Yesterday

The Beatles song, Yesterday comes to mind. It's fun to sing along in the car when it comes on an oldies station. "Yesterday, all my troubles seemed so far away, now it looks as though they're here to stay. Oh, I believe in yesterday...."

Yesterday I walked for four hours along a tree-lined mountain road. Yes, I said FOUR HOURS and my feet hurt as proof. When I came home, I got a phone call from a boiler room offering me a vacation for World Mark. I've always loved World Mark vacation time shares and have wanted to sign up. I always have big dreams that are elusive. Sometimes it feels so close and then it all fades away. I should have told the World Mark guy the blunt truth. No, We don't qualify. We live on a fixed income because my husband is disabled. I can't afford to come to the presentation. I can't afford the gas money. I can't even afford to go to the store for groceries. Pretty pathetic.

I can't afford to volunteer because I don't have the gas money to go anywhere and I don't think you should volunteer when you need to work hard to bring in money. I don't seem to be getting anywhere. My dreams keep going up in smoke. I always dream big and have big ideas. My imagination runs wild with what I would like to do and where I want to travel.

I don't have any health insurance. I had cancer in 1993 and I haven't been checked in years. I've had stroke symptoms and sometimes my chest hurts. I'm morbidly obese. So how do I deal with this? I try to exercise, eat healthy, and do what I can each day that is possible and positive for me. That's all I can do.

I try hard to do what I can do within the limits of my life, like walking the four hours yesterday. I've read eight books this month so far. I'm working on the 2/3 of my juvenile novel and getting the chapters finished for my cruise mystery novel. I sent in a restaurant review about McGrath's Fish House on July 23rd for my direct mail marketing class with American Artists and Writers and I'm waiting to hear back. I'm waiting to hear back from Writer's Digest Magazine about an article I submitted. I work on my garden and I have corn almost ready. I have a lot to be grateful for but dreams are elusive. All my Big Ideas seem to be going nowhere. Maybe it's okay. I still have food in the cupboard. I have the opportunity to write, read, exercise, and garden. No, not everything is the way I want it but I guess I should be grateful for what I have and can do. A lot of people are having problems right now. I'm not any different from any of them. Why should I get the gold ring I'm always reaching for? Friends are missing from my life. I'm living a centered life supposedly, and maybe if I keep working hard eventually something good will happen. Maybe someday............................

Barack Obama as President is my hope for my dreams and a better life.

Race and prejudice in politics

I don't understand how someone could NOT vote for someone because of their skin color. I am listening to the news and reading articles of people who say they won't vote for someone who is black. These people who say they are good people, Christian people, and yet they have hate in their heart and have the cancer of prejudice in their heart. No one can say they follow Jesus, love the message of Christianity, and hate someone because of their skin color. God made everyone of every color and race. We are supposed to get along and be kind to each other. We are supposed to support one another and be happy for someone who is doing well.

Senator Hillary Clinton

I'm happy that Senator Hillary Clinton gave a powerful speech calling for unity of the Democratic party and asking for all Democrats to vote for Barack Obama and Joseph Biden but she didn't take it far enough. A lot of her speech was all about Hillary. She didn't address all her criticisms directly that she spouted off about Obama during the Primary. To be honest, her speech was lukewarm and she didn't do what she should have done to bring the party together and to support Barack Obama.

Barack Obama is the most qualified. He graduated first in his class at Harvard Law School. He was good enough to make megamillions on Wall Street, if he wanted to be greedy and think of himself. We're lucky that such a brilliant man is willing to put himself out there to help solve the problems in the United States.

Clearly we need change in this country to stop the destruction of the last eight years of our economy. We need health care for all. We need jobs in America. We need to protect the environment. We need a strong United States of America. We need a strong dollar. Our country can't take four more years of Republican leadership.

We need to unite as a party and get out the vote for Barack Obama who is a brilliant and strong leader who will be one of the greatest Presidents in the history of the United States.

Montana Governor Brian Schweitzer

Governor Brian Schweitzer from the great state of Montana gave a powerful speech tonight for Barack Obama at the Democratic Convention in Denver. Brian Schweitzer is a leader to watch. He's charismatic. He's a strong and powerful leader with a vision of America that needs to be heard. The Big Sky state of Montana has a powerful leader who I'm sure will find a spot on a national ticket in the future.

I'm proud that Montana has such a strong leader since I was born in Libby, Montana, and lived there until the end of my third grade year. It makes me happy to see that the great state of Montana is alive and strong with leadership equal to any state in the United States. Go, Montana! Go forward Governor Brian Schweitzer with great success!

Visions of the Future

The show Visions of the Future on the Science Channel with Michio Kaku inspires hope in my heart for the future. Science has the answers to make this world explode with possibilities to make everything so much better and beyond belief for everyone. Superconductivity enables trains to travel on air using less energy than regular trains. Carbon nanotubes will allow us to build highways into space and allow NASA to build a space elevator making space travel common.

This is possible--the technology is here. We could build roads that allow cars and trucks to travel on air. It would revolutionize transportation. This could be our future. We don't have to be backward and rely on fossil fuels. We don't have to destroy our environment and drill for oil. We can solve problems with science.

Michelle Obama

I am so impressed with Michelle Obama. What a genuine, sincere, kind, and nice woman! She is brilliant, yet isn't the kind of woman who drives her own needs in front of others. She believes in service. I can't think of any woman at this moment who I feel even reaches her level or even comes close to her. She is everything that I admire and hold dear. She is a role model for every woman. She's a wonderful mother. She's a brilliant attorney. She's a good person inside. She's a wonderful wife. She serves our country and willing to put herself out there as First Lady. She's willing to make sacrifices to stand next to her husband, Barack Obama as the President of the United States.

Michelle Obama gave a powerful speech at the Democratic Convention this evening. At this time in my life, I have no close friends or a best friend but I know that I want a best friend just like Michelle Obama. I think she is perfect in every way. I admire her so much and she stands for the values that I believe in. I can't imagine any person in this country not being moved by her speech. I don't walk in her circles and I can't afford to do a lot of things but I do know that I would follow her anywhere to serve and do what she asks. I believe in her and she inspires hope in my heart for this country and for me.

Senator Edward Kennedy

Tears streamed down my face as Senator Ted Kennedy spoke tonight at the Democratic National Convention. I've always admired Senator Kennedy and the Kennedy family for all they have stood for and what they have done to serve our country. His speech was powerful, just as powerful as I have seen him over the years on C-Span in the senate fighting for this cause and that cause to help people in need. The Kennedy's could easily have sat back and enjoyed their money. In spite of tragedy, they have chosen to put themselves out there to make our nation better and to help all people.

I admire Senator Edward Kennedy. One of the reasons why I will always love him is because he wrote to my son, Aaron and sent a photograph. Aaron sent him a Valentine one year when he was young. Senator Kennedy took the time to personally sign a photo of himself and send a letter to Aaron. I will always treasure the photograph.

The Kennedy family has always been in a high place in my list. When I started my homeschool and created the curriculum, I thought of Mrs. Rose Kennedy. I thought of the Kennedy children who were given the best of everything in life and went to Choate. I felt my children were also the best and I tried to figure out what the Kennedy children would learn within the Kennedy family and at Choate. I tried to pattern my curriculum after what I felt the very best and privileged children in this country, like the Kennedys, would learn in school.

Senator Edward Kennedy came to the Democratic Convention despite severe health issues. He came to serve, to unite the party, to tell about his admiration and support of Barack Obama. His speech was powerful. Senator Kennedy will always be one of my heroes. I wish I could learn at his feet and at the feet of people like him. I am humbled by his service and his life, as I am of all the Kennedy family members.

Acai Berries

I was doing a Google search about acai berries since I want to plant an acai palm in my yard. Why, you ask? Because the juice of the acai berries are supposed to help you lose weight and because of it's high antioxidant content. What did I learn? I learned that it is best to eat acai berries fresh because the products available on the market have a fraction of the antioxidant content. You need to be able to have rainforest weather to keep one of these palms with year around temperatures no lower than 50 to 70 degrees. I was thinking that I would need to build a four story house with a central indoor garden with all floors overlooking this palm as it reaches up 90 feet. A little spendy for my budget just to get fresh acai berries so I need to start thinking of something else. I know....anyone out there who is living in Arizona or hot enough year around weather needs to start thinking about planting a cash crop of acai palms and selling it on the U.S. market for people who want to eat healthy.

It you want to learn more go to http://growacai.com/

Pesto

I made some fresh pesto yesterday to put on pasta. Have you ever made some? Do you want to know how? Okay...I'll share the recipe.

I went out into my garden to pick about two cups of basil leaves. I washed them and put them in my food processor. Then I added 1/4 cup of pinenuts, three garlic cloves, 3/4 cup of shredded parmesan cheese, and about 3/4 cup of olive oil and then I buzzed it until it was smooth. I know what you're thinking.....all that olive oil...yeah, I know. I guess it really has enough calories for quite a few days so this is not an every day event but it really is good. I have found it is best fresh.

My Garden

I'm not having any luck trying to download photos to my blog this evening so I will tell you about my garden, rather than show you.

I have corn taller than me. I crowded the rows so I would have lots of it. My favorite foods are corn on the cob and watermelon and I planted both. I'm not sure how the watermelon is going to do this year though. I also have pumpkin, different kinds of squash, cucumbers, Swiss chard, tomatoes, bell peppers, peas, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cauliflower, eggplant, carrots, and lots of other stuff. The apple tree is loaded. This spring we planted several dwarf cherry, pear, and peach trees plus blueberries, raspberries, and table grapes. We have an acre in garden, but not all the space is used this year. Next year I have bigger plans. We have 2 1/2 acres in trees. Next year I want to plant pecan and walnut trees plus more blueberries, thornless blackberries, raspberries, table grapes.

