Baby Bear's Cozy Cave

Little Michelle, Littler Tree!

2007-02-17T17:24:00.000-05:00

This picture was taken in May of 1986, and Michelle is much older now--and the tree is much bigger, too...

Baby Michelle

2007-02-17T17:20:00.000-05:00

My youngest goddaughter wearing her favorite outfit! Of course, she's a lot older than this now...

Here's a funny story about her that took place a few months before this picture was taken...Click Me!

Passionate Avon Lady!

2007-02-17T16:31:00.000-05:00

Michelle Renee (Foreman) Freed
Born February 11, 1978
Lifelong resident of Muncie, Indiana
Wife, mother of two daughters and a son,
homeschool teacher, Avon Lady, passion party hostess,
and, in many other ways, a real go-getter!

I'm her proud godmother, and it doesn't seem that long ago that Michelle looked like this or this. Time has a way of flying!

I've gone from changing her diapers to designing a business card for her in what sometimes seems like such a short time...

If you're interested in buying and/or selling Avon (even if you live clear across the country from Indiana) check out her site: Click Me!
Michelle also both hosts and is looking for people to host passion parties. Don't worry, it's not some kind of kinky orgy. Simply a place for people to get together, visit, and shop for items that will enhance their love lives.
If you are interested in attending and/or hosting such a party, contact Michelle at:
tecnosgirl@aol.com
or
(765) 287-1227

Don't Toss Your Ink Cartridges & Cell Phones!

2007-02-16T22:46:00.000-05:00

Read the following letter:

Hi there!

Did you know that the improper disposal of one cell phone can pollute up to 132,000 liters of water? It's true. Improper disposal of ink cartridges can also harm the environment.

So, what is your average person to do? Well, donate your old cell phone and ink cartridge, of course. I don't know about you, but I've got 2 old cellphones in my mother's basement. I'm sure I've got one hanging around my house somewhere, too. And forget about the ink cartridges-- I just throw those out whenever I'm through. Oops.

Well, Teen Trend Magazine is now holding its very first "Phone-Raiser". We don't want cash. We don't want checks. We want your old phones and ink cartridges. Just erase all of the information from those old cell phones, put your ink cartridge in a bag and send it to:

Teen Trend Magazine Phone-Raiser
PO Box 567
Middle Island, NY 11953

Old phones and ink cartridges will be refurbished and donated to women's shelters and other organizations. If the phones or cartridges can't be refurbished, they will be dismantled and recycled according to EPA Standards.

If you include a note with your return address, you will receive a Tax Deduction Receipt, which you can use for your 2008 taxes.

So, there you have it. You are saving the environment, helping a terrific cause AND getting a tax deduction. What more could you ask for?

Please help us collect as many cell phones and ink cartridges as possible. Thanks so much for your help.

Sincerely,

Candice Cain

Editor-in-Chief

Teen Trend Magazine

I'm Retiring Another Signature!

2007-02-13T15:47:00.000-05:00

Getting ready to change my sig-block, so I'm putting my current one here in honor of its retirement...

AJ :-)
Ask questions, give answers,
invite friends, meet new friends,
earn money, have a blast!

Find out how it's done HERE!

I've not seen anything
quite like this one before!

Presenting! The Perfect Gift! It's In That Box Somewhere, IMO!

"A-a-a-a-a-a-a-a-a-a-y! FONZIE!"

2006-09-22T17:19:00.000-04:00

Confession is good for the soul, and I confess that I've had a huge crush on Henry Winkler for over 30 years!

How did this ever happen to me?

Click here to find out!

Also, nose around in the same area to learn about his talent as a writer of children's books.

If you would like to join this writing/reviewing site, please use this link to get to the application form so that I'll not only get credit for bringing you there but, also, I'll be able to locate you easily!

She's Here In Their Hearts And Their Hearts Will Go On And On...

2006-04-05T01:53:00.000-04:00

I'm dedicating this link to Terri's loved ones...

Although nothing they do from now on will bring back their beloved daughter and sister, Terri's parents and siblings are still dedicated to making sure that what happened to Terri won't happen to others. The following will update you on some of what has been taking place...
== MORE TERRI ===================
Terri's death leads family to help disabled
St. Petersburg (LifeNews.com) -- During the final months of the legal battle they fought with Terri Schiavo's former husband to save her life, the Schindler family kept saying the ordeal was bringing them closer than ever before.
Now that a year has passed and their foundation has converted from an effort to prevent Terri's euthanasia death to one protecting the disabled, they're working together on a daily basis, they told the St. Petersburg Times.
The Schindler family -- parents Bob and Mary Schindler, brother Bobby and sister Suzanne Viatadamo -- now all work for the Terri Schindler Schiavo Foundation.
Bobby gave up his job as a high school teacher and Suzanne quit her position as a stockbroker.
The goal is to fight a "euthanasia movement" where some favor killing disabled patients rather than providing care.
Working out of a small three-room office in St. Petersburg, the foundation relies on donations and will get a financial shot in the arm with proceeds from the Schindlers' new book "A Life That Matters."
The foundation mission is (1) to educate people about guardianship laws and statutes on starvation and dehydration, and (2) to establish a network of professionals and organizations to help disabled people and their families.
Eventually the family hopes to establish a network of centers to provide care for brain injury victims and support for their families.
The Schindlers have also started a separate organizations to change laws to protect patients from being denied lifesaving medical treatment. So far, only Louisiana has adopted a new law, which prevents a spouse living with another person from denying such treatment.
Full story at http://www.lifenews.com/bio1420.html

Also, American Life League's Celebrate Life magazine has a great interview with the family, looking forward positively. It's at http://clmagazine.org/backissues/2006marchapril_14-17schindler.pdf

------------------
States not passing laws to protect patients
Washington, DC (LifeNews.com) -- After Terri Schiavo's death, pro-life state lawmakers across the country talked about passing laws to protect other disabled patients like her. Yet, little progress has been made.
Laws reshaping end-of-life policy were floated in two dozen states but only Louisiana passed any kind of law.
Pro-life groups say the legislative efforts are only in their initial stages and that lawmakers will continue to look at pro-life bills as the issue gains more attention.
"I think this is just the beginning," Denise Burke, vice president and legal director of Americans United for Life, told the St. Petersburg Times. "This can be [Terri's] legacy, that these issues will be debated."
Supporters of euthanasia are encouraged that the pro-life bills have made little progress. They're putting together legislation of their own to advance assisted suicide in more states than just Oregon.
"I don't think any of them are likely to pass, but I think there's been a real push by the right-to-life interest groups to roll back the clock," said Kathryn Tucker of the pro-euthanasia group Compassion and Choices.
The National Right to Life Committee says all but 10 states may allow doctors and hospitals to disregard advance directives when the directives call for treatment, food, or fluids. That means more deaths like Terri Schaivo's down the road.

Americans United for Life - http://www.aul.org

--------------
All D.C. politicians to get Schindlers' book
National Pro-Life Action Center (http://www.nplac.org ) has purchased 600 copies of the Schindler family book “A Life That Matters,” which will be delivered to every member of the U.S. Senate, the U.S. House and key members of the Bush Administration, including the president and the vice president.
“It is our sincere hope by putting this book into the hands of lawmakers that it will inspire them to take the appropriate actions to ensure that a tragedy, such as Terri Schiavo’s, will never happen again,” said Stephen G. Peroutka, NPLAC chairman.

Available NOW....
The book, Our Fight4Terri
Discounted for Fight4Terri supporters at:www.Fight4Terri.com
or, can be ordered directly from publisher at:
Trafford Publishing: Our Fight4Terri

Cheryl Ford, RN (www.Fight4Terri.com) is not affiliated with any other group and works to protect the rights of the disabled community

Fight4Terri does not wish to forward unsolicited mail.
Please type the word "unsubscribe" in subject heading if you prefer to not receive anymore updates about Terri and your screen name will be immediately deleted from Fight4Terri's address book.

Mommies & Babies Traumatically Separated!

2006-03-23T23:07:00.000-05:00

If you aren't a Mommy, yourself, you probably still know of at least one: your own.

Imagine what it would be like to have just given birth to a beautiful, big-eyed, trusting baby only to have him/her taken from you just when you were starting to bond.

Right now, it happens more than you might think.

Are these babies abused or neglected?

Not to my knowledge.

Then, what gives the powers-that-be the right to come in and remove these precious babies from their Mommies in such an unfeeling way that this will, likely, be a day that they will always remember?

For more details, please go here...

If you are touched by what you read, please make copies of this message (and/or use the handy envelope at the end of this entry) and pass it on to people you know...

Indiana's Own Big Bang Theory

2006-03-21T22:41:00.000-05:00

The following notes are my thoughts re: the various changes in the rules about fireworks use in Indiana.

The following link will take you to where you can find out more details.

Click Me!

Pros & Cons of new fireworks rules for Indiana...

Pros:

1. By restricting use of all fireworks to either your own property, property of another consenting adult, or designated public areas, it should--if properly enforced--do away with fireworks being tossed onto sidewalks, streets, and other areas where they can endanger/distract/frighten drivers, pedestrians, and pets.

2. By making ALL fireworks unavailable for purchase by people under the age of 18, chances are lessened for children to buy and use them without parental supervision.

Even "safe & sane" fireworks aren't "safe & sane" without the maturity to use them properly.

3. Time restrictions on their use will make it easier to use the muscle of the law against those who have, in the past, decided to have 2 a.m. firecracker parties while thumbing their noses at their sleeping neighbors.

Cons:

1. No provisions were made regarding how appropriate a particular kind of firework was in relation to the property description of the user.

Not even celebrating Independence Day is a good excuse for having something launched from your property travel to your neighbor's property--possibly, even causing a fire.

If a bottle-rocket or an aerial shell has a good chance of landing on somebody else's property upon its return from the wild blue yonder, that means that the shooter's property is, obviously, not a wide enough spread for the use of such a firework therein.

2. Although time restrictions were included, they were ridiculously-broad.

As the law stands now (the way I understand it, anyway) you can--just so long as you're either on your own property, on the property of another consenting adult, or in a designated shooter area--set off fireworks anytime between nine in the morning and eleven at night.

On Independence Day?

No! On ANY day of any month for as many days as you wish.

On Independence Day, in fact, you can shoot them off up until midnight.

But wait! There's more...

You can shoot them off from nine until midnight not just on Independence Day but on ANY holiday.

Just think how many holidays there are. I think that just about every day on the calendar has some sort of holiday going on.

Therefore, you can probably find a Contemplate Your Navel-Lint Day and use it as a legitimate excuse to treat your neighbors to an extra hour of bangs and booms.

Not only would such a situation be disturbing to human non-participants but it would be downright traumatic to pets.

3. This new law leaves very little room for local regulation/interpretation--it's one-size-fits-all whether or not one size actually DOES fit well.

My final conclusions re: the tweaking of this law:

1. Don't do anything that would do away with the pros while, at the same time, try to do away with the cons.

2. Put in provisions that would say that traveling fireworks must not end up on the property of a property owner/renter who didn't give permission to the shooter to use his/her property.

2. Allow for local regulations (e.g. where a town might choose to not allow people living very close to a hospital to shoot off noisemaking fireworks) instead of keeping the current one-size-fits-all arrangement.

3. Finally--while keeping it okay for property-appropriate fireworks to be set off any day of the year (although keeping in place the 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. provision might be a good idea for the simple reason that more people would be awake in case that a fire does start and spread), restrict the ones that pop, bang, boom, whistle, or scream to no longer than from nine in the morning until midnight on Independence Day and within thirty minutes on either side of the arrival of a new year.

Other times, let's respect that Constitutional right to the quiet enjoyment of our property.

2006-03-05T21:41:00.000-05:00

If you're reading this anywhere right now, it can only mean one thing:

AJ's Absolutely Delicious Website

now open-to-the-public

!!!

What this means is that you will, hopefully, be very anxious to check it out.

If you see this, it means that everything on the website, itself, has been (for the near future, anyway) completed to the satisfaction of yours truly, and all that's needed now is to just add visitors that will, hopefully, sign my guestbook (even though it isn't required).

My message to people visiting is this:

Just make yourselves at home and check out whatever you might find interesting. With very few exceptions, all links make their destinations open into new windows, meaning that you don't have to even leave the website completely behind in order to take side-trips.

