Venture to Las Vegas...

When words defy description all you are left with is the word...WOW!!!


Cirque du Soleil is all of that and much, much more. This was the perfect way to celebrate our 7th Wedding Anniversary... great theatrics, music, innovation, imagination, seats, and performances, all of which took our breath away!


We don't drink other than to share a beer or a glass of wine, also we don't do the gambling thing(too much cigarette smoke and hard earned money wasted)- so our trip included a conference of some of my favorite authors, looking through various casino's, people watching, and enjoying our anniversary with a Gondola Ride in the Venetian, in addition to some of the landmark events, like the Belaggio water symphony and the volcanic eruption at The Mirage.


Great trip...and we are still saying, "WOW!"

Videographers Nightmare...

Pictured below is Uptown Sedona, Arizona taken May 7th, 2007













Sunday, May 6th, Bob and I videotaped a backyard Hawaiian theme wedding in Tempe, Arizona.

I should bring you up to speed how we ended up near Phoenix Arizona, producing a Wedding video.

Bob had signed on to one of those websites that reconnect former classmates. He had a couple of buddies that are twin brothers he befriended back in school, it had been 40+ years since they had seen each other, however, courtesy of the website they resumed contact and it resulted in one of the brothers (Doug) touching base with Bob to videotape his wedding.

Bob was as geared up as I can recall ever seeing him; excited to see a couple of old school chums and a gentleman who resides in Paradise Valley not far from Phoenix that he served in the military with. Bob said it reminded him of a class and family reunion all in one.

We arrived Saturday, the 5th early evening, Bob called Doug and advised that we just got into town. We then hopped back into the car to get the lay of the land during their rehearsal in their backyard so we would know how to set up the camera(s) for the actual wedding. So,off we went to Doug & Michele's home. The reunion between Bob with Doug and his twin Mike never missed a beat you would have never guessed 40+ years had elapsed since they last saw one another.

For the Wedding the weather was cooperative at a beautiful 85 degrees so the lovely bride and groom didn't melt in the Arizona sun, since the ceremony was held at 2:00PM. The atmosphere was fun, festive, and joyful as we met and interviewed many interesting and gregarious guests.

Monday the 7th we left and headed toward Paradise Valley to have a reunion with Bob's former military bosses, bosses, boss...a Major...named Steve F.; what is humorous to note, Bob had been invited to Steve's birthday party (back in the day), while stationed in Germany and was clueless as to who he was and what position he held, subsequently they just hit it off and became friends. They seem to visit once every 15 years or so...so this was a real treat.

Steve and his wife Nina couldn't have made us feel more like royalty! Nina made us a fabulous lunch, the conversation was sparkling, and their hospitality made us feel right at home. Steve has this jovial kindness that punctuates his conversations and Nina is the kind of woman that is wonderfully refreshing open, honest, creative, and fun.

We left their home and headed to Sedona, Arizona to meet with Mike (one of the twins) and his fiance Tatiana. We arrived in Sedona around 4:45PM and were able to take the photo shown above as we drove into town.

We stayed at a Best Western and the room was extremely nice with a sitting area, as well as an outdoor balcony over looking the most notable rock formations featured in many of the travel guides, we felt so fortunate to have this spectacular view, be within walking distance of the main marketplace of shops & activities, and have a room that didn't cost us an arm and a leg.

Mike & Tatiana came over to our room, they had absconded some of the fresh fruit from the wedding platters and didn't know if we imbibed or not so they brought over some adult beverages. I had sliced some cheese(s) and made a cheese & cracker platter with fruit cups. I know I seemed like a party pooper because I don't drink, so I had them make me a rum and coke and took a couple of sips to be sociable.

We had a energetic gab fest, like nobodies business! Poor Tatiana was showing signs of residual Jet lag since they reside in the East coast, and here it was 10:30 PM our time... her squinty eyes were desperately trying to stay open when you could tell all she wanted was some much needed rest.

The next couple of days included more socializing and outings with Mike and Tatiana. Mike is every bit as social, talkative, and outgoing as Bob and Tatiana has many intriguing stories, experiences, and observations making it highly enjoyable to be around such a captivating couple. They were a lot of fun and it was nice to have another gal around to hang around with.