I want to make sure that we have lots of food growing since we live so far from Corvallis [45 minutes away or 25 miles], gas prices are high, and it's fun to grow your own food. Plus I don't want to starve since I'm not working anymore. My husband told me that all the money was gone at the 4th of the month. I found out later that he was holding back a little. All this is making me food insecure. My answer? Grow lots of food and write every day.

Obama and Biden

What a great combination for the Democratic Presidential ticket! Joseph Biden is a great choice. They will work well together. Both are strong, brilliant, and can handle anything that comes at them. Barack Obama is going to be a great President and Joseph Biden will be the supporting Vice President who will work hard to accomplish the goals of the Presidency.

We need Barack Obama as President and Joseph Biden as Vice President. We now have a 9 trillion dollar national debt, thanks to President Bush. We need Democrats to the rescue of the United States to protect the Constitution, the people of the United States, jobs, and the environment. We need to end the war and not start any new ones, like McCain wants to do. We need to make higher education affordable for everyone. Health care needs to be available for everyone for prevention. Change is needed so people can dream again!

I watched the debate between Obama and McCain. What did I think? What was my overall impression? I loved Barack Obama. I thought that McCain lives, breathes, eats, and sleeps war. If McCain gets in, he is determined to play soldier with his buddies no matter what cost or price to the United States. McCain is more of Bush and maybe worse.

We need Barack Obama and Joseph Biden. The perfect presidential ticket for the Democrat party to charge forward and win.

My Blog

I have been having the worst time trying to connect to my blog with Internet Explorer. This is the first time I've been able to connect. Hurray! I checked Adsense and it says that I made zero money so I am certainly not going to get rich with this blog. Zero in two weeks is not getting anywhere very fast.

Each time I try to connect to blogger with my great speedy dial-up, it takes me about 20 minutes from the time that I put in my password until I finally get to the dashboard. Frustration all in caps. I get messages that Internet Explorer can't open the site. Why? I get messages that my cookies are disabled. Not true. It says Java Script is disabled. Not true. I have to sign in twice and it makes repeated clicks and loops. All this boils down to 20 minutes as I remain calm but wish that someday I could have a normal Internet experience where everything works!

Robert Downey Jr.

It was fun to see Robert Downey Jr. on The Late, Late Show with Craig Ferguson the other night. He's off the charts brilliant in front of the movie camera. Now he's also a director. He's in the new movie Tropic Thunder that came out on August 13th. Go see it in the movie theater for the full effect with popcorn and pop in front of the giant screen. In this movie Robert plays a character from Australia. He was also in Iron Man. Next he will be Sherlock Holmes. I hope that he casts Craig Ferguson in the movie. He'd be brilliant and perfect in any part.

I loved watching Robert Downey Jr. opposite Calista Flockhart in Ally McBeal, one of my favorite shows of all time. Just where are the reruns?

I remember many, many years ago watching Robert Downey Jr's father on late night television smoking away being charming and great too, just like his son.

Disney

Disneyland and Disney World are the happiest places on earth. I agree. I love anything Disney. Here are my five perfect children. Aaron is in the blue and yellow knit shirt. Joe is in the green shirt. Daniel is in the multi-stripe shirt. Benjamin is in the navy blue shirt. Gretchen is in the light blue polo top. We used to try to go to Disneyland several times a year. We all went to Disney World once when my kids earned the 7 day trip for selling newspaper starts to the Statesman Journal in Salem, Oregon. Always great memories with Disney. Always the perfect vacation.
Sea World was another favorite vacation attraction for our family. This was Sea World in Florida near Orlando. Aaron is on the far left with Daniel in front. Gretchen is in the middle with Joseph in front of her. Leslie, my husband is in the back on the far right with Benjamin in front of him. Where am I? Always taking the pictures.

Daniel Haber

Daniel Haber is a Super Hero who can do anything, accomplish anything, answer anything. Super Daniel's mind is quicker, brighter, better. He reads and everything merges with answers when needed. He's clicking with answers. Daniel can handle anything that comes at him. He can brilliantly solve any problem with inventive solutions and get results. My son, THE DANIEL is laid back with that easy going personality that can talk to anyone, like when he was the President of Sigma Pi in college to being part of Compete Columbus composed of leaders of Columbus, CEO's, and Presidents of Fortune 500 corporations now. When he works, one hour of output is ten times greater than anyone around him. Daniel is a shining super star that shines all the way to distant galaxies. Just a fact.

Daniel is working for Battelle in Columbus, Ohio and is attending The Ohio State University in the part-time MBA program. He is a member of Compete Columbus composed of all the leaders in the Columbus area. Columbus, Ohio is a major U.S. business and science hub for innovation. Exciting things are going to come from Columbus. Sit back and watch.

Oregon College of Education

This is a photo me when I was in college. I graduated from Oregon College of Education in Monmouth in the summer of 1970. It's now called Western Oregon University. My Bachelor of Science degree is in Social Science and Corrections with a minor in special education.

Tap Dancing

I used to take tap dancing lessons. I also took ballet lessons when I lived in Libby, Montana. I had the outfits complete with Shirley Temple curls. I used to dress up and pretend. I had costumes of a nurse and all kinds of different outfits. I had a wonderful and happy childhood.

I was always a real ham. I still am. I love to be in the middle of everything and up front. Now I live in the middle of nowhere.

Baby Photo

This is one of my early photos when I was a toddler in Libby, Montana.

My Children

Here's a photo of my five children. Starting on the left is Joseph, next to Gretchen who is reading a Care Bears book. Daniel is sitting on Gretchen's lap. Next to Daniel is Benjamin. On the end is Aaron.
Here's a Christmas photo of the boys and our Saint Bernard, Nana. Joseph is on the left, then Daniel. Aaron is on the far right and Benjamin is in the middle. We were living in our house in South Salem on the corner of JDavid and Summerfield. These photos were taken in the mid-80's.

Richmond Elementary School

This photo was taken at Richmond Elementary School in Salem, Oregon. I'm the blonde in the middle. On the far right is Dennis Blanchard. On the far left is Corrine Craft standing next to Sue Crothers. Corrine died. Her best friend was Sylvia who owns the Quilted Forest on Commercial Street in downtown Salem.

I've known Sue Crothers since the 4th grade. I remember being invited to her house one weekend for a barbeque. Her father is a doctor and had the most amazing library. I was so impressed with the library with floor to ceiling bookcases on all sides of the large room. I've always wanted a huge library. Years later when I talked to Sue, she said that one thing that she always remembered about me is that I always had lots of pencils and paper when I was in school. That's still true.

I haven't seen or talked to anyone in a long time.

What was great about Richmond Elementary School was that Matilda Gillis was the Principal who was also one of the editorial advisory board members of Highlights Magazine for Children. My Mom always subscribed to Highlights for me to read.

It was during this time period when I used to write screenplays. I would write television scripts for the show, Gunsmoke.

My Dad

This is a photo of me and my Dad in Libby, Montana. My Dad was State Commander of the VFW in Montana. He served in WWI in France. This photo was either taken in Libby or another city in Montana when he went to a meeting. My Mom took the photo. She was the state musician and played the piano for everything.

My parents would go to lots of meetings in Montana. My Dad would buy me 10 comic books and $1 worth of penny candy. I would sit and wait for the meetings to be over. I was perfectly happy with my comic books and penny candy so I didn't care. They also held state leadership positions in the Masons.

Christmas in Libby, Montana

This was taken at Christmas of 1951 so I was almost four years old.

Benjamin Leslie Haber

Benjamin Leslie Haber is coming to Alsea this weekend. It's always exciting to see the Golden Boy. Ben works at Zymo Genetics in Seattle and he's working on cancer drug research. He graduated from Northwestern University in biomedical engineering, which is in Evanston, Illinois.

Ben is also an elite distance runner and is sponsored by Seattle Running Company. Ben's nothing short of amazing, brilliant, and perfect. That's just a fact.

Roller Skating and the Olympics

This is an old photo I found. I used to love to roller skate. This is a photo of me and my roller skating dance partner.

I was looking at the Beijing Olympics and the event was beach volleyball. There are so many Olympic events these days. I remember when I was in junior high or middle school that they were talking about roller skating being added to the list of events to participate in the Olympics but it didn't happen. I don't understand why. I was very disappointed. I used to spend weekends and some evenings during the last part of elementary school and junior high at a roller rink in Salem, Oregon. I started to enter regional competitions and won the first medal for free style and two medals for dance. I loved it. I especially loved dance. The free style test for the first medal was very easy--just 3-turns and simple twirling or spins, nothing fancy or complicated. The dance was so much fun. I used to read the correography in a book that had diagrams for the dances that we had to learn. The testing was at The Oaks Roller Rink in Portland for the regional event. Some of the dances had 3-turns in them and you had to go backwards and turn in addition to doing different moves with your feet. It was a challenge and I loved it.

If ice skating is an Olympic event and ribbon twirling is an Olympic event, WHY in the world isn't roller skating an Olympic event? It's such a wonderful outlet for young people. It's great to have competition. It's wonderful to work for medals and ribbons. It's great exercise. It's easier to build roller skating rinks than ice rinks. It includes more kids. It's a much harder sport than ribbon twirling.

