Does anyone else think twice when asked, “Plastic or paper bags?” Everytime I hear that, I think, the plastic bags are already made, the paper has roach eggs in the glue, and the trees have already been destroyed - I don’t want roaches, and …” On and on my eco-concerned mind wanders off in the check-out line. I’ve brought my home up to R-82, cutting my utilities by 50%, use gray-water to water plants, trees, and bulbs, reduced my driving by 50% and drive more slowly with less whoain’ and more steady goin,’ use much more waxed paper than anything else, cook greater amounts to freeze other meals, recycle via Free-Cycle.com, unplug everything at night, and when I leave for more than 12 hours, change blower motor filter when the electric bill comes in each month - out of habit; my home and gardens outdoors are all xeric and organic, and I practice no-till gardening with ease, save everything possible to use in the garden as decorative items, or ‘assists,’ and many more practices I’ve maintained since “The Whole Earth Catalog” alerted me to our earth’s demise. At the same time, I have to wonder why municipalities don’t ‘under-write” eco-wise changes - one of my pet peeves is sloped driveways that facilitate water run-off into the sewers during a rain, or haphazard “watering.” A minute speed-bump would direct the water back onto the turf or garden for very little investment. I have a slew (no pun int. again) of those ideas/gripes in my head but no one listens to me (governments). If a tree falling in the forest …?

Something is missing in the newspaper articles — primarily, it appears no one has investigated the school district’s “policies,” and record of adherence to same. I’m not surprised. Outside of the largest cities, communities still maintain insular communities, and shun perceived, or actual authority from the outside in every way possible; especially in the SW, and South. Absent from the articles was any indication that the student has an advocate, a highly-qualified board-certified specialist must be there for him, interacting with the school board, and legal system. This won’t stop here - the bullyies are brittle emotionally, and driven by the milieu in which they have been reared; hence, we have no idea what they are exposed to in their lives, but it’s not very good for humaity, much less the youngesters themselves. The parents must be “present” at every turn, and send a clear message to the District, school prinicpal, teachers, all the students, and other parents, that their son has been taught how to recognize abuse, and recognize back-lash (very important!), and they can expect the parents full-force reaction if everything does not stop, immediately. I had to do this in a situation for one of my children in the Dallas schools, and I’ll never forget it. The open threat at a board meeting stopped everything, including one abusive teacher, to ‘boot.’

What a question, I agree, but what a thought-providing one, indeed. In reading your posts, I either yelp in agreement, or wonder “why,” but because I respect personal space whatever is respected. For myself, I cannot stand anyone standing behind me, or looking over my shoulder when I’m working on the computer, writing, or on paper, for that matter. Worse, picking up my mail, and commenting on anything about it - smack! Then, there’s the rather-common-in-Texas irritant of calling me, “Honey, ” “Sweetheart, ” or “Sweetie!” Three times in one month, I had to ask another grown woman to “please” use my name (to let her off easily), but then I had to come unglued, after not responding when the offensive terms was uttered — I felt like I was banned to the coal bin as a child with her saccharin, manipulative determination. Hugs, genuine caring, affectionate terms from long-time friends are fine, but those who hug, and pat the back of my shoulder send a very clear message — “just acting…” Check it out — I did.

There’s a double-screener about 2 miles SW of me. I’m going to get there one of these nights, all by myself, in my PJs, with a bowl of fresh fruit, and iced tea. They have double-features, too - and great movies. Come join me.

I have yet to see any scientific data that proves global warming exists. At the same time, if anything can force homo sapiens to respect the earth, flora, fauna, and seas I’ll support it. We’re tragically wasteful, filty people — every where, and we don’t respect one another without laws to force us into complaince. In England, it was verboten to plant or build anything that obstructed a neighbor’s view of the sky. I’ve thought of that many times since a neighbor thoughtlessly plopped a covered trampoline in his front yard — of course, it wasn’t tied down, eithe — and it took sail during high winds destroying my plants, and part of my home — yet he can get away with it in our free country — no deed restrictions here against it in this part of TEXAS. Sheesh. I have to say, I felt very much in the minority about global warming, but still stuck to my respect for the scientific research model, viewing all sides of the gem (all facets), until I heard Michael Crichton’s interview on Rose’s show — his latest book, NEXT, is excellent, and aas a friend of VP Gore, he doesn’t accept it yet, either, in totality, without the data. I’m all for caring for our air, waters, and earth because its the right thing to do — so the next step should be …

Not sure of the intention of this post, however, entering anyone else’s space is verboten, and has been for, well, aa very long time. Teddy actions remind me of what chemicals do to the brain, and inhibitions. What ever made you sit there, and permit him to do that? Too bad your spouse didn’t knock him flat; I would have!

