Two Women....

Today I read two articles, when stood side by side both women mirrored each other, maybe not in style, but in the way they lived their lives. The women are: Eleanor Mondale and Kara Kennedy.

Both women were from prominent political families. Both women campaigned for their fathers, and both women had cancer. Both women lived life on their own terms, with dignity, grace, and a love of life that would not stop them even when several operations for lung cancer sidelined Kara for a while, and an in-operable brain tumor shrunk with chemotherapy and radiation sidelined Eleanor for bit. Both women fought the cancer and won, Kara surviving, accepting the "Presidential Medal of Freedom" for her father. Eleanor turned to radio broadcasting until the cancer reared its ugly head again. Neither woman went down without a fight. 

My heart goes out to both families that lost a daughter, a sister, a mother. The world lost two women who did their very best when faced with adversity. Both women are role models for children of politicians today. Rest in peace Eleanor and Kara. 

Remembering 9/11...

Today is 9/11, it is a day this nation will NEVER, EVER forget. Like those who remember where they were when the attack at Pearl Harbor happened, I know that there is not any one of us who does not remember where we were when this attack happened. Like FDR stated in his famous radio address during WWII, "...this is a day that will live in infamy...". It will, we as Americans have become resilient, we have shown the world that while we are a "melting pot" we are AMERICANS, we fly one flag, we support and defend the constitution of the United States of America, and WE LOVE OUR COUNTRY. 


In know I will never forget where I was, how I felt, how I watched as the second plane hit the second tower. How when I went home I tried calling my cousin who worked for the WTC Properties, but could not reach him, we finally found out a few hours later he was not in the building, thank God. I watched as firefighters, police officers, rushed in while everyone else was rushing out. I watched as the buildings crumbled, crushing everything in it's path, and covering the area with grey blanket of dust. I remember, praying rosary after rosary for those in the buildings, the  people trying to do their jobs, the children who went to school across the street, and in all that carnage I saw the church which stood not damaged in any way. It gave me hope. Hope that there were survivors, hope that whomever did this would be caught. 

Then another report came, a plane crashed into the Pentagon. The Pentagon, the symbol of our armed forces, the symbol of the men and women who choose to put on a uniform and serve OUR country, OUR flag. I watched as firefighters once again rushed in as others ran out. Again, I prayed for survivors.

Then another report, of a plane going down in a field, crashing because four men chose to give up their lives to save another target in Washington, DC. These four men, came together, formed a plan, charged the cockpit knowing that they may not, would not survive but they would save lives. Again, I prayed. 

I called my daughter's school. The school was on "lock down" meaning that all of the school children were together in the gymnasium, some of them not knowing what was going on. But knowing "something" was very wrong. My girlfriend picked up her son and my daughter that day from school, she held both of them tight, that night as she watched the news with my mother and I she asked, "Why?" and I could not give her an answer. Today we know the answer to that question.

I put up my flag that day, I kept it up day and night. I bought socks and t-shirts that were given to the rescue people who came from all over the U.S. to do their part. They worked tirelessly for days and weeks looking for survivors, then looking for the fallen. I watched young men and women walk into recruiting centers to volunteer to serve our country, knowing full well they would be going to a war they may never come back from. I went to prayer services, I held hands with others as we prayed for those lost that day, and for the United States. 

I have not forgotten that day, I truly doubt I ever will. I shaped how I travel, how much has changed when I buy a train ticket. How much the New York skyline has changed. As the new "Freedom Tower" rises like a phoenix from the ashes, I will never forget being a teenager, standing at ground level and looking up at the twin towers at amazement. I will never forget how I feel when I walked by the new site, while it is amazing, for me it reminds me that we will never be "innocent" again.

To the Firefighters, EMT's, Police Officers, & Armed Forces, "THANK YOU". You are all in my thoughts and prayers this day and every day. 

Summer Vacation...

We all have written the essay, "What I Did On My Summer Vacation" at least once or more in our lives. I think I wrote it at least three times in grammar school with the same vacation. As a child growing up we (my family and I) visited with my mother's family in Columbus, Ohio. First of all I need to explain that my grandpa Dominic & my Aunt Rose came to spend summers with our family ever summer from the time I was very little, so the last two weeks of August were spent driving them home, seeing all my relatives, playing, swimming, riding a horse (my very favorite thing of all) and generally having a good time. When it was time to come home I always cried, I loved being in Ohio, to this day, I love visiting there. 

This summer I spent 1-1/2 days driving to southwest Missouri to celebrate my daughter's birthday with her. We spent the first part of our day at the salon having our nails done, and the evening & night at "The Track" in Branson where she and her nieces drove go carts, played laser tag, played arcade games, yes I even played some of the arcade games, bumper cars, and at the end of the evening I watched her & her niece strap themselves into a harness which would live them 100 feet into the air, and drop them. The name of this daredevil ride, "Ozark Mountain Skycaoster". Let me just say that while I admired my daughter's chutzpah at doing this, the mother in me was cringing just a little. Yes she screamed, as did her niece but all was well when they finally slowed down enough to get back to earth. Needless to say this is not for the faint of heart. I enjoyed being in Missouri and spending time with my daughter. I do miss being away from her and being part of her everyday life. But being able to spend time with her, hearing her laugh, knowing she is excelling in school and in life makes us being apart all worthwhile.

