Now is the time for us to unite. I may take a day to mutter that HC will not be second in command, but even she would want us to work together to get this done. Onward!

Josie, how about putting it up as your avatar? Just till they win!

You are so very correct. I am sorry for your loss. May good memories comfort you.

What I have never understood is if you were sponsored by your country or paid by sponsors, you are still being subsidized. Seems the same to me. Yes, the best in the world should compete.

This clip is only one major issue why we cannot have him as President. Thanks for posting this Diana.

Window light, candle light, and now refrigerator light may be a new trend. Liz, the watermelon adds a nice warm look to your lovely lit portrait.

…good picture? Of me or ones I take? Self portraits would answer that. …true likeness? Does the camera really lie? Who really likes the one by the DMV? ….do we know us? Probably not ….too touched up? We use less makeup and hair stuff than the 80’s. A more natural look? I prefer todays over the plastered look of the past. But then I look back at a high school graduation picture of myself and all I can see it the flip hair do that makes me look like a water buffalo! Sure the face has less wrinkles but I like the me now and would not go back. No amount of airbrush can capture the person. Only the right shot can. This really makes me sad reading all the people who do not like their picture taken. That is why I have a lens with mirrors so when people think I am looking at them I am really taking pictures of someone to my right or left. (Whoops trade secret!) Okay, I really do not like being in front of the lens unless the photographer is really good and they can put me at ease. That is when you get the real look. There are so many things that go into making a brilliant image. I would hardly guess a high school senior would like to give out pictures with zits on their faces. Retouching has been around forever. Making a timeless image that you would be proud to see yourself takes more than just the right camera or a cute smile. You look at yourself in the mirror and that is a reverse image of you. Try to flip the image of yourself and see if you like it better. I agree with this wonderful poem since it really captured her. I think a good photographer can make the model happy with their picture. If not, spend some time in one of those photo booths and try a whole bunch of fun shots in a row. Your family and loved ones will thank you for it.

I agree Kitty, it is the best! Unfortunately it is not really her. It makes me smile every time I see it.

Brilliantly stated Maggi, I do not have any pictures of my mom because of her running away from cameras. :(

Love the family connection! Great story.

Toot, toot from here too Josie!

EKA, I understand the money situation, but I would think people would like to have cheaper cookouts might be back in style again? Is pot luck out of the question? We are lucky to have had out kids playing they way they did. I hope the old days makes a return. But is fear going to prevent that? You are lucky to have the neighbors you do. I too run a business from home and the immediate neighbors are all the same. Now with grand kids showing up, maybe we can continue the traditions too.

My neighborhood has change dramatically in the 23 years I have lived here. The farm across the nearest road is now gone and replaced with 700 homes. These McMansions may be nice on the outside but I do not believe they have the community that was here before them. When we had an extreme drought - their lawns were green. There is rarely a turn signal used when they exit since they are on phones and cannot seem to care about anyone else but themselves. Do I sound bitter? No, just saddened as to how people with a money counting mentality seem to act as if they are better than their neighbors. Not long ago I had a guy follow me to my street and wait to see where I lived. I turned around and went back to ask him if he had anything he wanted to say to me. He said I was lucky I was not a man. He did not like the way I drove. (Trust me I did nothing that should have set this guy off!) I went home and got my dog to go for a walk. I walked up to his home and when he opened the door he immediately apologized. I asked him if he wanted a list of 99 reasons its great to be a guy. I had just received this list via email. He said sure and then his wife came up behind him. The subject of his behavior did not come up. I believe when you put a face to the anger of road rage, it can displace it. He lives seven homes away from mine and thankfully not next door! When neighbors pull in and our of their garages, have lawn maintenance done for them, drive kids everywhere, how can anyone meet? A very close friend seems to move every few years. Each change was up the suburban high life level. Each move provided them with a bigger home but each time the atmosphere of the neighborhood caring depleted. Is there a correlation between the amount of money you spend on your home, the more arrogant you behave? I hope not.

Nature. Sometimes thought of as Mother Nature, she provides such beauty. At times she is very humbling. The sounds, smells, visuals in nature are to the core of who I am.

If it is not hunger, food won’t fix it.