Home Depot

Home Depot just came to Corvallis in January. I testified at a hearing over a year ago to say that they should come to Corvallis and now they are finally here. I'm glad.

Home Depot has everything you could want for home improvement. My husband loves to spend hours there and his favorite gift is a Home Depot gift card. The people at Home Depot have helped him through many projects here at home that we couldn't afford to have someone come to fix.

My husband, Leslie has called all over the place for advice on the wiring in our house. A switch in the front of the house also controls the back of the house. A switch in the bedroom is also connected mysteriously to the back. Someone did some creative wiring in our house years ago with 6 to 8 wires coming out at every circuit. No one has wanted to help him. My husband with the help of Home Depot was able to solve every problem so far on his own with success.

I love Home Depot. You can always count on low prices, great variety, and the best merchandise to help solve every home need.

Starting Over

I watched the last episode that I saved on my TiVo of Starting Over last week from last spring. I took my time watching this series since I was taking notes. I filled two looseleaf notebooks with notes on notebook paper. There were many experts on the show with important messages, the life coaches, Rhonda and Iyanla, and Dr. Stan were always saying bits of wisdom. So I took my time.

Where is Starting Over? I have repeatedly searched for it on my TiVo and nothing came up. Each person on the show taught me something about myself. Each pointed to lessons important to learn that are universal. I haven't had common experience with some on the show but everyone deals with life struggles and we all share a common bond.

I applied for the show twice sending in a tape. Maybe kind of silly to some but I saw a great opportunity to learn. I've also sent in a tape to Biggest Loser. This year I applied for Survivor. Yes. Me. Laugh if you want but I did it. I went to Eugene and did the two minute audition tape. I figured I have survived lots of trauma and loss in my life and in 2003, I even walked 18 miles of the Portland Marathon.

Survivor is a great show and I love watching it. I assume I didn't get picked because I wasn't called at the end of February and the first of March. It was fun to think about. Maybe someone that I stood with in line is going to be on the show. That would be nice.

American Idol

I love American Idol! American Idol celebrates and encourages talent to soar. It's one of my favorite shows on television. The level of talent coming into the competition this year is higher than ever before. Several of the contestants have years of performance time on stage giving an edge. Melinda and LaKisha are in a different league and perform as if they have already won. And now there is Jordin in direct competition with Melinda and LaKisha. Stephanie has the big voice and the big talent. I love watching Blake from Seattle. He puts a new spin on everything to make it his own. Sanjaya has the spirit and loves being on stage for being so young. Haley is beautiful on stage and has the talent to match. Phil has the big voice and loves it on stage. Gina is showing great talent--edgy and strong. Brandon has that infectious smile going on with the big voice. Chris Sligh is popular with everyone and I love watching him. He has great talent. Chris Richardson is another big talent. Who's going home? I wish they could all stay the length to keep getting better and better, mentored by the biggest talent so they could all go out there and each win a grammy. Wouldn't it be something if they could each stay the distance, receive the coaching, bond for life, and all go on to be major stars?

In my heart I am up there performing with each one of them. It sure is fun. They are all amazingly talented. I want all of them to win.

It was so much fun to see Diana Ross coach the talent. No one is better than Diana Ross. She's my favorite female vocalist of all time. It's not as simple to pick a male vocalist. I love listening to American Standards so I love Barry Manilow, Frank Sinatra, Tony Bennett, Neil Diamond and then there is Mick Jagger.

I'm grateful to the producers of American Idol, Simon Fuller, and Simon Cowell for bringing this show to America. You give hope to everyone with talent to work hard and never give up making the world a better place for everyone.

So when is So You Think You Can Dance going to start? This is another amazing show. I guess there can't be too much fun at the same time on television. No one would do anything else.

Mal-practice in Oregon

I have to chuckle. I justed scanned the Corvallis Gazette Times for a couple of minutes. My husband is reading the paper so I just glanced. Sometimes I think we should get two subscriptions--one for him and one for me.

It says on page A8 in headlines that "Oregon malpractice rates among lowest." I have to laugh because of my own experience. I had two doctors years ago that an attorney in Portland said that I have a clear case of malpractice but he said that no doctor in Oregon will ever testify because they will never practice medicine again.

In another instance with my mother-in-law, a doctor said to my husband that he couldn't discuss the case because if he did, he wouldn't be allowed to practice medicine in Oregon.

One courageous attorney was willing to take our mal-practice case against two fellow good ole boy attorneys until he was stopped in his tracks and shown that he wouldn't practice law if he continued.

So is this a correct assessment of what is going on in Oregon? I think not!

My Mom

My mother taught piano lessons in our home and was a stay-at-home mom. She worked hard at keeping our house clean, the yard tended, and made nice meals on a small budget. I grew up in houses that my parents owned first in Libby, Montana and then in Salem, Oregon. They took pride in our home.

When I was five years old, I wrote a song that I wanted my mother to drive me to Spokane to have published. She said that I didn't have any talent in music because I could play by ear. Yes, I can pick out songs on the piano based on songs that I hear on the radio. That stunted my progress in music for years. I still have a block.

When I was in the seventh grade, I was told to take algebra. My mother told me I shouldn't ever take algebra so I didn't. To this day I haven't taken algebra. This is a real trick since I have graduated from a four year college by substituting other classes. I was great in math and it was my best subject. Her logic was that she flunked algebra so this was a danger zone. I know she wanted to protect me and meant well. I am a Sudoku fanatic now!

During my senior year in high school, I started to think that I wanted to go to college. I had good grades. My mother said that I should go to business school and be a legal secretary. I went on to college and graduated from Oregon College of Education, now Western Oregon University with a B.S. in Social Science. My senior year in college, I added a second major so I also have a major in corrections. I wanted to be a high school history teacher. I've wanted to be a lot of things. I have also thought social research was interesting.

I wonder if I would have done what my mother had said, if I would be a lawyer right now. I wonder if my ambition would have kicked in and I would have wanted to try law school too. I have thought about law school for years. Now college is so expensive and for people my age, it's even harder since it's now possible to garnish your social security payments, if you don't pay your tuition payments. If you get sick, it could be disaster!

I'm 59 now. Next year I'll be 60. The big 6-0! That's getting into the area where you can't say you are really young any more, maybe young at heart. This is the area where you are supposed to be financially secure, thinking about traveling, grandchildren, and hobbies.

What does life hold for me? I look forward to it. Will I be a best selling mystery novelist? Will I write award winning children's books? Will I write inspirational biographies? Will I find the opportunity to go back to college to get my masters and Ph.D., teach, and do social research? Will I have more opportunities to travel? I want to go to Sweden since I'm half Swedish.

Or will I continue working my part time job, have a bigger and bigger garden every year, sew beautiful quilts, knit Scandinavian ski sweaters, and continue to work on my novel? The later is more realistic and something I know I can accomplish. I know that I do love working at Joann Fabrics. It's fun. It's hard not to want to spend my whole paycheck there. So many great sales. So much fun.

No matter how my life turns out, I'm determined to work hard to learn new things, enjoy life, and do the best I can. My mother did the best she could. She taught me how to enjoy the little things in life and to find joy everyday. That was a great gift. I miss her. She knew how to take an ordinary day and make it special.

Be Your Own Answer

Too often in life, I have trusted authority figures to provide answers and I've followed, giving up my power. If they had a Ph.D. or medical degree behind their name or if they had a genius IQ, they had the answer even if it directly contradicted what I knew to be true. Some of my biggest mistakes in life has been trusting in others and following.

This is odd but I think a common problem with women, especially those my age. I took the Mensa test in 1986 and I scored in the 97th percentile. So why do I do this? It is so easy for me to see that everyone else is capable of great things but me. My husband took the mensa test at the same time, scored in the 99th percentile, and joined mensa. Why didn't he encourage me to take the other test they recommended? They said that since I had such a high score on the pretest, better than my husband, that they were sure that I just needed to take another test to join. I know it would have upped my self confidence. Why didn't I stick up for myself in this instance?

Now more than ever before, it's important to be your own answer and to be your own expert. It's important to scour the library and books to search for the information you need to solve your own problems.

Every year I'm determined to work on goals so that I am a better person with more skills and abilities. I've never understood the individual who didn't want to improve themselves. I enjoy this process. It keeps me in the uncomfortable zone but I've seen progress. I learned to swim for the first time without fear of the deep water at the age of 56. That's pretty good.

This year I want a bigger and better garden. I want to finish my mystery novel and my children's book manuscript. I want to read more. I enjoy the fun of sewing, quilting, and knitting projects.

Life is what you make it. I'm good at creating my own fun. Growing up as an only child, I've learned to do just that. It's easy to create your own fun, even if it's just the fleeting moment of watching a dragonfly darting about or gazing at the best sunset ever. It's fun for me to create words on a page that I hadn't anticipated or that surprise me. It's fun to find roasted tomato sauce in the freezer that I made last fall from all the tomatoes in my garden and put it on pasta. (I learned how to make this pasta sauce last fall from a recipe in the Corvallis Gazette Times.) It's always fun to be around my grandchildren or to talk to them on the phone. There's lots of fun in life. You just have to look for it and appreciate it when it happens.

Friends

I believe that a friend is a rare commodity today. Busy schedules make it harder for people to take the time to be a friend.

A real friend to me means someone who watches your back, warns when you are in danger, is loyal, wants you to win, offers advice, discusses plans with you, and is nice. Am I expecting too much? Maybe. Right now I don't have any real friends. I've been too busy through the years with my own life to take the time to cultivate friends so here I am at this stage of life without them, at the very time when I need them.

