Great question! Most definitely God inspires awe and mystery in my life, through the myriad complexities and beauties He presents about me, and I experience in people, space, and qualities of life, such as love, courage, and hope. I realize a sense of awe and delight when I see a photo of clouds and birds, for example, or a beautiful garden, of the smile of a precious person, young—or not young. For these gifts, I am grateful. I am grateful perhaos because they do not demand a monetary cost. Thank you for the question, and for listening/reading. JBoylynn

The others listed are significant people, yes, but the one person I am still missing after all this time is Peter Jennings. He was a classy man and, at the same time, very professional and compassionate. I miss his coverage of the Middle East, for example.

No! I own a very child-centered business, and he is very much too strident. At one point I did ask him to tutor one young women, but after one lesson she left in tears, and I had to refund her parents the upcoming set of classes. He is just much too demanding, caustic, and demeaning. Although he was a University professor at two state’s universities, I cannot conceive of hiring him again. He is hard enough to live with at home; I won’t again inflict him on any more students—even adults!

My absolute favorite is, unfortunately, not made anymore: Casaque. I can easily imagine more than one woman has had somewhat the idential beginning for their answer, and their favorites might include (others I might have said:) L”Interdit, L”Huere Bleu, Ma Griffe, and other wonderful scents which are far more evocative than some of the current scents, which evaporate almost as soon as they are applied!

Paula P, You and I agree on the desire to be reading. Also, given the wonderful list submitted by many women recently, I can easily imagine some of them would like to be reading, too, if they just thought a moment more!

No, I am not eating “organic.” I think it is all a ploy by grocers to soak customers for even more money! It is SO VERY expensive to buy organic. I won’t!

Dear agyness, Your story is a wonder! The congregation, in my opinion, should have told the new minister that this ceremony was his situation, not theirs! Why do you think they did all that? I cannot begin to imagine a congregation today doing that for a new pastor! Was this a few years ago? Was the congregation in someway imagining they OWED this to the new guy? Wow!

Hmmm. Interesting that the title of this article led me to believe that it was about status of married or single (notwithstanding “living together”). I was all ready to come down here and add my two pence and agree, “Yes, Stay single! I’ts so much simpler, and less headache!” Then I see it’s about weddings… Maybe it IS the same thing, in the end, for if you don’t in fact do the ceremony at all, you can avoid the hassles later! Good one! I did not have an extravagant ceremony or reception, left the state in two days and remember it all as rather uneventful. I was not nervous (because I had lived with the man for the previous two years and knew how he would regard the day—not much!) and I think most people attending the ceremony and reception enjoyed themselves. Now I AM curious to see what comments people have made…if I can find that thread. This new site design is quite confusing, compared to the past style. Maybe we need Liz Smith to do another How To type guide?

I’d rather be young again, and I could possibly make the others happen. Sadly, I let the years go by, probably taking my health for granted and allowing opportunites to pass by. I know I am not exactly unattractive or stupid, but failed to take advantage of healthy and wise routines which could have led to better appearance now, and did not exercise my intellectual talents. Now it is probably too late, and I am sad that so much has passed by. At least I am not bitter.

Great question, Maurine! Something somewhat different, that is, with great difficulty, is how I drive in the city. I could never do that, though I have often dreamt of it!

Frank, Your conquering the Cascades is an achievement, yes. Now, come try the Rockies! There are great groups to hike with, and spring/summer is a fine time to come. Consider yourself invited. If you come in this next month or so, you will beat all the Dems coming for the National Convention. Let me know if I can help with any arrangements. J Boylynn

S. RSVP, What do you mean by that “meaningless gibberish”? I find this site tremendously engaging, but perhaps you are meaning to say something I felt when new to the site: once you get it out and see your opinion printed, it may look like less verbage than you thought you were thinking…am I right? Don’t give up! You are in marvelous company on this site. Stick around and see if you don’t agree eventually.

What is the old adage…”renew, reuse, recycle: Most things can make it into one of those categories, I believe. Now we just have to get everyone to do it. This being the United States Of America though, in this locale, it is not mandatory (as in the Bay area, to my knowledge). I enjoy recycling, and wish my husband and two daughters would do it. One more plug…PLEASE cut your water consumption! It is NOT always recycleable, deoending what is originally done with it. Please watch how you are using the water that you do have at your disposal. Have you thought, for example, of using a tub in the kitchen sink with which to wash dishes, and when done washing, water the grass outside or plants in your house….or somehow using it again. I know these women would think of something!!

Here here, Bonnie! I love the reply button, as well, and would feel like something was missing, I would be bereft from responding to a friend’s great comment or expression—-like yours! Thank you everyone for your honesty in giving your opinions of the new site. It is going to take me some time to get used to it, too. I liked the old one(with less in the surroundings) better as well. Live and learn. Who knows, they may switch back, with all these comments, and they are only gauging the feedback/response to the changes???

I will add to the chorus of WOW contributors who want to concur with Alice here. Mugsy need not alter her expressions, nor make them terse. We all gain a great deal from the views and opinions expressed in this forum. Because it is so unique by its very design and membership, we need to continue to cherish it and demonstrate this by voiceing our opinions freely. I would agree that as we were very likely taught in the yourger years, it is best to saying what you have to say in a “nice manner.” That need not diminsh its power or import, or veracity. Let’s continue to speak our minds….and what minds they are!!! Yeah, sisters!!