MATING FOR LIFE

While taking a bath (where I do most of my serious ponderings)I remembered last fall seeing a single Canada goose crossing the road I travel frequently on the way to the freeway. This same single goose day after day was there as if waiting for something - and then I realized it should have flown south with the rest of the flocks weeks ago and yet here he(or she) was wondering the roadside as if searching for something.Oh, I knew why - the mate was missing, or dead, and the one left was definitely not leaving without something or someone.

Geese are one of the species that mate for life. One mate - for life. Wolves mate for life too. And Eagles. I'm not a biologist by any means but I'd say that sets a pretty good example for the rest of us civilized beings to follow.

My twin daughter Jillian will be married next month to a very fine young man from a good and kind, hard working family. I hope that she will find a devotion equivalent to the goose in my path that day. It is the best I could wish for any young couple because I know that kind of love myself.

One love forever - there's nothing that compares to that!
MUM

THRIFTSTORE ADDICTION

I get the greatest thrill finding treasures at the Goodwill, consignment or thrift shops. Like this small bureau or the Italian ceramic fruit centerpiece on the top. Of course lots of dealers roam these stores as well, but they're looking for resale items and I'm looking at quality and good value for decorating my home.

This small 3 drawer piece only stands 30 inches tall but it will hold games, sheet music and keep clutter to a minimum while looking attractive and all for only $29. One might expect to pay as much as $400 new when you consider the quality of construction - dovetailed drawers, dust tops for each, and solid walnut wood not pressboard. The detailed design is what one would expect to find on Drexel or Ethan Allen furniture, but there were no identifying marks. One small mar on the top is covered by the cloth and won't be noticed at all.
I've cleaned all the insides first with woodsoap and water and then with a mixture of furniture polish and lavender oil that I make up myself. It takes away any cigarette or musty smells as well as giving it an attractive aroma for future openings.
Sometimes my day is just not complete without a visit to the local second hand stores. I keep a sharp eye for usable items from vintage tableware, bowls and teapots, to furniture, framed art and even unusual purses for fun.

Most often I use the inspiration technique when decorating a space. First,you find all the pieces for the space without any hesitation for price - only quality, design and beauty, at the high end designer stores. Then when you have a vision in place substitute the pieces with similar lines and color from your favorite thrift shops.
Of course this could take a few months or even years but by then you have not only saved thousands, you've spent time appreciating quality in American craftsmanship and history.

After all the years that I've spent browsing junk shops, my most precious memories can be triggered by these castoffs; where I was when I found each one, and even if I came home empty handed, I had a sense of the cities and towns I visited just by scanning the local thrift shops.

I never considered myself as a collector because displays of endless collectibles loses their creativity after awhile. If I find something useful and it has vintage value as well -THAT is nirvana and perhaps my confession of addiction is slightly justified after all.

Mum

I'M SICK AND TIRED OF BUSH BASHERS

I get angry when Americans bash their own president. From neighbors to celebrity comments like how dumb he is or how wrong his foreign policy is, to impeachment demands, its sickening to me.
The only people that are really benefiting from these tirades are our competitors on the globe. And most of them already hate us. We are our own worst enemy. Not the terrorists, communists or even ultra suave Europeans, but you and me who can't see that we are being used by the media and the constant phony polling statistics.

We continue to listen to opinionated Hollywood white trash born "now I have money and status" loudmouths who constantly criticize the American government and its leader. Just where do they think they got their money and fame from anyway? They should stick to what they do well which is play make believe all day instead of trying to stimulate the guilt glands of the rest of us.

What is so awful about Mr Bush anyway? He has a boatload of advisers that come from the highest institutions of learning. When Mr Clinton was president he had the sex appeal factor so we overlooked his governing qualities altogether. What did he really do that we remember anyway. He'll go down in history as the guy with the cigar fetish.

Besides you don't need charisma to run a great business anyway. Look at Bill Gates. Now THERE is an attractive man with all the charm of the geeksquad. Even Donald Trump is an embarrassment if you think about the combover hairdo. But they run great businesses and isn't the business of America business? If it wasn't then what are we all doing in the land of opportunity? We voted this guy in and like it or not we are being watched by the world.

The fickle American masses need some crowd control and if they don't like their lifestyle stop blaming everyone else and change themselves. After that get some junkyard dog lawyers on the media themselves. Who made them God anyway. How dare they point out the faults of our leaders for us. We can do it ourselves, thank you very much. The next time these media guys point the finger I say lets lay them out under the microscope for a few years and scrutinize them within an inch of their proverbial lives See how they survive their own tactics!

I'm not advocating silencing free speech or opinions (obviously) only have some respect for the highest office in our country and act like we are on the same team.

Mother Goose
PS I was born in Canada and I know how they feel about Americans