(Alert~  this posting contains personal opinion which may or may not coincide with yours.  Deal with it.)

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Casey Anthony.  Reality TV should take notes on this one.  This woman is seriously into attention getting and boy is the news media dishing it out.  A toddler died.  This should be the most important point in all of this and it seems to be getting lost in the "jurors looked bored", "dueling experts", "judge losing patience", "lawyers seem unprepared", "who molested who?" of this trial.  Court TV doesn't seem like such a good idea after all.....

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Minot ND.  You have my sympathy.  You dug and you fought and it looks like the flood waters will win after all.  If you look at the conspiracy theorists, they will tell you that the government is manipulating the weather to cause flooding along the Mississippi corridor that will, in effect, split the country in half, thus creating a "liberal america" and a "conservative america".  This is junk talk when your home is under water and you have to wonder which warehouse has the local zoo's animals.

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I've tried so hard not to comment on Rep. Weiner.  Boy has it been hard.  So many puns, so little time.

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Debt ceiling.  I'm pretty sure that's the distance the moths in my wallet will travel upwards before descending.

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The Republicans in Ohio have now passed legislation that will allow businesses to draw much more water from Lake Erie.  This should enable business and enterprizes to flourish.  Interestingly enough, they talk about taking the water, but little is said about cleaning up the water once it is taken.  Why do I think that the cleaning of the water might bite just a little too far into their profits?  I see another mess in the making.......

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Arizona is burning.  Literally.  Those fires just keep on devoring acre after acre of vegetation.  Once the plants holding the soil together are gone, how much do you want to bet that now there will be unprecedented rainfall?

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Roger Ebert called a spade a spade when he tweeted about Ryan Dunn's accident and death.  Roger took a lot of heat for that, but the cororner's report bears out what he assumed.  A blood alcohol of .198 and driving 130 mph.  Mr. Dunn must have thought he was invincible.  Too bad for him and his passenger, but I hope this is a lesson to someone.  I'm not a fan of the jackass movies (I'm not a 14 year old boy...thankfully!) and I know of several individuals who have tried some of their stunts and have come away injured by them.  Maybe this will take away some of the sheen on that kind of behavior.

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Greece kept it's finance minister even though their economy is headed for the dumpster.  Was this a case keeping the devil that you know?

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Rep. Giffords seems to be making an amazing recovery.  While her life will never be the same, I can only wish that she has a life that encompasses joy. 

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Hillary Clinton yanked the chains of the Congress by asking them "Which side are you on?" in terms of dealing with Libya.  I think she would have made a kick ass President.  But then, too many people are afraid of intelligent women.  We just don't know our place.

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Ok, enough spouting for now.....

I've been busy growing things.  Enjoy!

All of these are from a tea rose that my father planted in the 1940s for my mother.  It's been a real strong performer and it always is very full of blooms.  The scent of it has a hint of tea and it's not a hybrid.  It is, however, lovely!

I can spend hours in my garden and often do.  It's healing for my soul and it's good, I believe, to get your hands dirty!

(Please note:  I've not left Xanga, it's just that at the end of a school year, life is insane and I didn't want to infect more of Xanga with insanity.  I firmly believe that there is enough here already.)

This, I found to be outrageous.  Dr. Ablow (pseudopsychologist at Fox) offered this inspiring message about why Maria Shriver should take Arnold back.

http://www.foxnews.com/opinion/2011/05/18/maria-shriver-arnold-schwarzenegger/

It astonishes me that men still blame women when things go badly.  Ablow claims that Maria S. should have known what kind of man he was when she married him and that surely she had to know about his indiscretions.  She should have seen him for what he was: a man who needed constant affirmation of his importance.  She should now be the one to open up the conversation about who he is and what he really needs.

Grinding my teeth here.  My dentist will fume when he sees the damage....but I digress.

Arnold is in this situation because he had a dick and thought that entitled him to act like one.  Period.