Here is where my grace (or lack thereof) came into play; because Bob wants to document every nano second of every experience with his digital camera I was to set up a shot and photograph Mike and he so he would have a photo for posterity...I can understand that...except yours truly is a fumble fingers and I dropped the camera breaking it. This is a videographers nightmare, although it wasn't his videocamera, it is the next best thing. This prevented us from getting the scenic shots, in addition to, some shots of us together as Bob would have liked. (Personally...I was relieved a little bit since I am not keen on getting my picture taken anyway.)

Do you think this would stand in the way of a man and his art??? Not on your tin type!!! Bob acquired Tatiana's digital camera and took more pictures of Mike and she than they said they had ever had done before!

UGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!! Bob had a mistress this trip, ah yes, you heard me correctly...the digital and videocamera's I just couldn't compete. He was documenting everyone's real moments of love and connection and was hampering his own by not experiencing the circumstances at hand unless it was through the lens of a camera. I had a very nice time but it was a bit different from our initial trip 12 years ago, that is the way life is...time has a way of changing things...the town was busier and more touristy, they had barkers who would yell at you to come and see what time share offers they wanted to present to you, and Bob just couldn't put down the dad-gum-camera's.

Lastly, I came to cherish the uninterrupted time in our car as we would chat, laugh, and share during the long journey home...and realized that our trip was made magical by the many friendships, the scenery, and the camaraderie of strangers and new found pals.

The Ultimate Act of Humanity...

This one act of forgiveness, speaks volumes of loving one's 'enemy', turning the other cheek, and treating others as you want to be treated. I was moved by this gesture of humanity in it's finest representation. I can only hope that I would have as much grace and forgiveness in a similar situation.

As reported by The Associated Press:
BLACKSBURG, Va. (April 26) - A senior at Virginia Tech said moral responsibility led her to add a stone for gunman Seung-Hui Cho to a memorial for his 32 shooting victims that was set up at Virginia Tech late last week.

The stone was later removed, but was restored by Wednesday morning.Katelynn Johnson, a senior sociology-psychology major, identified herself in a letter to the Collegiate Times as the person who added the stone for Cho."My family did not raise me to do what is popular," she wrote in her letter to the campus newspaper. "They raised me to do what is morally right. We did not lose only 32 students and faculty members that day; we lost 33 lives."In her letter, Johnson said she feared a backlash from students and possibly faculty members who did not agree with having a stone for the killer included in the memorial. But she said feedback since the letter was published has been largely positive.


The student organization Hokies United put 32 "Hokie Stones" - of local limestone used in university buildings - in a semicircle in front of the administration building to honor the 27 students and five faculty members whom Cho killed April 16.The 33rd stone was added at about 4 a.m. Thursday, Johnson said.Cho's stone was gone by Monday morning, and was replaced by a small American flag.


On Wednesday morning, there were 33 stones again.This time, the 33rd was on the far left, unmarked, and slightly apart from the others. It was adorned with tributes similar to those on the other memorials: flowers, candles and beads in maroon and orange.University spokesman Mark Owczarski said that the student organization did not place or remove the stone for Cho, and that it would not interfere."They decided they would allow the expression of grief to take whatever form it needed to," he said.

Today is.... EARTH DAY

Click here: Up Next And Recaps, - CBS News
Here is a hyperlink to the story of author Rachel Carson's pre-environmental book published in 1962 that was featured on this morning's episode of ,"CBS SUNDAY MORNING." In her book “Silent Spring,” it warned the public about the dangers of pesticides and DDT in particular.

I remembered Mom and Dad out in the yard with their fumigation bottle of pesticide(s), and the airplanes I used to see as a little girl fly over head, with their billowing clouds of insecticides cascading over the agriculture.

It is so odd to think that we didn't wear masks, we played on the lawn that had just been sprayed, and ate the produce that had been treated with pesticides, very matter of fact, without out any reservations or cause for concern.

I recall Mom being disenfranchised that she would no longer be able to fumigate against these 'varmints' eating what her green thumb had produced.

