Really good bunch today! I'm copying the Vincent Van Gogh one, to pass to friends, church, etc. who need a smile. Frugal as ever - had to size to get two on a page. Justlinda - I did, too! ole joyful

I like both of the threads that Annie's talking about. There is really only one person that I can't stand and if I see his icon on a post I don't look at that one anymore. I don't think I have ever seen him on those two threads. I love Smiles for Today. I have followed it since TulsaRose used start one everyday. Annie was nice enough to take it over. It and the cooking forum are my two favorite ones to look at everyday! I think TulsaRose passed away. I found an obit for a Rose in Tulsa, Oklahoma that passed at the end of August.

I suppose the people who are harmed by the history and uses of blackface should be able to decide whether it's offensive and once we've learned that it's hurtful and even worse, I don't see anything wrong with trying to inform others who may not know that it is. In fact, I feel an obligation to take the burden away from the objects of ridicule to inform and do so when I can. Just like the power I feel when men speak out against things that harm women, domestic violence, sexual assault, unequal pay, objectification, harassment, etc. I think it's powerful for non-black people to join and raise their voices to object. When men act harmfully and offensively to women, I don't want them to be able to say - hey, it was just a JOKE. I think this is similar.

I had visited a cafe one day with my friends. The waiter recommended that we try their special coffee. We agreed and soon the coffee arrived. As we drink the coffee, we realized that it tastes like dirt and mud. Disgusted by the fact, all of us complained immediately. The alarmed waiter rushes over and says, "Well Sir, it was fresh ground coffee!"