Yeah me too. I'm a talker. If I don't have the chance to get things out verbally, they fester and get worse. I feel better if my "girl friends" give me the chance to kvetch. But that's me. I have a very dear friend here who rarely speaks out her feelings. That's her way. You'll alwaysknow what's the way for you. right?

I've told you guys things here that I haven't said out loud to folks here in my real world. Funny and wonderful how having all of you to listen has been of such great comfort to me over this last year.

I was reading your poems again today Lori. Such a treat.

Kathi, don't feel you have to keep things to yourself if there's anything you feel like sharing here. I don't think any of us would consider it a burden. I know everyone has different ways of dealing with things, and not everyone has a need to talk about things. For myself, I know I DO need to keep talking and talking until everything's out. Otherwise it stays inside like a ticking bomb.

kathi, i am glad to hear that you spoke your feelings. i sure don't know much about all of the personal things you are feeling, but i do really believe that grief is when you re-start living your life- speaking about how you feel and integrating your son with your life and how it is for you now. a lot of people think that all of the other feelings that come first are grief. i think that grief is when you start living your life again- always knowing and never forgetting. lots of love, richard

I spent the day at a Grief Seminar put on at the VA hospital in White River for the VT Fallen families. It was very well conducted and the people were very nice. I usually just sit and listen but today I participated in the discussion group. It was highly emotional. Big discussion on the media roll in keeping grief on the surface for the families. So it was interesting to hear what others had to say. Personally, I think it is easier to keep stuff to myself instead of making my "friends" listen all the time....so thanks for listening.
It was snowing a little bit here this morning but the temperatures went up to 40 and it didn't stick to the road. I would much rather worry about snow then tornados! I hope they stay away from your area, Karen. Stay safe!
I can't see many self help books being read by the males in my house unless they were on the sports talk shows or the game show network!
I am still trying to figure things out on my computer like how to make DVD copies.....I might have my email worked out...we'll see.
Well, have a good rest of the weekend....we'll hope for calm weather all around!

I had been wondering how you're doing, Karen, after hearing the news about the tornado in Atlanta, so I'm glad to hear you're okay. I hope your daughter is safe, too. And I'm glad to hear I'm not the only one who finds it tiring to have guests now--even if they're the nicest people in the world. My nephew is still with us, but that's different. I don't feel like I have to go out of my way to entertain him. When people come for a short time, I do take "time off" from my own life and that's why it's so exhausting. My nephew finally got his appointment for his citizenship interview at Immigration. It will be April 1, and then he'll go back to Israel on April 6. We just hope the April 1 appointment is not some April Fool's joke!

Patti, how was the Oprah class? I didn't get around to checking it out, but I discovered we do have that book, A New Earth. I think Avi has every self-help book in existence! He reads them over and over, so they actually have an influence on him. I read them once, get inspired, and then forget everything a little while later. My friend Peggy (who's 86, a poet, and also a psychotherapist) recommended that I read Emerson's essay, "Self-Reliance." I found it on google. I printed it out. They also had a "translation" into modern, more understandable English. Have any of you ever read it? I liked it. All about trusting yourself, not letting other people's negative opinions influence you, speaking the truth instead of just agreeing with people when you don't really agree, living in the present, etc. etc. Peggy is one of my favorite people. She married her second husband, Norm, at age 60 (he's 12 years younger), and they're SO happy together. It's nice to see that. You would never guess she's 86. She's so young-spirited and open-minded. She's like a mentor to me. I've learned so much from her.

Thanks for the website....I wouldn't have had any idea to even look for a vista website...I started reading through some of it, hopefully, I'll learn something! I think in my next life I'll have a job where I only work 3 days a week! Sounds perfect, of course, it would have to be a better paying one.....oh well, dream on. Gas prices are up to $3.29 here in Springfield....up more then 10 cents in a couple of days....makes you wonder where this will end. Can't imagine what heating prices will be for the next winter. It was only up in the 30s today but at least it was sunny.

Vista4beginners.com has a section on migrating your mail from outlook to Vista. should be just what you need Kathi. Let me know if it's helpful.

sunny day, blue ski sky; lovely day.

