Hi rocky rocky. You know, I guess people do stereotype, but, like you said, we all have some stereotypical thoughts about people from different parts of the country. I think my defense of Illinois was more like the black sheep relative that most of us have; we can knock him, but just watch us run to his defense when outsiders start talking trash!

You got that right, Mugsy! The Governor drama is sad but quite entertaining. Everyday, he skips off to his office like he hasn’t a care in the world, while all these officials are foaming at the mouth, stuttering and trying to find a way to kick his butt out of office. I heard on my home from work this afternoon that he and his family met with 3 ministers this morning, but the subject of his dilemma never came up! Then you wonder why these people think they can get away with this nonsense; they must think most citizens are really stupid.

Thanks for replying. Admittedly, the city wasn’t at its best at that time (although I’m just a touch too young to have experienced the ‘68 riots.) The city has changed a lot since then, but not the politicians, I’ll grant you that!

I already gave my glowing defense of Chicago on another “let’s knock Illinois thread” so I won’t do it again. I’m just kind of surprised that such a group of intelligent people would keep mentioning Al Capone. Please. That was, like, almost a hundred years ago. There have been so many famous mob families all over this country since Al Capone. Before you go knocking an entire state of people with ill-advised (in keeping with Serena) put downs, check the facts. I heard just this morning that, in fact, Fargo, North Dakota, has the highest rate of corrupt public officials in the country. Surprising, huh? Illinois is way down the list; about #18, I think. And I don’t think it’s so much the dumb factor as the interesting factor. Chicago has a cast of colorful characters that keep people interested. Just like our governor. Most governors (think New York) get caught with their hand in the cookie jar (or elsewhere, in his case), and the next day he’s apologizing and resigning. Not Rod. He got out on bail and went to work and hasn’t said a word to anybody while all around him people (even the new president) are clamoring for his resignation. He’s not just sleazy; he’s kind of insane. You’re probably not going to find that in North Dakota.

Al Capone? You’re dating yourself. I’m a lifelong Chicagoan and have to say your comment was kind of silly. Have you ever been to Chicago? It’s a beautiful city with great architecture, world class culture and museums, home of blues and jazz and every imaginable kind of music, probably the best skyline in the country. Natives of Chicago grace the worlds of theater, movies, music, literature, sports; the list goes on. Ever heard of Michael Jordan, Oprah, Sal Bellow, Studs Terkel, Mike Ditka, Carl Sandburg, Ernest Hemingway, Frank Lloyd Wright. Geez, these are just the people I can think of off the top of my head before Al Capone. It’s a colorfully diverse blend of city people who still retain a small town down to earth quality that you do not find on either coasts. That is why a citizen of the world such as Barack Obama would choose to call Chicago home. To top it off, even with a name like Gianna Bracco, I don’t have one relative in the Mob.

James …. that’s funny. Personally, when I have to tiptoe through the ice in the early morning darkness, start my car and spend the next ten minutes scraping, sweeping, trying to drive while peering through the foggy window and hoping never to come into contact with “black ice,” I feel like I’m in hell already. I think it’s going to be a long winter.

Thanks for asking, Frannie. I’m a Saggitarian, it’s coming up December 19. As a kid, it kind of got lost among all the Christmas festivities. Still does, only now that’s fine with me!

Happy Birthday to you, too, Frannie. Hope it was a great day.

Thanks for the info, James. Birthday and Christmas coming up… I think I may be dropping a few hints. Take Care.

Have a very Happy Birthday, Marlo. You have been a favorite of mine since I was a girl, and I’m always interested in what you have to say on wow. I wish I could find reruns of “That Girl” on t.v.

It’s not that I haven’t incorporated many of the methods mentioned above; I exercise, have meditated and prayed, spent many afternoons in dark movie theaters. In all honesty, though, nothing beats the full size carton of Edy’s Chocolate Fudge Brownie Blended Frozen Yogurt, throw in a few handfuls of chopped walnuts, maybe a little peanut butter, snuggle under my favorite blanket with an engrossing novel and pity poor little me for a while. By the time I’ve finished, I usually feel better, and if I don’t, I’m too stuffed to notice.

In most of the instances I have read about where older children were involved, poverty wasn’t the problem as much as the parent expressing “I can’t handle this child anymore; this is my last hope.” Granted, I can’t even imagine the literal act of driving hundreds of miles with my own child and then dumping them somewhere and leaving. It is heartless and traumatizing. But I have lived and been held hostage by a troubled child in my home who has since become a very angry young adult, so there is a part of me that could understand the desperation and hopelessness that might provoke such an action.

Gee, thanks, Irish Eyes. I have seen some of the women you consider morons, so I’ll take this as a compliment. Have a lovely evening

I don’t get it….who is she, and why would that make her ineligible to express her opinions? If you have something to say, have the balls to say it. Okay, I’ll go first. You should change your name; you give Irish eyes a bad rap. Oh, yeah, I forgot, you’re a fool.

You’re welcome, C. There is a lot to learn from the women on this site, but they can get pretty rough if you don’t tow the party line. I admire your courage to continue expressing your opinions in the face of criticism. As the saying goes, “take what you like and leave the rest.”