My dad also stressed the importance of excellence. He told us that the only way to do any job was to do it correctly; that there is only a right way and a wrong way to accomplish any task. I can recall times I had to do a chore over and over, until I did my chore correctly, according to what my father determined was correct and acceptable. I later taught this lesson to my sons; that the right way is the only way. Also, Day told us to be ‘hard skinned’; that people will talk about us because of our race (when we were called ‘Colored’); but that we should remain focused on our own self worth and unaccountably and not become sidetracked by insults, or negative comments. Dad was a motivator.

My father stressed the importance of self reliance, hard work, punctuality, and being responsible. Dad’s motto was, “God bless the child who has his own.” We were a large family, and dad was the thrifty parent. Dad did not splurge, except during Christmas when Dad made sure we received everything on Santa’s list. Dad did not believe in spending money unless necessary, and always told us to pay our debts, and never borrow money except in emergencies. Dad emphasized the importance of working two or three jobs, if necessary, to obtain items he considered not essential to basic needs. Dad did not allow Mom to have credit, and our homes were always paid off in less than ten years. (One of my earliest memories was when Dad came home and told Mom, “We’ve burned the mortgage!!” At age two I didn’t understand, but later, when I was old enough to understand, that memory stayed with me.) I think I’m careful with money because of the values my dad taught me regarding finances. He believed in saving. And God bless him, when he died, Mom was extremely well off financially. Especially considering that Dad was a blue collar worker during the height of the post War industrial age. Mom, however, was a bit more generous with her ‘purse’ allowance; buying items she liked. I think that the values my dad taught me regarding financial and personal responsibility were the foremost ‘lessons’ of my father.

Gosh! There has been so much tragedy on the news lately, and so many people complaining about the economy - high gas prices, high food bills, etc,, I seriously can not recall the last time I laughed out loud. Sad isn’t it. Oh … I chuckled the other day while trying on an outfit which I thought I could wear on an upcoming trip. The dress was too tight!

I just celebrated my 59 birthday, and … I am not at all happy with the way I look. I’ve gone from a very comfortable size 10 to a very uncomfortable size 14, and it is difficult for me to loose the weight, even though I eat less. The fact is that some women look more beautiful as they age, while others do not. My mother, for example, at 82 looks gorgeous!! It just goes to prove that genes don’t necessarily help. Ugh for the physical part of aging. But, I would not trade being 39 for 59, because I’ve learned so much about life. And … still learning.

I was in third grade. I attended Kelley School, a ‘neighborhood’ school, at the corner of Columbia Avenue and 28th street in Philadelphia. His name was Jeffrey Earl Williams. He was my secret love. One afternoon, we were in the school playground, and he was leaning against the brick wall looking oh, so very handsome and smart. He looked at me and smiled! Then he complimented me on how I looked. I couldn’t believe my ears. I stood there for a moment, and then I came up to him, starred, then impulsively, I kissed him. I felt so embarrassed I ran away. From then on I tried to avoid him, because I was really shy, and still dreadfully embarrassed. We spent the next two years smiling at each other. Then, late in fifth grade, during Spring, he moved. I cried and cried. To this day, I still dream of him, imagining that he went on to become someone very successful. But, the first time someone kissed me, it was forgettable.

I also saw Booker on Bill Moyers, and I agree with Maggi D, who said: “I saw Booker on Bill Moyer some weeks back and was impressed with his energy. He seemed very sincere to me and I could actually understand his goals (unusual for a politician). I hope he goes far - we need more people like him.” I believe that the key to Booker’s success will be that he understands the plight of the underprivileged, and that if given options, many will overcome their obstacles. Most importantly, Booker understands the importance of empowerment from within the community; the importance of individuals taking it upon themselves to figure out how to bring about change; and the urgency of personal responsibility and accountability. Cory Booker is smart and energetic, and I believe he will help to bring about change in the poor crime-ridden areas of Newark.

I often make myself sick, scolding myself, and even loosing sleep when I can’t recall things I think I should know: Titles of books, songs, or movies; names of people and places; foreign vocabulary; geography; ugh!!!!! It goes on and on.