About those destinations...some will already be leading to places that are already going and active. Others will lead to places that are either relatively-new or else absolutely brand-new and not yet developed.

If you were to come back to every last one of those places in anything from a day or so to a week, you would see a lot of exciting changes there.

In short, what I'm offering as of today (March 5, 2006) is a completely built website, some exciting and completed destinations, and the chance to watch construction work going on.

That's all for now, so enjoy the journey...

!

2006-03-03T04:29:00.000-05:00

If you happened to be hanging around, you might be noticing a lot of changes going on in my neck of the woods.

New blogs are starting to be developed in different ways.

Old blogs are being promoted more (as in being added to Weblogs.com right along with the newer ones).

Are you becoming curious?

If you are, I'm going to enlighten you some...

At this time, I'm building a website that's state-of-the-art (that is, as state-of-the-art as it can be coming from someone who began using The Internet back in 1998 when almost 46 years old--anyway, I'm quite proud of it!), and I'm hooking up various blogs to it.

I'm being very thorough when it comes to building it, so I can't tell you just when it will be done, but I'm hoping that it will be done before the first of next week, and the sooner the better.

When my website opens, I'll be making another announcement here, so be watching for it.

In the meantime--when you have the time and want to--enjoy watching the construction going on...

Building A Website

2006-02-17T02:54:00.000-05:00

The big news is that I'm building a website--and what a website it will be!!!

I made up a real-life business card last July and hooked it to a page here, but I'm going to revamp that blog-entry to make it reflect my newest website when I get it done.

A little bit ago, I went and changed some of it to make sure that the URL wouldn't change. It didn't. Therefore, those same business cards will be able to be used to introduce my newest website.

I think that what I'm now wondering the most is when I'm ever going to get the new on finished. It's so intricate, and it's like a huge quilt I'm putting together.

When it's finished, I'm going to find out of there's any way to make it my homepage.

It's been quite an interesting day to say the least.

I've made at least one decision for better or worse--and I think it will be for better for all involved. I was starting to get too much on my plate, so I decided to remove myself from where I was getting the impression that I was more of a hindrance than a help.

Anyway, that's been about it from here...

Haitus Announcement...

2006-01-25T03:25:00.000-05:00

On a temporary hiatus to play catch-up elsewhere. Will return to this blog by or before Valentine's Day. Stay tuned--and, in the meantime, read what's already been posted...

What Lurks Within (According To The Quiz I Just Took, Anyway)

2005-12-09T16:44:00.000-05:00

The Griffin:

The Griffin stands for Freedom. You have the
kind of soul that can't be brought down to
retraints, and will always escape to find a
happier place.

Strengths: Always energetic and looking for some
fun, the Griffin seeks to live an exciting
life. Sometimes you just want to fly away from
the world itself to seek something more
exhilerating to endure and experience. Often
friendly, the Griffin is usually the one who is
the center of attention, always looking to give
a good laugh and help others.

Flip Side: When love calls to the heart of this
freedom seeking bird, sometimes its hard to pin
it down. You don't like being caged, whether it
be a relationship or inside your own house, it
can merely drive you insane! The Griffin is
also known to become carried away, and can also
turn sour to other people on bad days.

Congratulations! You have a Griffin inside!

pic (c) Christy Grandjean aka GoldenWolfen

What's Your Inner Beast? [pics]
brought to you by Quizilla

Pump Primer

2005-12-05T21:10:00.000-05:00

When using an old-fashioned water pump, something called priming the pump has to be done at times. Those times are when you pump and pump and pump with no resulting water. At that time, you must pour a little water down the top of the pump while pumping away--and that will, most times, bring up the water.

For some reason, this site doesn't seem to be opening any of its blogs--not mine, anyway, so I'm making an entry to prime the pump, so to speak, in an effort to remind it of what it's supposed to be doing.

Hope it works.

If not, it's probably some sort of site problem and all functions will eventually return. Hope so...

Thinking About Declawing Your Cat?

2005-11-03T00:12:00.000-05:00

THINK AGAIN!!!

Trick Or Treat? Answer: He's A Treat--A Real Treat!!!

2005-10-31T15:19:00.000-05:00

Not too much to say at this time.

In a little bit, I'm going out after some treats, though there's a slim chance that we'll be getting many little ghosts & goblins out here in the country on what has been predicted to be a rainy night.

No problem, though, because I'm getting the kind of treats that my mom and I can gladly eat later.

We're also having popcorn tonight--for us.

Anyway, I just wanted to share a link here to an author I've recently discovered (as in earlier this year)--and he's a musician, too.

Meet Clyde Edgerton! He's Delightful!

If you like warm, sympathetic, gentle Southern humor--though the humor isn't straight, 100% humor--you're going to end up simply adoring this guy.

He has been added to my list of boyfriends...hope his wife doesn't mind! LOL

I've Been In A Makeover Mood Lately!!!

2005-10-23T21:13:00.000-04:00

In some small measure, I've even been in a makeover mood in real life (translation: organizing my clutter so that my home doesn't look so much like a pigsty), but I find it so much easier to get organized online--and the results happen so much faster.

Therefore, my makeover has mostly taken place in Cyberspace.

I'm coming along with my About Me webpage over at Blogit.com, and I've totally redone my profile page at Epinions.com.

Anyway--as part of my new profile page on the latter--I've created a special blog to link from there, and I'd like for you to take a look at it:

Epinions.com According To AJ

My first entry there is a really neat one, because it features links to some wonderful stories (some fiction and some non-fiction) by some very special people.

I'm sure that future entries will be at least reasonably-entertaining, as well.

I've managed to write all the way through 60 Minutes, and it's also a little too late to get in on Cold Case now, as well.

However--unless there's some kind of "Can't miss!" program on another station--I'm really wanting to take some time out to watch Grey's Anatomy tonight.

I got to watch part of it last week.

Don't even ask me about my TV!

I think I'm going to write about it in my newsletter--that and my lovely toilet--when I put out the next issue. Eventually, it will be posted in my AJ's Newz blog here.

Right at the moment, I'm not the happiest camper, because I don't like the reviews I've seen of In The Air, and I haven't been able to get hold of Paul and see what the story is.

The play seems to enjoy a favorable audience, so I hope that there are other reviews besides those three that I've read--and I hope that people won't read those reviews and end up being discouraged from attending.

They weren't out-and-out pans. It's just that they were saying that there wasn't that much to the play, although each of the reviews seemed to also say something nice about it and/or the playwright (Paul).

If you like a sentimental, sensitive, meaningful, historical, romantic, low-key kind of drama, this would definitely be just what the doctor ordered for you!

Personally, I think there should be more of this kind of entertainment, because it would be so good for our psyches.

Remember a time when we had less crime and more values?

Compare the entertainment of then and now.

Anyway, I want to talk to Paul, so I'm not going to spend a lot of time on my soapbox at this time.

Also--as I said before--I want to watch Grey's Anatomy!

I have a very special cousin in its cast!

Even though he and I haven't met, I know and love a lot of his relatives--and it was his grandpa who not only played a big part in making me the top salesperson in my class (grades 5-8) when it came to selling magazines (plus, he was just over all nice and neat to have around), but he was also the one who ended up giving my mom away on her wedding day to my dad (because the winter weather kept both my grandpa and uncle 100 miles away)--and, as they say, the rest is history!!!

And, on this note, I'll close...

Is It The Blog Or The Entire System?

2005-10-23T10:49:00.000-04:00

This is a test to see if ANY of the blogs are able to be published, as my brand new one is acting pretty darn hokey!

I'm Revamping My Epinions.com Profile This Morning...

2005-10-23T08:47:00.000-04:00

...so I wanted to have a few safe places to store the old one--and this is one of them...

------------------copy----------------------------------

------------------end copy-----------------------------

I've got a Route 66 personality, and it shows!!!

create your own personalized map of the USA
or write about it on the open travel guide

I'm a generally un(DIRTY WORD DELETED)witted, liberal, disgustingly generous, seizure-inducingly boring spod!
See how compatible you are with me!
Brought to you by Rum and Monkey

HUGS TOTAL!
give ainsleyjo more HUGS

Get hugs of your own

I'm trying to put a little more order into my life, and one way to do this is to face the fact that I can't be everywhere at once--WHILE, AT THE SAME TIME, DOING MY BEST TO COME AS CLOSE AS POSSIBLE!!!

Therefore, I'm putting a link to a really neat journal here--as well as putting it elsewhere--and will be using it to keep you up with everything from when I have something new posted here to when I have something new posted elsewhere when I want to share an oldie but a goodie when I want to share something I've read here or somewhere else. . .ANYWAY, YOU GET THE PICTURE. . .

The first link will take you to a multi-part introduction of the journal--actually, just a series of entries that will tell you a lot more than that, so don't worry about being bored.

Anyway, give it a try, because you can always skip over anything that doesn't interest you. . .

CLICK HERE!

And THIS will take you to my current entry.

ENJOY!!! :o)

Note: Amber Alert ticker can't be included here, due to javascript but will continue to be on my Epinions.com site.

My profile page is a work-in-progress!
What isn't being added here is being added to the various places my links and other movers take you!!!

>

Enjoy the journey!!!

Special Request:

When the brains behind this wonderful site didn't show up at the LA/Orange Meet & Greet after giving no other excuse than he was tired, it ticked a few people off.

However, I would like to say something in his defense:

I understand how he feels, because I've been there, done that--in fact, have been dealing with this for quite sometime.

Sometimes, people do something called "outrunning their headlights"--that is, having so many different things going on that it eventually becomes a little overwhelming.

When this happens, they might be planning on participating in one activity or another--only to find out that they're suddenly too tired to go with their original plans.

I believe that this is something that has happened to Nirav--and I can see why with all of the changes in the site, his position, etc.

Anyway, I have the feeling he could use some hugs, so I'm going to put up a hug place for him and hope that you'll join me in hugging him!

He's really a nice guy--and we have him to thank for initially starting this great neighborhood for us--so let's give him some hugs whenever we think about it!!!

HUGS TOTAL!give Nirav more HUGS
Get hugs of your own

I have another photo up for my profile pic--one when I was three months old, which I've captioned as BORN TO BABBLE.

In case you're wondering what happened to my adorable, pigtailed pic that has been there for so long (until now), this is the story:

Somebody has obviously hacked into my webpage at AOL.com which was serving as a parking lot for it.

Thankfully, most of my pics have been parked onto my computer and elsewhere, so it just seems to be this one that was affected.

As soon as I figure out how to make the image, I'm going to repost the first-grade pic here. This pic, after all, was taken when I was around the age that I received my first letter-of-rejection from an editor.

To read about that, go here to one of my earlier offerings:

Love & Rejection

As soon as I have my HTML instructions handy, the following URL will magically change into my first-grade picture.

TRUST me!!! It will happen!!!

POOF!!!

See? What did I tell you!?!

One more thing re: this pic. . .Is this the face of an angel or the face of a brat? Reading the following might help you to make a more informed decision:

Debbie & The Brat (Bluehawq's Silly Pet Stories W/O)

VIOLET

You surround yourself with art and music and are constantly driven to express yourself. You often daydream. You prefer honesty in your relationships and belive strongly in your personal morals.

Find out your color at Stvlive.com!

CODEBASE="http://www7.counter.bloke.com/c/"
CODE="Counter.class" WIDTH=75 HEIGHT=20>

What Type of Villain are You?

mutedfaith.com /
<Ãƒƒƒƒƒ‚Ãƒƒƒƒ‚Ãƒƒƒ‚Ãƒƒ‚Ãƒ‚Ã‚Âº>

WOW! I really like these quizes! I hope they're right about me. . .All I know is I try. . .and can also be very trying, as well. . .Oh well. . .

Take the What Type of Friend are
You? quiz, and visit mutedfaith.com.
[Me.]

Sheesh!!! These quizes certainly seem to have me pegged for some reason! Get a load of this one:

Take the What High School
Stereotype Are You? quiz, by Angel.

This is something else!!! I can't believe how accurate these quizes are!!! Why not try one or more of them out for yourself!?!

What's Your Movie Dream Car?

by Auto Glass America

A Special Play By A Special Friend!!!

2005-10-21T12:35:00.000-04:00

I'm going to reprint a piece here that I originally wrote for Blogit.com.

Enjoy!!!

Christine Romans Of CNN...IMAGINE THAT!!!

