My Top Ten List

Hello!

Do you make lists? I do all the time. I have the "honey do" list, the grocery list, the what to do today list, the restaurants I'd like to go to list and so on and so forth. I like making the lists but I LOVE crossing items off of them.

Lately I've been thinking of people I'd love to meet. It would be so cool to get a little time with each of them.

Here's my top ten list. (not in any particular order)

1. Hillary Clinton
2. Bill Clinton
3. Paul McCartney
4. Billy Joel
5. James Taylor
6. Richard Gere
7. John Travolta
8. Rosie O'Donnell
9. Tony Blair
10. Albert Einstein

Okay, I know I'll never get to meet Albert but a girl can wish, can't she?

Each of these people have something that I admire or something I'd like to ask them. Mostly, I'd like to say thank you to them. There is something that each of them have given to the universe that I have benefited from personally and would like to express my gratitude to them.

Oh well, maybe someday I'll get my chance....until then...

Have Hope,
Donna

Hard Work

Hello.

This summer, my husband and I made a "honey do" list. We made it together and we work off each numbered item on the list. There are a total of 17 items that we would like to accomplish before school begins in September. We have 6 left. Not bad considering we are about mid-way through the summer.

Some of the things we've been doing are building a small deck off of our back doorway, removing a brick wall and re-landscaping the area, and steaming all our carpets. Currently we are working on putting a driveway extension on our existing driveway. We have four drivers at our home and each of us has a car. I'm getting tired of bumping one of them when I back out of the garage.

Our plan is simple (HA). We dig an outline of the extension, scoop out the remaining dirt, lay down a border and then fill it in with stone. Ah, if only it was that simple.

I never realized how stuck in the ground grass and weeds were. Those little guys were very hard to dig up. Hauling dirt was back breaking. I was the "digger" and my husband was the "cart it away guy" with the wheelbarrows. It was hot and sunny this week in Upstate NY too. I don't think I've ever sweat as much as I have in the last two days.

Thankfully, the tough part is over (I hope). Tomorrow we lay down the border and then Monday we call for the stone delivery.

I think it will look nice when we're done. I hope it will also keep the car jams down to a minimum.

As I think about this project, I reflect on the satisfying feeling one gets after they've done something that is physically really hard. My muscles are tired. Holding my arms to blow-dry my hair after my shower, was exhausting. While sitting on my couch and reading, a few minutes ago, my arms and legs felt like cement sinking into the furniture. Funnily, it felt good. I'm not looking forward to feeling my arms and legs tomorrow but for right now, I feel like I did a hard day's work.

And I did.

Hope you get to complete a long awaited project soon too.

Have hope,
Donna

Pitter Potter

Hello!

I feel as though I have just awoken in my "real" world where the rain pitter potters, I mean patters, outside my window.

I have spent the last two days immersed in the world of "Potter." Except for the fact that I'd like to know what happen to Luna after nineteen years, I truly enjoyed the last and final installment of the Potter series. Thank you Ms. Rowling.

In August of 2000, my family and I got turned onto Harry and his magical mates while traveling abroad. Our family took a trip to England, France and Switzerland. In England, on the tube, we listened to the locals talk about Harry Potter and the release of J.K. Rowling's new book. Their conversations were so entertaining (and not only because of their very cool accent). We got so excited listening about witches and magic that we decided we had to get a copy and read for ourselves.

Thus began our nightly ritual.

Each evening prior to going to sleep, I was elected to read aloud a chapter of Sorcerer's Stone and then Chamber and lastly Azkaban. (Some evenings I read more than one chapter.) Reading these books aloud is quite a challenge as the made-up names of ghosts, and spells, and people, and places, made one's tongue get twisted. But the story was terrific and the enchantment of reading together as a family warmed my heart, so the word-bumbling was easily forgiven. One afternoon, we hiked up a hill (more like mountain) in Switzerland to sit and read out on the grassy hillside. The weather was pleasant and the sound of my voice echoed softly.

We were hooked by the time we arrived home, and the first thing we did when we got here, was to go to the bookstore and purchase Goblet. Thus began our nightly ritual in the States.

Then the movies came out and we incorporated a new tradition of seeing the movies as a family. We have never been disappointed with the story.

For weeks now, the discussion in my home has centered on who we thought would die and who we thought would betray and so on and so forth. I won't tell you what we believed would happen and how well we predicted, just in case you haven't finished your copy yet, but suffice it to say, our discussions were lively, and our arguments "for" or "against" were supported with magical and muggle fact.

Alas, we now know the ending. We breathe a sigh of resignation that Harry and mates will forever be as Ms. Rowling left them suspended in our hearts and minds. And today, I wander around this land of muggles in post-bookem' depression, flitting my thoughts back and forth between the magic and the mundane.

It was a good story. I will always be grateful to Ms. Rowling, for not only her magical story but for the "spell" her story cast upon us as a family.

