Years ago, Bette Midler sang "God is watching us..."  The song's theme was of harmony echoing through the land, of goodness that prevailed despite human tragedy. All was witnessed from a distance by God. If we are made in God's image as the Bible says, then we know we have an ability - no, a responsibility - to help elevate the mood when times are tough. We know this if we've evolved appropriately. With heightened awareness, we see the glass half full rather than half empty.   Laughter helps. Just yesterday,  NPR's  Wait Wait ...  radio show gave us comic relief on the Gulf situation for a brief moment. The panel was asked: How will BP make things even worse? One response: They're going to introduce their new public relations spokesman, Hannibal Lecter. It's a serious situation but I say jesting with love helps. With a lightness of being, the game of life isn't such a drag. If we can't personally accept the weighty responsibilit...

Cara was one of the most precocious little toddlers ever.  She sensed the broader picture well beyond the norm.  She still marches to a different drummer and is the phenomenal mother of my grandchildren.     She walks in beauty, like the night . .. Lord Byron

I was flying up the Arroyo Seco Parkway towards home one afternoon trying to beat the L.A. to Pasadena commuter traffic.  One doesn’t really fly up the oldest freeway.  It’s too winding, too tricky to maneuver with speed.  Anyway, I had an errand to run.  I was to pick up Eric’s paycheck for him since he had a track meet. Twenty minutes later, I met the owner at the men’s clothiers in South Pasadena where Eric worked part time.   I thought it would be a simple in-and-out, but Mr. Owner wanted to talk to me about Eric.  He began ..."Your son is one of the most honest young men I’ve had in my employ." 'Oh?' "Many try to rip me off.  Eric kept one of his classmates from doing just that.  The other student wanted to lift a tie, but your son wouldn’t let him.  Neither knew I was watching." 'Thank you for telling me', I said as I left with the paycheck in hand.

Lots of jubilation in June and July was normal for our clan. Nine or ten months later, newborns often appeared! All three of my siblings were born in March. I was born in October. I've always been the odd one. My maternal grandfather was born in March. My son was born in March. This year, my granddaughter turns sweet sixteen on the 16th of March. Isn't she lovely?  Look at those blue eyes!