I'm writing in a font called Geneva today in two point size, because Geneva (Hanson) Enger had two kids: Mary & Paul, and the play Paul has written is based on part of her life.

In a little bit, I'm going to call Paul to find out what the critics are saying about his play, as all I've found in a Google search has been older news that hasn't even caught up with the new dates and times for presenting the play.

I recently wrote something over at Epinions.com talking about a number of things (including how I recently became a victim of bank fraud) and ended by giving some details of Paul's play.

You can read it by clicking on its title (a doozie):

I've Got Your Number, Buster! Make That Numbers--Five In All!! You're Toast, Sweetheart!!!

Anyway, I wanted to share the cream-of-the-crop that I've come across re: Paul's play, which is a website that includes not only lots of details about the play, cast, etc. but, also, includes a live interview with Christine Romans of CNN!!!

My sound isn't working at this time, so I couldn't hear the interview, but I got to watch it--and Paul is still a really handsome guy. In fact, I think he looks more handsome than ever, because the years have aged him very gracefully.

The last time I saw him in person was in the mid-1980s when he was in his late-fifties.

To get to the interview, scroll down on the page I've provided.

To find out more about Paul (and there's a whole lot more to him than the gorgeous package), you can go to a number of places on this website, which also provides information about the cast of the play and the company that's staging it.

Here are some of the other links I've come across. Some of them are, of course, dated, but they all look good...

http://www.wgaeast.org/member-news/

http://www.offbroadway.com/article_19.html

http://www.c-n.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20051013/ENTERTAIN01/510130351/1035

http://www.tdf.org/search/nyconstage/WebExport/37380.html

http://www.playbill.com/news/article/95571.html

http://www.nytheatre.com/nytheatre/air2448.htm

http://www.nytheatre.com/nytheatre/off.htm

http://www.theatermania.com/content/show.cfm/show/115423

http://www.newsday.com/entertainment/stage/247152,0,2928277.event

Now, I'm going to try to call Paul and see how things are going out there. When I get hold of him, I'll let you know here in this comment section...

It's All About Me!!! LOL

2005-10-03T02:15:00.000-04:00

One of these days, I'll let you in on what inspired this title.

For now, however, I'm going to apply it to my own situation by sharing with you a neat, little page I created today (or was it yesterday?).

Probably was yesterday, because it's now a little after one in the morning--so it definitely was yesterday.

No matter...this is the way we get there:

Click Me, Please! Purdy Please With Sugar?

Shop 'Til You Drop!!!

2005-09-27T16:57:00.000-04:00

Life goes on...

My mom and I just ordered the flowers for Monnie's showing tomorrow.

The two of us and my aunt are going in together, and the florist described an arrangement that sounded absolutely wonderful.

We've traded with Dean's Floral Designs a number of times since they opened a few years ago and our then-florist, Betty Monday, retired, and they haven't disappointed us yet.

I'm now officially one of the affiliate members of CafePress.com and am just now starting to explore the possibilities of the same.

Over at a blog I created especially for all things CafePress.com, I've just created an entry that will start things off.

Go over and take a look at it!

I've also mentioned a friend over there I'm helping with a very special project involving a very deserving family.

It's a beautiful autumn day out--and I've suddenly realized that it was Tuesday.

I'd planned on going to the Agape Circle meeting tonight, but I guess I'll just have to wait and go next month, because I'm swamped here.

About the only outside recreation I'm going to allow myself later is, perhaps, a little train-spotting. Not even sure about that.

My computer and this site have decided to act feisty on me.

If I wanted something feisty, I'd get a chihuahua, so computer and site had just better cut it out right now!!!

I've had enough!!!

I'm outta here!!!

Charlie's Wife Passed Away

2005-09-25T03:48:00.000-04:00

Friday night, I made this entry in another journal.

This morning (wee hours of Sunday morning), I still can't believe that I heard a few hours ago that Charlie's wife had passed away.

She had a stroke a week ago Saturday (though I didn't learn about it until Friday night), but, from the way that Charlie talked, it sounded more like a disorientation stroke and that she had been making progress.

So, it was a shock to find out that Monnie had passed away this afternoon.

She's had several health problems--everything from cancer to vertigo to hydrocephallus--over the past couple of years but seemed to be getting better after surgery earlier this summer.

Charlie has been wearing himself out taking care of her, but I know that he would be glad to go back to being worn out just to have her back.

Anyway, it's just sad and unbelievable...

Dress To Impress!!!

2005-09-23T23:32:00.000-04:00

I've just received an invitation to have my blog featured in a kind of ring or something, so I want it to look impressive.

It's been a little while since my last entry here, but I'm hoping to start writing more--especially, when my readership will start picking up considerably.

Anyway, I'm just messing around at this time and seeing how things look--exploring the possibilities, so to speak.

For some reason, this is like trying to get notes out of a harpsichord (the feel of my keyboard). If I had a better motherboard, it would probably be a piece of cake.

So much for that.

Anyway, I just wanted to use a graphic I made with microsoft paint to see how things copy. There have been some changes when it comes to images since the last time I attempted to post something from my documents.

On this note, I'm going to sign off and see what this looks like...

I Looooove Quizes That Love Me!!!

2005-08-19T02:01:00.000-04:00

Faerie:
Faeries are sweet loving beings who love to help
people. They are not held back by reality and
love to dream and fly around. You probably are
very creative and although not the most popular
person in the world you are probably loved by
many for your sweet caring personality.

What Mythological Creature Are You (Many Results and Beautiful Pics)
brought to you by Quizilla

Mars Is Gonna Moon Us!!!

2005-07-09T13:35:00.000-04:00

Went to Copy Connection this morning to design and preview the real life portion of my business card (which is, also, online).

It's beautiful!!!

I have my name done in deep-pink and a wonderful sort of font for it (but can't think of the name of the font offhand).

That's the first line.

A little ways down from that, I have (on two lines in leaf-green, italicized Poor Richard):

Indiana Writer
and a whole lot more!

Finally, a regular line of black arial with the url to get to my online information.

The finishing touch is a yellow rose cameo placed at the left.

Look for it! Before long, it will (perhaps) be coming to a bulletin board at a grocery store or laundromat near you--especially, it you live in Indiana.

While I was there, I noticed an interesting announcement and had some copies made of it.

Although I can't print the spectacular photos that went with it here, I can write down what it says, plus the person to go to for more information:

The Red Planet is about to be spectacular!

This month and next, Earth is catching up with Mars in an encounter that will culminate in the closest approach between the two planets in recorded history.

The next time Mars may come this close is in 2287.

Due to the way Jupiter's gravity tugs on Mars and perturbs its orbit, astronomers can only be certain that Mars has not come this close to earth in the Last 5,000 years, but it may be as long as 60,000 years before it happens again.

This encounter will culminate on August 27th when Mars comes to within 34,649,589 miles of Earth and will be (next to the moon) the brightest object in the night sky.

It will attain a magnitude of -2.9 and will appear 25.11 arc seconds wide. At a modest 75-power magnification

Mars will look as large as the full moon to the naked eye.

Mars will be easy to spot.

At the beginning of August it will rise in the east at 10 p.m. and reach its azimuth at about 3 a.m.

By the end of August when the two planets are closest, Mars will rise at nightfall and reach its highest point in the sky at 12:30 a.m.

That's pretty convenient to see something that no human being has seen in recorded history.

So, mark your calendar at the beginning of August to see Mars grow progressively brighter throughout the month.

Share this with your children and grandchildren.

NO ONE ALIVE TODAY WILL EVER SEE THIS AGAIN

Samuel Aikin, PMP (R)
ISV & Developer Relations Technology Manager
770-858-7803 or 8/648, Fax: 7945
1500 Riveredge, Atlanta, GA 30328

saikin@us.ibm.com

Note: I'm not clear as to whether Mars will look as big as the moon when seen with the naked eye--or whether, with the aforementioned magnification, it will looks as big as the moon does when seen with the naked eye.

No matter, what, it will be spectacular!!!

I would appreciate it if anyone with any sort of extra information about this would leave it in the comment section corresponding with this entry. Live links to said information also welcome.

Also, when you actually see this happen, please share your thoughts here.

Hopefully, we'll get a lively discussion going...

Business Card

2005-07-05T12:45:00.000-04:00

Welcome
To
My Online Business Card
!!!

This card--originally designed back in the summer of 2005 and corresponding with one of my business cards and other similar information--will be updated as is needed. Please return to it often to watch for changes... One more thing...be sure to bookmark all links that you might find of interest, because some of them might go bye-bye with future changes...

Sunday, April 22, 2007

This will, obviously, be the last entry for awhile as I'm getting ready to leave for a much needed vacation.

When I return home, I will put up a follow-up announcement. This series will probably be staying on this card for awhile and will simply be added to--but don't count on it...

How Complicated Can It Be To Take A Vacation!?!

Who Links To Me?

2005-06-30T15:24:00.000-04:00

I'm just going to insert this url in here for now and will explain where I got the idea from later.

Who Links Here

It's been awhile since I've been here--as I've been computerless at home for centuries (more on that later, too).

Gotta post this now...

Still Alive!

2005-06-15T12:13:00.000-04:00

This is just a short note to anyone who has been interested enough to read this blog that there's a very good reason why I haven't been writing anything for awhile: NO HOME COMPUTER!!!

Lovely, huh!?!

My computer has been away for over a month. If you want to find out more, go to my Epinions.com profile page. My user name is ainsleyjo. Look me up. Go to the pieces written in May and June, and you'll get the idea.

Will write more later. Now using a library computer, and I need to get as much done as possible before somebody else wants my spot...

Drooooooooool...

2005-03-17T11:38:00.000-05:00

St. Patricks Day is a time of corned beef & cabbage; green beer (if you're a beer-drinker, which I'm not); new potatoes; and all kinds of goodies!

I'm not sure if I'm going to be eating Irish anytime during this day, but I can tell you I'm going to be eating!

Already, I've had a Tropical Blend Snapple A Day Smoothie and a Dillseed Muffin.

Going on a mother/daughter picnic later--consisting of deli sandwiches (the mini size) from the North Anderson Subway, something delicious to drink, and, possibly, some potato chips or the like to go along with it.

Since I'm middle-aged and fat, and my mom is elderly and skinny, it might be in our best health interests to split one bag of potato chips instead of having individual ones.

Sometime this evening--if not sooner--I want to have some Ramen Noodle Soup. Love that stuff!

Some people think it's boring and just something to eat if you can't afford anything else (e.g. struggling college student), but, even if I become a multi-millionaire, I'm still going to be eating this wonderful soup.

Have a lot of projects going on that I'm working on, so I kinda eat as I get time, but I really enjoy it when I find the time.

What shall it be for tomorrow? Mexican? Chinese? All-American? Other?

Oh yes! Don't you just simply CRINGE when this one commercial comes on!?! I mean the one where this guy has fixed this delicious bowl of Chicken & Stars soup for himself, and his sister comes on the scene and tells him that what he's fixed is for children and that he should "grow up" and try this other kind of soup.

Next thing you know, he's enjoying the "mature" soup.

Since I don't see any children around--or even any cats and dogs--I assume that the guy has simply dumped the delicious Chicken & Stars soup down the nearest sink or toilet without even enjoying a single, wonderful bite of it!

What a waste!!!

Only in America!!!

"Look What They've Done To My Song!"

2005-03-14T01:02:00.000-05:00

Heard on the Eleven O'Clock News that my favorite Oldies station is now history.

While I might like the listen to what's replacing it on occasion, it looks as if I'm going to have to find myself another favorite Oldies station. WERK out of Muncie is a very realistic possibility--though I doubt if it has the range that GOLD 104.5 did. With WGLD, I could even get it as far away as Bloomington.

Anyway, I'm certainly going to miss that station and the cheerful crew that gave it so much personality...

I Believe Most Of My Friends Will Agree With This--Guess It's The Teacher/Mother Hen In Me! :o)

2005-03-13T22:17:00.000-05:00

Take the 100 Acre Personality Quiz!

My FAVORITE Pet-Name For Him Is STILL Baby-Eyes!

2005-03-13T22:09:00.000-05:00

Johnny Angel is my
delicate snookums

Get your sweetheart's pet name @ Quiz Me

Why Do I Get The Feeling That Nobody Will Be Shocked By My Test Results!?!