Flash forward to today, in this day and age, it makes you wonder if there is any correlation to some of the ailments that have only presented themselves predominantly in the last 25-30 years or so, such as Autism? Cancer increases? Who knows. But I do believe two things: An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure and hindsight is 20-20.

That having been said, "Happy Earth Day"...each time I see something bloom, a sunrise or sunset, or a change in weather it makes me appreciate the beauty and wonder of our world!

Happiness In All Forms...

Hope you have many reasons to smile and laugh, time to relax, and can always find a way to scratch your own....er, uh, um......back, yep that's what I meant to say...back!!! (ha,ha,ha)

Random Thoughts...

I have run into different people some from our neighborhood, others who reside in the vicinity, and more often than not I get the question: "Don't you have a little white dog that you walk? I see you walking your dog."

I think to myself, "Ummmm, it has been 3 years this March since Buddy-Love had passed away, yet I will forever be known as the lady with the white dog...hmmm, I wonder if that means anything?."

Gary Shandling was on the David Steinbrenner talk show and when he was asked about the probability of him ever marrying, before he answered seriously he had this to say," Can you just imagine Buddha sitting there in deep meditation and his wife says to him..."Since you're just sitting there doing nothing, do you suppose you could take out the garbage while your doing that?" I have heard couples that have been married along time interact in just this way and this comment completely cracked me up too darn funny!!!!!

I have a movie favorite that I haven't seen in years and it was called "What is so Bad About Feeling Good?" PLOT LINE: A new infection that simply makes people feel happy is treated as a threat by the authorities while its "victims" work to spread it to others.

Although this movie was made back in 1968 it somehow reminds me of the regular occurrence of each generation having it's own breakthrough concept on how to live a better more fulfilling life. As these principles emerge and more people are intrigued, then you have a glut of what I like to call 'dismantlers' people who want to keep things status quo...the 'misery loves company' mentality.'

Norman Vincent Peale, among others, can't have it all wrong ... thoughts are things!
If you are constantly down in the dumps, bemoaning your lot in life, and never acknowledging the beauty & joy of what we would call the day to day stuff such as: the flowers blooming, the smell left after a good down pour of rain, or the warmth of a caring hug-your thoughts are going project onto others the lack you feel you have in your own life.

Currently, there is a book and movie called, "The Secret", which I was exposed to before all of the hype a little over a year & a half ago, it mirrors the school of thought of 'you get as good as you give, thoughts are things, and thought without action remains thought.' All of which leads me to say, "What is so Bad About Feeling Good?"

Last random thought: I don't understand this situation one iota? There was an abandoned polar bear cub that was rescued and has been nurtured at a Zoo. The Zoo was met with opposition by 'animal rights activists' that want to euthanize the polar cub since it wasn't living in its natural habitat. SO, let me get this straight...the people 'protecting' the animals 'rights' want to kill the animal...whaaaaaaaaaaaaaat????!!! Like I said, I don't understand this one iota.

Please stop the madness!!!!!!!!!

If you have been watching some of the 'global' news networks, I am sure you have been privy to the excessive news coverage featuring the life, times, and early demise of Anna Nicole Smith; words elude me, however this cartoon sums it up nicely!

A Video Rental MUST SEE!

Courtesy of Amazon.com description to follow:

Much was written about Will Ferrell's first "dramatic role" as Harold Crick, an IRS auditor who begins hearing a voice narrating his life. But Stranger Than Fiction is hardly a drama. However, what Ferrell does--is handle a toned-down character with genuineness and affection: you believe he is this guy. Crick leads a lonely life filled with numbers and routines. While at first he considers the voice a nuisance, Crick decides more action is needed when it speaks of "his demise." Enter Professor Jules Hilbert (Dustin Hoffman), who takes on the absurd notion with revelry, trying to find out what kind of book Crick's life is leading. It turns out that the voice Crick is hearing belongs to Kay Eiffel (Emma Thompson), a very real--and troubled--author who is writing a book in which Crick is a fictional character. As usual with these things, the stuffed shirt learns to live a better life--Crick even falls for one of his audits, a brash baker named Ana (Maggie Gyllenhaal). Marc Foster (Monster's Ball, Finding Neverland) has the right tone for the film, using great urban scenes (the unnamed city is Chicago) with interesting visualizations of Crick's world of numbers. He also directs Ferrell, Hoffman, and Gyllenhaal to their most charming performances (plus Linda Hunt and Tom Hulce pop up in two funny scenes). Ferrell succeeds in being a romantic lead you can root for; a scene where he eats Ana's freshly baked cookies is totally delightful without a hint of sarcasm. Screenwriter Zach Helm has two personal traits with his story: like Crick he followed his heart (he stopped rewriting scripts and only worked on his own) and like Eiffel, the final results are not a masterpiece, but good, and entertaining enough. Britt Daniel of the band Spoon worked on the dynamite soundtrack.--Doug Thomas.