Sure, I’ve experienced sex discrimination, but at the time I didn’t mind. Why? I’m embarrassed to admit that I was adamantly against the ERA, that I was a stanch supporter of Phylis Shalafly’s THE EAGLE FORUM, that I believed that gender-based job opportunities were valid, and that the model of the traditional family (working father and stay-at-home mom) was essential to the stability and wellbeing of society - the ideal, rather than the reality. Also, I, like Mary Page Drake, was brought up in an era where girls wore dresses to school, but also, my mother and other moms wore dresses whenever going out. My father was ‘expressly’ the head of the house, the breadwinner, and the decision maker. Outside of home, there were no women employees in the HONEYWELL plant where my father worked, or female membership in the associations/leagues he belonged to. Overall, I believed that definitive gender roles were important in fostering cultural ideals; that a healthy society demanded the distinction between what constituted a ‘man’s’ job or profession, and a woman’s. Then, over time, I changed my mind … somewhat. I’ll explain. For example, I’m uncomfortable watching a woman police officer banishing a gun or tazer to ‘take down’ a man twice her size, yet I applaud a woman astronaut or CEO. I don’t think women in the military should engage in armed combat, yet I think women should assume non combat responsibilities, and rise in the ranks of high level security officials. My point is, I continue to believe that there exists certain jobs which should be held solely by men. Conversely, sexism in this ‘enlightened’ age should not exist, yet it continues to thrive. However, let’s not rush to embrace ‘extreme’ measures. Why? Frankly, I fear that we are fast becoming a unisex society with far too many women and men unsure about their role at home or on the job. I know men who cannot deal with their spouse becoming more successful and emerging as the primary bread winner in the family. Also, I know woman who fret about raising children (especially male children) in the absence of a father, or worrying about getting a promotion in a male dominated profession. Yet, I believe a balance will be struck in the coming decades. But, at what cost? I’m not sure, but I’m hoping that the words, feminine and masculine, will survive. After all, did not God make us male and female for a purpose?

I lived in a suburb of Washington during the Clinton years. Has everyone forgotten about WHITEWATER? I’m just not trusting of Clinton. Therefore, I’m disappointed that Clinton won the Pennsylvania primary. I feel strongly that it would be a mistake if she wins the democratic ticket. That said, I’m not sure that Obama is the right choice. However, I’d rather see Obama win the White House rather than Clinton.

I’m looking forward to Sunday’s upcoming feature on 60 MINUTES about the benefits of gastric bypass surgery, which will explain how this surgery reduces or eliminates the risk of various life threatening illnesses and diseases. I always believed that any surgery specific to weight loss should not be done if there were no benefits beyond looking slimmer. I’m sure all who watch will begin to better understand the benefits, versus the risk, of gastric bypass surgery.

My definition of a ‘deadly’ sin, is any behavior or action, which intentionally or subjectively, degrade, demoralize, or corrupt the character of the young. I worry about our youth because of their vulnerability, and the unavoidable fact that they have become victims of questionable values/beliefs proliferated by public (especially) media personalities. The vices include: Stupidity, immorality, ignorance, lewdness, voyeurism, bigotry, contempt, lasciviousness, greed, and … complacency. Among those responsible (respectively): Judge J. Helen D. Maury P. Howard S. OPRAH Rush L. Donald T. Paris H. Rupert M. John and Jane Do I pray for our youth each and every night. And I wonder if parents are truly aware of the ‘trash’ our young people ingest each time they turn on the television, the computer, or ‘plug’ in to their Ipods. Do you? God help us.

Oh no!! This question is far too OPRA’ish’ for me. Can’t you do better? I’ll check in tomorrow hoping you’ll have a more substantive question.

Live life to the fullest! Explore new adventures! Absorb all the knowledge available to you. Reach out to someone different than you. Love passionately! Don’t get pregnant! Above all else, respect yourself … because, “Nothing in life is more sacred than the integrity of your own mind.” - Emerson

2,4,6,8,10!!! What great advice.

For many years, I slept in the nude. Actually, I love soft feminine cotton gowns. But, my ex was a sex hound and it didn’t make sense for me to put anything on. After my divorce, I continued to sleep in the nude … until last year when I got sick and had to be rushed to the hospital. I was so ashamed, I began sleeping in a soft, light-weight cotton gown. Actually, I find a soft gown more comfortable because I’m bothered with hot sweats and hot flashes, and the soft cotton helps absorb the perspiration.