Althea, too bad you can't remember. As we look at the U.S. from Canada, the clout of celebrity and the entertainment industry seems amazing. I don't put it beyond the realm of possibility that a popular actor can accomplish something good if he makes it into political office. But I do wonder whether a lot of people will look at his administration uncritically because they are charmed by him personally. It's said that your Ronald Reagan constantly relied on his advisors because he was not personally politically astute - he just had to be a good public persona. And so people had to live with what his advisors came up with in terms of policy. I'm in no position to bash Arnold, but I'd like to think that some Californians and others are focussed on what decisions and policies he's making and what direction he's taking. But probably people get their information from many different sources (radio, TV, papers, Web sites) and do not discuss it on any one site. J.

Thanks all. I spent my birthday near the end of a two-weekend visit with my daughter in AZ ... who bought a condo in Phoenix last year and said that I had to come down to see it ... and celebrate my 80th. Since she'd bought shuttle bus ticket London - Detroit ... plus plane fare to Phoenix for Fri. Jan23 ... and I'd laughingly told friends that, as it was a return ticket, I guess that she didn't want to put up with me, long-term ... and they asked whether there was a date on the return portion ... yes, there was a date on the return portion ... ... in the light of all of that ... I could scarcely refuse, right? Son gave me a load of stuff for his sister that was safely stashed in my luggage. Shuttle bus made pit stop for coffee, fruit and bathroom in Windsor, just before border ... and we decided, with an assist from the bus driver, that if we didn't want to get held up for an hour or so, it'd be best not to make any smart comments at the border. I succeeded in restraining myself ... they said that if I didn't, they'd leave me! Got my bag checked ($15.00) ... when it came time to go through security, put carry-on, coats, shoes, wallet, etc. in tray ... and blew the horn, flashed the lights,etc. when I walked through. Took off belt ... plus coin purse ... ... and there showed up the pocket knife that I usually carry ... and had forgotten about: should have emptied pockets and put it into checked bag. The inspector was nice about it - I could take it back to the car ... but it was 100 miles away. "Good-bye, old uncle's knife!". Still blew the system's warnings ... and they decided that it was the back brace thatI was wearing, following my fall on ice on Christmas night. Frisked me lightly, sat me down, felt the bottoms of my feet, ran a rag three times across each palm ... and decided that, since I had such a nice smile, that they'd let me go. Four-hour flight to Phoenix, airport not too far from downtown, Kathryn lives several miles north. She has double garage, walkway to front door in rather narrow space beside it. Three bedrooms, beautiful large master with lovely en-suite bath and large closet. K. counsels people laid off from work, using two laptops at a time in second bedroom, big increase in business, got a promotion, hired new staff, trained them, oversees them running webinars with a dozen or so people at a time, scattered all over our two countries and still runs webinars herself. On Saturday, heading north, we passed a number of hills sticking up from the dry landscape ... as we travelled, we were rising, and after while there was snow on the tops of the hills, then down among the low trees near the road. Phoenix is something under 1,000 feet above sea level, and when we were several miles south of Flagstaff there was a sign saying that we were 6,000 feet above sea level. When we arrived at the motel in Flagstaff, there was a pile of snow at the edge of the parking lot. I picked up some and found that there was some hard ice in it, so dropped it, then picked up some soft snow, made a snowball and threw it at daughter, aiming to be close. While discussing seniors' and kids' rates at the desk, daughter opined that any father that threw snowballs at his daughter had to be in his second childhood! I contacted KT from their computer in the lobby, while enjoying coffee ... and they offered whole milk and 2%, as well. Next morning we headed for the Grand Canyon. More on that later - it's time for bed (especially since I didn't get my beauty sleep, last night i.e yesterday)! See y'all later. ole joyful