MY COMMENTS:

I liked Will Ferrell when he was on Saturday Night Live, but haven't been a fan of his movies other than the guilty pleasure of "Night at the Roxbury". However, that having been said, this is one of the most ingenious and touching movies I have ever seen. Bob thanked me for renting it, as it was so delightful and entertaining because it left you feeling very invested in the characters. If you are wanting a quiet,entertaining, and thoughtful movie this would be high on my list for recommendations.

Comedy...

I had been shredding old paperwork preparing for our taxes when I came across a PBS special American Masters featuring Bob Newhart. I received the best gift...laughter! It was great seeing older clips, having former costars discuss the family like working conditions on set and hearing from his wife on what life was like behind the scenes.

It made me think...who makes me laugh? Why do some things hit our funny bones and some things fall flat? I recognized in myself that I like day to day humor, not potty humor where comedians go for the 'cheap' laugh. Ellen Degeneres is one of my favorites...clean relatable humor. Carol Burnett,Totie Fields,Gilda Radner,Steve Martin,Lily Tomlin,Mel Brooks, Jerry Seinfeld, Elaine Boosler, Tracey Uhlman,Wanda Sikes, to name a few, clean humor...even Hugh Grant's wit makes me laugh like nobodies business!!!

Then I have a few that I call my hit-n-misses, they can make me laugh here and there, Kathy Griffin, Chris Rock, Bill Maher, George Carlin, Joan Rivers & Lewis Black: (although anything that is mean spirited I shy away from). I used to love Robin Williams, but I feel like I have outgrown his frenetic zaniness.

I still love to watch old Saturday Night live skits covering the years from 1976-1989, some humor is timeless like, "I Love Lucy," other humor is good for a particular era...perhaps like Lenny Bruce.
SO, who makes you laugh and why??????

Reverent Reunion

In the last 2 weeks we have attended two funerals. The first for a friend of Bob's family and the second for a friend/former coworker. It is odd that we tend to feel more comforted it the person is older, I think because if the person in young (as was the case of our friend/former coworker-Ken), you feel as though there was much more of a contribution that could have been made, more lives touched, more good times ahead.

The service for our friend Ken had 30% of the entire congregation of people represented by Farmers employees or former employees of Farmers. It was a reunion of sorts, it reminded me of the movie, "Four Weddings & A Funeral," where people were reunited only on such occasions. It was odd in the respect we were so delighted to see one another and on the other hand were so detached due to the situation. It felt as though an entire group of people were moving through a fog and our visit's were cursory, although, we collectively vowed to get together under difference circumstances sometime soon.

What I noticed and what was brought up in conversation(s):

1. I wonder who would attend my funeral?

2. Who would I be most surprised that attended and didn't attend?

3. I would hope that my service would include [Fill in the blank ]...

4. The music I would like is [Fill in the blank ]...

5. I hope at my funeral they wouldn't [Fill in the blank ]...

6. What I really would like is [Fill in the blank ]...

So, do you have a preference? Have you ever asked these questions of yourself? Do you even want a funeral or memorial service?

To sum it all up it was a reverent reunion, sad & happy all in one shot.

Valentine's Day

Shocked, surprised and dismayed...

My favorite holiday...Valentine's Day!

Not because of the commercialized gimme,gimme,gimme through jewelry, lingerie, candy, and flowers, (not that they aren't nice, just not required), I prefer to have a card, phone call, an E-mail, a love note, and plenty of hugs.

