Memories Are Made Of This...Glossimer Wings....

 

Hope everyone had a marvelous holiday and that Santa left everything that you desired under your tree.

 

This Christmas season my family celebrated as usual with a get together at Mom's house.  Mom and dad are getting a bit frail, finally bending to the laws of all things....going the way of the flesh.  Memories are fading, changing, becoming erratic We know it, we expect it, we accept it but we don't have to like it.

 

I used to think, growing up, that my Grandparents were indestructible, when you are lucky enough to have them around for over forty years of your own life, they seem that way.

 

I wouldn't trade my memories of my grandparents for anything.  I have been blessed with a good memory, to the point that I can close my eyes and remember the conversation, where I was standing or sitting...one memory in particular is so strong....almost as strong as the coffee he gave me.    One morning at my grandparents I got up earlier than usual...Papoo was busy in the kitchen, making breakfast...cooking eggs, bacon.  I must of been all of eleven years old....they had a small kitchen table against one little wall.  I sat at one end facing the back door, Papoo placed a steaming cup of coffee in front of me and said 'it's about time for you to learn how to drink it. it's good for you.

 

well, I felt so grown up at that point.  He had me stir in two teaspoons of sugar, he went and got the glass milk bottle, remember the ones with the cream that rose to the top? He poured a little bit of the heavy cream into my cup, turning the coffee into a lovely caramel color.  He placed two pieces of heavily buttered toast on a plate in front of me..telling me this was the best way to eat it.  Tearing it in half and dunking part of it into the hot coffee...oh, my...what a taste.  Ever since, even now when I make a strong cup of coffee - it evokes such memories.

 

Memory is a funny thing. 

Closer and Closer Creeps the Grim Reaper

It is 8:52 PM in Florida.  10:00 PM our time will be Iraq's 6:00 am Saturday.   "D" for Sadam...."D" stands for death by hanging.  Not a pleasant way to go by any means.

But, then again, how many did he send to an early unearned grave - just because he could?

His trial was an episode of mayhem, mixed with terror and murder...and the judgement still came out against him.

There are monsters among us, who pose as men but in their hearts they are as dark as the evil that resides within it's own evil realm.

I, for one, want the monsters gone.  By any means.  Goodbye Sadam, have fun in hell.   

Wishing

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to everyone, everywhere.

With that being said, wouldn't it be wonderful if we humans followed the advice of the monkeys shown up above?

Imagine....no one speaking ill of one another, giving no reason to fight.

Imagine....never seeing the worst of another's character, again giving no reason to fight.

Imagine....not hearing any imagined "slights" or slings and arrows that lead to fighting.

Yup, here it comes, (and I am not walking down any dam runway) I wish for World Peace....wishful thinking this holiday season?

Aside from all this I do wish a very happy Holiday to all...Sandi

The Innkeeper's Daughter

 

Once upon time, more than two thousand years ago, there lived a little girl named Sarah and she lived in a town called Bethlehem.  Her father owned a very popular Inn and had many patrons. Sarah had two brothers, Joshua and Matthew, they were a few years older than she.

 

Her mother and father were kindly people, trying their best to raise their family within their means.  Sarah, even at her young age, worked a full day helping in the inn. She would sweep the floors, empty and wash out jugs for her mother.  Her mother was a wonderful cook and was teaching her daughter her skills.  The boys, after their Hebrew lessons, helped with the horses cleaning the stables, currying the horses and feeding them.  All in all, it was a busy life.

 

Sarah liked meeting all the different types of people who visited Bethlehem, she seemed to learn a little bit from each person she spoke to. She was a rare child who felt empathy with people less fortunate than herself and because of her kindly heart she was well loved by the townsfolk.

 

Her mother and father called a meeting for all their workers to announce that the Roman's had ordered a census of the population. That all people had to return to the city of their birth to register before the end of December. Their parents explained that the town's population would grow very large over the next few weeks. That being said, they were also told that there would be a lot more work to do because they knew their inn would be overflowing with guests.

 

Soon, people from all walks of life were pouring into Bethlehem filling all vacant rooms. Their Inn was so busy that they barely had time to sleep, due to waiting on so many people.

 

Sarah had a strange dream during this time, she was in a field staring up at the sky and she saw this most beautiful star. It seemed to shine as though a million candles were shimmering from it. As she watched this star it's light formed a beacon shinning down on her little town of Bethlehem. She wondered why the light was happening over the city.  When she awoke she felt very happy, she didn't know why but she felt something great was going to happen.

 

One cold and chilly night towards the end of December, Sarah was outside the Inn helping her brothers fill the stalls of the stable with clean hay. She saw a man walking towards the Inn leading a donkey who was carrying a woman who was very heavy with child.  Sarah knew they would stop and ask for a room..but there were no rooms at the Inn. A little voice inside her head told Sarah that she must help these two people, that it was very important.  Sarah ran to find her father.

 

She found him in the kitchen helping her mother lift a very heavy kettle. 

"Oh, Father..there is a man outside whom needs a room can we please help him?" she asked.

 

"Now, Sarah, you know we haven't any more rooms to let. He is going to have to go someplace else, I can't make a room appear." her father gently said.

 

"But, you don't understand Father, this is important. We have to help them, we just have to."she stated.

 

Sarah's father was used to her kind hearted requests but this time it seemed different. He decided he had best go see what had his daughter so excited.

 

He found the man in conversation with one of his sons, who was explaining that there was no room at the inn.

Sarah's father studied the man and his wife and as he did a feeling of calm overcame him and he heard an inner voice telling him to make these two welcome somehow.  But how? His own family was sleeping in shifts in the kitchen because they gave up their rooms to other guests.

 

Sarah had followed him outside and came up to her Father and very gently said...

 

"Father, the stables are warm, clean and at least they would have a roof over their heads."

 

So the young couple were led into the stable and made as comfortable as possible. Sarah's father sent Joshua into the inn to get extra bedding for the couple, so that they would be warm.   Strangely Sarah noticed that all the animals were very quiet almost peaceful.

 

So it came to pass that in that small lowly place a great miracle of birth took place, and Jesus was born.

A great many important people, Kings and all came to pay their respect to the new born babe.

 

Sarah was amazed at the way the babe and his family gave off a special glow and thought back on her dream of the bright star...as she looked up she realized that the star was shinning directly over the stables and she realized just how special this night was oh so long ago.

 

 

 

Oh Let's Just Say I HAD to

George Bush goes to a primary school to<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" />

talk to the kids to get a little PR.

After his talk he offers question time.

One little boy puts up his hand and

George asks him his name.

" <?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" />Stanley ," responds the little boy.

"And what is your question, Stanley ?"

"I have 4 questions:

* First, why did the USA invade Iraq

without the support of the UN?

*Second, why are you President when Al

Gore got more votes?

*Third, whatever happened to Osama Bin Laden?

*Fourth, why are we so worried about

gay-marriage when 1/2 of all Americans

don't have health insurance?

Just then, the bell rings for recess.

George Bush informs the kiddies

that they will continue after recess.

When they resume George says,

"OK, where were we? Oh, that's right,

question time. Who has a question?"