I have used the help menu but its not giving me the answers I need..lol....my daughter will be home next weekend so I'll make her help me! Just wanted to figure things out by myself before I had to ask the kids! Sun is shinning here today!!! Birds are starting to come back. I actually saw Robins the other day....there are a few spots where they might be able to find worms....still chilly but Spring is coming! Sorry, Pat.

Sorry Kathi I'm using XP. I hate to say it but you might have to use the help button on your menu bar.
There's no such thing as a wedding planner here in the north country. I think it would be fun to talk with someone like that. I think I'm too "hands on"to give over my will to a planner. It seems a great idea for busy working people however. I remember having fun with our plans. We had a good time on the mountain. Do you remember Janice???? Yoohoo, are you out there today?
Snow, wind and wicked cold still here. I've been picking up small pots of spring bulbs to have in my kitchen window. I miss seeing the ground!!!!

I wish that the wedding reception was going to be held somewhere other then my backyard. I am starting to get a little overwhelmed with the idea of getting everything ready .....I'm sure everything will be fine...I need a wedding planner, organizer, and landscaper! Anyone open to those suggestions??? lol..... Lori, enjoy and have fun with it.
Pat, do you have Windows Vista? How do I set up Windows Mail to import emails? I thought I had everything all set but I can't seem to get the new emails to open in that program...I am really not computer literate and need step by step instructions....
Time to get ready to watch American Idol....I really do like to figure out who will get eliminated....

forget to mention, talked with Doc noble and Larry Cruse was supposed to have lunch with her and erconnect I guess. Also got the iphone to keep in touch better and let me tell you its a learning curve but one well worth it. does all but dust and wash clothes! ciao R

hey guys I'm back after a small hiatus so to speak. wow another one of us gone to our maker, it makes me think of the years. I am currently back in school at Beacon University for theology and was recently voted onto the board of directors for our county's crisis center. still haven't decided what to build / buy but will firm that up by summer. you guys have really had a great winter it looks like for skiing and out of doors activities. my bulbs are up and have been for about a month and a half and the trees are now flowering and the annual Atlanta Dogwood festival is scheduled. probably will be in Fl for Easter to honour my Aunt & Uncle who started me off in life financially. I redo their grave site every year, its peaceful there, old with all the Spanish moss etc. glad to see the regulars are hanging in there and well. My brother gave me his class reunion paper so I finally got the adress etc and can add my name to the class info etc. ciao ya'll and God Bless!! R

That's a really nice site, Kathi, and nice pictures, and, yes, she does look exactly like you. We've been busy with wedding plans, too. The wedding will be at the Skirball Cultural Center on July 13. The lady at the Skirball told us we really should get a wedding planner to help us organize everything, so we met with 2 this week. One is a mother/daughter team who have been doing it for years and seem really professional. We'll probably go with them. I get so overwhelmed with these things. It seemed so simple when we got married, and now there's all these details you have to think about--like the color of the table cloths, the way you want the napkins folded, what kind of chairs. I don't even remember what flowers we had at our wedding. Luckily my daughter knows what she wants cuz I'm not much help. Nice people, good music, good food--that's all I care about. I don't really notice the other stuff. Is something wrong with me?!!! Aren't women supposed to notice these things?!!

Thanks for the link Kathi, it was fun to check out the site. My goodness she looks just like you. I'm sure you've heard that before but it's quite remarkable.
It's quarter past 6a.m. and pitch black out there. Tough to get up and go. But I must.

kathi, a picture says it all (more than a thousand words and who is counting anyway?). you have a beautiful daughter. i am sure that john knows how lucky he is. that leaves me with a nice smile that i will take into dream land.

Happy Daylights Savings time to us! I am so happy that it is later in the evenings...makes the rest of winter not so bad. Last night it was light until almost 7:00. Of course, its dark in the morning longer but I find that easier to deal with as I'm just getting ready for work anyways.
My daughter is making a wedding website...it is really fun to look at...she isn't finished quite yet but I'll give you a little sneak peak...just don't tell! www.johnandsu.com . I am sure she will change it all around, plus John has to finish his page. Anyways, that its from here. Happy Thoughts......

That's terrible news for the Picard and Maxwell families. I'll check out the Herald.

I haven't seen and hadn't heard about The Power of Now before but Dave is now listening to it in his vehicle.

i am so sad to hear about marianne and the loss to bruce. i live in a world that has some ends, but it has lots more beginnings by comparison. i don't know how i will handle my life when it has more ends than beginnings. i really don't.