I can appreciate that there is a holiday set aside as a reminder to let those closest to you know how much they are cherished,valued, appreciated and loved! Here we have a day singled out that promotes kindess,caring, and affection...all endorphin enhancers...this is why some of the articles in our newspaper had me scratching my head. Hmmmmmmmmmmmm...

1. SEX SELLS, EVEN AT ZOOS


2. VALENTINE HATERS FIND HAVEN


3. READERS NOT STINGY ON VALENTINE'S DAY

ZOO: People visiting zoos so they can watch in voyeuristic delight as they consume champagne, chocolate-covered strawberries, and dine by candlelight as the animals "do the wild thing".

Okay, I just have to know a couple of things

(1) How does the zoo orchestrate the animals passions so they will be amourous for the adoring public?

(2) Doesn't this just creep you out a little bit...people getting frisky watching animals "do it"...Ewwwwwwwwww!

VALENTINE HATERS: This article states that there is a growing trend in the anti-Valetine's Day card market. American Greetings, for one, has started a new line of Valentine's that are humor based and lack sentimentality Example: On the outside of the card there is a Heart under the "no" with a circle and slash symbol and on the inside it reads, Valentine's Day, when hell & holidays collide.

Okay, again, is it just me?! Isn't this a discouraging trend? Where people seem less focused on the positive's of a nice holiday and it would appear to be riding on the band wagon of hostility, anger, & distain. Where is the love I ask you? Where... is.... the love? [ tee,hee,tee, hee ]

NOT STINGY ON VALENTINE'S DAY: A newly married staff writer for our local paper posed the question to online Bloggers whether he should adhere to the $3.00 rule his wife and he agreed upon for Valentine's Day. He didn't feel 'right' about investing so little, because of years of conditioning. Here are some condensed comments for your opinion(s):

"Don't do it right and it will cost you half your stuff..."

"It's about time someone waged war on this holiday!"

"...This annoying holiday comes around just like Christmas. How about a break? Once every 5 years should be sufficient!"

There was only one comment that was positive and that was written by the one female blogger, no one offered him any advice to his question, and these 'men' seem to perceive themselves as prey to women's ways. Whaaaaaaaaat? Seriously, What the heck is going on?!

When I finished reading the paper I felt like my "love-balloon" had been deflated, then Bob came home from his morning meeting and I got a hug and a kiss....ahhhhhhhh, I found the love!

DNA helps with your family tree...

I had watched on PBS a documentary on tracing Oprah Winfrey's family lineage. Because there was very little traceable documentation, (due to the fact that her great grandparents were slaves), they are able to take some DNA from a swab and genetically trace the origins of the places your ancestors established residence and how they migrated to different areas.

If you are interested in this topic, you will see I have included on my noteworthy Blogs the website that supplies this service if you are curious about your family origins tracing both your paternal and maternal origins should you so choose.

How Well Do You Know Your Relatives...

There are some basic things that our family might know or might not; things as children we would ask one another to establish our friendship (s). Please answer the following questions:

What is your favorite color?

How would you describe your sense of humor?

Favorite all time rerun(s) on television?

What things do you tend to procrastinate from doing?

If you could have a "summer home" anywhere in the world where would it be?

What is your favorite food?

Lastly, if you won the lottery how would you spend your winnings?

WARNING: Chocolate Lovers...

Before & After photo's:

NEWSFLASH:
An epidemic has emerged, due to the increased consumption of chocolate, above behold the side effects shown in the before and after photos of your average couple.

What was your favorite fairy tale...

What was your favorite fairy tale as a child? It is really odd, as we mature and if we don't have children, we can forget some of the details of the fairy tales we loved as children. I had heard somewhere, that we tend to gravitate to stories that are symbolic of the archetype(s) we ourselves exhibit in our personalities.

I haven't fleshed out the archetypal similarities to my personality, other than to narrow it down to...depend on yourself,know what is true for you and the rest falls into place.