Another little boy puts up his hand.

George points him out and asks him

his name.

"Steve," he responds.

"Actually, I have 6 questions.

*First, why did the USA invade Iraq

without the support of the UN?

*Second, why are you President when

Al Gore got more votes?

*Third, whatever happened to Osama Bin Laden?

*Fourth, why are we so worried about gay marriage

when 1/2 of all Americans don't have health insurance?

*Fifth, why did the recess bell go off 20 minutes early?

And

*Sixth, what the hell happened to Stanley???

Sometimes jokes do tell the truth about a situation.  We as a nation cannot and should not take on the weight of the entire world upon our shoulders.   Waging war should only be done under the most extreme of circumstances - like an actual country attacking us.  Yes, go after terrorists, but what has happened in Iraq makes no sense.  The people don't want us there, they do not appreciate anything that we have done.

I look at it this way, some people don't know how to respond to freedom, they have no idea of what freedom is having lived their lives under one regime or another all their lives.  So we go blasting in...shouting...Your free, free....what does it mean to them?  Their towns, villages, buildings are in ruins, food is scarce, jobs hardly exist....gangs on one side or another feel free to kidnap, torture, maim, kill men, women and kids...all under our label of freedom.

When we fought for our freedom here in this country, we all came together from 13 different States..to form a union, to be free.  We had a common goal for the common good and each man and woman stood tall for what they had to do.  You do not have that in Iraq...yes, they are one nationality but their differences are tearing them apart - they do not have a goal in mind except making their religion the only religion in the area.  What a shame, again the name of religion death reigns supreme.

What eats at me the most is that I've lived through this scenario in the mid 60's and 70's....Vietnam.  The parallels are too close.

Why do we always go barging in like a raging bull? Here we are watching the war begin like a dam movie, hey wait, let me get my popcorn.  Shock * Awe....well, it wore off.   Wag the tail works just so much then the blinders come off as the coffins come home.

Don't get me wrong, I believe that we should fight to defend ourselves and that if war is the only way so be it.   But mark my words in the annals of history this war will go down as a bad error in judgment.   Meanwhile, Osama is still loose - Afghanistan is not really secure and we spread ourselves too thin.

We need to work with the rest of the world to reign in on the dangerous countries like Iran and North Korea.  I also don't believe that Russia is all that squeaky clean either and China is a huge sleeping dragon.  We urgently need diplomacy to be spread around the entire world...as we all know George is not the one to do it.   Hope there is something left by the time he leaves office.

 

A Woman Should Have

MAYA ANGELOU'S BEST POEM EVER
>
>
>       A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE ....
>       enough money within her control to move out
>       and rent a place of her own even if she never wants
>       to or needs to...
>
>       A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE ....
>
>       something perfect to wear if the employer or date of her
>       dreams wants to see her in an hour...
>
>       A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE ...
>       a youth she's content to leave behind....
>
>       A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE ....
>       a past juicy enough that she's looking forward to
>       retelling it in her  old age....
>
>       A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE .....
>       a set of screwdrivers, a cordless drill, and a black
>       lace bra...
>
>       A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE ....
>       one friend who always makes her laugh... and one who
>       lets her cry...
>
>       A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE ....
>       a good piece of furniture not previously owned by anyone
>       else in her family...
>
>       A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE ....
>       eight matching plates, wine glasses with stems, and a
>       recipe for a meal that will make her guests feel honored...
>
>
>       A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE ....
>       a feeling of control over her destiny...
>
>       EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...
>       how to fall in love without losing herself..
>
>       EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...
>       HOW TO QUIT A JOB,
>       BREAK UP WITH A LOVER,
>       AND CONFRONT A FRIEND WITHOUT RUINING THE FRIENDSHIP...
>
>       EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...
>       when to try harder... and WHEN TO WALK AWAY...
>
>       EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...
>       that she can't change the length of her calves,
>       the width of her hips, or the nature of her parents..
>
>       EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...
>       that her childhood may not have been perfect...but its
>       over...
>
>       EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...
>       what she would and wouldn't do for love or more...
>
>       EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...
>       how to live alone... even if she doesn't like it...
>
>       EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...
>       whom she can trust,
>       whom she can't,
>       and why she shouldn't
>       take it personally...
>
>       EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...
>       where to go...
>       be it to her best friend's kitchen table...
>       or a charming inn in the woods...
>       when her soul needs soothing...
>
>       EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...
>       what she can and can't accomplish in a day...
>       a month...and a year...
>
>       SEND THIS TO 3 WOMEN....
>       You will have good luck for an entire day..
>
>       SEND THIS TO 6 WOMEN....
>       You will have good luck for all of the year or if
>       nothing else... you  know that you are truly
>       loved and thought of by the friend who sent this to
>       you...and that she only wishes the best for you and your life.

I've already passed this on to quite a few strong women that I know....I think this is an excellent poem and Maya is to be congratulated....thanks Sis for sending it to me....
>
>

Southern Charm

Only a Southerner knows the difference between a hissie fit
and a conniption fit, and that you don't "HAVE" them, you
"PITCH" them.

Only a Southerner knows how many fish, collard greens,
turnip greens, peas, beans, etc., make up "a mess."

Only a Southerner can show or point out to you the general
direction of "yonder."

Only a Southerner knows exactly how long "directly" is, ..
As in: "Going to town, be back directly."

Even Southern babies know that "Gimme some sugar"
Is not a request for the white, granular sweet substance
that sits in a pretty little bowl in the middle of the
table.

All Southerners know exactly when "by and by" is. They might
not use the term, but they know the concept well.

Only a Southerner knows instinctively that the best gesture
of solace for a neighbor who's got trouble is a plate of
hot fried chicken and a big bowl of cold tater salad. If
the neighbor's trouble is a real crisis, they also know to
add a large nanner puddin!

Only Southerners grow up knowing the difference between
"right near" and "a right far piece." They also know that
"just down the road" can be 1 mile or 20.

A Southerner knows that "fixin" can be used as a noun, a
verb, or an adverb.

Only Southerners make friends while standing in lines, ...
And when we're "in line," ... We talk to everybody!

In the South, y'all is singular, .... All y'all is plural.

Southerners know grits come from corn and how to eat them.

Every Southerner knows tomatoes with eggs, bacon, grits, and
coffee are perfectly wonderful; that red eye gravy is also
a breakfast food; and that fried green tomatoes are not a
breakfast food.

When you hear someone say, "Well, I caught myself lookin',"
you know you are in the presence of a genuine Southerner!

Only true Southerners say "sweet tea" and "sweet milk."
Sweet tea indicates the need for sugar and lots of it -- we
do not like our tea unsweetened. "Sweet milk" means you
don't want buttermilk.

And a true Southerner knows you don't scream obscenities at
little old ladies who drive 30 MPH on the freeway. You just
say,"Bless her heart"... And go your own way.

To those of you who are still a little embarrassed by your
Southernness: Take two tent revivals and a dose of sausage
gravy and call me in the morning. Bless your heart!

