I have a brain fart that the medical community calls an Arnold Chiari Malformation. After decompression surgery in 2006, my brain is learning to coexist peacefully with my spinal cord in the cramped quarters of my spinal canal. With a real hole in my head, I am now free to continue the pursuit of life, liberty, and good coffee -- between headaches, nausea, dizziness, and seizures, of course!
Want to join the Monday's Music Moves Me blog hoppin' fun? Join us by visiting XmasDolly's blog for the links and instructions.
**OOps! It wasn't until I started hopping around other blogs that I saw there was a theme. Don't know how I missed it on XmasDolly's blog, but I did. Sorry, please forgive the newbie. I promise to do better next time, LOL!**
This Monday, it's the music of the Dixie Chicks that's moving me. Call me a radical, call me a liberal, call me a lunatic, just make sure that you call me a fan of the Dixie Chicks and free speech as well. I miss these girls and their awesome voices!
Post about 5 favorite things from the past week. It can be anything that tickled your fancy: favorite quotes, posts, happenings, scriptures, recipes, pictures, great internet finds, etc., etc. Be as detailed as you like, the more detail the more fun for those of us visiting. Susanne, the hostess, just asks that it be kept family friendly. To see entries from other participants or to play along, click here.
1. Container Arrivals.
We've had nothing but grief over the shipment of this latest container from Egypt to the US, which explains why the AED has been in Cairo since the beginning of October and won't be back home until next Tuesday. At long last, however, the doggone thing -- complete with dozens of damaged cartons and yards of green US Customs tape -- was delivered to our warehouses at 9 this morning. Now all the brother-in-law and I need to do is to get this 40-foot monstrosity unloaded within 24 hours, LOL! Did I mention that I am also very grateful for forklifts, pallets, plenty of warehouse space, and the friends who are willing to help get all
of those boxes out of the monstrosity?
2. Spayed Kitties.
Wilbur, the runt of the litter of rescue kittens I found in my backyard last July, became so attached to me that I had to keep him. With an already very quiet and squeaky voice, Wilbur began making very strange chirping noises, climbing up on the counters in the kitchen, hanging out on top of the fridge, and knocking the plants over when he "needed" a bird's eye view out the kitchen windows a couple of weeks ago. Turns out Wilbur is a girl and that (s)he was looking for some lovin'! Being the responsible pet owner that I am, I nipped that right in the bud!
As of Tuesday morning, Wilbur is no longer looking for love in all the wrong places. Wilbur is now a member of the nipped and tucked club. Just in case you're wondering about her name, I have no plans to change it. She knows it too well for me to do that now. Johnny Cash had a boy named Sue, so why can't I have a girl named Wilbur?
3. Netflix.
Ok, so I am a bit behind the times as far as this one goes; I didn't get a Netflix account until December 2. Since we did away with all the satellites that lined our roof and have been using only the free-to-air satellite channels in conjunction with our local ones, I have been a much happier camper. With the Netflix account and a nifty wi-fi hookup thingy, I can watch the BBC shows I love, as well as hundreds of documentaries, whenever I want. And when the AED comes home and finds all the old TV shows with cowboys that are available, he'll think he's died and gone straight to Roy Rodgers heaven, I'm sure.
4. Peach Rings.
Gummy Bears hold the key to my heart, but the peach rings sold at 7-11 rock my world! I'm sure that my dentist loves them just as much as I do, LOL! If there is a 7-11 near you and you haven't tried them already, then you should. These little gummy delights are simply amazing! I have never tasted an artificial peach anything that comes so close to the real fruit. Mmmmm....my mouth is watering just from writing about them!
5. Fridays.
'Nuff said on that one!
Hope everyone has a great weekend and that I actually make it through next week to post again!
Albert Hammond must not have lived here, cuz it sure does rain in Southern California! Still, it's a great song and the one that is moving me this morning.
Dianne from Good Mourning, Glory is taking a break, so hats off to Amanda for hosting this wonderful meme during her absence.