Sad news. I heard today that Marianne Picard Markwell died on Tuesday. She was married to Bruce.
You can read her obituary in the Rutland Herald or Eagle Times.
Warm wishes to her family....

I haven't read that Tolle book, but we have The Power of Now--the book and CDs. Actually, Brian once recommended it. Avi loves it.

Richard, I dreamed about you last night. You were about to get on a bus to go traveling all over the world, and I was there saying good bye to you. Don't know what that means.

The class is every Monday night on-line. Get yourself a copy of Eckhart Tolle's A New Earth and start reading. Log into Oprah.com and register as member of her site. Then follow the link on her site to register for the class. There's a simple download (free) of a program that allows the web contact. You can ask questions during the class or make comments.
Eckhart and Tolle sit and discuss the chapter of the week for 90 minutes. there are people who are using web cams from all around the world. this was the first class so chapter 2 is next Monday night.

too bad for me- whistler is out. i will be at lake louise and banff instead (i am such an asshole). but, come monday morning after that weekend i will pay in a real road warrior way. i will be taking off my belt and shoes, unloading my laptop, saying "no i do not have any liquids or gels," and going through seven metal detectors before i get home.

What is this online class you're doing, Patti? How did you get into it? Can anyone do it? What do you have to do?

Have fun in Whistler, Richard! We were there once, and it's beautiful up there. You're lucky you get to places like that through your job.

Our guests from Israel left yesterday. They're really nice people with a lot of interesting stories (and tragedies in their lives). We had a good time with them, but I'm also relieved to have my house to myself again. Kind of mixed feelings. Is that a Vermont trait, too, Karen? That love of privacy? I give all I've got to my guests and neglect my own needs, so then when they leave, I feel a huge sense of relief--even though I really like them and really liked having them here.

The storms just keep coming. Another tomorrow with 5 + snow and then some ice on top of that. I'm supposed to go to Bangor for Destination Imagination this Sat. but it may be put off by another HUGE storm coming this way. Kathi you are my shoveling heroine. I pay some guy $30. a snow storm to plow my driveway.
Over 700,000 people participated in the webinar last night. It was quite amazing. I've been reviewing it tonight on the pod cast of the program. Wonderful information. Very illuminating. I feel like I'm getting back on track to the more optimistic me . How nice.............

hi lori, i will land at 9:30 at night and take off after my business meeting. southern cal is a drive by on this one. i will be at whistler blackcomb for the weekend before. that is the part that is pretty awesome. yes, i am psyched.

I'm wicked excited to be participating in Oprah's on line class regarding the book A New Earth; Awakening to Your Life's Purpose. This is amazing!

Karen, your parents don't want to go to Florida in the winter? They stick it out in Springfield?

Richard, if you have any extra time when you're in Manhattan Beach and want to meet somewhere in the middle, let me know. It's not that far from here.

hi. i just learned that if you let two snowstorms pile up there is synergy. one storm plus one storm equals more than two storms. what is up with those clever little snowflakes. tenacious dudes that hate to be shoveled, that's what. i have been gone for a week to switzerland and came back to a workout. a week ago, i was on top of a small peak in 65 degree, sunny weather and (yes) i was drinking tall delicious swiss beers. actually, the bratwurst on the grill looked pretty good, but i am watching calories :-). there is good snow for skiing above 6000 feet, but it is more like spring down below. there are some flowers that were blooming. the hills are alive, baby! i had a great time with friends and business stuff was good, too. now i am back to my cube for a couple of weeks. march will be a kick. whistler, vancouver, portland, san jose, manhatten beach, phoenix, memphis, and chicago are on the agenda. fly like a beagle- rock like elvis, richard

Kathi, with all that shoveling at least you don't have to go to Curves to exercise!

We've been busy with our guests from Israel. They were our neighbors in Michmoret, where we lived for 5 years, and they're staying with us for 5 nights before they continue with the rest of their trip to Mexico, Costa Rica, Florida, New York, Boston, then back to Israel. Today they went somewhere by themselves in their rental car, so we're just relaxing around the house. They're really nice people. He's 71 and loves traveling. She has never really recovered from her son's death. He was killed in Japan where he was traveling and working, selling paintings, about 12 years ago. He basically got caught in the middle between 2 criminals who were after each other and got him instead. Anyway, Anita seems to need to talk about her son a lot, so I've been doing a lot of listening. She doesn't talk to everyone, but says she feels comfortable talking to me. I'm glad she does.