And to those of you who are still having a hard time
understanding all this Southern stuff, ... Bless your
hearts, I hear they are fixin' to have classes on
Southernness as a second language!

And for those that are not from the South but have lived
here for a long time, all y'all need a sign to hang on
y'alls front porch that reads "I ain't from the South, but
I got here as fast as I could."

*** SOUTHERN WOMEN ***

Southern women appreciate their natural assets:

Clean skin.

A winning smile.

That unforgettable Southern drawl.

Southern women know their manners:
"Yes, ma'am."
"Yes, sir."
"Why, no, Billy!"

Southern women have a distinct way with fond expressions :
"Y'all come back!"
"Well, bless your heart."
"Drop by when you can."
"How's your Momma?"

Southern women know their summer weather report:
Humidity
Humidity
Humidity

Southern women know their vacation spots:
The beach
The beach
The beach

Southern women know the joys of June, July, and August:
Colorful hi-heel sandals
Strapless sun dresses
Iced sweet tea with mint

Southern women know everybody's first name:
Honey
Darlin'
Shugah

Southern women know the movies that speak to their hearts:
Fried Green Tomatoes
Driving Miss Daisy
Steel Magnolias
Gone With The Wind

Southern women know their religions:
Good Catholic Girl
Baptist (might marry one)
Football

Southern women know their country breakfasts:
Red-eye gravy
Grits
Eggs
Country ham
Mouth-watering homemade biscuits with homemade jelly

Southern women know their cities dripping with Southern charm:

Charleston (Chawl'stn)
Savannah (S'vanah)
Fort Worth (Foat Wuth)
New Orleans (N'awlins)
Atlanta (Addlanna)

Southern women know their elegant gentlemen:
Men in uniform.
Men in tuxedos
Rhett Butler, of course!

Southern girls know their prime real estate:
The Mall
The Country Club
The Beauty Salon

Southern girls know the four deadly sins:
Having bad hair and nails
Having bad manners
Cooking bad food
Wearing too much makeup in the summer

Southern girls know men may come and go, but friends are fahevah !

Now......Shugah, send this to some folks who were raised in
the South or wish they had been!

This whole thing brought back memories of my little ole Southern Grandma Lee, she would dress to the nine's just to go "downtown" - that included hat and gloves my dears.  I can remember having to struggle into nylon hose in the midst of southern humidity...LOL...but a lady never, ever left the house without looking "like a lady".  So much of this list is just so dam true....I do have to giggle.

Part Two Horror Story

Laura came to with an abrupt start, she could feel his presence in the room just watching her. 

 

 Robert said in a cheerfully irritating manner.."Good morning love, did you sleep well? I slept like a newborn baby myself."

 

  Laura decided to play along with him...she answered "Robert I'm okay, really.  If you wanted kinky sex all you had to do was ask, sometimes I'm into the darker sides of things too."

 

"But that's not all I wanted dear Laura is it?" replied Robert with a twisted grin.

 

"Listen I'll do whatever you want, just do not hurt me again please? I'm a quick learner whatever it is that you need I'll give it to you." said Laura

 

"Poor Laura, you still don't understand do you?  I want all of you, your blood, your passion, your life and then your soul.  You have nothing to barter with, I'm going to do what I want to you and no one can stop it.  In these next two days I have to break your spirit, which by the way is very enjoyable to me.  I love reducing someone to a quivering mass of flesh, watching their humanity ooze right out of them. My lord loves the way I deliver them to him, that's why he has blessed me with so much." said Robert.

 

"What have you been blessed with? I don't see riches or any kind of wealth?" asked Laura.

 

"Listen you little twit, how old do you think I am? Take a good guess" sneered Robert.

 

"Thirty-two or something like that" said Laura.

 

"Try over two thousand years....I was alivewhen Christ walked the earth. He died, I still live through the grace of my Lord Satan. There isn't much you can do or say that I have not heard from thousands of women who have been where you are now." said Robert matter of fact.  Upon saying this he walked over to the dresser drawer that held the knives and implements of torture, he opened the drawer.

 

Laura held her breath hoping that he would not notice the missing knife. Robert came back to the bed with a whip in his hand and a small knife in the other.   He roughly reached down and flipped her on her stomach, taking the whip across her back several times, she moaned in pain which drove him to hit her harder across the legs and buttocks.  He climbed on top of her, spreading her legs apart and entered her from the rear.  He was thrusting like a rutting bull, with each thrust she though she would rip apart.  Finally he was satiated, he withdrew from her.  He was sitting on the right side of the bed catching his breath as she plunged the knife into the left side of his back, hoping to hit whatever heart he had left in his miserable body.

 

He tried to turn to her, a brief glint of recognition as to what she had just done to him flashed across his face.  Laura could hardly contain herself, her plan had worked!  Robert lay slumped to his side on the bed, almost dead, he was trying to say something.

 

"You think you won don't you, you didn't understand but you willlllllll" he said with his dying breath.

 

She willed herself to search his body for the key to the chains, she found it in his shirt pocket.  Laura unlocked herself, wrapped the sheet around her again and was headed for the door when she heard a voice say.

 

"Happy with yourself are you?" she heard from a darkened corner of the room.

Startled, Laura said "Who is there? Please help me, you don't understand what has been going on here".

 

"Oh I know the whole story, you don't" said the deep voice.

 

Laura was getting angry "What do you mean I don't know the whole story?"

Laura was determined to see who was speaking so she moved a bit closer to the edge of the strange darkness that enveloped the far side of the room.  She was startled to see a large hooded figure with red glowing eyes that seemed to bore right through her.  She shook her head and  shuddered involuntarily, it couldn't all be true.

 

"Yes, Laura...take a good look.  Robert was telling the truth.  He had a very long pact with me that we renewed each year.  This year, you killed him and now you get to take his place." said the dark figure. The last words that Laura heard before she fainted were.."I look forward to a long and rewarding time together my dear...this pact is unbreakable

Short Horror Story - Do not read if you are squeamish

 

Whack! Whack! There was that sound again.  It sounded like someone was chopping wood, but that couldn't be possible...this was in the middle of New York City.  If you were lucky enough to have a tree on your block you certainly wouldn't allow it to be chopped down!

 

Laura tried following the sound, walking further back into her apartment towards the bedroom.  She had a little balcony that opened over a small, quaint courtyard....as she slid open the door to go out the sound abruptly stopped.  Oh, well, she thought I'm probably being too nosy anyway.  She took a moment to enjoy the beauty of that small place, it had a small fountain in it's center, paving stones lined the ground.  Wonderful plants cascaded over one another in a tumultuous riot of color.  It was a perfect place to sit and read or just gather your thoughts on a bright sunny day.

 

Oops, I'm letting the time fly away and I still have a lot to do today, thought Laura.  She had recently met a new neighbor, Robert, and they had each been a bit taken with each other.  Tonight was to be the first time that they "officially" dated.  She wanted to look perfect.  Laura must have laid out ten different ensembles before she could decide on the right one.  Laura was an attractive girl, most men would do a double take when she walked down the street.  She stood at 5'5" in stocking feet, weighed in at 120 lbs. dripping wet, all her curves were in the right places and she never lacked male attention.   She finally decided on a simple little black dress, accented with a touch of silver in the belt.  The three inch designer heels helped complete the picture quite nicely.  Yeah, she thought as she looked in the mirror..."Yes, indeed, Robert your world is about to be rocked."

