One of the morning shows was discussing how a number of people who are involved with the Academy Awards show are demonstrating a more subdued demeanor in light of the economic times. Another show highlighted how Fashion Week in New York was reflecting the same reserve. In both cases we can assume that it is a relatively modest change. Despite the ‘nod’ to the dire reality of millions of individuals – ‘the show must go on’. After all, whatever the outward entertainment value it’s all business – isn’t it? And it means a heck of a lot of money for somebody. We live in a divisive world that is reflecting more and more the chasm between the haves and the have nots. The slight acknowledgment from the haves that this is a ‘difficult’ time doesn’t mean a whole lot to the individual who is just trying to keep their family fed, clothed and with a roof over them. It also highlights how the imbalance between the money spent on entertaining ourselves and what is used for necessary practical purposes is telling. Strange that while we are simultaneously being forced to face the results of bad business behavior we ache to turn it off and pretend that all is the same and the problems will just go away on their own. The Oscars – showing us the money...

When you used to think that the movie Thelma and Louise was an interesting premise and now you think it’s just a female version of Dumb and Dumber. I mean, couldn’t they have figured out a reasonable way out of their circumstances. Over the cliff? Really?...

The grass has riz, I wonders where the birdies iz... No poet am I. But spring sure feels like it is here. And there are crowds of robins making their way around the neighbourhood, checking out the grass and heralding a change. With so much negativity everywhere you look it may be hard to take in and enjoy what is one of the most wonderful aspects of creation – it’s renewal every year. Right now we have the windows open and the sounds of a softly lit afternoon are wafting in. It makes me feel very grateful...

Yeah, yeah, it’s a new year...gonna wipe the slate clean. Gonna accomplish something new and exciting...:) Yeah, I really am. This is it. Now. What? It’s the 6th already? Shoot...

We live in a part of the country where there is not a lot of snow. When we do get some it becomes quite a major challenge for a number of people who do not have much experience walking/driving/functioning in this strange environment. While we have had more than our share of experience of snow and ice from having lived in various parts of the country it has been wonderful, each year, passing some lovely, mild months that are more or less nominally ‘winter’ but are really just a cooler fall. This year has brought us a reminder of what it’s like to actually have to ‘dress up’ to go outside. If for no other reason – it is a wonderful change to highlight what we usually have. It lets us know – to a somewhat lesser degree – what others are going through...

When I was little my mom used to set aside one day a week to do her baking. Knowing what I know now, she really was an artist in that she turned out many wonderful loaves of bread, buns and cinnamon rolls, working without modern appliances and cooking with an oil stove. (Getting the right temperature for things was a little more difficult than it is for an electric stove.) Added to that, she would have a fantastic pot of homemade soup simmering and after school it was a slice of heaven to have a bowl of it with a fresh hot buttered bun. (I’m taking a moment here to savor the memory... pardon the drool..) I am not my mother. The soup is possible but the baking.....not so much. Besides – when you live close to a number of wonderful outlets that do all the slaving for you – why bother, huh? But still...there’s that moment when the aroma of a freshly baked loaf of bread hits you that just about buckles the knees. Sooooooo, we decided to take advantage of a sale on breadmakers. Heard a lot of good things about them. Even me mom tried one and wistfully chimed in about how wonderful it would have been to have one when we were growing up. Last night, hubby did the honors and inaugurated the machine. A lovely, sweet smelling, french style loaf. Yummmmmmmmm. Yes, I can get used to this. And so to the tune of “Matchmaker”.....here we go now...