Suzanne: I feel like Franklin Pierce when he wrote to Lincoln upon the death of his son Willie and said: “I realize fully how vain it would be to suggest sources of consolation.” But I do want to tell you that many hearts go out to you and pray your family gets through this bonded and sanely. The whirlwind of emotions you will be experiencing are valid and should be respected…even the anger. Try to be kind to yourself, you will need all the strength you can muster. May the Universe watch over you and yours at this time.

Thank you, Lily and Josie. As long as the topic doesn’t require boxing gloves (which don’t fit well over my oven mitts) I’m in. My motto, “Make dinner not war” keeps me from partaking in the frequent cat fights over many issues on WOWOWOW. There are those of you I think are great however, so I stay tuned and hope for the chance to converse.

Thanks, Phyllis. Things have been too cantankerous here for me to get into recently, but can’t resist adding my two cents on anything culinary. If you are referring to the asian chef on Iron Chef his name is Masaharu Morimoto. However, I believe the chef highlighted by Charlie Rose was David Chang, a much touted NY restauranteur.

PDP…with a great deal of poetic license. Although it is a contest (battle?) of sorts, the only prize is bragging rights. Nevertheless, it is fun to watch.

Hi Ki b Iron Chef is a show on the Food Network which pits established, successful chefs against chef luminaries (Mario Batali, Bobby Flay, Cat Cora and others) in a unrehearsed one hour cook-off featuring a surprise main ingredient as the theme. If you’re into food at all, this show might be worth exploring.

Peggy Sue This would be a great question for the founders, and of course for all of us to respond to. Why don’t you submit it?

ki b: The song is “You do something to me”. I liked the Doris Day recording. Doesn’t it drive you just nuts when a forgotten tune plays in your mind?

Fluffy: I don’t think anyone chased Renata away. As much as I miss her posts, and respect her because despite all her passion - she never attacked anyone even as she herself was being attacked, I believe her issue is doing all she can to get Obama elected. I don’t think she spends her time reading or responding to topics not connected to that goal. I bet she will be right at the forefront of any discussion that can help the Obamas and will as always pour her energies into seeing they are represented truthfully and fairly.

Mugsy: You’re right to leave this thread before these mean and vindictive attacks against you lead you to post something you’ll be sorry for. You have nothing to apologize for. Whatever opinions you’ve offered has never been launched as a personal attack against anyone. You’ve never put anyone’s comments down because they were from another country; you don’t attack with malice and bitterness, and you don’t repeat things ad nauseam as does your opponent on this issue. I don’t agree with you on the release of SA, but I do respect you and you’re right to state it.

I loved this style of sharing. The topic is becoming a bit tiresome, but joining the WOWers for lunch was a real treat. I especially like the spontaneity of a conversation served up “al a minute”.

Hi Frank: I’m here, just more into reading than writing at the moment. Haven’t seen a topic that can benefit from my input. Glad to see you back.

Sorry for the typo; that should have been: I have known…

I would like to have unshakable self-confidence. I have know not-so-pretty, not-so-brilliant, penny-poor people succeed in the most adverse conditions through believing in themselves and their abilities.

Okay, time for a smile break. Log on to Videojug.com and watch “The First Bump”. Before we’re told this is some secret terrorist ritual, or heaven forbid a hidden message for blacks only - we can grin and know there are lots of nuts out there.

I absolutely agree - one thread. This has become so confusing. Yesterday, I posted a comment in three different places thinking each time I must have replied erroneously the previous post. Besides, I like seeing the founders’ comments all lined up in one place, it feels more like a conversation.