 

Robert had told her that he had found the quaintest Italian Restaurant in the Village called Vittorio's.  He said the food was out of this world and that they did this special dish with a huge wheel of parmigiana cheese, running hot pasta around it....he raved about it.  So, of course, Laura had not eaten anything all day figuring the calories at this meal would do her in anyway.  

 

"Wow, you look beautiful tonight" Robert said as her arrived.

"Thank you, sir, you also look handsome." Laura replied.

 

Neither Laura nor Robert owned a vehicle, it proved too costly to do so in the city what with parking fees and such.  So they used a taxi to get to the restaurant, it only took about fifteen minutes to get there, weaving in and out of traffic, the cabby was a pro.

 

The outside of Vittorio's looked quite simple, just kind of a storefront really.  You could see the bar running the length of the entry room.  What astounded Laura was the artwork on the walls opposite the bar.  They were beautiful paintings of various European cities and they appeared to be done in some kind of relief.  As Laura walked closer to the paintings, she was taken by surprise, they were actually composed of various types of pasta.  The artist had used them as a base to bring his pictures alive in a 3-D manner, then applied his paint over the pasta. It was amazing.

 

Robert was calling her attention to one painting in particular of a waterfront scene showing a quaint Italian village setting in the background.  The scene was so captivating that Laura became entranced with the painting wanting to commit to memory every portion of it.  So much so, that she did not hear an older gentlemen and Robert walk up beside her..not until Robert  started to speak.

 

"Laura, this is Vittorio. he is the owner of this restaurant,   Vittorio said "..I see that you are admiring my paintings."

Laura turned and told him that his paintings were lovely, with that he took her on a little walking tour of the restaurant.  As it turned out, the other dinning area also was filled with marvelous renditions of his very beautiful artwork.  Laura was just amazed at the amount of work and time that must of gone into the artwork, just magnificent.

 

She and Robert were seated at a lovely table with a view of the courtyard.  The service staff were wonderful, and the food was beyond compare.  Especially that wheel of parmigiana and pasta...to die for!

 

The night progressed, moving along quite nicely in Laura's mind.  Robert seemed to be the real article, not fake or pushy - someone she would really like to get to know even better.  Without willing it to happen, she started to fantasize a bit imagining the two of them together, locked in the eternal embrace of ying and yang.  She involuntarily shuddered, giving her head a slight shake which caused her long blonde hair to flip over her shoulder in a very provocative way.  Robert just grinned at her.

 

The evening was coming to an end, Robert had hailed a cab they were headed back to their condo's.  Yet, Laura did not want the night to end. How could she extend it without him thinking that she was easy?  Just as she was about to offer coffee, Robert asked if she would like to see his apartment and his art collection.  Whew! Laura thought that got her off the hook...and she surely would take him up on the offer.

 

Robert's apartment was across the courtyard from hers and one floor down.  She discovered that his apartment was a little larger than hers, having a couple more feet of room in the kitchen area.  He kept a very neat place, she was impressed and told him so.  Robert just smiled and said..."Yes, I like to keep things neat, I cannot abide messy things".

He also had a huge collection of books, it almost looked like he could start a library himself.   Laura walked over to the nearest bookshelf and began reading some of the titles. 

 

Life After Death, Light In The Hereafter, Death Is Easy, Do We Have A Soul?, Is Reincarnation True, Reborn In Another Body, Egyptian Book Of The Dead, Truth About Dracula and on and on it went all highly weird books.   Oh, no...he was too good to be true..thought Laura.

 

Robert came back into the living room with coffee for them, he said..

"I noticed you were looking at my books."

"Yes, I found some of the titles to be a little daunting, are you into the occult?" asked Laura.

 

"Oh, I just like to keep myself abreast of different views, your coffee is ready for you, hope it's not too hot....said Robert.

 

Laura went over to the couch and proceeded to add some milk and sweet/low to the coffee cup.  She started to drink it, telling Robert that the coffee tasted really good.  "What kind of roast is this one, a special brand?" she asked.

 

Robert waited for her to drink a bit more before he responded..."You could say that, it is a very special blend, I actually had to barter with the devil to get it."

 

Laura wasn't sure she was hearing him right..."Barter with the devil??" Her head was feeling woozy and she didn't think she heard him right.

 

Robert had a large grin on his face.  "Poor trusting Laura. You never saw this coming did you?  You were much too easy, I really like a little bit more of a challenge."  Laura looked up at him, tried to speak and to her horror found she could not speak nor move.  She had lost control of herself.

 

Robert stood over her.  He reached down and removed the cup from her hand.  Then he reached into his pocket and brought out a folding knife with which he proceeds to cut her clothes off with.  All the while he was telling her that she would be his for the next few days at least up until Halloween night and that then he had a special plan for her.  She was powerless to stop him from doing anything to her, she was scared to death.

 

Robert picked her up and carried her over to the bedroom, but he did not stop there.   He entered another doorway that looked like a closet but it wasn't, it entered another room, evidently a secret room.  The room appeared to be padded, so she suspected that it was soundproof...yelling would do no good.  So many horrible thoughts were going through her mind, why was he doing this, was he going to rape her, torture her, kill her?

 

Robert carried her over to a bed in the corner of the room and proceeded to chain her wrist to the bed frame.  How could she of been so wrong about this man?  Laura swore to God that if she was able to live through this she would never, ever get involved with someone she really didn't know again.  Robert started talking again...

 

"Poor little Laura, trusting Laura.  You know that sound that you heard, the thump, thump, thump like someone chopping something? Well, I knew what it was, of course I couldn't share that with you at the time.  It was your predecessor unfortunately I had to cut her up into pieces to dispose of her body neatly.  I had hoped that she would of lasted until Halloween, but she bled out too quickly." he said with a sneer.

 

Oh lord, please help me get away from this evil man...Laura prayed within her own mind.   Slowly she could feel some of the drug wearing off, but she did not want him to know it was happening so she kept totally still.

 

"Since you can't do anything about it, I might as well tell you my plans for you...it's three days till All Hallows Eve....I practice the old magic. The magic that binds one's soul to the all powerful one, he will grant me eternal life as long as I give him a "good" soul on the high holidays.  I have to prepare you to go to him and meet him in all his glory.  You are to be a bride to Satan that is your fate." Robert stated so matter of fact.

 

Laura was recoiling in horror at the madness of this man. He had to be absolutely insane to think he could deal with the devil.  She was not overly religious, actually sort of a back sliding Methodist attending church on holidays, weddings and funerals.  When she was much younger she loved church, loved learning the bible and hearing the sermons on Sundays when she attended with her Mom.   Lord, she wanted her Mother now.

