For those few who prefer to stand around disconsolately swirling the wine in their glasses of sour grapes, stay there forever with your lost hopes: The rest of us have all left the building as well, and all: We heeded that rallying shout: “Let’s go change the world!”

Oh, Dona! What a starkly awful memory for you! My first movie was at the post theater at West Point, New York. It was a birthday party group and we saw Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. I think it must have been 1936 or 1937; I’d have to check the release date. I just remember birthday party (whose? don’t remember!) and dark out and the excitement and Oh, the Movie! The Wicked Witch absolutely terrified me.

I have a very allergic granddaughter, and the pet question was a heartbreaker in that household. Then the family doctor suggested a Bichon Frise. They bought one. It worked! And that wonderful little dog was with them for over 14 years. She was incredibly devoted and intuitive. Whoever was sick or not feeling emotionally great, THAT was the person she would go curl up with! Now my granddaughter has grown up, but my daughter and her husband grieved for Frizzie for over a year and now have welcomed a wee male Bichon into their circle of love. Pupper. There is no better, or even equally solid, answer for those Obama lassies than TWO Bichons: one each for the girls and also the two will keep each other company in that humongous barn of a place.

Not planning to watch. I have an unviewed set of DVDs of a British miniseries A DANCE to the MUSIC of TIME, almost 7 hours long, and will immerse myself in that and try to quell the dreadful nausea I am experiencing. Worry kills, so I’m doing a cop out.

I, too, plan to take one of those portable standing-stick stools, along with a paperback book (non-political murder mystery) and some pocket snacks. I’ll wait 10 hours if necessary to vote for Barack Obama and Joe Biden! ( Joe the Senator? Joe the lawyer? )

“One theme is both familiar and clear: religion - in particular fundamentalist religion - makes you stupid. The US is the only rich country in which Christian fundamentalism is vast and growing.” Because I was raised in what is now referred to as “Main Line Christianity,” I find myself resenting the fundamentalist takeover of the definition of “Christian.” It is just so utterly unlike in every possible way. But yes, they do encourage ignorance. Not only do they teach a rewritten History and a rewritten Science in their school systems, but our nation is bowing down to them by not insisting their diplomas and degrees will not be recognized by the states as legitimate unless they can pass examinations in real History and real Science. What I am trying to say is, it is OUR FAULT as a nation if we are dumbed down, because we are ALLOWING it to happen! They are encouraged right from the preachers shouting feverishly to the mega-crowds to NOT read any newspapers or watch any network television news or listen to any network radio news or read any news magazines. They are told Satan will enter into them and contaminate their thinking if they do! The goal of the fundamentalists is precisely the same as that of the fundamentalist Islamists in the Middle East: i.e., the fundamentalists here want to run this nation as a “Christian” nation and the Islamists there want each and every state in the Middle East to be run as an Islamic state. Please note: I am NOT comparing fundamentalists here with terrorists there: only stating that their goals of religion-run states is precisely the same, albeit for 2 different religions.

This is an honest reflection; it might be wrong, but it is mine. I do not believe the McCain campaign has refused to bring up the Rev. Wright (better name, Wrong!) for such pure reasons as not bringing racism into the race. Say What?!? I truly believe they are hoping to spread the poison that Obama is an Arab Islamic Terrorist in disguise. McCain refuted this while on camera, but the campaign is encouraging the image. And some one figured out they could not have it BOTH ways! And figured they would get more votes against Obama the Terrorist than against Obama the Baptist! My cynical take. Color me a burned out campaign manager, for that I can actually prove is a fact!

A wonderful book to read while partaking of creamy spoonfuls of coffee ice cream. Or spumoni. Spumoni is acceptable but oh, that Starbucks Classic Coffee is tasting heaven on Earth!

Of course. Some things one never forgets.

Come on, Lady Gator, and be fair here. I did not bash retirees or their right to make their own choices! Read again. It is quite clear I was describing what communities in Florida look like from the vantage point of a plane coming in for a landing. I am a 79 year old retired widow who has lived in Florida for 2 years and gone to school there. I love visiting Florida and have family and tons of friends there. If it curdles my blood to think of living there, that is MY opinion and/or taste speaking, and I am entitled to express myself thusly. But I DID NOT bash retirees, in Florida or ANYwhere!

I don’t think this was Florida per se, or the media. I am sure it was the governing clique in The Villages. The place is ruthlessly ruled by a small group that enjoys their power above all things and holds on ruthlessly. Everyone feels welcome and joyfully happy until they deviate by so much as a blade of grass. I mean, you TOE THE LINE set for you, or else!

Perfect! She could not BE a better choice! The lack of getting the word out is too sad for words, though. ALL of those little old ladies would be delighted to see her. (Spoken by a 79-year old.) I have friends in The Villages. They went there from all points North. Frankly, the whole state full of miles and miles of retirement complexes nestled around their golf courses, looking for all the world like a humongous brown quilt as you fly in, gives me the creeps and puts a frisson of fearful distaste up and down my spine. Thankfully, I have been delivered from all that and will enjoy the 4 seasons without the slightest taint of institutionalism for the rest of my days. At least, that is the plan.

Accusations from the Right have been vicious and irresponsible beyond belief for weeks now, but Rush Limbaugh and his ilk have outdone themselves with their latest lies: i.e., that Barack Obama’s beloved 85 year old grandmother is not ill at all, but he was forced to fly all the way back to his home state to attempt to finally get something done about his birth certificate. Limbaugh himself, of course, knows better: the spewing of hateful lies and insinuations is for the greater public that does not. It is impossible to go through the public school system of the United States of America without having produced a valid birth certificate. It is impossible to obtain a social security card or driver’s license without the same. Finally, it is impossible to be issued a passport without sending in your ORIGINAL birth certificate; and believe me, the State Department is nothing if not thorough in examining these documents. If I were inclined to consider voting republican, all of this nasty sewage rising from the rabble on the right would send me running as fast as my little old legs would take me over to the cool, calm blue world of the democrats. Which, of course, is exactly what is happening in every state of our beloved union. Welcome all to the peaceful gardens of good sense and civility, where you can count upon one plus one equaling two and rational thought precedes all words.

I love it, love it, love it!

SAME OLD, SAME OLD LIVED AND DIED But she had a Great Love!