While on my return to upstate New York, I stopped in Columbus, Ohio. I was able to spend time with my son (there are NO "steps" in my life or home!) and his mom. We got to spend time talking, laughing, and enjoying a few adult beverages along the way. His mom and I were able to have breakfast together two mornings which was nice because we have become friends over the years. The other two days I spent with a young lady I babysat when I was a teenager, who became a new mom recently. I was able to hold her son, who is a joy. I was able to have supper & dessert with one of my aunts, and visit with another. When I left on Friday morning, I was again feeling the same way as I did as a child, a feeling of leaving the best place on earth (okay so I am not a fan of I-270, the 670 or the 315, but I still love Columbus). 

My summer vacation reminded me that it is nice to take time to visit places of our childhood. Yes it changed, the city is larger, my family has moved from the familiar places where I once played are now new places for me to visit. I drove through Worthington, Short North, Clintonville, Westerville, and by The Ohio State University.

This vacation I spent time doing the things I wanted to do for a change: read a book, watch the sunrise, watch the sunset, drive home leisurely, enjoy my time with my family and friends. Vacations should be this way at least once in a lifetime. 

Sports Legends....

This blog was originally written the weekend of Jeter's 3000th. I didn't realize it never got posted!!! Sorry

This weekend Derek Jeter, of the NY Yankees did something no other Yankee had ever done, made 3,000 hits while wearing the only uniform he ever has, pinstripes. While you could see he was overjoyed in having done so, his celebration on the field and off were low-key, jsut as everything he does is. While many of my friends who know me, know that while I don't embrace the Yankee's as my favorite team, I do however possess a certain fondness for Mr. Jeter. He is truly a gentleman.

Another of my favorites is Cal Ripken Jr., while many players don a uniform and play, he played every game because it was his "job". He missed the birth of a child, because it was his "job" to be with his team. He treated playing baseball, which in his own words he "loves" as his job.

David Beckham, while I really do not follow soccer, or the scandal sheets. I do know he is married to one of the "Spice Girls". They both have appeared on the covers of magazines, more because of their celebrity, and less because of gossip.

Serena & Venus Williams, are two women all girls should look up to. While being extremely talented on  the tennis court, they are sucessful off of it as well. On occassion one might read about them being seen at a posh restaurant or nightclub.

It is too bad that more of our children's heroes could not be more like these sports firgures. With money comes great responsibility. 

I am Italian-American

Next time you're watching a rerun of the Sopranos and think Italian-Americans are all about organized crime remember this (see below) .

I am an Italian American 

My roots are deep in an ancient soil, drenched by the Mediterranean sun, and watered by pure streams from snow capped mountains. I am enriched by thousands of years of culture.

My hands are those of the mason, the artist, the man of the soil.

My thoughts have been recounted in the annals of Rome, the poetry of Virgil, the creations of Dante, and the philosophy of Benedetto Croce.

I am an Italian-American, and from my ancient world, I first spanned the seas to the New World. I am Cristoforo Colombo.

I am Giovanni Caboto known in American History as John Cabot, discoverer of the mainland of North America.

I am Amerigo Vespucci, who gave my name to the New World, America

First to sail on the Great Lakes in 1679, founder of the territory that became the State of Illinois, colonizer of Louisiana and Arkansas, I am Enrico Tonti.

I am Filippo Mazzei friend of Thomas Jefferson, and my thesis on the equality of man was written into the Bill of Rights.

I am William Paca, signer of the Declaration of Independence.

I am an Italian-American; I financed the Northwest Expedition of George Rogers Clark and accompanied him through the lands that would become Ohio, Indiana, Wisconsin and Michigan. I am Colonel Francesco Vigo.

I mapped the Pacific from Mexico to Alaska and to the Philippines, I am Alessandro Malaspina.

I am Giacomo Belinimi, discoverer of the source of the Mississippi River in 1823.

I created the Dome of the United States Capitol. They call me the Michelangelo of America. I am Constantino Brumidi.

In 1904, I founded in San Francisco, the Bank of Italy now known as the Bank of America, the largest financial institution in the world, I am A.P. Giannini.

I am Enrico Fermi, father of nuclear science in America.

I am Steve Geppi, founder of Diamond Comics, the largest distributorship of comics on the planet.

I am the first enlisted man to earn the Medal of Honor in World War II; I am John Basilone of New Jersey.

I am an Italian-American.

I am the million strong who served in America's armies and the tens of thousands whose names are enshrined in military cemeteries from Guadalcanal to the Rhine.

I am the steel maker in Pittsburgh, the grower in the Imperial Valley of California, the textile designer in Manhattan, the movie maker in Hollywood, the homemaker and the breadwinner in over 10,000 communities.

I am an American without stint or reservation, loving this land as only one who understands history, its agonies and its triumphs can love and serve it.

I will not be told that my contribution is any less nor my role not as worthy as that of any other American.

I will stand in support of this nation's freedom and protect against all foes.

My heritage has dedicated me to this nation. I am proud of my heritage, and I shall remain worthy of it.