 

Robert was talking again, "You see my dear it is necessary for you to go to him without any fear in your heart, with full acceptance of your fate. That is what takes so long with all of you, you only accept him to escape the pain that I am going to inflict on you.  Unfortunately, my methods are a bit crude, a rip here, a tear there....I just don't want you to bleed out too quickly like the other bitch did."

 

Robert stood up and walked over and opened a cabinet drawer, pulling out sharp instruments...seeing that Laura involuntarily gasped.  Immediately, Robert came back to her and grabbed a handful of hair bending her head back...leering into her face...."Oh, so you've come around a bit faster than the others!  That just means I can start sooner dear.   This is no fun unless you scream." said Robert.

 

He had a short whip in his hand and he started to hit her on the balls of her feet.  Laura started crying out in pain.  He turned her over and whipped her buttocks until they were stripped and bleeding a bit.   Laura realized that Robert was getting excited by the blood letting.  She hoped he would not rape her too.

 

Robert stopped for a while, he sat on the edge of the bed running his hands over her body, caressing her breasts which were betraying her by going rigid.  He laughed as he squeezed them between his fingers rather roughly...."See, lovely Laura, your body wants this....maybe you like it rough?"  With that he proceeded to complete her degradation forcing her legs apart as he cruelly entered her.   At that point she wanted to die, to be anywhere, any place away from him.  She thought she would go mad.

 

Robert finally finished, climbed off of her and said "Well, that was fun.  We will have to do that again and other variations of it...for now go to sleep...I'm not going to use you up that fast like the last one.  We will continue this tomorrow.  Now I'm going to lengthen the chain so that you can reach the toilet area, please do clean yourself up I cannot abide a mess!"   He loosened the chain and left the room.

 

Laura crumbled into tears.  She could not see a way out, she was sure she would die.  She managed to limp over to the little bath area, finding clean towels she started to use cold water to clean the blood from her body. She performed her toilet as if by rote, mesmerized  by the horror that she felt.  She found a white sheet that she wrapped around herself wanting to make it a cocoon into which she could just disappear.  Well, I have to save myself, I can't wait for a knight in shinning armor to show up at this nut's door...she thought to herself.

 

She walked the parameter of the room, seeing how far the chain would stretch.  He had positioned the bed far enough away from the cabinets so that she could not reach them...she needed about four feet more to reach the drawers that held the knives.  She sat down on the bed and surveyed everything in the room. So far nothing that she saw was going to be of much use to reach that drawer!  Her attention was drawn back to the toilet area and there it was....a broom and a mop.  If she could tie them together she might have a chance of getting that drawer open.  Laurafound a towel that was thinner than the others, with it she tried to tie the broom and mop together.  It fell apart three times, but on the fourth she was able to reach the drawer handle...by stretching herself as far as she could she managed to get enough leverage on the broom handle to force open the drawer. 

Now the problem was to lift one of the knives out of the drawer, she once again scoured the room trying to find anything that would be of help.  Robert had an old pair of work boots against the one wall by the bathroom...the laces!  She removed the laces and tied them in a loop fashion at the end of the broom stick.  Her Dad had always said she was a good fisherman, now she needed to prove it.   She tried over and over to get the loop around one of the handles inside the drawer, finally on what seemed like the twentieth time, she snagged one of the large butcher knives.  She gingerly raised it out of the drawer, letting it fall to the fall still snagged by the shoe lace.....dragging over to her.  Oh, God help me please, she kept praying as she worked.

 

Laura hid the knife under the mattress on the left hand side, knowing that Robert had been coming at her only on the right side of the bed.  She rushed to close the drawer, did so rather quickly.  Then she untied the broom and mop placing them back where they came from.  She put the towels neatly back too, also fixing the boots back to their original state. Laura wanted nothing to alert Robert to the fact that she now had a weapon of her own.  She had no idea what time it was, or how much time was left before he would come back in to torture her again.  It was a very uneasy sleep that overcame her.

 

Part Two...

 

 

 

 

 

Baby Sister Turns Fifty!

Well my baby sister turned fifty!  Although she barely looks a day over thirty.  She was blessed with one of those faces that capture a youthful glow and never let it go.  It also helps that she has a kind soul trusting more people than she should down through the years.

Barbi started working for a new company and is much more active now than she had been for more than a year, as a result she has lost a bit of excess weight....which only adds to the youthful appearance that she gives.

When she was applying for positions I told her that she should not mention her age at all, it is not required by law to put your date of birth down anywhere, so I told her.."honey as good as you look, let them guess how old you are".   Sure enough, I believe that worked for her.  Turning fifty is hard enough but also to start a new path in business is harder still.....but she will do well....

A journal friend sent me some information on the news story about finding additional body parts from 9/11.  So many people are angry and I can't blame them.  I realize that the site itself was huge, but come on...you had how many years to search?  If there are any more subterranean areas where bodies may have landed they need to be searched. NOW!

The new buildings have been stalled often in the past so to stop the construction for a couple of months to allow the experts to search is not a big deal.  It is a big deal to the families that their loved ones remains are treated with respect. 

 The mayor of New York tends to be a very large jerk and his comments sometimes remind me of Marie Anantonet regarding the lower classes.."Let them eat cake".  I believe he is so far removed from the common man as to not understand human feelings. 

You can go on the New York web site and leave a message for the mayor...I hope he gets tremendous mail over this one.....

 

Full Moon Just Passed

Well, we had a full moon on Friday...lovely moonlight.  It was quite bright out even at 11 PM. Tonight I can actually turn off the air conditioner, our temps are supposed to go down to 60 degrees in the morning.  I love the cooler weather, I live for this weather, I'm trapped inside the house for so many months because of the heat outside.  Oh, I do go out, carrying my frozen bottled water with me. (believe me they melt within 15 of hitting our outside temps)

This is the start of my favorite season too...Halloween is right around the corner, followed by Thanksgiving, then Christmas...yes, I am definitely a winter person.  Sleighbells ring and I'm there, snow angels and snowmen...why oh why did I end up in the fourth dimension of hades?

Well, this is short and sweet gotta go open windows...hubby is going to hate me in the morning....but the air will be glorious....

Catmas

The cat stepped silently through the door.
While we watched the shadows creep
across the floor.
It's meeee, just meee the cat meowed
Do let me in and I'll listen to what
you say
Oh! No! said I because if I let you in
I'll forever rue the day

There was no way to stop her advancing
For awhile there I believe we were dancing
Just because Halloween is drawing near
Does that mean I have alot to fear?
With her silent clawing at my door
Sending shivers of fear down my spine
watching her stretch and yawn.
Hey! Maybe I'm safe..you know it's
just about dawn........meow.....

Madness

I was going to write this on  Monday night, hence the angel surviving another Monday.  I found myself just too dam sad to write, couldn't get the madness of what had ocurred in Pennsylvania out of my head.

I find myself, four days later, still trying to wrap my mind around the evil that this man did.  To me as with most adults children are to be loved, protected, raised nurturingly - not molested, attacked and killed.  They are our reason to be...they are the future of mankind - without them we would cease to be.

The last two weeks have filled our TV's with news about horrific crimes against kids, teachers, police officers and even a police dog.  Whatever are these people thinking?  Or are they just plain nuts to begin with?