It seems like people talk to each other less and less. People hint, which can be confusing. Maybe this is because no one wants to be held accountable. I think people assume too much. This might be the reason behind the sage advice of not worrying about what anybody thinks. Be your own person. Find your own answers.

Maybe I just think I need friends because that is what society and pop culture says. A friend needing constant attention is hard to deal with so I tend to stay away from these types. Talking on the phone for hours is difficult when I have so many things I need to do. I'm not the kind of person that wants to meet for coffee every day and can't move a muscle without checking in.

I'm picky. That doesn't help. I don't want to be friends with just anyone. That sounds rather snooty but it's true. I don't want to be manipulated. I don't like games. I want common values. In the past, I have worked hard at being a friend to others and found that there are many takers. I've been betrayed so I'm less willing to put myself out there now.

What this means to me though is that it's hard to achieve any of my goals because I lack a support system. I had tivoed a show that has remained saved for over a year. I finally watched it last week. It said that those people without a mentor, a support system, or close friends are less likely to achieve their goals. They feel alone and it is much harder for them to move forward in life. People without a support system tend to remain stuck.

So what does one do without friends. I pray a lot. I look for my support system in books. I think I need to realize this potential more since there is tremendous support in books. I tend to read writing craft books and mysteries because I'm working on a mystery novel.

My Mom used to say to me often, "Love many, trust few. Always paddle your own canoe." I guess I took her advice to heart because this is what I tend to do. I think this is why I enjoy working in retail. People are kept at a safe distance. I love helping people and being around people. For this same reason, I enjoy interviewing people to showcase their talent or special ability in an article.

My mother also used to say to me that God is watching every thing that I do and can hear my every thought. That has always kept me in line!

Who do I like to talk to most? My kids but they have their own lives and they are busy. I talk to them on average at least once a week--sometimes more, sometimes less.

It comes down to this. I need to work harder at being my own best friend. I've been told several times that no one cares so I have to care.

I think the process of finding a real friend takes time. Maybe it will happen. Maybe not.

Special Education

I have a minor in special education and when I was in college I had a special interest in autistic children thinking it would be wonderful to study under Bruno Bettelheim at the University of Chicago. I had the opportunity to learn under Mrs. Nagy who later taught at Oregon College of Education, now Western Oregon University. This was a practicum at Fairview Home and Training Center in a classroom. Most of the children had documented IQs of zero. We spent most of one term trying to work on teaching the students to put their chair under the table. Yes, Mrs. Nagy had the patience of a saint. It was at this time that I discovered that this was not the way I wanted to spend my time. The situation lacked a certain kind of hope.

The Mrs. Nagy's of the world are needed because there is a reality in the world today that there are more and more special needs children. There are more children who are diagnosed as autistic today than ever before. Why? Is there something in the environment causing this? We have known for years that the mother can not expose herself to drugs and alcohol during the early months of pregnancy. Why don't we investigate and get to the bottom of the problem and correct it. We need to prevent the causes of brain damage. More medication is being prescribed to students for many reasons. What long range effect will this have when these young people marry and start having children?

Alexander the Great

I spoke with Alexander the Great and his Dad, Joe yesterday. Joe, my son was working with Alex on his homework. Alex is 8 years old. He was writing sentences using his spelling words. Joe was guiding him and encouraging him to write neatly. I'm proud of the kind of Dad that Joe is to Alex. They spend a lot of time together. Joe encourages Alex to read, to do his homework, and he encourages good values.

Last year as a bedtime story, Joe read the Oddessey to Alex at Alex's request. Now Joe is reading the Iliad to Alex. Alex is learning first hand the original source of the stories of Hercules and some of the other super heroes from Disney and his story books. Joe reads great literature and talks about what he reads to Alex. I'm so proud of Joe and how he spends his time. I'm so proud that Alex is reading every day and that he does his homework.

Alexander is smart, creative, and wants to be a movie director someday. I'm proud to be his Grandma.

Benjamin Haber

In my book, Ben walks on water. He's always been perfect. When he was a little baby, I used to dance with him around the kitchen and front room. He played chess at three years old. He's always made me happy and made my heart sing. He's good natured, brilliant, works hard, has a kind heart, and is the best person I know. He hasn't had it easy. He's persisted and worked hard to achieve everything he has accomplished. He's fun and I love just spending time with him. Time is the most precious gift. He makes me laugh and he can brighten my world any time he calls, which was a couple of days ago.

Ben deserves every success, every happiness. I'm so proud of him. I've always called him my Golden Boy. He's a distance runner and has a run a marathon in less than 2 hours and 40 minutes so he's smokin'. He's running the Eugene Marathon in April with his brother, Daniel. Now if we can just get all three brothers running together--Ben, Daniel, and Joe. Joe used to run in high school. Joe went to Steens Mountain Running Camp two different summers and is a great runner. He stopped for several years. Ben went to Steens one summer.

I'm so proud that Ben graduated from Northwestern University with a degree in biomedical engineering, the BEST university in my book. Ben has a brilliant mind. At Northwestern, he started the running club. At his graduation Bill Cosby spoke. What a thrill!

Ben has always worked for pharmaceutical companies and now works for Zymo Genetics, the place that has been voted as the best place to work in Washington. I'm glad he's happy where he works. Ben loves Seattle. He has his running. He loves the city. Ben owns two houses. One in Ballard and the other in Green Lake where he lives, which is close to where his running group meets. Ben runs for Seattle Running Company. You just have to do a google search to see how terrific he is. Only greatness exudes from Ben and yes, his mother thinks he walks on water.

Ben took me to see the Seattle Art Museum, the Symphony, the Northwest Ballet Company to see the Nutcracker, to eat at Salty's, and more. Ben deserves everything good and the best that life has to offer because he's truly a good person who works hard at everything he does.

Ben married Amanda Label last September and they live in the "happily ever after" house in Green Lake.

Gottchalks

I LOVE Gottchalks! They have great sales on merchandise that I am proud to give as a gift. It's fun to shop at Gottchalks. On Tuesdays I get the discount for being over 55 and I get two gifts wrapped free. Such a deal!

I remember shopping at Gottchalks in Santa Maria, California when I lived in Arroyo Grande from 1978 to 1982.

Gottchalks is always the best store in town. The store where you are proud to buy gifts for your loved ones and where you can find sales to match your budget.

I shop at the Albany store when I have some extra money. This year I'm determined to have all birthdays and Christmas gifts finished way ahead of time.

Yesterday I finished writing the jingle to the tune of I've Got Rhythm. It ended up being a song for Wal-Mart which I posted in my blog but I started writing it for Gottchalks. However, Gottchalks is more subdued. I don't see them singing in the isles with the same enthusiasm as Wal-Mart who has the sales meetings that mimic a political convention.

When I shop at Gottchalks and see the 60% signs posted, a band plays in my heart and confetti falls from the ceiling. A great smile spreads over my face as I select an item for one of my children to make them happy. The last time I was at Gottchalks, I saw a Lennox Christmas table cloth with napkins for 70% off. Wow! Yes, in my heart, I am singing in Gottchalks about all the great buys. It's fun to shop. I don't have the kind of extra money that allows me to shop the way I would like but once in awhile, I can buy a couple of things for a gift to make my children happy, and I enjoy every minute of the fun.

Thank you Gottchalks for being there with the great sales for everyone on quality merchandise that anyone would be proud to give as a gift!

Daniel Haber

My youngest son, Daniel is at Duke University right now and will interview for the MBA program tomorrow. Next he'll fly off to interview at Yale University, then on to the University of Michigan and last at Northwestern University. All are top MBA programs and he will do well at any of these top schools.

I'm so proud of Daniel. I'm proud of the person that he is inside who makes time for people and has compassion. I'm proud of his determination to reach all his goals. He's always planned where he wants to go in life and then works hard to achieve the next step. He's amazing. He has a brilliant mind and can have deep conversations with the best minds on a range of subjects. He can bring original thoughts to these conversations and solve problems that stump experts. He's working hard in life to reach out for the best education available and will be a credit to any of these top universities. He hasn't had an easy life handed to him without financial worries. He's worked hard for everything he has. He's a good person and I admire him. He's my hero who inspires me in life.

Daniel just received a promotion as Research Scientist at Battell in Mountain View, California working exclusively with NASA Ames. He plans to continue working with them after graduation.
Daniel is the most ambitious of all my children. I have no doubt that his picture will be on the cover of business and news magazines some day for his achievements. He's amazing.

His first choice is Northwestern University where his older brother, Benjamin graduated with a degree in biomedical engineering. Ben and Daniel will run in the Eugene Marathon this April in Eugene, Oregon together.

Where will Daniel go to school? Any of these universities would be blessed to have such an outstanding young man on campus who will contribute and be a great example to other students. I sincerely pray that he will go to the school where he will be treated with respect and receive the best education available by the best teachers in this country. He deserves it and will go on to make major contributions. I've always been proud of Daniel. I'm proud he's my son and I want the very best for him always. I sure do love him. He has such a kind heart and always takes the time to talk to me, no matter how busy he is. He has been my life line a few times since I don't have any real friends. Daniel listens and respects me. I'm grateful for him and I'm proud of the person that he is inside.

I've always been impressed with Northwestern University where Ben graduated. I remember attending Ben's graduation and listening to Bill Cosby speak to a packed crowd. I love reading the alumni magazines that Ben receives from Northwestern and reading the articles about the latest research and important thoughts from brilliant professors. I wish in my heart that I could go back to school for my Master of Fine Arts at Northwestern too. Probably not in the cards for me at 58 but Daniel is just starting out and will do well at any of these top universities.