I am an Italian-American.

~~~Many thanks to Sal Scalice who wrote this on his Facebook wall.~~

 I borrowed it because it is important to me that people know that being Italian-American is way more than "The Godfather", "The Soprano's", "Mafia" or anything else related to crime. It is a feeling of family, whether you live in Brooklyn, Chicago, Kansas City, St. Louis, or like me Syracuse, NY. It is the one thing no matter what part of Italy your parents, grand parents, great-grand parents came from you understand that "family" is just that, "family". We sit down to Sunday dinner together, talk loudly about the weeks events, share a meal that may include: Antipasti, Pasta, Wine, Italian Bread, Meatballs, Sausage, Sauce (or Gravy) depending on where you are from, Wine (Homemade is best!), laughter, friendship, and love. 

POLITICAL DISSATISFACTION...

"Poll: 79 percent of Americans dissatisfied with U.S. political system" it took a poll to tell me or anyone else that??? I didn't think so. The so called powers that be in Washing ton "think" they are doing a "good" job. I forgot, they were thinking again--of themselves, their cronies, their earmarks, their own agendas while everyday Americans are left holding the bag. Talk about holding the bag, before you leave office, you need to write a check (make sure it DOES NOT BOUNCE!) for the amount equal to what you placed into your "golden parachute" made payable to the Social Security Administration. Then you can write another check to your constituents for all of the money you spent without having their best interests in mind. 

WAKE UP WASHINGTON....Your days in office have a number on them, and for some of you there, after November 8th, you will need to clean out your desk, give out pink slips to your aids, administrative staff, and driver only making the unemployment figures go higher. But did you care about that while you were making deals, throwing parties, missing votes, and lining your pockets? I did not think so. But change will do you good. However, I truly doubt corporate America is ready for anyone as lazy as you. You see when you work for corporate America, you only get paid for the time you actually sit at your desk (or machine if you work on the line), get an hour for lunch,  one to two weeks per year vacation, and you may have to pay for your benefits (most employers cannot afford what you did to the healthcare system). By the way, you will have to navigate streets, subways, bike paths, or however you are getting to work. This means, being late doesn't cut it. If I have to be to work at 8:00 a.m. sharp so do you! There is no one to fetch your coffee, get your lunch, dry cleaning, send your wife flowers, or walk your dog. You see you made this bed, now lie in it!!! 

WASHINGTON, HEED THIS WARNING....LIKE THE BOB DYLAN SONG STATES, "...times they are a changing...". YOU HAVE BANKRUPTED THIS COUNTRY WITH YOUR SPENDING, YOUR LAVISH WAYS, AND VACATIONS. THE AMERICAN PEOPLE ARE TIRED OF HAVING TO WORK OVERTIME TO FEED THEIR FAMILIES, PAY BILLS, KEEP THEIR HOMES, CARS, PUT A CHILD (or CHILDREN) THROUGH COLLEGE. MANY PEOPLE ARE BARELY SCRAPING BY, WHILE OTHERS FEEL THEY ARE ENTITLED TO FOOD STAMPS WHILE CONTINUING TO DRIVE BMW'S, CADILLAC'S, LEXUS', MERCEDES, AND DRESSING BETTER THAN THE PEOPLE TAKING THEIR APPLICATIONS. WHAT ABOUT ALL OF THE ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS WHO CONTINUE TO COLLECT SOCIAL SECURITY BENEFITS WITHOUT EVER HAVING PAID INTO THEM?

Military Retirement Cut to 25%

This is a re-post from an ACTIVE DUTY SERVICE MEMBER: "The government took the militaries retirement plan... only get 25% now and it works towards your 401K that you cant touch until you're 68....no more 20 years and retire... :: MEANWHILE :: the politicians send us to war... make 6 figures & still get their 90% when they decide to retire... DAMN AMERICA ( more specifically DC .... ) You have brought me to a loss of words this time !"

Isn't it amazing that the people we elect have done this to the very people who keep us free? I think we need to re-visit this issue with our Congressmen & Senators to set them straight....THEY wear a uniform, THEY are proud to serve us, the AMERICAN people, THEY DESERVE EVERY DIME they receive in benefits and more. RETIRING members of our military should receive what they are entitled to which is: 50% of their active duty pay, PERIOD; lifetime medical and accessibility to any military installation to shop, watch a movie, bowl, golf, or have coffee with friends.

When are we going to learn America that those in Washington are out serve themselves, not the people that elected them. NO, I do not mean those who actually work, vote and do the right thing for their constituents. I am a firm believer in taking out the trash, I believe it is time we do so!!!

Now I will put away my soapbox...

Tea Party's Fault

Per David Axelrod, the White House Press Secretary, the "Tea Party" is to blame for everything that has happened in the last five days. Hmmmmm, so it wasn't the "Bush Era" or anything else. WOW, does he need a rude awakening. 

The "Tea Party" has been around for about 3 to 4 years give or take a few months. This so-called problem has been around for the last 25 years. Or maybe I have my facts backwards. After all I am just an average American  trying to figure out my next move. 

This problem was NOT begun because the "Tea Party" formed, it was formed because the legislators in BOTH houses do NOT know how to read a balance sheet. Those are the simple facts. The fact is we are entitling people to benefits they do not deserve, yet our children, grandchildren & great-grandchildren will still be paying for these benefits because the powers that be cannot control their spending. 

Recently I quoted Dave Ramsey, who if you do not know who he is, is a man who helps people get out of debt, and stay out of debt by doing one thing, STOP SPENDING. Maybe those in Washington need a lecture from him to figure out how to do this. One of my friends, after posting this on my Facebook page stated the following, "... How about Congress and the Senate contribute to their pensions and health care. How about the Obama clan QUIT TAKING VACATIONS on the American people. Put those millions to better use. MAKE NANCY PELOSI PAY BACK THE MILLIONS FROM ALL OF HER PLANE RIDES ...hmmm. And they have the nerve to complain about corporate America...". Her words actually make sense if one truly thinks about it.   Yes other sitting president's and their families have taken vacations on the American taxpayer, however NONE of those presidents were facing the financial mess we are in today.