 

  How could a man take his small kids to a bus stop, kiss them goodbye and then proceed to go kill other innocent children?  Did the devil have his soul in his grasp, taunting in his ears, telling him to commit such horrific deeds?  The bastard took the easy way out with a bullet, we will never really know.

The Amish are such a peaceful people, to see this level of violence enacted in such a pastorial setting is so overpoweringly sad as to be surreal.  One Amish gentleman stated, "I guess you are not safe anywhere anymore".   And that's why the Angels cry.

Right here, in my own backyard, a county away another horrific event took place.  A police officer and his Dog (D>O>G>) were shot to death with a total of nine bullets.  Another officer was also wounded by the same gunman.  An intense search for the gunman took over a day to locate him, it involved locking down a high school and brought over a thousand officers into the area for the search.

This man was armed and very dangerous. Several swat teams went into the bush after him, he was spotted once, shot at but disappeared into the bush again.  He did try to get into someone's house, but got scared off by the police and back into the woods again.  Finally, the next day he was spotted, told to raise his hands, to show they were empty, he raised one hand - ten swat members were present and nine of them opened fire.  He was shot 68 times.  Overkill? I think not. I call it swift justice.

Oh, the officer that was killed left a wife and three kids that now have to live without a Dad and a loving husband.

You know, years ago people used to be afraid of things..like going to jail if you stole, or hurt someone.  Afraid of the death penalty.  Afraid of a horrible existence in jail.  Fear of something is not a bad thing. 

Oh, I just hope things calm down a bit - no more horror stories for a while please......

 

 

 

New York, New York

This was sent to me in an email and I roared, thought I would share it.  The gorgeous NYC skyline was shot by my son Kenji on the fourth of July.  Stuff like this makes me real homesick....

 

Subject: A "Real" New Yorker

You are a "real" New Yorker if you know that:

> THERE IS NO NORTH AND SOUTH. IT'S "UPTOWN" OR "DOWNTOWN." IF YOU'RE
REALLY FROM NEW YORK YOU HAVE ABSOLUTELY NO CONCEPT OF WHERE NORTH  AND
SOUTH ARE.... AND EAST OR WEST IS "CROSS-TOWN."
>
> YOU TAKE THE TRAIN HOME AND YOU KNOW EXACTLY WHERE ON THE PLATFORM  THE
DOORS WILL OPEN THAT WILL LEAVE YOU RIGHT IN FRONT OF THE EXIT  STAIRWAY.
>
> YOU KNOW WHAT A "REGULAR" COFFEE IS.
>
> IT'S NOT MANHATTAN; IT'S THE "CITY."
>
> YOU CROSS THE STREET ANYWHERE BUT ON THE CORNERS AND YOU YELL AT  CARS
FOR NOT RESPECTING YOUR RIGHT TO DO IT.
>
> YOU MOVE 3,000 MILES AWAY, SPEND 10 YEARS LEARNING THE LOCAL  LANGUAGE
AND PEOPLE STILL KNOW YOU'RE F ROM BROOKLYN OR THE BRONX THE MINUTE  YOU
OPEN YOUR MOUTH.
>
> YOU RETURN AFTER 10 YEARS AND THE FIRST FOODS YOU WANT ARE A  "REAL"PIZZA
AND A "REAL" BAGEL.
>
> A 500 SQUARE FOOT APARTMENT IS LARGE.
>
> YOU KNOW THE DIFFERENCES BETWEEN ALL THE DIFFERENT RAY'S PIZZAS.
>
> YOU ARE NOT UNDER THE MISTAKEN IMPRESSION THAT ANY HUMAN BEING WOULD  BE
ABLE TO ACTUALLY UNDERSTAND A P.A. ANNOUNCEMENT ON THE SUBWAY.
>
> YOU WOULDN'T BOTHER ORDERING PIZZA IN ANY OTHER CITY.
>
> YOU GET READY TO ORDER DINNER EVERY NIGHT AND MUST CHOOSE FROM THE  MAJOR
FOOD GROUPS WHICH ARE: CHINESE, ITALIAN, MEXICAN OR INDIAN.
>
> YOU'RE NOT THE LEAST BIT INTERESTED IN GOING TO TIMES SQUARE ON NEW YEAR'S
EVE.
>
> YOUR INTERNAL CLOCK IS PERMANENTLY SET TO KNOW WHEN ALTERNATE SIDE OF
> THE STREET PARKING REGULATIONS ARE IN EFFECT.
>
> YOU KNOW WHAT A BODEGA IS.
>
> SOMEONE BUMPS INTO YOU, AND YOU CHECK FOR YOUR WALLET.
>
> YOU DON'T EVEN NOTICE THE LADY WALKING DOWN THE ROAD HAVING A  PERFECTLY
NORMAL CONVERSATION WITH HERSELF.
>
> YOU PAY "ONLY" $230 A MONTH TO PARK YOUR CAR.
>
> YOU CRINGE AT HEARING PEOPLE PRONOUNCE HOUSTON ST. LIKE THE CITY IN TEXAS.

>
> THE PRESIDENTIAL VISIT IS A MAJOR TRAFFIC JAM, NOT AN HONOR.
>
> YOU CAN NAP ON THE SUBWAY AND NEVER MISS YOUR STOP.
>
> THE DELI GUY GIVES YOU A STRAW WITH ANY BEVERAGE YOU BUY, EVEN IF IT'S A
BEER.
>
> THAT'S NEW YORK, BABY! YA GOTTA LOVE IT.

Homework Assignment

Baseball....Thinking back over my life I can't remember a time that I didn't think about baseball, either wrapped up in the excitement of a  subway series or the founding of a brand new team.

My love of the game started very early for me, during the early fifties, of course my team was the good old Brooklyn Dodgers...this was a team that most New Yorkers felt very passionate about.  I can remember the feeling of being betrayed when they pulled up stakes and headed out to seek gold in them thar hills.  Pfft...they have never commanded the respect, admiration and love that they had in Brooklyn....it was a poor move.

I appeased my young ego with the New York Yankees and they became "my" team.  I have to admit though when it came to the start of a new team "The Mets", I felt I had to support them too. I attended many a game at Shea Stadium, enjoying the growth pains of a young team.

I never had the opportunity to play hardball, but I did play softball and yes, I threw like a girl! I decided it was more fun to watch the big leaguers.

Life interfered a little with my watching a lot of the games as I found myself in Tokyo married and expecting.  However, I was not totally baseball free over there either as they are fanatics on the game. I kept myself abreast of what was happening at home by listening to a US Army Radio Station every day...it was a link to home.

See, the pictures up above of that small adorable child? Little did I know that he would grow up with a love of baseball far exceeding mine.  We moved around a bit finally settling back in Queens. Kenji wanted to be in little league so badly, he tried out and got in.  He was in little league until he was 17 years old and he was one of the best pitchers they ever had. 