Now, back to page one.....

Have hope,
Donna

Another Good Read

Hello!

I read almost constantly. There are times when it isn't practical to read-like when I'm driving-but more often than not, I've got a book in my hands and I'm reading.

My latest read was Buddha by Deepak Chopra. I often read Mr. Chopra's books. I tend to read fiction and non-fiction in cycles. This book is fiction but has strong spiritual and non-fiction tendencies. Because of the content, I also took out the CD set from the library and am listening to it (I can do that while driving) to be sure I pick up the whole story.

I have been drawn to Buddhism for many years. This book helps someone from Western philosophy better understand Buddhism. I liked this book and am finding the CD's even more enjoyable.

I especially have been meditating on the idea that "everything is an illusion." For a number of years, I have observed people like my family, friends and others in society in the spirit of "Is what I'm seeing really what I'm seeing?" Does that make sense to you? For example, there are often news stories about celebrities who appear very happy and perfectly suited to each other getting divorced, or perhaps a local lawyer or doctor who lives very high off the hog filing for bankruptcy. Stories like this make me stop and wonder if what I think I know, based on what I see, is actually what I DO know, and if I'm really seeing what I'm seeing.

The movie Eyes Wide Shut portrays this kind of theme.

The other point I meditate on since reading the book is about the power of thoughts. In the book Buddha encounters Mara (the devil) and is presented with numerous horrifying and enticing images. Buddha declares the images Mara is showing him to be illusions, and then he thinks creatively to change his circumstances. He changes the outcome of situations in his life by thinking better thoughts. He sees his life from a bigger perspective, one that teaches him that he able to effect a more beneficial outcome. He in fact, "creates his own reality." This enlightenment is what Buddha eventually preaches to the world and lives in his daily life.

I am intrigued. My goal for the remainder of the summer is to try to train myself, to remove myself, from the drama of my day, and look at my life events as illusions and then train my thoughts to make more positive and creative responses. It may be a big goal, but, I figure if I take it day by day, I may be able to get a glimpse of what Buddha preaches to his followers. And if I get a little of his wisdom, perhaps I'll be able to make it a permanent thought pattern, and make my life, and this world, a better place.

Have hope,
Donna

Playin' Checkers

Hello.

Well, it's been a few days since I last posted. I would have written sooner except that my little guy has just learned how to play checkers and well...I appear to be a worthy opponent. Right now my husband is playing the "champ" so I have a few minutes to myself.

When the champ declared that he wanted to play checkers I was full of misgivings. The game is a little hard to explain and I wasn't sure I had the vocabulary or the patience to teach him. THAT was before I ever sat down with him to play. Apparently, Jason at school taught him how to play. I thought in my head, "Phew, I don't have to teach him, I just have to make sure he wins a few times." HA! Apparently again, Jason taught him well.

In the last few days of playing checkers I won a whopping ONE time. I honestly tried to beat him. He had amazing strategies and when he won he was so cute. He didn't diss me, he jumped for joy that he won!! It was great to watch.

Well, I just heard the giggles again. I guess he just beat daddy.

I gotta go...it's my turn.

Have hope (maybe I'll win!)
Donna

Wonderful Summer Read

Hello.

Today, I regretfully finished reading North River, by Pete Hamill. Last week, I hesitantly picked up a copy of this book at our local library. The characters and the time period (doctor, depression era) intrigued me so I thought I'd give it a try. I was not disappointed.

Pete Hamill intricately wove a historical theme, with suspense and sorrow, into a subtly romantic love story between an Irish doctor, his abandoned Mexican grandson and a Sicilian immigrant. The book is filled with descriptions of life in NYC that are so authentic that your mouth waters as the author describes the braciole and pasta dishes and your heart beats faster as you follow the doctor into a meeting with a notorious mob boss. You inhabit the characters (everyone of them) and act out their lives in your minds-eye. The ending is as it should be-an extension of personal and societal evolution.

The book haunts you. You will carry the characters and their dilemmas with you throughout your waking day and dream about them during your sleep.

Thank you Mr. Hamill for your sensitive and brilliant use of characterization, plot and setting. You have enriched my summer reading experience.

Have hope,
Donna

PS. I am aware that the title of this novel should be underlined and I apologize for not doing so. My computer finesse is poor and I was unable to figure out how to do so.

It's Been Too Long

Hello!

It's been a rather long time since I have written. I didn't intentionally forget. I've been very busy here at home trying to get outside projects done while I have the manpower around-husband and son. They have the strength I wish I had.

Anyways, it wasn't always work and no play. A few days ago, on the 4th I believe, it was raining here, so my family went to the movies. My eldest son saw Transformers and was duly enamoured with the graphics. My husband, little guy and I went to see Ratatouille.

