Cyndi, I can only speak of Denise and Alan....you will love them. Very down to earth and funny :hug:

Hi Cyndi -

We, too, are really eager to meet you and Tom "Capt. Kirk." Thanks for always having such kind words to say to everyone!

Hi Kimmi -

Wish you and John were able to come visit and join in the brunch . We miss you guys! Can you believe it's been almost a year since Leaving Lost Wages? Hope all is well and we see you soon - How about Baltics Aug. 6 (as you can see, I never give up asking!).

Kimmi, I believe you :) :)

Denise, I'm so sorry, but you'll have to meet "Capt. Kirk" another time as Tom can't make it to the May 1st luncheon. Already booked up - Mr. Popular :) So I'm going solo this time.

Like Kimmi, I forget about this thread sometimes and so am catching up on it today. With tears in my eyes, I might add, after reading your posts, Liz, and yours, Denise. How insightful you both are about life's ups and downs and the people and animals who make it all worthwhile. Your posts have so much truth in them.

I wish I could be at the May 1 brunch too!

Welcome, Liz and Darec/Darbie! This LCT group is a wonderful bunch of people, and I'm sure you'll soon be "addicted" to these boards just like so many of us are!

Priscilla,

I hope you and John will consider joining us! I've so enjoyed your friendship, via our emails! This get together would be a great opportunity to meet so many wonderful LCTers.

Welcome Liz and Darbie! It's been quite awhile since I visited here and I am enjoying catching up. Wonderful to find out more about several "newish" posters who have become regular LCT'ers over the last few months. Don't have time to read everything I have missed today, but I will go back and catch up over the next few days.

Liz,

The help you give to sick and lost animals warms my heart. I am such a softy for animals and worry and pray for the ones that are not being cared for properly. (Almost more than people, sometimes!). I figure, they can't speak for themselves and they are pretty much at the mercy of their owners. Most pet owners are great and love their animals, but when I see a dog or a horse that is not being cared for properly, it makes me sick.

Thank God there are people like you who actually DO something about it. We have 3 cats, one from a shelter, one stray and one from a neighbor. I could have 10, but I know they would take over our lives!!!

The people on this board are great!

Here is an introduction from Margaret Mac. I was informed of the LCT website from Colleen onboard the Voyager at Christmas and have been following the progress of the World Cruise and its travellers over the past few months.

Ian, my husband, and I are relatively new to cruising - our first being three years ago on Silver Whisper in the Med. Since that initial trip we have been on Silversea and Radisson in the Caribbean, a wine cruise in the Baltic and the Eastern Med.

I love the social side of cruising, the moving on without the hassle of towing luggage through airports. We have met some lovely people and could probably spend a month or so in the US without having to book a hotel as we have had so many offers of accommodation!!

I am getting to grips with the interesting topics people discuss and am finding it all very useful when planning future holidays.

Best regards

Margaret

Margaret, welcome to LCT glad to see another international poster..r/wes

Welcome to LCT, Margaret! Post often.

Welcome to LCT, Margaret! :)

Masaki

Margaret,
Welcome to LCT.
Betty

Margaret, Liz, and Darbie-
Haven't had much time on the boards lately. Welcome! We are a very animal oriented group, loved your stories. Hope to hear lots from each of you!

Kimmi, Denise, Priscilla, Ginny-----

I'm responding to all of you in one post so as not to clutter up the board with 4 separate posts!!!!

KIMMI---You and I have LOTS in common in terms of our jobs!! My unit, Investigations, is the equivalant of a Detective division in Law Enforcement.

Within that, my particular area of specialization is Homicide---I'm solely responsible for all of the suspicious deaths/murders of children in my Region (my county CPS agency is divided up into 15 regional offices). You can imagine some of the cases I get.....I also get most of the really severe injury cases, too, and any high profile ones. I work very closely with the County Sheriff's Homicide unit and the County Coroner's Office, and with most of the local city police agencies.

I used to get a lot of the P.C. 288 (sexual abuse) cases, but as my expertise developed, it just worked out that I get all of the homicide cases. My second husband was a Juvenile Detective, we met on a case, going through a suspect's trash, LOL...it was a huge high profile case that the FBI was involved in... We're still friends, and enjoy still swapping life-in-the-trenches stories.

Well, I can't wait to swap stories with you!! I'd LOVE to hear more about your work!!


