OK, Girls.  You started too young when looking back, most things that seemed so important in our lives, were really trivial.  I didn’t keep a diary or journal when I was young.  No regrets.

 I started journaling seven years ago.  I have filled seven books.  I call it "My Ordinary Days" and yet when I look through them and read what has been recorded, I find that my days are anything but ordinary.  My children will enjoy them when I am gone.

It really makes me sad to read the bitterness displayed in some of these posts. We can only control one vote - our own. We are all entitled to our own opinion, but can’t we share it without all the unkind verbage?

Bella Mia, I agree with your post. I realize it has always happened to some degree but with porn so readily accessible, it is definitely on the increase. Even babies. Makes you heartsick. We had a recent situation like this in a day care center. How can these men live with themselves? We don’t live very far from where little Jessica Lunsford (9 years old) was kidnapped from her own bedroom, held hostage, raped, and then buried alive. Dear God. The horror of it. When I saw the sexual predator who committed this crime laughing (on the news), cannot explain the feelings of rage I had towards him. Give him the same punishment - kidnap, hold hostage, rape, then bury him alive. They deserve no better than the crime they commit.

Mugsy, I am not judging you or anyone else and surely not trying to tell you how to live your life. Being a christian, as much as is in me possible, I try to pattern my life after Jesus, who loved everyone and condemned no one. Peace.

Peg o my heart, Phyllis and Frannie Em - Sorry I couldn’t get back to you sooner - carpet cleaning day at our house. Let me try to explain my feelings in another way. I do not have the great command of the English language that some of you other ladies possess. Also, when you are speaking directly with a person, the tone of your voice or your attitude (good or bad) establishes the meaning of your statement. We have ten grandchildren. One of our grandson’s has a live-in girlfriend and they have two adorable children. My husband and I wish they had gotten married before having children. Do I love this grandson less than my other nine? Of course not. Do I respect his girlfriend? Yes, I do. She’s a lovely girl and a good mother to the children. I love her dearly. I cannot live their lives for them. When they want to get married, they will. Their choice. We have four children. If they came to me and told me they were gay, would I love them less? Absolutely not. They would still be my beloved children. So that is how I can still love someone while not condoning their actions. I appreciate this site and the ladies on it. I am a caregiver to my husband and this website allows me to be in touch with the world. It’s wonderful that we can express our thoughts/feelings without being chastised for it. Sympathetic understanding makes our world a better place.

Chef Zee, Thank you for your post. When I said “Hate the sin, but love the sinner” I was sincere in my statement. I worked for a high level executive at General Motors who was gay. He was every inch a gentleman and I respected him immensely and he respected me in return. My husband and I interacted with him on a social level. In another instance, I bowled on a team of five where I was the only “straight” woman. My teammates were great ladies - we had wonderful times together and I enjoyed their camaraderie. I was invited to their homes and graciously accepted. So please do not think I would hate anyone just because they were different from me. Just not so. I deplore and am outraged by any act of violence against any person. They have the right to choose their lifestyle.

Linda Meyers, Not allowed “according to doctrine of the church.” No, try the Bible. I am not gay bashing either. I believe in hating the sin, but loving the sinner. Let he who is without sin cast the first stone. Obviously, no one should even consider hurling a missile, because we are all guilty of sin. However, Leviticus 20:13 clearly states that homosexuality is an abomination to God. There are other references as well. There’s no way to distort that clear meaning - unless you choose not to read the Bible.

Well said, James. The Supreme Court appointments are the important issue here. I have a question for the California contributors regarding the gay marriage issue. The people voted to ban it - the court overturned it. Why didn’t the people’s voice count? Why have the vote at all?

Thanks for the memories, Liz. The ever glamorous Dietrich, steady-eddy Marshall and the oh, so handsome Cary Grant. Those were the days!!!

Phyllis, Thanks for another interesting story. Thanks, too, for the Pearl Hart/Bonnie and Clyde story. What an exciting life!! Hope Pearl did marry a gentleman rancher, and enjoyed gardening, sewing and writing. Her journal would make an interesting read. Can’t you visualize the tantalizing stories within?

It’s really been interesting to read about all the gadgets you have out there. I only recently purchased a computer but already I am addicted. It’s my window to the world as I am a caregiver to my handicapped husband. We do not even have a cell phone, which distresses our children to no end - they cannot believe we can survive without one. I have not been impressed with them because they often do not work, they are too costly, but the deal breaker on cells is the way you are forced to overhear unwanted conversations. i.e., recently I was in the waiting room at ER and the young lady next to me called her boyfriend several times wanting to come up to his room. She couldn’t - his wife was there. She was entertaining several in a captive audience.

I am always thrilled by the compelling posts on this site. Congratulations to each one. A fine effort by all.

Doc’s girl, After all these years - the pain just never goes away. God bless you, my sister.

Jenny, Thanks for your kind thoughts. Your pain may be worse than ours. God bless you and your family.

A lot of people are stumbling in darkness. Light a candle.