2005-03-13T22:03:00.000-05:00

discover your jack-o-lantern face @ quiz me

Doesn't This Just Gag Ya!?! DEAL With It!!!

2005-03-13T17:32:00.000-05:00

discover what candy you are @ quiz me

After taking THIS quiz, all I can think of to say is "WOW!"

2005-03-01T23:41:00.000-05:00

You come from Heaven. You're the purest of pure, a
saint. You're probably an angel sent directly
from Heaven.

Where Did Your Soul Originate?
brought to you by Quizilla

Go Here To Find My Imood...

2005-02-22T01:46:00.000-05:00

Always remember that what you see at the top of this entry is only a portion of my imood.

In order to learn the details, please click on it...

One more thing (in case you aren't familiar with how imood works):

My imood won't always look just like this, and it won't always have the same mood or explanation, so come back here from time to time just to find out what kind of imood I'm in...OK?-OK!

This Link Speaks For Itself!!!

2005-02-21T22:01:00.000-05:00

Allthings2all: Terri Schiavo: Who Crushes a Butterfly with a Hammer?

I would say more, but I'm on my way to watch a news story about Terri on Fox News Network...

High Noon!

2005-02-21T11:48:00.000-05:00

The following article is something I received in my e-mail today:

HIGH NOON IN U.S.: IF SCHIAVO IS ALLOWED TO DIE, IT WILL BE TO OUR EVERLASTING SHAME
http://spiritdaily.com/schiavoclaims2.htm

By Michael H. Brown
It's high noon in America when it comes to that disabled Florida woman whose feeding tubes could be removed as early as this week and it is beyond comprehension that a nation could sit back and watch the slow, painful death of a woman who can talk, who is aware, who expresses laughter, who has swallowed on her own, who expresses fear, whose parents love her.

This is not a woman who wants to die; this is a woman who, against all odds, has battled for 14 years now to live -- and who has been mysteriously prone to utter the words, "Help me."

It is a woman who prays when a priest is there, who watches out the window for her mother, who some believe could become a functioning human being, could even speak whole sentences, with proper therapy -- which, apparently, she has not received for years.

Never has it been truer that all it takes for evil to triumph is for the good to do nothing.

We're going to do nothing as the torment of her parents reaches an excruciating and unimaginable climax?

We're going to let them pull the plug on her?

If this happens we can say that the home of the brave is anything but the home of the brave and that the brave new world is really just a world of cowardice.

Terri Schiavo cannot be allowed to die -- period. If she does, so does a big chunk of the soul of America.

Where are we, U.S. Attorney? Where are we, George Bush? And Governor Jeb: you've done some great things. Now we need you to seriously review whether judicial authorities have ruled competently.

For years, her husband Michael has fought tooth and nail to end her life. Her parents have fought just as hard to save her. The reaction of local authorities -- especially the judge in the case -- borders on the incomprehensible.

This matter must be taken out of their hands.

It has been a twilight zone that begs for federal intervention.

Those are strong words, but consider that the judge has never allowed certain key witnesses to testify in open court about Terri's awareness or even to bring Terri in so everyone can at least see her.

Instead, she is hidden in a tiny room, under her husband's thumb, with virtually no stimulation, no therapy, just about no visitors...

The Pope himself has said that a person in Terri's condition should be kept alive. So has an association of Catholic medical doctors. So does anyone with decency.

There are what one former attorney, Pat Anderson, who heroically kept Terri alive for more than three years, calls "true mysteries."

To wit: in 1991, after Terri exhibited pain during physical therapy, a bone scan was done, and it indicated -- after the records were finally revealed more than ten years later -- that Terri had what the radiologist, Dr. Campbell Walker, described as a "history of trauma." In a report on nuclear imaging it was shown that there was "an extensive number of focal abnormal areas of nucleide accumulation of intense type" at the ribs, the thoracic vertebrae (at the throat), both sacroiliac joints, both knees, and both ankles. There were healed bone fractures in Terri's ribs, pelvis, spine, and ankle.

In common parlance, said the doctor (in an affidavit compiled by Anderson), at some point in the 12 to 18 months before the 1991 scan (which was 13 months after the incident), Terri's back had been broken.

Was it from the physical therapy? Was it "hypertrophic ossification"? Could Terri have been injured after her hospitalization? That's certainly possible. Right after the bone scan, the therapists "ratched down" Terri's therapy, according to Anderson, who unearthed the medical records. Perhaps they feared they had injured her.

Still, argues Anderson, there is cause for a probe. But it must be done immediately. Accent the word "probe": no one is making incriminations. But says Anderson, "if this was anyone but Terri Schiavo, investigators would have been all over this."

She calls the judge's actions in the Schiavo case "the rarest of all legal phenomena." Has he been objective, or an advocate for letting her die?

The concern is whether husband Michael should remain as Terri's chief and in fact sole "guardian." There are those who assert that he has a history of intimidation, that he became physical on one occasion with Terri's own brother, that Terri had been talking about divorcing him, that he threatened her sister Suzanne, that he frightened staff at a hospice that cared for Terri, and former girlfriends, and so forth.

We have no definitive evidence, at this point -- which is why an investigation is urgent, an investigation that could clear his name or indicate deeper problems.

Here is a fact: Terri Marie Schiavo, age 26, of St. Petersburg, was found unconscious at the door of her bathroom around 5: 40 a.m. on February 25, 1990. Police responded after Michael had summoned paramedics. The actual course of events and how authorities were summoned is another issue too elaborate for discussion here. The salient point: police got to the residence at 12201 9th Street, apartment 2210, at 6:33 a.m. and because of the age of the victim and the circumstances -- there on the floor -- automatically routed the case to the homicide division, but took no further action when there were no overt signs of foul play.

According to George Kajtsa, a spokesman for the St. Petersburg police, "our job is to look for external signs of trauma" and there were none reported -- no visible bruises or anything else that would lead to active police suspicion. Moreover, he told Spirit Daily, a cat-scan showed "no midline shift to the brain." Nor were there any official records of marital abuse, such as requests (as is common in abuse cases) for an injunction. A physical exam found no apparent trauma to the neck or head.

As for why it was routed to homicide, Kajtsa says that "homicide always investigates any unusual circumstances -- because she was young and halfway out of the bathroom." But foul play was not suspected, he emphasizes. Meanwhile, Michael and his legal representation have steadfastly denied there had been violence of any sort; thus far, there is no proof otherwise.

But the police spokesman said that in his view the Schiavo woman should be allowed to die, and end her suffering -- indicating possible police bias; and the judge -- without admitting much of the testimony about her true condition into open court (saying it was not credible) -- apparently holds the same view. "The judge has become an advocate for her death," argues Anderson.

Meanwhile, the state attorney has not entered the case as he should, and the U.S. attorney finds reasons to stay away from this "hot potato."

It is time for the federal government and Jeb Bush to take this bull by the horns -- removing, as they can, anyone who has not conducted an objective and thorough investigation. Such an investigation must ensue before any further action concerning Terri's life support is taken.

It is increasingly baffling why such an investigation was not launched years ago by competent officials. One registered nurse, Carla Sauer Iyer, who was at Palm Garden of Largo Convalescent Center, where Terri stayed from 1995 to 1997, was so perturbed over the situation (including Terri's reactions to her husband) that she called the police -- and, she says, was fired from the facility after doing so. A manager at Palm Garden refused requests from Spirit Daily for information regarding the Schiavo case and hung up the phone.

Could it have been what some assert: that her collapse was simply a biochemical problem, a potassium imbalance?

Some say that is possible. Others, including famed medical examiner Michael Baden, call it unlikely. This is why we need an investigation.

Was there any abuse? Or was it just a series of unfortunate events? Has Michael been maligned, or are there yet more facts that need to surface?

We urge the U.S. government to urgently visit this perplexing situation, which thus far has been dominated, to be kind, by reluctant local officials. "It is a true mystery," says Anderson. "I've never had any litigation experience like this. The judge has become an advocate for her dying. I filed the affidavits in support of a motion, and he denied the motion and said the affidavits were not credible -- without live witnesses. He was so extreme that he decided a witness's credibility without seeing the witness."

We're not here to incriminate; we're not even here to judge the judge, or the police, or anyone.

We're here to plead for the life of Terri.

We are certainly disturbed by how the case has been handled. Anderson mentions the Pope's recent view on such situations -- which prohibits good Catholics (like her parents) from allowing feeding or water tubes to be removed.

"When the Pope said that, he did everything but put Terri's name it," says the lawyer -- who recounted times during the case when she went to bed believing she had run out of legal options, only to awaken the next morning with a fresh idea on how to keep Terri alive. "I felt the Presence of the Holy Spirit many times in this case," she says. "When the Pope speaks up for you, you can't be wrong."

Let us hope and pray that the Holy Spirit intervenes in the coming days! Let us hope America stands up with the goodness it once had.

Terri can swallow; she has eaten Jello, according to another caretaker. She reacts in specific ways to specific people. Anderson's husband used to make her laugh. The presence of a priest causes her to focus intently. She is an aware, sentient human who must live and who must be given the type of therapy that one day might allow her to talk and perhaps recount just what has happened since and perhaps before February 25, 1990.

Fantastic Voyager!!!

2005-02-18T09:49:00.000-05:00

Did you know that I have this special blog for showcasing different blogs/bloggers around here as the mood strikes me?

I'm going to give you an example of what kinds of things I share there by sharing here what I wrote about this really unique and talented guy who goes by Voyager!

To get there, click this link!

URGENT!!! URGENT!!! URGENT!!!

2005-02-14T14:02:00.000-05:00

The following are (as indicated) neither my original works nor my original finds, but they're meant to be shared, because this is a very urgent time!!!

It could be as soon as February 22 when there will be another heinous murder attempt on Terri Schindler-Schiavo. People need to know the facts in this story, so please e-mail this to other people...

These were contributed to an AOL messageboard by someone with the handle Mackeypooh and were meant to be shared:

According to the highly-credible, first-hand, eyewitness, sworn affidavit of Terri caregiver Heidi Law (not to mention numerous other such testimonies from other caregivers), Terri can (and has) indeed swallowed such things as ice chips and jello:

AFFIDAVIT of HEIDI LAW
STATE OF FLORIDA
COUNTY OF PINELLAS

BEFORE ME the undersigned authority personally appeared HEIDI LAW who being first duly sworn deposes and says:

1. My name is Heidi Law, I am over the age of 18 years, and make this statement on personal information.

2. I worked as a Certified Nursing Assistant at the Palm Gardens nursing home from March, 1997 to mid-summer of 1997. While I was employed at Palm Gardens, occasionally I took care of Theresa Schiavo. Generally, I worked the 3 p.m. to 11 p.m. shift, but occasionally also would work a double shift, until 7 a.m. the following morning.

3. At Palm Gardens, most of the patient care was provided by the CNAs, so I was in a good position to judge Terri's condition and observe her reactions. Terri was noticeable, because she was the youngest patient at Palm Gardens.

4. I know that Terri did not receive routine physical therapy or any other kind of therapy. I was personally aware of orders for rehabilitation that were not being carried out. Even though they were ordered, Michael would stop them. Michael ordered that Terri receive no rehabilitation or range of motion therapy. I and Olga would give Terri range of motion anyway, but we knew we were endangering our jobs by doing so. We usually did this behind closed doors, we were so fearful of being caught. Our hearts would race and we were always looking out for Michael, because we knew that, not only would Michael take his anger out on us, but he would take it out more on Terri. We spoke of this many times.

5. Terri had very definite likes and dislikes. Olga and I used to call Terri "Fancy Pants," because she was so particular about certain things. She just adored her baths, and was so happy afterward when she was all clean, smelling sweet from the lotion her mother provided, and wearing the soft nightgowns her mother laundered for her. Terri definitely did not like the taste of the teeth-cleaning swabs or the mouthwash we used. She liked to have her hair combed. She did not like being tucked in, and especially hated it if her legs were tightly tucked. You would always tell when Terri had a bowel movement, as she seemed agitated and would sort of "scoot" to get away from it.

6. Every day, Terri was gotten up after lunch and sat in a chair all afternoon. When Terri was in bed, she very much preferred to lie on her right side and look out the window. We always said that she was watching for her mother. It was very obvious that her mother was her favorite person in the whole world.