Mine are:
The Emperor's New Clothes...Hans Christian Andersen
The Princess & the Pea...Hans Christian Andersen
Rapunzel...Grimm's Fairytales
Chicken Little (Henny Penny)....Neither above mentioned author's

Other Childrens books:
The 5 Chinese Brothers
James & The Giant Peach
Chronicles of Narnia
The Giving Tree
Charlotte's Web
Heidi

Questions asked on INSIDE THE ACTORS STUDIO

The ten questions by Bernard Pivot that host James Lipton asks every guest are:

1.What is your favorite word?
MINE: Ephipany

2.What is your least favorite word?
MINE: Up-Chuck

3.What turns you on [creatively, spiritually or emotionally]?
MINE:Art,Music,Literature,& connections with family & friends.


4.What turns you off?
MINE:Hostility,humilitation,intimidation, & injustice.

5.What is your favorite curse word?(Please abbreviate I can fill in the blanks)
MINE:Sh*t

6.What sound or noise do you love?
MINE:Sounds of water (Rain,Waterfalls,Rushing Rivers, & Sprinklers)

7.What sound or noise do you hate?
MINE: Anyone or anything in agony & aguish.

8.What profession other than your own would you like to attempt?
MINE:Artist.

9.What profession would you not like to do?
MINE: Politics,an Executioner, or a Mortician.

10.If Heaven exists, what would you like to hear God say when you arrive at the Pearly Gates?
MINE: Welcome Home!

More than just DNA???

Unleashing the Power of the God Code by Gregg Braden

Gregg Braden's ability to find innovative scientific solutions to complex problems led to successful careers as a Computer Geologist for Phillips Petroleum during the 1970's energy crisis, and in the 1980's as a Senior Computer Systems Designer for Martin Marietta Aerospace during the last years of the Cold War. In 1991 he became the first Technical Operations Manager for the network innovator, Cisco Systems, where he led the development of the global support team that assures the reliability of today's Internet. Global crises of the late 20th Century inspired him to leave the corporations and begin a full-time quest for the solutions that he believes survive in the oldest records of our past.

Abridged Version From Publishers Weekly

Best-selling author Braden (The God Code & The Isaiah Effect) argues that every human being has the name of God literally embedded in his or her DNA. Braden's research relies heavily on the kabalistic technique of assigning numerical values to each letter of the Hebrew alphabet. He begins by correlating the essential elements of the human body (hydrogen, nitrogen, oxygen and carbon) to their Hebrew equivalents, then he calculates their alpha/numeric values and finds that these elements spell out the Hebrew letters for God-YHVH. Braden attempts to make his explanations of this complicated process clear and free of scientific jargon. He speculates that "through the primal act of creating human life, God shared a part of himself as he 'breathed his breath' into our species." He wonders if "we will allow...the diversity within Christian, Hebrew, and Muslim values" to divide the world irrevocably. He speaks of scientists who believe it is possible for humans to one day live in a world, free from disease, decay and war, should man truly understand that every person, no matter what race or religion, is made of the same stuff, and made by the same creator.

MY COMMENTS:
I enjoy listening to Audio CD's as I get ready in the morning, while I clean the house, and as I prepare meals. Listening to "Unleashing the Power of The God Code," this 'book' satisfied my interest's in science, physics, history, and theology all in one! This was one of the most plausible theories that resonated with me and ultimately makes you recognize the responsibility, as well as, the ability we all have in creating a more unified existence on our planet. If you have an interest in The Dead Sea Scrolls and how 'God is within' each of us...scientifically you are taken on a journey of asking the most pertinent questions of life's most challenging inquiries.

Discernment or Psychic Predictions?

I just have to pose the question...discernment or psychic prediction...what is the difference? Honestly, I liken it to shooting fish in a barrel in respect to some of the "Henny Penny the sky is falling prognostications". The following article is off of the Associated Press Release in regard to Pat Robertson's 'word of knowledge' from G-d.

The irony is this...you can watch a 30 second commercial sound byte for Sylvia Browne on the Montel Williams show and glean essentially the same concern for another terrorist attact. I ask you, is this a predicition, a concern, or a certainty with the escalation of threats and upheveal? Is a terrorist threat one of gang members killing inocent bystanders,erroneous drive by shootings, or sociopaths on a killing spree? Quantify who the "terrorist's" are.