When the United State's S&P rating was dropped from AAA to AA+ President Obama should have immediately called both houses of Congress back to Washington to fix this mess. Instead, he went on a fund raising campaign to be re-elected. Really? Do you truly and honestly think the American public wants another four years of debt, socialization, and programs that ONLY benefit those who have not worked or paid into OUR COUNTRY?? Get real, America is fed up with the so called status quo in Washington. President Obama's first order of business should be demanding is a "Balanced Budget Amendment". This amendment has been stalled on the house floor for so many years I don't even know if anyone even has the original document. Don't laugh, you and I have to live on a budget, why can't the government? If you are only making $15K a year and spending $25K a year, there is a HUGE problem. It is called living beyond your means. When President Obama asked the AMerican public to "tighten their belts" why didn't both houses of Congress do the same? Why did he and his family take a posh vacation to Hawaii? Why not do the car trip thing like most American's have to do? Why vacation at all when you have a government that is hemorrhaging money at a pace we can never catch up to? 

I think America & American's need to wake up and smell the coffee. The pot has boiled over, and it has created a huge mess all over the stove!!! Incumbents in both houses need to go in the next election cycle. Do you honestly think America can afford to keep people who have no idea how to balance a checkbook, let alone have huge pensions, a winter home, summer home, vacation villa, and a platinum credit card supplied by the American taxpayer, to keep making decisions that have put us in debt, and unable to pay? Just think about it before you answer, and make the right decision come November when it really will count!!!

S&P and Dave Ramsey...

‎"If the US Government was a family, they would be making $58,000 a year, they spend $75,000 a year, & are $327,000 in credit card debt. They are currently proposing BIG spending cuts to reduce their spending to $72,000 a year. These are the actual proportions of the federal budget & debt, reduced to a level that we can understand." -Dave Ramsey

When are those in Washington, the president, senators and congressman alike going to understand that we cannot keep spending money we DO NOT have??? What is it going to take to make them see that all of their mayhem & foolishness (what would you call it?) has caused Standard & Poors (S&P) to drop our rating from AAA to AA+. 

It wasn't the American people who did this, it was the people in Washington with their projects, earmarks, committees and anything else they can shove into the budget to get away with stripping the American taxpayers of their hard earned cash.  I doubt any politician who has been in more than two terms could hold a job in corporate America. Yes, in my opinion they are that lazy!!! I doubt Nancy Pelosi, Harry Reid, John Boehner or any other politician actually knows that as Vince Lombardi once stated, "...That the dictionary is the only place that success comes before the word work...". 

Everyone in Washington blames Glenn Beck, or the Tea Party for the problems. Never point a finger, there are three pointing back at you. Washington needs to stop all foreign aid, stop "entitlements" to illegal immigrants (whom by the way refuse to learn English or have their children learn English), payback into Social Security what they have so wrongly put into "golden parachutes" for themselves, learn to ride the train, bus, walk to work like many American's do daily, reduce all of the government departments (i.e.: like the 5 or 6 that are under the Dept. of Education) into one single department, reduce their staff to a minimum of 5-7 people who earn what their counterparts in the "real world" do not the inflated salaries they are earning at the American taxpayers expense. America needs to close our borders, period. No immigration, legal or otherwise. Bring home our armed forces let them guard our borders like they do in every other country of the world. Put those in jail who cross into our country illegally, begin to charge taxes to the churches and entities that are "tax free" who shelter illegal immigrants which include some cities which need to be taxed at a higher rate for allowing illegal immigrants to "squat" and allow the American taxpayer to pay for it. 

My grandparents came here from Italy. They had to learn English, had to hold jobs, had to follow the rules. Why are we allowing immigrants coming to America currently to overrun us with, "Push 2, 9, star for Spanish" and yes I do realize that in some of our southern border states that Spanish is sometimes spoken more than English. However are those who are speaking that language here in America, actually legally able to live here in America or have we just made it easier for them to "blend in" by making signs in Spanish? There is a neighborhood in Tacoma , WA that has been funded by totally by the American taxpayer for illegal immigrants (click on the link below to watch the video)*. After I watched the video it made me mad, we have men and women who are veteran's who live on the streets, in shelters because of PTSD and other things that have happened to them because they chose to wear a uniform. Why isn't their a wonderful housing project for them? Isn't it amazing that elderly Americans, who actually paid into the Social Security system as well as others who paid into it but were hurt on the job, have to scrimp for every penny to pay for prescriptions, food, rent, insurance, etc. while immigrants are living in the lap of luxury. If you didn't pay into it, you don't deserve to reap the benefits from it. 

Do you ever wonder why when you dial most 800 numbers that there person on the other end of the line is in India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, etc? It is because Washington sent our jobs there. Our elected officials actually gave tax breaks to American companies to close plants, offices, here in America and send our jobs overseas. Does this make sense to you? I doesn't make sense to me either. 

Things need to change. But in order for change to happen we need to begin to voice our opinions and be heard. Stand up, be counted, ask questions, write letters. Talk about this among your friends & family. Now I will put my soapbox away for another day. 

*  http://media.causes.com/1098660?p_id=46741712&amp%3Bs=fb_feed

HR 4646 -- 1% TAX ON ALL BANK TRANSACTIONS

