My friend Sue came to stay. We are great friends. The sort that you can see once in a while and pick up right where you left off.

The type of friend that you call once a year and ask for help, and she doesn’t need background, but can hone in and give exactly the right advice in perfect dialog without offending.

She was only here for one night, but boy, did we do it right. She drove in from lands far and wide and we ditched the kids, (2½ year old K and 5 year old foster son, Ricky. ok, ok, I didn't really ditch them, just left them with hubby)......... more

This forty-seven going on forty-eight year old Mom has just been taught a thing or two about compassion, love and life, from a mentally and emotionally challenged twenty-one year old.

K’s Birth mom, who lost her daughter K through the foster system, called to wish me Happy Mothers Day last night.

Whew.

I am humbled.

I tend to hoard magazines until I have time to read them. I subscribe to a few, Vanity Fair and Oprahs’ are my favorite. Although I don’t subscribe to People, I admit to occasionally buying it when a cover catches my fancy.

Any magazine that doesn’t get totally read, goes into my travel drawer for next time I travel. At that time, I choose whatever magazines get my attention and bring them for the travel, leaving them behind at distant locals after I’ve read them.

This last trip to visit family, I pulled out an old People Magazine. December 2003 to be exact. ... more

Every place has its traditions and beliefs, and even after ten years in Seychelles new ones, common knowledge for the Seychellois but not part of my background, pop up for me.

Today is Good Friday. In the Christian-flavored world, that has certain well-defined meanings with customs attached, and this country is no exception being about ninety-eight percent Roman Catholic. In addition, however, to the church-related activities, one thing you can be sure of: no one will go fishing on Good Friday.

Yes, it's a public holiday, so the working stiffs have a leisure day.... more

Look at the image here and what do you see? Now turn away, turn back, and look again. Do you see anything different? Many of you have probably seen this before in your psychology 101 class, or in a popular magazine. Dontcha think it's pretty fitting for this Blog?

Here is an article that discusses the pros and cons of older parent adoption from the perspective of adult adoptees who were, themselves, raised by older parents. Whew! That's a mouthful.

Get a group of people together and ask... more

For many different reasons there are children throughout the United States who are being raised by older parents--their grandparents. On this site I found the following information:

According to the U.S. 2000 Census, there were close to 2 1/2 million households (emphasis mine) with grandparents raising their grandchildren. Fifty-seven percent of grandparents raising their grandchildren are still in the work force and 17% are living in poverty.

I don't know for certain, but,... more