There is much in this situation that infuriates me.  Here's my list:

1. Hypocritical newscasters feigning sympathy for what the kids will go through while dragging the story through the mud with unbridled glee.

2. Comparisons about the looks and figure of both of the women.  Let's just put them on the slave block, shall we?

3. Maria taking the heat for how her husband behaved.  What was she to do?  Lock him up?

4. How is it that in the discussions of the marriage, so little is said about the humiliation of Maria? 

5. I'm not sure which would infuriate me more in this situation: that there was an affair, that there was a child, that the mothers of both of his children had to be around each other (how much smirking did the maid do?), or that the secret was kept for over 10 years.

6. And finally, how irritated and annoyed this whole thing is making me when it's none of my business.

Enough with the irritation....I'm done.

Revenge is an act of passion; vengeance of justice. Injuries are revenged; crimes are avenged.
Samuel Johnson

There's been a lot of huffing and puffing and cheering and jeering today about the death of Osama bin Laden.  Some feel that justice has been served, others are just as sure that this will only continue the cycle of hatred.

Both may be right, but I stand on the side of this being an act of vengeance.  Crimes were committed and needed to be avenged.  Job done.

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I was just getting over my royal wedding hangover and now this.  Sheesh.  I need to be all news all the time.  I think I might be getting too old for this.  Or not....

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Ok royal wedding roundup.

1. HRH Catherine's dress was amazing.  Classy but not flashy.

2. Maid of honor Pippa's dress left not much to the imagination but if I had a body like that, I'd probably have worn that dress too.

3. Men in uniform are sexy.  Even gnarly old Prince Phillip looked pretty natty in his bright reds.

4. That Harry is a poop isn't he?

5. The Queen looks regal, but then that IS her job.

6. Loved the video of the curate doing cartwheels down the aisle.  That's how joy should be expressed.

7. I love hats, but honestly?  Some of them shouldn't have been allowed out of the shop.

8. Carriage rides are so romantic.

9. I'm glad GB had something to cheer about.  The country has been in the dumps lately.

10.  My favorite memory of the wedding is when they were leaving the balcony after "the kiss" and Kate looked back over her shoulder.  Wonderful moment.

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Election stuff:

Michelle Bachman compared the debt to the Holocaust, thereby demonstrating how shallow she really is and her astonishing lack of the depth of history.

Donald Trump got his at the Association of Broadcasters swanky dinner.  Who knew Obama had that much of a sense of humor?

Sarah Palin is talking again, but nobody's listening.

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Life in general:

Spring has finally made it's appearance here in PA.  Now if it could just stop taking a shower.  It really is clean enough.

My youngest just turned 19. I think I'm still 26 but the  math is beginning to betray me.

They shuffled everyone's job at school.  There are some heaving breasts, but I think in the long run, people will see that this ignited their love of teaching again.

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Well, that's the roundup from here.  What's new in your neck of the woods?  (Hopefully someone is still reading this.....)

Ok, now that this hectic week has run it's course, it's time to take a look at the rest of the world.  Enjoy!

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First off--I'm not a golfer, unless you count mini golf when we go on vacation.  But even I can relate to the frustration of this poor guy~

Kevin Na could have what could only be best described as a total meltdown on the 9th hole at the Texas Open.  One bad shot led to another, then another, then a two stroke penalty because he hit the ball which then came back and it him, and on and on it went.

When he was done, he had shot a 16 on the hole.

I've done that.  It's not pretty.

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From the "whew, that was too hot to handle" department.....

A man in San Francisco ran out of an adult entertainment establishment engulfed in flames.  Apparently he burst into flames while watching a film.  An investigation shows that there was no damage to the theatre, just to the man.

This just lets itself WIDE open to all sorts of comments.

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Filed under the "would you like fries with that?" section.......

A woman was ignoring the sirens and lights of police who wanted to stop her for a traffic violation.  Now, while you may be expecting a wild, high speed freeway chase, this didn't happen.

Instead, the woman went through a drive through at McDonalds', ordered a hamburger and when police ordered her to stop, she replied, "No, I didn't do anything." and drove off.