Just when you thought things in D.C. couldn't get any worse this greeted me this morning in my email inbox. I know people voted for "CHANGE" however is this really the change that the United States, or you and I need at the moment. You decide. Me, I am writing my senators, then will send out letters to my state Representative. If you think I am giving my hard earned money to D.C. to spend they have another thing coming. 

Watch for this AFTER November elections; remember this BEFORE you VOTE in case you think Obama's looking out for your best interest.

This government just cannot think of enough ways to hurt the American people! HR 4646 - ANOTHER NEW OBAMA TAX SLIPPED IN WHILE WE WERE ASLEEP.

Checked this on Snopes, it's true! Check out HR4646.  (see below copied from Snopes)

President Obama's finance team is recommending a one percent (1%) transaction fee (TAX). Obama's plan is to sneak it in after the November elections to keep it under the radar.

This is a 1% tax on all transactions at any financial institution - banks, credit unions, savings and loans, etc. Any deposit you make, or even a transfer within your account, will have a 1% tax charged. If  your paycheck or your social security or whatever is direct deposit, it will get a 1% tax charged for the transaction. If your paycheck is $1000, then you will pay Obama $10 just for the privilege of depositing your paycheck in your bank. Even if you hand carry your paycheck or any check into your bank for a deposit, 1% tax will be charged. You receive a $5,000 stock dividend from your broker, Obama takes $50 just to allow you to deposit that check in the bank. If you take $1,000 cash to deposit at your bank, 1% tax will be charged.

Mind you, this is from the man who promised that, if you make under $250,000 per year, you will not see one penny of new tax. Keep your eyes and ears open, you will be amazed at what you learn about this guy's under-the-table moves to increase the number of ways you are taxed.

Oh, and by the way, you receive a refund from the IRS next year and you have it direct deposited or you walk in to deposit that check, you guessed it. You will pay a 1% charge of that money just for putting it in your bank. Remember, any money, cash, check or whatever, no matter where it came from, you will pay a 1% fee if you put it in the bank.

Some will say, oh well, it's just 1%. Are you kidding me? It's a 1% tax increase across the board. Remember, once the tax is there, they can also raise it at will. And if anyone protests, they will just say, "oh, that's not really a tax, it's a user fee"! Think this is no big deal? Go back and look at the transactions you made from last year's banking statements. Then add the total of all those transactions and deduct 1%. Still think it's no big deal???

Is the U.S. government proposing a 1% tax on debit card usage and/or banking transactions? ...It is true. The bill is HR-4646 introduced by US Rep Peter deFazio D-Oregon and US Senator Tom Harkin D-Iowa. Their plan is to sneak it in after the.......moved beyond proposing studies and submitted the Debt Free America Act (H.R. 4646), a bill calling for the implementation of a scheme to pay down the......[2010] by Rep. Chaka Fattah (D-Pa.). His "Debt Free America

1. snopes.com: Debt Free America Act

Act" (H.R. 4646) would impose a 1 percent "transaction tax" on every financial transaction...Tue, 12 Oct 2010 11:26:37 GMT 

http://www.snopes.com/politics/taxes/debtfree.asp

Still Reeling....

I like the rest of the country and world, are still reeling from yesterdays verdict in the Casey Anthony trial. I know many of us are asking ourselves what can we "do" so the Anthony family does not profit from this. This is what I read on a friends Facebook page a bit ago:

"For those of us who are outraged at this jury verdict, there is something we CAN do. DO NOT buy any book, magazine, or movie ticket for anything than order to make money off of this whole tragedy! I copied this...pass it on the Anthony family publishes ."

This is one of the best ideas for all of us to follow. Yes I do know it will be hard for many who have subscriptions to many of the magazines that will have sensationalized this and have it on the cover of their magazine this week.  For those of you who have this problem, write to the publishers, then throw out the magazine. We as consumers have got to stop the criminal element from making money on their crimes. Like everyone else I am glued to my television when a child goes missing, I think the media has as much part in this verdict as do the unprepared prosecutors, who should have "cut a deal" with her, and let her rot in prison. 

Before you crucify me about "plea bargains" while I am not in favor of them, I would have relished seeing her rot for 15 to 25 for manslaughter, than get off with "time served" as she may get with the remaining charges that she was found guilty of. She would have been an outcast, for even in women's prisons there is a hierarchy of sorts, child molesters and baby killers are still dirt underneath the shoes of the general population. As I have stated before, she has to stand before God someday, and when she does, His judgement will come on behalf of Casey who seemed to be far removed in this trial. 

What about Casey Anthony's parents? They are as culpable in this as their daughter. They covered up facts, they helped her get away with it. Yes, as a parent you do much to protect your children, however what they did is unconscionable. They should be joining their daughter in a cell.  

Kim Kardashian's Reaction...

This morning I was watching a news show, when a "tweet" was put on the screen by Kim Kardashian stating to the effect she was "shocked at the not guilty verdict" in the Casey Anthony trial. Like everyone else, she stated something that while being close to 24-hours old, is still shocking to 99% of us. Yes, her father was on the OJ Simpson defense team, yes her father was shocked beyond belief that OJ was acquitted.

When did we start holding children accountable for the "sins of the fathers"? KK was what, 15 years old at the time of the Oct 1995 verdict. She wasn't responsible for her fathers actions or reactions in the preparation, trial or verdict OJ case. I truly think she like every other woman with a heart & brain is stunned by the verdict in this case.

No, I am not a fan, however she is human like the rest of us.

NOT GUILTY???!!!