Wal-Mart

I wrote lyrics about Wal-Mart in the last 24 hours and I thought I'd share it.

This is to the tune of I'VE GOT RHYTHM.

I LOVE WAL-MART!

I love Wal-Mart.
I love Wal-Mart.
I love Wal-Mart
Who could ask for anything more!

Sales and bargains
In all departments.
Finding great buys
For every need.

I love Wal-Mart.
I love Wal-Mart.
I love Wal-Mart.
Who could ask for anything more?
Who could ask for anything more! (slower with a big Wal-Mart smile)

I can see my son, Joe singing this song on a television commercial. He'd be great.
He's the manager of the garden department at Wal-Mart in Kissimmee, Florida.
Joe's a singer and song writer in his spare time.
He just applied for a manager trainee position. He'll be great. He has a brilliant
mind and he works hard. I talked to him this evening. He was helping Alex with
his homework. I'm so proud of Joe for the person that he is and the great father that
he is to Alex. I hope great opportunities come to Joe. He's talented and deserving
of great success.

Doctors

Yesterday on the front page of the Corvallis Gazette Times was an interesting article that said that patients lie to their doctors. Easy out for doctors. No accountability. No need to feel responsible, if you can say that your patients lie to you and that's the reason why your answers and treatment doesn't work. This may be the answer in some cases but I think that in other cases, the truth is closer to medical records being washed of any possibility of leaving a trail of a future malpractice suit. Prevention is key.

It said in the article that patients just lie when asked if they have ever smoked. Well, I can say in truth that I have never smoked or wanted to smoke. I went through college in the 60's at Oregon College of Education, now Western Oregon University from 1966 through 1970. I have never smoked or tried marijuana. I have come in contact with second hand smoke. My Dad smoked and died of lung cancer. My husband smoked for years until I came down stairs one night finding him asleep in the chair with a lit cigarette. That was it. I made him stop. I think that was in 1984. As a little kid in Libby, Montana I used to play in piles of zonalite with my cousins. We used to throw it up in the air, the shiny particles that was mined in Libby responsible for cancer deaths years later.

At a time when doctors want only one symptom per visit and this visit lasts for 10 minutes, how can a doctor expect to diagnose and accurately get to the bottom of any problem? I think it would be wonderful to have a doctor who cared about my health and about me. I think this is rare these days, just like a friend is rare.

Thinking about doctors, I was sad that Meredith died on the television show, Grey's Anatomy. She was a great doctor and I cared about this character. She cared about her patients. She went the distance. Maybe someday I'll have a doctor who cares about me, who will talk to me, and who will do what it takes to make sure I'm okay. My husband says this takes money. Yes, money buys great service and the best professional care. I guess we come back to Prevention is Key for those without insurance and for those without medical care.

Alexis Serna

I interviewed over the telephone Alexis Serna for the new print and online magazine, WINNERS WITHIN US. It's supposed to come out the first of March. www.winnerswithinus.com

Alexis is an outstanding young man and I felt honored to have the opportunity to interview him.

I'll have two interviews in this issue. I hope you enjoy reading them.

High Blood Pressure

A couple of days ago I went into Safeway Pharmacy on Philomath Blvd. in Corvallis to pick up my husband's medication and then again last night to pick up the rest of it. While I was there I saw the chance to take my blood pressure in the waiting area so I checked it. It was 146 over 83 and my pulse was 71.

I don't have a regular doctor for care and I'm one of the millions of Americans without health insurance. When I need care, I look for a doctor who will take payments.

The last time I went into be checked was at the Benton County Health Department in Corvallis for a skin biopsy to see if I had skin cancer. First I checked medical books and then I consulted with my sons who said I should check. I didn't have skin cancer but I got a big bill that I'm still paying off. I have 30 something dollars left to pay.

A few years ago I was checked by the nurse at the clinic here in Alsea. I complained of headaches and described my problems reading music and the screen on the computer. I was given a prescription for omoxocilan. I almost died from the severe reaction. What I needed was middle distance vision glasses, which I now have.

When I've gone into see a dentist in Corvallis, I complained of pain in a tooth every time I was checked. Each time an X-ray was taken of this tooth. Finally after repeated x-rays and constant pain, I insisted that he pull the tooth. After threatening to have my husband pull it at home with his pliers, he finally relented and pulled the tooth. When he looked at the deep crack the full length of the tooth, he admitted that this tooth would always have caused pain and that it was good it was pulled. Great! After one check up, I received a paper saying that I had perfect teeth. I put this in my journal because of the irony since my front teeth are in need of big help. At one check up, I showed the dentist a chip in my front tooth and despite the protest of the dental assistant, he didn't fill it. Am I going back? No! I can't afford all this.

Americans need excellent medical and dental care. Americans should receive a certain basic level of care. No American should be without shelter or go hungry. It doesn't show basic respect for human life when basic needs aren't met in our society.

I need to find an excellent medical doctor and an excellent dentist who cares about giving excellent care and who continually upgrades his/her education. First I need medical insurance or a job to pay for it all. Right now my choice is to try to eat healthy and exercise. I can't afford medical problems. Prevention is key.

Ability Grouping

Grouping students in a classroom by ability is the most efficient use of resources and teacher's time. It's unfair to expect a teacher to meet all the needs of the special ed, average, disruptive, and gifted student in the same classroom. Each student has the right to learn. It's unfair for a gifted student to have the attention of the teacher taken up by the disruptive, special ed, and average student, and not have the instruction to challenge and learn at the level of their ability.

Often the urgent needs in the classroom have to be met by the teacher. Sometimes precious time needed for teaching important new concepts is taken up by the disruptive student, which is unfair to the teacher and other students. If a student is not able to control their behavior, they should not be allowed in the classroom.

Special ed students sometimes have major needs requiring special care. Mainstreaming these students is unfair to the teacher and to the other students who are there to learn. Closing Fairview Home and Training Center in Oregon brought special ed students into public school classrooms and I question this decision. Sure it's nice for these students to have contact with regular kids. The kindness lessons are important but the quality of our education in this country is at a crisis level. These kinds of decisions are part of the problem. Maybe there should be schools set up just to deal with the needs of the special education student. Maybe these schools should take a look at the work done in Philadelphia at the The Institute for the Achievement of Human Potential which looks at the full range of human potential from the gifted child to the brain damaged child.

Students in elementary school are smart. They can move from class to class. They can move to the classroom where they will learn math and then on to the classroom where they will learn English at their level of ability. Maybe this move will encourage a little parent and child time on homework after school, if the parent is embarrassed by their child's placement. Afterall, the parent is the first and most important teacher. Most parents want to shove all teaching off onto the teacher. A teacher can't do everything and work miracles. Some kids come from backgrounds that are difficult and see too much. These kids have a difficult time coping and learning in the classroom. Maybe their special needs should be handled in a different way too.

Our future needs each gifted child to bloom so they can go forth to find answers to all the questions in the world and solve problems. They need the BEST instruction, teachers, learning environment possible. They need to be challenged. They need to be encouraged, inspired, and motivated to be excited about learning. They need to be given the tools to find answers.

Our country needs all students to win and learn at their level of ability. We can't afford loss of time and resources any longer with poor decisions that waste both.

The ultimate goal of a school should be to maximize resources so that the teacher can teach and the student can learn. This can best be done in the most efficient way by ability grouping.

Alsea School

I just read in the Corvallis Gazette Times yesterday morning that the Alsea School Board is not going to support the move for gradeless classrooms. The principal, Jason Larson is interested in making sure that children are given the opportunity to learn at the level of their ability. A great move, in my opinion. Children have the right to learn at a level at which they are challenged. I suspect that those who oppose this move have children who would remain in the lower levels. I've been impressed with Jason Larson and what he is trying to do. I understand that he sends young people to college early and he is trying to make a difference here in Alsea.

Gifted children often have to remain in classrooms where the subject matter is not challenging and where it is review. This is a tremendous waste of time. The main priority should be to learn at the level at which you are capable of learning. All children should have the right to learn at the level of their ability in each subject. If a young person reads on the 7th grade level, they should be in the 7th grade reading program and if this same young person is computing math on a 5th grade level, they should be learning in the 5th grade classroom for math.

In my opinion, there are three levels of learning, all of which are important. Review of concepts is always important. You should also be exposed to learning new concepts that are advanced and beyond the level of ability. The last is to have the opportunity to learn at the level of your ability. All three are important but in most classrooms, review is what happens for most of the day for gifted learners. How sad! Jason Larson was trying to change this.

The community of Alsea does not like change. They have fought long and hard to make sure that the Federal School lunch program does not get a foot hold here in Alsea. The Alsea School is one of three or four school districts in Oregon without a federal school lunch program. It is my understanding that at one time Corvallis offered to truck lunches to Alsea. It is my understanding in talking to people that over half the children would qualify. It is my understanding that a nice Deputy Sheriff who lives here offered to bring milk every day to the school and that was rejected. I've heard different reasons for this resistance. One that they cannot afford the program, even though a grant application would take care of upgrading the equipment. Another that parents who do not take care of their children should not be given the help.

I guess the fact that children need nourishing food for their brains in order to learn doesn't matter here in Alsea. I guess it has also been judged that they also do not have the right to learn at their own level of ability.

I guess that a gifted child sitting in the second grade who reads on the seventh grade level must sit bored while the teacher talks about second grade words. What's going to happen down the road to the bright young student who is eager to learn? Unless there is a parent to encourage or a mentor, this child will learn that learning isn't rewarded or important.

