Religion

Religion is one of those topics, like politics, that people say you should avoid discussing.

I grew up going to church every Sunday as a Lutheran. It was central to my identity. I was baptized in Libby, Montana. In the third grade, I went to the Lutheran School across from my church on the same street as my house at 1120 Montana Avenue. When we moved to Salem, Oregon, I was confirmed at Grace Lutheran. Then we moved to Keizer and I went to Luther League at Faith Lutheran on North River Road. My days of being a Lutheran stopped when I visited my church in Montana when I was in college. The minister said that only those people in that particular congregation was going to be saved. I knew that wasn't true so I went searching.

I started to go to the silent Quaker meetings at the suggestion of my history professor at Oregon College of Education, Dr. Kenneth Holmes.

When I married my husband in 1972 and he told me he was Jewish, the first words out of my mouth were, "Oh, I love Jerry Lewis!" I had learned in Sunday School that Jews were God's chosen people. They are the BEST! They are the ones that God loves best.

My husband and I couldn't find common ground and a religious home. I was told that I couldn't belong to the synagogue because I wasn't born a Jew, and he was told that he couldn't be a Lutheran because he asked too many questions.

Years later in 1995, we joined the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. We put our whole hearts into this church. I had parties in my home to welcome new members, celebrate birthdays, new babies, and welcome missionaries. This was in our home on Burlwood Loop SE in Salem. I enjoyed being on the compassionate service committee. My husband was in the Elders Quorum Presidency. I was Primary President in Gates and Secretary in the Stake Relief Society Presidency. I loved singing in the Stake Choir in Salem. Not only did we serve with volunteer time but we tithed all our money. One year we tithed over $25,000 in Salem. I still have the copy of the tithing statement signed by the Bishop. Then we served as service missionaries to help people in an eight stake area find employment in Salem.

After we moved to Alsea, we were driving back and forth four days a week to make the 2 hour trip each way. I started to question a few things so I wrote letters to Salt Lake, which embarrassed the Bishop of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Corvallis. He told my husband to "shut her up and control her." That didn't go over well with me. I was hurt that he didn't care to help me get to the truth and talk over my feelings. When we moved to Alsea, I was asked what I needed, I asked for friendship because I knew it would be hard to live in an isolated area. We were shunned when I started to question a few things. I stopped going. I guess the shunning was supposed to silence my mouth and teach me a lesson.

I witnessed that people can go to church every Sunday, take on the name of Jesus Christ, and steal, lie, and betray their church the rest of the week. I saw the cruelty to others who don't agree. I understood for the first time how political extremes could exist in the same church when I took the political test on the Liberterian website which lumps communists and fascists together in one category--all who want to suppress dissent and who want complete obedience. I learned much more taking that test than that I am a Centrist in the Left Liberal area.

My husband continued serving his mission in Salem driving faithfully back and forth to Salem. Medicine was given to him to help him cope with the strain of it all by a doctor belonging to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Corvallis. This doctor ignored my pleas that my husband was falling asleep in the chair and I worried about the safety of my husband driving to Salem. An attorney belonging to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints helped to drain all our money away. We have been betrayed. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has seen fit to cause problems in our family and they have done their best to stop any kind of progress.

I've been told to shut up about my feelings and what happened to us but that only allows it to continue. On my wall is a framed poster that says, "In Germany they first came for the communists and I didn't speak up because I wasn't a communist. Then they came for the Jews, and I didn't speak up because I wasn't a Jew. Then they came for the trade unionists, and I didn't speak up because I wasn't a trade unionist. Then they came for the catholics, and I didn't speak up because I was a protestant. Then they came for me--and by that time no one was left to speak up." Pastor Martin Niemoller

What do I have left? My truth.