My Facebook status reads:  "I hope & pray that when she & her parents stand before GOD, that Caylee is holding His hand, sporting the most beautiful pair of angel wings that the heavens have. I truly believe that God's punishment will be much more serving and just than any punishment she (they) would have received here on earth. RIP Caylee, justice may have not been done today, but it will be done in God's time, with His mighty & swift sword."

Now I am going to rant....

How could twelve jurors find her NOT GUILTY of murder? Can someone please explain this to me.  She took her innocent angel of a daughter, gave her chloroform, duct taped her head, placed her in a garbage bag, and put her in a ditch to die. Do NOT tell me drugs made her do this. Do NOT tell me she has a "chemical imbalance" that made her do it.  Do NOT tell me her bird, dog, gator, stuffed animal or anything else whispered to her to do this, because I will NOT believe you. Casey knowingly did this to a precious, bright, sweet little girl who no one will ever know because her mother was selfish.  Because of it, how many other Caylee Anthony's will we be reading about? Her sentence, four years--because of the wonderful justice system we have, she has enough "time served" to be walking around free. When are prosecutors, judges, juries going to wake up? I for one am for tough sentencing, and absolutely NO "early release" even on so called white collar crime. 

Granted, being a single parent is TOUGH! I know I am a single parent of a wonderful, beautiful, loving, teenager who at times made me wonder if I was actually cut out to be a parent. [For the record, my daughter did travel down the wrong path, but help of social services, the juvenile judicial system put her back on the correct path.  So you see there is help out there, all one has to do is ask.]  Kids makes us crazy, pull our hair out, make us want to crawl back under the covers some days, however they GROW out of it at some point in life. Maybe when they are 25, or 30, or 32, or 35, or never.  But MURDER is never the answer.  All Casey had to do was pick up the phone, call 9-1-1 and have social services come out.  She didn't, then she led the police, the media, her parents (whom are equally culpable in this) on a merry chase throughout the state of Florida and the U.S. if I am not mistaken looking for the so called "nanny" who took her. 

If you cannot handle being a parent, get some help. Ask social services, your church, your family (well, in this case they are as nuts as the mother is, in my opinion). Babies are precious, a gift from God showing us all that tomorrow has a bright future. 

Dance among the clouds sweet Caylee, play with your dolls, have a tea party or two, pick some dandelions from God's front yard, send us a rainbow or two that you have painted, and know that God will give you the justice you so deserve in His time, His place, with you at His side. 

Happy Birthday America!!!!

Happy 235th Birthday America!!!! 

Thirty-five years ago this week we America's celebrated America's 200th birthday with parades, concerts, picnics, and many other activities. I know, I remember at least  two school productions I was in that spring, and singing in at least one school concert. Red, white & blue were the colors of the day for everyone, whether you were born here or had become a naturalized citizen. Today you will see flags flying, parades, picnics, and people dressed in red, white & blue. 

But are our hearts really in the celebration? Maybe we should remember our past, remember what the flag stands for, remember that NOT all of our soldiers are spending time with their loved ones this day. Many are stationed in places with names we can not pronounce, in places where they are a target because they choose to wear a uniform with an American flag on it. Maybe I am placing too much emphasis on the flag and not enough on what this day truly is about. But our flag, is a symbol, it is a symbol of the country where everyone around the world longs to live. 

Forget about the politicians, bad economy, sky high unemployment rates, oh and yes the deficit for one moment; think about it where else in the world can you display your nationality, you religious beliefs, your body, without being arrested for it? You got it, America. Okay so we have a place called Washington D.C. where the so called rules are made only to be broken by the people who make them. (Yes, I could go on about that forever, however this isn't what this blog is about.) Look around Washington, there are memorials to the men who made this nation great: Washington, Lincoln, Jefferson; and the men and women who served our nation Iwo Jima, Viet Nam, & WWII memorials all inscribed with names of HEROES who gave their life for the flag we proudly call "The Stars & Stripes". 

So today as we celebrate the 4th with cookouts, picnics, parades, fireworks, watermelon, ice cream, popsicles, hot dogs, baseball games, and a host of other activities, take a moment to pray for OUR armed forces who are not with us, but doing their duty. Happy Birthday America, may you live on forever!!! 

Good Things...

Today as I did some kitchen chores (i.e: put dishes away, scrub down stove, sink, counter tops,etc.) I noticed the sun catcher that is in my window. Yes, I know many people have sun catchers I have three on my kitchen window, two are angels and one is a bear holding a flower with a caption that reads, "a friend is someone who likes you" this sun catcher has seen better days, however it has never not been on my window. When I received it I put it on the window above my desk where it remained until the day I married and moved to NC where it was placed over my sink, the same as in my other homes.

The girls who gave me this were my friends in high school. They were the girls I talked to on a daily basis, the ones I shared confidences with, the ones who let me be myself, and liked me just the way I was. One of the girls and I recently have been in touch with one another. We still have not gotten together for lunch, though we have a firm date set for July. She was the strongest woman I knew in high school, and to this day, one of the strongest women I know. In her friendship in high school she taught me to rejoice in the smallest victories, smile when you want to cry, let others lean when they need to, have faith that God will show you the right path, pray daily (even the simplest prayers reach God's ears), slow & steady wins races, and that even when you think there is no hope, there is. 