I can remember the day that a letter came for him telling him he had been picked to try out for the Met's.  He had been clocked before on his pitching and he threw at age 16 - 89 mph.  I was excited for him, but I could not go with him for the try out - I regret that to this day.  I was near term with my last child and under doctors orders - no travel, no exertion or else.  I know he did his best but he was not picked.  But not to worry...his other love was art.

Years later the two loves would come together and merge .... he has his dream job at Major League Baseball, promoting the game in all it's art forms.

He also plays on an adult team, still throws pretty good too.   So life comes full circle in this family at least with baseball.

Even Creeps Have A Right To Free Speech

I'm not real fond of President Bush.  However, he is our President, I respect the office of President, what the office represents..and baby, that's us!

So, when an evil despot, such as Chavez speaks before the world at a UN meeting and describes our President as "the Devil" referencing a "smell" of sulphur in the air....I think my claws need to come out. Besides this is not the first time he has thrown twisted barbs at us..the following is a direct quote:

Chavez's outburst at the U.N. General Assembly on Wednesday is not the first time he has aimed venom at Bush.

In a nationally televised speech March 19, he seemed as if he wanted to pick a schoolyard fight with the U.S. president: "You are ignoramus, you are a burro, Mr. Danger ... or to say it to you in my bad English," he said, switching languages with an exaggerated accent, "you are a donkey, Mr. Danger. You are a donkey, Mr. George W. Bush."

As his audience tittered with nervous laughter, he returned to Spanish. "You are a coward, a killer, a genocider, an alcoholic, a drunk, a liar, an immoral person, Mr. Danger. You are the worst, Mr. Danger. The worst of this planet. ... A psychologically sick man, I know it."

Let me address you personally Mr Chavez.  You speak only to hear yourself speak, there is no substance to your speech.  You have been skipping from one low life country to another trying to buy friends (fiends?) heads of state in China, Iran, Cuba, North Korea and other despotic spots around our lovely globe. Have you collected enough yet? Are you planning on doing an end run around the rest of the world?  Push your crummy values at the UN and other locales? 

Anyone with any common sense can see right through you and buddy I wouldn't believe a word you spat if your hand was on a thousand bibles.  In my book, you sir, come very close to fullfilling a long told biblical prophesy about the end days....which kinda shows which side the devil is on.

Now I do believe that IS sulphur I smell.

Is The World Hearing This?

"You infidels and despotic, we will continue our jihad (holy war) and never stop until God avails us to chop your necks and raise the fluttering banner of monotheism when God's rule is established governing all people and nations," the statement said.

The group said Muslims will be victorious and addressed the pope as "the worshipper of the cross" saying "you and the West are doomed as you can see from the defeat in Iraq, Afghanistan, Chechnya and elsewhere ... We will break up the cross, spill the liquor and impose head tax, then the only thing acceptable is a conversion (to Islam) or (killed by) the sword."

Islam forbids drinking alcohol and requires non-Muslims to pay a head tax to safeguard their lives if conquered by Muslims. They are exempt if they convert to Islam.

The statement said that the Quran tells Muslims in many occasions that "jihad continues and should never stop until dooms day where this religion ends victorious."

Wow, it didn't take long for the madness to spread.  Remember when the world was so large that it would take a couple of weeks for bad/good news to travel the globe?   Well, now you can really reach out and touch someone instantly.  In some instances, such as this, I don't know if that's a good thing or not.

I don't know about you, but I find it highly suspicious that all these groups jump to the forefront immediately over slight provocation.  And yes, it was SLIGHT a quote, for God's sake, and I can think of many worse quotes to attribute to this fracas for all sides.  No religion is perfect.  Mankind himself is infallible, once man has touched it, shaped it, wrapped it around his id - it changes it.  The word of God has undergone a similar fate down through the ages..written and interpreted by man with all his frailties. 

Speaking of quotes, the start of this entry - I think that would be a quote...hell it falls right in with what was said centuries ago....has anything changed? I don't think so. 

For some reason I picture a group of men, hidden away, in an enclave affixed to their computers searching the world for any affront to their religion.  Once found, they jump into action calling their people around the globe to rally to the cause.  But this is not a call to prayer, reflection or forgiving your enemies.  One such call reached someone in Somalia.....the end result is a dead nun, shot four times in her back.    A woman who had devoted her life to helping mankind shot down as if she were a dog. 

But, hey, we are being told that this does not represent Islam...huh?  Say one thing and do another.  A sort of fast shuffle dance, where if they move their feet fast enough you won't notice just how much damage they are doing with their hands and mouths?  Until it's too late.   This is one back sliding Methodist who does not believe that any of this bodes well for our planet Earth.

 

Oops Shall We talk Religion?

I really thought that world news had reached an all time low during the past couple of years...what with actual real time beheadings shown live on newscasts for starters.  Women begging for their lives, people who only gave their all for the people they were helping. Airliners blown up.  Handicapped man thrown overboard.  To be repaid by violence, deceit and pain.  Yup, that religion really, really should not throw stones at any other.  You know what, I personally don't give a rat's ass whether you have one billion people in your group or not.

Numbers don't impress me, what would impress the world would be a rather large group of you standing up and condemning these brutal killings and terrorists actions.  You say your religion is against brutality?  Prove it.  Turn the terrorists in...if they haven't any support from the areas they are living in...it would be a quick method to catch them.

I am so sick to death of seeing beautiful souls murdered in the name of religion...and that goes for any religion. The murdered children in Russia..my God..how many? It goes on and on and never seems to stop. The almost 3,000 at the Trade Center? 

The Christian faith, the Jewish Faith all have had violence mainstreamed in their religions during certain years...most of it for political gain. Mankind's history shows violence at all levels, people seem to fight at the drop of a hat.  Look at Ireland...kill one another over whose religion is best? But, the terrorists want to outdo everybody for shock and awe..make it bigger more deadly. They are insane.

I don't know how many history buffs are out there, but early man was not a nice person...had no morals...lived by the eat or be eaten creed. Gave no thought to anyone else except for themselves to survive.  It took repeated applications of certain religions to civilize mankind...to instill some type of mental law within our beings...to make us, if you will,  gentler, kinder souls.  It was first implemented by fear...the Gods, The Deities that demanded sacrifice, blood...it was something that our ancestors understood.  We've come a long way since the Dark Ages, but it seems a darkness is spreading it's ugly wings once again...in the name of war.

I'm not Catholic but I have to defend the Pope's right to actually quote an historical viewpoint.  Evidently, no one is allowed to say anything, even quote anyone, that questions the Moslem faith.   I read his whole speech and his points are valid.   But hey, watch out for that billion...yeah, right when pigs fly.

 

 

One Way or the Other

Ever since Monday I've been having thoughts about different paths chosen in life.  I don't know how many of you have had close calls with life and limb in the past.  You know, you choose one way, and the way you chose kept you safe....not that you knew it would.

 

I graduated high school early at age 17 and immediately went to work for American Airlines.  I thought I was so grownup, dressed in navy blue suits and 3" heels (also blue)...I was assigned to working seat selection and actually enjoyed my job.  Well, within six months I was entitled to travel "free" anywhere American flew and that wonderful comp applied to my immediate family too.