After sitting through Shrek a few weeks ago, Ratatouille was such a wonderful relief. The movie was humorous (my little guy was laughing from the belly), beautifully animated, and of course, the message was outstanding. The only part of the movie I disliked was the scene where the rats take over the restaurant. They were the chefs because the regular staff quit. I guess seeing a roomful of rats preparing food was more than my stomach could handle.

All and all I would recommend the movie.

Another wonderful, heartwarming moment we experienced prior to the movie beginning, was a short flick produced by non-profit (of which I cannot remember the name) that showed a scene of children gathering for their yearly box-car race. The narrator is one of the participants. He speaks about how excited he is to have his chance to win this year. Panning out to the sideline is a boy being pushed in a wheelchair to the curb to watch the race. The narrator sees the boy, leaves his car, walks over to the boy, lifts him out of the wheelchair and places him in his box-car. The race begins and you watch the disabled boy fly down the hill. The narrator says something very profound indicating how he really did win the race that day.

Both my husband and I looked at each other and had a moment of gratitude. How I wish we as the American public (and yes, international public too) could see quick flicks like these, that reveal the human spirit and inspire all of us to be better people.

I'd love to be member of an organization that was a ground breaker in this area. Imagine how we could change the world by simply "showing" children how to care and be kind and see how similar we all are.....

Have hope.
Donna

PS If anyone out there knows how to put this idea into action, let me know.

Madder than Hell

I just read the CNN news site that I have as my home page. The first thing I saw was a picture of Lewis "Scooter" Libby and the caption announcing his sentence had been commuted by the president. (I don't use a capital because I don't respect the position or the person.)

I was dumbfounded.

First, I believe that Mr. Libby may have had some hand in the leak involving Valerie Wilson but I don't believe he was a major player. I believe he was taking the fall for someone more important and more influential in our government. I believe he was assured that if he played the game well, he would win the prize in the end. And so it happened....

Second, I also believe that Libby has the goods on a number of prominent Washington insiders and that all of them have been sweating bullets for the past weeks and months as they watched things unfold. All of them have been tight-lipped, waiting to see what was going to go down. If Libby's sentence was not commuted EVERYONE was going to start talking. Now every one can sit pretty...for a little while.

What I don't understand is, that in this day and age with video tape and email and manuscripts available at a moments notice, no one-not one person with authority-has taken it upon him or herself to put the pieces together and officially investigate, charge and bring to trial the parties-ALL THE PARTIES-that have ridiculed our sacred Constitution.

I am disgusted with the whole cast of players. I am sickened at the public officials who blatantly laugh at the American people by lying, cheating and disrespecting their sensibilities. I am mad as hell that the press has not demanded accountability for words and actions by our government officials. I am furious that there is not one elected official who has the guts to make a stand and speak up loudly and constantly until justice is served. Lastly, I am saddened that the basic tenets of our country " one nation, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all" have been degraded and ignored.

Shame on us.

Donna

We Can Do Better

Hello.

This morning my husband and I were talking about the state of affairs in this world. He mentioned to me that Khadafi had suggested the formation of a united African governing organization, similar to that of the European Union. He told me about this because it couldn't have been more than a week ago, I mentioned the same thing to him when I was stressing over the suffering of the African people. I asked him, why can't they all get together and use their vast resources to build each other up instead of tearing each other apart? Imagine the health and healing and prosperity that would exist on that continent.

Then we began "imagining" the possibilities.

I decided that we, as a human race, should insist upon developing a world governing body (get ready all you evangelicals-what you have been preaching against all these decades may actually happen). Every nation on this earth will elect an official to represent their country in a multi-national governing board. Topics like global warming and poverty, famine and much, much more can be discussed and legislation made to bring about change. The legislation would be brought back to the respective governing bodies for approval. In much the same manner that legislation is made into law here in the US, majority rule would make the legislation law and the world community would work together towards implementing it.

The United Nations would then become the judicial branch of government for the world with its chief function being conflict resolution. Imagine opposing sides of matters making their cases to a multi-national judicial system and having a resolution determined that the world community would be responsible for enforcing.

Think of all the blood that would not be spilled. Think of all the conversations and discussions that would have to occur to ensure understanding of differing points of views.

Imagine a world where people have the frame of mind that they will use their intellect, resources and will power to come to a common resolution instead of drawing lines in the sand to defend their territory. We will think-not it terms of me, my and mine- but in terms of us, we and ours. I imagine this would take time and training because we have built huge ruts in our brains to think selfishly but I believe we can make it happen.

We begin with the children; all the children- Iraqi children sitting down to sup with American children, Jewish children playing with Arab children, Indian children learning with Pakistani children. As the children grow they reminisce about common experiences, caring unfolds, and then communication, and learning to understand each other, and eventually unity, and respect, and ultimately love. Wow-wee, what a place this earth would be....

I'd like to live in a place like that.
Have hope,
Donna