In honor of America's birthday, I chose one of my favorite Elvis Presley songs, "American Trilogy," from the Aloha from Hawaii satellite TV special that aired way back in the days when I was a teenager. You know, back in the days when only the government had satellite TV and were generous enough to share it with Elvis and his fans for a couple of hours. . .
1. Do you feel that you need to keep repeating yourself when talking to a particular person?
Well, considering that the Amazing Egyptian Dude has lost a significant portion of his hearing and isn't exactly consistent about wearing his hearing aids, I spend an inordinate amount of time repeating myself when talking to him. One of these days he will wear his hearing aids on a regular basis, I just know it!
2. It's July. Do you have anything special planned?
Ummm . . . I consider living pretty doggone special. That's about all that I have planned for the month.
3. Who is your big celebrity crush?
I'm not really into celebrities, and certainly not enough to have a big crush on one.
4. Tell us about a local restaurant you are sure we'd love.
Mas' Islamic Chinese restaurant in Anaheim, California, is our favorite place for dining out. The best thing about this restaurant is that it is always packed with patrons that make up a mini United Nations. In addition to the Muslims who fill the place because the owner, a Muslim from China, follows our dietary laws and doesn't serve pork, you'll find Jews who keep Kosher dining beside California hippie types who are seated next to a group of college kids whose antics entertain the elderly couple sitting across the aisle. I have never ever been to the place when it wasn't, at the very least, nearly packed to the rafters.
5. Tell us about the shyest person that you deal with regularly.
None of the people whom I deal with regularly are shy -- at least not when they are around me!
6. What is your vision of heaven and hell?
One is good and the other ought to be avoided?
7. What is your neighborhood like?
Like most neighborhoods in Southern California -- filled with single family dwellings that have green lawns and cars in their driveways.
8. What's your favorite cook-out food?
Shish-kebab or steak -- I can't decide which I like better.
9. When was the last time that you saw fireworks?
Disneyland is just down the street from my home, so I see fireworks every night at 9:35 during the week, and a second display on Saturday and Sunday. God bless the Mouse House!
Post about 5 favorite things from the past week. It can be anything that tickled your fancy: favorite quotes, posts, happenings, scriptures, recipes, pictures, great internet finds, etc., etc. Be as detailed as you like, the more detail the more fun for those of us visiting. Susanne, the hostess, just asks that it be kept family friendly. To see entries from other participants or to play along, click here.
1. Ant bait.
Yes, ant bait! Every summer for the past five or six years, our home has been invaded by gazillions of little black ants. It has gotten so bad that I no longer rely on the calendar to tell me when summer has "officially" arrived because the ants have already alerted me. Since our animals are used to eating when they please and not when we please, they have food in their dishes at all times. That is, they have food available to them at all times until the ants arrive. Thanks to Google, I discovered that we had been dealing with the situation in all the wrong ways -- indoor and outdoor sprays, boric acid, salt, chili powder, etc. Those methods kill only those ants with which they make contact, leaving the queen and the rest of her tribe to wreak havoc. Enter the ant bait. The AED went to Home Depot and bought 2 dozen of the little suckers to put throughout the house. We may see a stray ant or two now, but the cats and dog can have their feed dishes back without me screeching about the yards of ants invading them. Ah, the joys of ant bait!
2. The World Cup.
Thanks to the wonderful world of technology, ESPN, and my nifty new computer with its awesome monitor, I have missed only two of the World Cup games, and I missed those only because I couldn't wake up to watch them. As the series moves into the quarter finals, the excitement mounts worldwide. In just a few minutes, I will be watching Holland vs. Brazil and rooting for Holland because they are the underdogs of the match. This weekend will be filled with fireworks, literal and figurative, both on and off the soccer fields in South Africa and my home. Soccer rocks the world!
3. Whiskers on Kittens.
The three rescue kittens that I've been taking care of for the past three weeks have genuinely brightened our lives. It has been so long since we had a kitten around the house, and there is truly nothing like a kitten to keep a person on her toes! These little guys are discovering things in my house that I didn't know were there and have managed to locate, and play with, every single dust bunny that escaped the broom or vacuum. With kittens around, life is too short and way too much fun to worry about dust bunnies anyway!
