May 23, 2012

Yes, I do.

I don't have any anecdotes about seeing one, but I think those spirits or energies (or whatever they are) are all around us. It comforts me to believe that....

May 23, 2012

All of it! Probably playing outside until dark.....

I grew up in the 1950s and 60s. It was such an innocent time. We were outside from morning till night, only coming in when we got hungry or our mothers called us. We were total tomboys and urchins! We had endless woods to explore, creeks, a big yard with shade trees to climb, a neighborhood playground, and everyone watched out for other peoples' kids. We had a lot of freedom but we were always safe.

May 20, 2012

Corbett is going after teachers' collective bargaining rights!

This is from an email I received from PSEA:

"On Tuesday, May 22, the state Senate Education Committee plans to ram through legislation that strips collective bargaining rights for school employees in financially distressed districts. You may think you don't work in a financially distressed district so you are safe – but think again. PSEA estimates that a significant number of school districts – urban, rural, and suburban – could fall into financial distress in the next one to two years, if current conditions do not change.

A growing number of our public school districts are facing financial distress, primarily because of Governor Tom Corbett's nearly $1 billion in school funding cuts. But instead of addressing the real needs of our struggling school districts, Governor Corbett and some state Senators want to solve it by eliminating your collective bargaining rights and putting state-appointed bureaucrats in charge of your school district.

Make no mistake, this is a manufactured crisis that Tom Corbett is using to chip away at our rights. We need to stop him.

Corbett’s proposal to "help" these districts is to violate the state constitution by canceling your contracts. It would also empower districts to close schools and eliminate jobs. But it would not provide any new funding or resources. The proposal also would permit public school districts to be turned over to for-profit management companies and charter operators with no financial or academic accountability."

This proud public school teacher and PSEA member would appreciate it if DUers could contact your state senators on our behalf. Thank you, femmocrat

April 26, 2012

Plumbing question.... was mentioned on DU2.

Does anyone remember the name of the toilet that was recommended by DU2 posters way back when?

It wasn't like Kohler or American Standard. It was an unusual brand name. Posters highly recommended it.

Thank you!!

April 16, 2012

Today was Orthodox Easter.

Christos voskrese! Voistinu voskrese! to my fellow Orthodox Christians.

April 3, 2012

I like numbers 4 and 5.

The whole list is very thoughtful. Now how do we get this out to the thoughtless?

March 27, 2012

State Senator Jane Orie (Allegheny Co.) found guilty of multiple counts of corruption.

State Sen. Jane Orie guilty on 14 counts, acquitted of 10
By Paula Reed Ward / Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

An Allegheny County jury convicted state Sen. Jane Orie today of 14 of the 24 counts in her public corruption trial and acquitted the McCandless Republican of others after five days of deliberation.

The jury found Ms. Orie guilty of multiple counts of theft of services, conflict of interest, ethics violations, tampering with evidence and forgery, and a single count of conspiracy.

Ms. Orie was found not guilty of counts of perjury, obstruction of justice and election code violations. The jury also found her not guilty on counts related to her sister, state Supreme Court Justice Joan Orie Melvin.

The guilty verdicts jeopardize her seat in Harrisburg and her state pension.

More at link: http://www.post-gazette.com/stories/local/neighborhoods-north/orie-jury-to-announce-verdict-at-545-pm-628125/?print=1

February 14, 2012

I look like my mother, but I'm my father's daughter.

Which is strange, because we were never close. He was hard to get to know. I guess I am too... I keep to myself a lot and I'm not very out-going. My mom was very sociable and loved get-togethers, traveling, and playing cards and games. Me, not so much -- I'm more of a homebody.

The one thing I did get from my mom is that we both love to read. She always encouraged us to read and get a good education. My dad was a hard-working guy, not a reader, and only had a 10th grade education. He was so smart in other ways, though. I miss them both every day.

February 13, 2012

Thank you for the heart, dear "secret admirer"!

I am so touched that you thought of me. (I was surprised to get any hearts -- I just thought the first one was because of my star!)

This place always makes me so happy.

February 11, 2012

We have so many talented people here at DU.

WE should be running the country instead of spending all of our time here! LOL

I am always in awe of how funny some of the posters are. They are so quick-witted and really crack me up. I can write half-decent prose, but just don't have that "funny bone" in me.

Thanks for your post DocMac, and for the opportunity to add to it. Happy Valentine's Day!