Police eventually did stop her and she was to appear in court.  In court, the judge attempted to make a deal with her to keep her out of jail.  He told her that she must appear for a mental health consultation.  The woman replied, "No, there's nothing wrong with me."  The judge asked her if she understood his offer and she replied that she did, but that she wasn't going because she did not need to go. 

The judge was just flabbergasted.

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One man has created a life sized robot that will punch you.

And why would anyone even need that?

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Please note:  the final example is not for young people.  Yes, folks, there's a hint of sex in it.

And finally, a Pennsylvania doctor has been accused by his patients of using a device to bring them to orgasm, claiming that this is a weight loss system.

I'm pretty sure that if you don't do the exercise, it doesn't count much......just saying..... 

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So, while my week was busy, it's rather comforting to know that other folks just kept the weird right on going....

The Baby Boom generation is getting older, no doubt about that.  All their years of hard work and contributions to Social Security are now paying off for them.

Except.......that's only true if you were born before 1957.

Rep. Ryan's fix of Medicare and Medicaid is designed to ensure that those who turn 55 before the end of 2011 will have their benefits unchanged.  After that, Rep. Rand wants a new idea.

Thus, the shafting of 1957.  Born in 1957?  You'll only be 54 in 2011.  That safety net doesn't apply to you.

1957 and 1961 were the two highest birth rate years for Baby Boomers, with 1957 edging out 1961 by a bit.  In 1957, 4.6 million individuals were born in the United States.  Most of these 4.6 million people went to work, paid their taxes and a whole lot of money in to everybody's paycheck friend, FICA.  This large group of people paid a lot of money into a system that supports a lot of people who have long since outlived the money that they put into it.  And this doesn't even begin to cover the COLAs.....

So now, the "class of 57" is once again going to have to pay the price for  Social Security and Medicare.....

During the last election and thereafter, there was a hue and cry about death panels.  I'm here to tell you that they will indeed exist if Rep. Rand's plan goes through.  Does anyone really think that giving the money to the states (who are bleeding red ink everywhere) will honestly go to helping those born after 1956 to help purchase their medical care?  When those born after 1957 begin to retire and look toward medical care, there won't be any money or there won't be nearly enough money to purchase health care.  After everything that these folks have worked all of their lives to earn and save has been exhausted, they will get the kind of care that the really poor get-the basics.  It's almost as though the budget is predicated on the later year Baby Boomers dying quickly.  No money for beyond basic health care?  Too bad, here's what we can do for you.....make you comfortable until you die. 

It may not be the death panels that the Republicans would have had you nervous about.  It will be worse.  It will be the final shafting of '57.  Death by lack of medical care.....

I was discussing my financial history (in roundabout terms) with my college age son the other day.  He's currently taking economics in college and it was a discussion about how money works and doesn't work, depending on where you happen to find yourself in the economy.

As parents, we've tried to instill in our kids that you work hard, pay your way and things will eventually work out for you.

These days, as both the federal and state government seems headed to hell in a handbasket, I'm not so sure.

A friend asked me once why I seem to be so hard on the Republican party.  I reminded her that all politics are local and when it came to the policies of the Republican party, it seemed that all they ever wanted was to put their hand in my wallet and rob me blind.

Some examples:

My husband and I married later than most (in our thirties) and did what newlyweds were supposed to do-get a house and settle down and produce those 2.5 kids.  We strove hard to meet the expectation.

Our mortgage cost us 16.9%.  This was the beginning of ARM mortgages, and we dutifully managed the ups and downs of our mortgage and paid it off.  Mr. Reagan is not one of my heroes.

That's when our taxes in our state skyrocketed.  But we dutifully paid them, because, we reasoned, at some point it had to get better for us.  Mr. G. H. W. Bush was not my hero then either.

Our kids hit the college years at a time when financial aid was practically nonexistent and when costs were going higher every year.  As our lunatic governor wants to cut monies to state universities by 52%, this now means that we will shoulder a heavier burden to help our kids get an education that will help them become wage earning, productive members of society. 