For the sake of young people everywhere, why don't you please reconsider allowing roller skating to be an Olympic event? I've always thought how much fun it would be to own a roller rink. I'd skate most of the day. I would be skinny and happy, but then I sure wouldn't get many novels written. Oh, I know....I could skate for three or four hours every day and then write my novels.

The Late, Late Show with Craig Ferguson

This last week was snake week on The Late, Late Show with Craig Ferguson. When my children were little, my son, Aaron, had a pet king snake. One time I found it at the bottom of my clothes hamper. We had lots of pets when my kids were young.

Two weeks ago was shark week. About three weeks ago, I read an article in the Smithsonian about sharks and how they were misunderstood. I read that they were curious and the easiest to catch. I remember when my children were at home in the mid-80's. We were living in Salem, Oregon. I was at a TAG (talented and gifted) meeting at South Salem High School. The mothers who were there were all asked to pick an animal that they wanted to be. I picked a shark to the horror of those who listened. I picked a shark because a shark doesn't get hurt and is able to protect themselves. I figured that a shark is fearless and no one bullies a shark. My answer sure didn't go over very well. I wasn't asked to explain my choice. That ended any hope of friendship right there.

I watched several shows during shark week on the Discovery Channel. It was fascinating. Did you ever consider that the big tooth grin of the Great White just might be a smiley face?

Saving Grace

I have started to watch Saving Grace on TNT that comes on television on Monday nights at 10 p.m. It's a powerful drama that is about a detective who was sexually molested by a Catholic priest when she was nine years old. This abuse went on for a year and a half. This priest molested 27 other children.

Detective Grace played by Holly Hunter says, "Act like a tough guy? Get treated like one. I want to bust the world wide open....I want to engage with people, with lovers, and fellow cops. I want to be physical and I want to ask the big questions. I want to taste the tastes and fix the problems. I want to run head long into chaos and bad guys and darkness and pranks and fun and laugh, laugh, laugh. I want to be the best friend, the greatest aunt and the most complicated daughter. I want to be the mystery in the room and I want to be known. Embrace your grace."

I first learned about this show while watching The Late, Late Show with Craig Ferguson. Holly Hunter was on the show and they mentioned Saving Grace. After checking Craig's bio, I learned that Craig Ferguson wrote the screenplay, Saving Grace. I haven't seen it yet but I want to.

Relgion has covered up so many sins. When a young boy is molested by a priest, it is a double betrayal. If the young boy goes into the priesthood and prays on his knees for peace, and then in turn molests other little boys and girls, this tells me that it is a dark cancer that continues. It must stop because it has destroyed so many lives. In my opinion, anyone who has sexually molested a child should be given the death penalty. It should NOT be allowed to happen again.

Go to www.embraceyourgrace.com and share your stories.

Donny Deutsch

The Big Idea on CNBC with host Donny Deutsch is my favorite show and is important for anyone who wants to learn how to be successful in life and business. On every show Donny has guests who are CEO's and business leaders who have written books on the topic discussed. This daily hour with Donny on CNBC is packed with important information that will help anyone who cares about learning and moving their life forward towards their goals. All topics having to do with the work place, managing people, and leadership are discussed, like body language and conflict negotiation to name a couple. Deepak Malhotra, a professor from Harvard Business School who wrote NEGOTIATION GENIUS is a frequent guest on the show.

The Big Idea is exciting and I wouldn't miss it. Donny Deutsch is dynamic, exciting, brilliant, and he's so handsome. He's taken on the leadership role with the help of other important business leaders to help people during these difficult economic times with proven advice and tips for success.

Barack Obama

Barack Obama is the ONLY candidate running for President of the United States, as far as I am concerned. He has already shown that he is presidential. He has the respect of the world. He is a brilliant man. He listens. He leads. He's the BEST candidate.

In my opinion, Barack Obama will be listed among the greatest Presidents of the United States. We can no longer afford to be careless about our choices in the political arena.

We need Barack Obama during these difficult economic times after President Bush has run our country into the ground. How many trillions of dollars are we in debt now? Gas prices are higher than they have ever been. Foreign countries are buying up our land and businesses. China is loaning us money. How could anyone even consider voting Republican after what we have just experienced with eight years of President Bush?

Carl Sagan

I've been slowly reading Carl Sagan's book, THE DEMON-HAUNTED WORLD: SCIENCE AS A CANDLE IN THE DARK and taking notes. I've always loved Carl Sagan. I loved watching his series on television, COSMOS and the book with the same name. I copied some important quotes at the beginning of the book about science, critical thinking, and democracy. Here are a few that I thought were important:

"...The most we can hope for is successive improvement in our understanding, learning from our mistakes...." p. 28

"...Abandoning science is the road back into poverty and backwardness." p. 38

"Mistrust arguments from authority," is one of the great commandments of science. p. 28

"The values of science and the values of democracy are concordant, in many cases indistinguishable. Science and democracy began--in the same time and place, Greece in the seventh and sixth centuries B.C. Science confers power on anyone who takes the trouble to learn it....Science thrives , indeed requires, the free exchange of ideas; its values are antithetical to secrecy. Science holds to no special vantage points or privileged positions. Both science and democracy encourage unconventional opinions and vigorous debate. Both demand adequate reason, coherent argument, rigorous standards of evidence, and honesty. Science is a way to call the bluff of those who only pretend to knowledge. It is a bulwark against mysticism, against superstition....It can tell us when we're being lied to. It provides mid-course correction to our mistakes. The more widespread its language, rules and methods, the better chance we have of preserving what Thomas Jefferson and his colleagues had in mind....If we don't practice these tough habits of thought, we cannot hope to solve the truly serious problems that face us--and we risk becoming a nation of suckers, a world of suckers, up for grabs by the next charlatan who saunters along." p. 38-39

"Keeping an open mind is a virtue--but as the space engineer James Oberg once said, 'not so open that your brains fall out.' Of course, we must be willing to change our minds when warranted by new evidence. But the evidence must be strong. Not all claims to knowledge have equal merit." p. 187

Beijing Olympics

8-8-8 is the start of the Beijing Olympics. How exciting! China has moved mountains to make everything nice for everyone who comes. The Chinese government and people have made sure that everything will go well and that everyone will have a special time.

I remember when my husband and I visited China in September of 1993 for 18 days on an Ocean Pacific tour around China that ended in Hong Kong. It was wonderful to see China and to learn about the country. My husband had always wanted to visit China and walk on the Great Wall so we did. We had a wonderful time and I will never forget it.

At the time when we visited China, they were already building freeways and highrise hotels to get ready for the Olympics.

To everyone who has the opportunity to see China at the Beijing Olympics............have a good time, relax, be grateful for the opportunity to visit China, enjoy all the Olympic events, and show respect to the Chinese people who have worked so hard to make it so nice for you.

Paris Hilton

I just watched the new political commercial for Paris Hilton. I think it's great. You go girl! You are brilliant at marketing. You're hot. You own any stage you are on. You look great. You can express yourself well. Go for whatever you want in life.

Your commercial was a brilliant move and puts you front in center. I think it's great.

I listened to Bill O'Reilly tonight make disparaging comments about your commercial. I've listened to David Letterman interview you in the past and make condecending comments. I say....go forth and be strong. Be who you want to be. Make a difference.

Mary Rosenblum

I just got back my last assignment in the mail today from the Long Ridge Writer's Group. http://www.longridgewritersgroup.com/ I've been taking the novel writing course with Mary Rosenblum. I'm so grateful for her help throughout the course. She wrote the text for the novel writing course so I couldn't have had a better instructor.

Mary Rosenblum writes science fiction and mysteries. She's an award-winning writer and this weekend is at the Willamette Writers Conference in Portland, Oregon teaching workshops. www.willamettewriters.com Inside the Willamette Writers brochure, it says: "Mary Rosenblum has published eight novels and more than 60 short stories with major magazines since 1990. She has been a Hugo finalist and a winner of the Compton Crook Award as well as short listed for a bunch of other awards. She lives and writes on country acreage where she also trains dogs for tracking and sheep herding trials. Her novel HORIZON from Tor Books and the 'drylands' collection, Water Rites from Fairwood Press, are on the shelves now." http://www.maryrosenblum.com/

I wish I could be at the Willamette Writers Conference. Maybe someday. If I work hard and get this novel finished, maybe I can next year.

I'm working on a cruise mystery. Mary suggested that I put it in the romance suspense category which sounds like fun. I love the idea of writing travel mystery/suspense novels because I love to travel. Although I can't afford to travel right now, this is one way I can travel the world and have fun sitting right here on my acreage in Alsea.

I'm very encouraged by Mary's letter that I received in the mail today. "You have a classic romantic suspense/mystery here. It really will sell....I think this would make a marvelous series." Now all I have to do is be persistent, work hard, and finish it.

I've been writing every day and reading to support my writing. I exercise by walking up the mountain road behind my house and I garden. That's my life. I can't afford to go anywhere but my life is full and I'm having fun with my writing. Now I'm working to finish this mystery/suspense novel. I couldn't have done it without Mary's help. Thanks, Mary.

Craig Ferguson

I sure enjoy watching Craig Ferguson. He has a brilliant mind. He's funny and perfect just the way he is. I'm grateful that at least once a day I laugh when I watch The Late, Late Show With Craig Ferguson.

Born in Glasgow, Scotland, Craig started out as a drummer in a rock band for several years. Then switched to acting. In 1995, he came to America to star in the ABC Comedy, "Maybe This Time" with Betty White and Marie Osmond. He has written two feature films. He's a director. Now he has finished his first novel, BETWEEN THE BRIDGE AND THE RIVER.