The school here in Alsea is one of a few schools with the amazing blessing given by the Clemens Foundation that gives a college scholarship to all graduating students. These students have the opportunity to all go on to college but 100% of the students do not continue their education. Maybe not having the proper nourishment for their brain as they try to learn in the classroom and not having the opportunity to learn at the level they are capable has something to do with it.

When you try so hard to suppress talent, the results are not always positive. Sometimes, it comes out in negative behavior and acting out. Too bad this energy couldn't be challenged in the classroom. There are many homeschooling families in this area. One alternative.

The school band and orchestra program has been discarded here too. Not enough funds. The important things just don't seem to be important here in Alsea.

Alsea is a proud community and the people here do not want to hear anything but praise for what happens but if there is something that needs to be fixed, it should be fixed. I've never understood the reasoning behind the justification that it's okay for a child to sit in a classroom hungry or a bright child sitting in a classroom where they aren't challenged.

Yes, there are hot lunches at $2.00 to $2.50 but not all children can afford this.

Periodically since I've moved here 5 1/2 years ago, I've come forward with an outline for programs I wanted to start but it's all been discouraged and rejected. I can imagine the pain of rejection the gifted child feels in the classroom when they are interested in going forward with a project and it is not respected or regarded as important. Since I don't enjoy conflict, I have stopped but I feel sad for these kids--the bright ones who have amazing talent without an outlet.

My Computer

I'm grateful that I'm not having problems with my computer today. I sincerely hope all the problems are over. Since October, on and off, I've had difficulty getting on the Internet, accessing e-mail, doing research using Google, and reading writing articles.

This is refreshing and I'm thankful.

Joann Fabrics

I started working at Joann Fabrics in Corvallis, Oregon on 9th Street on December 21, 2006. I work part time. It's a great job for me since this store sells everything that I love from fabric to yarn, scrapbooking to sewing patterns. With a little jingle in my pocket, I can afford to do a few more things. I just had my sewing machine fixed, which hadn't been serviced in several years.

It's fun because I have something in common with everyone who walks through the door. I hear about creative projects and meet so many nice people.

I concentrate on trying to give the best service possible, working hard, and doing my best.

We just had a great sale of $1 a yard fabric. Several customers have commented that it must be hard to not spend my whole paycheck at Joann's. Yes, it sure is tempting. So many great sales and so many items that I have been wanting to buy. My next purchase will be scrapbook albums that are on sale for 50% off until the 10th of the month.

Working 9.5 and 10 hour days on some weeks isn't easy for me. Since I have osteoarthritis in my feet and I'm overweight, it's not always easy to work the long hours. I'm grateful that this week will be easier.

I'm sick this evening. I have a fever of 101.9 and I feel miserable. Working around others brings you in contact with more germs. My son says I'll toughen up.

The Institute of Children's Literature

Jan Fields is the moderator of writing forums at the website for the Institute of Children's Literature at www.institutechildrenslit.com. This morning at 11 a.m. pst, she told those in her weekly writing forum that she signed with a book packager to create a juvenile book series about magic. This should interest all those Harry Potter fans. It will be the basic hero's journey and a look into the portal of a magical world.

Anyone interested in writing for children should check out this website packed with important articles, forum transcripts, and great tips to publish your writing for children. Be sure to attend her weekly Tuesday forums. Jan Fields had considered a career in media law so she has keen insight into the publishing process. Jan has published over 20 children's books for a toy company, and dozens of articles and stories for magazines.

This Thursday, Jan will interview Charles "Tony" Burton about publishing children's books. He's the editor of Crime and Suspense at www.crimeandsuspense.com. He also started a small press publishing house--Wolfmont Press at www.wolfmont.com. Come ask your writing questions, check out the Tuesday forums, and explore all the great writing articles at www.institutechildrenslit.com.

On October 12th, Jan interviewed Bonny Becker from 5 to 7 p.m. pst about "Birthing a Book." You can read the forum transcript at the website. Every other week, Jan interviews a successful published children's author, book editor, or publisher. Bring your questions and attend a forum.

I can highly recommend the Institute of Children's Literature. I've taken two magazine courses and am working on the novel writing course. What is most impressive about the novel writing course is that it takes the writer through the complete first draft of three children's picture book manuscripts or a juvenile novel and through the revision with a writing mentor who is an instructor with the Institute of Children's Literature. My juvenile novel is about two sisters who go to writing camp and come back home to start a neighborhood theater. My only regret is that I didn't take this course many years ago. The fun would have started much sooner.

The Long Ridge Writer's Group

This morning at 10 pst in the writing forum at www.longridgewritersgroup.com, Mary Rosenblum said, "Words are just the lego pieces you use to build the castle." I love this quote. Mary is the forum moderator and webmaster for the Long Ridge Writers Group, which is connected to the Institute of Children's Literature.

Mary Rosenblum has published 7 novels and over 60 short stories for Asimiov's and Ellery Queen Mystery Magazines. Mary teaches writing and is a frequent speaker at writing conferences. See an earlier post in my blog where I nominated Mary as one of the women I admire most in the world.

I'm in the middle of reading one of Mary Freeman's (aka Mary Rosenblum) mysteries, Garden View. I found some sentences I like in her book. Mary said, "Rumors had wings here, and grew like zucchini wherever they landed." Another one...."Death was a personal enemy here--a dark familiar who peeked from the depths of the mirror and lurked behind the infirmary door." Then in describing what a gardener or landscaper can do in dialogue, she wrote...."You create magic places for people. So that they can dream, they walk into them and escape all the ugliness of the real world."

I know from writing forums that Mary has a big garden and writes a series of garden mysteries. The last quote makes me understand the potential of what I can do here in my own garden in Alsea on my 3.68 acres to create my own magic place to escape all the ugliness of the real world. I think it should be surrounded by sunflowers.

Yesterday I took the heads of my sunflowers and put them on my fence so I could watch the Steller's Jays eat all the seeds from my kitchen window.

My Toyota

My husband and I bought our first Toyota in 2003. It was a white 2003 Corolla. It was the best car that I've ever driven. It had every option that I needed and more. I loved my Toyota and enjoyed driving it. It handled well on the road, around curves, and it was dependable. More than this, it had great gas mileage. It's not the most expensive car in the world but it has everything I need and I can't see why I would ever want to buy another car.

Earlier this year with all the driving we do, we had to make a decision about our car. It had almost 70,000 miles on it, needed new brakes, and we had a high interest rate loan. My husband decided to buy a new 2006 Corolla LE with a low interest rate, which put us in a stronger position financially. When he went out to look at cars, I told him that it had to be a Toyota. Our new car will be paid off sooner than the loan on the old car so it was definately a wise decision.

I love my new Toyota too. It has everything I could want and more. It's dependable and gets great gas mileage. It's safe and it's stylish. This time, we're not driving into Corvallis as often or making so many trips. That should help keep our car in better condition. I plan on keeping this car for a long, long, long time.

News Column

I read a newspaper column recently by a young person writing for the Gazette Times in Corvallis, Oregon. I'm impressed with the Gazette Times for encouraging young people to write and for all their amazing and creative efforts to encourage readers.

This column written by the young person expressed a common attitude expressed by many these days. The idea is that one shouldn't create a scandal by shining a light on what's wrong in life. I have a difficult time agreeing with this because I think that it is far more important to make sure that a scandal does not happen in the first place and that light does shine on what's wrong.

A check and balance system in a free society should ferret out what's wrong, correct it, and prevent it from happening again, in my opinion. The right to express your opinion is central to this and a concept that is growing more restricted. This concerns me.

Swampgrass

On Saturday night, I took my five bucks in hand and went to the Hope Grange in Alsea to hear the legendary band, Swampgrass. I had one of the best times that I've had since I moved here five years ago and all I did was sit on a bench by myself and listen. The members of the band came out of retirement for one last time as a fundraiser for the Hope Grange. Most of the members are probably pushing 60 and 70 and you would never guess by looking at each one that there was this kind of music pulsing in their veins. They surprised me. I didn't know anyone on stage. I'd heard of Russ Sapp since he is on the board for Consumers Power. Everyone should hear him play and sing.

One of the guys hadn't been on stage for 20 years and yet when he belted out the Johnny Cash song, "A Guy Named Sue," I had a hard time believing that he hadn't been on stage every night for the last ten years.

These guys are really good. They sure had a great drummer. It's sad to think that they aren't going to play anymore. They played a mix of rock and country. It was all good and some of it original. The Hope Grange was crowded with young and old. There were some good dancers out there carving out patterns on the floor. It looked like everyone was having a great time as evidenced with smiles, laughter, dancing, and singing with the band. It was good old-fashioned fun and something that Alsea needs.

I'd like to see a community band and community theater. It would be nice to have weekly or at least monthly dances. My husband and I don't dance but I think everyone else would enjoy it. They sure did on Saturday night.

I got a chance to talk to one member of the band between sets. I asked him who everyone was and I found out that he was Gary Banowetz who leads a research department at OSU working for the federal government in the development of biofuels. They are planning on reopening the old lumber mills here in Alsea and using them to convert wood and straw to biofuel. He said that the USDA believes that straw and manure will be the largest source of material to be used to create biofuel. It's a safe bet that it will be up and running in 5 years. If you have 1000 acres of grassland and a combine, you will reap the rewards of cashing in on this new venture. My 3.68 acres just wouldn't do. I can see a Nobel Prize on the horizon for Gary Banowetz who is living out his boyhood dream of finding an alternative source of fuel to gasoline.