4. June Gloom.
Here in Southern California we have a weather phenomenon called the June Gloom. In a nutshell, it's a cloudy and overcast condition that lasts well into the morning and sometimes throughout the day. The best thing about the June Gloom is that it keeps our summer temperatures under tight control and prevents it from getting too hot. Thankfully, the gloom has given us temperatures in the low 70s for the past two weeks. What could be better than a summertime temp that doesn't require the A/C?
5. Life, Liberty, Good Coffee, and the freedom to enjoy them.
To see other entries and/or play along, click here.
1. When it's quiet, the cats are either asleep or up to no good.
2. Probably because it's true, I haven't blogged in what seems like a month.
3. My heart is working as it should.
4. I don't have many family or friends with birthdays in July.
5. In the town where I was born lived a man who sailed the seas. And he told us of his life in the land of submarines.
6. The ability to make me laugh when I don't think I can is something I really love about my significant other / friend.
7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to catching up with my podcasts, tomorrow my plans include organizing the office and Sunday, I want to enjoy the shish kebab that the AED plans to BBQ!
For more entries or to play along, visit Diane or Jori, the hostesses of this fun meme!
Being the first grandchild and niece on both sides of one's family has certain perks and privileges, a fact that I learned the day that I was lucky enough to have been born into that blessed position. I'm the first to admit to having been spoiled by my grandparents and having experiences that other kids my age never got, thanks to my aunts and uncles who dragged me along with them on their various adventures. One of those adventures was my very first concert which I attended with my Aunt Naomi and a couple of her friends in 1965. I was nearly six years old at the time and every bit as much in love with The Beatles as my mom and aunt.
I don't remember a lot about the concert except that it was loud, full of crying and screaming girls, and that some of the girls peed their pants from excitement! My aunt bought me a purple t-shirt from that concert, and somewhere my dad has a picture of me wearing it. I'll have to ask him to scan it so that I can post it (he's on vacation in Colorado at the moment).
The video I have chosen is from The Beatles first US concert at Shea Stadium in New York because it gives the feeling of excitement that we experienced when we saw them in California.
When I first saw this week's theme, I struggled to come up with a song that would fit it. Not wanting to go with the obvious -- a song by Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons -- I had to really wrack The Brain for a while. Considering that The Brain usually ignores me and just takes control, this was no easy feat!
As I scrolled through the nearly 23,000 songs on my iTunes, hoping that at least one would jump out at me as having something to do with winter, my favorite season, that wasn't a Christmas song, I kept hearing Willie Nelson's version of "Moonlight in Vermont" from his Stardust album playing softly in my head. I hummed along with myself and continued to scan the iTunes list.
Frustrated at not finding just the right song, I needed a little more inspiration than humming and began to sing the lyrics of "Moonlight in Vermont." And then, The Brain had a lightbulb moment: the song mentions falling leaves, ski trails, and snow light. Duh, it's the perfect song which explains why I've been humming it for well over an hour!
Because once is never enough for such a beautiful song, I've compiled three different versions, two vocal and one instrumental, for your listening pleasure. Enjoy!
Version #1: Ella Fitzgerald (Did I mention before that I love Ms. Fitzgerald? I think so!)
To see more participants or to play along, click here.
Here goes nothing!
27. Do you prefer to sleep or eat?
I prefer to sleep because I never seem to get enough of it.
28. Do you look like your mom or dad?
I have my dad's eye and hair color, my mom's face and body shape. The older I get, the more I look like my mother, though.
29. How long does it take you in the shower?
Because I am conscious of the fact that where I live there is a serious water shortage, I do my best to get in and out of the shower in under 15 minutes.
30. Can you do the splits?
Of course -- I can split hairs, bananas, stocks, and cards when playing Black Jack.
31. What movie do you want to see right now?
I'm waiting to see the new Disney animated film which I think is called The Princess and the Frog or something like that.