Craig Ferguson does it all and does it well. He makes everyone laugh. He sure makes me laugh every time I watch him. The Late, Late Show With Craig Ferguson is essential television as far as I'm concerned.

Richard Simmons

Richard Simmons was on the David Letterman Show on Friday night. I watched it just because Richard was going to be on the show but I'm never pleased with how David Letterman treats him. It was fun to see Richard. He just turned 60. David Letterman is 60. I'm 60.

I dug out all my Richard Simmons videos that I have purchased over the years. Yes, I'm a big Richard Simmons fan and have enjoyed his aerobic concerts sweatin' to the oldies through the years. He makes exercise fun. He cares. Most of all Richard Simmons makes you smile and laugh.

Here's what I have purchased over the years:
Richard Simmons Get Started
Sweatin' to the Oldies
Sweatin' to the Oldies 2
Sweatin' to the Oldies 3
Sweatin' to the Oldies 4
Broadway Sweat--Aerobic Musical Workout
Broadway Blast Off--A Get Up and Go Workout
Groovin' in the House--An Aerobic Concert
Dance Your Pants Off--An Aerobic Concert
Tonin' Uptown
Tonin' Downtown
Tone Up on Broadway--A Complete Toning Workout
Stretchin' to the Classics
Day by Day with Richard Simmons--8 Videos

I've also subscribed to his newsletter years ago through the mail and I have two Deal-A-Meals.

Richard Simmons is now working hard to make sure that physical education is in every public school. Physical education and exercise is essential for health for everyone. Take a look at his website at www.richardsimmons.com.

Big Brother

I watch Big Brother on CBS. Craig Ferguson on the Late, Late Show With Craig Ferguson had Julie Chen from Big Brother on his show the other night.

I've seriously considered submitting my application to be on Big Brother. I think it would be fun but I'm old and fat.

It's interesting to observe how everyone reacts under all the different conditions in the house. Some get angry. Some rant and rave. Some are quiet and watch. Some are sneaky and lie. Some manipulate. Some show character and integrity. Some are kind and nice. Some are fun and playful. It's all there. There's no hiding in the Big Brother house.

Cats or Dogs?

I was recently thinking of getting another dog. I love basset hounds and saint bernards best, but then I started of thinking of the waking me up in the middle of the night to let them outside and the walking even when I didn't want to go for a walk. I decided I'd stick with my two indoor cats who are low maintenance.

I do miss having a basset hound. I had two that I really miss--Howard and Humphrey. I got Howard as a puppy. His ears flopped into his water dish. When he walked, his ears hung to the floor almost. He was adorable and I always loved him. He could sit up on the couch with a paw on the side, just like a person. He used to drag his blanket around with him. We used to go for long walks. He went from one side of the sidewalk to the other sniffing bushes. Sometimes he would wander over to lick a cat. Howard had pizazz. He was named after Howard Stern. I figured it was appropriate, a Jewish long-eared dog with chutzpah. I always liked Howard Stern too. Now he's wealthy with a beautiful young wife in the Hamptons. Happiness to you always, Howard Stern and to my Howard the greatest of all basset hounds.

Air Car

There is an engineer in Nice, France who has been working on a car that runs on compressed air for the last 10 years. The company is MDI which stands for Motor Development International. It is a new kind of engine that is powered by air that can run at a speed of 110 kilometers an hour. Compressed air moves the pistons in the engine. Clean, breathable air is emited from the car. You can plug it into a home compressor to refill using only $2 in electricity for 4 hours. Gas is used to help compress the air. One tank of gas can take you all the way from LA to NYC. The cars are expected to be on the European market next year for under $14,000. This is the best hope I have heard about in awhile.

John H. Appelgren

This is my Dad, John H. Appelgren who was mayor of Wolf Point, Montana from 1926 to 1928. His photo hangs in City Hall. I just received this photo from my cousin, Victor Gess. My Dad was born in 1890 and I was born in 1948. Both his parents, my grandparents, were born in Sweden. I sure hope that someday I can visit Sweden. I know I will love it there.

My Dad spoke several languages, earned a degree in law and veterinary science by taking classes through the mail, and won a writing contest with Reader's Digest Magazine.

Reading Challenge

I was rereading ON WRITING by Stephen King. On page 145, he says, "I'm a slow reader, but I usually get through seventy or eighty books a year, mostly fiction."

Do you read seventy or eighty books a year? This is a challenge that is worth trying to meet and work towards. See if you can start reading two books a week. At the end of a year, you will have read over 100 books. You will be so proud of yourself. Just think of all the things you will have learned and great books you will have discovered.

When I was growing up, my Dad used to read the Bible every night. He used to read the entire Bible several times every year. He also read one western book every night. I used to buy him stacks and stacks of western books. Can you read a book every day?

J. A. Jance

If you haven't discovered J.A. Jance yet, the great mystery writer, go to your nearest book store and grab several of her books. She has created great stories and the characters you love to read about.

DAMAGE CONTROL, a Joanna Brady mystery, number 13, just came out in hardback on July 22nd, 2008 and JUSTICE DENIED, a Beaumont mystery, number 18, is now available in paperback. J. A. Jance publishes with HarperCollins.

I love the J. P. Beaumont myteries series because the setting is in Seattle, where my son, Benjamin lives. The Joanna Brady mystery series takes place in Arizona and is equally great.

If you want to curl up with a great mystery written by the BEST mystery writer today, buy several books by J. A. Jance. You'll get hooked, like me. Check out her website to see if she is going to be at a bookstore near you so you can get your books signed. Someday I hope I get to meet her too.
http://www.jajance.com/

Alsea Library

The Alsea Library is part of the Corvallis Library system. This means that because I live in Benton County in Oregon that I can check out any book I want from the library. The website is http://www.thebestlibrary.net/. It IS the best library system I have ever seen. They give great service and they have the BEST books on the shelves. When you browse the bookcases in Corvallis, you will find the newest books and every possible book in any topic you could want. It's amazing. The lady who set it up really knew what she was doing. She also set up the library in Seattle.

The only thing I would change in the Alsea Library is I would make it much bigger. There aren't any private rooms for study. It's one room where any talk disturbs anyone who wants to be quiet and just read. There aren't any individual study rooms for students or someone who loves to do research.

I'm grateful that we have a library in Alsea. It's needed. A library is probably one of the most important parts in any city. I feel it is essential.

The large room in back in the library is sometimes used for groups. Money is charged. Alsea is a little town. It would be better if the room could be used without any charge. We don't have a community center in Alsea and we need one. The last time I was at the library, I was asked to move with my laptop into the children's section. A few minutes later a meeting was held at the tables by city leaders. Evidently, they didn't want to pay the fee for the meeting room at the library.

I'm grateful for the great service and the opportunity to check out books from the library.

Windows Updates

My computer is slower than molasses. I have dialup. It's been several hours and we're downloading three critical updates. It's now at 51%.

Jet Pilots

In the Gazette Times this morning was a story on the front page about a pilot flying a Quantas jet and landing safely in the Philippines, even though there was "a hole the size of a small car" in the side of the Boeing 747. Wow! That's amazing flying. I wonder what happened. The pilot is a true hero. He's the kind of pilot that everyone wants to have behind the cockpit handling the controls.

Pilots should have a strong voice in whatever happens in the skies since they are the ones who know and they are the ones who are risking everything. If they say that they want enough fuel for an emergency, give it to them. If they need to rest, give them time off. Whatever they feel is necessary to fly a plane safely, should be given to them.

Philip Roth

I just finished PORTNOY'S COMPLAINT by Philip Roth. Before that I read EVERYMAN by him.

I laughed. I got angry. I was shocked at some parts. Most of the time I laughed through both books. He sees people from the inside out. I'm in awe of Roth's dialogue, internal dialogue, and brute honesty. Now I'm a fan.

Here's my new favorite writing quote:
"All you have to do is sit down and work! And so I set forth--sitting down--to become a writer who is dazzling, and with no reason to believe that where my desire was altogether naked and out in the open where nothing in me need any longer to be stilled or intimidated by the wish of others; where mine was the imagination totally in charge, I could not but become exactly what I wanted." by Philip Roth in PORTNOY'S COMPLAINT on page 282.

Craig Ferguson

I appreciate watching The Late, Late Show with Craig Ferguson. He's always funny. He makes me laugh.

It was nice to see Wayne Newton on your show. What a nice guy! He obviously has a kind heart since he loves animals so much. Wayne Newton is Mr. Las Vegas because he's a great entertainer.

I like the green sparkling jacket, Craig. Both are really nice. If you are in Las Vegas often, you might need both of them. The silver one is snazzy too.

Griffin House performed on your show. They're fantastic. Everyone needs to run out and buy their CD--Flying Upside Down.

Thanks for telling everyone about Carl Sagan's book, Craig. I just requested it from the library. I've always loved Carl Sagan. When I homeschooled my children, I bought four copies of the book, Cosmos by Carl Sagan from the Book of the Month Club for all of us to read out loud. I decided it would be a great astronomy text.

I love your show, Craig, just like the rest of America. You have lots of fans. I think you're perfect just the way you are. You must have been so much fun even as a little boy. I bet that when you went through school you had a hard time not laughing. I'm grateful you're on television. I'm grateful, like so many people, that you are here to make everyone laugh. You make me laugh.

