I always have to laugh when someone says: "back, in the good old days...." Of course they have not lived back in the good old days! I had a walking companion for a couple of days, she griped about everything, including that I walk too early. I finally told her, I am not going to change that, she always can walk when she wants. Now it's peace and quietness in the morning again. Watched over the weekend a couple of little kids (3 - 5 yrs old), visiting a neighbor and playing in on of the little pools. They had such a good time, that I wished I would be that little again or at least have my two that little again for a couple of days.

My dad was always very cerebral and usually distant,but had a heart of gold. Underneath he was a total mush pot and the love letters he wrote my mother from the age of 13 until the last one he wrote her when she was in a nursing home and totally uncomunicative ,would warm your heart. I remember him explaining some of the laws of physics to me when I was in elementary school,I remember him looking with a critical eye on the world and yet falling asleep on the floor with Cody his,and my dog,and I remember him in his early 30s,crawling around on the floor with a rug over his head scaring the heck out of my brother and I one Halloween. He was a dichotomy just as we all are.

Hi Guys! Well, I finally have time to post a little! Raeanne- Glad to be back in the swing of things. I have been using my SAD light a little when I'm at work at night...helps the mood...a lot. NYSuzanne: My DD (11 yrs old) started raising quail, chicken, and pheasant for a science fair. Well, as soon as the fair was over, the racoons invaded and had a bird hunt. Soooooooo sad for everyone and every bird involved. The racoons, foxes, and deer on this island are a HUGE problem for humans- but that's nature for ya! They have no predators, so there are millions of them. I finally gave up planting anything that I could eat since the deer ate it ALL before me! I bought a 40 pound bag of clover seed and grew a front yard of clover for the deer - now I have people pulling over in front of my house to take pictures of the deer in my yard munching clover! If ya can't beat 'em, join 'em! Maddie - My dad gave me Kentucky Monthly magazine so I can read all about what's happening in your neck of the woods...and think of YOU, sister. Muh-wah! Ivamae - CONGRATS on your weight loss - what an inspiration you are! Tikanas - SAVE SOME TIME FOR YOURSELF, girlfriend!!! And when are we gonna meet up? Next time you're in Portland, Seattle, or whatever, let me know. I'll drive to you!!! :-) DeeMarie: I just got a cruise brochure and instantly thought of you! It's been so long since I've cruised... WAH! Isn't it strange how something (by happenstance) will make us think of each other? That being said, whenever I wash bras, I think of Besh - haha - she's the one who gave the sage advice of "Never put your bra in the dryer." Remember when we had the "Advice Week" thread? Ah, well...Let me see - other reminders: Whenever I think of cruises, I think of: DeeMarie Anything Salem-related or the bra thing (lol): Besh Horses or Sweet Pea Wine (We have that here): NHSuzanne! ANY wine or Chippino (We had that when we were with you): Raeanne (HAHA!) Hawaii and Futuristic Painting: Amy Kindergarten! & Successful SS: Marci ALF, Cats, and Cooking: John Harold's weigh-in thread and success!: Ivamae Austin Powers & "Who Cares About The FREAKIN Scale?": NJKaren "YUMMERS!": Happyto I have more, but I gotta get some work done... ...what are YOURS?

This one: What, I sometimes wonder, would it be like if I lived in a country where winter is a matter of a few chilly days and a few weeks' rain; where the sun is never far away, and the flowers bloom all year long? Anna Neagle I'll never know, and I'm glad I won't As for the rest, Art Buchwald and Tom Petty quotes are all just so spot on.