I believe in Jesus Christ. I grew up with my faith. I feel comforted by my faith. I believe that God made all people that live on the earth, and that the two greatest commands are to love the Lord with all thy heart and to love thy neighbor as thyself. This means we should care about everyone. We should love everyone even those who are hard to love. This means people who are different from us, people who grew up different, people who live on the other side of the earth. I believe it is important to hold strong to your values and to not compromise them. I feel it is important to be kind to others, no matter how you are treated in return. I believe I have a right to my own opinion and I feel responsible to speak out against injustice.

Mail

We have a new Post Mistress in Alsea named Nichole. I really like her. It's the best building in Alsea when its hot outside because of the air conditioning. Usually my husband wants to pick up the mail but I enjoy it when I do.

I attended the ceremony last year when Nichole was installed as Post Mistress. I even included the ceremony in my Nano Novel for 2005 last November. I'm a sap for parades and ceremonies that touch the heart and expect one to do their best. This ceremony talks about the great responsibility of safeguarding and protecting the mail. I admit that when these words were said, there were tears in my eyes.

I was alarmed the other day when my husband came home to say that the key was stuck in the lock. The lock had to be replaced and new keys issued. I'm impressed with Nichol's action.

I have a vivid imagination, which helps me write novels. My mind immediately took off wondering whether someone had tried to jimmy the lock to get into our box. Were they successful? Then I wondered if someone had a key and has been getting into our mail since I never think I am getting all my mail. Then I thought I would check this out by asking if anyone had been seen getting into our box. A strange look on the face by the guy who helps out let me know that he thought this was an odd thing to say.

So You Think You Can Dance

I can't believe that Allison was voted off the show. I thought she had the talent to make it to the end. I don't like to see anyone go home. Ryan is another extraordinary talent that went home.

I was interested to hear that the tour of the top ten dancers is a go. The first city is Seattle on September 12. I wish I could be there. I wish I could afford to go. I'm not sure I can afford to make a trip back up to Seattle or go anywhere.

I know the tour will be an amazing success and it will stimulate the love and joy of dance even more. So You Think You Can Dance has been so refreshing to watch on television. It's my favorite show and always lifts my spirits.

So who's left....Donyelle, Travis, Ivan, Natalie, Heidi, and Benji. They are all gifted dancers. Each one deserves to win.

Thank you to Nigel Lithgoe and Simon Fuller for bring so much joy to millions and especially to me.

Health Care

There is a crisis in the United States. Millions of people are without any medical insurance. My husband and I are among this number.

When you are without health or dental insurance and without any savings, you start to ignore and deny symptoms. I try to treat everything with exercise, fresh air, healthy foods. When medical bills start to pile up, as in our case, you have to wait until they are paid down to continue with any further medical help.

I've been ignoring chest pains, numbness, and high blood pressure. It doesn't help that I haven't been exercising since I stopped going to the gym. It's only compounding the problems but I can't afford it and I can't afford the gas to go into Corvallis.

I got stung by a bee or hornet on my ankle four days ago. My foot is swollen and it's bright red. How do I deal with it? I took two Excedrin for the pain. I put cold compresses on it. Yesterday I plastered oatmeal all over it. I went to my medical reference book and learned that it isn't a life threatening situation unless it starts to effect the respiratory system so I'm not worried.

My husband went to a clinic in Eugene months ago for help. I thought this was a great idea because the clinic was set up to help people without insurance. He was seen by a doctor. A whopping bill of $400, no answers or help. The doctor wanted him to come back. My husband insisted that he talk to him over the phone to avoid another big bill. The doctor admitted that he didn't have any answers on the phone.

Now he went for blood tests at the clinic in Benton County in Corvallis for over $200 and they won't give him the results without the $20 bucks for a visit. They said that the price was discounted 50%. He made two phone calls so far to try to get them to tell him the results over the phone.

Millions of dollars are being funneled into Oregon from the federal government to help people without insurance. It's going for buildings, salaries, and discounted care. We can't afford discounted care on a fixed income.

