then we went outside to play with the kids on the block all day long.
At 7 PM, the entire family watched 'Lassie'. Today, when Gracie [my dog] gets barking up a storm, I'll say to her, "What is it, Girl? Is Timmy in the well?" Lassie always got it right!

And..."Faster than a speeding bullet...able to leap tall buildings in a single bound...It's 'Superman" who was counted on to appear and save the day...and he always did!!

And solving crime anonomously with his kimosabe...each show ended with, "Who was that masked man?"


We learned about animals from all corners of the globe by watching 'Wild Kingdom' sponsored by Mutual of Omaha. It was riveting to see animals from every continent, and the danger in photographing them!




"Hey there...Hi there...Ho there...You're as welcome as can be!
M-I-C-K-E-Y- M-O-U-S-E!


Other family entertainment was 'The Ed Sullivan Show' [I never liked TopoGigo]on Sunday and 'The Mike Douglas Show' was great. Carol Burnett's show always made you laugh...

The Honeymooners : I remember 3 things..."One of these days, Alice, Pow! Zoom! Right to the moon! 2nd:"Baby, you're the greatest!" 3rd: Ed Norton was learning to play golf and Ralph was reading from a manual that said before you hit the ball...you have to address the ball...to which Ed said, "Hello Ball!"
My parents used to like 'The Lawrence Welk Show.' [Anna one anna two...] Bubbles galore! It is so-o fascinating to see that show today in reruns. The dancing was way ahead of its time. The choreography was impressive, and would certainly hold its own in competition with today's 'Dancing with the Stars'. The biggest difference being that... back then there was more material to their costumes!!

As a preteen kid, there were the two doctor shows. The cool kids had one of their doctor like shirts with the two buttons under the chin. I don't remember that I had one. We were monetarily challenged and it wasn't a priority.
Which doctor was your favorite? Dr. Kildare was compassionate and Ben Casey was tough love. Very different approaches!



And the mystery show that had us glued to the ending of the show to see who it was going to stand up in the courtroom and say, "I did it. Yes, I did it!!!" The Perry Mason Show. He solved every case.
Later on, who could forget...

"It's time to start the music...it's time to light the lights...

Different people stars were the guest hosts, but the two old men, Fozzy Bear, the chef, and of course...Kermit and Miss Piggy...were the real stars.

And some of my later favorites... All in the Family
"Edith...if you're going through the change,
you have 30 seconds....CHANGE!"
The Mary Tyler Moore Show
funny show, great cast, lots of laughter!

As kids, we did not sit and watch TV as much as we played outside. And we read books.