Thank you, God spoke through you to me. I lost my husband Tuesday (6/15/10) suddenly to a massive heart attack, he was 55 yrs old and we were married 34 yrs. We always said we complimented each other. When one was down the other picked them up. I "will" search for those positive things he brought out in me and do something positive with them as God brings them to my memory. Bless you

First, let me say how sorry I am that you too, are having difficulties right now. We live in stressful times and none of us are immune, but sometimes it's just hard to cope, isn't it? And when you add others problems to your own.......well.. I am in agreement with the various suggestions, but I also want to say this. Many times, those facing stresses forget about the stresses or problems of others. They don't mean to, but it can overwhelm them to the point where they are only thinking of venting, not of sharing. And we do owe it to our friends to be there for them as much as we can, even though it may be difficult for us too. So, continue to be a friend, but maybe set a limit and tell your friend that you too are facing problems, but you don't want to worry her. She may prove to be surprisingly empathetic. Who knows? Red

My husband makes the best french fries. He cuts the russet potatoes in rounds....doesn't peel them. Then he cuts them in sticks, so they are about the size and thickness of my little finger. He has a pot of oil, and he dumps them all in at once...which tends to cool the oil a bit, but when the oil reheats and they finish frying, it is like they have been fried twice, which is the real way to make french fries. You fry them, drain them, and then fry them again. They are lightly crunchy on the outside and soft and fluffy on the inside. I used to always cut my french fries length ways, but after seeing how he does it, I changed to his way. His still taste better than mine. I am another one who loves an electric skillet. I don't think I have ever fried potatoes in one, but I like frying chicken it better than I do using cast iron. And I have over 100 pieces of cast iron cookware. Or, did have. I have given a lot of it away.

Marilyn's no jackass ... but she gives some a good home. Plus some horses slated for slaughter. Go, Marilyn. As for me - for much of my working life I lived in an employer-owned house ... but knew that on the day that I got fired ... or retired ... I'd have to provide my own, so began an investing program to deal with the issue. Recently asked my banker if he could give me one good reason (or two or three poor ones) why I shouldn't take my money out oof his bank, dig a hole in the back yard, and bury it. He said that we need money for businesses to start new projects, for young ones to finance homes and other ideas to keep the economy going. I said that they guarantee to pay me the amount that I gave them, after two, three or five years, etc. - same deal as my cash in the hole in the back yard (of my rented house - which info I didn't feel it useful to share with him). The only difference is the rent that they pay me on the money, called "interest", at about 2.5%. Interest income is taxed at top rate, and if I'm in 25% tax rate, that .625% to the government (granted, to pay for roads, schools, healthcare, etc.) ... ... leaves 1.875% in my pocket. The other rat that eats my invested cheese is called "inflation" and that hits my "guaranteed" money in the bank and in the hole in the backyard equally. The official rate is around 2% ... but if you"ve visited a grocer or other business lately, you'll dispute it. As many governments owe huge, and increasing, debts, they have less than a smidgeon of interest in seeing interest rates rise any appreciable amount in the near future. If I buy shares in your bank, they pay about 4.5% dividends ... and, as you know, I pay a much lower tax rate on those dividends. I bought shares in a Canadian bank just over 50 years ago, for around $4.17 per share, paying about 10 - 12 cents/year dividend, at lower tax rate. In 2007, before the financial troubles, I could have sold them for about $110. and the annual divdend rate was $3.08. Big drop in share price after that, some said they'd cut dividend rate. They didn't - but no increase for four years. I figured that if I'd keep them a few more years, they'd pay each year the original price that I'd paid. They did - about four years ago. Annual rate $5.44 last Dec, now $5.60: 34% above original share price. But I have fewer shares. When I transfer shares to a charity, I receive a tax-deductible receipt for the full amount ... and avoid the usual tax at usual rate on half of the capital gain. The banker didn't really have much of an answer for me. ole joyfuelled