32. What did you do for New Year’s?
The same thing we always do -- stay at home and away from all the drunk people.
33. Do you think The Grudge was scary?
I have no clue what The Grudge is.
34. Do you own a camera phone?
My iPhone has a camera on it -- not a great one, but a camera nonetheless.
35. Was your mom a cheerleader?
My mom was the best kind of cheerleader there is -- she rooted for and cheered on her daughters.
36. What’s the last letter of your middle name?
E
37. How many hours of sleep do you get a night?
I average about 3 hours per night.
38. Do you like Care Bears?
Not really; I'm a little old for that.
39. What do you buy at the movies?
A ticket to get in and nothing else. Everything is so overpriced at the theater.
40. Do you know how to play poker?
Yes, I do.
41. Do you wear your seat belt?
It's the law in California.
42. What do you wear to sleep?
A nightgown.
43. Anything big ever happen in your hometown?
The Beach Boys and Mattel Toys "happened" in my hometown of Hawthorne, California.
44. How many meals do you eat a day?
Usually just one.
45. Is your tongue pierced?
Does forked count?
46. Do you always read MySpace bulletins?
I don't use MySpace at all.
47. Do you like funny or serious people better?
I like them equally, but I prefer serious people who can be funny when appropriate.
48. Ever been to L.A.?
Uh, I was born and raised in a suburb of Los Angeles.
49. Did you eat a cookie today?
No. Do you want to share one?
50. Do you use cuss words in other languages?
Very, very rarely. My mom taught me and my sisters that people who use foul language are only showing the world how stupid they are because they have such a limited vocabulary that they can't find a more effective word to use instead. I agree with her and very seldom say cuss words in any language because I don't want people thinking that I'm stooopid!
51. Do you steal or pay for your music downloads?
I buy music from iTunes.
52. Do you hate chocolate?
Is it possible for people to hate chocolate?
53. What do you and your parents fight about the most?
I don't fight with my father -- we are both way too old for that.
54. Are you a gullible person?
Not any longer.
55. Do you need a girlfriend to be happy?
Nope; I have a husband.
56. If you could have any job (assuming you have the skills) what what would it be?
I would teach just like I did until I retired a few months ago.
57. Are you easy to get along with?
People tell me that I am.
58. What is your favorite time of day?
My favorite time of day is the very early morning like 2-5 am.
To see other entries or to play along, click here.
Participants will post a picture, story, song, poem, recipe, craft project, piece of art – anything, really – that tells us something about your city/town, state/province, or country for that week's topic. Our hope is that through this weekly meme, we’ll learn more about our countries and cultures.
This week's theme is EATING OUT, so tell us abut or show us the places where you go to eat outside of your home in your part of the world.
Here goes nothing!
Eating out has been a part of my life for as long as I can remember. Whether it was the Sunday gatherings with family or the dinner out Thursday nights with my parents and sisters, I have always enjoyed eating away from home. The Amazing Egyptian Dude, on the other hand, grew up with a tradition of always eating at home so when we got married, we had to strike a compromise on dining out. Over the years, he's kind of gotten used to it and although he'll complain about the cost every now and again, we eat out once or twice a week on average.
At the beginning of the week, we had dinner at a restaurant owned by one of our customers. The Karma Cafe serves delicious homestyle Moroccan cuisine. One of these days, I am going to remember to carry the camera around with me but until I do, I have to rely on our cell phones for photos when we're out and about. Sorry -- the quality isn't all that great in some of them.
Gabriel, the owner and chef at Karma Cafe, served us a cornucopia of delights. We started with za'atar and bread. Za'atar is a blend of herbs, spices, and sesame seeds mixed with olive oil.
Then we had the most amazing falafel I've ever eaten. I don't know what they do in Morocco that's different, but they definitely have an edge on the falafel there! The falafel was followed by samples of kebab and shawarma with hummous.
Next came Moroccan lentil soup. I am not much of a soup eater, but even I had to concede that this stuff was delicious!
Finally, the entrees. I had Tagine Chicken, and the AED got the Fish Pastilla. Both were heavenly!