It was nice to see the community having fun on Saturday night. I'm glad I got the chance to hear Swampgrass. It was worth going and spending the $5.

Dancing with the Stars

I'm starting to get into the show, Dancing with the Stars. This last week, I didn't vote because I didn't watch it until the next day. It was saved on my TiVo. If I would have voted, I would have voted for Jerry Springer, Mario Lopez, and Emmett Smith. In my opinion, they are the ones with real personality on the show. Mario and Emmett have dancing toes. Mario is a brilliant dancer with so much emotion and energy. Emmett has power and owns the stage.

The real shocker is that I like Jerry. I've never been a fan of his talk show which concentrates on the worst in human beings. In my book, he gets stars for being an attorney, smart, and Jewish, but rocks for his show. After seeing him in Dancing with the Stars, I can see that he's a nice guy and I misjudged him. I still don't like his talk show though. He's dancing with his daughter who will marry in December. It was touching.

I'm going to try to watch the show next week so I have time to vote.

Homeschool Pledge

I homeschooled my children in Arroyo Grande, California for four years starting in 1978. I wrote a pledge that I had them say every morning after the Pledge of Alligence to the Flag and after singing "It's a Grand Ole Flag." I designed the curriculum myself that was recognized by Gifted Children Newsletter published in New Jersey by the editor, James Alvino.

Here's the pledge...........

I will work hard and never give up.
I will work hard to be the best I can be.
I value myself. I am of worth. I am important.
I will always show respect for myself
and the rights of others.
I must prepare myself
to take my place as a future world leader.
I must work hard to find the answers
to all the questions in the world.
I must work hard to serve my community and my country.
I will work hard and never give up.
Nothing is going to stop me from being who I am.
Nothing is going to stop me from being who I am.
Nothing is going to stop me from being who I am.

I will work hard to be a good friend.
I will be kind and understanding.
I will not put others down or say things
to make my friends feel sad
for when I diminish others,
I am also diminished.
I will remember that there is something special
about each person I meet.
By making my friends feel like winners,
I become a winner.

My Pumpkin Patch

My grandchildren visited on Saturday to pick out a pumpkin in Grandma's Pumpkin Patch in Alsea.

The first photo on top at the left is of my daughter Gretchen with my grandchildren, Lizzy and Jack. See Lizzy's great smile!

The second photo on top at the right is with Jack sitting on his pumpkin next to his Dad, Christopher, my son-in-law.

The photo at the left is a skeleton I made for Halloween for Jack and Lizzy to take home. I got the directions out of the Disney magazine, Family Fun. It's made out of PVC pipe. The head is a bleach bottle and the hands and feet are cut out of milk jugs. I think he's pretty cute. Family Fun calls him Mr. Bone E. Part. The directions are on page 76 and 126 in the October, 2006 issue of Family Fun.

Garth Stein

Garth Stein is in Eugene, Oregon to speak to writers gathered for a Willamette Writers event tonight. I wanted to go and listen to him. Pitched as one of the best speakers in the northwest about writing, I know that I am missing out. He's going to speak about the "creative process in fiction." He writes novels, screenplays, plays, and directs films. Wow! Evidently he knows Robert Downey Jr., one of my favorite actors with talent off the charts. Downey starred in one of Stein's films that he produced. Robert Downey Jr. played opposite Calista Flockhart for awhile in Ally McBeal, one of my favorite shows.

I dream of the time when I can afford to attend these monthly meetings of Willamette Writers, attend conferences, workshops, and join other writing organizations.

Right now I must suck it up and accept what I can do each day.

I think I'm going to ratchet up the time spent writing every day. I read a bio yesterday for Nora Roberts online. She writes 8 hours everyday and has published as much as 8 to 10 novels in ONE year. How's that for being productive! What an inspiration!

Patricia Dunn

On the front page of the Gazette Times this morning is the headline, "Five charged with felonies at Hewlett Packard." www.gazettetimes.com Patricia Dunn is one of the five charged in the companies "disastrous boardroom leak investigation."

The first thing that came to my mind is that I wonder if Patricia Dunn is a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Why? I know that there are many members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints who work at Hewlett Packard in Corvallis and in other places. As a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints from 1995 to 2001 serving in callings in the Stake Relief Society Presidency, Primary President, and as a church service missionary helping people in Salem, Oregon find employment in an eight stake area, I have seen how easily members violate basic constitutional rights of their church members without hesitation.

When you move to a different city or ward in a different part of the city, Relief Society sisters offer to help you unpack and help you put things away. There is a purpose to this joyous help. The Relief Society President or a member of the Relief Society Presidency reports back on any books, possessions, or food that is contraband or violates the word of wisdom. You can tell a lot about a family by looking at their possessions, books, and what they have in their cupboards. Is there reading material that you shouldn't be reading? I was told I shouldn't be reading National Geographic by a visiting teacher here in Alsea. Is there coffee or tea in your cupboards? The Elders Quorum President went through my cupboards in Alsea.

When I moved to Alsea, I was asked by the Relief Society President what I wanted or needed. I said friendship because I knew it would be hard for me to live in Alsea. I think she was taken aback by that. They offered to unpack my things. I wasn't raised to take advantage of kindness. I also wasn't raised to go through people's things or go into people's drawers when I visit someone. I think I was suspect from the beginning because I didn't allow them to unpack. Yes, it would have made my life easier. I don't have questionable stuff, but this is a violation of basic privacy.

I also wonder if the person who set up Homeland Security is a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints because these ideas come right out of church practice.

Let's see now...........violating constitutional rights, hiding assets (my husband saw this happen when we worked as church service missionaries), protecting child preditors (the Catholic Church isn't the only one)..................It seems like there is a case to be made in court to take away the tax exemption from this church.

National Novel Writing Month

November is National Novel Writing Month. This is a challenge to write the first draft of a novel in 30 days during the month of November. I completed the challenge last year and signed up this morning to begin again on November 1.

Chris Baty, who started this Nano challenge, wrote a book about it called NO PLOT, NO PROBLEM. On the wall next to my computer is the scheduled word count outline for each day during the month. On day 1, I should have 1,667 words done. Day 5--8,335 words. Day 10--16,670. Day 15--25,005 words and so on.

People all over the world take up this writing challenge. It's pretty exciting to be part of this amazing experience.

The website is www.nanowrimo.org. I signed up as wendywrites. You can keep track of my progress and say a few prayers for me during the month to keep me moving towards my goal. I will be listed under Team 2006. Right now I'm listed for Team 2005.

I learned a lot by taking this writing challenge last year. I learned I could write the first draft of a novel in a month which sure boosted my writing confidence. Before this time, I was struggling with my writing speed. Nanowrimo is the marathon for writers. As I keep learning how to write well, I should be able to turn out two novels a year--my goal.

Gretchen Bennett

There is a contest at www.lizclaibornestyle.com/awcontest/ to nominate women who inspire others.

Gretchen Bennett is one of the women I admire most as a leader fighting a difficult battle to help children who have been abused. Gretchen is the Executive Director of Liberty House in Salem, Oregon. She works hard to solve problems to ease the way for abused children to receive help in the least invasive way at a traumatic time. As a mother of two preschool children, Gretchen goes beyond what many in her field would do to raise money, work on prevention, and to bring in the best leaders in the area to aid this important cause. She has brought law enforcement leaders, counselors, community leaders together to focus on a solution to help children with resounding success. She encourages the community to come to periodic open houses to see first hand the story of the abused child who walks in the door to receive help. Gretchen is an inspirational public speaker, a strong leader who inspires the best people in the community to aid in the fight against abused children, a poised woman of strength, and an example to all women. As a graduate of Lewis and Clark College in Portland, Oregon who used to bring back trophies in debate, who worked tirelessly for environmental causes in Washington, D.C. and Seattle, and who makes a difference every day to help abused children, I nominate my daughter, Gretchen Bennett.

Diana Simpson

There is a contest at www.lizclaibornestyle.com/awcontest/ to nominate women who inspire.

Diana Simpson is running for Sheriff in Benton County, Oregon. A strong woman and a leader who stands for integrity and accountability, she has faced strong opposition in a man's world with courage. I spent time in her office listening to her and asking questions about her background. I learned about her commitment to prevention and solving problems in Benton County. Her easy-going manner and strength impressed me. Her background as Undersheriff, in parole and probation, and her commitment to the law made me admire what she stands for. What impressed me the most was her offer to read my mystery novel manuscript and critique it for law enforcement details. She took the time out of her busy schedule to help me and support my efforts. She has come to Alsea twice in the last year to speak to the community, listen to our concerns, and answer questions. Women face special challenges in law enforcement dominated by men. Her commitment to the law, accountability, and integrity is to be admired. These are some of the reasons why I admire Diana Simpson and why I nominated her.

Mary Rosenblum

There is a contest at www.lizclaibornestyle.com/awcontest/ asking for nominations for women who inspire.

Mary Rosenblum, author of several mystery and science fiction novels, and winner of many prestigious writing awards. She is one of the women I admire most in the world. Mary is the web editor of the Long Ridge Writers Group and moderates online forums for writers. I've learned more about writing from Mary than any other single writer. I'm constantly amazed at her level of expertise, the ability to answer any writing question with depth and insight, her intelligence, and the level of productivity in her life. Mary works hard at every level of writing from mentoring students, moderating the online interviews with published writers, writing her novels, and teaching workshops. Mary gives constantly to others and supports writers who are trying hard to succeed in a difficult arena with so much talented competition. A mother who raised her two sons alone for years on money earned from her writing and eating from her garden, Mary knows about persistence and determination to reach a goal. A strong role model for women and a strong voice as a writer makes Mary Rosenblum my choice. Check out Mary Rosenblum in the science fiction section of your library and Mary Freeman in the mystery section. If you can't find her books, buy them at the book store or ask your librarian to order them because you will want to read them. If you're a writer, go to www.longridgewritersgroup.com and learn from her online forums. You'll be amazed too.

