Do we need to know everything?   What about the Oscars?

The other day in the "The Oregonian" newspaper, there was a headline that caught my eye. It read: "Police fear suicides at 9/ll site." There are two granite pools that designate the footprints of the absent World Trade Center towers. There are artificial waterfalls that extend three stories down which draw visitors to see them. The article goes on to say it wouldn't be easy to get to that place, but it tells how someone could do it. Was that necessary? So far, there have been no suicide attempts, but this article certainly doesn't help. The NYPD apparently has a plan for when and if someone attempts suicide there, but that wouldn't help after the fact.

There is so much printed and spread on the internet and television about how people make bombs. They tell just what they use and how easy it is to get it. I've read instructions for making meth which is done all the time by many. We know people make homemade bombs and meth, but why should we help them? I guess I wonder why we lay out the exact plans for doing something that won't turn out well for others.

And now on a lighter note,  I watched the Academy Awards last night and got a kick out of Billy Crystal. He's never mean or nasty - he's just plain funny. I watched the entire red carpet part and was disappointed in that. What were those two people 5 stories up doing? They spent most of their time encouraging people to send tweets  to them about what they liked, etc. That took quite a bit of time giving instructions on just how to do it each time they mentioned it which was often! As for the dresses, I thought Gwyneth Paltrow's was gorgeous - but then she always looks gorgeous. I loved Esperanza Spalding's rendition of "What a Wonderful World" which she sang during the "In Memoriam" segment - it was very lovely. 

I wish they would do more of the oscars at another ceremony. I don't care about some of those awards even though they are important to the winners, but I can't stand the lengthy speeches some of the recipients give. I feel like shouting, "Who cares?" And why was "The Artist" not honored in France instead of here? Are we going to start seeing more black and white silent movies in the coming year? Are we regressing? George Clooney was robbed! But then we all knew that already. And what about Cirque du Soleil . . .  did they get lost on their way to an out-of-town performance somewhere? I liked when Crystal thanked the president of the academy for working the audience into a frenzy with his speech! Of course he didn't - that's why I thought it was funny. All in all it was a long night but a pretty good one.

Valentine's Day on Fox

GLEE, NEW GIRL and RAISING HOPE will all be Valentine's Day-themed episodes on Tuesday, February 14. Will has his GLEE kids find and perform the best love songs ever. Rachel's two dads visit the high school and they're played by Jeff Goldblum and LeRoy Berry. Sounds good!

Jess on NEW GIRL is single this Valentine's Day and she's looking for a date. She convinces Schmidt to be her wingman in her search. I saw her on SNL last Saturday, and she was terrific . . . and adorable, as usual. I hope Fox can hang on to her for this show as I'm sure there are others looking at her.

RAISING HOPE is crazy, as usual. Jimmy creates a fake girlfriend to make Sabrina jealous, but the whole thing backfires on Jimmy. Jimmy's acting with the fake girlfriend (Ashley Tisdale) is too convincing and Sabrina falls for it. So it sounds like kind of a mess. But that always happens with that family.

Tuesday is going to be a good night on Fox, so tune in!

"Brownie Morrison" & Larry

Cindy has her "Brownie Morrison" shop in Tacoma where she sells all sorts of risque, quirky things - cards, fridge magnets, books, pictures . . . anything that will make you laugh. It's not a kiddy store - it's more for big people with wild senses of humor. It's definitely my kind of shop. She recently sent me a t-shirt that I'm wearing in the picture. It says, "Holy Crap - is that you Larry?" The little chick is looking at a fried egg on a plate. I added my latest picture of Larry on top. You'll notice he's not a chicken - he's my sparrow.

There is a story here which is that I have a sparrow that visits me every fall and winter. He started coming in the big snow storm of 2008, and I put food out for him on the ledge on my deck. I, of course, named him Larry, and he'd sit on the ledge looking in at me while I sat watching television. I doubt that it's still the same Larry as a sparrow's lifespan is not that long. But a Larry shows up every fall. It may be one of his kids that he told about the good place to get food and hang out. He doesn't like the other little birds that eat at my feeder which is hanging from the ceiling to keep it away from the rat I had visiting. So he eats from what they drop on the floor or out of a pot I have mainly for him. He stays after dusk when the other birds are probably asleep someplace and just sits on the ledge. I wonder if he feels he's part of my family. I hope he does because he and I are the family who lives here.

I love my t-shirt, and I'm sure Larry would too if he could see it.

Teri's having another birthday!

These birthdays just seem to fly by faster all the time. My girls get a year older every year, but I stay the same age whatever that is and that's the way it is and should be. Teri has done so much in her life and worked so hard at many different jobs. Her career has been very interesting and extremely stressful the past few years. I don't know how she has managed, but she's a strong person and seems to be able to deal with adversity when it hits, and then move on to the next new challenge. I think things are going to be better for her in the future for which I am very happy!

When Teri was little, I was so happy being with her. I loved holding her, rocking her and just playing with her. Those times are so fleeting, but you don't realize it at the time. It's only when you look back that it makes you sad for all the times that will never happen again. People say that when your kids turn 18 they're out of your control and on their own. That is so untrue! Your kids will always be your kids and you'll worry about them just as much as when they were little only the problems may be bigger than when they were little. All I ever wanted for my girls was for them to be happy and well.

I would like nothing more than to be able to give you a big hug, Teri. I really miss you and wish you were closer. I guess that's enough for this one - I'm making myself cry. I think the phone is going to ring, so gotta go.

I may have used this picture before, but I don't care. I love it.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!! I love you lots.

Pillsbury Doughboy

I hadn't heard about the Doughboy for quite some time, but the other night I was watching the news, and before I had a chance to change the channel since I can't stand all the press about the Republican mess going on, there came Newt, strutting across the stage with his helmet-haired, joined-at-the-hip wife close behind. I immediately thought of the old Pillsbury Doughboy as that is what Newt looks like! I don't listen to him as he doesn't sound like a sane person. He can't seem to remember the old times when he was so bad . . . and, of course, he still is. I'm not impressed with his notion of colonizing the moon! Hasn't he been crying about how the government spends so much money and how he's going to change that? Does he think colonization of the moon would just be a drop in the bucket?

It used to be I just thought of Newt as a short, chunky joke, but now I think he actually needs some sort of therapy. I think all those guys could use some therapy. What if Mitt Romney became our president? I always ask myself, "Would I date our president if I had a chance?" Bill Clinton - yes, George Bush(either one) - no, Barack Obama - yes. But who would want to date Mitt? Not me! Mormons don't drink or smoke, no coffee, no dancing unless it's not sexually expressive (that's impossible) and many more fun things that the rest of us do. I don't think I'd ever want to date a Mormon or have him as my president. I've eliminated Mitt and Newt and that doesn't leave too much. Ron Paul? I don't think so!! I guess I'll skip the news and watch reruns of "Law&Order" - they always perk me up and get my mind off politics.