GOD BLESS THE USA---

Summer time and the livin' is ---not so easy. We have lived through darker days, but these are not our brightest. Unemployment rages at almost 10 percent. The stimulus plan, as admitted now by VP Joe Biden, has not succeeded in creating enough jobs to spur the economy. There is a nagging feeling in the country that while things may have gotten a bit better, we're still not out of danger. Some even predict that things may get a whole lot worse, as uncertainty persists and other European countries, such as Greece , show us that complete national melt downs can happen. Nobody seems to have a clear view of the future, including those in charge . Have Americans lost our optimism, our can do attitude? Reading the news, one doesn't find a lot of reasons for optimism. The oil spill continues to gush and bog down the golf coast economy. And now comes the threat of hurricanes . Arizona continues to fight not only the illegal immigrants with their new bill, but now is rumored to be the target of a White House law suit protesting the legality of their law! And we continue to be at war in Afghanistan, in what is appearing to look more and more like a losing battle, with a President whose heart doesn't seem to be in it, and a military who appears to be confused, frustrated, and even angry with the way things are going. Lack of funding and strict rules of engagement, originating from congress and the administration, are making their jobs very difficult. However, though the forced resignation of General McCrystal, was unsettling in an already unstable war, it emphasized the importance of our military's duty to respect the office of the President. In an interesting twist , the appointment of General Pertraeus to take the place of General McCrystal, was ironically the same man who took such heavy criticism from President Obama and many democrats for his handling of the Iraq surge operation, which, by the way, was highly successful. President Obama had no choice but to ask for General McCrystal's resignation. The President had been disrespected, whether intentionally or not, and that cannot go unreprimanded. Military coups are born of such events and that is not our way. But it would seem that the military too deserves respect and support from its chief commanding officer. President Obama , while identifying Afghanistan as the war to fight during his campaign for presidency, now seems ambivalent and reluctant about how to proceed. Instead, he has announced a withdrawal date for our troops. This sounds more like retreating than winning to many.

But, in spite of all our problems and differences, on Sunday we will all come together as one and celebrate our Independence Day--our separation from England, and her oppressive laws.. Our fight for freedom was won with courage and spilled blood--- ordinary people, not just the military wanted it badly enough to die for it. There were those who thought it was not worth the struggle and just wanted to go along, but others had the fore-sight and will to fight against a very well organized and determined English military. The rest is our history. We won, and with it our freedoms. Our founding fathers sought to not only document our independence and laws to guide and protect our new government, but to make sure it lasted way beyond what they could see. Will it last? The Constitution is our country's bible but it is being challenged by those who feel it can and should be changed and revised , making it up as we go along to suit whatever interests and opinions may hold sway at the moment.

As we watch the fireworks in our skies this weekend, many of us will pray that this grand and glorious experiment we call the United States of America will somehow regain its strength, power, and belief in itself---and that our best days are not behind us, not leaving us to fall apart and become so weakened by our problems that we are not able to retain our place in a world who needs not only our leadership,strong military , robust economy, but also our example of how to live free. May our beloved diversity not ultimately be our downfall. May we find a way to remain united and committed to at least one thing---our love of our country and its original reason for existence--- freedom. We are a nation governed by one precious concept---that we are a government that is of the people, by the people, and for the people. If we forget this, then perhaps we deserve a country no longer so free, but more like that from which we once struggled to escape---or worse. Some may think that America needs to change and become more a citizen of the world, not so independent, and isolated unto ourselves. Does the term, "One world order" come to mind? Barack Obama, himself, has stated that "no country should have an advantage over another". Really? If that is truly his belief, then how can he lead us back to greatness? Or is it his view that greatness should not be our goal, instead that we should work to be more loved by other countries by being less mighty, more like---well, Europe?