DENISE--Your response to my story about my mother was one of the most meaningful I have ever heard. That experience has haunted me ever since, but it also taught me to be aware, always, of treasuring the time you do have with someone. Of course, we are all human and we whine, complain, fuss and fume--it is part of our essential human frailty and messiness...and I know that my mother understood that.

Denise, I wish more than anything that you were going on the November Tahiti trip!! I just sense that you and I have so many deep things in common. I can't wait to meet you in May, and between now and then, I'm sure we'll be sharing many more important things. Well, we'll just have to plan a cruise that we can both go on for 2006, LOL. Of course, we live so close to each other, that hopefully, we'll find many ways to connect!! You seem like such a rich and sensitive person, so aware of how fragile this thread we're all hanging on really is..... You're awesome!!

PRISCILLA--Thanks for your warm and hearty welcome and for your enthusiasm about my posts. I tend to talk (write) a lot, and I don't want to annoy people with long posts, LOL!!! Do you have an INTRO post in there? There are so many, but if you have one, tell me what page it's on, so I can read it!!


GINNY--Another animal lover!!!!! I'm so glad you take care of cats---there are so many of those with no home. It seems that people are more careless and casual with cats than they are with dogs. There is nothing worse than seeing a scraggly, thin kitty begging for food in the neighborhood.

I've owned several cats, all dead, now. My favorite one was Puddy, who died 10 years ago from cancer. I'd gotten her for my son. Before her, there was Buckley (named after William F., LOL) who was rescued by my first husband who was a Veterinarian. Someone brought him in b/c he'd been hit by a car and my then-husband brought him home for me. I had him for about 7 years, and he somehow got out of the house (I never let cats go outside) and I never saw him again.

My last cat, Max was a shelter cat. I got him when he was 18 months old....he'd been returned by 4 families, and I found out why....he had a nasty habit of attacking people. He was difficult to live with, but I kept him b/c I knew that no one else would want him. You couldn't walk around the house in the dark, b/c he'd launch himself at you and bite nastily. I had him for 9 years, and had to put him down b/c he got this awful, incurable respiratory fungus that made him sicker and sicker. I was sad, but relieved, at the same time. He really was difficult.

I'd love to hear about your cats, Ginny!! BTW, Ginny is a favorite name to me, b/c there was a wonderful womoan from our church named Ginny--she moved away, but we all remember her with so much love.

Thank you all for such warm welcomes and for being such a wonderful, diverse, enthusiastic group of awesome people. Warmly, Liz

Darec---Well, you're going to Tahiti before I will, so I expect a full report, LOL!!! I'm going on the L.A./Tahiti/L.A. trip on the Navigator on Nov. 8th. I'll be interested to hear how you compare RSSC to the mega-ship you guys were on before!! I think I recall that your wife was into cooking--RSSC has some wonderful Cordon Bleu cruises where cooking lessons are part of the cruise. Liz

Liz,

You have quite a challenging job. I would imagine there are not too many individuals who would take on a career of this magnitude. It surely takes someone of great emotional strength to handle what you do in the course of a day, week, year, lifetime of a career. You and Kimmi are really amazing and strong women. You'd enjoy meeting Kimmi. She is a woman of great humor, warmth, intelligence and sincerity. I do hope you get the opportunity to meet sometime soon.

As to your kind words to me, I am at a loss for what to say. We have so much in common, as we've said numerous times. I think people that are spiritual tend to gravitate to each other and that seems to be the case with us.

I did not get into the entire story of my Mother's passing and don't want to bore anyone with the details on the boards; however, I was unable to see my mother right before she passed away. This, too, haunted me. After many "talks with myself" I came to the conclusion that she knew how I felt about her, despite the fact that I did not utter those words of love to her at the most crucial point in her life. We left nothing unsaid over the last several years of her life.

We had gone through some very difficult times, as I was growing up and through much of my adult years. There were periods when we did not communciate at all. A few years prior to her passing, I came to grips with much of our difficult history as mother and daugther and decided to put everything behind me and work at building a relationship with her. It was one of the greatest gifts I have ever given myself - and her. We made the most of those years, telling each other how we felt about each other, often.

Life takes many twists and turns. We owe it to ourselves to make the most of the time we have on this planet and with those whom we love and care about.

I sincerely hope we have many opportunities to talk - both in person and via the boards and emails. It's been a real pleasure communicating with you.