7. I worked side-by-side with another CNA named Olga and could tell that she and Terri were especially close. Olga took a definite personal interest in Terri, and Terri responded to her. I could tell that Terri was very satisfied and happy with Olga's attentions to her.

8. When Olga was talking with Terri, Terri would follow Olga with her eyes. I have no doubt in my mind that Terri understood what Olga was saying to her. I could tell a definite difference between the way Terri responded to Olga and the way she reacted to me, until she got used to my taking care of her. Initially, she "clammed up" with me, the way she would with anyone she did not know or was not familiar or comfortable with. It took about the fourth or fifth time taking care of her alone, without Olga, that Terri became relaxed and cooperative and non-resistant with me.

9. Terri reacted very well to seeing a picture of her mother, which was in her room. Many times when I came on duty it would be lying face down where she could not see it.

10. At least three times during any shift where I took care of Terri, I made sure to give Terri a wet washcloth filled with ice chips, to keep her mouth moistened. I personally saw her swallow the ice water and never saw her gag. Olga and I frequently put orange juice or apple juice in her washcloth to give her something nice to taste, which made her happy. On three or four occasions I personally fed Terri small mouthfuls of Jello, which she was able to swallow and enjoyed immensely. I did not do it more often only because I was so afraid of being caught by Michael.

11. On one occasion Michael Schiavo arrived with his girlfriend, and they entered Terri's room together. I heard Michael tell his girlfriend that Terri was in a persistent vegetative state and was dying. After they left, Olga told me that Terri was extremely agitated and upset, and wouldn't react to anyone. When she was upset, which was usually the case after Michael was there, she would withdraw for hours. We were convinced that he was abusing her, and probably saying cruel, terrible things to her because she would be so upset when he left.

12. In the past, I have taken care of comatose patients, including those in a persistent vegetative state. While it is true that those patients will flinch or make sounds occasionally, they don't do it as a reaction to someone on a constant basis who is taking care of them, the way I saw Terri do.

13. I witnessed a priest visiting Terri a couple of times. Terri would become quiet when he prayed with her. She couldn't bow her head because of her stiff neck, but she would still try. During the prayer, she would keep her eyes closed, opening them afterward. She laughed at jokes he told her. I definitely know that Terri "is in there."

14. The Palm Gardens staff, myself included, were just amazed that a "Do Not Resuscitate" order had been put on Terri's chart, considering her age and her obvious cognitive awareness of her surroundings.

15. During the time I cared for Terri, she formed words. I have heard her say "mommy" from time to time, and "momma," and she also said "help me" a number of times. She would frequently make noises like she was trying to talk. Other staff members talked about her verbalizations.

16. Several times when Michael visited Terri during my shift, he went into her room alone and closed the door. This worried me because I didn't trust Michael. When he left, Terri was very agitated, was extremely tense with tightened fists and some times had a cold sweat. She was much less responsive than usual and would just stare out the window, her eyes kind of glassy. It would take much more time and effort than usual to work her hands open to clean her palms.

17. I was told by supervisory staff that Michael was Terri's legal guardian, and that it didn't matter what the parents or the doctors or nurses wanted, just do what Michael told you to do or you will lose your job. Michael would override the orders of the doctors and nurses to make sure Terri got no treatment. Among the things that Terri was deprived of by Michael's orders were any kind of testing, dental care or stimulation. I was ordered by my supervisors to limit my time with Terri. I recall telling my supervisor that Terri seemed abnormally warm to the touch. I was told to pull her covers down, rather than to take her temperature. As far as I know, Terri never left her room. The only stimulation she had was looking out the window and watching things, and the radio, which Michael insisted be left on one particular station. She had a television, and there was a sign below it saying not to change the channel. This was because of Michael's orders.

18. As a CNA, I wanted every piece of information I could get about my patients. I never had access to medical records as a CNA, but it was part of my job duties to write my observations down on sheets of paper, which I turned over to the nurse at the nurses station for inclusion in the patients charts. In the case of Terri Schiavo, I felt that my notes were thrown out without even being read. There were trash cans at the nurses stations that we were supposed to empty each shift, and I often saw the notes in them. I made extensive notes and listed all of Terri's behaviors, but there was never any apparent follow up consistent with her responsiveness.

19. I discussed this situation with other personnel at Palm Gardens, particularly with Olga, and another CNA, an older black man named Ewan Morris. We all discussed the fact that we could be fired for reporting that Terri was responsive, and especially for giving her treatment. The advice among the staff was "don't do nothin', don't see nothin' and don't say nothin'." It was particularly distressing that we always had to be afraid that if Michael got upset, he would take his anger out on Terri.

20. I recall an incident when Olga became very upset because Terri started to get a sore spot, because it might lead to a bedsore. Michael was told about it but didn't seem to care. He didn't complain about it all, in fact, saying "she doesn't know the difference." When Terri would get a UTI or was sick, Michael's mood would improve.

FURTHER AFFIANT SAYETH NAUGHT.

Heidi Law, Affiant
STATE OF FLORIDA
COUNTY OF PINELLAS

Sworn to and subscribed before me this day of September, 2003, by HEIDI LAW, who produced a Florida Driver's License as identification.

Notary Public
My Commission expires:

CAROLE LIEBERMAN, M.D., M.P.H.,
PSYCHIATRIST/EXPERT WITNESS

Diplomat, American Board of Psychiatry & Neurology
Clinical Faculty, UCLA Department of Psychiatry
247 South Beverly Drive, Suite 202
Beverly Hills, CA 90212
(310) 278-5433
(310) 456-2458

July 12, 2004
PRELIMINARY THOUGHTS ON HOW
TERRI SCHIAVO'S HUSBAND, MICHAEL,
FITS THE PROFILE OF A WIFE ABUSER

Based upon my interviews of Terri's father, Robert Schindler, and my research into media accounts of her case, I can provide the following preliminary opinions at this time:

-- As the author of the book, Bad Boys: Why We Love Them, How to Live with Them and When to Leave Them, I have studied men who exhibit pathology in their relationships with women. Profiles of the twelve different types of bad boys are explained. Michael Schiavo fits the profile, described in the book as the Prince of Darkness (see chapter 13). O.J. Simpson was cited as a classic example of this type, and there are indeed similarities between the two men. It is especially significant to note that O.J. flew into a homicidal rage when he realized that Nicole was totally abandoning him, as is characteristic of these impulsive men who most dread being abandoned by their woman. Similarly, Michael Schiavo was likely to have known that Terri had begun making plans to divorce him, since she had told a coworker and family member. Stalking is characteristic of this type of man, as well. And a girlfriend of Michael's, Cindy, accused him of stalking her in 2001.

-- Terri's personality fits that of a woman who would have been attracted (and attractive) to such a man. She was a loner as a child. In high school she was overweight and not popular with boys. She had low self-esteem. She was extremely compassionate, nurturing and subservient. They met when Terri was 20 years old, and married by the time she was 21. Such whirlwind courtships are typical of these men, who are able to spot a vulnerable woman they can dominate, and eager to seal her commitment to him.

-- Terri was frightened to object to Michael's pathologically controlling behavior. For example, he would monitor her odometer to control where she went. He tried to isolate her from her friends and family. She had to account for every penny, though they often lived on her income, since he would be fired, sometimes only after two weeks. He would splurge on $400 suits for himself, while she had to economize. He called her at work 3-4 times a day, often complaining of hating his job because no one appreciated him. He was often observed scolding her.

-- Terri's family observed black and blue marks on her before the incident that plunged her into her current state. Medical records and/or experts have revealed that her neck injury was consistent with strangulation. A bone scan revealed multiple fractures occurring within 1-2 months before or after the incident, which has been described as equivalent to her being "hit by a mack truck". Michael has given three different explanations of how he found Terri after the incident.

-- Michael has had Terri's jewelry re-set into a ring for himself. Terri had two beloved cats that she adopted from an animal shelter, where they'd landed after being mistreated. When he moved in with his girlfriend, Cindy, he had Terri's cats euthanized. Psychologically, this is symbolic of what he is trying to do now to Terri.

-- Michael has been under psychiatric care, including being prescribed several psychotropic medications. One of his treating therapists, Dr. Peter Kaplan, told Terri's father that he should have called the police after Michael argued with Terri's sister, Susanne, and Michael tried to attack her. This occurred right after Terri's collapse, when they were all in a house together. Terri's father told Susanne to lock her door and keep a hammer nearby.

-- As a psychiatric expert witness, I have had experience performing psychiatric examinations of men like Michael Schiavo, and testifying in court about similar cases. The above is simply meant to illustrate some of the indications that Michael fits the profile of an abusive husband. He should most definitely be investigated as the perpetrator of the 'incident' that caused Terri's collapse and her current condition. If Terri were to be allowed to die, as Michael has been desperately struggling to achieve for years, it could help him escape detection. This would be a grave miscarriage of justice.

For more information, you may contact Dr. Carole Lieberman at [phone number deleted to protect her privacy] or via email at drcarole@drcarole.com.

The Year I Was Born--An Ancient History Lesson! LOL

2005-02-12T12:09:00.000-05:00

I was born on Friday, December 12, 1952 at 1:27 p.m. Anderson, Indiana time.

Dr. Polhemus predicted that I would arrive on this day--if only I could always be this prompt...

Anyway, for some reason, people who know me from Epinions.com believe that I actually arrived two minutes early. LOLOLOLOL

In 1952 (the year you were born

Harry Truman is president of the US

Elizabeth II becomes Queen of England after the death of her father, George VI

First explosion of a hydrogen device takes place at Eniwetok Atoll in the Pacific

Christine Jorgensen becomes the first medically and legally certified transsexual

US troops complete their pull-out from Japan

Dwight D. Eisenhower is elected President of the US

Sister Theresa becomes Mother Theresa and begins her charity work in Calcutta

Rick James, Douglas Adams, and Liam Neeson are born

New York Yankees win the World Series

Detroit Lions win the NFL championship

Detroit Red Wings win the Stanley Cup

Charlotte's Web by E.B. White is published

What Happened the Year You Were Born?
More cool things for your blog at Blogthings

Helpful Hints From Rapists!

2005-02-08T05:08:00.000-05:00

I find the following article--shared with me via e-mail from a longtime (since July 4, 1974) friend of mine, Eileen--to be very helpful and important to share. Please be sure to e-mail this page to people you know.

Eileen wrote:

Thought you might want to read this or pass it on to women in your life. If you've seen it before...read it again for reinforcement. Knowledge and having a plan is a good thing.

THROUGH A RAPIST'S EYES--VERY IMPORTANT TO READ

A group of rapists and date rapists in prison were interviewed on what they look for in a potential victim and here are some interesting facts.

1) The first thing men look for in a potential victim is hairstyle. They are most likely to go after a woman with a ponytail, bun, braid or other hairstyle that can easily be grabbed. They are also likely to go after a woman with long hair. Women with short hair are not common targets.
**********************************************
2) The second thing men look for is clothing. They will look for women whose clothing is easy to remove quickly. Many of them carry scissors around to cut clothing.
**********************************************
3) They also look for women on their cell phone, searching through their purse or doing other activities while walking because they are off and can be easily overpowered.
**********************************************
4) The time of day men are most likely to attack and rape a woman is in the early morning, between 5 and 8:30 a.m.
**********************************************
5) The number one p lace women are abducted from/attacked at is grocery store parking lots. Number two is office parking lots/garages. Number three is public restrooms.
**********************************************
6) The thing about these men is that they are looking to grab a woman and quickly move her to a second location where they don't have to worry about getting caught.
**********************************************
7) Only 2% said they carried weapons because rape carries a 3-5 year sentence but rape with a weapon is 15-20 years.
**********************************************
8) If you put up any kind of a fight at all, they get discouraged because it only takes a minute or two for them to realize that going after you isn't worth it because it will be time consuming.
*********************************************
9) These men said they would not pick on women who have umbrellas, or other similar objects that can be used from a distance, in their hands. Keys ar e not a deterrent because you have to get really close to the attacker to use them as a weapon. So, the idea is to convince these guys you're not worth it.
**********************************************
10) Several defense mechanisms he taught us are: If someone is following behind you on a street or in a garage or with you in an elevator or stairwell, look them in the face and ask them a question, like what time is it, or make general small talk, I can't believe it is so cold out here or we're in for a bad winter. Now you've seen their face and could identify them in a lineup, you lose appeal as a target.
**********************************************
11) If someone is coming toward you, hold out your hands in front of you and yell Stop or Stay back! Most of the rapists this man talked to said they'd leave a woman alone if she yelled or showed that she would not be afraid to fight back. Again, they are looking for an EASY target.
**********************************************
12) If you carry pepper spray (this instructor was a huge advocate of it and carries it with him wherever he goes), yelling I HAVE PEPPER SPRAY and holding it out will be a deterrent.
**********************************************
13) If someone grabs you, you can't beat them with strength but you can by outsmarting them. If you are grabbed around the waist from behind, pinch the attacker either under the arm between the elbow and armpit or in the upper inner thigh -- HARD. One woman in a class this guy taught told him she used the underarm pinch on a guy who was trying to date rape her and was so upset she broke through the skin and tore out muscle strands the guy needed stitches. Try pinching yourself in those places as hard as you can stand it; it hurts.
*******************************************
14) After the initial hit, always go for the groin. I know from a particularly unfortunate experience that if you slap a guy's parts it is extremely painful. You might think that you'll anger the guy and make him want to hurt you more, but the thing these rapists told our instructor is that they want a woman who will not cause a lot of trouble. Start causing trouble, & he's out of there.
**********************************************
15) When the guy puts his hands up to you, grab his first two fingers and bend them back as far as possible with as much pressure pushing down on them as possible. The instructor did it to me without using much pressure, and I ended up on my knees and both knuckles cracked audibly.
**********************************************
16) Of course the things we always hear still apply. Always be aware of your surroundings, take someone with you if you can and if you see any odd behavior, don't dismiss it, go with your instincts. You may feel a little silly at the time, but you'd feel much worse if the guy really was trouble.

