There's always tomorrow, Scarlett

My heart goes out to the Bruins; both team and fans. Because of this symbiotic relationship it is difficult to have one without the other and though they got beat it wasn't for not trying. That big kid would have been a challenge for anyone.

Now, because there IS always a tomorrow, a light at the end of a tunnel, and a silver lining in most clouds, Republican Rep. Tom Delay called it quits.

Made my morning just got a little brighter.

UCLA Wins: no April fools in Westwood

While UCLA stopped LSU cold for their chance to win 12th national title all I could think of was will this be the last one John Wooden sees? I know, a little morbid, but the coach is 95. Of the twelve national titles, ten belong to him and the '64-'76 Bruins. For seven years in a row they were the dominant force in Men's basketball; seven in a row, amazing.

So how does the present Coach Ben Howland feel about it? When asked during a recent press conference if he'd had much interaction with Coach Wooden, this was just a small part of his answer. "... This is always and always will be John R. Wooden's UCLA basketball program that really he started. I am at this point in time the torch bearer and carrying the flag forward." What a gracious man. Read the text from the March 31 press conference.

I hope they go all the way and get to hang a 12th banner in Pauley Pavilion for themselves, for their fans, and I think Coach Wooden would take some pride in that as well.

LSU, ask Gorgonzola's Morrison if big baby's cry

The only thing between the UCLA Bruins and the chance to play for the Championship on Monday is LSU and their behemoth, Glen Davis, known to all as Big Baby. I think the Bruins have a chance even though it might be easier for the team to jump over Davis than walk around him. Even though this guy is big and LSU isn't know to be a soft team--don't discount the Bruins--Coach Howland will have them well prepared for this event.

Go Bruins!

Who knew there was such beauty in oil

When you are in Southern California, and you know you all want to come, do plan to visit either the Getty Center in Los Angeles or the newly opened Getty Villa in Malibu. You'll need reservations, can be found online, for the latter but plan ahead.

If you can't get Villa reservations, do visit the Getty Center. It sits in the Santa Monica Mountains above Brentwood/Belair and on a clear day, has a fantastic view of Los Angeles. My favorite view is at night when the lights make the city sparkle like the jewel it is. The collection, Middle Ages through the present, is small enough to enjoy in a day, if you don't dawdle, but big enough to satisfy. No reservations required, just a parking charge of $7. Who can beat that? Our European visitors are always amazed we don't charge to enter the museum.

Don't care for museums? Just the garden, the architecture, and the views are enough, plus there is a four-star restaurant, needs reservations, and a great cafe at the Center. The Villa, though smaller gardens than the Center, houses the antiquities from Mr. Getty's collection of Greek, Roman, and Etruscan art. Due to limited parking at the Villa, reservations are a must, no one emitted without a ticket. Check for available tickets. They are booked through July of '06 but ever so often they let more tickets go. I'd suggest signing up for their e-Getty Newsletter as you will be notified when more tickets are available.

I've volunteered at the Getty Center as a docent since 2000 except for the two-year hiatus in Bakersfield, but I try not to think of that. It is a wonderful place and I smile thinking of how lucky I am to be there. Do plan to come and if you're there on a Wednesday you might just see me, I'm the one with the big smile.

A second letter home from camp

It rained today at Camp Buddy so we signed up to learn wrestling. The staff says we are doing quite well and hope to bring home a medal. We miss you but are having fun.

A beautiful display of the First Amendment

3/25: Los Angeles: Between Half-million to One Million People Protest against Anti-Immigrant Law! http://www.NoHR4437.org

Aren't you proud to live in this country where 250,000 people can assemble in a peaceful protest? Not so proud of what Congress is trying to do? Contact your Senator and voice your opinions of this anti-immigrant law. The link is in the upper right-hand corner.

They're happy in Westwood AND Tokyo tonight

After a nailbiting first half the Bruins pulled through to make it to the Final Four. Unlike the Gorgonzola game I watched the whole thing, dinner was even held up for the last few minutes until we could safely celebrate.

I'm sure my daughter and son-in-law found a way to watch the game even though we think it was about 4:30 in Tokyo.

Go Bruins!

Lorna's favorite flavor; free

I never was sure if anyone, other than my family and close circle of friends, was reading my blog until I stumbled onto Site Meter I was shocked to see that people actually do view it and some people, other than the afore mentioned, do read it. Or, they've fallen asleep at the computer with my blog on the screen. Hey, let me hope someone likes my writing. The big plus here is it's free. Don't you all just love the intranet? And while it's still free you might be interested in what big business would like to do with the 'net. Common Cause

No child left untouched

Ok, I have no children, nor grandchildren this age but this is a very disturbing section of the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001. Why to get funding do schools need to supply information to recruiters? If anyone has a viable answer to this, please educate me.

SEC. 9528. ARMED FORCES RECRUITER ACCESS TO STUDENTS AND STUDENT RECRUITING INFORMATION.