We may not always win the popularity contest, and we may not be the land of milk and honey, but this nation remains the envy of the world and the place where people flock to improve their lives. Where else would you really like to live? Once, after a long trip to another country, I was thrilled and relieved to finally be on a plane homeward bound. As the wheels finally touched down on our soil, the Captain of the plane announced, "Welcome to the USA, folks!" A loud cheer rose up from the passengers and filled the cabin. There is no home sweeter than ours. May there be brighter days ahead, and may America and we find our way back home before dark. Celebrate on the 4th of July--- for all we are , and all we've become--and send a prayer that this great land will continue to be so. God bless the USA!!!!

LET ME ENTERTAIN YOU!!!!

Once upon a time, in a ' hood called Child, a little girl decided that she was born to be an entertainer!! She made her first stage debut when she was about five years old. She was playing the part of a tree or a bush, but as the curtain came down, she lifted it up and took one more peek at the audience. Her mother was mortified, but she wasn't----she had just met her self and her passion---the theatre!

If you're interested in theatre, then perhaps you watched the Tony award show a couple weeks ago where New York theatre is celebrated---Broadway, where "the play is the thing . Nobody does it better, ---and once you've seen a Broadway play, all else pales in comparison. The sets, the costumes, the lighting, the acting are all done to perfection and set the standard for theatre everywhere. "To be, or not to be, that is the question---" . To be without the arts is not even a question---how sterile and unbelievably dull this world would be without it. They give flight to our imagination, or lack thereof, they mirror our humanity, and they offer entrance into other worlds and understandings not otherwise known. Imagine a world without "The Sound of Music", or "Madame Butterfly", or "Casa Blanca", or "Cats" or "Lion King". My world was made happier and softer and richer because of all the stories I saw on stage or screen.

The first time I saw a Broadway play was as a girl of about nineteen. I was a flight attendant and on a lay-over in New York and thought I had died and gone to heaven as I sat, completely enthralled, in a real theatre. "Gypsy" with Ethel Merman was playing. I think I paid around $ 5.00 for my ticket! A musical comedy fan and " wannabe" actress, I loved every second . It brought back memories of my one big claim to fame, when in college, I got to play the lead in "Call Me Madame", originally done by Ethel Merman. I still remember opening night and my pre-show nerves, as I launched into my first solo number, standing in the spotlight alone on the stage, the orchestra playing the introduction-------I went absolutely blank and forgot the words! Somehow I kept singing and the words returned. As the show went on, I found my voice and my connection to the audience. I received a standing ovation that night and I was hooked, hopelessly devoted , and---Hello, Dolly, here I come! It was not to be. Later, after moving to the "big apple" to pursue a life in the theatre, and also to be near a boyfriend, I actually secured an audition for a musical comedy. Let's just say, it did not go very well. Neither did the romance. But the theatre was my career dream, and it was fun to chase for awhile. I was often told I looked too young or too innocent to play the roles. I began to lose faith in myself and my dream eventually faded. I learned to glean vicarious satisfaction sitting in the audience, telling myself that if the play was the thing, then the role of the audience could be ---well, the second best thing. But real passions never die---they wait to live another day.

Not long ago, I found myself once again, for the first time in many years, on a very tiny stage, in a very tiny local theatre, doing a reading for a "Reader's Theatre" group. I did three readings, playing three different parts, one even requiring a cockney accent. I wasn't very nervous this time---age has its rewards, and self confidence had finally arrived. I was only interested in making the characters come alive for the audience. Asked how I felt, after so many years, doing what I had always wanted to do, I answered; "Like I had finally come home". And it was true---I had returned to my very first love. To finally do what one's heart desires is like no other feeling---like quenching a long and begging thirst. Would I do it again? In a heart beat---but roles for "more mature women" are hard to come by. I was told recently that I was "too elegant" for the parts I was auditioning---excuse me, isn't that code for "too old"? "Yes you are a bit older than what we are looking for", I was told. Irony bites hard sometimes. During the Tony award's show, one of the actors gratuitously gushed that we all should follow our dreams, and that anything is possible if you want it badly enough---I beg to differ---not all dreams come true---making a living, lack of talent or breaks, or not enough ambition interfere, and before you know it, life is almost over. But the dreams linger on in one's memory, weaving into the tapestry of one's life. Occasionally I have performed in wa-a-a-y off Broadway venues to friends, family and business associates. They have very kindly indulged me and "let me entertain" them. And I have delighted in watching their faces light up with surprise at this usually hidden part of me. There have been no lights, no orchestra or even standing ovations, but there has been great fun.