AFTER YOU READ THIS, FORWARD THIS TO EVERY WOMAN YOU KNOW, IT'S SIMPLE STUFF BUT IT COULD SAVE HER LIFE. If you have daughters please share this with them.

Sounds Kinda Violent But Really Isn't!

2005-02-06T04:55:00.000-05:00

Here are the results of another quiz--this one re: what kind of angel I am...

Your a Guradien Angel! Guardien Angels are also
knows as Warrior Angels, because they are the
army of God. Not always meaning that they are
in war, simply that their job is to protect
unwary humans from dark dragons, or other evil
demons. Warrior Angels are not always friendly
with humans, but they will watch over them all
the time. Humans say that when a miracle
happens, thank your guradien angel.

What Kind of ANGEL are you? (For Girls only) This Quiz has amazingly Beautiful Pictures!
brought to you by Quizilla

Sheesh! I Was Expecting A Higher Percentage Than That!!!

2005-02-05T11:43:00.000-05:00

After all, I'm a fulltime writer & avid reader and have been spending a lot of time online doing just that--especially, during this time when it's too slick to be safe for my trick-knee and me to get out-and-about.

I was expecting to at least get an 80% rating--in fact, I wouldn't have been surprised had it actually gone right off the charts!

Anyway, this didn't happen, and here are the results that are so surprising that I barely believe them.

That is, I don't believe the low percentage rate. However, the description pretty much fits me! I wonder how these quizbots have become so perceptive--especially, when they've just met me!

One more thing...I'll be having a grand-opening for my latest website within the next day or so, if all goes well and will be announcing that when it happens.

Are you Addicted to the Internet?

50%

Average@Internet-User.com (41% - 60%)
You seem to have a healthy balance in your life when it comes to the internet and life away from the computer. You know enough to do what you want online without looking like an idiot (most of the time). You even have your own Yahoo club or online journal! But you enjoy seeing your friends and going out to enjoy life away from your computer.

The Are you Addicted to the Internet? Quiz at Quiz Me!

Humph! I'm So Elite That The Tip Of My Nose Is Touching The Ceiling! LOLOLOL

2005-02-03T09:58:00.000-05:00

You speak eloquently and have seemingly read every
book ever published. You are a fountain of
endless (sometimes useless) knowledge, and
never fail to impress at a party.
What people love: You can answer almost any
question people ask, and have thus been
nicknamed Jeeves.
What people hate: You constantly correct their
grammar and insult their paperbacks.

What Kind of Elitist Are You?
brought to you by Quizilla

Finding My Matching Personality...Results Below...

2005-02-03T02:04:00.000-05:00

You are Brett Somers!

Which Match Game Regular Are You?
brought to you by Quizilla

Some People See This To Be A Sign Of Insanity--But It's Me, So DEAL With It!!!

2005-02-03T00:13:00.000-05:00

You Are a Dreaming Soul

Your vivid emotions and imagination takes you awy from this world
So much so that you tend to live in your head most of the time
You have great dreams and ambitions that could be the envy of all...
But for you, following through with your dreams is a bit difficult

You are charming, endearing, and people tend to love you.
Forgiving and tolerant, you see the world through rose colored glasses.
Underneath it all, you have a ton of passion that you hide from others.
Always hopeful, you tend to expect positive outcomes in your life.

Souls you are most compatible with: Newborn Soul, Prophet Soul, and Traveler Soul

What Kind of Soul Are You?

Actually, I'm A Cross Between Edith Bunker, Jessica Simpson, & Vera At Mel's Diner!

2005-02-02T23:56:00.000-05:00

Your Dominant Intelligence is Linguistic Intelligence

You are excellent with words and language. You explain yourself well.
An elegant speaker, you can converse well with anyone on the fly.
You are also good at remembering information and convicing someone of your point of view.
A master of creative phrasing and unique words, you enjoy expanding your vocabulary.

You would make a fantastic poet, journalist, writer, teacher, lawyer, politician, or translator.

What Kind of Intelligence Do You Have?

I'm Pretty Young For My 52 Years But No Toddler, Either!

2005-02-02T23:39:00.000-05:00

You Are 19 Years Old

19

Under 12: You are a kid at heart. You still have an optimistic life view - and you look at the world with awe.

13-19: You are a teenager at heart. You question authority and are still trying to find your place in this world.

20-29: You are a twentysomething at heart. You feel excited about what's to come... love, work, and new experiences.

30-39: You are a thirtysomething at heart. You've had a taste of success and true love, but you want more!

40+: You are a mature adult. You've been through most of the ups and downs of life already. Now you get to sit back and relax.

What Age Do You Act?

Pretty Accurate Test--Just Don't Expect Me To Look The Part!

2005-01-29T10:11:00.000-05:00

Took one of those tests again--and, in a way, this one has me pegged pretty well!

However, I think you're going to be a tad disappointed if you expect me to actually LOOK like this pin-up lady from way-back-when!

You are Betty Grable

The ulitmate girl next door
You're the perfect girl for most guys
Pretty yet approachable. Beautiful yet real.

What Famous Pinup Are You? Take This Quiz :-)

Find the Love of Your Life
(and More Love Quizzes) at Your New Romance.

When "Press My Button!" Actually Means "Pull My Finger!"

2005-01-18T14:22:00.000-05:00

A few days ago, I created a blog about flatulence--and you'd be amazed re: what you'll be finding there, because there are countless different directions you can take when it comes to this subject matter.

I go out looking for them and bring you what I happen to find to be especially interesting.

If you find the site intriguing enough to further check it out after pressing the button below, you can take out a subscription and not only be able to read countless blogs on countless subjects but, also, you'll be able to create your own blogs and get paid to do so!

Anyway, it's now time to pull my finger--I mean press my button...

Taken From A Blog That Wasn't Going Anywhere!

2005-01-09T19:56:00.000-05:00

I had originally decided to put up a separate blog to take care of pithy sayings--but, then, decided that I really didn't need it, so I deleted it.

As of delete time, I only had one pithy saying in there, and I decided to rescue it and bring it here:

Pro-Life isn't really Pro-life unless it has a lifetime guarantee instead of an expiration date that's either at the exit of the birth-canal or else shortly after a person becomes more challenging to care for!

Ainsley Jo Phillips

My Original Three Favorite Links--And Then Some!!!

2005-01-09T18:36:00.000-05:00

What I'm doing here is creating a new link for my profile page at Epinions.com.

This will contain what I had listed as my three favorite links, plus it will also have some other items of interest, too.

First off, the original three favorite links:

My profile page at Writing.com

Guideposts Online

United Methodist Website

The following is a link that will take you to information about my main website. Once you get there, you can find out all kinds of things about me.

Dare you click me!?!

This is one of my AOL websites:

Click Me!

And one of my AOL journals:

Click Me!

And, since I have two more links left on my Epinions.com profile page, this should be enough for this one!

This is an experiment! Bear with me!

2005-01-09T12:45:00.000-05:00

The Truth Will Become Soooooooooooo Obvious After Reading This!!!

2005-01-08T00:41:00.000-05:00

Click the live-link question to find the answer:

Is Terri Schindler-Schiavo really merely existing as a vegetable?

Remember: The truth will set you free--and, hopefully, Terri, too!!!

And Was My Psychiatrist Lucy By Any Chance?

2005-01-04T12:11:00.000-05:00

Yep!

My psychiatrist probably was Lucy, because, at this time, I can't afford much more than five cents per visit!

Anyway, just wanted to share with you the results of which Peanuts character I'm supposed to be the most like...

You are Woodstock!

Which Peanuts Character are You?
brought to you by Quizilla

That's all for now!

Gotta get some real life things done before the ice storm comes in...

Read My Latest Rant (Enuf Sed)!!!

2004-11-30T11:59:00.000-05:00

Click me! NOW!!!

New Window Experiment!!!

2004-11-25T18:01:00.000-05:00

I'd like to thank a fellow blogger named Cary for putting the recipe for making a link that opens another window nice and handy. I'd done this in the past, and it has worked, but I've never done it here, and I'm not sure just how well it will work.

Anyway, I'm going to experiment by putting a link to my website here.

If it works, expect more of these new window links in the future.

If it doesn't, you'll find my attempt!

Here goes nothing...

Have the best of both worlds! Visit my website while staying here!

Anyway, we'll just see what happens...

Hope you've had a great Thanksgiving!

They ain't heavy...

2004-10-25T12:34:00.000-04:00

I want to share a beautiful piece with you called They ain't heavy..., which was written by a beautiful guy named Michael S. Picardi, who is better known around Epinions.com as mothermeatloaf.

If there's one thing I wish this blogging network would have is a way to have the links to open in another window, but that hasn't been implimented here yet, I'm afraid.

I might be able to do this on my own, but I don't have the time to try right now. This looks like regular html, so the "target" thing might work here, too.

Anyway, my suggestion now is to click on one link, bookmark it, go back to here, and keep doing the same thing over again until you've collected all of these links. Then, read them.

Having said this, I have one other link I want to share with you: one that will take you to where you can read lots of creative writings--and, if you are/become a member, you can also both rate, comment, and/or write your own:

Click Me

This final link I've just posted will, hopefully, take you into a section of Epinions.com known as Writers Corner.

I'm assuming that you can access it without being a member, but, if you can't, join (totally-free) Epinions.com, and you'll be able to. Either way, it would be nice to have you as a member, and you can not only read creative writing but, also, tons of creatively-written product reviews!

You can read the reviews without being a member, but can't rate, leave comments, write your own reviews, etc.--and you can see more of the site more easily, too, if you're a member, including chatting on a messageboard with other members.

I've already posted several of my own writings from there in other blog-entries, and I don't want to turn this one into a promotion of my own stuff, because the main focus is going to be on Mike and the meaningful things he's written, so I'll, therefore, dispense with posting a link to my own profile at this time.

If you read no other links in this entry, read the first two!

Have to sign off now. Trying to get some things tied up here so I can enjoy the rest of my retreat vacation basking in a sense of accomplishment--and I also have to drive behind my mom in a little bit to take her to get her donkey of a car repaired!

When Time Is Short, Say It With A Link!!!

2004-10-23T13:06:00.000-04:00

I am a link, so please click me!!!

Moi! Moi!! Moi!!! ---- Oy! Oy!! Oy!!!

2004-10-20T23:56:00.000-04:00

I've decided to dedicate an entire blog-entry to introducing my main website located in my domain called HoosierPoetPlus.com--which simply means that I'm a Hoosier Poet plus a whole lot more!

Here are the pages and their descriptions:

Starting Point

This is the first page, and it has--among other things--a diary that I, occasionally, get around to writing something in. Let me make a note here that some of these pages (here at the website, that is) are very much under-construction and will be remaining that way until such a time as when I first start using a cable modem instead of dial-up and after I catch up with a lot of other things that I'll then be able to do faster.

