Princess Diana - Five Years Ago
I don't mean to be a bummer, but I wanted to acknowledge this in some small way. And although I'm not really sure why I cared, that sure was a sad, sad time. I will never forget the sound of those church bells ringing on the day she was buried nor any of those other televised events of her passing.

What's Your Bloginality?
I saw this Bloginality quiz on Ilana's site, Inner Balance, and decided to take the plunge. It's a weblogger personality quiz. And it happens to be entertaining. My bloginality is ESTP; whatever that means!

Initiation Day...

My daughter, Skye, is a freshman in high school, and today the seniors will be initiating the freshman. She was assigned a particular girl and was to meet her early this morning before school begins. The parents were told at the PTO meeting that it's definitely NOT hazing in any way. That it's all in good fun; such as dressing up silly and made to do silly stunts. The kids had to get their parents to sign a note in advance to allow it, so that was a good thing---to have that option. But Skye is excited about today and I can't help but think back to my high school days and how the older girls held me down and wrote with dark lipstick all over me. The boys that were freshmen got their heads shaved or got a mohawk. But it was all in good fun. Everyone had a blast. I wonder if high schools around the country/world still have these initiations?
Update: She had to wear a gorilla suit that had on a hula skirt and pass out bananas to the principal, and other teachers-------while doing the hula. The others also had crazy outfits on. One freshman boy was dressed up as a girl and had his bra stuffed with tootsie rolls, that he passed out to the seniors. So it was all harmless and they all had a ball.

Today...I wish you a day of ordinary miracles----

A fresh pot of coffee you didn't make yourself.

An unexpected phone call from an old friend.

Green stoplights on your way to work or shop.

I wish you a day of little things to rejoice in...

The fastest line at the grocery store.

A good sing along song on the radio.

Your keys right where you look.

I wish you a day of happiness and perfection -- little bite size pieces of perfection that give you the funny feeling that the Lord is smiling on you, holding you so gently because you are someone special and rare.

I wish You a day of Peace, Happiness and Joy.

Spam Problems Averted
Adam Curry's iPod has a new junk filter for spam. After programming the filter, he was happy to wake up to 8 emails today, with just one of them spam. A little apprehensive about missing some important emails with the strict filter, he reasons that, "Luckily I already have an 8 inch penis and double-D breasts", he jokes. So I guess he thinks the filter is working just fine. [via: live.curry.com]

Thanks, Adam, for breaking it down so that even I can understand it!

Ewwwww. Gross
It's official, I gross my teenage daughter out. Because I don't shave my legs every single day. Oh, the horror. She's as repulsed as if I'm able braid the hairs on my legs. Am I not allowed to shave my legs every OTHER day after a few decades on this earth without some flack?

At fourteen years old, it's imperative to practice excellent grooming habits, which she does. But Skyler scrutinizes every little blemish and hair. On herself and others. And like most teenagers probably think, Mom is gross. [It's a good thing she never saw my legs in my off campus/commune days.]

Does Anyone Still Care?
After 9/11, it seemed to me that people were donating blood in record numbers, flying flags and practicing random acts of kindness all throughout the world. People were reaching out to their neighbors, charity donations were at an all time high. And it looked like a new spirit was rising up; a new beginning. Full of hope and love. Now fast forward eleven months later, and I wonder if people still have that same outpouring of love and generosity? I'd like to think that they do.

Bluejays and cardinals flitting around my holly tree; making sure the coast is clear, then diving into the dog dish for some kibble. Our back yard was cut out of the side of a mountain 40 years ago. You can go twenty paces and be in the woods. Complete with moss, rhododendron, ferns, and racoons and other critters. It's part of the beauty that leads people to these mountains to live. Sometimes as their second home or to retire. It's definitely not my second home. It's my only home!

This is my new blogchalk:
United States, North Carolina, Asheville, Grove Park, English, Susan, Female, 46-50. :)

My mother and my sister both got bitten by spiders lately. Both swelled up so badly, that they considered going to the doctor to see what they could do to help. But thankfully, they are both on the mend.

Elimination Of Discrimination Against Women

In an effort to help women around the world reach full equality with men, nearly 170 countries have ratified the United Nation's Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women, a groundbreaking treaty that outlines a clear definition of discrimination against women and includes specific measures that nations must take to eliminate gender-based bias.



While the United States played an important role in drafting this U.N. treaty, it is in the shameful company of countries like Afghanistan and Iran that refuse to ratify it. The Senate Foreign Relations Committee approved the treaty in 1998 and again a few weeks ago, but a floor vote has never taken place. Ratification of the U.N. treaty would send a clear message that our country is dedicated to women's rights and the elimination of discrimination against them.



Take action! You can learn more about this U.N. treaty and send a FREE FAX to your Senators from our action alert at:



http://www.aclu.org/action/cedaw107.html

Why can't we all just be equal in all regards? Black, white, old, young, women, men, straight, homosexual. Eliminate the class structures. Maybe in a perfect world...

Ok. I still don't have it figured out yet--what colors and what, if any, images will be used on this weblog. And why exactly I'm doing another one. Except that I have a creative urge that I need to fill and this is the result of that.

I've been doing a lot of thinking about my Mother lately. She's almost 80 years old. And I'm afraid she may be showing signs of slipping into her last years. She's not well at all. She, of course, never complains. For most of her life, she was a Nursing Supervisor and will usually diagnose herself before seeing a doctor. So when she does see a doctor outside of her regular check-up, it's serious. She's been having excruciating headaches. She's always so in control that she hates for anyone to see her vulnerable and scared. When I think back to one of the best moments with my Mother, I think a warm hug with her hand stroking my hair. And having that 'all's right with the world' feeling. It may soon be time for me to gently hold her and stroke her hair.