I have to be honest that I really didn't like that lady from the X-Files. She kept picking on you with little comments. I didn't like it at all. You're perfect just the way you are and I hope you don't have any more guests like that on your show. You should bring your mother on the show. She could whisk away any guests like this with a duster. I bet she agrees with me.

I wish you were part of my family, Craig. The world needs more people just like you.

You need a band and everything you want from CBS, Craig. You deserve everything you want for making people laugh and bringing joy into people's lives. Bless you. You've captured the hearts of America. You've won. You did it. You're the funniest guy. You're the BEST!

Welcome to the United States of America, Craig! The U.S. is a much better country because of you.

Spring

The new water, SPRING, put out by Coke tastes sweet. It's my new favorite water. My water of choice. Now I'm spoiled. I'm working on my second case and I love it. Thank you, Coca Cola!

The Big Idea

I love watching the Big Idea with Donny Deutsch. There is so much information packed in this show that is important to learn that I have to take notes. I'm glad I have Tivo so I can back it up when I can't keep up with the multi-levels of great information. It was nice to see Eric Trump. What an outstanding young man!

One big thing I'm learning is that it is important not to be too nice in business. In the last few years, this is the feedback I've received in the work place:
"You're too nice."
"You're a Miss Goody Two-Shoes."
"You care too much about doing the right thing."
"You try too hard."
"You try too hard to fit in."
"You're so enthusiastic."
"Sponge Bob"
"You're conscientious."
"You're friendly."
"You could sell anyone anything."
"You're too competitive."
"Your learning curve is phenomenal."
"Do you always smile?"
"Do you always see everything as positive?"

As a writer, I can be whatever I want. I'm working on developing a thicker skin, not smiling so much, and not being nice to just anyone who walks about. I'll be fair. I'll listen. I'm going to work hard at my writing to accomplish my goals. That's it.

Water Car

I was watching High Net Worth on CNBC and saw the new Honda car that uses water as fuel with no environmental damage. It must have a boiler and emits steam. Sounds promising. I wonder if they use sewer water that's been treated. It would be a super waste of precious water to use good water that is drinkable or that can be used on crops.

Yurt and Breakfast

I want to put up several yurts along the edge of our property next to South Fork Road. I want to have a Yurt and Breakfast. I could deliver baskets in the morning with muffins, and bottles of juice and water or people could pick up the baskets at the yurt I would have as a little shop to sell produce and things I make. I wouldn't even have to bake since I could go to Costco or buy muffins at the grocery store. I don't have the money to invest in yurts. I may have to just write a novel that takes place in Alsea where the main character has a yurt and breakfast. I think it would be fun. It would be a great home business. Now if I could just figure out how to make it happen.
http://www.yurt.com/

Hemingway

"Writing, at its best, is a lonely life. Organizations for writers palliate the writer's lonliness but I doubt if they improve his writing. He grows in public stature as he sheds his lonliness and often his work deteriorates. For he does his work alone and if he is a good enough writer, he must face eternity, or the lack of it, each day."
Ernest Hemingway--Nobel Prize acceptance speech

I wrote for 6 hours today and now I'm going to read.
Yesterday I wrote for 4 hours.

Writing

I got up at 4:44 a.m. this morning. I've been busy working on a writing project and having fun as words come together on the page. Yesterday was a productive writing day. I find that writing is essential for a good day. Writing nourishes my soul and allows my heart to heal. I'm grateful that I have the time and opportunity to spend my days as I want.

Consumers Power

Our electrical power comes from Consumers Power in Corvallis. They came out to Alsea two days ago to cut some branches that were obstructing a power line. After my husband asked, they were nice to give us the wood chips from the branches on our property. We're putting the wood chips around our blueberry bushes. Thank you Consumers Power!

Craig Ferguson

Craig Ferguson, the host of The Late, Late Show with Craig Ferguson on CBS will be at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas from July 24 through July 30. Everyone should book a flight to go to see him.

Who would I want to see in Las Vegas, IF I could afford to go? I would want to see Craig Ferguson, Elton John at Cesars Palace (7-23 to 8-2), Wayne Newton at the MGM, and Jerry Seinfeld will be at Caesars Palace from 8-8 to 8-9. I couldn't find any mention of Jerry Lewis appearing anywhere when I did a brief look around, nor did I see Chris Isaac who is an amazing performer.

I've never been to Las Vegas. For me, it doesn't have the aura of a happy place because my oldest son died in Las Vegas on August 28, 1995. Aaron worked at the Westward Ho and at Sam Goodie. He had a membership to the gym. He loved to work out. I talked to him the day before and he was fine. We got the call that said that he left his shift at the Westward Ho and took an overdose of pills. Les hired an investigator but it came up zilch, no information. The family wasn't allowed to identify his body so sometimes I wonder whether he was murdered or if he is in the cript in South Salem? I know we don't have all the answers. I know he didn't feel safe because he tried to find a way to leave. He kept asking everyone if he could live with them or if they would help him and everyone said no. Les said no and that's one reason why I have a hard time living with him. I feel it is left up in the air, unsettled, a mystery. I know there is nothing I can do about it but I need to know the truth for my peace of mind and for my children.

Aaron was amazing. He was smart, kind, creative, and fun. I will always miss him every day. As I write this tears are streaming down my cheeks. This is the way it is for me. Always missing Aaron.

Writing

I'm writing every day and reading every day since I'm staying home full time. I've been home a month since June 12th. After I committed to a full time writing schedule, I've finished two writing projects and got them in the mail. It's amazing what you can get done when you keep your rear end in the chair consistently day after day for hours.

Walking

I've been walking up South Mountain Road behind my house almost every day for at least 30 minutes. In addition to this, I'm working in my garden. I need to also include Gilad's Total Body Sculpt that I save on my Tivo and ride my exercise bike. So far no weight loss. Something's got to work eventually.

I had to give up my membership to Timberhill Athletic Club. I can't afford it since I'm home and not working. I miss it. I miss swimming in the deep water. I'm staying in Alsea so Timberhill isn't realistic with continued rising gas prices that are out of control.

I'll do what I have available to me and what I can do each day.

Willamette Writers

Another great issue of the newsletter for Willamette Writers came in the mail two days ago. Every month there are great articles, insights and wisdom for the writer. Even if you can't go to the meetings, it's worth it to join Willamette Writers just for the articles in the newsletter. It's like getting another writing magazine.

I love reading anything that Cynthia Whitcomb writes who is the President of Willamette Writers. I also love reading Jessica Morrell's columns. All of the contributing writers are great and amazing. Cynthia has such great insight into human behavior. I think that a great writer does and has to have this understanding in order to write great scripts and novels. I wish I lived next door to her and could have coffee once in awhile. I think she's perfect just the way she is.

I wish I could come to the Conference. I wish I could volunteer to be part of the ongoing process of what happens with Willamette Writers but I live far away and have zero bucks to make anything happen in my life that would be fun. I think you have to live in Portland to get the full flavor of Willamette Writers or you must have enough money to be able to travel and keep up with them.

I'm concentrating on the habit of writing every day for several hours and keep it up so that I can start turning out novel after novel. Thank you, Cynthia Whitcomb for another great writing lesson in the newsletter.

Craig Ferguson

The Late, Late Show with Craig Ferguson is back and I'd glad. I missed you, Craig. You make me laugh. You need to be on two hours a night, seven days a week. If you want to go somewhere and travel, CBS should follow you around and film you on location. You also need a band and a sidekick. I'll be your sidekick. That would be fun.

Rudy...this is a new development. I love it. You are going to get lots of great material.

Chris Isaak....I didn't know anything about Chris Isaak, until I watched him tonight on your show. He sang, "I'll go crazy." And I went crazy for Chris Isaak. What a great performer. I can see why he is a Las Vegas star. Go see him. It's worth going to Las Vegas just to see him. I had to rewind the Tivo 5 times just to watch him again and again because he was so fabulous. He's that good. He's got it all going on--sexy, great talent, nice, and an amazing entertainer.

Julie Andrews....I need to read her new children's book, Simeon's Gift. I find time after time that entertainer books or celebrity children's books are always amazing. I think it is because gifted and talented people have their gifts spill over into all areas of their life. No wonder they start coming up with writing great children's books.

I'm glad you're back, Craig. I need to laugh so I need you to be there. CBS needs to give you a raise and a band.

Time Magazine

Time Magazine brings world leaders and news into your home. The July 21, 2008 issue has Nelson Mandela on the cover with his lesson on the secrets of leadership on page 43. The article is by Richard Stengel. Words of wisdom from Mandela are liberally sprinkled throughout the article. The eight secrets are:
1. Courage is not the absence of fear--it's inspiring others to move beyond it.
2. Lead from the front--but don't leave your base behind.
3. Lead from the back--and let others believe they are in front.
4. Know your enemy--and learn about his favorite sport.
5. Keep your friends close--and your rivals even closer.
6. Appearances matter--and remember to smile.
7. Nothing is black or white.
8. Quitting is leading too.
One thing that I know is that in order to be a leader, you must have a support system of people who believe in you. You can't be a leader without it.
http://www.time.com/
Subscribe or go online to read every issue.

WiFi

I wrote the following words this morning.

WiFi Devastation

The powers that be in Alsea
sucked out the content
of my laptop and e-mail
to search for
something,
something,
SOMETHING
that will give them a clue.

I enjoyed for brief moments
the Maui Writer's Conference
but the cost was deadly.
The result was trauma.

No one came up to say,
"How do you do?"
"Can I help you?"
"I'm here to listen."
"I care."
"I'd like to be a friend."