Sometimes you recognize your dream in someone else's life. Last weekend, we attended a dance recital , in which my 6 year old grand daughter danced. She lit up the stage with her smile----as though that was exactly where she belonged at that moment. I asked her mom if she was nervous about being on stage---she said, "No, she loves it". Ah, yes---she looked right at home---run, Ashlyn---some dreams can be caught.

Now, I know you all have your own stories and mine is only one in a world of stories---the point is: May we live our dreams, and if we can't, then may we make peace with that. Because perhaps the play really isn't the thing---perhaps the more important thing is how we play out our lives and how well we play the roles we either choose or are assigned. "To be or not to be " isn't really the question---we are, that's the answer. We are part, large or small, of a very big show, which must go on---and if you forget the words for awhile, just keep singing---they'll return!

Some stories end where they started. Once upon a time in a 'hood called Adult, there lived a woman who dreamed she was young again and went to New york to be------and then she woke up!! The end.

THE BIG SPILL---NO MORE DRILL!!

"Drill, Baby, Drill" is a phrase you're not likely to hear real soon. It has been hushed by the largest oil spill in U.S. history---and a president who will surely use it to advance his own agenda, which includes very limited drilling and an alternative energy bill which will tax oil companies for excessive carbon pollution, other wise known as "cap and trade". Highly controversial,this bill has passed the House, but lingers now in the Senate for the President to find the right time to convince the American people to support this bill , the expense of which will surely be passed onto the consumer. As in the past with the economic crisis resulting in unparelled government bailouts, he may have found that moment.

The spill has completely over shadowed every other issue , and President Obama, in an effort to quell criticism of his questionable leadership abilities during this crisis, gave yet another speech Tuesday night in the Oval office of the White House. Proving once again, that he is not a man of few words, Obama spoke forcefully, if not somewhat dis-connectedly regarding his role and that of his administration in punishing those who are responsible, namely BP (British Petroleum).But little was said about cleaning up the mess or stopping the leak, and much focus and blame was put on not only the oil company but also its regulatory agency, MSS (Minerals Management Service). After slapping a job-killing six month moratorium on all off shore drilling, pre the speech, Obama followed by proclaiming that he would request that BP put monies in an "escrow" account to be paid out to all the out of work fishermen and others affected by the spill . The president's tone and demanding demeanor were stunning ---how could even the President of the United States imply such authority over a privately owned company? The more normal procedure for national disaster compensation is to go through our court system--not via presidential pressure.

But Obama exhibited, as usual, his moral outrage and stern fatherly determination to call out those who caused this huge environmental disaster and go after them. One wonders if perhaps the government regulatory agency should also be punished for not doing their jobs---and perhaps Obama himself for not paying more attention---oh, but he was very busy with other issues---like the health care bill and the banks, and the automobile companies---there is just so much one man can do. He can't be expected to run the whole country---can he??

Shocking even Chris Matthews and Keith Olbermann, two very left wing political commentators , they broke ranks and very uncharacteristically said that they could not believe Obama's presumed authority to so strongly insist that BP acquiesce to his payout wishes. Would there not be a court battle or at least some time for BP to "lawyer up", they wondered? But, no---the morning after the speech, Obama seemed to have gotten his way. The oil company appeared to have "rolled over" and surprisingly agreed to put aside twenty billion dollars for compensation to the victims of the oil spill. It has also been disclosed that an additional one hundred million will be set aside and eventually disbursed to those put out of work due to the moratorium demanded by President Obama! And this could possibly be just a down payment for more funding if requested by President Obama, as he would not agree to a limit of BP's compensation amount. Under U.S. law, these amounts of money far exceeded the legal requirement, which is seventy five million. Some of the money will come from dividends which were promised earlier to investors--some from profit, and some will undoubtedly show up in the price of gas. At first glance, this all seems wonderfully generous and certainly one does not begrudge the victims of a fair amount of compensation---but does it not make you just a little uncomfortable to see the President wielding so much power over private enterprise? Was this a huge PR attempt by BP? Were the executives so easily and quickly persuaded ---or were they threatened ? And is our capitalistic system threatened when the President can suddenly become their CEO? There is not, nor should there be, any great sympathy for BP---they should have had a better plan in place for such a huge leak, and they are big enough to overcome the financial losses of their financial responsibilities. But accidents do happen and this one should not preclude the argument for drilling our own oil or for more government take over of private enterprise.