The delicious lentil soup proved to be our downfall -- we each ate a full bowl and had no room for the entree other than a few bites. We brought the leftovers home and had a great meal the next day, though. And for me, that's the best part of eating out anyway!
Post about 5 favorite things from the past week. It can be anything that tickled your fancy: favorite quotes, posts, happenings, scriptures, recipes, pictures, great internet finds, etc., etc. Be as detailed as you like, the more detail the more fun for those of us visiting. Susanne, the hostess, just asks that it be kept family friendly. To see entries from other participants or to play along, click here.
1. Humor can brighten an otherwise dreary day.
A lawyer boarded an airplane in New Orleans with a box of frozen crabs and asked a blonde stewardess to take care of them for him.
She took the box and promised to put it in the crew's refrigerator. He advised her that he was holding her personally responsible for them staying frozen, mentioning in a very haughty manner that he was a lawyer, and proceeded to rant at her about what would happen if she let them thaw out.
Needless to say, she was annoyed by his behavior. Shortly before landing in New York, she used the intercom to announce to the entire cabin, "Would the gentleman who gave me the crabs in New Orleans, please raise your hand?"
Not a single hand went up ... so she took them home and ate them.
Two lessons here:
1. Lawyers aren't as smart as they think they are. 2. Blondes aren't as dumb as some folks think they are.
2. Patience is a virtue. Or so I have been told! It's been a long summer, and I have missed my favorite TV shows. This week has been one filled with commercials designed to torture people like me, people who are anxiously awaiting the commencement of the fall season. Honestly, between the Dancing with the Stars and Grey's Anatomy commercials, I am on a countdown to Monday!
3. America's Got Talent, but we're not quite ready for the opera. I don't want to play like Kanye West and attack a deserving talent just because I am not happy with the outcome of a vote; however, I have to say that even though I liked Kevin Skinner and rooted for him, the finals for America's Got Talent turned out just as I predicted they would. Several weeks ago, I commented on Thom's blog that I had a feeling that although Barbara Padillaought to win, that Kevin Skinner would win. Maybe I should work for a psychic hotline!
4. Times may be tough and things may be ugly, but hope remains. I have to say that I am eternally grateful to my mother, whom I lost when I was just 17 and she 37, for teaching me to be thankful for what I have, no matter how little it is, because I will always find someone who has less and when I do, it is my moral duty to share what I do have with them. I find it so distressing to see how selfish, self-centered, and self-serving people have become in these tough economic times. I sincerely hope that those who do not want to see any reforms made to our health care system never find themselves faced with the decision of buying food or medicine, paying to see a doctor or paying the mortgage/rent, or putting off necessary care because of a lack of funds to pay for it.
5. I hope.
"Sanity may be madness but the maddest of all is to see life as it is and not as it should be." --Don Quixote
"I have learned two lessons in my life: first, there are no sufficient literary, psychological, or historical answers to human tragedy, only moral ones. Second, just as despair can come to one another only from other human beings, hope, too, can be given to one only by other human beings." --Elie Wiesel
"He who has health, has hope; and he who has hope, has everything. " --Arabian Proverb
Graphic courtesy of Tonya! To play along or see additional entries, click here.
And...here we go!
1. My car may be 10 years old, but it still feels new to me.
2. The weather has been so strange recently that it's hard to tell what is coming up next.
3. Lately, things seem to pile up around me faster than I can get rid of them.
4. Telling you that a certain location is one of my favorite 'hiding' places defeats the whole purpose of having a hiding place.
5. What happened to people having basic manners and treating one another with respect?
6. I can't believe it when people tell me that conquering Mount Laundry is not impossible!
7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to playing games online with my sister, tomorrow my plans include an attempt to scale Mount Laundry and Sunday, I want to enjoy the Eid celebrations with my family!
Header courtesy of Samulli. To learn more about Thursday Thirteen, to play along, or to see other entries, click here.
My list is inspired by song from the Dixie Chicks' album, Taking the Long Way.
I hope . . .