(a) POLICY-

(1) ACCESS TO STUDENT RECRUITING INFORMATION- Notwithstanding section 444(a)(5)(B) of the General Education Provisions Act and except as provided in paragraph (2), each local educational agency receiving assistance under this Act shall provide, on a request made by military recruiters or an institution of higher education, access to secondary school students names, addresses, and telephone listings.

For the rest of the text please view

No child left behind section 9528

A letter home from camp

Dear Daven & Lorna

We are having the time of our life here at Camp Buddy. Here we are in our playhouse with our counselor, Dan.





Here we are at nap time, camp keeps us very busy but we are lucky counselor Dan likes to nap.

We miss you and are being good campers but the food sux, same old stuff.

Multi and Max

Gorgonzola melts

I wasn't much of a fan last night, I know, I'm ashamed. They played so bad in the first half I gave up, lucky that the Bruins didn't.Was awakened by my daughter's phone call. It took a moment to realize the screaming on the other end meant they'd won.

This pix is great; Bruins Arron Afflalo helps a distraught opponent. Boy, that says it all. They never gave up, even though they'd been down 17 points, and they still took time to be compassionate. Be proud coach Howland, you've done a fine job.

We all have heros

I have a friend who uses W.W.J.D? which for her means "What would Jackie do?" Jackie? Yes, Jackie Kennedy Onassis, this friend is very fashion conscious and tries to model herself after that stylish first lady.

Three f'ing years and counting

Ever wonder why would so many people supported the war in Iraq three years ago? It was the Dopeler Effect: the tendency of stupid ideas to seem smarter when they come at you rapidly. Ah, George Bush, you fooled us again.

Feeling rather frustrated that I've not done enough I attended a candle-light vigil last night in Thousand Oaks to protest the war. It was pouring down rain and sadly only about 25 showed up but did meet some like-thinking-individuals and that made me feel better.

The vigil, on a very busy corner, did get some positive support from passersby and only one comment screamed from a passing car, "Go back to San Francisco you fucking homos." Now this did get a laugh from the group, so in a way, we needed that Ignoranus, a person who's both stupid and an asshole.

Tired of feeling frustrated? Find an organized protest in your area and excercise your First Amendment Rights before they are a thing of the past. United for Peace & Justice

Added March 23--for your edification. My sister has some great quotes from Tim Russert on her blog.

If dogs go to heaven

Found this blog while looking for something else, as is always the case. The blog is interesting but this poem will now be one of my favorites. Sadly it is from a poet that has recently passed. I would have liked him if for nothing else than the dog on his lap looks like my long gone Sheba, the world's sweetest dog. So if dogs go to heaven he'll have my darling Sheba to to love.

Why dogs stopped flying

Crystal, more than preserves

I had a friend, Crystal who was born in New Orleans, and when they'd pass by this sign her momma 'n them would tell her that's where they got the idea for her name. I found this photo on the Crystal Hot Sauce site. It made me smile because our dear Crystal died a few years back and I sure do miss her, especially around Mardi Gras. Even though she was transplanted in California she always planned our Mardi Gras "feast" at work complete with "throws" she'd collected. She was a doll.

Sorry you're not with us anymore Crystal but wherever you are I know you've written and directed a play, sewed all the costumes--and made a great pot of red beans and rice for the after party.

Let the good times roll,
Crystal M. St. Romain
July 8, 1957 - May 16, 2003

Beeturia

My sister's post about a yummy beet recipe made be think of something that happened to Dan and me a few weeks ago. I'd bought some beets at the local farmer's market, boiled them and served them with just a bit of butter and salt and pepper. We like them but these beets were exceptionally red and that next morning I was startled by the color of my urine but then remembered the beets. When I'd asked him if he experienced this phenomenon he was quite relieved to find out it was only the beets.

The following is an explanation from a great website called World's healthiest Foods

If you start to see red when you increase your consumption of beets, don't be alarmed. You're just experiencing beeturia, or a red or pink color to your urine or stool. No need to panic; the condition is harmless.

First Amendment? D'oh!

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.

— The First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution

In a survey more people knew more characters in the Simpsons than they did freedoms protected by the First Amendment. If you can't remember what freedoms it protects then you won't know what you're missing if they take it away.

The First Amendment protects freedom of religion, speech, press, assembly and petition.
R--eligion
S--peech
P--ress
A--ssembly
P--etition

Now say this:
Robert
Says
Protect
All
People

Now remember this:
Religion
Speech
Press
Assembly
Petition

Good, now teach your children. The First Amendment Center

Get the elephant gun!

For your viewing pleasure and damn edification!

Funny cartoon this morning from political cartoonist Tom Toles. Most people can't seem to see past this giant beast to realize that the GOP controls everything in this country right now and if we ignore it, the evil empire will continue to feed us just right amount of pablum, baby cereal for you younger people, to keep us fat, dumb and happy.

Wake up and smell the money.

All this kafuffle about the American ports spinning your head? Read "cleptocracy" for a great explanation of what's going on with Dubya, Dubai and the Dodos in Washington.

Tres loca mujares

A food blog from three crazy women who just happen to all like food, go figure.

Peanut Butter Étouffee