Read Me Do!
This is where I list some of the many places I write for, some more regularly than others--and I tend to stay awhile in some places, then, in other places, and so on and so forth...

Now U C It...

This is where I put temporary stuff.

Plugs, Kudos, Etc.

This is where I plug various people, places, events, etc.

Learn And Share

A place for sharing interesting websites and messageboards.

Me&You&Loo

Has to do with bathroom-related stuff--for example, interesting outhouses.

Living History

This is where I make history come to life.

MsPACman

News about the development companies I'm part-owner of.

Sit A Spell!
My guestbook is there. Yes, it looks strange, but it works. The first bunch of linkstuff lets you read it, and the second bunch of linkstuff lets you sign it--or is it the other way around! Heck! I'm too busy to go back and double-check, but I think I'm right.

As I said, it works in spite of its appearance, so I hope you'll both read and sign it!

Glad Rags

Finally, this is where I put everything else. You'll even find how to get to another of my blogs there as well as how to join Cafepress.com and go to my online store, not to mention find a link to another one of my websites.

Anyway, this is the grand tour...ENJOY!!!

Class Reunion (Part One)

2004-10-13T13:09:00.000-04:00

Guess what!?!

I went and joined Classmates.com
(actually RE-joined them, as I joined them sometime ago using an e-mail address (can't remember which one) that, likely, doesn't even exist anymore.

Anyway, I'm good for two years now and am solid gold there.

And I must say that the site has gotten so much better since my last visit there--not that it was bad before, but you'd be amazed at how much it has improved over the years!!!

Anyway, at this time, I'm working on my profile and have decided that I really should compose a special entry here and, then, copy a link to it in my profile.

I would fill it with some links to writings that just might mean something and bring back some memories of those I went to school with.

BTW...the best way to start off finding me is to first go to where you locate high schools. From there, go to Indiana. From there, to to Pendleton (at the place for locating cities and towns). Then, choose Pendleton Heights H.S. and go to the class of 1971.

Anyway, if you aren't a member of this site already, I highly recommend your joining, because you can not only find out about the people you went to school with (while letting them find out about you), but it's also handy for finding people at other schools, people with common interests, people who might have been your co-workers, etc. And you can use this to find out historical facts such as about a school that once was but has long since closed (even been torn down).

Anyway, here are links to a few things that will do any, some, or all of the following:

1. Tell my classmates (and other people in my school district) what I'm up to now--as well as catch them up with a few other familiar people.

2. Bring back a few memories from when we were in school--even, in some cases, before we got into high school.

3. Simply entertain.

On this note, here are the links:

The introductory link to this blog

Answers to at least some of the questions you might have about peanut burgers

This will tell you how I feel about organ donation

The following links go to Epinions I've written with some of them expressing opinions, others taking you back, and others doing both...

Separation Of Church & State And Related Issues

Ding-Dong! The Twinkie's Dead--The Wicked, Old Twinkie's Dead!

Interesting (Maybe--Not Guaranteed) Trivia From Prehistoric Times (17th Birthday W/O)

Let Me Be Totally Honest Re: My Books--It Involves That Dirty Word: Self-Publishing!!!

One Charlie-Crazy Morning. . .

Hot Off The Griddle!!!

Blue Velvet Memories

Hush Puppies

"Hey!!! Smokey The Bear!!!" (Another HTP Production)

If I Served You A Rainbow, Would You Eat It?

The Shower After The Storm

Anyway, that's all she wrote for now! Be sure to keep coming back to this blog anytime you get the least bit curious about me, as I make new entries fairly often!

Dandy Candy/Dandi Candi (or Can, Part 2)

2004-10-10T16:01:00.000-04:00

Remember when I said I was going to do another installment on Can--was thinking in terms of a three-parter?

Well, this is the second part and I'm in a lazy mood!

Besides, I can think of no better way to continue at this time than to simply introduce you to her, since she has (to date) two blogs on here.

This link will get you to those two blogs--plus any that she will come up with in the future.

This is all for now. I'm keeping myself pretty busy, so this DOES have to be short!

Laters...

A Scary Picture And A Cute, Little Heart

2004-10-05T16:09:00.000-04:00

I'm interrupting this plugging of Can to bring you a very special blog entry!

My driver's license contains--among other things--a scary picture and a cute, little heart.

The way it got the scary picture, of course, is very obvious--I posed for it!

I had no choice in this matter.

However, I did have a choice in the matter of whether or not I would have a cute, little heart on my license--because having this icon there indicates that I've chosen to be an organ donor!!!

I'm almost 52 years old now--and, when I turn 52, it will be time to create another scary picture for a brand-new license.

And the new license, just like my current one, is going to have that wonderful, little heart on it--or whatever is currently being used to indicate that I want to be a donor once I no longer have use for this temporary body my spirit resides in.

My choice has been, for a long time, to have available any organ needed--including skin--as well as bone tissue, bone marrow, or whatever can be used of a person once the person leaves the building.

But it all started with eyes back when I was ten years old.

Back then, there wasn't such a variety of ways to recycle a body as there is today, but blind people had come to see, thanks to those who donated their eyes.

One pair of second-hand eyes gave sight to two people!

Having a blind aunt made me even more excited about this--even though I found out that this wouldn't help someone who, as she does, had retinitis pigmentosa.

However, blind people whose problem stemed from their corneas would be helped, and that would be something.

But I want to share here how I became aware of eye-donation--which would, eventually, lead me to the decision of being an organ-plus donor.

It had to do with a little girl who would have been 54 this year but who passed on right on Good Friday before she got the chance to turn eleven that coming September.

As I recall the story, her very last words were, "I see Jesus!!!"

When I read the story of Janis Anne Babson of a suburb of Ottawa, Ontario CANADA called City View back in 1963 (a little over two years after she passed on), I was almost exactly the same age that she had been at the time of her passing.

Even before she became sick with leukemia (then incurable), she had, after watching a documentary on TV, made up her mind that she wanted to be an eye-donor.

I had been thinking about her a lot lately for a number of different reasons, and I came across this messageboard where people were still being inspired by her story after all of these years.

So, I came over here and composed this blog entry in order to, possibly, be of some help--or, at least, of some inspiration--to those who had posted there.

In short, after I get this done, I'm going to put a link to it over there.

So, here are some handy links to places that might be helpful in one way or another.

Since I read the story in Reader's Digest, here's a link to the review I did of RD several years ago called Reader's Digest Memories.

Click me!

And here is a link to a blog where I posted something over the first weekend of October. It's called Just Being My Man-Crazy, Off-On-A-Tangent Self!!!

Now, to get to this one, you have to subscribe to Blogit!, so I'll give you a link to that blog (the blog, itself, rather than the entry) where you can decide, once you get there, whether or not you want to subscribe and for how long.

Click Me!

Finally, for those approaching this information from here and wanting to find the messageboard, here's a link to it.

Click Me!
Anyway, I hope this has been helpful and inspirational.

Please feel free to leave comments here--after all that's what this comment section is for!

Can!!! (Part One)

2004-10-01T10:20:00.000-04:00

My time is running short today, so I won't be saying too much at this time except to say that this is part one of a three-part blog re: my funny and fantastic e-pal Candice "Can" Cook.

In between this part and the next part, I'm going to be having my computer upgraded, so you'll have to wait a few days for what comes next.

Anyway, today, I simply wanted to share this e-mail she sent my way.

I'm very excited and happy for her!!!

So, without further ado...

Hi there!

Yes, this is a mass-emailing. It is to everyone in my email address book because I have some AMAZING news:

I HAVE BEEN PUBLISHED!!!!

Two of my plays, The Lovesick Cat and The Lion & The Mouse, have been published by Baker's Plays. Baker's Plays is a subsidiary of The Samuel French Company-- the world's largest publishing company for plays.

I cannot tell you how completely excited I am about this. I wrote my first play when I was in 3rd grade, just 9 years old. It has taken me 19 years to finally get published. Well, after countless scrapped work, seven produced plays, a $120,000 college education and many all-nighters, I did it. I have made my mark on the world, and I am SO happy to be able to share this with you!!!!!

Unfortunately, I only receive 10 galleys. (A galley is a free copy for the author.) The galleys have already been reserved for my family, of course. I don't have any left after distributing them among my Mom, sister, etc. However, you can call Baker's Plays and purchase a copy of your own. Each play is a children's play, and costs a mere $3.50 (not including tax and shipping). If you want me to sign it (which a lot of my friends have already asked me to do), just let me know and you can send the play(s) to me. I will sign it and send it back to you. I don't mean to sound conceited or whatever, but I have a lot of people that have already told me that they want copies!

To get your copy, call Baker's Plays at (617)745-0805. Tell them that you want The Lovesick Cat and/or The Lion & The Mouse by Candice Cook. I'm sure they will take your credit card or something and send your copies on their way.

I am SO excited about this, you have no idea. Thanks for listening and being there for me!!!

Love,
Candice

At Last! The Promised Loaded Blog!!!

2004-09-14T22:40:00.000-04:00

Well!!!

I've finally gotten around to putting together that super blog entry that I've been telling and telling you about--so much to tell you and so little time!

First off, I may be KINDA nice, but I'm not all THAT nice, so--before I share some online stores of my fellow Cafepress-ers with you, I'm going to make sure that you get signed on (if you aren't already a member) as referred by ME!

Therefore, here is the referral link to use:

http://www.cafepress.com/cp/info/storeref.aspx?refby=BabyBear1952

My shop ID is BabyBear1952, and you can use this to search for me once you're there, but I'll give you a quicker way to go yet:

http://www.cafepress.com/babybear1952

Now that I've looked out for Numero Uno, I'm going to share four special stores with you.

The purpose of this first store is to raise funds to go towards a reward for finding and bring home a missing young lady named Brooke Wilberger. Click Me!

This next link will take you to the interesting website of an indie film company called Monkey Kingdom Productions. Find out by going there about their latest plans for making what sounds to me like an interesting and worthwhile film. You'll also find a link there to their store which contains film-related merchandise. Click Me!

This next lady (who calls herself Frelulu) takes some amazing photos and puts them on everything from postcards to tiles to fancy prints. Besides taking photos, she's also a great artist, and her artwork decorates a lot of wonderful items. Click Me!

Finally, I've just discovered this store a few hours ago, and it's starting to get me in the Christmas spirit here in the early part of September--even though it's a whole lot more than items with a Christmas theme. The color in this place will dazzle you, so it's appropriate that the word Peacock is in its name! Click Me!

So, these are the stores I'm featuring for now.

One more thing: Don't contact me with info about some store you want me to feature, because I'm going to find and pick them on my own as I get moved to do so.

My life will be less complicated this way.

However, if you like my idea for promoting shops, etc. imitation is the best form of flattery--meaning to get yourself a blog (here and/or somewhere else) and do something like this.'

I'm sure that most people would be honored to have you to plug them, because we can all use a little (or a lot of) noising around!!!

There's a whole lot more that I want to share with you (items I've read that have been especially moving to me), but I'm going to wait until the next time that I'm home to do so.

If I made this much longer, it would, likely, overwhelm you.

So, I'm going to close with a prayer shared with me by a wonderful e-pal and fellow writer named Ron Drain. He didn't write it--just thought it would be a great thing to share.

If you want to read some things that he has written...Click Me!

Now, here's the prayer (which will also be the last words of this entry):

THE BEST PRAYER I'VE HEARD IN A LONG TIME

Heavenly Father, Help us remember that the jerk who cut us off in traffic last night is a single mother who worked nine hours that day and is rushing home to cook dinner, help with homework, do the laundry and spend a few precious moments with her children.

Help us to remember that the pierced, tattooed, disinterested young man who can't make change correctly is a worried 19-year-old college student, balancing his apprehension over final exams with his fear of not getting his student loans for next semester.

Remind us, Lord, that the scary looking bum, begging for money in the same spot every day is a slave to addictions that we can only imagine in our worst nightmares.

Help us to remember that the old couple walking annoyingly slow through the store aisles and blocking our shopping progress are savoring this moment, knowing that, based on the biopsy report she got back last week, this will be the last year that they go shopping together.

