Yes, LIz, you’re getting funnier by the day! I see a nice, sharp, funny jab here and there. I like it.

Ohhhh, John. I wish I had a TiVo again. The DVR that Cox gives you sucks bigtime. I’ve complained about it to the ‘suits’ at Cox, but they don’t know how to write proper code to make a people-friendly program. They’re clueless. I make do and save Dr. Who, House, Charlie, Mythbusters and poker. Actually, since it’s summer and in re-run season, I’ve started to reread ALL of Terry Pratchett’s books which I bought and read two or three years ago. I love his loony sense of humor and his wonderfully nutty characters.

Steve - competing shows to save has always been my problem. Seems everything comes on at 9:00 pm. How’d you solve this problem?

Well, Darcus, I wasn’t lighthearted when I moved recently (for the 8th time). Tucson was wavering undecidedly between 108 and 109 degrees, and the whole house and studios had to be moved out in two days. I’m too old for this. I know I’ll be moving at least one more time, but it won’t be until I’m very rich or old (preferably both)  and someone else has to pack it for me!

Star, I’m another voice from the Arizona deserts… however I’m originally from green (not eco, real green) California. My first house in Tucson was all rocks and stickery cactus. I insisted the back yard had to have some grass. "Well, I’m a Westerner. I need grass." A plot 12 ft x 15 ft was put in and sod rolled on. The dog thought it was great and rolled in it, then dug great holes in it. Then it got to be 104 in the summer and turned to brown, no matter how much I watered it. So I tore out the sod and planted real seeds, like a real farmer. (silly, because I’m a city girl from the start) It came up in funny clumps and bare spots, but it was MINE! The dog went into another phase and forgot about digging. We loved our lumpy lawn.

Hahahaha, Phyllis, "My parents also weathered the Great Depression, although because they had money, they didn’t experience the devastation. My father was a dentist who treated some of his patients who were hurting financially, free. They paid him in chickens and eggs."  This is exactly my background too. My father told me, since I was born right in the middle of the depression, that the family had more stuff to eat because his patients brought veggies into the office to pay him.

In another lifetime I was a hand weaver. I wove some luscious white-on-white wool fabric and had it made into a Chanel copy. It was truly chic. Years later when I had a huge yard sale, my two beautiful hand woven suits (both Chanel style and not fitting me any more) were out there for everyone to hold them up and then say, "Nah, I don’t want that." and then put them down again. I couldn’t stand by and smile; I had to go upstairs and let my kids take over.

"Now, how do those dung beetles do it?

To Joan Juliet Buck: You were really good in J&J. But I wish you’d change your image on the WOW line up up there. You’re much younger and prettier than that coffee cup shows you are.

That photo list of all the fashionistas was strange. First, there were some of the most bizarre looking people and second, with all the concentration on looking beautiful it appalls me when few of the well turned out don’t stand up straight. That 20s concave slouch is definitely OVER.

I agree, Michele. However what gets me shouting at the TV are the miracle cream ads that say they’ve eraced all of the model’s wrinkles in just 8 weeks. Trouble is, the lovely, 25 year model NEVER HAD ANY WRINKLES in the first place! Of course their product works just fine on her.

I agree with all these comments on Ms. Chatzky’s article. From a whole life of being an artist, I’ve found that it’s the people who have no talent at anything who think the world owes them a living.

Thanks, Elisa, for the blogging information. I have blogs in a number of places to promote my online book making course. I’ve always had trouble getting the blog out to people to read it. I move my blogs around when I check in and have 0 visitors. How does one bring in the "numbers" to get responses?

OMG, do I need stress management. I can’t think of what to do in that regard because I’m just having to go straight ahead without stopping. I think sleeping late and not feeling guilty is the best thing I do. I actually get about 10 hours in, just in a different time frame. Handling a 100 lb dog is stressfull too. Maybe just stop talking about it and keeping calm would help.