So I choose to always to find the good in things even when it seems there is none, I smile at strangers, I allow others to lean on me even when I am the one who needs to lean then I remember two post leaned together will hold each other up, pray daily God will show me His way, pray daily for others in need, that even on my slowest days I am still winning. So sway your hips to the music you hear, walk in the rain, smell the flowers, hold someone's hand, smile it may make another's day, most of all look for the positive things in life. 

Gifts My Father Gave Me

He gave me his name. It was his father's before that, it is also the name that I keep clean.

He taught me to measure twice, cut once. My father was a master carpenter and lay out iron worker. He taught me to always measure twice and cut once, to me it meant to always check my work, check things out before proceeding with anything. 

My dad was an organic gardener way before it became popular with the "beautiful people". He did his very best to use compost, manure, plants to ward off insects and animals. Every spring he would spend hours tilling up a 50'w x 20'l section of our backyard to garden. It had everything, tomatoes, lettuce (3 or 4 varieties), corn, peppers, zucchini, herbs (parsley, chives, basil, oregano), pumpkins, horseradish, radishes, and baby carrots for the kids my mom watched. Everyday he would come home, drop his lunch pail on the steps, change his shoes and go to the garden where he would pull a carrot for every child there. He washed them, trimmed the greens, and handed them out like candy on Halloween. After that, he would pick whatever was ripe, rinse it off, and bring it in the house to be used at supper. We never bought produce in summer, ever. I remember one time he saw one of our neighbors planting flowers, he said to him, "If you can't eat it why plant it?" this came back to me when I came home to live and tried my hand at gardening. As I would be kneeling in my flower garden I would hear him whisper, "If you can't eat it, why are you planting it?". Thus began my foray into organic gardening with a few tomatoes, herbs, a pepper plant or two. 

When I was about ten or so, my mom wanted me to have a desk. She looked all over, she & dad drove to a place an hour away just to see what they had. When both of them agreed that for the price ($150 in the 70's) it wasn't a nice piece of furniture, my dad decided to make me one. Of all of the furniture that is in my home, this is my prize possession. It was made for me, and me alone. It has traveled with me when I moved, and came home with me when I came home. 

My dad was a Marine. That's right I didn't date until I was about 16, and then some of the guys never came back they were so afraid. But dad taught me to love our flag, to love the freedom it stands for, to respect the men and women who wear a uniform, no matter what branch, or when they served. That is why I go out of my way to say, "Thank you" when I see someone in uniform. 

Last but not least, dad gave me his love. Taught me that I was worthy of respect. Thank you dad for all of these things and so much more. I love and miss you on day's like today. I will be listening for more of your whispers when you are ready to let me hear them. 

Parenting Today!?

Can someone please tell me where discipline went? Did it fall to the wayside because we are afraid of a visit from DSS because we choose to say, "No" or swat their behind when they do something wrong? Something is very wrong in this nation when a government agency has more control over your children & household than you (if you are married, your spouse) do. 

What I thought was going to be a nice quiet weekend, filled with doing some things i love to do (i.e.: farmers market, brunch with girlfriends, maybe a ride to take some pics, etc) began with a horrific crash Friday about 5:05p.m. when one of the youngsters (age 8-10) was throwing a basketball against the complex and broke the window above my head. NO, I did not get hurt, yes there was a mess to clean up (and a mess when the window is replaced tomorrow by the owners of the complex), yes I did call the police. They could not do anything about it however I wanted it known I was not happy. 

A few hours after this happened I heard another neighbor admonish the child for his choice places to throw a ball, (there is approximately a 1/2 acre behind my building that is all grass), when his mother heard this she began starting in with the, "how dare you blame my child speech." This is the child who runs wild from 8a.m. on Saturday morning until 8p.m. Sunday evening with no parent or parental control in sight. I guess I was a "mean mom" I had to know where my kids were at all times, I made them eat breakfast--yes breakfast, cereal or toast, I also would not hesitate to swat them in a grocery or department store if they did something wrong, both my children grew up to be respectful adults. I also had a mean mom too! 

If you are afraid social services will come take away your child because you punished them, there is a problem. If you are afraid your neighbors will turn you in because you swatted his or her behind there is a problem, if you cannot control your kids, get help. 

By the way, no one has come by to apologize to me for the broken window. Okay I will step off my soapbox and put it away for another day! 

Passion...

I once heard it said that we need to be passionate about one thing in our lives. While most of us think of "passion" in the sexual sense of the word, I am talking about the one thing in our lives that on any given day when thought about makes us smile, and gives us all thought to pause. 

For me, my all time passion is photography. While I have been taking pictures since I was in grade school, my mom gave my brother and I both Kodak 110 cameras one year for Christmas, it wasn't until high school that I truly learned what a camera could do. In my junior year of high school I was not in a good place, because of my often tenuous relationship with the school principal (no, I was not the juvenile delinquent, or troublemaker) I was on the verge of quitting school altogether. I went to the art studio, where I always found peace and tranquility, to find my art teacher, Sr. Frances Agnes, there cleaning up after the day. I began to help her clean, and talk to her about why I was there blowing off steam in the "art studio". She put a camera in my hand, told me to go take pictures. I was hooked. I learned it solved my passion for art (while I can draw some things, I am not as talented as I am with a camera). She took care of the principal problem, and I went on to graduate high school and college. 