(1) . . . that the people who face the possibility of losing their homes will find the help they need in time.
(2) . . . that I will one day scale Laundry Mountain, conquering it once and for all.
(3) . . . that the fleas of a thousand camels will infest the armpits of Kanye West for his lack of civility during and after the VMAs.
(4) . . . that General Motors' new marketing plan succeeds in helping to rebuild buyers' confidence in their products so that the company doesn't go completely under.
(5) . . . that the cold I am fighting off doesn't amount to much of anything.
(6) . . . that this latest stock market rally lasts long enough for folks to recover at least a significant portion of what they lost when it collapsed several months ago.
(7) . . . that summer leaves soon so that fall can arrive!
(8) . . . that more people will start to live by the notion that wanting for your neighbor what you want for yourself is a good thing.
(9) . . . that the heatwave we're supposed to experience over the next few days isn't bad enough to trigger more fires.
(10) . . . that in our upcoming gubernatorial election, we Californians will remember that just because someone has experience on the big screen doesn't mean that he or she will know what to do in the big house in Sacramento!
(11) . . . that our latest container, which is scheduled to arrive at the port in Long Beach in the second week of October, doesn't have a long and drawn out hold up at Customs -- we need the products in it like last week!
(12) . . . that I get a chance to learn how to sync my Google calendar to my iPhone this weekend.
(13) . . . that the Muslims of the world have a wonderful Eid celebration! For those who don't know, Eid is the holiday that comes at the end of Ramadan, the month of fasting.
A while back, I made a list of Songs to Cry By for another meme in which I am a regular participant. It didn't take me long to come up with the songs to put on the list, but it took me hours to whittle it down to a measly thirteen of them! I am such a sucker for sad songs that the largest play list on my iTunes is the one called Tear Jerkers. Choosing only one heartbreaker song is torture for someone like me, but here goes nothing!
Don't forget your tissues!
Lyrics:
I know you loved him A long time ago Even now in my arms You still want him I know But darling this time Let your memories die When you hold me tonight Don't close your eyes
Don't close your eyes Let it be me Don't pretend it's him In some fantasy Darling just once Let yesterday go You'll find more love Than you've ever known Just hold me tight When you love me tonight And don't close your eyes
Maybe I've been a fool Holding on all this time Lyin' here in your arms Knowing he's in your mind But I keep hoping some day That you'll see the light Let it be me tonight Don't close your eyes
Don't close your eyes Let it be me Don't pretend it's him In some fantasy Darling just once Let yesterday go You'll find more love Than you've ever known Just hold me tight When you love me tonight And don't close your eyes
Don't close your eyes Let it be me Don't pretend it's him In some fantasy Darling just once Let yesterday go You'll find more love than you've ever known Just hold me tight When you love me tonight And don't close your eyes
Just hold me tight When you love me tonight And don't close your eyes
Post about 5 favorite things from the past week. It can be anything that tickled your fancy: favorite quotes, posts, happenings, scriptures, recipes, pictures, great internet finds, etc., etc. Be as detailed as you like, the more detail the more fun for those of us visiting. Susanne, the hostess, just asks that it be kept family friendly. To see entries from other participants or to play along, click here.
1. Jokes from friends always make my day.
Bob Hill and his new wife Betty were vacationing in Europe... as it happens, near Transylvania. They were driving in a rental car along a rather deserted highway. It was late and raining very hard. Bob could barely see the road in front of the car. Suddenly the car skids out of control! Bob attempts to control the car, but to no avail! The car swerves and smashes into a tree.
Moments later, Bob shakes his head to clear the fog. Dazed, he looks over at the passenger seat and sees his wife unconscious, with her head bleeding! Despite the rain and unfamiliar countryside, Bob knows he has to get her medical assistance.
Bob carefully picks his wife up and begins trudging down the road. After a short while, he sees a light. He heads towards the lig ht, which is coming from a large, old house. He approaches the door and knocks.
A minute passes. A small, hunched man opens the door. Bob immediately blurts, "Hello, my name is Bob Hill, and this is my wife Betty. We've been in a terrible accident, and my wife has been seriously hurt. Can I please use your phone?"