They swarm in the background
to look, poke, and prod
to try to figure out who I am.
They don't ask.
They don't communicate.
Instead they use intrusive
ways to get information.

Will I return to the Alsea Library?
Unlikely.
No friends there.
No safe haven.

Why does this have to happen in the United States of America? Why are e-mail records and computer records pulled when it is a direct violation of the U.S. Constitution? I haven't done anything wrong and yet this behavior has been ongoing. It isn't right.

It isn't fair that my private conversations are recorded in my car, in my home, at work, and on the phone. Stuff has been taken out of my car. Ideas have been taken. Things have been taken out of my home. There is new barbed wire around our fence surrounding our garden area. I didn't put it up. My husband didn't put it up. Someone put it up when we were gone. Who? We didn't give permission to anyone to put it up so we put up no trespassing signs. Why would someone put up barbed wire on someone else's property without getting permission? Why would someone do that anyway?

I was just watching a commercial today on the Young and the Restless for Ensure. I remember telling my son in our car a few years ago that the marketing should change to a younger demographic, instead of just marketing to the elderly since Ensure is packed with nutrition. A few months later, a marketing campaign came out that did just that and the actor in the commercial looks like he is a relative of the Mormon attorney that has an office in Salem and Albany who violated our legal rights. It's such a betrayal to have someone who has been in your home and go to church with you at the Four Corners Ward in Salem to hurt you.

I was told by a Mormon woman before we left Gates that I should live as if I am being watched and every word is recorded at all times. I guess she knew what was going to happen. I didn't think anything of it at the time but it can explain why people know what I think before I tell anyone. My patriarchial blessing that I was given when I was in this church said that my tongue would be loosed and that some would call my name blessed. Well, I don't think that this church is calling my name blessed now.

The exact words in my patriarchal blessing in the 2 page single spaced document written by Richard Sellers on December 3, 1995, a few months after I joined this blankety, blank church are "Many will call your name blessed for that which you will give unto them." Okay...if this were true, how can I accomplish my purpose to help anyone if I am elbowed into the corner, forced into isolation because every time I try to accomplish anything I am stopped like a rat in a maze? This is called conditioned response. If you apply negative reinforcement every time someone tries to do something or go in a direction, eventually they will stop. So are you happy now? Does this make you feel proud of yourself? So I pour my heart and soul into my writing.

Why are these kinds of things allowed to happen in Oregon and in the United States of America? Why does the Democratic Party of Oregon and the Democratic Governor of Oregon allow this to happen to citizens who haven't done anything wrong? It is a violation of the U.S. Constitution. This isn't right. It's extremely stressful and I'm tired of it.

It isn't right that people film you without your consent or knowledge and yet this has been the case more than once. After I started working, cameras were set up at Joann Fabrics and conversations around the cutting area and cash registers were recorded. When I was working at Beaver Creek Software, conversations were recorded. I didn't give permission to be filmed in the classroom at the high school at Philomath. This kind of intrusive behavior has been encouraged by professors at Oregon State University. I haven't given permission for any filming or recording to anyone. Now we have U-tube privacy violations and other Internet privacy violations. Hidden cameras are an intrusion and a violation of the US Constitution. This needs to be stopped. A cease and desist order should be given.

I enjoy people. I like to trust people. I forgive over and over but no one says they are sorry. No one fesses up. No one talks to me here. No close friends, just people who ask me lots of questions. I try hard every day to make it a great day but when things like this happen, it isn't much fun. I need great memories to replace all the bad ones. I work hard each day to create my own good memories and to be productive. We're staying in Alsea because this is where we can afford to live. I'm staying at home and making my world in my garden, my home, my reading, and my writing.

These things shouldn't be allowed to happen in this country, not without due process, not without proof of wrong doing. President Bush allowed all this to come about. Members of Congress allowed it to happen and voted for it without reading the bills. I'd like to see other people live under these conditions. If I stay home all the time, maybe this stuff won't happen any more so I'm not moving and I'm not going anywhere and I'm not leaving Alsea.

What really makes me mad is I like attention and being in front of an audience. I have the right to make money just like everyone else. What's been happening to me is stealing, cutting me off at the knees, destroying my confidence, and designed to make me question myself. Nothing less than psychological rape. Shame on all you hooligans!

Donny Deutsch

My new favorite show is The Big Idea with Donny Deutsch. It's on CNBC. Tonight Donny had on several guests to talk about the alpha male and how women need to behave and look in order to succeed in business. It's interesting. It went through everything from body language to lists of things not to do and lists of things that you need to do. If you want to learn how to succeed in business, I would definately recommend watching The Big Idea with Donny Deutsch.
www.bigidea.cnbc.com

Tour de France

I was talking to my son, Benjamin, on the phone yesterday. It sounds like he has his eyes glued to the television watching the Tour de France which he does every year. A Tivo is making it easier this year. I decided to start watching and ride my exercise bike.

I was thinking that we need to have Tour USA or maybe we could call it The Ultimate Tour USA and have bicycles ride across the United States. Every town could welcome the racers. It could be bigger than the Tour de France. It could be almost better, which would be hard. It would be great if the bicycles ride past my house. I'd sit outside in a lawn chair and cheer.

Tour USA needs to start in Boston or New York City and end in Eugene, Oregon at the University of Oregon with a big Nike finish.

Barbara Jurchen

I was going through my purse today and found the business card for Barbara Jurchen who is an Optician at the Optical Shop at the Casey Eye Institute on the Oregon Health & Science University campus. I took the card because I was impressed by her. She's the kind of person who takes her work seriously. She's a profectionist who wants to get it right and will keep at it until she's satisfied. I liked her. She's personable and goes the distance to do a good job for those she helps.

The address is 3375 SW Terwilliger Blvd in Portland 97239
The phone number is 503-418-9230.
Her e-mail is cel2020@gmail.com

If you live in the Portland area and want or need eye glasses, go to see Barbara Jurchen.

Katzinger's Delicatessen

When Les was in Columbus, Ohio to visit Daniel, they went to a great Jewish Deli named Katzinger's Delicatessen. He brought home the menu and it looks like a wonderful deli. Les ordered Big Bob's Belly Balancer which is hot corned beef, hot pastrami on hand-sliced Jewish rye with spicy brown mustard, and creamy cole slaw. It's sounds delicious and Les said it was.

If you are ever in the Columbus area go to 475 South 3rd Street. Their website is www.katzingers.com. The phone number is 614-228-Deli.

The Friday Night Knitting Club

You know you are reading a great book when you laugh, cry, and you love the characters as friends at the end. This has been my experience reading Kate Jacobs' book, THE FRIDAY NIGHT KNITTING CLUB. I loved reading this book. I didn't want to finish it right away so I stretched it out to think about it and savor the wisdom sprinkled throughout about friendship. Now I want to read anything Kate Jacobs writes. www.katejacobs.com

Runners in Seattle

The best runners in Seattle train at Green Lake. With all the talent and prowess of these gifted runners located in this area, I don't understand why someone hasn't built a runner's gym in Green Lake. There needs to be a deep water pool for running for athletes who are injured. There should be a special gym tailored just for the runner with trainers and equipment. I'm really shocked that there isn't one. Someone needs to think about building one........

Rafael Nadal

Tennis is shifting, twisting, pivoting, and sometimes skidding and turning. It's THE civilized sport.

I've never seen better tennis than the men's final at Wimbledon 2008. The longest championship match in Wimbledon history for a total of 4 hours and 48 minutes lasting until 9:18 p.m. in London today. Rafael Nadal is the 2008 Wimbledon Champion at 22 years old. Both Nadal and Roger Federer, the 5-time Wimbledon Champion hit impossible shots going into a fifth set. The drama and excitement just didn't stop until the end. This will probably be labeled the greatest tennis match in Wimbledon history. Rafael Nadal from Spain is everything that a champion should be and everyone can take pride that such a great champion won Wimbledon 2008. Spain can celebrate and the world will enjoy watching Rafael Nadal play tennis for scores of years to come.

I'm grateful that I had the opportunity to watch it live in Oregon on DirecTV. I love tennis!

Columbus, Ohio

My husband, Leslie, flew to Columbus, Ohio on Thursday, July 3rd as a gift from our son, Daniel. Les hasn't flown anywhere in about 8 years and hasn't been to Columbus yet to visit Daniel so he'll have a wonderful time. Les will return on Monday, July 7th. He's flying Delta and had a perfect flight to Columbus via Cinncinnati.

I love Columbus. It's a beautiful city. It's so well planned compared to the cities that I know. It has everything a big city has but you can get to everything quickly. Everything seems to be a distance of 15 minutes at the most. Not only this but the streets are wide and spacious. It's a clean city. I love seeing the Olentangy River with the gorgeous manicured parks and trails next to the river. Such great care was taken by the planning commission. There are several streets that get you anywhere fast that aren't crowded and without a lot of street lights. I just talked to Les and they are off to the new CSI exhibit at the Science Museum. Columbus has broadway plays, an art museum, great restaurants, and everything else you could want in a city.

My Garden

My garden is starting to take off. So far I have planted corn, peas, squash, tomatoes, bell peppers, cucumbers, eggplant, lettuce, asparagus, and basil. It's fun to see everything grow and take care of it.

I'm also trying to attack all the weeds. Our riding lawn mower is broken so I can't mow the lawn. I've decided to concentrate on the weeds right now until my husband is well enough to fix the lawn mower.