Dental care is another crisis. You can afford to have great teeth, if you have insurance and money. The last time I was at the dentist, he was aware that I have a chip in my front tooth that needs to be filled. He let me walk away without taking care of it. I can't afford to go back until the bill is paid down.

About three years ago I started to pour out my heart to someone who works with the homeless. I thought she would have compassion, would listen, and care. I was wrong. She said, "No one cares. No one wants to listen." So you learn to shut up, deny feelings, deny medical problems, and do the best you can with what you have.

So many people are left without adequate medical help and care. It shows that people aren't valued. It shows that there is a lack of compassion. It shows that money gets you the care you need.

TiVo

Yes, I have a TiVo. I'm not sure I would want to watch television without it. It organizes your shows and keeps them waiting for you when you have the time to watch.

Many people recommend against watching television but I truly love the escape into shows like So You Think You Can Dance. It's my favorite right now.

My television is broken. I had a 32 inch old set so now I watch a tiny one. It's better than nothing.

TiVo's are amazing. You can fast forward through commercials or back up if you want to write down an address. You can freeze a frame even on live television with a TiVo. I use this feature most often when I'm taking notes.

If I didn't have a TiVo, I wouldn't be able to keep up with all the great shows on television. There are amazing science specials that I don't want to miss. Some great older Doris Day, Jimmy Stewart, or Jerry Lewis movies are only on at odd hours. A TiVo makes it all possible at the flick of a button.

Weight Watchers

I really miss Weight Watchers. I miss the meetings and I miss learning from everyone.

I find that I struggle to exercise staying at home without going into Corvallis to the gym. Gardening has been my major exercise this past month and my garden shows it. I'm starting to till a new garden bed. I have big plans.

As I weigh this morning, I see that I have lost one pound since June 21 on my last Weight Watcher meeting. I'm surprised that I haven't gained. I know I'm not making the progress I would be making if I were going to the meetings.

I received Weight Watcher magazine in the mail yesterday. I'm grateful for the articles and recipes.

I'm trying to stay on the Weight Watcher diet eating fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains, and drinking lots of water. I miss it Weight Watchers and being part of it. I hope that I can do it again one day.

So You Think You Can Dance

This is my favorite show. I tivo it to make sure I don't miss a minute. The only trick with tivoing a show like So You Think You Can Dance is that you MUST watch it within an hour or two after the live show so you can vote. I must admit that I haven't watched the Thursday show yet. I don't like to see anyone go home. I love all these young people. They are amazingly talented.

Nigel Lithgoe's excellence, class, high standards, and love of dance is infectious. I'm grateful that he created this show with Simon Fuller. I love seeing the different styles of dance. Dance celebrates the beat and essence of life. The energy on the show is electric.

My favorites this week were Allison, Ivan, Natalie, Heidi, and Benji. I'm surprised that I didn't like the others as much this week. They are all excellent dancers. And I miss Dimetry. He had such presence on stage and so much drama. I really enjoy the talent of Donyelle, Travis, and Ryan. They are ALL excellent and outstanding dancers but this week, they were not my favorites.

The talent of the correographers surprise me with original routines that amaze and delight. I love it all. It's fun. Thank you Nigel Lithgoe for bringing dance to television.

Global Warming

Do you believe yet? I do. Even my 97-year-old Aunt Ellen in Wolf Point, Montana believes in global warming. She's a conservative Lutheran from a small town. She's intelligent and she used to teach school.

We can't keep abusing our planet without global consequences.

Ever since I have moved to Alsea five years ago, the logging trucks have been piled high with logs coming by my house. Some trucks only have three logs to fill it up. It takes much longer the grow the trees than it takes to cut them down. I'm not against responsible timber harvesting. I know that the forests here are replanted but I wonder about other parts of the world. I wonder if too much timber is being harvested even in my area.