Very happy to hear that your surgery went well. I have printed off your follow-up care for my husband for use say in about 2 years when he develops a cataract. FIRST, on Sept. 30 he has to undergo a Vitrectomy for repair of a Macular Hole in his left eye - this is NOT going to be pretty. We live in Toronto and he will be having procedure done at St. Michael's Hospital. He is 59 and apparently is young to be having this procedure without a related health reason (diabetes) or having been involved in an accident. His eyes are extremely myopic (his lenses cost $1,200 to get "thin" ones so that he doesn't appear to be wearing Coke bottles on his eyes). I fortunately found a lady whose mother just went through the same procedure in Ottawa and she outlined the dos and don'ts and the general horror of it all - which was exactly what was needed as my husband was searching the Internet for "easy" recovery solutions. Their aren't any. The big thing was finding the place that rents the face-down equipment needed for recovery - easy to do in U.S. or Europe, but Canada, well the usual. For those who might need to know who live in the Toronto area or London area (the company covers both areas) the company is called Care Chairs (www.care-chairs.com). They seem to be the only rental provider of the "real" chair, sleep pillow etc. There is another company but they only sell foam pieces - and they aren't nearly as effective. Basically he will have to keep his eyes looking face down - kind of at his belly button for a week. The chair has a 3 way mirror to help him see what is going on. The pillow for sleeping will be attached between the box spring and mattress - unfortunately both beds in this house have footboards so will have to move to floor. I will also have to board our dog - a very claws and Jaws American Eskimo who loves to jump up and I know he would hit my husband right in the eye - not to mention the taking my husband back and forth. He will have to return for a follow-up day after surgery - so a special neck piece for trip in car. At least he is good at putting eye drops in as he wore contacts for many years. I am dreading it - and asked if they could keep him overnight in hospital - apparently not these days - not "medically" necessary. I am sure people who have undergone this procedure would disagree. I even thought of renting a hotel room downtown for first night, but then the equipment will be at home. Ed, yesterday I bought a pair of sunglasses at Shoppers that are designed to be worn over regular prescription glasses to help with the glare. The lady whose mother had the surgery had to wear them for 2 months to help with glare and the effects of the eye drops. My husband has the custom made clip-ons to wear with his glasses but they won't do the trick. They were $24.95 and I think worth every penny. I also bought a speaker phone, a "customer service" bell to put by his hand in case of an emergency and also found by chance a laptop cart that will work perfectly to place in front of chair for taking of meals - best to keep movement to a minimum and we will have to deal with the bathroom issue. I have threatened to sneak Immodium into his food. His main focus is watching TV - this should be the least of his worries. And because he is so mypopic, without his glasses on, he won't be able to see out of his "good" eye! I am thinking books on tape. Heck I was in the hospital several years ago for a week - TV didn't work and I was stuck in the bed hooked up to a catheter and other wires so if I can do it, so can he. But then I am a good patient - he is not. Even he admits it would be a lot easier on him as a caregiver than on me, because I can be trusted. He continues to work on his IBM Thinkpad - without a larger monitor - I told him years ago to ask for one at work and to up the font size - and to stop reading books with such small print. I turned 58 last week and still have 20/20 vision and I have my font at 125 and won't read the books he buys - and I always have my sunglasses on (hazel eyes, light sensitive - I don't squint, hence fewer wrinkles). He is also worried about washing his hair - Jeez - I have a lot of hair, if I could go a week, so can he and there are those "shampoo" caps at SDM Heathcare shops - or I could just run a facecloth over his head. Forget shaving - and he can't get water near his eyes anyway. He will have to wear pajama tops - and since he absolutely cannot roll over onto his back I am going to clip Chip Clips to his top - one person told me the tennis balls didn't work for him. He won't be able to do any heavy lifting either - much as in your case and this will go on for a few months. He won't be able to fly for 6 weeks or until the gas bubble disappears. He has a business trip in Sept., returning on the 21 - and then another Dec. 5 so hopefully he won't get bumped, sick etc. or anything else will happen to delay the surgery. Originally the surgeon had thought the surgery could be posted for 2 years - by that time he will/would have developed a cataract and they would have taken care of everything. But in the past 3 months the deterioration has been far greater than anticipated so will be having the surgery to try to prevent loss of vision in his eye. The cataract will still develop though. He has his father's grey/blue eyes - and he also developed cataracts, but he was 76 and had both removed at same time in hospital. Now if only his company insurance plan will pay for the rental of his rehab equipment. I am not optimistic. They wouldn't pay anything towards his $1,000 sleep apnea mouthguard or his $150 per visit eye tests with the super surgeon (OHIP doesn't cover these tests either) - and these tests cannot be claimed on Income Tax so that you get $2 back - BUT, if anyone is interested, apparently Hair Transplant surgery can be claimed on income tax. But we will try - apparently eyes fall into a different category, but at some point your eyes have to be considered a major part of your body for heaven's sake - it isn't as if he wants a pair of glasses to match every outfit. I did call the insurance company and they didn't point out how few claims we have made for family coverage - well I am allergic to most meds and he doesn't take any and they won't pay for anything he needs! It is going to be a very unpleasant experience for sure and he won't even be able to pick up the 22 lb. dog or do anything outside (which he prefers I am sure). Forget trying to find anyone to help - already did that re snow shovelling - stood at door on Hallowe'en and asked anyone my size or bigger if they would shovel for generous rates (I am 5' 8" - so wasn't asking 6 year olds) - but no takers. Kids around here don't shavel, rake leaves - zip. Apparently the easy way to earn money is to offer to walk people's dogs - as if that is going to happen. My little terror being walked by a 10 year old with no training. We have no relatives in Toronto to help - SO ED, HOW WOULD YOU LIKE TO PLAY NURSEMAID! My husband just came upstairs so I will read him the account of your experience. Again, I am very happy that all turned out well for you. I sure wish this was over.

Have a great trip. Sure sounds like a fun one. Be sure to post some pictures when you get back!! OnAHolliday, are you referring to catladys saying bye post as being a 'bad' one? If you knew Judy you wouldn't say it was a bad post. That's just the way she 'talks' And she will be so hurt that someone thought her post bad. She and her husband are very kind, caring people. Not everyone has perfect grammar. Judy has been at the KT a long time.