Denise--

This is TOO wierd, but I went through the SAME thing with my mother. We'd had very difficult times when I was growing up and there were several years (when I was in my 30s) when I was totally out of communication with my parents. They'd fly out here to visit with my son and I wouldn't even see them...

Although we were back in touch when I hit my 40s, the relationship didn't really improve until my mother was diagnosed with cancer, when I was about 44. I went through exactly what you did---coming to terms with our dysfunctional history, and building a relationship with her (and with my father, too, who was also ill).

It wasn't easy to do, but I also viewed it as a gift to myself, and to my parents. Despite their dysfunctional issues, my parents were people of enormous character. It wasn't till after they both died in 1999, that I truly came to realize the wonderful legacy they gave me.

My mother and I were never able to be fully honest, like you and your mother---I think my mother was not able to handle that, she needed too much validation....but we did share a lot. Shortly before she died, she read the book "Secrets of the YaYa Sisterhood." She sent me a copy and wanted me to read it. I resisted, b/c I didn't know if I wanted to deal with what might be in it.

A couple of years ago, the movie (with Sandra Bullock) was on my cable channel, so I watched it. The whole movie/book is about a fractured mother/daughter relationship and the reconciliation that followed.

After I saw the movie, I was sorry that I didn't read the book while my mother was alive, b/c I could see that she meant it as a means of understanding, apology and reconciliation, and I think it might have meant a lot to her if I'd have read it then.

I cannot believe how much we have in common, LOL. And I'm sure we'll have many chances to talk. I've been meaning to add my e-mail address to my profile--I think I posted it once. It's Denimnpearlsgrl@AOL.com. Darn, I wish you were going in November, LOL!! Liz

Margaret--

I'm still a new member, myself, but welcome to LCT. This is the most wonderful place!!! Although I haven't cruised much in my life (one other cruise, years ago), I too can see how nice it is not to have to drag luggage around, and mostly how wonderful the social side of cruising will be. I look forward to hearing about your perspective from the other side of "the pond." Liz.

Margaret--

I'm still a new member, myself, but welcome to LCT. This is the most wonderful place!!! Although I haven't cruised much in my life (one other cruise, years ago), I too can see how nice it is not to have to drag luggage around, and mostly how wonderful the social side of cruising will be. I look forward to hearing about your perspective from the other side of "the pond." Liz.

Welcome, Margaret! It's always a pleasure to welcome new members to LCT! We hope to hear from you often.

Liz,

I now have your email address and will send an email your way. Sorry to say, November is not in the cards for us. Wish it were. We work really hard for one big vacation a year, and the Baltics in August is it. Wish you were on this one with us.

Denise--Oh, the Baltics sounds like such an interesting trip, though!!! I'm the same way--work really hard for one vacation a year...actually this long, long trip to Tahiti is, for me, the trip of a lifetime, LOL. Can't do this every year!! The next cruise will be a regular length one---7-10 days.

I'm thinking about either Alaska or the Canal in 2006. I can only take cruises in which the departure point can be accessed by train or car, LOL, since I don't fly. So, unless I win the lottery, anything on the other side of an ocean is out for me.

I saw a nice itinerary on Silverseas, round trip from S.F. to Alaska to S.F., but I have the impression (not sure if it's correct) that Silverseas is snooty and very formal.

Actually, I was going to open a thread about that, to get others' opinions. Somehow, I just sense that Radisson has the luxury but is relaxed and down to earth, full of people who are honest, comfortable and fun-loving. My impression is that Silverseas atmosphere is not like that.

I think the Baltics sounds really, really interesting. Where else have you cruised? There are so many places that just sound so rich to explore.... Liz.

Liz -- Well, here I am back at this thread after forgetting about checking it again! You asked about my intro, and I honestly didn't remember but thought I had written one. No wonder I didn't remember. It's on Page 1!

You must have an amazing strength of spirit to do the job you do. With so many people cynical and hardened to the ugly side of life, how lucky your jurisdiction is to have someone with your generous spirit doing child abuse investigations. I applaud you.

Alaska and the Canal are two cruises that are still in our future, so maybe we'll be able to meet on board. Wouldn't that be great!

Hi Liz,

We are really eager to take this Baltics trip, as we have Russian roots. Alan is 100% Russian, I am half Russian, half Hungarian.