And what about water that's unfit to drink. The Willamette River running through Oregon is now given the label as a dead river. There are mixing zones up north of Portland where chemicals are dumped legally into the river. This water flows into the ocean. Businesses that have polluted for years still dump into rivers without consequences. Now it says in the Corvallis Gazette Times that they are finding dead crabs and other sea life floating to the surface. The AP journalist got a quote from an OSU scientist who said that pollution isn't responsible but I question it. You can't keep letting chemicals flow into rivers and the ocean without consequences detrimental to all life.

Specials fill up network schedules on global warming. There's also specials about global dimming which is responsible for reflecting sunlight back into space thereby masking global warming.

I voted for Al Gore for President. Since the election, he's been trying to make a difference about global warming. I feel strongly that we need Al Gore for President but first we need to make sure that elections reflect the vote of the people.

Wild Birds

My husband and I enjoy feeding the wildbirds here on our property. We have such a wide variety with several feeders available. I like to put the feeders next to the window so the birds have to come up close. I don't enjoy hunting birds down with binoculars.

We have five hummingbird feeders in two windows and I need to buy more. I saw that at John Boy's Merchantile in Alsea, there are some for sale at $4.99. That's a bargain. A wire feeder for dried corn cobs is hanging in the Redwood tree next to our house. Three suet feeders hang in the tree and near the fence post. I make about 64 suet cakes a month using Crisco shortening, wildbird seed, sunflower seed, corn, and sometimes a dab of peanut butter and oatmeal. They like it. The Stellers Jays scream at us from the White Oaks surrounding our property when the suet isn't put out fast enough. The two thistle feeders for the American Goldfinch are almost empty. We need to buy another 50# bag of black thistle for them.

It's fun to have bird friends who visit at different times of year. Across the road is a wetland that attracts birds and wildlife. I'm grateful for the wetland. Not only is it beautiful to see but it cleans the ground water.

More feeders are needed and different kinds with a variety of seeds. It can only get to be more fun watching the wildbirds here as I enjoy my garden. When I have more plants that attract butterflies, birds, and hummingbirds, it will only get better.

My Garden

My garden is growing by leaps and bounds. Each day I see new growth. Now with the hot weather today through the weekend, it should take off.

My corn patch is over my head and new little corns are developing. The sunflowers are high over the corn. I planted the broccoli, cauliflower, brussels sprouts, and peas in the shade of the sunflowers and corn so they wouldn't bolt or go to seed. I have thirteen tomato plants with lots of little green tomatoes on the vines. I'm looking forward to eating tomatoes as I walk through the garden. The spinach is almost done for. I need to plant a new row. The beets and carrots are hidden under the spaghetti squash. I have romaine lettuce ready to pick and head lettuce almost ready. This is the first time I've grown head lettuce so this was fun. I have a giant pumpkin plant developing little pumpkins and I look forward to seeing what will happen. They are supposed to weigh 100 pounds. I have little green peppers developing and cucumbers.

I'm already eating the broccoli and zucchini. The bok choy is already gone and was great in stir fry. I've enjoyed munching on spinach when I go out to water in the morning. The lettuce is ready and I've been giving some away to neighbors.

This is the most fun in the garden I've had since we moved here five years ago. It took me a long time to adjust to living out in the middle of no where but I genuinely am having fun on our 3.68 acres now. I have no intention of ever moving away. It's precious to have land that's quiet and beautiful. I plan on growing grapes, kiwi, raspberries, more blueberries, and much more. It's fun to be able to eat fresh and healthy food grown in your garden. It's also practical since we don't have savings or any insurance.

Right now choices are limited about what I can do but I do love my mornings out in the garden in Alsea.

So You Think You Can Dance

I love this show. I love the high energy and the talent of the young people. I love the creativity of the choreography. I love the judges, especially executive producer, Nigel Lithgoe. I love Cat Deeley.