Zel Brook

There is a contest to nominate a woman who inspires you at www.lizclaibornestyle.com/awcontest/

It says, "everyday we are surrounded by woman who have a profound affect on our lives. They inspire us and amaze us with their unwavering commitment and passion."

Here is one of my four nominations:

When I start to question my ability to move towards a fitness goal, I think of Zel Brook. Without a doubt, Zel Brook is one of the women I admire most in the world who has worked through difficult health challenges and has achieved her goal of running marathons. I first met Zel as I was struggling with an added one hundred pounds on my frame to run my second 5K race. As Zel whizzed past with her cane running with ease, she stopped to encourage my efforts. In other 5K and 10K races, I noticed how supportive Zel is to other runners who have special challengesj--people recovering from heart surgery or older runners or those with added weight like me. I learned later that Zel was in a wheel chair years ago recovering from brain surgery. Determination and persistence to live a full life again, Zel worked slowly from her struggle to walk across the room to running her first marathon in the Portland Marathon in 2002. Zel runs with a cane because her sense of balance was effected by the brain surgery. Persisting in spite of pain and health issues that would cause most people to quit, Zel has healed many of her problems with her running. Zel will run in the Portland Marathon on October 1 and the Seattle Marathon on November 26, 2006 which is before her 60th birthday on November 28th. Zel is an inspiration to any runner who knows her and to all women.

Craig Sheppard

Last night my husband and I went to the LaSells Stewart Center at Oregon State University to hear Craig Sheppard play on the new Steinway grand piano to begin a concert series. A professor of music from the University of Washington School of Music, Craig Sheppard gave everyone in the audience a virtuoso performance resulting in a standing ovation.

Craig Sheppard took my heart and spirit through the full range of emotion as his fingers danced and tenderly carassed the notes on the keyboard. He dazzled everyone with playful passages building with texture to bold crescendo. He played Bach's Partita #6 in E Minor, Beethoven's Sonata in E Major, followed by Debussy's Estampes and ending with Chopin's Sonata in B minor, Opus 58. My favorite was Chopin but it was all glorious and a touch of heaven.

Thank you, Craig Sheppard for coming to Oregon State University for the free performance so I could have the privilege of hearing you play. It was magnificent.

It was a sea of white and grey in the audience. There were very few young people. I think it takes age to see what is most important in life and what brings meaning. I was happy to see an Asian father bring his five children. I noticed three of the cute little girls cross the street. I didn't hear a peep the entire time. Of course, they were very well behaved. The Asian culture values excellence. You see it in schools on test scores and grades. I saw another mother and a cute young girl with a big smile. How nice that these parents understand how important it is to take their children to such an important event and for the wisdom to know that this is a wonderful way to spend time together.

I thought at the end as I was standing and clapping with enthusiasm that this was a wonderful job to have in life--to play the piano with passion, to entertain, and then have everyone love you and clap for you at the end of every performance. How thrilling!

Comfort Care

Comfort care is a definition of medical care given to the elderly in nursing homes and hospitals. It sounds good. It sounds like someone everyone would want, but I learned first hand about comfort care when my husband and I were watching out for his mother.

Sadelle was healthy at 90 and told that she could live 10 more years. She was opinionated and spoke her mind, which was not always welcomed. I admired her intelligence and felt she had a right at 90 to say whatever she wanted. She was coded comfort care, which means no food or water with morphine to ease the pain, without consulting family and without a legal document to support this action. The family would never have consented to this outrageous action.

I'm concerned that comfort care could be used in the future in hospitals and nursing homes on those individuals without sufficent funds at a time when budgets are tight and as a way to eliminate a population of babyboomers who become dependent. If family members are busy and don't visit often, this can happen. It almost happened to Sadelle.

Polygamy

Polygamy has been in the news this last month with the fundamentalist Mormon in Utah being charged.

This was one of the topics of one of my letters that I wrote a few years ago to Salt Lake. After being part of the mainstream Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints from 1995 to 2002, I wanted to know from Salt Lake why they espoused distance publically from the concept of polygamy and they still keep printing those scriptures with Doctorine and Covenants 132 still in them. Yes, Mormons study four scriptures--the Old Testament, the New Testament, The Book of Mormon, and Doctrine and Covenants/Pearl of Great Price. I wanted to know the answer because in Doctrine and Covenants 132, it says that it is God's will that man practice polygamy.

Let's make it clear here that I don't believe in polygamy, but I sure heard comments from members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints about their desire to practice polygamy and how they looked forward to it. The brothers seemed to have a glint in their eye and the sisters looked forward to help with housework.

One of the last times that I received visiting teachers here in Alsea, I was told not to read National Geographic, which they found on my table and I was told to get to know a single sister who quilts so that my husband and I could watch out for her. For one thing, I love reading National Geographic and for another thing, I'm was not interested in polygamy. This sister with the ideas was not some odd ball. Her husband has a high paying job at a large corporation in Corvallis.

I enjoyed the television series on HBO, Big Love. It said a lot of things and told a lot of truth.

I have other alarming concerns about the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints but one central concern is that they call their Sunday service is a meeting, not a sacred service to worship God or Heavenly Father. It is filled with teachings about the history of the Church and the Book of Mormon. When we lived in Gates for a short time, some of the sisters got together and objected to the fact that there was no picture of Jesus in the church. That was changed. In the Gates Branch, I didn't see any different service for Christmas or Easter. I tried to change this when I was Primary President and had the children perform a Christmas play on the nativity story that I wrote based on the Dickens book, The Year of Our Lord.

Another practice I didn't like was the instruction given to men in priesthood meetings to search for contraband in a member's home. Contraband--meaning coffee, tea, beer, or something that would violate the word of wisdom. A priesthood leader came into my home and searched my cupboards here in Alsea. They are told to ask for a glass of water and then they offer to get it. He picked out a coffee cup at the back of the shelf.

My biggest concern, that I wrote about in a letter to Salt Lake, was discovered when my husband and I were serving as church service missionaries in Salem, Oregon to help people find employment in an eight stake area at the employment center. I found a document that said there was an employment office at the stake center in Hayden Lake, Idaho. Yes, my eyeballs almost popped right out of my head because this is the place where the FBI disbanded the Nazi Party in 1999. Hayden Lake, Idaho is not a big place. If there is a stake center that means the town is full of Mormons. I remembered it on the news. I think it was this letter that the Bishop of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Corvallis told my husband to "shut me up and control me."

These are a few of my concerns that resulted in shunning. You do not receive a temple recommend, if you hang around with people who object to the church or cause you to question the teachings of the church. That pretty much wiped out friends.

I have been in the temple as often as three times a week and went faithfully every week when I lived in Salem. I think it was when we lived in Gates, I went to the Portland Temple one day and I saw a temple worker point to me. He was talking to another temple worker. He was close so I heard what he said, "She has more guts than a slaughterhouse floor." I figure that's a compliment for a writer.

I have not violated my temple recommend or commited a serious sin except for drinking coffee, tea, an occasional beer with my husband, speaking my mind, and laughing loud. I've never cheated on my husband. I've never used illegal drugs. I've never smoked cigarettes since my dad died of lung cancer. I've always tried to be good. I've stayed away from people who violate the law or are into witchcraft or use drugs my whole life. And yet...I was shunned when I was wearing a missionary badge. And NO one has said they were sorry. No one. Not one. Letters from Salt Lake said to continue to go to church, that not all leaders are doing what's right, and that I should show my example as a leader. How do you continue when you don't respect?

It's truly hard when you are shunned. It's hard to take off the garments and your faith when you are told that this is the only way your family will be together in heaven and the result is outer darkness. I was doing everything by the book. I was following the directions but when you can't respect what's going on, you are forced to make a choice to swallow your concerns and shut up or speak your mind.

Benton County Candidates

Candidates for the position of Benton County Commissioner and Sheriff came to the Alsea Library to speak to members of the community. It should have been at the Grange so more people could have attended, especially since the meeting room at the library wasn't used.

I came to support Linda Modrell for County Commissioner and Diana Simpson for Sheriff and I expressed my support.

A few months ago, I went to a County Commissioners meeting in Corvallis for the first time. I was impressed with Linda Modrell as the shining star on the board. I came to the board meeting with my expressed need for safe walking trails, a community center gym with exercise equipment, a skateboard park for young people, a pool, and a wide paved trail that would allow roller blading, running, walking, and bikes. I want to see a trail similiar to Green Lake in Seattle here in Alsea. Yeah, I know....a pie in the sky dream with low budgets and no money for such ideas, but Linda Modrell took me seriously and called me. We talked on the phone a couple of times and she encouraged me to proceed to find support. A meeting was scheduled at the library and I was the only one there.

Last year in November, I wrote a mystery novel for National Novel Writing Month. Diana Simpson was generous and kind enough to offer to read it to critique for law enforcement details since she enjoys reading mysteries. She also met with me in an interview as I asked her questions. I wanted to get to know her a little better to understand this strong woman who came to Alsea last year to meet the community. Diana has the law enforcement background in parole and probation, and experience as Under Sheriff to be Sheriff. She stands for integrity and accountability, things that I believe in too.