Do I doubt the ability to 'know the unknowable'... NO! My perception is based on the science of physics, string theory, the space time continuum, and the power of our beliefs and prayers energetically on what part we play in the cause and effect of our existence. Whether it is the Bible, The Torah, The Qu'ran, or The Book of Mormon there were Prophets, the question lies in the interpretations of the Prophets to reveal the accuracy or inaccuracy.

Pat Robertson Predicts Deadly Attack on U.S

VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (Jan. 3) - In what has become an annual tradition of prognostications, religious broadcaster Pat Robertson said Tuesday God has told him that a terrorist attack on the United States would result in "mass killing" late in 2007. I'm not necessarily saying it's going to be nuclear," he said during his news-and-talk television show "The 700 Club" on the Christian Broadcasting Network. "The Lord didn't say nuclear. But I do believe it will be something like that."

Robertson said God told him during a recent prayer retreat that major cities and possibly millions of people will be affected by the attack, which should take place sometime after September.

Robertson said God also told him that the U.S. only feigns friendship with Israel and that U.S. policies are pushing Israel toward "national suicide."

Robertson suggested in January 2006 that God punished then-Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon with a stroke for ceding Israeli-controlled land to the Palestinians.

The broadcaster predicted in January 2004 that President Bush would easily win re-election. Bush won 51 percent of the vote that fall, beating Democratic Sen. John Kerry of Massachusetts.

In 2005, Robertson predicted that Bush would have victory after victory in his second term. He said Social Security reform proposals would be approved and Bush would nominate conservative judges to federal courts.

Lawmakers confirmed Bush's 2005 nominations of John Roberts and Samuel Alito to the Supreme Court . But the president's Social Security initiative was stalled.

"I have a relatively good track record," he said. "Sometimes I miss."

In May, Robertson said God told him that storms and possibly a tsunami were to crash into America's coastline in 2006. Even though the U.S. was not hit with a tsunami, Robertson on Tuesday cited last spring's heavy rains and flooding in New England as partly fulfilling the prediction.

Do You Make New Year Resolutions?

Yesterday we received a call from Bob's sister, and in the course of chatting she had asked if I had made any New Year's resolutions. (Hmmmmmmmmm...not so much... I thought), then I responded by saying that I plan to live one day at a time with vibrancy,vitality,and usefulness. That covers alot of territory without being too specific, because the reality is I don't make resolutions per se. I attempt to make each day one where I can reflect and say, "I am better for living having had this day!"

What about you...?

Tis the Season...

Bob and I took a detour on our way home from San Diego visiting Bob's parents, to stop by and have a visit with my friend Lisa and her 'daughter/dog-ter' Zoey,( in the Irvine area.) Lisa and I have been friends since high-school, and although the miles prevent us from spending much time together it doesn't squelch the frequent telephone chats to keep us up to date in each others lives.

We were going to have a mini-Christmas with one another a bit early, when I said, "This is Hanukkah...Shaabat Shalom...Happy Hanukkah!" As we handed one another our holiday gifts. I looked at the gift I had given her and it was wrapped in blue foil paper...who knew we'd be celebrating Hanukkah together...hee,hee,hee?!

I purchased a holiday dress for Zoey, this is what she is wearing in the photograph. I swear, I am such a fool for doggy goodies! Some women get all sappy over baby clothes & accessories...that is me when it comes to doggy items, I become such a soft touch.

Lisa and I had such a wonderful visit, (as it has been a year and a half since we had seen one another), and I was able to meet her hunk-of-burnin'-love, and Bob was able to fill in the gaps for guy talk. Unfortunately, the time spent together was far too brief but we had to head home. On the way home we were meet with intermittent down pours of rain and by the time we reached the Grapevine we had encountered snow flurries and it was pitch black outside. We cautiously moved like 'paralyzed snails' as we attempted to see the reflectors on the roadway, until we finally made it past Tejon Ranch when the snow became slush and our visibility became more into focus.

We felt blessed to make it home safe and sound, we pleased to have been able to celebrate Bob's fathers 87th birthday together, as well as, have a respite, including an enjoyable visit with Lisa & Zoey.