 

My Dad had not seen his sister since she had moved out to Los Angeles many years before, so it was decided that my Mom & Dad would take a much needed vacation out there.  Also, that I would babysit my two sisters ages four and thirteen...no problem.  I can remember as if it were yesterday, Mom & Dad all packed, kissed us goodbye and left for the airport.    Because these are comp tickets you actually had to wait at the check in as Standby's in case the flight was totally booked.   I knew they were trying to get on the red-eye (last plane out) to LA.  Because of the time differences I knew I would not hear from them until later the next day.

 

Somewhere around 8:30 am the next morning my little sister wanted breakfast and TV cartoons.  I can remember turning the TV on, remember the old sets needed to warm up a bit before they came fully on...all of a sudden there is a news announcement stating that an American Airlines Flight had crashed on takeoff over Jamaica Bay first thing this morning.  I was numb...didn't know if they had made the flight before this one or not.   Our phone started to ring off the hook, with friends asking which flight my parents were on, we had the FAA calling because people had called them....it was chaos.  I just kept thinking to myself Oh My God please let them be safe.

 

Well, short story, they made the red eye flight...they were the last two people allowed on as standby.   But for those two seats who knows?

 

I had a good friend named Sal who was in the Marines in Viet Nam, he planned to visit my husband and myself in Tokyo on leave in 1965.  Where he was located he had to make two connections to get the flight to Tokyo...he missed the one connection and that particular flight crashed killing everyone on board.   Again I was frantic cause I knew the flight he was supposed to be on, we were scheduled to meet him.  He never did complete that trip but I know he made it back home to become a great teacher.    A roadblock saved his life.

 

I guess you just never know.

 

Oh, I really, really wouldn't shoot the duck...just thought it was funny

Things That Make NO sense At all

Well, this is my attempt at this weekend's homework assignment from Scalzi.

Actually there are quite a few things that make no sense whatsoever to me under God's blue sky.

Why are we humans so thrilled with stupidity?  Like that really stupid, inane show where we watch people throw themselves off moving objects...it's called (for good reason) Jackass!   I, personally, can't stand the show..it is so morally degrading, has no redeeming features whatsoever about it..yet, it's popular.  What the hell does that say for the American viewing public?

However, looking backwards in our entertainment history, nothing was bigger than the "Keystone Cops" or the "Three Stooges" so there must be some gene within our brain that just loves stupid. Don't get me wrong the "Three Stooges" are really campy and at least had a glimmer of sense....Jackass has none.

What really bites the big one is the fact that these stupid TV execs have cancelled really good shows...like Surface and other sci-fi shows - what to make room for garbage? Everybody loved StarTrek in it's many forms...so, of course, they cancel that....why stay with a winner when you can do Jackass!  Friggin morons. I have no faith in any TV program anymore..they do not even have the courtesy to end the shows the proper way...they leave you hanging/panting for more only to steal away in the dark leaving you with nada. 

Millions rush to the TV's to also bear witness to feats of "bravery" comprised of eating sludge, dead bugs, live bugs, bugs that sting, bite and do God knows what to your insides.  What is wrong with this? Yuck.  And the yuck factor is extremely high....all for money. 

Another reality show is having a group of people rush around the world, trying to outrace each other to the final destination....the first season it was novel, seemed interesting, saw different parts of the globe.  Now it seems very cut throat, kind of old and boring.

Not to mention that we now have dancing shows/wantabe hot shot shows/wantabe star singers/gulp...wantabe Martha Stewart show/last but not least....wantabe an arrogant Chef show. 

Last but certainly not least....."Survivor".   Now, I must admit, that  I did watch a couple of the shows. The first couple were unusual, gimmicky and sort of addicting. Now, to try to turn up the heat, they have decided to separate the races....I think it's white/black/Spanish and Asian.  You know what, it's just quirky enough that millions will watch the debut....and as much as I protest...I will probably be one of them...LOL

 

Five Years

I wrote this two years ago right after the report came out.  I still find  that I shed tears thinking about that day...although I did not lose anyone, I feel a great loss for our whole country...perhaps a loss of innocence.  A feeling that our "land" would never come under an attack such as this.  We, as a nation, still grieve....I think we will for generations to come. 

 

 

Yesterday, with the Commission's Report coming out, my emotions got the best of me and I relived the day of 9/11 over and over again.  Just couldn't get past the horror of it all.

My early working life evolved around the site where the "twins" would be built.  I worked for a Japanese Import-Export Company, Okura & Co. situated on Church St.  Our building was part of the area that was torn down to make room for the towers.  So we moved up Broadway near City Hall...still being able to revisit the area and watch demolition. 

I got married, left the country for awhile, moved back to another state...and finally in 1971 wound back up in New York..and the towers still were not totally completed.  I forget what year it was but a good friend of mine, Guy, worked in construction for years on the towers.  He arranged to take me on a tour of the not yet opened Tower I and it was awesome tour that I will never forget. He took me over to an area in the center that acted as a wind tunnel..partly blocked with wooden boards there was a squared off hole that when you put your face there you could hear a terrific howling coming up through the area.  Little did I know then peering into that howling darkness that this opening would contribute to the demise of both Towers, letting the jet fuel run it's course through the center of the buildings.

Later, in the 70's my ex's company relocated from Broadway back to their old area...and moved into the towers.  During those years I had to make the trip into the city many times to meet with him because of one thing or another...so I found myself quite familiar with the Towers and the underground maze of trains, shops, etc. 

After moving to Florida, on my trips back to New York to visit children & grandchildren, I hungered for the city skyline view.  I guess I still do, but now it hurts to look and not see those two majestic towers shinning in the distance.

I was at work, doing a bridal consultation with a young couple, when another employee said "oh! My God..turn on the TV..a plane just flew into the WTC, it was on the radio!"  I jumped up, said "excuse me" to the couple and ran for the phone...my older son and daughter work in the city.  My daughter works for a prominent real estate lawyer and had clients at the WTC..I really needed to know where both my kids were.  I was really lucky I was able to reach her husband. he's a NYC cop on his day off,  who didn't know about the situation because he had cartoons on for the grandchildren.  He grabbed the kids, jumped in his car and sped off after my daughters express bus.  He was able to stop the bus before it was caught up in the mess that ensued with people exiting the city.  John made sure his family was safe, then reported to his Station House to try to help.

My son was at work already quite near the Empire State Bldg. his company decided to send everyone home and clear the building, not that everyone could get home.  The mindset here was that no one knew what else could be targeted. 

After finding my children safe, I found myself very angry at an unseen enemy.  Someone had destroyed thousands of people without a second thought, wiped them out with a particularly horrific strike at the center of my world.  I cried for the people lost, for the children who would not know their parents, for the parents who would never know grandchildren, for lost friends and lovers.   I cried for myself....all my memories gone in a flash.\

My feelings today are whatever is necessary to combat this evil must be done.  We all have to watch each other's back...if someone acts suspicious well do something about it, let someone know.  The public is very fickle, it's concious mind holds on for only a brief time before jumping to a new subject.  We need to stop this mindset...we need to focus and not let the enemy win.