Upside Down Cats

George Carlin and I share a birthday - well, the day, not the year. That fact has always made me feel a special kinship with him, as fellow members of the May 12th Club. It's silly, I know, but I feel the same connection to Emilio Estevez, Katherine Hepburn, Yogi Berra, Burt Bacharach, Tom Snyder, Stephen Baldwin, Bruce Boxleitner, Billy Squier, Gabriel Byrne, our dear friend Stacy and, of course, Florence Nightingale. It never ceases to amaze me how much I have in common with each and every one of these intelligent, charming and talented people!

George has been among my favorite comedians - and public people - all my life. What a multi-faceted talent! His blend of sharp, insightful and fearless comedy makes me laugh and think simultaneously. He is responsible for a large part of my sense of humor and world view. It should come as no surprise that he appears on the guest list for my fantasy dinner party along with a plethora of other fascinating people.

Continue reading "George On My Mind" »

Friday was impromptu movie day at my home daycare. The children had seen a commercial for the movie E.T. all week on a station we watch regularly. They were enthralled by the commercial itself and asked if they could watch the movie when the network showed it. Unfortunately, it was going to be on at 7 P.M. which is after my daycare closes.

But hey! I have E.T. on videotape. Yes, videotape. I refuse to be ashamed of still watching the gazillion videos I own, so don't even start on calling me a technology dinosaur...

I was glad to be able to indulge the children's desire to see the movie during the course of the daycare day.

Continue reading "E.T. Revisited" »

I am usually a bit insecure about expressing my musical opinions. My Sweetie, Scott, at his blog, My Thermos, posts about music on a regular basis and with well-deserved confidence. As for myself, I lack the brand of conviction he possesses in his musical knowledge and taste.

The truth be known, I am probably every bit as opinionated as he when it comes to music...I just don't feel I have the "cred" to back it up, so I generally keep my mouth shut...

Today all that changes.

I have - for the first time in my life - mustered the nerve to proclaim my own choice for...

The Greatest Song Ever Written...

Continue reading "While My Ukulele Gently Weeps" »

I took the day off yesterday.

Sure, it was Sunday, but I had things I felt obliged to do...grocery shopping, laundry folding and putting away, pan scrubbing, bill paying, blogging...you know, the essentials to life as we know it... These are also chores I find it difficult to do during the week when my days are busy and my hours run late.

And sure, it was freaking freezing here in Midwest Paradise...The high temperature here was 14 degrees. That's not really inspiring weather to leave the house!

Continue reading "Oh Great...Now I Have Guilt!" »

Before we get any farther into the New Year, I would like to acknowledge some of the celebrities who passed away in 2007.

This is in no way a complete list of celebrity deaths...it is merely a list of those with whom I am familiar and will therefore miss at least a bit now that they are no longer here to entertain.

Since I am youngest in a large family, I was exposed to television and movies that were considerably before my time by my older siblings, parents and grandmother. I come from a family of TV and movie trivia buffs, too. These things must have rubbed off on me, explaining why so many of these older personalities are familiar to me.

I can't think of a better example to illustrate the depth of my trivial knowledge than the following list of deceased celebrities with whom I am familiar:

Continue reading "Farewell, Familiar Faces..." »

I am sad to be the bearer of this grim news, but the awful truth must be told...

Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer is dead.

Continue reading "Requiem For A Reindeer?" »

Yesterday my NaBloPoMo offering discussed my relationship with my family. Before I wander too far from the subject of family, I want to include my favorite lady in the whole world in my list of things for which I am thankful. Here on day 27 of National Blog Posting Month, I'd be privileged to introduce you to my Grandma Bessie.

Continue reading "She Was Just Grand(ma)" »

Twenty-one days of NaBloPoMo...I am curious to find out if I will fulfill my promise to write about things for which I'm thankful every day throughout November.

I guess there's only one way to find out...

Continue reading "Curious Gina" »

I'm rolling right along through the month of November, writing every day about things for which I am thankful. Today, on day thirteen of NaBloPoMo, my entry is somewhat a companion piece to yesterday's post. In addition to being grateful for being born in the United States, I am thankful for being born in these times.

When the world and my life seem to get too stressful, I yearn for simpler times. I am often reminded of scenarios I've seen depicted on television where life seemed more managable. I long for the "uncomplicated" existence of the people on Little House on the Prairie or The Waltons where the focus on home and family overshadowed all else. I wonder why my life can't be easier, spent more naturally...

Then I remember that if I didn't live in modern times, I would have long ago been eaten by a wild animal, fatally bitten by a poisonous snake or wandered off a cliff because my eyesight is so poor...

Continue reading "Timing Is Everything" »

I have a confession to make...

I haven't watched news - any news - since May.

I found myself suffering from a case of information overload. The news junkies of the world may consider this the act of a complete philistine...so be it. I am willing to endure your criticism because what I have gained is worth bearing your wrath...a tolerable level of blissful ignorance.

Continue reading "No News Is Good News" »