We are novices compared to so many others on this board who cruise extensively. We have cruised to Alaska, which is wonderful and you should definetly do that. We then cruised to the Med, with our VOF (Yoyager, October 4th) group of friends from LCT. We had a blast on this one. We had never been to Europe. Our cruise began in Venice. I must tell you that when our water taxi entered the Grand Canal, I stood in this boat in disbelief at what I was seeing. I couldn't believe we were in the midst of someplace so incredibly beautiful. Venice was more than I imagined it would be. I began to cry. Alan looked over at me and asked what was wrong. I told him I was crying out of the sheer joy of seeing this magnificent city for real - this was not on T.V. or in a book, or on a postcard! We had worked so hard to make this a reality, and here we were! This may sound silly, but this was my reaction.

Last year we cruised to the Greek Islands and Turkey, which was fascinating. This year, the Baltics. We are trying to take one substantial cruise and/or trip a year.

Next year we are doing a land tour of Budapest, Prague and Vienna.

You are right - So many places to explore and I want to take them all in NOW! Just need lots of money and time, both of which is scarce for us.

I hope you get to take all the trips you've been dreaming of. Nothing like making a dream a reality!

Priscilla--about an hour ago, I jumped back to the 1st page of introductions so I could read yours, and started reading every single one---"meeting" so many of the people with whom I've been sharing posts for the past few weeks. How fun!!! I had to interrupt my progress so that I could jump back here and post to Denise's and your posts before i have to get ready to leave for the morning.

I loved your comment about being in newspapers and law---it's true---there are lots and lots of journalist and lawyer jokes, none of them flattering, LOL!!! What aspects of newspapers and law were you involved in?

I can't believe I just sort of fell into this board while wandering around in the cruise links. Right away, I sensed an atmosphere that seemed so different from other places I had stumbled onto.

Since Alaska and the Canal are probably going to have to be 2 of my very limited cruise possibilities due to my flying phobia, I hope to be able to meet many of you on those cruises....I'll probably be a frequent repeater!!!

It IS hard to work CPS (especially in my field of specialty) and not become cynical. But I feel that I really can do some good, so it's worthwhile. Dependency Law is fascinating...I have to have a pretty good understanding of the Welfare and Institutions Code and Penal Code(Calif) to do my job correctly...I swear, if I weren't already in my 50s, and/or if I had unlimited money, I'd drop everything and go to law school. But the truth is, I'm a born detective and I love investigations for that reason.

I sure hope I get to meet you and so many of the other wonderful people from LCT on an upcoming cruise. Liz

Denise--

Oh, your description of your reaction upon seeing Venice almost made me cry in appreciation. I react the same way to seeing a place of great beauty. I was in Europe as a teenager, and in Greece after my senior year of High School. I remember standing on the Acropolis and being overwhelmed that Plato actually WALKED right where I was standing, so many thousands of years earlier. It was amazing. Obviously, Europe is out for me now, unless I could afford to take a transatlantic ship there and back....maybe someday....

How wonderful it will be for you both, being Russian/Hungarian, to travel around the Baltic countries....Will you get to see St. Petersburg? I would LOVE to see that place.

It's funny, with all this talk of such exotic places that one of my most favorite places to go (the type of place that brings me to tears of joy) is the desert (don't laugh, LOL).

My boyfriend (the on and off Ernest Hemmingway one) and I went to Death Valley last summer. I had always wanted to go there and never had the chance. Denise, it was one of the most wonderful places I've ever gone. We went in our RV (which we've since sold, sadly) and were in a spot that backed right up to the open desert with the most amazing view of the entire valley, looking southward (from Furnace Creek).

After the sun went down, we'd drag our camp chairs out into the open desert and sit under the deep black sky studded with so many millions of stars...all the ones you can't see in the city. The desert at night has a hot, strange wind that almost gives you goose bumps (and not because it's cold)...because it's so mysterious.

There were so many animals, tracks, scat, to study. A small aquafer/creek ran right by the camp area, and the animals would come there to drink at night. The biggest thrill of the trip was being within several feet of a coyote early one morning, who stopped to stare at me before trotting off.

One night while sitting in our chairs out in the desert, we heard the noise of an animal I named "Bigfoot." It was probably a mountain lion, which is a little scary that we were just sitting there stupidly, drinking wine in camp chairs in the dark. (Jerry jokingly said no lion would attack us b/c he's an "Alpha" male...). The next day we saw huge tracks...hard to read in the loose sand, but something really large....

