Deber, I love all these stories you have prompted. However, I must share the opposite story of my life. My son is an only child and we were always running out to eat since I had my own demanding business as he was growing up. Although remaining kind, I know he became sick of it at an early age and learned to cook himself at about seven. Now that I am retired and have a little time on my hands, when I want to fix something yummy, I call him for the recipe!! So, it works both ways. LOL

Tears, me thinks it is surely possible but not in just any situation. There is always a little daring involved but "nothing risked, nothing gained" as can be true in most of life. The time and people involved must be right and I think there is a little something down deep in all of us that knows the when and where. Ms. Freed this was just deliciously written and my eyes are still dancing.

Jenny, I share your pride in our "new day" in diplomacy and you said it all so well. I had tears in my eyes and hope in my heart when I saw them land on American soil.  And, Jon Stewart was a hoot as usual and "dead on".

Hey Texas! I was just browsing through here and wanted to congradulate you upon finally exposing the right end of your horse.

Since " a little bit ‘ll do me these days", I am more inticed by the ad for the Exxtenz thingy pill!!  It makes him much bigger and like the ad says "there is all this science behind it"..uh, uh, excuse me, but what science was that?? Anyway, sounds good and thanks again, Sybil, for making my lips curl. Must run place my order……………………………..

Aw, these people get it! Gives a whole new meaning to the song " Shine your light and let the whole world see"……………………..

Margo, Am I brilliant or what? Believe it or not, somehow I just knew the the above statement would somehow enter this dialogue. Yeah, I know…just too smart for my pants. Overall, this was an accurate assessment of the "wanta be rich" but, unfortunately, "not so famous except in the own mine" set. Commisarating……………………………………………………….

Dawn…LOL. I moistened my unmentionalbes.

Sage Sybil, you have brought such absolute fun and joy to this site and a absolutely delicious way to reexamine things we may have thought mundane at first glance. What a contribution you have made and I hopefully look forward to more of your wisdom.

Dale, truer words were never spoken and thank you for this caveat!

Phyllis, I have just realized that I left out a huge part of this story…remember my fingers did it while my mind was resting in the middle of the night. I neglected to say that I didn’t take Pickles, my Director of PR, in for a drink with me. As she just adored her little Porshe and it was a cool night in October, I left her there with the windows down just far enough so that no one could steal her. After I returned from the "lock up", there she was, mad as hell for being left so long without her usual gourmet dinner! There were little food shops and bakeries all around us there in old town and anything that wasn’t sold at the height of freshness they would bring over for Piclkles. A bag of said food was in the car with her but she would never be so "tacky" as to dig through a bag without having it served properly with her gourmet kibble impoted from Germany full of all the nutrition she needed to live the very long life that she enjoyed. I had just run in with friends for one drink and since Pickles was a teetotaler I knew she wouldn’t mind waiting for a few minutes. It turned out to be about three hours and she was NOT HAPPY. Guess that officer was not too concerned as to her welfare as her dinner was very late as she just sat there waiting through it all with no one checking on her. I told the officer nicely that I was sure she lived better than he did and I think he was so outraged that he could think of nothing better to do than bring out the handcuffs. What a jerk he was and I just had a feeling that Professor Gates incident had many parallels. Hee, hee…………………………… 

Oh, Ms. Doyle Pepe, what a treat to run into you this morning! Not unlike one Ferris Bueller, I temporarily lost my "groove" and took a day off. But, I am back. I think I will begin regaling you with some of the interesting characters that I have known but will change the names (somewhat) and places to protect the innocent and my own buttinsky. I loved this and Sybil just took me "over the moon" with this delightful article and my fingers just flew out of control. So good to see you.

My dear Sybil, are a definiely a SAGE!! This is the funniest and I do share your pain. As to healthcare, I am experiencing the first of my "donut hole" which should be small and sweet but is large and bitter. And like you, I feel resentment that the media has discussed this with everyone ( even Joe the Plummer as far as I know ) but not one call to me on my feelings on this matter. And, as to "profiling" for no reason at all and as a huge pet lover, I was once arrested in Alexandria, Virginia for cruelty to animals by a "rogue" cop. It was a cool October evening and I was leaving my shop with my dog, "Pickles", who was my Director of Public Relations for the business that I owned. Just as I was getting in the car behind the aforementioned Pickles, friends walked up and asked if I would enjoy a drink with them at a lovely little "watering hole" next door.  I had barely moistened my whistle when I noticed this big, fat cop walk in and speak to Bernard, the maitre ‘d. He looked over at me and nodded in my direction. Of course, I thought something horrible had happened and ran immediately over.  This particular officer of the law then proceeded to cite me for Cruelty to Animals!! I said," Sir, I can assure you that my dog lives better than you do". I was very polite as I said it but he then proceeded to throw handcuffs on me and took me to the local jail. I know for a fact just how Professor Gates felt due to this indignity although the circumstances were very slightly different. But, my charges were later dropped as well..just like Gates.  Was I called recently to comment on the Gates issue? No, I was snubbed again. My situation in this matter was not even reported in the local news at the time. However, it did appear in the local gossip rag noting that I had been sporting some "interesting new bracelets". So, don’t you even begin to feel alone on these obvious snubs by the press for any reason. You are by no means alone.  Just saying…………………………………………..

I know all too well of these unfortunate situations across America. My little town, despite the ravages of the last 25 years,  has just undergone another set back because of recent economic difficulties and four more plants have shut down. I fear that it is dying now, too. The remaining residents have no place to find work and there are many that have just not recieved an education for current job market in cities within a 50 mile radius. It is right up there with many as one of the prettiest small towns in America. We are allowing these little donwtowns to rot and go by the wayside. If I won the lottery, I"d call you and we could do our "thing". I do understand your feelings completely!