Ten talented dancers were up tonight to dance a solo and perform routines as a couple. Mixing it up was just what was needed. My favorites again were Ivan, Donyelle, Travis, Heidi, Allison, Benji, Natalie, and Ryan. Dmetry is a favorite and a smooth classical dancer. I'm surprised that Martha chose to hide her electric smile with the huge hat. I enjoy seeing Ivan dance smooth ballroom styles. Travis is magnificient. Heidi brings her best every week and surprised me with the contempory dance. Donyelle puts everything into her dance with great intensity and passion. I agree with Nigel that Ryan will make a great contempory solo performer on stage. As the competition picks up, everyone will need to be at their best with every solo and as a partner. All of them are talented. They can't let up or relax, if they want to win.

I'm grateful for this showcase for dancing talent, and the uplifting spirit of the show, So You Think You Can Dance.

Political Cartoon

A mean-spirited political cartoon was in the Sunday issue of the Seattle Times. You can google "Seattle Times political cartoon and July 16, 2006" to find it. I feel it shows a lack of respect for the contributions made by babyboomers and a lack of regard for human life and dignity.

I am worried that an entire generation will be exterminated by another when help is needed and when babyboomers are most vulnerable.

There are other hints that this devastation is on the horizon for Babyboomers with the practice of "comfort care" in nursing homes. Comfort care sounds like something everyone wants. In reality it means the withdrawal of food and water. Morphine is given for the pain of starving to death. Normally, the label of comfort care is only for those individuals with a terminal illness but I have witnessed this happening to an elderly woman who was not terminally ill and without consent of the family. How can this happen? It can happen when family members are not alert to the care given in nursing homes, do not visit enough, and trust medical personnel without question.

Babyboomers need to be careful about their health and practice preventive measures to ensure their protection.

The Happily Ever After House

Ben's new home is close to everything he loves. I was happy to get the chance to see it last weekend. It's close to running, Green Lake, the Purple Pelican for breakfast, Wallingford for great pizza and a movie, tennis courts, golf, and it's close to the Zoo.

I named the house. I call it "the happily ever after house" because it has everything Ben loves.

A beautiful home with a tropical backyard, lush grass, and a great area to entertain. Mature trees outline the property to give shade and cool summer days at a time when global warming will become more real in the years ahead. If the potential bamboo problem is solved, the house will give many years of happy memories.

The kitchen was gutted and with the help of Lowes, a new kitchen was designed that is spectacular. I helped to paint the kitchen with American Tradition paint from Lowes, a paint that goes on like whipped cream or pudding.

It showed that I haven't exercised in over a month. I walked to Green Lake and half way around and then I had to stop or I could see myself limping the next few days.

Green Lake is a nice area. You pay to live close to the paved trail around Green Lake but it is worth having a healthy life style within walking distance.

Seattle

I'm excited to leave today to drive to Seattle to visit my son, Benjamin. He owns a home in Ballard, the Scandinavian part of Seattle. I love Ballard and would love to live there someday. Ben's getting married to the beautiful Amanda in August. Ben just bought another home in Green Lake. Green Lake will be close to running and closer to his work at Zymo Genetics.

I love the energy of Seattle. So many opportunities. So many cultural events. The Seattle Art Museum, the great new library system all over the Seattle area, the Space Needle, the science museum, broadway plays, the symphony, the Nutcracker at Christmas put on by the Northwest Ballet Company, J.A. Jance the mystery writer, Gloria Kempton of Writers Digest Magazine, the zoo, the troll under the Freemont Bridge that I'm writing a children's book about are just a few of the things I love about Seattle.

I love driving on I-5 approaching the center of Seattle. When you start to see all the tall buildings, you know life is happening all around you. There is an energy that makes me feel alive. I love visiting. I love seeing my son. I'm blessed to have a fine son, like Ben. I have fun talking to him, listening, hearing about what's important to him, playing canasta, laughing, joking around. Another trip to Seattle in August to see Ben marry Amanda and live happily ever after.

So You Think You Can Dance

Oh, I love this show. It's my favorite right now.