Never am I without a camera close by. While my collection includes many photographs of  family and friends; my favorite subject is nature in all of her glory. From trees, streams, waterfalls, trees, snow, flowers, and sunsets. God's ultimate paintbrush is amazing. There are times when what I view through a camera lens is so amazing it takes my breath away. I am always in shock (and awe) when something I have taken a picture of takes my breath away. I found one of those shots yesterday when looking for a photo to mount for a gift. As I stated it honestly took my breath away. 

For those who know me, and know me well, I am not one to put anything out on display. However lately, I am finding as I look through my work, I would not mind having it shown. Okay so maybe I am setting myself up for failure, but one never knows until they try. So one of these days I am going to place my heart (and soul) out on display for all to see. 

What is the moral of this post you ask...find something you love to do, enjoy it daily! 

Tired of the Political Back Stabbing

"I can't be out of money, I still have checks left," this was a line that was on a t-shirt during the 1990's when the House banking scandal was in full swing. Politicians did not learn their lesson then, nor have they learned their lessons now. 

If Joe American does not have the money to spend on fancy dinners, flowers, jewelry --- wait what am I saying, people that receive public assistance do dress to the nines, drive fancy vehicles (BMW, Cadillac, Lexus, Mercedes), wear enough jewelry for me to make my car payments for a few months, and have the audacity to stand in line with people who are working and trying to make ends meet, yell at the clerk when they didnt get a check and/or food stamps. Before you get riled up, I am all for the man or woman who is working, trying to feed a family who need food stamps or WIC. I am speaking of the dead beats who have never held a job, don't want to work, and expect you and I to pay for their lifestyle of luxury. 

Instead of giving big business tax breaks or subsidizing them, have them put people back to work. I know a very novel idea. Stop giving my tax dollars to every foreign country that is looking for a handout. I read an article last week where the Prime Minister of Israel told America it didn't need their help, well then give us back the $4B we gave to you, and when you need our help let us know. Bring home our troops, yes I do realize that we need to station men and women around the world on the bases we have their, however the U.S. is not the world police though we have been acting like it for the past few years. Close our borders, deport all illegals (before you state it is not legal, yes it is, three presidents did just that in the 20th century), place our military at the borders, since every other nation in the world does this so should the U.S. There is an email I am sure every one has seen about crossing a border and ending up in jail, the U.S. is the only place where you get a driver's license, food stamps, medicaid. Is there something wrong with this picture?????

Open your eyes America, politicians are spending our children's and grandchildren's money so fast that they cannot even fathom it. Politicians work for you and I, not the other way around. Also most politicians have never read the Constitution of the United States of America. I had to read it for a history class in high school and college, were they absent those weeks in high school and college??? To the politician who claims he has the right NOT to pay into Social Security, NO YOU DON'T. You would be surprised at the lack of care our senior members of society get when on Medicare. You caused this, not them they worked, they paid into a system which you bankrupted. 

On Being a Strong Woman...

"...A woman is like a tea bag, you never know how strong she is until she is put in hot water..."

While away on vacation last weekend with my best friend she stated to me, "All of my friends are such Type A, strong women". When she said this I was taken aback, and quite possibly a tad bit offended. However, looking back now a week later, she is right, I am a strong woman. Why was I taken aback? I try my very best not to "stand out" like many "Type A" personalities are. I admire this type person because they are willing to stand on a soap box, willing to have people ridicule them, and are not always "politically correct". I think of myself as a woman who has come through adversity, being that I have come through it, I hope that I may save another heartache, I will voice my opinion. While I will voice my opinion, I do my very best to never hurt another intentionally, ever. The truth hurts, if you are not prepared to hear it, do not ask for my opinion.

What to Name Your Blog...

I was thinking of other things when creating this place for me to stand on my soapbox. I could have called it "The Soap Box" or "Evening Sunset" or any other cutesie by line however, I could not decide so I kept it simple and easy, thus "flavia's place".

I began a blog a couple years ago, it disappeared when I didn't keep adding to it so I will do better this time to keep up my blog, keep writing, and expressing myself. I will also try my best to keep my opinions short and to the point, other times I may not be able to.

So with this said, let the fun begin....here is the link to my last blopgspot so you all know a little more about me & how I think....  http://www.hdlovers912project.blogspot.com/

Modern Technology & the Old Fashioned Girl

I AM TECHNOLOGY CHALLENGED!!!! If you do not believe me, ask my daughter how many times she has had to talk me through posting something on my Facebook or MySpace page. Or better yet ask the tech guru's at my local Verizon store how many times they saw me before I was comfortable using my new "smart" phone with a touchscreen & too many applications for me to fathom, that made me feel like a complete idiot.

While using my compueter last week, it caught a virus. Before you ask, "YES, I have virus software". However it did not wipeout the virus before it made a mess of my desktop, files & other things. Friends are a great thing to have, especially the tech savvy type who can figure it all out. Now you are wondering how I am writing this....I have a notebook I purchased to take with me when I travel. While it might not be great for playing grames, it is however wonderful for reading email, posting to my blog, and keeping in touch with family & friends on Facebook. It is also a great backup for when one doesn't take the necessary precautions against the nasty things that float around out in cyberspace.

Michael, THANK YOU for fixing my computer, and making me NOT feel like a complete idiot!!!!