Of anywhere I might travel in this world, I know that the true home for my heart is the desert. Jerry and I often took the RV to desert places and the minute we'd hit the desert, my heart would just leap for joy. Even the heat of Death Valley in June didn't bother me.

So, anyway, all of this is a way of saying that I truly know how a place so beautiful can affect the heart so deeply....

Like you guys, I don't have unlimited wealth, so each trip I take will be very special. Like you, I want to see and do as much as I can, now that I'm in my 50s. I can't believe that in about 8 months I'll be exploring places in the South Pacific.

BTW, Jerry might come to the brunch with me in May. It's looking pretty likely that we will be taking the Navigator trip together. We are so much like that couple in Out of Africa, so you never know with us, but we are tired of wasting time apart when we could spend these later years together. We really have a family--his 20 y/o daughter considers me to be her stepmom, and my 30 y/o son and Jerry are close, too...they're too peas in a pod, who love to travel and explore off the beaten track places.

I can't wait till the brunch in May...my chance to meet so many of you face to face. Liz

Denise,

I just read your post about Venice and got teary eyed! So glad you experienced such joy on your trip. Also nice to know about your Russian heritage. Seeing St. Petersburg will be very special to both you and Alan.

Liz,

It was nice to read about all your kitties! So nice to hear about people who rescue animals in dire need! Just wondering, regarding the large animal that was in your campsite, were there 2 large footprints, or 4? I am intrigued by the stories of bigfoot sightings. There is a website devoted to sighting reports and it makes for very interesting reading. They all report similar sightings, sounds and smells. There are multiple reports from all over the U.S., many down here in Texas. Scary!!!

Priscilla,

What area of Dallas do you live in?

Ginny---no, it was a 4 legged animal, and the paw size we saw was really large, but hard to read in the loose sand. I used the name "Bigfoot" jokingly, b/c from the noise the animal made it just seemed large, LOL. It was probably stupid of us to sit out in the dark, right by the spring where the desert animals come from miles around to drink, at night. As a hiker, I've been following reports and studies of mountain lion population here in SoCal. As development encroaches more on wilderness, the lion population is losing territory, and there are increasing numbers of attacks on people. There was a really scary one about a year ago wherein a lion attacked 2 bicyclists, killing and partially eating one of them, in a nearby wilderness park, one right after the other. I won't hike alone for that reason. It's just too dangerous. Liz

Ginny,

We are very much looking forward to our days in St. Petersburg as well as our day in Moscow. We chose this particular itinerary, as the ship will be docked in St. Petersburg for 3 full days. This is the highlight of the cruise for us.

Liz,

While we are more water than desert people, we so enjoyed visiting Sedona, AZ. If you haven't been there, I highly recommend going. It's beautiful. I located a private guide who took three of us - A Dr., Alan and me - to the Hopi reservation, which is a distance from Sedona, but doable as a day trip. We had the experience of a lifetime, as this gentleman, who is Caucasian, was made an honorary member of the Hopi tribe and became friends with everyone residing in the reservation. He gave us a very personal tour of the reservation and arranged for us to go into many of the homes, located high atop a Mesa, and meet with the tribal matriarch. Our guide also arranged for us to meet with a silversmith, who created pieces of silverware and jewelry for royalty in Europe, as well as many famous people in the US. We had an incredible day!

Denise, I felt the same way about Venice, and Rome also. I was a mere 20 years old at the time and I had to keep reminding myself that I was actually there in those beautiful cities. Venice is still my most favorite memory of all our travels (so far!!) To this day I can still feel the awe!!! As you can imagine, a Mediterranaen cruise is very high on my list. I have a picture on my bulletin board of Portofino. I haven't been there and it is another "must see" for me.

Liz, I just love your stories. Keep them coming. You are such a wonderful addition to this board and I can't wait to meet you in person on May 1st.

Ginny and Denise, your Bravo cruise is going to be such a wonderful experience. Of course, that's on my ever growing wish list too!!!

Denise and Cyndi==

Denise, I have been several times to the Hopi res--I LOVE that part of the country. I've spent time there and on the adjoining Navajo res. I've driven all over the southern part of the Navajo res, leading away from Oraibi (the main Hopi mesa where you were). One of my favorite places is Ganado, about 1 1/2 hours from Oraibi (as I recall--it's been quite a few years). Those places have a majical quality. I've never been to Sedona, but have heard it is utterly beautiful.