I learned some new things last night as I listened to all the candidates. I learned how vulnerable Alsea is in a disaster in emergency preparedness. I learned that deputies from the Sheriff's department do not always have contact with Corvallis on their radios. We need a cell tower or a radio station in Alsea.

Some community citizens expressed desire to build houses on their acreage. Some expressed concern that people are moving away and it's hurting the school. I expressed the opinion that unless clean industry comes into Alsea to provide jobs, who would buy the houses? I suggested that the proposed Benton County Jail be here in Alsea or a Casino since the Alsea Indians used to live here. We need some kind of a big box store distribution center to provide jobs here. County Commissioner Candidate, Wright (no literature was handed out so I think that's right) expressed a plan to open the old lumbermills in the area to create biodiesel out of the brush collected and cleared in the forest. Interesting idea but I would have to understand the bi-products and what it does to the environment.

I was impressed with all the candidates--good people who are stepping up to take a leadership role to serve.

Wal-Mart

Way to go, Wal-Mart!

Wal-Mart sets the standard.
Wal-Mart does it better.
Wal-Mart has a heart and cares about bringing low prices to those who need help stretching a dollar.

Yesterday, I went into the bedroom to hang up some clothes and my husband was watching Fox News on television. On the news, it said that Wal-Mart is going to test market in one of its Florida retail stores selling generic prescription drugs for $4 to help those in need. Wal-Mart is a leader with compassion.

I watched a couple of television specials about Wal-Mart and was impressed with the business model of efficiency and smooth opperation. The positive energy at its conventions and the drive to keep finding ways to do things better was impressive. My son works for Wal-Mart in Kissimmee, Florida. He tells me about how he sings marketing jingles over the loud speaker to sell his products in the garden department. He enjoys his job and I know he's good at it.

Sam Walton created Wal-Mart to bring low prices to rural America. Alsea, Oregon 97324 is a village of 600 to 1000 people. We are one hour from the coast and 45 minutes away from Corvallis. Alsea needs a Wal-Mart for the jobs, for the low prices, and to create hope. I know I would enjoy a job in the fabric and yarn department. How about it, Wal-Mart? Please come to Alsea.

The Stupid King

I wrote a fairy tale this morning that I will share with you.

THE STUPID KING WHO LEARNED A LESSON

Once upon a time in a kingdom far away, there was a little princess with long golden curls without any friends. The princess had one major flaw. She spoke her mind, had opinions, and wouldn't keep her mouth shut. The little princess was smart with great ideas.

The King gave power to the Royal Smart Person's School to follow the princess around with video cameras and tape recorders to record her every word without her knowledge. They had to be sneaky and not let her know what they were up to but she knew something was amiss. Everyone was afraid to be a friend to the princess because they had to be very careful not to tell the princess the truth.

The people in the kingdom were sick of paying taxes so the King wanted to make money from the ideas of the little princess. The King discovered there were other ways to make money to buy the Queen all she wanted. He listened to all the tapes, hour by hour, of the words of the little princess. The King was able to fund several trips to Tahiti for the Queen based on invention ideas of the princess.

After several years, the King discovered that the princess had lost her spirit and she was no longer happy because she had no friends. This didn't bother the King but it stopped the flow of saleable ideas since the princess was sad. The King decided to send the little princess to a spa to pamper her from morning till night for a month. Then she would be happy and would think up new money-making ideas to make the King rich beyond measure. This new idea didn't work because no one could make the princess happy. The little princess knew that no one was a friend unless they told her the truth about what was happening to her. This no one would do.

The little princess with the golden curls tried to get help and people to listen in other Kingdoms. The King had contingency plans in place so no one learned the true identity of the princess with the great ideas.

The little princess with the golden curls grew sadder and sadder until she started to get sick with symptoms that needed pills and a doctor. The King called the Royal Smart Doctor with all the answers. "Oh, Royal Smart Doctor, you must make the princess happy again." The Royal Smart Doctor said, "I can do it. I have a little pill that works magic." The Royal Smart Doctor gave the little princess the pill and she died from the side effects.

The King said to the Royal Smart Doctor, "Just look at what you have done! You killed the little princess with the golden curls. Now my source of money has dried up. I'll sue you in court and take all your pennies."

The Queen heard of the calamity and told the King that maybe the little princess only needed a friend and someone to trust who wouldn't betray her. "I wouldn't have needed trips to Tahiti, if I had a true friend who was kind. Maybe the little princess could have been my friend." The Queen looked sad and was disappointed in the King.

The King looked down into the Royal Garden where the Queen sat by the Royal Timber Bamboo that was a cash crop to be made into flooring in the Royal Kingdom, one of the ideas of the little princess. "My Queen, yes, you might be right. Maybe we all made a mistake. We should have been kind. We should all have been a friend. We should have invited her to the Royal Palace for a feast. We shouldn't have been greedy and used her ideas without her permission."

The King decided to mend his ways and try a different path. He commanded the Royal Smart Person's School to find the way to happiness, friends, and peace. The King realized that maybe if people were happy and had friends, there would be enough great ideas to make every dream come true in the Kingdom. Although the little princess with the golden curls died a horrible death being isolated and alone without any friends, her life served a purpose because it changed lives for the better.

THE END.

Wedding Photo

This is sure fun to add photos to my blog! Here is the wedding picture of the beautiful Amanda Label Haber married to my son, Benjamin Leslie Haber next to her. Amanda is an RN. Ben works for Zymo Genetics in Seattle and graduated from Northwestern University with a degree in biomedical engineering. He's also a great runner. On my dining room wall, I have a plaque with a photo of him coming in 174th with a time of 2:44:05 on October 11, 1998 in the Chicago Marathon. Next to Ben is me in my dress that I received lots of compliments that I bought at a bargain price at the Fashion Bug in Corvallis.

Gretchen is the oldest and Ben's sister. Gretchen is with her husband, Christopher Bennett next to her with my two beautiful grandchildren, Jack and Lizzy. Besides being a great Mom, Gretchen is the Executive Director of Liberty House in Salem. Chris is a Senior Mortgage Specialist with American Gold Mortgage Corp in Salem.

Right in front of Ben is the Amazing Alexander Haber who was the ring bearer. Alex is my handsome grandson who makes films. We created one together when we were in Seattle. I am the film editor. Alex was the Director, Actor, and Producer. The title of the film is "Good Side, Bad Side." I'm editing the film and working on the credits.

Next to Alex is Daniel, the youngest Haber and the brother of Ben, Gretchen, and Joe. Daniel works for Battell in Mountainview, California. He's a project manager with Battell working with NASA and the airline industry. Daniel graduated from Oregon State University and plans to go on to graduate school for his MBA. He went to Copenhagen Business School in Denmark during the summer of 2003 and then worked for a pharmaceutical company in Berlin, Germany for six months.

At the far left of the photo is Joseph or Joe, Alexander's father. Joe went three years to Mesa State College in Colorado and majored in music. He's written over 20 original songs and lyrics this year. He's so talented on stage and I have yet to hear anyone not love his strong, clear, and powerful voice. Joe lives in Florida and is a garden manager at Wal-Mart in Kissimmee.

Next to the beautiful Amanda, is Leslie, my husband of 34 years. Leslie went three years to the University of Illinois in Chicago before I met him. He's a Mensa.

I love my family. I wish we could be together more often. No one goes for my idea of everyone living on the same street. Maybe if I can ever make it with my writing, I can hop around and visit everyone often. I would also pay for a family cruise each year.

Married for 34 Years

I've been married to Leslie Haber for over 34 years. We eloped on April 17, 1972. We didn't go to one of those cheesy wedding chapels in Reno, Nevada. We settled for the Justice of the Peace in City Hall.

I didn't have a fancy wedding. My family wasn't gathered around. I got one wedding gift from the people I worked with--an international cookbook.

Why did I marry Leslie? I married Les because he looks like Jerry Lewis, has integrity, personal courage to do the right thing, and we were attracted to each other right from the first moment we met.

This photo was taken a couple of years ago. Les is 56 and I'm 58.

Over the years, we've been through a lot of tragedy and hardship. We've also had some great times when we've had money and had opportunities to travel.

We have the best kids in the whole world. I'm proud of every one of them. They're amazing. Gretchen, Ben, Joe, and Daniel. Aaron died in 1995.

Les was right there to help with homework, drive kids to and from school, and battle with teachers who were unfair. Les let me stay home because I wanted to be with my kids even when we didn't have a lot of money. Most men would have booted me out the door to get a job. I loved reading stacks of books, playing games, and teaching my children.

I haven't always agreed with Les about things. He doesn't dance. He does respect my right to speak my mind and is supportive. Most men wouldn't do that, if I said something they disagreed with. We agree on almost everything.

When I have ever been in the hospital which has been very little (birth of children, cancer, and bleeding ulcers), Les has been right beside me.

Now Leslie is in pain most of the time. He sure has done a great job this last year of cutting brush and making our 3.68 acres look nice. He does what he can, when he can, as much as he can. We've lived here in Alsea now for five years and I am finally adjusting.

Every morning when Les wakes up, I start coffee and we sit down at the kitchen table to play canasta. I usually win, which makes it fun for me. Les won yesterday and the day before. Oops!

We love watching the wild birds outside. The Stellers Jays have left us. So have the American Goldfinch. Where are they? The trees used to be filled with song.

Les is the one who fixes everything. He's the one I call when I have problems with the computer. He's the one I call when I need something put together. He's the one who reads directions.

