...here's a little culture for you...

"Nothing is Lost"
Poem by Noel Coward
from Collected Verse
edited by Graham Payn & Martin Tickner
© Graywolf Press. Reprinted with permission

Nothing is Lost

Deep in our sub-conscious, we are told
Lie all our memories, lie all the notes
Of all the music we have ever heard
And all the phrases those we loved have spoken,
Sorrows and losses time has since consoled,
Family jokes, outmoded anecdotes
Each sentimental souvenir and token
Everything seen, experienced, each word
Addressed to us in infancy, before
Before we could even know or understand
The implications of our wonderland.
There they all are, the legendary lies
The birthday treats, the sights, the sounds, the tears
Forgotten debris of forgotten years
Waiting to be recalled, waiting to rise
Before our world dissolves before our eyes
Waiting for some small, intimate reminder,
A word, a tune, a known familiar scent
An echo from the past when, innocent
We looked upon the present with delight
And doubted not the future would be kinder
And never knew the loneliness of night.

...how much we will miss Luciano Pavarotti

One of the world's most beautiful voices is now silenced forever. The time has gone by so incredibly quickly since I first heard him sing. Although I know nothing about famous operas, I can appreciate what a special gift this man had. We are lucky to have lived during his time, and we will always be able to recall the richness of his voice, and the joy he expressed with his great talent. Generations yet to come will only have old film clips and CDs to know him. To live on in the hearts one leaves behind, is not to die.

...maybe I'm psychic!

As I was typing my last entry about Idaho Senator Craig, I was thinking about his wording...his "intent" to resign. And I remember thinking about how intentions don't always result in action. I thought I'd posted my comments, but I guess I didn't, thinking to myself, why beat a dead horse? But I had a creepy little feeling that somehow, his choice of words...including "intend" were too carefully spoken. And wouldn't you know it...I must be frigging psychic...when I flipped on the news this morning, that is EXACTLY what the newscasters were saying...that he's rethinking his decision to retire. This man should just slip quietly from public view, and get on with his real life.

While my daughter, Meeghan, and my granddaughters were here this summer, Meeghan and I had intended on dieting and exercising. We had both intended on losing 30 pounds each. In the end, with all of the baking and tea parties, and going out to tea rooms and other restaurants, we both actually put on weight. The point being, as my dad used to say, "the road to hell is paved with good intentions." Senator Craig has a lot of "...splainin'" to do to his wife, his family, his colleagues, and his friends. For him to have admitted guilt was his way of keeping his dirty laundry hidden from view. For him to resign his office, in his mind, is a further admission of shame and guilt. Perhaps he should be honest with those who are important to him...there's no shame in being gay. But being a lying sack of s... will further diminish his standing in many eyes. It is hard to regain the trust of those you have lied to. He should be a man, and deal openly and honestly with those who care for him. And get the hell out of the Senate.

...it'll soon be Rosh Hashana...

...and so maybe that's why I'm feeling the little tug of Jewish humor. So here's a little Jewish-Catholic tale for you...courtesy of my friend Eleanor.


The Pope and The Rabbi



Several centuries ago, the Pope decreed that all the Jews had to convert or leave Italy. There was a huge outcry from the Jewish community, so the Pope offered a deal.
He would have a religious debate with the leader of the Jewish community. If the Jews won, they could stay in Italy, if the Pope won, they would have to leave.

The Jewish people met and picked an aged, but wise Rabbi Moishe to represent them in the debate. However, as Moishe spoke no Italian, and the Pope spoke no Yiddish, they all agreed that it would be a "silent" debate.

On the chosen day, the Pope and Rabbi Moishe sat opposite each other for a full minute before the Pope raised his hand and showed three fingers. Rabbi Moishe looked back and raised one finger.

Next, the Pope waved his finger around his head. Rabbi Moishe pointed to the ground where he sat.

The Pope then brought out a communion wafer and a chalice of wine. Rabbi Moishe pulled out an apple. With that, the Pope stood up and declared that he was beaten, that Rabbi Moishe was too clever, and that the Jews could stay.

Later, the Cardinals met with the Pope, asking what had happened. The Pope said, "First, I held up three fingers to represent the Trinity. He responded by holding up one finger to remind me that there is still only one God common to both our beliefs.

Then, I waved my finger to show him that God was all around us. He responded by pointing to the ground to show that God was also right here with us. I pulled out the wine and wafer to show that God absolves us of all our sins. He pulled out an apple to remind me of the original sin. He had me beaten and I could not continue."

Meanwhile the Jewish community was gathered around Rabbi Moishe "How did you win the debate?" they asked. "I haven't a clue," said Moishe. "First he said to me that we had three days to get out of Italy, so I gave him the finger. Then he tells me that the whole country would be cleared of Jews and I said to him, we're staying right here."

"And then what?" asked a woman. "Who knows?" said Moishe, "He took out his lunch, so I took out mine."

...a "kosher" tale for you...