I had a gift of barnyard manure from the goat farm next door today. I'm grateful. Alsea Acre Farm has goats and goat cheese that is made at the farm and is sent throughout Oregon. Go to the website at http://home.earthlink.net/~luvsgoats/Alsea%20Acre/. E-mail: luvsgoats@earthlink.net. Call to order goat cheese at 1-888-316-4628.

Casey Eye Institute

Yesterday, my husband, Leslie had cataract surgery at the Casey Eye Institute in Portland at Oregon Health Sciences University. The surgeon was Dr. Michael Lloyd. Les didn't have any problems or pain. He's doing fine and it's due to the skill of Dr. Lloyd and everyone else who took care of him.

I couldn't help thinking when Dr. Lloyd checked Les at 5 p.m. that his mother must be very proud of him. He's very young, smart, and he takes pride in his work. It was nice to see. Dr. Lloyd is a medical hero and I'm grateful for his great skill as a surgeon. It's amazing what's possible with all the new advances in microsurgery. What Les appreciated most was that Dr. Lloyd told him the truth about the potential risks of the surgery and spent time talking to him about it. Dr. Lloyd is a keeper!

I learned that the James and George Casey Eye Institute is connected with United Parcel Service and the Elks Club. The Elks Club is a charitable organization that funds surgery for children at the Casey Eye Institute. James Casey, founder of UPS, has an inspirational quote posted at the Institute--"Our horizon is as distant as our mind's eye wishes it to be."

If I had the money to do what I wanted while we were in Portland, I would have wanted to visit the Portland Art Museum, Powells Book Store, and walk on the beautiful walking path next to the Willamette River downtown. Maybe another time. Portland is a beautiful city.

OHSU

I got up early this morning to drive my husband to Oregon Health Sciences University in Portland to have eye surgery. He has a cataract in his right eye. I'm happy that he is getting help since we have no health insurance or savings and I'm grateful to OHSU that they are going to do the surgery required.

Critical Thinking

I believe you can teach critical thinking at all age levels as soon as there is understanding, which is very young. I believe it is always important to teach your children why you make choices, discuss consequences, and possible alternative choices. I believe it is important to talk to your children and discuss the whys of making this discision or that decision. I believe it is important to teach critical thinking in schools.

However, it is threatening to teach critical thinking for those individuals who only want to control the thought process and desired outcome. If you are willing to teach critical thinking, you must also allow the individual to make a mistake or choose a different path than you would. This is why it is best to start teach critical thinking within the safety net of a family where you can guide the process and where the child is loved. Teaching critical thinking at home is essential for a child to learn how to grow up as an independent, contributing adult.

To teach critical thinking requires respect for the individuals with whom you teach. For people who are very controlling and threatened by change or a difference of opinion, this can be very difficult. However, if the goal is to have the student or your child soar, find their own path, and discover their genius, it is important and essential to teach critical thinking within every subject in school from kindergarten through college and within the home in the family.

Weather in Alsea

The weather is all over the place in Alsea, Oregon today. So much so that I thought I would talk about it. My husband went to the Post Office here in Alsea and our car declared a temperature of 97 degrees hot as you know what. After he told me about the temperature, I asked him to check the temperature in the shade outside our front room window. It said 88 degrees. The temperature on our clock in the house said 76 degrees. Then I turned on Direct TV and looked at the temperature for zipcode 97324, which is Alsea, Oregon and it said that it was now 62 degrees, for a high of 65 degrees!!! What's going on here?

Math and Children

I was reading the Summer, 2008 issue of Northwestern Magazine, the Alumni Magazine for Northwestern University. Researcher Greg Duncan studied 35,000 preschoolers in the U.S., Canada, and England. He came up with some important results. Here is what was printed in the article:

"Researchers found that children who enter kindergarten with basic math and reading skills are the most likely to achieve later academic success. The study discovered the paramount importance of early math skills--of beginning school with a knowledge of numbers, number order, and other rudimentary math concepts--as the very strongest predictor of future academic success."

It goes on to say.... "Mastery of early math skills not only predicts future math achievement, it also predicts future reading achievement," Duncan said. "And it does so just as reliably as early mastery of vocabulary, letters, and phoenetics skills predicts later reading success."

However.... "The opposite--reading skills predicting math success--does not hold up."

And..... "Attention-related skills also consistently, though more modestly, predict academic success."

So what's important? Study math. Teach your children at home from birth on in a fun, no pressure atmosphere where learning is valued and thought of as exciting. There is no greater thing a parent can do than to teach your child so they have success in school and life. Children who start school reading and who can do basic math problems are going to be ahead and stay ahead.

Military Contract

On the front page of the Corvallis Gazette Times this morning was the headline, "Government awards man on 'watch list' arms contract." It goes on to say that "Lawmakers question how 21-year-old won $298 million military deal." I want to know too. How does this happen that a 21- year-old listed on a State Department watch list is given $298 million dollars? This sure doesn't show good thinking or decision making. What is going on in our government? How could something like this happen? Here we have so many problems in this country and $298 million buckeroos is given out for guns to a youngster that our own government questions. This doesn't make any sense to me. I think we need a line by line audit of government spending and military spending. I think someone needs to start making sure that money is spent on high priority items when our country is having a difficult time.

I think we need to pay attention to the high priority needs of the citizens of the United States of America. We need to take care of our country first. We need to make our country strong again. The dollar needs to be strengthened. Our citizens need health care for all. Jobs need to be protected.

It is a good thing that Congressional Democrats and Republicans caught this and they need to be vigilant to make sure that that these kinds of money expenditures don't happen again. We need to see real leadership to put our country back on course and make it strong.

Daniel

I talked to Daniel on Sunday for a few minutes. It sounds like he's has a wonderful professor who inspires everyone in class. Daniel is working on his MBA at Ohio State University in Columbus. His professor is discussing, dissecting, and analyzing large corporations to understand why decisions are made in marketing and planning. They analyze what works and what doesn't work. It sounds exciting and makes me want to go back to school. I wish I could. It sounds like what they do in law school when they discuss U.S. Supreme Court law cases. I'm sure happy for Daniel. This professor is what every teacher should be to every student in every school who inspires, excites, and teaches students to think.

Craig Ferguson

Craig Ferguson, the STAR of The Late, Late Show with Craig Ferguson is my favorite. I love watching Craig Ferguson and if I were to pick one show out of all shows on television, I would pick The Late, Late Show with Craig Ferguson.

I watch Craig Ferguson during the day. I tivo it so I can watch it when I want. Last night Henry Winkler was on Craig's show. Henry Winkler is another one of my favorite stars. I used to love to watch the Fonz. Now Henry Winkler is an important producer and director living the good life with creative people all around him.

Jeffrey Tambor was also on Craig's show recently. I love watching Jeffrey Tambor in Welcome to the Captain. Is this show going to be on in the fall again? I sure hope so because it is one of my favorites.

Craig has lots of great music groups that play on his show at the end. I really enjoyed Billy Bob Thornton and the Boxmasters. I believe he labeled his music as rockabilly which is a mix of country and rock. They buy their authentic Beattle suits from Liverpool, England. They're a great band. Go out and buy one of their CD's.

And what did I learn on the show tonight, Craig? I learned you like stamps!

Nanotechnology and the Constitution

Woe to the man with a chip in his neck,
pulled this way and that without choice or decision.
Merely an experiment, a rat in a maze.
No respect or dignity. Sadness replaces joy.

Woe to the man whose every word is on tape,
and every action is videoed.
Freedom gone. Mankind loses.
Is this the end of thinking?
Is this the end of creativity?

(I wrote this on 6-18-08.)

Senator Gordon Smith

Am I going to vote for Senator Gordon Smith? NO!
Why? First of all, he hasn't worked hard to protect
Oregon. Our environment needs to be protected.
Off the coast in Newport, there is a dead zone. This
is after I listened to him at a town meeting in Newport
say he would protect the fishing industry. Now there
is no commercial salmon fishing in Oregon. Chemicals
are allowed to be poured into the Willamette River.
Senator Gordon Smith stands for oil drilling in the Arctic.
This is outrageous. Senator Gordon Smith will say
anything to get elected, just like Romney. What do they
have in common? They are both Mormon and members
of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Would I ever vote for a Mormon? NEVER!

Weather

Most of the state of Iowa is under water. Many levees along the Mississippi River might break causing more damage and destruction. I can't help but wonder about scientists around the world who seed the clouds with chemicals to get rain and the impact this has on other areas. I've read in the newspaper about Oregon State University having the ability to manipulate the weather. We've had a lot of rain this spring which is needed. We should conserve our water since we need it, instead of selling it to California. If we have manipulated the weather to cause rain in Oregon, has this been a direct cause of problems for Iowa and the midwest?

Corporate Greed

The very rich and large corporations need to be taxed and pay their fair share. It isn't right that billions of dollars go untaxed that could solve problems for everyone in the United States. We are all linked. We are all connected. When a corporation fails to clean up a mess that they caused or refuses to be responsible for detrimental consequences they caused, it isn't okay.

It isn't okay that chemical companies pollute precious sources of water. The bi-product of companies that manufacture plastic is dioxin, a dangerous pollutant. Industry that pours pollutants into the air should be shut down. All corporations that pollute the environment should be given a cease and desist order. To allow these same corporations to get away with not paying taxes and not holding them responsible is nothing less than sanctioned rape and run.

Michele Obama

Michele Obama made a comment that was in the news that some "people are mean." I agree and it's refreshing to hear someone tell the truth. I like her. She's genuine and nice.

