Could everyone, please take a deep breath and stop gnashing their teeth for just a few hours? Listen to what she says and how she says it before the liberated women of America tear her to shreds. I, for one, choose to read and listen to as many news sources as possible and THEN make up my own mind. How about that for today’s suggestion?

My two daughters are 21 and 24 respectively. I was a single mother since they were 10 and 7; their father was and is haphazard in his relationship with the girls. They have done very well through school and have attended excellent colleges and grad schools. They have never been pregnant or in trouble. Why? Because I was willing to monitor their activities and on a regular basis, the bad guy. Their father showed up with ‘things’ but I was there 24/7 handing out the bad news: no belly shirts, no tank tops w/o bras, no inappropriate behavior for young people. Trust me………it can be done. You just have to commit to living through it. and laugh.

I forgot my funniest phone call…….I was living at home while in college with my parents (ugh). My stepfather was retired foreign service officer. The phone rings in the evening and I answer it: Trueblood residence…”hello! is Eddie there?” “yes, may I ask who is calling?” “This is Algie Hiss” I answer…”oh sure, ha,ha” and was met with silence. It was Algier Hiss and he had just been released from prison, but that’s another story.

I worked as a movie extra in Tucson, while in college (because I could ride a horse) and met Paul Newman, John Huston, Victoria Principal (her first big movie) and others. Paul Newman was rude beyond belief to spectators (it was not a closed set and tourists were around) to the point that I did not go to see his movies for many years afterward. His achievements professionally and personally have certainly overcome my early opinion. Huston was a charmer. The best was the wrap party on the sound stage. Edith Head followed me around all night and felt me up. Art Newman (with his siblings blue eyes) got drunk and took over the drums for quite a while. Great night, eye-opening. Movie: Judge Roy Hill (? - still haven’t seen it)

The Olympics are corrupt in every way imaginable - support of athletes, age, promotion, drugs, etc. …..not to mention the judges! Politics, money and ambition have tarnished the games and the enormous sacrifices that the actual athletes make. My bet is that most of them would do it for the glory of their sport………….until 3veryone else gets involved.

1. There have always been and will continue to be economic cycles…..some worse than others but not really the fault of any one person or policy (let’s blame Hoover!). 2. The corrections in the real estate markets and consumer debt are needed. 3. Why is everyone surprised about the energy issue? OPEC bans? Small import cars? and now what do we have? 1 in 4 American autos are large gas guzzlers. Shame on us for not learning our lesson. 4. Wind mills -no surprise - just not in my backyard (i.e. anywhere Teddy K. and the wealthy live - poor Dick Cavett!) 5. People need to get a grip, get rid of the honker cars and having 4+ cars/family. In our community, we are still paying for school bus service when all of the HS darlings are driving their MB/Caddies to school. Great planning America!.

As a girl, I loved opening the drawers of my mother’s dresser….the scents of rubber; baby powder to ease the fit;; Shalimar and Chanel #5 and the bare whiff of Joy. She just died in June and my 3 sisters and I were each able to bring home a small, albeit empty, bottle of Joy. Memories galore. I have worn Estee Lauder’s Private Collection since its introduction. That’s all I wear and my grown children steal my scarves and smalls for the scent. I guess that is what I always wanted.

Gosh! When has it been a requirement to be a resident of the state you represent???? Does anyone remember when MA had 3 senators? Ted, Tip and Bobby. And when did Hillary EVER live in NY???? In the early post Civil War days, this was known as carpetbagging….and this is uniformly frowned upon by American history textbooks. Haven’t both Hil and Bill frequently spoken about their love of American history? Guess they skipped the carpetbagger chapter. But - as far as Caroline goes - she would get my vote before and against any Kennedy. She has the brains, the education, devotion to public service and grace to fill any seat. Can’t say the same for any of her male relatives (pardon the martyrs), especially the current generation. One more thought - if any one of the presidential contenders, (including the two survivors) put forth their younger, inexperienced sibling as Attorney General of the US - what do you think people would say and do?

please ask everyone to read this: www.msnbc.msn.com/id/25571076. International resources are being used for this. Two questions: if inexpensive IVF is available, then why are most families charged $10K per attempt, and most importantly, why increase fertility in a continent that cannot sustain life now? and why not spend the money to train women to take care of themselves?