I can officially tell you that I am sick of shoveling! I just came in from our latest storm. Granted it wasn't as bad as it could have been but shoveling 6 inches of snow is hard work. I am still waiting for the plow guy to come before Neil gets home. I did shovel enough so that he could park his car in the driveway....Enough complaining! Send the sunshine!!!!!

We have outdoor airconditioning right now. It is suppose to be below zero tonight. I am so ready for Spring! Windchills were so that kids could not go outside for recess today...and with us having the first full week of school in weeks..it has been a little hectic. Yeah for Fridays!
I just found out today that they are going to show my brothers biography on WCAX on the show Across the Fence on March 7th at noon. This is a Burlington station.
I am hoping that they will send me a copy of it because I won't be able to watch it when it is aired. This was made from the interviews that we all did for the VERMONT FALLEN documentary. Another step....
Have a good night! Stay warm...haha.
Happy Thoughts.......................

Well Lori I felt a little like an air conditioner would be nice last night but I don't think it was the temperature of the air!

Patti, I don't have the exact dates yet, but I'm thinking of the last 2 weeks of August. That would be really nice if we could organize something with all of us who are available at that time!

Snow? We turned our air conditioner on last night because it was so hot in the house!

Hi Kathi, yes another snow day yesterday. We're looking at June 12 for a last student day and 2 days more of required teacher in service but as an ET I think I'm done on the final student day. There's good and bad news there of course as it's also the end of pay days! Bring it on.....................

It started snowing about noon yesterday. By the time school was out we had a couple of inches, by 10 pm there was at least six inches and coming down really hard. I was anticipating a snowday or at least a delayed opening but when I looked out at 4:15, it had stopped. Needless to say, I ended up throwing on clothes and shoveling before I could think about getting ready for school. So, did you end up with school Pat??? Personally, I am ready for Spring! It is suppose to be below zero tonight and windy....I am hibernating waiting for Idol tonight. I like to figure out who will win.....I'm betting on David Agrelara (sp)...I think he is great.
I don't get HBO, so I haven't seen that show Lori. I just barely saw season 1 of Six Feet Under.
Karen, I hope you are having fun in Florida....still waiting for the warmth and sunshine!!
Richard, there is probably more snow here then in Switzerland! Eat some chocolate for us!
Happy Thoughts!

Hi Lori, we don't get the HBO channel but that sounds like an interesting show. I can well imagine that people do develop relationships with their therapist. After a year of time together I miss mine. It was a loss to me when she retired, I felt like I was losing a beloved and trusted friend.

When did you say you thought you'd be in Vt next summer? I'd like to start thinking about how we can get together. I'd absolutely LOVE to have all the "girls" get together in my campground in NH. It would be so much fun to hang out and relax for a couple of days.

Do any of you watch "In Treatment" on HBO? We've gotten into it. It's a psychologist and his patient, every day a different patient, and then the next week is the next session with those patients. They bought the idea for the show from Israel. It was a success there. They just changed it to American actors and subjects. One of the patients is in love with the therapist, and he's falling in love with her, too. I hear from a therapist friend of mine that that happens a lot.....very intimate what goes on in that room.

Well it's shortly before 9, I'm tucked in bed watching American Idol and keeping my lap top close. Once again we're looking at a whopping big snow storm and may have over 10 inches in the yard by breakfast. So my computer will be set to the school website so I can look quickly either jump up and run or go back to sleep. I'm voting for back to sleep. 'night all. - pat

I guess the comfort part is knowing that unfortunately there are people who feel the same things we are feeling. ...it is a support system that is there if you need it. We all fall into a group that no one would ever choose to join but circumstance brought us together. They have a lot of different functions...I choose which ones to go to, usually events that are part of the documentary or the race (raising money for the monument).
I think the one constant is that everyone knows how the next family will feel and offer support if they want it. No one judges how you feel.
I pray that no other family joins the group.
Happy Thoughts...........

Kathi, thanks for telling us about the link to that article. I read the article. It sounds like a really good project--and that it's helping the families. Do you feel that way, too? That you get comfort from the group?