President Obama plays the blame game very well, often using former President Bush as his scape goat, but soon it will be time for him to own up to his own mistakes and mis-handlings. No one expects perfection, but this President seems more interested in singling out and punishing those who represent opposing views to his particular ideologies, rather than acting as facilitator and representative of all the people---not just those of his own beliefs. With his approval polls slipping recently and many people beginning to wonder if this man is changing our country too fast and too radically, Obama's speech was more about shoring up his flagging popularity, and showing us all who's boss, than actually doing something about the problem. His reluctance to use our own resources, militarily and with extra booms and other equipment that were available for clean-up of the oil spill, coupled with his refusal to allow other countries to assist, are curious and frustrating.

Does this man belong in the White House? He appears to be noble, with his own vision, but somehow not presidentially able to lead a whole country--which requires more than his own vision. Only time will tell---but there are more and more people, some of whom are in his own party, who are beginning to ask if he may be trying to fulfill a job, to quote Obama himself , that is" above his pay grade"?

A Family Wedding

Is there anything more joyous--or stressful than a family wedding? Last weekend was a reminder of how this momentous occasion can be such a mix of emotions that it leaves me feeling like I need oxygen. My nephew married his high school sweetheart and as the two of them emotionally spoke their vows in a lovely new church, my mind swirled with memories of past weddings, my own included. "I do", "I will", "I promise"---such heavy words for such young people. How can they possibly know what they are doing or who they may become over a lifetime? Will they grow together---or apart over the years? I glanced at my husband sitting next to me, then down to the rest of the long pew which seated our three children, their spouses, and all their children---the beautiful results of my own marriage 47 years ago, almost to the day. I wished the about- to -be husband and wife well, and tried to relax and just enjoy the ceremony as it unfolded---but weddings always make me a little nervous---and this was no exception. The day had started out well enough, with plans to get everybody to the church in time for a pre-ceremony family photo session.including my elderly mother, who had her own built up anxieties about not being able to have the strength to make it , and rightly so. Not having slept the night before she had awakened with extreme dizziness and fatigue----when you're 90 years old, it's hard to dismiss these symptoms as "nothing serious". Should we call the doctor? Will the day be ruined? But, thinking that she might just be dehydrated, I suggested she drink some water and rest a bit. That must have done the trick, because she called later, miraculously revived and once again fretting that we would not get her to the church in time!! We did, the pictures got taken, as we all straggled in one family at a time, and I myself almost had a melt-down worrying that someone would get left out of the great picture taking event. Later, mom got ushered down the aisle by a young man who did not know the meaning of" slowly"---I held my breath for fear she would stumble or faint from over exertion, but she had no problem at all and seemed to lose all her years as she floated like a young woman, adrift in her lovely chiffon dress and grand-motherly pride. She had made it after all, as had so many more of us to witness this long awaited event and widening of our family circle. "I now pronounce you husband and wife". It was suddenly over, and yet, it was just beginning-- I began to breathe a little easier as I watched the new man and wife flow back down the aisle, beaming and actually shouting with joy.

No stranger to weddings, I don't know why I find the tying of the knot, so nerve-wracking. After the actual tying, I am fine---but the ceremony has always made me a" train wreck". I thought back on my daughter's big day some years ago. All went reasonably well, considering we did not have the luxury of a "wedding planner". But a few days before the event, my husband severely ruptured his achilles heel, while playing tennis with me! I turned around to see him on his knees and I practically went to mine---no, not now, I thought---not now! The surgery was put off until after the wedding and he managed to make it down the aisle on crutches with our daugher while I prayed every inch of the way that he would not trip on her dress. His complexion was as white as her dress as he awkwardly and excrutiatingly made his way to the alter and through the ceremony. The day was full of joy, but not without stress---and a good deal of pain medicine.