Great, Brad! Great common sense there. I never knew anyone who commited adultry, marginalized the public trust — indeed explorited it — wasted public funds (tax dollars), destroyed jobs, and careers, held woman, booze and drug parties when spouse was away (yet sealed police records to run for office), and so much more, when I was in high school. Women? We can come up with a few; however, it’s the male-model that has the drive to surge to the top carrying a Bible, or other sacred scripts, and donning a halo, and mowing down anyone and everyone in sight, yet will not speak out on ethical and/or legal compromised. And, let’s drop the “equality” thing, huh - it’s equity that is important, I refuse to be considered equal to male! I’m not! I am woman.

Hillary Clinton is an intelliegent woman, and there is no way she, nor most people on earth in their right minds, would/could forget a volley of bullets streaming at us…no way! This is where I draw the line. We have not one candidate worth their salt, whom we can trust (true — we should not trust anyone, but), so it’s time to start exploring Ralph Nader, and rake him over these proverbial coals if needed, but he’s been a heap more informatitve, honest, and object (check out his CSPAN presentation) that any one we have running now. None of the “proposed” healthcare plans can be financed; Nader clearly explains how his plan will be, immeidately. It’s time to inform the voters on the issues, totally, and outst the sentors now running for office by voting NO. Perhaps we’ll send a clear message to the next group who tried to blow smoke in our eyes to get elected - perhaps we should tell them to pay back their salaries, too. After Bush-reports on his siding with the World Court, and willing to change our Constitution, against Texas’ Court of Criminal Appeals (over a horrendous slaughter commited), and Hillary’s revelation, use needs velvet hammers to tip the scales into reality? We need to act. That’s where I stand — I’m fed up, and worried sick about our nation.

!<—break—>GW, #43 must have been forgotten. After his siding with the World Court against our Constitution, and the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals???? Great Scott — indeed, he’s selling America - just folloow the dots, and his $$. Will no one impeach that man? We can!

http://inside.c-spanarchives.org:8080/cspan/cspan.csp?command=dprogram&record=559927810 Very enlightening all around. Love CSPAN. Increased costs across the board. What really bothers me is the health care increases, and sloppy records. Obtaining your medical records, and any from hospitalizations may prove enlightening—I recently found some glaring errors, indeed, conflicting dates. No one can have a baby 10 years after a total hysterectomy…not even me.

Mine are adults with children, now; some are teens, too. Indivuation is ongoing … ;-)

No more Easters! It was about, “Many people would rather die than think; in fact, most do (Bertrand Russell).” I OD’d on “family,” forgetting (aka ignoring) my own sage advice, some of ‘them’ do not understand the First Amendment, nor the importance of adversity, and reading. To be blatantly honest, the challenge is within myself to avoid situations that have proven “not me” in the past. I’m too old for such things — and I know better, but the neurotic optimist in me prevailed; however, it was a most enlightening day. Found this most intersting article, and I’m gulping the links — it’s something I planned on doing most of my adult-female life, eventually. http://www.smartmoney.com/retirement/now/?story=goldengirls

Suzanne, as a polio survivor, I completely appreciate your views on mobility, especially noting your impression of the joggers speed. My once-Type A personality, that got me through in 1950, had to be trimmed way back, just in time, b/c the breathing-related Post-Polio condition caught up with me (again! 58 years later) while in Colorado. Nothing can be done except to keep me blasted with fresh air (by volume), b/c the lungs and heart are perfect, so far. But I well remember how I felt when I had to learn to “conserve to preserve (RL Bruno—Post-Polio Institute),” and adapt to my “renewed-abilities” vs. disabilities. I’m rooting for your well-healed foot ( no pun intended, of course). ;-))

Definitely walk, Wendy, walk every day about 20 minutes, increasing your speed each week, but don’t start until your told that you can. I avoided taking HRT that way, and thank goodness, b/c breast cancer did ‘hit’ me about 18 years later, so it was pure fortune that I didn’t take any exogenous estrogen. Read Our Bodies Our Selves on that topic. I worked on the first mimeographed issues of that great publication (now - it’s a book!), but the first publication date is wrong! I know when it was written, and mimeographed off and who was there with me. ;-)) I hope you’re feeling better, and be sure to eat fruit every morning to get the gut going. A lot of women have an intestinal problem” after a hyst, that could have been avoided by grains, calcium, fresh fruits and veggies, and nuts…enjoy good eating. ;-)) We’re with you. Did you see the rabbit? Rabbit???

Annie, falling out with family usually turns out to be a healthy breather, or move. At times, I’ve wondered how to divorce family. One of the thoughts I had reading the posts about persona was related to just such issues. As we age, grow, after our children leave home, most of them haven’t a clue our lives go on, and we keep growing; we are not the same person they knew, or remember from their dependent childhood days, nor are they the same. Parents are like that, too — often not cognizant that their offspring change as their own life journey takes them away from the sheltering bed, and abode. Your ability to focus on the actions that mean a great deal to you are comforting, I’m sure. Letting go of past memories is very important, because so often our recollections are from an age when we were dependent, and/or observing giving others around us — not a realistic situation on which to base present life. My beloved, very wise grandmother use to say, “Thank God we can choose our friends, because we sure can’t choose our relatives.” Have a wonderul day.