Frannie,  

No doubt that your sons are successful due to the fact that they have had a nurturing, loving mother always by their side. I think that a mother’s love and devotion molds the man early on in life and it is that unbreakable bond that determines the action, thoughts and idea’s he maintains for a lifetime. Ladies, you are very important.

I lived through ‘Helter Skelter’ the first time. I was only a child but it was the most frightening event that I had ever heard of fostering many chilling nightmares. I have watched the worst horror films but have walked away saying, "it is only a movie". That was comforting, in itself. Unfortunately, the same cannot be said about ‘Helter Skelter’. The fact that it is based on a real event only adds to the desire of not wanting to sit through it on the big screen. Now there is a generation of people who haven’t experienced the front page headlines happening in real time. They may be able to accept a film version, but to me….it is still to overwhelmingly disturbing.

In prison (not that I have any experience with this), the new kid on the block seeks out the bully and beats him up before the bully even attempts to make a move on him. This teaches the bully not to mess with you, and every other prisoner garnishes you with the same respect. Brutal, yes. I know. But it is all about surviving in a harsh atmosphere. To a lesser degree, I do a variation of this in real life. I am a firm believer of ‘teaching someone how to treat you’. Certainly not with violence though. It really is within our power to dictate how we want to be treated. You can show a bully that an aggressive aproach will not work on you, nor will a hot temper or intimidation. If you stand tall within your beliefs, the bully will not achieve the desired effect. The bully will not get the reaction that he wants. If someone is physical with you, then you have to act accordingly but in an adult world (my adult world) the situation never reaches this level. You are in control at all times. It may not always seem that way in the heat of the moment, but you are. 

For most of my earlier career, I worked in the medical profession and after many promotions, I reached the top of the ladder. But I was lost in a sea of reports, paper work, meetings, deadlines and ,little by little, I was losing all contact with human beings. Instead of embracing humanity, I seemed to be turning away from it. This simply was not the way to live. Yet, the work paid off and I was able to live a comfortable lifestyle. But at what cost?  I just didn’t feel as though I was participating in the world anymore and in mid-life, I knew that it was time to reinvent myself. It started with volunteering in social service organizations and soon, I was beginning to feel alive again. I returned to school to become a Mental Health Counselor. I work with people at risk, now. I work with those facing addictions, HIV/AIDS, GLBT discrimination, mental health issues and those who are homeless or are at risk of becoming homeless. Like Liz Smith, I am working harder than I ever have and am making much less money. Somehow, this doesn’t seem to matter as I feel part of the world now and am using my own life experiences assisting others, making a difference in the lives of those I work with. And the payoff is heartfelt. It helps me sleep a little easier at night. I plan to continue in this line of work for years to come. I feel the joy on a daily basis and I embrace the challenges that I face on a daily basis, as well. I am thankful that my earlier career fell short of my human expectations and opened my eyes to the path that I have now chosen. It is like seeing color from a previous black and white world. Now, I wouldn’t change a thing.

"I would like to say something, not just to Vietnam veterans in New England, but to men who were in Vietnam, who I hurt, or whose pain I caused to deepen because of things that I said or did. I was trying to help end the killing and the war, but there were times when I was thoughtless and careless about it and I’m very sorry that I hurt them. And I want to apologize to them and their families. […] I will go to my grave regretting the photograph of me in an anti-aircraft gun, which looks like I was trying to shoot at American planes. It hurt so many soldiers. It galvanized such hostility. It was the most horrible thing I could possibly have done. It was just thoughtless…"Jane Fonda 1988

I think all subsequent Miss America beauty contests should be topless so Donald Trump will not have to spend so much time defending the contestants. (I hope this doesn’t come back and haunt me!!)

No need to include 9/11 into the hilarity of the evening. It remains a sensitive topic, especially to those it has affected directly. There are so many other topics to poke fun of and Wanda Sykes was brilliant in  doing just that. Though people snickered at the Limbaugh remark, I think they felt that they were on the spot, as the President did when the cameras were focused on him. Even Sykes saying, "You are laughing on the inside" was in bad taste, realizing that even she went out on a limb with that one. Yes, I know this was a roast but common sense should dictate what to admit and what to omit.

This may come to fruition the farther we are away from the previous administration.

Madonna looks ridiculous and could care less. But I have to wonder if there isn’t a part of her that is beginning to think that it is all slowly slipping away.

The only reality show I watch is the Emmy nominated, "Intervention" on A & E. As an Addiction Counselor, this show is dead on. No camera acting or silly staging. And in the final segment, not all Interventions are successful, which is true in real life, as well. I like the talent on "American Idol" but one performer once said it does not depict a realistic picture of the music industry. The others, I do not watch for the simple reason I do not believe them. Whether following celebrities lives or winning a million dollars, I think they are all scripted on some level. Everyone has there 15 minutes of fame…but for all the wrong reasons.

I think it is great that Bette, Dolly and Cher continue with their famous careers now that they are well into their 60’s. It seems like time has stood still. But I do think they are choosing venues to perform that are more appropriate. In Vegas, they can live their normal lives and still do their nightly shows, attracting millions yearly. Cher was once asked why she doesn’t tour anymore. She said, "Please, I’ve been doing this for forty years. Give me a break." These women are ageless, and Liz Smith, you are at the top of that list!!!

 I always look forward to the Oscar specials. They are always entertaining. Barbara has a certain ease in her style the allows celebrities to open up. You always feel that nothing is off limits with those she interviews. No restrictions. I do remember one interview in particular with Elizabeth Taylor. They were discussing Sen. John Warner. Elizabeth was once married to him, and Barbara once had a romance with him. Barbara made certain that Elizabeth knew John was a "friend" of hers and Elizabeth paused and said, "Yes, I know he was a "friend" of yours, but he is also a "friend" of mine." The subject was quickly changed.

To think, she has been famous for his entire life. When he was born, she was singing and filming, "Who’s That Girl?"

Though I love K.D. Lang, her version of Leonard Cohen’s classic, "Hallelujah" is a bit over the top and melodramatic. She certainly can hit all the notes. But it is Cohen’s simple version of "Hallelujah" (both can be found on YouTube) that is cutting and sarcastically haunting. Almost indifferent when he sings the song, he gives it so much power. His version is much more dramatic in a very understated way.