Some folks live their lives in a constant struggle for power and control. When they don't get what they want they have a temper tantrum... poor Suzanne. Power seems to elude her... so does the respect of her Graduates. It's sad for everyone around her. And for her as well. "When you're a hammer, everything looks like a nail." This reminds me of a story that was passed around a few years ago. Snopes lists it as partly true, a few things are a bit off... but it is based on fact. The Sneeze More than one way to have a benediction at at college graduation ... They walked in tandem, each of the ninety-two students filing into the already crowded auditorium. With their rich maroon gowns flowing .... and the traditional caps, they looked almost as grown up as they felt. Dads swallowed hard behind broad smiles, and Moms freely brushed away tears. This class would NOT pray during the commencements----not by choice, but because of a recent court ruling prohibiting it. The principal and several students were careful to stay within the guidelines allowed by the ruling. They gave inspirational and challenging speeches, but no one mentioned divine guidance and no one asked for blessings on the graduates or their families. The speeches were nice, but they were routine ... until the final speech received a standing ovation. A solitary student walked proudly to the microphone. He stood still and silent for just a moment, and then, it happened. All 92 students, every single one of them, suddenly sneezed! The student on stage simply looked at the audience and said, "God bless youÂeach and every one of you! And he walked off stage The audience exploded into applause. This graduating class had found a unique way to invoke GodÂs blessing on their future with or without the courtÂs approval. (This is a true story; it happened at the University of Maryland)

I must add that we are just off the Shawnee wine trail too.

Monday--appt. with my urologist (he released me, tests were all good and he doesn't want to see me unless I have more kidney stones); ran to the bank, laundry, then DH and I had our regular check-ups that night. Yesterday--had to run to the nursing home for yet another loose end to tie up, puttering around here. Then DH and I went out to grab a quick dinner and make a Home Depot run to get paint chips for the living room (finally picked out furniture, need to paint now, before it arrives). Today? Mostly spent the day clearing the driveway and sidewalks. And another foot to come tonight--YUCK! Did call the Surrogate's Office to postpone my appt. from tomorrow to next week--that will will wait. Hope DH filled the snowblower with gas when he got home. I like to get it done while he's at work so he doesn't have to worry about it when he comes home.

I started a two week consulting job last Monday morning so have not been online much this week. Monday evening I attended a photo class. I now volunteer for the state of California monitoring the endangered Least Tern nesting grounds at Huntington Beach so I did that last Tuesday morning. My new client was kind enough to let me honor that commitment. Last night I attended a high school tennis team awards banquet for the boys my husband coaches. Today I took a photo class and tomorrow we are celebrating Mother's Day since my daughter couldn't make it to town last weekend. Monday is her 28th birthday so we are celebrating that as well. Jodi-