Things have a way of happening for the best Pat...so, there is something better waiting for you!
Yesterday I joined other members of the VT Fallen families in a dedication at Norwich University Sullivan Museum. They opened a new exhibit with a wall honoring VT Fallen. The professor and his students (past and present) initiated this project into the Museum. They have done an unbelievable job of making individual biographies of each soldier lost. They showed little 2 minute clips from each of them for the audience. There was a guy there from an Australian Magazine who wants to do an article on the impact of the war on a small community and I think he is targeting in on Springfield....he'll get in touch with me. Not quite sure how I really feel about that so will be very careful on dealing with that. Always an emotional time. www.timesargus.com has an article entitled Exhibit Honor VT Fallen in 2/24/08 paper.
I am definitely ready for SPRING here. It was 8 degrees this morning but the sun is shinning brightly...though I heard storm warnings for Tuesday night into Wednesday. We paid the plower another $40 yesterday morning for Fridays storm.....getting to be very expensive this winter! So Lori and Karen in that aspect you are lucky! Last day of vacation.....I am still pondering why vacations days past so much faster then work days......hummmm. What to do on the last day. I suppose I could do all the things I didn't get done during the week. Getting this new laptop has certainly made for less cleaning! Although I did clean and organize my craftroom so when I think of a new idea..I will be all ready to go!
Enjoy your day today...Karen, I miss our IMing...hope you are having a great time. Remember to be sending the sunshine and warmth this way! Happy Thoughts...............

Sounds like the right decision to wait with the house. I'm sure you'll find the right one. When would you be moving if you find one--this summer?

We've got the house to ourselves this weekend. My nephew's been staying with us since Jan. 9, but this weekend he and my kids all went to San Francisco for a reggae festival. It's supposed to rain the whole weekend. Too bad they won't be able to see San Francisco in nicer weather. Actually, it's been okay having my nephew here. For some reason, he likes my cooking, which is making me enjoy cooking more. And it's sort of like having my sister here, but in her son's body, cuz he looks like her and reminds me of her in some ways.

Well we made the call it off call this a.m. It was weird and I won't go into it. Anyway, then I called to tell our realtor we had changed our minds and she was great with it. She has already got her mind on a house on Phillips Lake for us. We'll see.
It's a beautiful sunny day here up north The heat of the sun is melting this a bit on the backside of the house but for the most part its wicked cold if not in direct sunlight.
Colin takes off for his hike of the A.T. part 2 this coming Friday. Sure hope he makes it. He's got a friend going along this time and I'm sure that'll help. 5 months is a long time to gone off in the woods.

so, a big change here. We are letting the house go. When we saw it a few days ago we noticed some damage to the exterior that we were no aware of. They hadn't mentioned it. It makes us wonder whats under the snow. With the dickering we're in we've decided we just don't want it that badly. So it's over. Kerry, our realtor is fine with it, she figures she'll find the right one yet.

Take a deep breath is right! I was out of breath just reading what you went through, Patti. I hope everything is falling into place. What happened with the house in the end? It's good you decided to ask another doctor about the medication you were taking.

Karen, I do know Marina del Rey, but what's crewing? Was it a race? Talking about racing, I feel like I've been slowing my pace down a lot lately and feel much better taking it easy instead of stressing out about all the things I want to get done or think I should get done. I've even been watching more TV lately, which always seemed like a waste of time to me before. Is this middle-age wisdom?! (Or old age laziness?)

Richard, we'll be waiting for the travel report on Switzerland.

Take a breath Pat!!! Hard to make any decisions when life is turning so fast. Glad that someone finally turned up to help you and Dave. One person can not do it all! I am also glad that you are getting the right medical advise now. Take care of you so you can be of help to everybody else. That's the important thing! I send only Happy thoughts to you and yours....