This week my favorites were Allison and Ivan, Martha and Travis, Donyelle and Benji. I thought Allison and Ivan were off the top with their contemporary routine. They were shooting stars! I loved them. I can't get over the growth in Ivan. He's only 18. He's such a gifted dancer and so is Allison. My second choice this week was Martha and Travis with the fox trot. Donyelle and Benji are great and always do well but Donyelle is dancing with an injury.

It's always great to see Cat Deeley. She's charming, a great host, and wears gorgeous dresses that are so unique. I also enjoy Nigel. Nigel makes the show. It was great to see Brian as one of the judges. Mary was so touched by Ivan's performance. She did such a great job of correographing the opening dance on the first night this week. Nigel, Mary, and Brian are a great balance.

Ashlee and Musa went home. All these young people are so talented in dance. Dance is their whole life and means everything to them. We need great entertainers in the world. I hope the world opens up to all of them with opportunities.

I'd sure love to see each large city starting their own dance competitions to encourage talent. Dancing is a great way to channel energy. It would be great to see talent encouraged more than it is now. I'm so happy to see this show, So You Think You Can Dance which encourages the spirit of dance.

Car in the Ditch

The excitement this morning was going out for the newspaper and finding a car in the ditch. This happens at least twice a year. It almost happened twice yesterday. Breaks screeched to a slower speed going around the corner. The last time was a few months ago when a car took out the fence next door.

The Benton County Sheriff Deputy is still here. The tow truck just took away the car.

I'm shocked that I didn't hear it. Usually I hear all the commotion even if it happens in the middle of the night with screeching breaks, skidding tires, and a slam into the ditch. Nothing this time. My dog, Polly didn't even bark.

Now onto the real work this morning, plotting my mystery novel....

Visit to see family

On Friday morning I started out from Alsea early to go to Grandma's Attic in Dallas for the $5 Quilt Club. I signed up for two colorways in the next quilting year that will be star blocks that celebrate First Ladies in the White House. Rachel will concentrate on one First Lady a month with stories about these great women. I wonder if Rachel will continue the great original redwork to go along with the star blocks. Maybe flowers for each First Lady? Her creative and talented son draws the original designs enjoyed by all the quilters.

Then I headed on into Salem. I stopped at Starbucks for coffee and to brainstorm ideas for my mystery novel while waiting to meet my daughter, Gretchen for lunch at Applebees. I noticed that the cups at Starbucks publish flashfiction and short nonfiction essays. I wish I had remembered to keep my cup.

I arrived early to see Gretchen at Applebees on Liberty in North Salem. We had the best time over great salads talking about her work and my mystery novel. I don't get to see Gretchen enough so I thought lunch once in awhile would be great. Afterwards, I went over to volunteer at Liberty House for a couple of hours at her work.

In the afternoon I spent time with Jack and Liz at their daycare in South Salem. Gretchen has worked for the county and state of Oregon for the Commission of Children and the Family, and Child Care Information Services so she knows the best person in the area to watch her children. We spent the afternoon outdoors with water play--frozen and spashy wet in the hot sun.

Delicious pizza for dinner with Chris, Gretchen, Jack and Liz in their beautiful home in West Salem. Early to bed for me after a long day. I'm an early to bed, early to rise kind of person.

Then up at 5:30 for a shower. When everyone started getting up, we headed on over to A.C. Gilbert House Discovery Village, an amazing children's museum. www.acgilbert.org The mission statement for Gilbert House is "to provoke curiosity, inspire awe, foster enjoyment, encourage learning, and enable understanding in all youth." This is a fun place to visit with children and is probably would be one of the BEST places to work in Salem. A.C. Gilbert earned a degree in medicine from Yale, earned the Olympic gold metal in pole vault, and invented the engineering toy for children--the Erector Set.

After Gilbert House on the river front, it was off to a great lunch at Baja Fresh and then I needed to start heading back to Alsea. It's hard to live so far from family. I wish all my kids lived on the same street in the same city but that's unlikely. It would be fun to bring over homemade bread, have dinner at least once a week at my house, and find ways to be supportive and encouraging.