I think that people in positions of power are so used to spinning the truth and saying what people want to hear that few people really tell the truth anymore. Religious people spin the truth even though one of the ten commandments is to not bear false witness. Leaders of large corporations spin the truth to make everything appear better than it is. Many self help books are filled with words that say to concentrate on the positive and ignore anything negative. The problem with all this is that when people count on the truth when they make a decision, the outcome is faulty.

I think it's important to tell the truth and be honest. I'd rather know the truth about everything.

Oil

I understand there is discussion about offshore drilling in the United States. Why is this even being considered when we know the environmental impact is a disaster when we drill for oil? We need to start using alternative sources of energy and halt the use of oil.

Zonolite

I was born in Libby, Montana and lived in Libby until the end of my third grade year when we moved to Salem, Oregon. I've heard that the Native Americans a hundred years ago used to call Libby, the Valley of Death. You may have heard on the news about the cancer deaths in Libby caused from Zonolite.

My cousin sent me a letter written by my mother in 1946. I was born in 1948. One paragraph of my mother's letter talks about zonolite. "Did the girls fix candles up with the zonolite? It's pretty on vases, flower pots, picture frames, etc. If you want more of it, Alma, let me know. We have lots of it upstairs."

I remember sitting in a circle with two of my cousins in Libby. There was a big pile of zonolite in the middle. We threw it up in the air and watched how the sun made it sparkle and shimmer.

Betty White

It's been fun to see Betty White on The Late, Late Show with Craig Ferguson. She's so much fun, lively, witty, funny, and nice. I like her. She's genuine. She would make a great talk show host during the day. I really admire her. She's positive. She keeps up and gets along with everyone.

I've always loved watching Betty White on the series Golden Girls. I need to watch more reruns of this show. It's delightful.

Stress and Weight Loss

Our whole family has lived with a tremendous amount of stress through the years. We've started over more than once and we've lost so much. We moved to different homes because my husband was transferred with his job. Our oldest son died in 1995. One of the biggest causes of stress is that my husband hasn't slept in 58 years.

I remember reading in the Alumni Magazine of Northwestern University that Northwestern did a study that showed that stress causes one not to lose weight. It's interesting that I've had a weight problem since 1978 when my husband got sick and stopped working. I didn't have a problem before. Now that he's able to sleep and is much calmer, maybe I'll be able to lose weight.

Table Tennis

Did you know that the BEST sport for the brain is table tennis? I know! I didn't either. I'm reading a book called MAKING A GOOD BRAIN GREAT by Daniel Amen, M.D. You need to read it. He says that the best sports and exercise for the brain are table tennis, golf, tennis, walking, running, swimming. He said that the sports that you should not play and that are bad for the brain are football, soccer, and boxing. I used to love to play tennis and golf but that was years ago. I wish I had a tennis court near me or a golf course.

The brain has the consistency of butter and is extremely vunerable to brusing and damage. A concussion can bring complicated symptoms that haunt you for the rest of your life with a string of debilitating problems.

Football, soccer, boxing..........BAD!
Table tennis, golf, tennis, walking, running, swimming............GOOD!

To be honest, I've never understood why people push kids into playing football. Isn't sitting down and reading a book more important? Isn't learning math and science more important? Isn't it more important to learn how to think? Why spend the time playing football? Football creates generations of beer drinking men who sit on the couch watching a chosen few bash their heads during a game. After these chosen few who make the big bucks playing football on television are finished, they suffer severe disabilities with head injuries and other parts of their body battered, living in pain for the rest of their lives. Is this worth it? Is this worth the millions of dollars spent to glorify the sport of football? I don't think so.

A Clean House

After your kids are grown, it's time to worry about having a clean house. That's my opinion. My mother felt that having a clean house was very important. I would have rather had her spend time playing games with me, talking to me, and spending time with me. When I had my own children, I was determined not to place the priority of having a clean house over spending time with my children. I figured that the most important thing that I could do with my children was to teach them. Time is precious and is the most important gift you can give. I read them stacks of books, played games with them, and found ways to teach them. I homeschooled them for four years in Arroyo Grande, California. It was the happiest time of my life.

Now that my kids are grown and since I am not going to be working, I guess I need to start organizing my home and start making sure I have a clean house at all times. Somehow, spending my time cleaning, just doesn't sound as exciting as spending time with my kids.

Alsea Graduates

The graduating class of Alsea School in 2008 was eleven students plus two foreign exchange students. It's cute here in Alsea. Each graduating class is very small, like a family.

I don't have a lot of money. If I did, I would want to give each of them a book or something for graduation. One thing I do is to make each of them every year a bookmark. I make the bookmarks on my computer and then go to Office Max to have them laminated. I didn't mail them this year, I drove over to the school on my way home from work and gave them to a nice young girl who said she would hand them out for me.

Here is what I write on the bookmarks that I hand out:

"Commit to a lifetime of learning, set goals and plan for your future. Work hard and never give up on projects important to you. Believe in your goodness and your ability to make a difference to those around you." Then I write "wishing you success in all you do" and sign it and my husband signs it.

I graduated from McNary High School in 1966 in Keizer, Oregon. I don't remember how many graduated with me but it was a lot. Our class was split in two. For my sophomore and junior years of high school, all of us went to North Salem High School. The class was sooooo big that half of the students went to school in the early morning hours and the other half of the students came home in the evening from school. Then McNary High School opened in 1965 so half of the students went to McNary and the other half stayed at North Salem. It sure was different than Alsea High School where you don't get lost in the crowd.

Work

My last day at work is on Thursday. It's too expensive to drive into Corvallis for a part-time job. I haven't been successful at landing a full time job as I had hoped, so I'm going to stay home to garden, write, read, and work on organizing all my stuff.

With gas prices over $4.11 at the last time I looked and planning to scale $5 a gallon, it's hard to live far from your job. We paid out over $350 in gas in May. That's too much. Our 2006 Toyota already has 44,000 miles on it.

City planners need to consider planning communities with everything that a person needs within walking distance of their home--shopping, schools, recreation, a gym, restaurants, work, and whatever else brings balance to your life that you feel is important. You shouldn't have to drive everywhere. At $4.11 a gallon, people are going to have to start looking around them to find ways to make do with what they already have within walking distance. It's a little easier for some than most but it's necessary.

I'm going to spend my time growing food. Yeah, that's the ticket! That's the answer.

12 Kids

I wanted 12 kids. I had five. Each is precious to me. If I would have had 12 kids, maybe I'd still have someone left at home. When my kids grew up, my fun left. I can't help it but I had the BEST kids in the world. I've never known any other mother to have great kids like mine. They are the ones I enjoy talking to, kidding around with, laughing with, and spending time with. There just isn't anyone else in the world as great as my kids. They are all independent, successful and busy with their own lives.

I especially love Daniel. He's the only one not married but he's so busy. After your kids get married, that's it. Daniel's so precious and takes the time to talk to his mom even when he doesn't have time. I always try hard not to bother him. I love discussing world issues, solving global problems, and inventing new solutions with him. Daniel's the youngest. He was born on June 15, 1980 in San Luis Obispo, California. He was the first Father's Day baby of the year in 1980 in San Luis Obispo County, and our family was in the newspaper celebrating Daniel's birth.

I think being a mother is the greatest job in the world. It's much better than anything else and much more important since you are molding and sculpting lives that can potentially change the world to make a difference. I'm very proud of how all my children turned out. I think that's the only thing that I accomplished in life was to have great kids. They work hard and never give up. They work hard to be the best they can be and each is amazing.

Being a mother is much more fun than being a grandmother. As a grandmother, you don't get to be around your grandchildren all the time. The parents are the ones who get to have all the fun. The grandparents who are lucky get to live close to their grandchildren and be part of their lives.

You know the reason why I wanted to have 12 kids?.....The reason is because I grew up alone as an only child and I thought it would be glorious to have the house alive with laughter and fun. It was grand.

Trust

I trust that all will work out and that life will get better.
I have no idea how this is going to happen but I feel this
way deep down.

I'm grateful that I can play in my garden.
I'm grateful that I can ride my riding lawnmower.
I'm grateful that I live in such a beautiful area.
I'm grateful that I have birds that sing for me everyday.
I'm grateful that I am strong and feel good.
I'm grateful that I have lots of books to read.
I'm grateful that I have Craig Ferguson on TV to make me laugh.
I'm grateful that Leslie got a sleep apnia machine.
I'm grateful that I have food to eat.
I'm grateful that Barack Obama won the Democratic nomination.
I'm grateful that I have a roof over my head.
I'm grateful that I have great children.
I'm grateful that I can write everyday.
I'm grateful that I have a husband who loves me.
I'm grateful that I know how to sew.
I'm grateful for my cats, Thomas and Angel.
I'm grateful for my wonderful grandchildren.
I'm grateful that I have this Blog. Thank you, Google the Great!

Sleep Apnia

I'm grateful my husband, Leslie received a phone call from OHSU that they have a machine for him for his sleep apnia. Imagine...sleeping for the first time at the age of 58.

Thank you OHSU!

Gardening

I spent several hours over the weekend in my yard and garden. I had so much fun. I caught myself telling my husband when I was going out the door, "I'm going out to play." I don't think I have said those words since I was a little kid. I meant it too.

Obama WINS!

Barack Obama wins the Democratic Presidential nomination.
Hurray!
Band playing in background.
Balloons floating from the sky.
All is right with the world.

Barack Obama is a great man. A brilliant man.
A man of character. A man that unites and
gives people hope that the United States of
America can become a great nation again.

I'm grateful and hopeful.