Weddings are wonderful----but somehow I'm always glad when they're over. I like the reception---the food, the dancing, the toasts---the palpable sense of relief that permeates the room. Maybe it's because I know so well all the thought that goes into the planning, the guest lists, the menu, the possible hurt feelings for those left out of this or that, and on and on. And maybe its because I remember my own pre-wedding nerves when in the middle of all the excitement I suddenly began to think of the words--"till death shall we part". OMG---that's a very long time, I thought---could I do that? Could he do that? Could we do that? Toward the end of my newphew's and his bride's reception , the disc jockey played "Sunrise, Sunset", and finally, listening to the words, I relaxed and thought,Yes---it actually is " I do"-able. The days of our lives are doled out, one sunrise, sunset at a time---how very fortunate and lovely to share it all with one's true love. But is it okay if I step outside for some air?

As the evening finally wound down, and we left the reception building, we were bid farewell by the still beaming groom and his bride, who somehow now looked like a husband and wife. Moving further outside I noticed two huge movie klieg lights, the type that are used to announce all manner of grand openings, award shows, etc. My nephew, a film major, had added this final dramatic touch to his joyous celebration. The two white, bright lights criss crossed and lit up the night sky, as if to say---something special just happened! Indeed it had. My wedding nerves finally gone, I gave the new husband a hug and rejoiced at the look of sheer happiness on his face. Congratulations, dear newlyweds---viva l'amour! May it last and last and last---

SEX IN THE CITY 2----LOVED IT!!!

Looking for a good movie this weekend? Treat yourself to a frothy romp in" Sex And The City 2".Yes, it's a "chick flick"--- but your other choices are "Ironman" or "Shrek". So grab a chick and go for a fun time in Abu Ghadi. It's filled with gorgeous clothes, exotic sets, witty dialogue, pretty women, and the men aren't bad either. What I loved most was the unabashed , wicked humor of the women as they clashed with the men of Abu Ghadi and their stifling culture toward women ---Kim Catrell, who plays Samantha in the movie, was hilariously and politically incorrect (OMG) as she physically fought with the men in a street brawl---she won and declared her victory in a well, shall we say---most finger pointing way. It was refreshing to see a movie that wasn't so uptight about itself , wasn't trying to send a subtle political message, and was just plain, outrageously, over the top funny, visually exotic and beautiful, even poignant at times. And, oh yes, the title lives up to its name---there was a bit of that in the movie too, so if that offends you, better not go---because "Sex in the City 2" sizzles with a saucy nod and a flirty wink. But you'll be missing a good time and a chance to be "crazy in Abu Ghadi".

If you haven't guessed by now, I love going to the movies---yes, I said "going". Sitting in your cozy home watching a DVD is nice and private, but just doesn't have the same, in your face, appeal.The community experience of laughing and sometime weeping is part of the fun, and the popcorn is----oh yeah, sinfully, fatfully the best!! The only thing I don't like are the teens who still don't get that "Please turn off your cell phones" includes NOT TEXTING, as well!!! Am I getting old, or does anybody else get just a tad irritated with this habit? Not only does it irritate me in the movies, but I find it insulting to be talking to someone who is texting while attempting to carry on a conversation with me---excuse me, but I'm right here in person. Should I call you instead? Then we could both be texting at the same time to each other---groovy! Of course, the latest thing is the Iphone, so things are only to get worse, as direct eye to eye social communication will become even less attractive than all the buttons that can connect the user to practically the whole world .I read that young people are going to lose the ability to read actual, live body language as they interact with others, due to the fact that they are interacting mostly with their buttons and voices! Maybe that's why I still love the simple pleasure of going to the movies---no electronics needed, just your eyes, ears, mind, and soul---lights out, phones off----pass the popcorn!!