Cyndi--Thank you for your enthusiastic and warm compliment--I sometimes worry that my stories get too long and clutter up the board, LOL...I also can't wait to meet you and all the other wonderful people I'm meeting here, at the brunch. Liz

Liz,

I have never heard of Ganado. We may need to add this to our list of places to see.

Cyndi,

I really enjoyed reading of your reaction upon your first visit to Europe. I don't think I will ever get quite that "rush" again in our travels. However, going back to our roots visiting Russia and Budapest (in 2006) will stir some very personal feelings, I'm sure.

If the Baltics is on your wish list - How about BRAVO?

Cyndi and Liz,

Can't wait to meet you both in May. We have so much in common and it will be great to chat in person!

This is an interesting thread and I'm enjoying getting to know everyone. Had to chime in here.
Liz, your description of desert nights reminds me of our Tucson nights. As soon as it is warm enough, Alan and I will spend our evenings in our lounge chairs looking up at the night sky. We watch satellites and shooting stars while imagining exactly what's out there in our universe. It's so peaceful and much more fun than watching television! Although I enjoy the desert, it's the mountains that really speak to me.

Donna,

We visited Tucson several years ago. My aunt and uncle had lived there. We loved this city and its diversity, which surprised us, to be honest. We are Jewish and found that there is a large and thriving Jewish community in Tucson.

I don't take to the heat very well, so the desert, while beautiful, is not a destination we seek out often, unless we go in cooler months. We love the ocean and mountains.

BTW, we do hope that all went well with the services for your father-in-law and that your mother-in-law is adjusting as well as can be expected under the circumstances.

You are right, Denise, there is a large and very active Jewish community here. In fact, I volunteer write for an interfaith organization that includes many faiths, including the Jewish one. We provide services to seniors, disabled and those who are financially struggling to help them live independently for as long as possible.

Thanks for asking about my in-laws. You have been so kind and I meant to send you an email. Maybe later. Yes, everything went well and my dear mother-in-law is a real trooper.

Denise, I'd LOVE to join all of you on BRAVO. If only the finances and time off work were not issues. Oh well, maybe someday our "SHIP WILL COME IN" :) Hopefully we'll be planning our next cruise for within the next 2 years. But since I can't meet you on BRAVO, at least there is the Queen Mary - Yeah!!

Liz, your stories are never too long. You really have a way with words. I can't wait for a review of your upcoming Navigator to Tahiti cruise!!!

Donna, I'm go glad to hear your mother-in-law is doing well. I'm sure all your loving support is helping. Hope Alan and you are doing O.K. too. A loss like that affects the entire family. Take good care of yourselves.

Cyndi, LOL---given how long the Tahiti trip is, my review is likely to be book-length!!! We'll have to put it in PDF format, LOL...... Liz

Denise---Well, another thing we have in common, LOL...although I am an Episcopalian (as was my mother), my mother grew up in a Jewish family--my grandparents were conservative and later, reformed Jews, and as a child, when my brother and I would stay with them for weekends, they took us to temple on Friday nights. My grandfather was actually a Talmudic scholar and was pretty serious about his faith.

They kept all of the holidays and the family would celebrate them together. I have a cousin who's an orthodox Rabbi!!! My father was not Jewish (which initially really bothered my grandparents, although they came to absolutely love my father)...my mother had been gravitating to the Catholic church, but never really got serious about it.

As a child, I wasn't raised in any particular faith. When I was in college, my mother started attending an Episcopal church, got really involved with it, and wound up, at the age of 55, going to Seminary and becoming ordained as a priest (unlike Catholics, Episcopalians ordain women and permit priests to marry).

In my 40s I also started getting involved in faith, found my own way to the Episcopal church and here I am!! But I have such wonderful memories of the Jewish traditions celebrated in my grandparents' and maternal relatives' homes. My mother had learned a lot of Yiddish from my grandfather and I still use it sometimes, myself, LOL. What a rich heritage!!! Liz

Donna---How wonderful that you and Alan live in a place where you can enjoy that wonderful night-time pastime of sitting in lawn chairs, watching the sky. I agree--it is MUCH better than television, LOL. I've never been to Tucson, but I just love Arizona!!! Liz

Very interesting story, Liz!

Whatever religion/belief speaks to a person is right where that person belongs.

I agree wholeheartedly Denise. We all are not all that far apart in any way that makes a difference in our everyday lives.

I truly feel the very same way, Olivia. We all need to focus on our similarities and not our differences.