Shame on all of you for making judgements on these women! Isn’t that what we are trying to get away from? We do not know how much involvement Cindy has in her family business (and has been willing to support (tolerate)her husband’s dreams. And we do not know all of the progression of Mrs. Obama’s career (in Chicago’s highly questionable Cook County system). Give them a break and let’s listen to what the candidates have to say and then their spouses. BUT, I have a long standing anger at the media for the inequality of treatment of Nancy Reagan and Hillary Clinton. Nancy was chastised and ridiculed for borrowing designer fashions while all were entranced with Hillary’s makeover on the Vogue cover. (Was it relief?) And while we are at it……china, anyone? Nancy was made to be an empress, ordering new china for the WH. It is something that happens by necessity every few administrations. So, where was the similar comment when Hillary ordered new china?….not more than 1 term after the last had been provided? AND, it was photographed and commented that the Clinton china was the most gilt, opulent and ornate china in the entire WH collection. How about that! Let’s try to bring a little objectivity in our discussions. I will not vote for “pretty Mrs. McCain” or the “vibrant Michelle”. I will vote for the candidate that will best serve our country.

So, Frank, not to be insensitive, what have you done and thought since that terrible day? Has your life and his been for naught?

Bobby was killed on my 18th birthday. I was returning to school from a short holiday in Sweden and remember people in the airports and trainstations talking with each other (a rarity in Europe). They really believed the US was on the verge of revolution…a feeling only emphasized during the Chicago convention. Europeans looked to the ordinary Americans in their midst for answers and reassurance that the world was not ending. It was then that it became clear to this 18 year old, how much the rest of the world looked to and depended on the United States of America. Its true today - if we can’t make it work, who will? And that is the worry that fuels so much anger and resentment towards America….much like children when their parents stumble and fall. However, please keep in mind, during this reflective moment about Camelot, etc.; Attny Gen. Kennedy utilized the FBI, CIA and Secret Services to compile information on US citizens. While the need for this information was probably well intentioned, how was it different than LBJ, Nixon, Clinton and Bush’s use of the same agencies? We need to remember with love but with open eyes.

P.S. As the resident Jewish authority (all that hebrew school and Purim pagents), I was the go-to Mom in the parochial schools. Every spring, our little school set a Sedar table and read the Haggadah. My daughters were required to take comparative religions in grammar and high school and still celebrate Jewish holidays with much of my family. My daughters know more about the Jewish faith and history than my siblings, nieces and nephew because they are typical of contemporary cultural Jews. We are richer for the experience.

My mother married and divorced four times, each time changing our identities, religions, social standing and geographical homes. I was baptised in the Church of England, raised in a Jewish home (including hebrew school), schooled in Europe as a Social Register Episcopalian and finally married by a Congregationalist minister (he had a free day), who immediately left the faith and became a gay, surfer in Hawaii. In my young married twenties, I enrolled in the local college: Barat College of the Sacred Heart. It was still a women’s college and filled with demanding nuns and professors, that expected nothing less than the best of us. We were the editors, the valedictorians, the athletes - we were Barat Broads and our male friends and relatives were not so happy. Five years post graduation, I was received as a member of the Roman Catholic Church. This caused no end of controversy in my family, that continues to this day. The Sacred Heart sisters (mothers in the day!) gave me the gift of self and faith. I have raised my two daughters in the faith and insisted on their attendance (with me) every Sunday and all holidays. We mark Advent and Lent with purpose and sincerity. My daughters chose to attend a small all-girl Sacred Heart high school - the guy thing was hard. Today, the eldest is 24, finished with grad school in London and living on her own in Chicago with her best friend since 4 yrs of age, who is Jewish. She still attends mass. The youngest (a college senior) stopped attending church after her 18th birthday. She was hesitant to tell me but my message was: “my job is done - your faith is yours”. And that is the truth - find a community that feeds your spirit and your soul. It is your job and your opportunity. Peace and love to you all

When dressing to go out, remove one piece of jewelry; always carry two pair of gloves (one for travel and a fresh pair); thank you notes are to be written the same day of the event or gift; never raise your voice and the underwear thing! Full petticoats! (Do they still make them?) Too many rules, too little time.