Heavenly Father, remind us each day that, of all the gifts you give us, the greatest gift is love. It is not enough to share that love with those we hold dear.

Open our hearts not to just those who are close to us, but to all humanity. Let us be slow to judge and quick to forgive, show patience, empathy and love. Amen

"My name is AJ!" "Hi, AJ!" "I am a quizaholic..."

2004-09-12T16:36:00.000-04:00

These things are addictive! Here are three more...perhaps, I need to get a life! LOLOLOL

Anyway, I never cease to be amazed at how well these things peg me...at least, I think so...

Take the quiz: "What United States Coinage Are You?"

penny
Although the penny is the smallest of the United States coinage, it can be found everywhere and can what makes the difference between getting that candy bar and starving.

Take the quiz: "What Form of Foul Pollution Are You?"

Stupidity Pollution
You are Stupidity Pollution. You are a sore on the ass of society. You don't directly cause the deaths of anyone, but you annoy the hell out of everyone.

Take the quiz: "Which of My Rings are You?"

believer
you are believer. a gift from my baptism. a ring circled with crosses to signify my faith. the only ring i wear above the knuckle. you may be warped and out of round, but i hold true.

********************

ATTENTION NEWCOMERS:

You have arrived at this blog sometime after its creation, so I've created some information that I hope will be helpful to you:

Click here to go to the initial entry in this blog that will give you some idea of where I'm going with this.

This is the second entry I've made here. You're on your own when it comes to checking out future entries, but I wanted you to be sure to read this one!

Go here to check out my on-the-grow photo album.

Go here to check out other interesting blogs on this site--another on-the-grow project of mine.

Enjoy your visit, and return soon!

********************

My Self-Analysis Continues...

2004-09-12T16:00:00.000-04:00

It's really fun to take these tests when I find them at various websites/profile pages/blogs/etc.

Anyway, I thought the following one was really something and results in a beautiful picture.

Will be writing that entry that I've been talking about writing that is becoming--more and more all the time--chock-full of wonderful things to read, but I need to catch some more zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzs and take care of some other things so that I'll end up doing it well.

In the meantime, enjoy this (and, perhaps, take the test yourself--it's totally-painless):

Which "Natural Wonder" are you?

********************

ATTENTION NEWCOMERS:

You have arrived at this blog sometime after its creation, so I've created some information that I hope will be helpful to you:

Click here to go to the initial entry in this blog that will give you some idea of where I'm going with this.

This is the second entry I've made here. You're on your own when it comes to checking out future entries, but I wanted you to be sure to read this one!

Go here to check out my on-the-grow photo album.

Go here to check out other interesting blogs on this site--another on-the-grow project of mine.

Enjoy your visit, and return soon!

********************

Well! I'll Be Doggone! This Is Pretty Doggone Accurate!

2004-09-11T16:42:00.000-04:00

You are a Golden Retirver. The perfect dog. You
serve others well, yet will save them if the
time comes. You may be viewed as a doormat,
but you can stand up for yourself when needed.
Get a family, it will be good for you.

what type of dog are you
brought to you by Quizilla

********************

ATTENTION NEWCOMERS:

You have arrived at this blog sometime after its creation, so I've created some information that I hope will be helpful to you:

Click here to go to the initial entry in this blog that will give you some idea of where I'm going with this.

This is the second entry I've made here. You're on your own when it comes to checking out future entries, but I wanted you to be sure to read this one!

Go here to check out my on-the-grow photo album.

Go here to check out other interesting blogs on this site--another on-the-grow project of mine.

Enjoy your visit, and return soon!

********************

Why Am I Not Surprised? (Details In Future Blog Entry)

2004-09-11T13:01:00.000-04:00

I will hit by a train at a railroad crossing.

How will you die? Take the Exotic Cause of Death Test

********************

ATTENTION NEWCOMERS:

You have arrived at this blog sometime after its creation, so I've created some information that I hope will be helpful to you:

Click here to go to the initial entry in this blog that will give you some idea of where I'm going with this.

This is the second entry I've made here. You're on your own when it comes to checking out future entries, but I wanted you to be sure to read this one!

Go here to check out my on-the-grow photo album.

Go here to check out other interesting blogs on this site--another on-the-grow project of mine.

Enjoy your visit, and return soon!

********************

Peanut Burger(s) Anyone!?!

2004-09-09T19:50:00.000-04:00

Lots of stuff going on, so I still haven't written that blog entry that I'd planned to write for last Wednesday.

The time I now have targeted to do so is tomorrow.

However, in the meantime, I wanted you to check out something I've written about an interesting--not to mention ABSOLUTELY DELICIOUS!--sandwich known as a peanut burger.

This story isn't just about the sandwich, itself, but about the different other "ingredients" going into the making and enjoyment of it (e.g. people, places, history, moods, etc.).

Without further ado...ENJOY!

PEANUT BURGER Made Well!

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ATTENTION NEWCOMERS:

You have arrived at this blog sometime after its creation, so I've created some information that I hope will be helpful to you:

Click here to go to the initial entry in this blog that will give you some idea of where I'm going with this.

This is the second entry I've made here. You're on your own when it comes to checking out future entries, but I wanted you to be sure to read this one!

Go here to check out my on-the-grow photo album.

Go here to check out other interesting blogs on this site--another on-the-grow project of mine.

Enjoy your visit, and return soon!

********************

Creating A Letterhead

2004-09-06T06:12:00.000-04:00

I've decided to create a sort of letterhead that will be on each blog entry I do here from now on. Here it is:

ATTENTION NEWCOMERS:

You have arrived at this blog sometime after its creation, so I've created some information that I hope will be helpful to you:

Click here to go to the initial entry in this blog that will give you some idea of where I'm going with this.

This is the second entry I've made here. You're on your own when it comes to checking out future entries, but I wanted you to be sure to read this one!

Go here to check out my on-the-grow photo album.

Go here to check out other interesting blogs on this site--another on-the-grow project of mine.

Enjoy your visit, and return soon!

I'm Running Away From Home--Again!!!

2004-09-02T20:35:00.000-04:00

I'm once more running away from home--actually, going back to my vacation condo for a couple of days until I'm up over the weekend for church and entertaining guests.

Hard to tell whether or not I'll be finding time to add to this blog over the weekend. If not, expect something next Wednesday (actually, you were supposed to have gotten something THIS Wednesday, as in YESTERDAY).

Anyway, what you were going to get yesterday will be given in part today and the rest of it the next time I write.

What I want to share now are a couple of e-mails.

The first one is from a very special guy named Roger Dean Kiser who also goes by Trampoline.

One of the themes of George W's Presidency has been (and continues to be) "Let no child be left behind!"

Roger is someone who has really dedicated so much of his life to the fulfillment of this dream.

I believe his letter to me will speak for itself, so--without further ado--here's what he wrote to me.

One more thing...he has provided a URL to his website, and I'm converting it to a live link in hopes that you'll click on it, because what's there will really bless you!!!

Good to hear from you again.

Not much happening on this end. I still have not found a new publisher.So I guess my book is at it's end. As far as a movie or television show.All that is on hold. I signed away the rights away to my stories inhopes that all would come together. Now it appears they are just sittingon them and working on other projects. They did do the short story CDfor me but sales are not good and that also sits on the back burner.

The only thing new is a television show called "Dateline Jacksonville".It is now being discussed. It is about orphanages yesterday andorphanages today. An investigative piece to see if children are beingtreated any better now than they were when I was there. Hopefully thatwill get me a little exposure.

My health has not been good and is going down hill quickly. To manyyears of stress, I would guess. Just underwent a heart cathe and amrecouping from all that.

My new URL is: http://www.rogerdeankiser.com

This is the web site that they built in California and they run it. Inow have very little say about what happens.

I keep writing stories and putting them out on the internet. Hoping thatthey might help someone, somewhere. I still get e-mails from all aroundthe world telling me to keep on writing and hope much my stories havehelped them.

Was not able to do anything for the orphanage this last year. Quite sadfor me actually. However, I have started a new personal project. Buyingschool supplies for under privledged children.

So sorry to hear about your dad. That must have been a rough time foryou. David, another one of the boys from the orphanage died severalmonths ago. It was very sad. He died so lonely and afraid.

Please keep in touch. I value your friendship and I will never forgetyou helping me and the orphan kids. Most people are all talk. You were aperson of action. That makes you very special in my book.

Roger

The second one--which I found today--is from my goddaughter, Michelle--who, btw, is also very involved in educating our young people and, in other ways, giving them better lives. I'm going to share an adorable photo of her taken back when she was close in age to her oldest daughter.

Since I'm in a hurry, I won't share it right here in this entry, but you can find it in my blog for photos just as soon as I put it up there.

Anyway, here's what she sent to me:

A well-known speaker started off his seminar by holding up a $20.00 bill.

In the room of 200, he asked, "Who would like this $20 bill?"

Hands started going up.

He said, "I am going to give this $20 to one of you but first, let me do this.

He proceeded to crumple up the $20 dollar bill.

He then asked, "Who still wants it?"

Still the hands were up in the air.

Well, he replied, "What if I do this?"

And he dropped it on the ground and started to grind it into the floor with his shoe.

He picked it up, now crumpled and dirty.

"Now, who still wants it?"

Still the hands went into the air.

My friends, we have all learned a very valuable lesson.

No matter what I did to the money, you still wanted it because it did not decrease in value.

It was still worth $20.

Many times in our lives, we are dropped, crumpled, and ground into the dirt by the decisions we make and the circumstances that come our way.

We feel as though we are worthless.

But no matter what has happened or what will happen, you will never lose your value.

Dirty or clean, crumpled or finely creased, you are still priceless to those who DO LOVE you.

The worth of our lives comes not in what we do or who we know, but by WHO WE ARE.

You are special- Don't EVER forget it."

If you do not pass this on, you may never know the lives it touches, the hurting hearts it speaks to, or the hope that it can bring.

Count your blessings, not your problems.

And remember:

amateurs built the ark .

professionals built the Titanic.

Pass this message to 7 people except you and me.

You will receive a miracle tomorrow.

This is all for now. Will be back again in a few days, so be looking for me! Y

Welcome To My Cozy Cave!!!

2004-08-28T16:47:00.000-04:00

Hi!

Welcome to my cozy cave!

Although I've created this blog to serve as a sort of newsletter to go with my online store (Baby Bear AJ's Work-In-Progress), this won't be just some kind of advertising thing that will tell you that I'm having a sale on this or a sale on that.

Frankly, I won't be having very many sales, because my everyday prices are already quite inexpensive.

Some examples of business-type things you might be finding here would be my telling you that I have a new book out or something like that--as well as writing about selected other stores in the Cafepress.com neighborhood.

Or, I might even write about some other businesses (some in the real world and some online) I personally enjoy.

But you'll also find links here to items you simply "must" check out (e.g. cute/inspirational/whatever websites and writings both by myself and others, for example).

I'm a free spirit and am not about to limit myself re: what goes in this blog as far as type goes.

As for whether or not what I share here will always be "in good taste," I hope so.

However, I can't guarantee that my links will always lead to something you'd want your 8 year old child reading.

Although you won't find links to porno sites or anything like that, what I mean is that there are just some kinds of writing that children have no business reading--at least, without parental guidance--so please keep an eye on what your kids read here.

This, in general, is a great idea!!! Too much goes on in Cyberspace to believe otherwise!!!

Anyway, let's get started...

In case you're not yet a member of Cafepress.com, I would appreciate it if you would become one as referred by me (joining is free and painless and not only allows you to buy from the various stores at this site but, also, will give you the opportunity to set up one of your own, if you so wish--either now or later).

Here's the link to click on to do so:

http://www.cafepress.com/cp/info/storeref.aspx?refby=BabyBear1952

Once this has been taken care of, you can find my store by entering my store ID in the provided search window on the home page.

This is my store ID:

BabyBear1952

(Somehow, I don't think you're surprised! LOLOLOL)

Anyway, this is my introductory blog, and I'd better post it before my computer pulls one of its pranks such as freezing up or logging off before I get it done.

Be watching for new entries...with the second one happening on the first day of September if nothing changes that!

But please don't wait that long to visit my store--which has, among other things, the first three books I've published via Cafepress.com using a wonderful method called P.O.D. (or Print On Demand) that allows me to create books my way without paying for it out of my own pocket!!!

Will tell you more about that in the future.

Laters!!!
Y