Hot Topics is definitely not the place for those who get their "feelings" hurt easily. The personalities and range of topics is quite stormy on occasion. There is no whining about name calling or boohooing about insults. No one there tells you to go post someplace else if they don't like what you are posting, they'll tell you what they think about what you've posted bang on. That is why it is called HOT TOPICS. They go to debate and argue their point of view on so many different topics. Who cares what you are having for dinner? No one. Ask about How many children are going to bed hungry each night (if they have a bed in a home) and there will be a roaring debate going on. Gun Control, politics, religions, racism, drugs, war nothing is off limits. HOT TOPICS IS NOT for inane babble-lings or the many just looking to chat about the mundane twitters of daily life like the leaky faucet, or why one leg on the table is always shorter than the others. ronm80 is right they have the best news links there. You can get many sides of the news stories. LIL

It's okay, jasdip; I know you are busy here. I thought maybe GW had left me out! ;( I did check, though and I was listed. I posted my own because there are some who like to see my granddaughter's cupcakes, etc. And I wanted to share that I am pleased to be 88. Looking forward to 89, and more. Sue

Thanks. It was a low key day. The wife mistakenly said, 'What kind of cake do you want?'. I replied, 'Let me look in your Cake Bible.'. I picked out a triple layer chocolate cake. She only had two 9' cake pans so we went and got a third. Unfortunately she misread the directions and put in baking powder instead of baking soda. It tested done in the minimum amount of time but fell during the cooling process. Weighed a ton (actually 7 lbs) but I ate a slice anyway. Guess she'll never ask again. So why do I feel guilty???? Also from out of the blue I got an email from a guy I was in the army with 37 years ago. He lives right here in Phila & wants to go out for a drink. I looked for him unsuccessfully in '02 when we had a reunion. He lived in Herkimer NY way back when. A nice surprise.

Foggyj & Tom, hope your birthday was everything you hoped it would be. Mine was. Family including grands and great grands; we went to Sherando Lake Recreation Area; which is in the Blue Ridge Mountains and is very close to us. Weather was perfect, lots of fun, and good food, none of which I had to fix. I hit mile marker 87, aiming for at last 90! Unfortunately my DH lost his battle with colon cancer back in 1982, so that ended any anniversary celebrations, but it is never forgotten. Jasdip, you mentioned double prezzies. When we were married I told my DH that TWO gifts would always be expected! Thank you all for the good wishes. Sue