FOR PURPLE MOUNTAINS MAJESTIES

Tonight was one of those spectacular sunsets which, luckily for me, are a fairly normal event in my life.

Red rimmed clouds, purple hues, streams of light coming over the mountains with just wisps of clouds at the snow-capped peaks.

Honestly - it was that breathtakingly beautiful.

As a child, I could see the barren Sierra Madres when the smog wasn't too thick.

I like this much better.

And I did stand at attention with my dog by my side, and I did sing "America The Beautiful" out loud (badly, but Murray didn't seem to mind), and wished that everyone else in the United States - nay, in the entire world, could see this - and put aside our petty differences, biased views and prejudiced opinions, and be joined together in the belief that we are all here to help one another.

All religions, all nations, all political parties, all cultures - that's the reason we are here, and that's the lesson we all need to learn - somehow.

Glorious sunsets like this seem to make it obvious - at least to me.

Any way we can think of a way to pass this on to everyone else?

THE VOICE OF GOD

Morgan Freeman is going the voice-over for a Visa commercial - it combines the Olympics, a family death, victory, and an adorable beautiful baby girl with that sublime, lower-than-low intonation of his.

It's like saying no to Benjamin Kinsley when he is dressed as Gandhi.

It would be refusing to have Helen Mirren as Queen Elisabeth sit down in your presence.

Or to take Eddie Murphy seriously.

Wait a minute, am I that influenced by actors? Or is just voices?

I kinda like the fact that almost everyone doesn't like hearing their own voice - well, people over the age of eight. And aren't heading towards a career in broadcasting.

Some voices just are iconic - like Orson Welles, James Earl Jones, Jimmy Stewart. Mae West is the epitome of sultry, sexy female - Sandra Bullock is the all-American mid-west girl.

(And Meg Ryan's voice is just annoying - I do like her, a lot, but I don't like her voice - only exception is a couple of good lines from "French Kiss")

So give me your honest opinion - who does the best God voice? Morgan Freeman - George Burns (does anyone besides me remember that one, with John Denver?) - Graham Chapman (Holy Grail) - and can anyone think of anyone else?

And I promise you, if anyone is gonna be struck by lightening, it's gonna be ME, not you!

THE DAY AFTER TOMORROW WAS YESTERDAY

Okay, here is a short quiz. Write down the first three things that come to mind when you hear the word "ARIZONA."

Okay, okay, when you read the word "ARIZONA."

Now -- write it.

No, write it down - I'll wait.

Did you write it down?

You didn't, did you?!

Geesh... why do I even bother asking you?!?

But you did think of desert - sun - hot for at least ONE of the words, right?

(The visuals should have helped - and if you didn't, don't tell me, because you are already on my bad list)

So why (back to Arizona), when our average rainfall for January is .8 inches (that is less than one inch), do we already have ALMOST FIVE INCHES so far? Why have we had snow on the mountains for WEEKS already?

I think the end is near.

Even if Dennis Quaid hasn't shown up.... yet.

ROCK A BYE BABY

Rock-a-bye-baby, on the treetop

When the wind blows, the cradle will rock.

When the bough breaks, the cradle will fall

And down will come baby cradle and all.

Is it just me, or are those lyrics just more than a little creepy?

Last night I got once again to sleep at a hospital with wires pasted onto my head and legs, my chin taped up, and a plastic mask over my face.

While people were actually paid to watch and record me drooling, dreaming and more than likely muttering ancient Egyptian curses in my sleep.

They did offer me a free cafeteria breakfast when I woke up promptly at 5 a.m., but I passed (hospital cafeterias are even scarier looking in the pre-dawn darkness).

Makes me appreciate more and more sleeping in my own bed tonight.

WHEN THE WIND BECOMES WARM

Today I opened three windows.

I wore only one sweatshirt (granted, I did wear two shirts underneath... okay, I'm still a wimp).

Najale and I played chase for the first time in a couple of weeks.

After three weeks of wind storms, rain, and snow, it was nice.

SUCCINCT AND PITHY RESPONSES

My friend Annette shared this - replace with ONE WORD only each time (it is more difficult than you think!)

1. Where is your cell phone?............... Pocket



2. Your significant other?............... Murray


3. Your hair?................ Spiky


4. Your Mother?............... Deceased


5. Your Father?............... Missed


6. Your favorite thing?.............. Chocolate


7. Your dream last night?............... Spacey


8. Your favorite drink?................ Soda


9. Your dream/goal?............... Peace


10. The room you're in?............... Family


11. Your children?................ Tall


12. Your fear?............... Heights


13. Where do you want to be in 6 years?....... Home


14. Where were you last night?................ Couch


15. What you're not?...............Energetic


16. Muffins?................ Banana


17. One of your wish list items?............... Carpet


18. Where you grew up?................. California


19. What are you wearing?............... Sweatshirts


20. Your TV.?................ Firefly


21. Your pets?................. Najale


22. Your computer?................ Downloading


23. Your life?............... Calm


24. Your mood?............... Chipper


25. Missing someone?............... Yes


26. Your car?............... Truck


27. Something you're not wearing?............. Stylish


28. Favorite store?................ Target


29. Your summer?................ Hot


30. Like someone?................ Lots


31. Your favorite color?................ Green


32. Last time you laughed?................ Today


33. Last time you cried?............... Movie


I tag anyone reading this who wants to play!

NO, IT IS NOT YOUNG PEOPLE IN CHINA

My dog is at that age where I am being forced to balance the pain and suffering he is going through with my willingness and ability to put an end to it... and him.

Euthanasia for humans is illegal in most parts of the United States, but putting an animal "to sleep" is viewed as both humane and practical.

They are separate issues - I mean, almost like eating animals, but, as Willy Wonka so succinctly put it, with humans "that is called cannibalism, my dear children, and is in fact frowned upon in most societies."

But I also watched both of my parents die slowly and painfully. And believe me, I wish so much I could have saved them both the last two years of their respective lives.

And I do understand that as mortals, the end of our lives is not only a challenge for us, it's a test for those around us. Life isn't supposed to be easy - and often neither is death. It's part of the cycle of life (and I hate the fact that althought I have NEVER watched "The Lion King," that song still comes to my mind when that phrase is learned).

I love my dog so much - and hopefully I love him enough that while I can manage and help his pain, I will - and when I no longer can, I will have the courage to have him put to sleep.