I am with you Liz, I “vant” to be left alone is vastly different vanting to be alone. I vant to alone quite often, but I never want to be left alone. It is reasuring to know one alone from the other. To welcome alone is to be free. To be left alone is quite another emotion.

Joan, you say it all so well. Forget who is sexy in this election, who cares, that is not a reasonable vote anyway! We senior gals can gasp on occasion and even fan ourselves at those gorgeous young stud muffins, but….they do not hold a candle to our grey haired, sexy, irresistible seasoned partners. He still makes me sweat!

James and Kitty, take the gloves off. What’s up with the friction? Are you helping or just getting yourself out there? All my money is with AIG and even if I wanted to draw it out I cannot….it is in Houston and the hurricain has the office virtually shut down! I was on hold for over 45 minutes and then the office closed. Dave Ramsey & Suzi Orman say to hold on, well I am holding on and keeping all things crossed. Any thoughts?

You know, I read/listen to you all, which means I want to hear what u has to say, and I am so frustrated! Part of me is so over with this damnable trotting of possible? Electable? Candidates. I remember feeling excited about who is running. I was so lifted by Bobby K….I know, so long ago, but we had sooooo much hope. As much as I hate to rewind I cannot help but remember the feeling. It is that momentum that, that believability, that affirmation of trust that I lack and it dulls this crappy fight if you will for….for what…egocentrism, power…..narcissism, hell, all of the above? I am ready for a new party.

Just the break in things that I need. Great fun, and, oh that Dame Edna. Could you just die for the glasses?! I agree, I still love Tom C. What do we really know about it anyway and who cares? My husband is a sweetie too. Good men seem to come later in life. Any thoughts?

I so do not care, but then why did I look? I am with you James, I like the necklace! Raye on the Central Coast

It seems that in most situations there is always an elephant in the room. Such is life and life’s gory/interesting little details. We make room for elephants out of respect, fear, denial, uncertainty and probably that old “golden rule” thing! I love it when the elephant is spotted. Depending on the situation, it is then that the work begins or s—t hits the fan. Ain’t life grand? Raye on the Central Coast

I held this belief following 9/11 and I hold it today. It is not popular and believe me I have checked into myself to the cellular level on this! Let me preface by saying that I have the utmost compassion for all who lost or were even close to the loss of a loved one. I am a Hospice RN and social worker. I know about compassion and loss. Deep inside of me I morn even greater losses which have occurred globally and are happening as I type this seemingly insignificant response in comparison to such loss. Then, 9/11 happens and the world is supposed to stop? Our egocentric values keep us apart from the real work that needs to be done. To all who have suffered, to dignity lost, I say we pray beyond the events of 9/11. Raye on the Central Coast

Been there, done that. It was just what I needed coming out of a 16 year marriage that rendered me both physically and emotionally dead. Looking back I suppose we both knew it was a short ride but we had fun, respected each other and learned to appreciated our difference in years and life experiences. I still visit with his mom when I see her and always ask how her bad boy is! I am very comfortable with men of all ages but prefer my own generation for a life partner. Raye Ann

I hate it when I agree with “The Stars” but, right on babe! Do you think he has a clue and do we really know what is going on? Stay tuned. Wish I were on his text list, I would stay up all night to hear it is Hillary! Raye Ann on the west coast

Five ways, it takes 5?! We women are smarter than 5. One knows and we need to support our intuition, our love and our intelligence. Let grow up on this issue. Raye Ann Houx RN MSW ACSW

The initial panel of wowOwow women is impressive and I love reading about each one. It is so autobiographical…is that a word? Where is Maya Angelo? I have an idea about wowOwow women from our states, our counties, and our communities. I am a RN MSW home care nurse and I see wowOwow women that sweep their dirt floors at 4 am just before they begin preparing meals for a very large multicultural household and…..take care of a terminally ill adult child, single handedly! I know women who have taken themselves and their children out of poverty and risen within the academic community. The power of women on the rise is daunting and it begins in my small community. The women are unknown but the lives they change are forever. How can we get the word out there?

Twice. Once when I very young and before sexual harassment was even considered an issue. If I only knew then what I know now! The second time as an RN was much later in life and brought considerably more pain. I cried so hard I thought I might choke to death. One week later I enrolled in an under graduate program. Two years following I graduated suma cum lade with my Bachelors in Collaborative Health and Human Services. Two years after that I graduated with honors again with my Masters of Social Work. You can take me/us down but do not plan on keeping me/us there for very long! Currently I serve as a Clinical Supervisor, RN, Medical Social Worker and ACSW for Home Care. I also teach at the local community college and last year taught at the Cal State U. where I received my BS Degree. There are solutions in life and we wowOwow women can move forward if we want to.