Well, maybe.

Saddled with an enormous amount of debt just to get the education to (hopefully) get a job will put them behind the eightball to begin with.  Couple that with the wonderful news that because they want to become teachers, they will no doubt be working for way less wages than current teachers make.  This will practically insure that they will be behind on making their part of the American dream come true.  As the cost of housing increases and attacks on the teaching profession increase just as steadily, their hopes of a decent living in a profession they love look slimmer and slimmer.

At the time when I'm beginning to look into the future and think retirement, the state suddenly wants to raid my pension and roll back the payments.  Social Security (which we have dutifully paid so that others could be covered) is now yanking the retirement age upward much like a dancing pinata....nice if you can hit it just right, but frustrating when you can't get a fair swat at it.  Medicaid and Medicare are being retooled-no change for those over 55.  Hubby and I are not quite there...close but no cigar.  Once again, we've dutifully paid into a system that will screw us over.  Again, thanks Mr. Corbett.  And Mr. Rand?  I'm not a fan, sorry.

All this frustrates me to no end.  I wasn't born with a silver spoon, but rather a plastic one.  Because of hard work, I've been able to carve out a living that is not wealthy by any means, but which does allow me to give to organizations that help make life better for others.  I'm not looking for a hand out, but I'd really like the size of the scoop to be fair when it comes to getting back some of what I've put into it.

Contrary to popular press and opinion these days, I put a hefty amount into my retirement plan, which, in my state was regulated by the state and which did not allow for a 401K or an IRA.  My retirement money went in and I could never touch it until I either died or retired.  I'm not sure I can afford to do either right now.

The common denominator in all this?  Republican control of the tax making bodies of our state and local government. 

Add to this the incredible lunacy of the Tea Party and I'm just done trying to even give them the benefit of the doubt. 

I've pretty much decided that I'm never going to get a break.  But I do still vote and I do still argue politics.  You just won't find me wearing a GOP button.

I was accused today of having an attitude.

Well, DUH!

Of course I do.  If you've known me for very long, you've seen the results of my attitude toward situations, culture, and certain individuals.

For those who are not in the know, or who need a refresher, pay attention!

The following are things which will lead me to call you out on something:

......being disrespectful to the American flag.  Too many have died defending it for you to treat it shabbily.

......wearing a hat in a building.  We fixed the roof and the leaks have stopped.  Take off that hat and let your hair air out.....

.....beginning a conversation with me by saying, "HEY...".  Excuse me?  I have a name, we've been introduced and you aren't likely to wear it out.  Please use it respectfully, as in, "Hello, Mrs. B.  I could use your help with....".

......treating other people badly.  If you bully, you will be called out on it by me.  And yes, that includes you, Mr. Hotshot in a prison guard uniform - that sales clerk did not deserve for you to be so snotty to her.

.....stealing other people's time.  If you are a screw off, you are wasting other people's time that they cannot recoup.  That means you have stolen their time and that makes you a thief.  Harsh?  yep......

.....drivers who just shouldn't.  Get out of the fast lane, use your signals, drive like you actually know what you are doing.

.....being a professional slacker.  If breathing weren't automatic, some of you wouldn't bother to do it.

Now, before you think my attitude is all about the negative, it's not and here's some examples:

......if I see a thing of beauty, I share what I've found.  There's more than enough ugly in the world so let's pay more attention to the quietly beautiful.

.....genuine progress in a person.  You won't find a bigger cheerleader than me...

.....standing up for my country.  I may not agree with your politics, but I'll try to argue with you intelligently.

.....offering genuine admiration when someone does something unexpected and wonderful.  We don't notice that enough, I think.

.....praising those who teach.  If you have never taught, you cannot begin to understand the joy and the struggle.  Trust me, you can't.

Ok, so that's a capsule of my attitude.  Take it or leave it, I don't plan to hide it.

My latest addiction is this:

http://www.ustream.tv/decoraheagles