Hello one and all. I'm glad to be back home in P.I. things got hairy for us over the last 9 days that I was away. I certainly didn't plan to be away that long. Dave and I were keeping up with his dad's progress in the hospital and being told all was well, don't worry, don't come running. We were looking at a couple of potential home properties and planning to go to the Toby Keith concert in Portland TH night. While we were looking at a house we both really liked a lot, we get a call that sends us running. We need to get down to the hospital in Lewiston Dad as has contracted pnumonia. I say contracted purposefully, the doctor told us when I asked how it happened; "There are a lot of sick people around here. That's why we try to send people home as soon as possible." Wow. We go to the hospital, we deal with that whole thing. Telling Dave's sisters what's happened all worrying about Dad' companion of nearly 30 years who has had a stroke while recuperating from her hip surgery.
I don't know what we were thinking but we put a bid on the house. The concert was less than great. We were so distracted. I'm trying to make a birthday happen for Colin at Dad's place and the boys are coming to visit him assuming we have gotten him home by then. We're buying; We're not buying. His house is a complete gross disaster. I'm cleaning like mad and throwing out meds with dates going back to '95. Bake a birthday cake. Home health care says Dad needs 14 days of someone at home with him. We're waiting for the sisters from CA to step up. I think we bought a house. I'm terrified and crying and don't want to leave my home here, job and life here. One of the sisters showed up late yesterday and so we leave but it's too late in the day for me to come back to P.I.
We met again with the owners (for sale by...........) discuss the deal again as things were changing from there perspective. Whole new pricing. We're all agreed. I get a call this a.m. as I'm packing the truck to come back home. Dave has left for work. They've changed the pricing up again. I quit.
Let's talk about Elvis. A fabulous talent used by others for their own gain. Too many different doctors prescribing and not communicating with each other. Elvis' fault for not taking charge of his own medical situation. So easy to have happen the mixing of meds. As Richard pointed out, look at Heath Ledger. Very similar situation. When he died it was pointed out to me that I was taking at least 3 of the meds he was and others that he wasn't. The mix that killed him was basically the same cocktail I was enjoying except that I hadn't added compound OTC cold preparations. I had thought about it and remembered that the literature on one of my meds said not to. I immediately called a Dr. I had wanted to switch to and told her what I had found out. She took one look at my list of medications and asked how the hell I had been functioning at all. I had to admit that in fact I wasn't; people at work were covering for me and it had been pointed out to me that maybe my meds were impacting my ability to make wise choices. I have such good friends here. Slowly but surely I have been detoxing. This is a cautionary tale. Pay attention to what professionals tell you is best for you. Be aware of what you are doing and being asked to do. Read every label and the 4 page print outs that come from the pharmacy. Make sure if you have more than one practitioner that are in communication with you and each other.
Ta da. I feel better now, thanks for asking.

Vacation week here. Not really getting much done so far. I did buy a new laptop on Sunday. I have been trying to figure my way around the new machine. The Geek Squad will come on Thursday to transfer my files and all that stuff..clean up the old desktop. Watching American Idol, I like trying to figure out who will win.
Richard, there was a Elvis special on PBS a couple of weeks ago. It was very enlightening to watch "his life story". ..with highlights on his concerts. Have a fun time visiting your son and a safe trip to Switzerland. We are waiting to see if my daughter and her husband sell their house and move to CT. I would be so happy to have them 2 hours away instead of 13!!! Keep your fingers crossed!
Pat, how is everything??? We haven't seen you all week. Hope everything has turned out okay. Keep us posted. Sending Happy Thoughts to all.....................

golly, karen. i am staying in mystic, ct this friday night. i'm doin lunch with my younger son saturday in west hartford and then i blast off from boston for the mother ship in switzerland.

Sorry, I just threw that comment out without knowing much about him or his life, just that I love his music.

he was hooked on some prescription meds and got unlucky in the same way that heath ledger was unlucky. the popular view is to see him as a hellbound train with one destination. you can view him that way if you want to. he didn't care much for alcohol. i think of drug addicts as ones who will put most anything into their mouths, like john belushi. pictures of elvis' sweating face with full cheeks are what was published a lot during the mid-seventies. for most of his years, he had a tall lanky build. there are people who have far worse stats that live many decades longer. i don't know a lot about it. i really wasn't talking about how he died. i was talking about how he lived. he had a great vision for how people feel and for how people find fun and passion in life. it is interesting to me how quickly elvis is discounted in many stereotypical ways. it is as if the fact that he is one of the most interesting people in the history of humankind is overlooked because he can be quickly characterized with a stereotypical and fatal flaw- whether it is an appropriate analysis or not. i actually did not see anything stereotypical about him, in life or death.