"I'm sorry," replied the hunchback, "but we don't have a phone. My master is a doctor; come in and I will get him!" Bob brings his wife in.
An older man comes down the stairs. "I'm afraid my assistant may have misled you. I am not a medical doctor; I am a scientist.. However, it is many miles to the nearest clinic, and I have had a basic medical training. I will see what I can do. Igor, bring them down to the laboratory"
With that, Igor picks up Betty and carries her downstairs, with Bob following closely. Igor places Betty on a table in the lab. Bob collapses from exhaustion and his own injuries, so Igor places Bob on an adjoining table.
After a brief examination, Igor's master looks worried. "Things are serious, Igor. Prepare a transfusion." Igor and his master work feverishly, but to no avail. Bob and Betty Hill are no more.
The Hills' deaths upset Igor's master greatly. Wearily, he climbs the steps to his conservatory, which houses his grand piano. For it is here that he has always found solace. He begins to play, and a stirring, almost haunting melody fills the house.
Meanwhile, Igor is still in the lab tidying up. His eyes catch movement, and he notices the fingers on Betty's hand twitch, keeping time with the haunting piano music.. Stunned, he watches as Bob's arm begins to rise, marking the beat! He is further amazed as Betty and Bob both sit up straight!
Unable to contain himself, he dashes up the stairs to the conservatory.
He bursts in and shouts to his master:
"Master, Master! ..... The Hills are alive with the sound of music!"
2. The awesome beauty of nature always amazes me. Click on the photo to make it larger, then look for a mountain lion. Can you find it?
3. In the midst of all the animosity and ugliness that permeates our nation these days, I have been thinking a lot about Abraham Lincoln and Franklin D. Roosevelt. Both of these amazing leaders, one Republican and one Democrat, saw our country through its two roughest periods: the Civil War and the Great Depression and World War II. In rereading several of their speeches, I find inspiration for these troubling times:
"The probability that we may fall in the struggle ought not to deter us from the support of a cause we believe to be just; it shall not deter me." -- Abraham Lincoln ("Speech on the Sub-Treasury" delivered in the Illinois House of Representatives, December 26, 1839)
"The country needs and, unless I mistake its temper, the country demands bold, persistent experimentation. It is common sense to take a method and try it: If it fails, admit it frankly and try another. But above all, try something." -- Franklin D. Roosevelt, 1932
4. Because I hope for a brighter tomorrow, this song has been stuck in my head for a few days.
5. Last, but not least, I am grateful to have survived what has turned out to be a very, very rough week.
I stumbled across your old picture today I could barely breathe The moment stopped me cold Grabbed me like a thief I dialed your number But you wouldn't be there I knew the whole time But it's still not fair I just wanted to hear your voice I just needed to hear your voice
What do I do with all I need to say? So much I want to tell you every day Oh it breaks my heart I cry these tears in the dark I write these letters to you But they get lost in the blue 'Cause there's no address in the stars
Now I'm driving through the pitch black dark I'm screaming at the sky cause it hurts so bad Everybody tells me all I need is time Then the morning rolls in and it hits me again And that ain't nothing but a lie
What do I do with all I need to say? So much I want to tell you every day Oh it breaks my heart I cry these tears in the dark I write these letters to you but they get lost in the blue 'Cause there's no address in the stars
Without you here with me I don't know what to do I'd give anything just to talk to you Oh it breaks my heart Oh it breaks my heart All I can do is write these letters to you But there's no address in the stars
Wilbur, the runt of the litter of rescue kittens I found in my backyard last July, became so attached to me that I had to keep him. With an already very quiet and squeaky voice, Wilbur began making very strange chirping noises, climbing up on the counters in the kitchen, hanging out on top of the fridge, and knocking the plants over when he "needed" a bird's eye view out the kitchen windows a couple of weeks ago. Turns out Wilbur is a girl and that (s)he was looking for some lovin'! Being the responsible pet owner that I am, I nipped that right in the bud! 
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