Les loves watching Fox News and tells me what's going on in the world. That's his area.

I make frozen TV dinners so I don't have to cook all the time. Then I know Les gets his vegetables with his meat that he loves so much. Yesterday I made him German apple pancakes for breakfast.

Les has been my best and only friend for a lot of years now. I'm worried about him. It's sad when he goes out the door with his pruner in hand and says that he'd rather die cutting brush than in a hospital room. I told him that nothing can happen to him because I need him. I love you, Leslie.

Please God watch out for Leslie and keep him safe. Please heal his body and make him painfree.

Health Care

Millions of Americans are without health insurance. I am one of them. It's a bit scarey. I deny symptoms and try to prevent problems. I try to eat healthy out of my garden and to exercise.

What does it say when basic care isn't provided? It says that there is no safety net when something goes wrong. It says you are not of value and that you don't matter.

My husband is having problems right now. He suspects a heart condition. When he goes to see a doctor or a nurse, he said they don't use a stethoscope. Why is that? If you don't look for a problem and record evidence, then you can pretend it doesn't exist. Is this what is going on? When one of the millions without insurance keels over, no fault is found. Then there is no evidence of not providing the proper treatment because no problem existed in the first place.

I guess the medical community who is afraid of malpractice law suits have discovered a way to protect their rear end. See no problem. Hear no problem. No evidence. No problem exists. No fault found.

Maybe this is the New No Fault Insurance for the medical community.

Meet the Candidates

Republican candidate, Jim Feldkamp who is running for a seat as a U.S. Congressman came to Alsea on Wednesday evening.

I forgot to put this event on my calendar. I didn't realize that I made an error until I saw the Jim Feldkamp sign in front of the Alsea Hope Grange on Thursday on my way to the library. When I got home, I looked at my copy of the Alsea Valley Voice, our community newsletter. Yup, I'd missed it. It was the night before.

What should I have done? I should have highlighted this on my calendar. It's a great idea to meet candidates, ask them questions, listen to what they have to say and see how they field questions. It's unusual that candidates come to Alsea, which is out in the middle of no where, 45 minutes from the nearest city with bargain shopping.

I know I have been interested in politics less and less. I used to subscribe to the Congressional Record years ago when I first got married. It came in the mail every day. Over the years, I have enjoyed watching C-Span to see live debate in the House and Senate.

I am concerned about the election process. I am concerned that nothing is being done about the integrity of the election process to make sure that each vote counts and is protected. When evidence was brought forward to show that voting machines have been tampered with so that a vote for one candidate will register a vote for another candidate and nothing has been done, something is very wrong. The voting process should be of utmost concern by all people in the United States.

I remember watching BookTV on the weekend on C-Span2 when the author spoke who wrote about this very issue. His book documented evidence that the election process was tampered with throughout our nation starting with the Presidential election between Bush and Gore and then again in the last election. Something is wrong when attorneys don't come forward to protect the law and the integrity of the vote. People in power remain silent as if powerless. Why?

Until this matter is fixed, we can not be sure that our vote counts. Is the American electorate in a state of denial, marching forward anyway going through all the formality of an election process? I am worried about the integrity of the voting process.

Oregon has paper ballots. I'm grateful for that. I want my vote to count. Each vote should be guarded and protected. Each vote needs to count in every election, especially the national election.

DirecTV

Just as my husband and I were leaving the Consumers Power event in Corvallis today, I noticed a man with a navy shirt that said DirecTV. Of course, since I enjoy talking to almost everyone I see, I asked if he was from DirecTV. He said yes, so I said that I LOVE DirecTV.

I met Matt Webb, the owner of Global Communications at 2323 NW 9th Street in Corvallis, Oregon 97330. 541-754-9931. Matt's a nice young man who gave me three of his cards to pass out to people who want to connect to DirecTV.

Why do I LOVE DirecTV? I love it because of the great service, price, variety of programming, and my TiVo. I couldn't live without my TiVo or DirecTV. I can't imagine people with a busy schedule who want to watch their favorite shows without a TiVo. With a TiVo, you can schedule your favorite shows to be recorded to watch at a time convenient to you. You can fast forward through commercials. You can back up and pause to write down a recipe or an address. You can take notes during science shows. It's amazing. You can watch shows recorded last week in the middle of the night, if you can't sleep. You can save up movies to watch. If you work odd hours, you can have all your favorite shows waiting for your off hours. I can't just couldn't tolerate watching television the old fashioned way by sitting down and turning on the television hoping that something good is on.

Think about it.............get a TiVo and call DirecTV.

Consumers Power Inc.

Did I have a great day or what! September 9th is my lucky day. I went to the annual Consumers Power meeting for all its share holders. Everyone in the area served by Consumers Power was invited. Last year I heard from some women at quilting how great it was so I was determined to attend this year. I'm so glad I did. My husband and I had a great time.

Consumers Power is a coop and gives better service than any we have experienced living in other cities. Last year Oregon had major weather problems. When an outage occured, they are right out there fixing the problem in the worst weather. You can count on them to get the job done right and done as quickly as possible.

Not only do you get great service from Consumers Power but they invite you to an annual free chicken dinner with all the trimmings. Yes, my mind constantly centers on good food. Two pieces of crispy chicken from KFC with cold slaw, baked beans, potato salad, and one of those melt-in-your-mouth biscuits. There was also cartons of cold chocolate milk, coffee, ice cream, and delicious white cake with nice people all around you at one of the large three long tables. Each family took home an aster. I got a purple aster. I've been wanting one. They served a lot of people. It had to have been over 200. Maybe more.

During the meeting, they gave out great prizes to anyone with a winning ticket. They gave out everything from a chain saw and brush cutter to a set of knives and a blow dryer. A bald man won the blow dryer so that got a laugh. I won the perfect gift. It was something that I have been wanting for a long time--a HoMedics Sound Spa with six nature sounds (ocean, summer night, rain, rainforest, thunder, and waterfall). It's a clock radio with an alarm clock. You can work, read, and go to sleep at night or wake up listening to the sound of a rainforest or a waterfall. Since I love the sound of water, it's the perfect gift for Wendy. Thank you Consumers Power!

Mark Parker spoke during the meeting, the Voice of the Oregon State University Beavers. He was fun to listen to, especially when he recapped the great moment when the Beavers won the National Baseball League Championship. It was fun to hear that at the age of seven, he was giving a play by play account of his friends as they played basketball and baseball together. It was cute when he said his parents encouraged him as he used a tape recorder when he watched the games on television growing up to record his own sports commentary. He's now living his dream since 1999 to give the play by play of the OSU Beavers. What a great guy and a nice person! The OSU Beavers have the potential to win every game, every year. They just have to work hard and believe.

The monthly magazine, the Ruralite, was also there handing out free coffee to everyone. It would be fun to write articles for the Ruralite.

What a great day! I met so many nice people. I saw Russ Sapp (a nice family from Alsea) up on the stage who represents Alsea. I won a great gift for which I am grateful that I will use every day. I had a great lunch with KFC chicken. They gave everyone an extension cord and four 60 watt eco light bulbs. The only thing I didn't get to do was ride in the bucket. Maybe next year....

Jerry Lewis

Just where is Jerry Lewis this Labor Day? I don't see announcements of a telethon or news about Jerry.

I've always loved Jerry Lewis. He's always been my favorite for all these years. When other kids were oogling over rock stars, I oogled over Jerry Lewis. Yes, I like the Beetles and Rolling Stones but no one comes close to Jerry on my list.

My husband looks like Jerry and that's one of the many reasons why I married Les in addition to his intelligence, integrity, personal courage, and many other attibutes.

Jerry has always made me laugh. He does anything for a laugh. He's the good guy on the screen and the one with the big heart.

Les took me to see Jerry in Portland, Oregon. Jerry starred in Damn Yankies, the Broadway play. I kept my eyes on Jerry throughout from my seat. After it was over, I waited outside and stood in his way so he had to brush past me. It was awesome. They said no one could talk to him so that was it.

I wrote him a letter once but never got an answer or a signed photo.

I would love to see him on stage someday in Las Vegas. He's the draw for me. I've never had the opportunity.

For all the years of telethons and hard work to help kids, Jerry should win some momentous award--like the Nobel Peace Prize for the millions and millions of dollars for muscular dystrophy research. Jerry Lewis is a hero.

I love you, Jerry. I always will. Please get better and listen only to the best doctors.

$5 Quilt Club

Oh the fun you can have at Grandma's Attic Sewing Emporium in Dallas, Oregon! I love Rachel Greco's monthly $5 Quilt Club and Rachel is one of the women I admire.

This is how the club works. August started the new quilting year at Grandma's Attic. If you bring in $5, you receive a quilt block with fabric and instructions. Last year the theme was "She flies with her own wings," and this year is "First Ladies of America." You receive one of the amazing redwork designs created by her son and you hear stories about the First Ladies at the White House throughout history. Last month was Martha Washington and today was Abigail Adams. Rachel talked about the inspiring example of Abigail this morning and how she was intelligent with strong opinions.

Rachel Greco is a natural entertainer. Her love of research and learning shows as she shares stories of women. She is a strong advocate of women. Rachel should have her own quilting show on national television. It would sure be popular. She would be great and loved by all who love to quilt. Everyone flocks to Dallas on the first Friday and Saturday of the month for five sessions. Last year were stories about pioneer women. Not only do you learn to quilt but you feel inspired and uplifted after listening to Rachel.

Abigail was a woman of strength and leadership. Interesting that in 2006 that in the United States of America, women do not have equal rights under the Constitution.