Give The Gift of Hope

After the mass killings last week, I had so much to say, so much feeling, that I had intended to write it all down but honestly, there are much better writers out there than me, and I doubt I could say saything that has not already been said so many times. I also think the sooner we stop paying attention to this as a nation the sooner these poor families can begin the long road down recovery

Death Hits Home

When my cat Chloe was small I bought her a pet...another kitten. I named him Merlin and he was an adorable little gray fuzzball. They grew up together, good friends, playing at night and snuggling on occasion during the day. I left my home in Charlotte and Merlin had become so attached to my best friend Tom that I left Merlin with him. I did not think either would be happy without each other.

Cocoa You Are Missed

A few weeks ago a dear friend, Marie, lost her treasured Cocoa, one of the cutest tiny dogs I have ever seen. She had such a sweet disposition and, no matter how many of us big hulking humans were at the house, she never got cross with us, always wagging her tail and just wanting her share of attention. I know she was like a child to Marie and my heart breaks for you Honey, I know you still

At Cross Purposes

Just came across an interesting article today that shows that there are seven states that will not allow a "godless" person to hold office. I have been trying to explain to my Christian friends how very scary it is for an agnostic like me in this country right now. It seems that if you are not "of the faith" you are an immoral soul and should be shunned. Frankly, I cannot think of

Love Lessons

Love is a tricky word. Most people say "I love you" much easier than they can actually define what exactly "love" is. It seems to mean something different to each person, but one thing that is universal, no matter how much of a romantic you are, is that love is NOT all you need.  I dedicate this blog to Gretchen and Miranda, two beautiful and unique young women whom I love very much

Sugar Nanny

"It appears my hypocrisy knows no bounds". - Val Kilmer as Doc Holiday in Tombstone Michelle Obama chose nutrition and physical fitness for children as her First Lady pet project. A safe and noble choice. I personally remember when there was just one "fat" kid in class that got picked on and now at least a third or more would fit that description, and unfortunately these

Our Boys

As usual, my topic is a day late but hopefully not a dollar short. Memorial Day has come and gone, all potato salad has been eaten or thrown out, and creepy Uncle Bob has gone back to Iowa. For most of us, this is the extent of Memorial Day.  That, and the start of a four day work week. But to millions of Americans and their families, Memorial Day reminds of a time when lives were

Seriously?

Our freedom fighting TSA agents have rescued us once again from the evil terrorists masquerading as four-year-old Midwestern girls. In a Huffington Post story today, (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/04/25/tsa-defends-pat-down-of-c_n_1454410.html?icid=maing-) Isabella Brademeyer was targeted as a suspect at an airport in Wichita, Kansas after hugging her grandmother. Isabella had just

EUREKA MOMENTS or LET ME PUBLISH YOU

I have put out the word on Facebook that I need your stories. I am publishing  a book on those "eureka" moments, the ones that change our lives forever. Not everyone has one of these, they are a rare and beautiful gift. I am writing this blog to share mine with you not only because there is a lesson to be learned from it, but to illustrate the kind of thing I am looking for, to show what the

Check THAT off the Bucket List!

Anyone who knows me well knows I am a speed demon. From roller coasters and airplane take offs as a kid, to motorcycle rides and racing my car on the streets of Fairfax as a teen, speed has always been in my blood and, as scared of things as I am, I hardly remember a time that going fast did anything but exhilarate me. There is a high about it that nothing compares to. My birthday just passed

The God State

A 51-48  vote Thursday killed a Republican effort to let both employers and insurance companies deny coverage for contraceptives and other items they object to on religious or moral grounds. In doing so, the Senate upheld Obama's policy, which guarantees women access to coverage for contraceptives through an employer's health plan or directly from an insurance company. If it had passed,

This Is Simply Seafoam!

A thick white blanket settled gently on the seaside town of Cleveleys near Blackpool on Wednesday, but this was no seasonal dusting of snow from above. The Environment Agency dispatched officers to Princess Promenade to gather evidence as gobs of foam blew in from the sea and smothered streets, cars and houses. The foam is whipped up by strong winds once or twice a year along the town's

Light!

Recently, a friend showed me a wonderful “secret” that has been happening probably for a decade in this one tiny Florida hamlet. One Christmas a gentleman loaded his bow and arrow with Christmas lights and shot them up into a tree. The effect was so festive he did it to his whole yard and volunteered his services to all his neighbors, who accepted gratefully.  Today, it is not really known