Live and love life the way Elvis did? Wasn't he a drug addict?

reedickulously quiet out there. so, i went to see the king. loved it. we should all be so lucky to live and love life the way that elvis did. after memphis, my trip was very business oriented with good outcomes. now i am back home in oz.

Happy Valentines Day to all ....
Everything is in a deep freeze here. Icy driveways, icy roads...made worse by the salt shortage in town. Union Street is barely wide enough for two lane traffic..filled with potholes everywhere. Hopefully, warm temperatures and sunshine will come out way soon!
Happy Thoughts.............

Snow day, snow day, gotta have a snow day! I'll have to take pictures later of my "flower garden"....This is snow day #4 that we have to make up....hopefully, not through the entire summer! Happy Thoughts............

first i land and go through the typical (all too), always annoying (how could it be different?), never interesting (then, why am i telling you?) logistics of being just another piece of airport pottery on his way to the next tourist shelf. shuttle this, closing time that, check-in and sleep. well, did i mention to anyone that memphis is the intergalactic hub for fedex. right, i forgot to. so i get a hotel room right on the main runway (not beside it or near it, i swear those babies were taking off right out of my nostrils as i slept). every two minutes from three am until five thirty (every two minutes), those jumbo flying express delivery vehicles were taking off roaring like elephants with explosive diarrhea. at five am, i started surfing the web desparate for a different hotel for tonight. i find one and call, thinking it was six am (cuz that is what my computer sez, but this is central time here). the guy sez, "yes i have a room, but it is five in the morning. could you call back at eight." well, i apologizes profusely and called back. on my way over to my new digs, i swing by graceland. turns out elvis has a day off, no one is being let in the house today, and could i kindly come back tomorrow. the answer is yes. so, i get into the heart of the memphis blues beast. i am one block off of beale. i am in a boutique hotel that is loaded with primitive folk styles art of everything from alligators to lightning hopkins tea trays. i am given a studio apartment that david gest (estranged husband of liza minnelli) had once stayed in for an extended period of time- extended- meaning long enough to redecorate. so that is not a happy part to the story. however, down the hall is a studio apartment that has bobby whitlock's piano in it. i brought four cds with me and one of them is clapton's "derek and the dominoes" cd which has bobby whitlock all over it. then i go to lunch at a cafe that has so much character- great place full of soul. food was creole and fantastic. i know the bbq is still out there. it ain't over till it's over. that's it from po' richard's heart attack almanac.

Kathi, at this rate you'll be going to school all summer. Better not wish for too many snow days! Just kidding. Enjoy them.

Patti, let us know how things go. Good luck.

Lets rub it in Karen! Coldest night of the season tonight...minus 5 or so coming up...more snow (6-10 in) predicted for tomorrow night into Wednesday....sigh....another snowday???? We'll see! Send the sunshine!!!
Wishing your family the best Pat!
Happy Thoughts............

Good morning all. As seems the norm for us here in P.I. The shit has hit the fan once again. At 5 this morning Dave heard his cell phone ringing downstairs. all I heard was the sound of him running through the house. His dad who had quadruple by-pass surgery just a year ago is in the hospital down in Lewiston. At least 5 hours, in decent weather. Neighbors calls dual ambulances. One for him and one for his companion who in her 90's had hip replacement surgery a couple of years ago and fell helping Jack sometime in the morning. she has broken the other hip. Avis is quite frail in mind and body already so this is not good. the state is storming all the way down and I'm trying to convince Dave to let me go with him. I'd plan to come back here on a bus in a couple of days. He won't take the truck because I'm supposed to be meeting him in Bangor later this week and he wants me to have it because it's supposed to be bad weather then too. We are not prepared for this, dammit.

What ever Deity you look to, please ask help for all of us.

hi kathi, my older son is a sophomore at champlain college and my younger one is a freshman at univ. of hartford. the older took two years off after high school and has yet to buy into what he is doing as much as he should. he is studying interactive game design. the younger is studying civil engineering (keeping it civil, karen) and is doing really well. one is able to see that life is a journey that you can commit to and experience each thing in its time. the other can barely see past the nose on his face. both are wonderful and they are really supportive of each other. both communicate pretty openly with me and their mom. i think that there is a place for us all in this world and i am going on the belief that they will both find theirs.