Moishe Rabinowitz, in the late 1930s', fled his native land of Germany. He sold all his assets and converted everything to gold; then had 5 sets of solid false teeth made. When he arrived in New York the customs official was perplexed as to why anybody would have 5 sets of gold teeth. So Moishe explained, "We Orthodox Jews have two separate sets of dishes, for meat products and for dairy products. Because I am so kosher and religious I also have two sets of teeth." The customs official shook his head and said, "Well that accounts for two sets of teeth. What about the other three?" Moishe then said "Vell us very religious Orthodox Jews use separate dishes for Passover, but I am so religious I have separate teeth, one for meat and one for dairy food, when we celebrate Passover. The custom official slapped his head and then said, "You must be a very religious man with separate teeth for food and dairy products and likewise for Passover. That accounts for four sets of teeth. What about the fifth set?" "Vell to tell the truth, once in a while I like a ham sandwich."

FYI: Foods that conform to Jewish dietary law are referred to as being kosher... meaning fitting or acceptable. Jewish dietary law has its origins in Biblical law...those foods that conform to Jewish law being accepted as kosher, and those that do not, are not. The kosher certification process covers the ingredients and the equipment in which ingredients are processed. Some foods, like grains, fruits,and vegetables, are naturally kosher, but may lose their "kosher status" during processing, and some ingredients are not kosher to begin with, and can never be made kosher, like pork products and shellfish, to name a couple. Items derived from a non-kosher source are also non-kosher...like pork rinds (yum!) or calcium supplements made from shellfish. Equipment that's been used to process non-kosher food is considered non kosher until or unless it is "kosher sanitized." In Jewish dietary law, all foods fall into one of three categories: meat, dairy, and parve (or neutral). Meat and dairy products are never mixed or eaten together, while parve foods may be used together with either meat or milk products. Parve foods would include fruits, vegetables, eggs, etc. Lesson over. Time for recess.

...it's Neptune Festival time again....

...and I am very, very happy. Look over there to the left. This was a group project from the 2006 Neptune Festival. Team Sandtastic worked on the castle for over 80 hours; the finished creation measured in at 37.9 feet! The Sandsculpting championship is only one of the events during the several weeks' long event. The photo on the right gives you a better perspective on the immense size of this project.

Other events include a parade, wine tasting (with food available for purchase and live music), an 8-K run, Sandman Triathlon, art show, air show, surfing championship, beach volleyball, beach wrestling, free concerts all up and down the boardwalk, and many other events. You can check the schedule yourself...hotel rates drop significantly after Labor Day weekend... so don't just sit there, go to: http://www.neptunefestival.com/events.php to find out all of the details. And come for the fun. The Neptune Festival employs only 7 (seven) full-time staff members. I am one of the proud 1,500+ volunteers. Our family has been volunteering for 12 years now, and each year, we receive the coveted "Neptune Festival Volunteer" t-shirts, and wear them proudly. I even take off from my job...just to work for free!

...about Michael Vick...

...and don't you just know that as soon as he was caught doing something reprehensible, miraculously, Jesus just happened to come into his life and forgive him. What I want to know is why his heart wasn't changed while he was involved in dog-fighting? Hey, I'm not blaming Jesus for coming on the scene a little late, I'm sure he has his hands full. I find is disgusting that (1) as soon as people...especially celebrities, get caught doing something bad, they suddenly "get religion"...; and (2)(and please don't think I'm knocking Christians)...and as soon as the offender says that Jesus forgives him (or her) otherwise intelligent people feel, "well, if Jesus forgives him, then I do too, and the slate is wiped clean." Where do you draw the line about believability, forgiveness, and punishment? I ask the question that I see on people's bumper stickers down here in Virginia Beach..."what would Jesus do...?" For real. Does society collectively say that the guilty person will be punished after death, and so we don't need to punish here on Earth? Or because Jesus forgave this person (in his or her own mind), are we obligated to forgive and forget whatever was done, regardless of how reprehensible it was? Vick was a little thug when he was in high school down here. His friends and family will stick by him, regardless of how bad his behavior. He has shamed himself, and brought shame onto them, whether they see it or not. In addition to jail time for violating the law, I sure would like to see him being given hundreds of hours of community service, working with animal control officers who investigate cases of animal abuse. Let him go into situations with them so he can see the horrible things they see every day. Let him spend many, many hours in a city pound, seeing what happens to animals who are beyond help. Let him spend many more hours, watching veterinarians try to piece together animals that have been injured by abuse and neglect. Let him spend many hours at the local SPCA, helping volunteers care for and clean up behind animals that have been abandoned there. When someone has millions of dollars to pay a few thousand dollars fine, and when the jail time will be served in a dorm- or country-club-like setting, there is no punishment.

And for the time being, this is all I have to say about that.

...here's a little Jewish humor for ya!

Jewish dinner at the White House

Israeli leader Ehoud Olmert comes to Washington for
meetings with George W. For the State Dinner, Laura
Bush decides to bring in a special Kosher Chef and
have a truly Jewish meal prepared in honor of their guest.

At the dinner that night, the first course is served
and it is Matzoh Ball Soup.

George W. looks at this and, after learning what it
is called, he tells an aide that he can't eat such a
gross and strange-looking brew.

The aide says that Mr Olmert will be insulted if he
doesn't at least taste it.

Not wanting to cause any trouble (after all he ate a
sheep's eye in honour of his Arab guests), George W
gingerly lowers his spoon into the bowl and
retrieves a piece of matzoh ball and some broth. He
hesitates, swallows, and a grin appears on his face.
He finds he really l ikes it, digs right in, and
finishes the whole bowl.

"That was delicious," he says to Olmert. "Do the
Jews eat any other part of the matzoh, or just the
balls?"