good, bad, happy, sad...all reminders that I'm still breathing...etc.

Ah, Ren and Sven...they always make me smile!

Well, let's see...what's going on today? Well, first of all, my DAD's HOME from the HOSPITAL! I didn't get to talk to him very long this evening because my unfortunate sense of timing collided with the visit from the respiratory therapist. Many thanks to all who prayed and sent positive vibes his way. It was much appreciated. There are only so many things in life one can duplicate, and a dad's not one of them (at least in my book). Also, my nieces and nephew are super-duper, and my two cats haven't killed each other...today. Things are lookin' good!

As far as world events are concerned, what can I tell ya? Right now, everyone hates Tom Cruise, and wondering why Oprah is humiliated by the whole "showing up late to a store" thing when there's a picture of her out there somewhere with an ugly outfit she wore back in the 80's, and then there's that whole "let's paste my face on a painting of Ann-Margret's body" scandal. Oprah's got a hell of a lot more to worry about than a damned scarf store. (OK, maybe some people aren't concerning themselves with this crap, but I am and isn't that enough?)

In sadder Hollyweird news, two distinctive voiceover artists passed away...Paul Winchell (the voice of Gargamel, Tigger, Dick Dastardly and the ventriliquist that gave us Jerry Mahoney) and John Fiedler (the voice of Piglet, and a character actor who people don't recognize until they see him, hear him, and go, "There's that little guy who does the voice of Piglet!"). They join the "voice-over choir eternal" of Mel Blanc, Daws Butler, Sterling Holloway, Arthur Q. Bryant, George O'Hanlon (aka George Jetson), Paul Frees, Don Messick, Bea Benaderet and Jean Vanderpyl. I'm sure there are some I've missed, but I'm impressed I remembered that many, and on a Monday, no less.

I'm sure (for those of my readers that are concerned with my fascination re: all things animation) I can honestly say it's from birth. I have loved cartoons from the time I could remember seeing one. They are, strangely enough, a comfort to me in many ways. When my cousin Michael died while I was in college, cartoons were a key in getting me through. I know it's disconcerting to meet a "grown-up" that much into cartoons, but sometimes they were the only thing that could bring a smile to my face. They still do, and always will to a degree, but my life is so much more diverse now I can't even begin to describe it. It's not as diverse as others' lives are, but it's mine and I like it, thank you very much.

So put that in your pipes and you know what to do with the rest...(just kiddin' y'all...I figure anyone who is reading this has figured out that I'm not serious about the first sentiment.)

Well, gee, no more to report here. If Tommy B. is reading this, I gotta go drain the pasta (for real!)

Sudiegirl the ponderous