On the way home I stopped at the Bi-Mart at the Independence/Monmouth junction for a great 50% off sale on plants. I noticed the last time I came there were lush, healthy plants. They have a great grower in Junction City, it says on the tag.

Many fun memories, great photos, and sad to have it end so soon. Till next time.

Baja Fresh

My daugher and son-in-law took me out for lunch at Baja Fresh in Salem on Saturday. I LOVE that place! Baja Fresh is a Mexican grill. This is the second time I've been there. I wish I could eat there every day.

Baja Fresh boasts No microwaves, no can openers, no freezers, no lard, no msg, no compromises. Sounds good to me. I enjoy eating healthy. You can relax and know that you aren't harming your body. You just sit back and enjoy the flavors. I love the veggie bare burrito. It's $5.25.

My grandchildren, Liz and Jack sure seemed to be enjoying their lunch as much as their grandma.

Friday Fun

I'm off to Dallas, Oregon for the $5 Quilt Club at Grandma's Attic. www.grandmasattic.com Rachel Greco, the owner of the shop has a great club which draws women from all over central Oregon to her shop. Armed with great stories about women in Oregon history and quilting, she entertains and teaches. Next month is the start of a new quilting year at her shop. If you pay $5 for fabric and instructions to complete a quilt block and bring it back finished the next month, your next block in the series is free. This continues so that you can make a quilt top for only $5. Of course, there are tempting fabrics and quilting notions in the shop that make everyone want to spend more than $5 a year.

Then I'm off to have lunch with my daughter, Gretchen at Applebees in North Salem, next to her work at Liberty House where she's Executive Director. I love eating at Applebees--great food with lots of healthy choices. I like it that they link their menu to Weight Watchers.

After that play with Jack and Lizzy, my grandchildren, at their daycare. Then I enjoy dinner with the family, spend the night, and come back home to Alsea on Saturday.

So You Think You Can Dance

I look forward every week to watch the show on FOX, So You Think You Can Dance. It's become my favorite show right now. I love to see these talented young people stretch and learn new types of dances. I've learned a few myself that I didn't know about. I'd never heard of krumping and I didn't know anything about popping.

My favorites last night were Heidi and Ryan, Martha and Travis, Donyelle and Benji, Allison and Ivan. But then there's the electricity of Natalie and Musa dancing together and it's always fun to watch Dimetry. Everyone's amazingly talented.

During the commercials, I watched American Idol Taylor Hicks dancing and singing for Ford Motor Company. I'd like to buy one of his CD's and see him live in concert.

One of my favorite judges, Dan Karaty was up last night and it's always a pleasure to see Nigel Lithgoe. Again Cat Deeley went over the top with fashion. I'm seeing new designs each week that I haven't seen before. Just who is her designer?

After watching this exciting show, I turned to my mail and opened the July issue of National Geographic. As I was flipping through the pages, I found the article, "Shall we dance?" with some great quotes about dancing.

"Dance is bodies sounding off. We pour out love and hate, joy and sorrow; appeal to the spirits, gods, and nature; flirt, seduce, court; celebrate birth, death, and everything in between....Dance is so profane, some religions ban it; so sacred, others claim it." --Judith Lynne Hanna, an anthropologist at the University of Maryland.

"We dance out of anguish, to attain solace, and, sometimes, in an attempt to heal." --Cathy Newman, author of article.

Then Tommy Johnson, the Hip-Hop Clown talks about krumping. "Krumping is a creative alternative to gang fighting. It's how you take out aggressions without violence." That is certainly is positive to the alternative.

A photo taken in Albany, Oregon of square dancing made me wonder why the Hope Grange in Alsea doesn't have weekly dances. We need a polka band and dancing right here in Alsea. That shouldn't be contraversial or objectionable to anyone.

I certainly hope that the need and desire to dance spreads. It's a great way to expend energy, keep fit, and use your time.