Blue roses are very rare I am the oldest of six siblings and usually have as many jobs as I do retirements. My youngest sister Paula Dunlap is the other teacher in our gang and when she retired as Director of Special Services at Harrah, she has stayed retired.

As many of you know, Phillip Sharpe is battling cancer, and has been for quite a while. He and Loita are lifelong friends and we are among the many praying for his recovery.

We all have seen it. Mobs of young people, some who are “actual” college and university students — wearing those “Yassar Arafat” head scarves, burning the flag of the United States and shouting “Death to Israel.” Where has all this Jewish race hatred come from? Who is Hama? Why do they all hate Jews and Israel?

I remember the day well. It was one of those times when everything goes right. I took a shower and fixed my hair. It went just the way I wanted it to, as it so seldom does. I pulled on my new pink sweater, giving me added color, since I need all the help I can get. I pulled on my gray slacks and my taupe heels.

A Return to Yesteryear As an “ole-timer” I often think of the “good ole days.” When I recently read the following, it brought back a lot of memories… The rhythmic charm of rockabilly dazzles your brain and bones with excitement. Your socks chafe the hardwood floor as you slide and cut the ground with moves that make your parents fearful of your generation.

ADULT EVERYDAY TRUTHS

• I think part of a best friend’s job should be to immediately clear your computer history if you die.

•. Nothing sucks more than that moment during an argument when you realize you’re wrong.

•. I totally take back all those times I didn’t want to nap when I was younger.

•. There is great need for a sarcasm font.

•. How are you supposed to fold a fitted sheet?

•. Was learning cursive really necessary?

Not too long ago I had “one of those days.” I was feeling pressure from a writing deadline. I had company arriving in a couple days and the toilet was clogged. I went to the bank, and the trainee teller processing my deposit had to start over three times. I swung by the supermarket to pick up a few things and the lines were serpentine.

THE EYE OF THE STORM Sunday morning at our house is a little like Dante’s Inferno. A great lament goes up among the children when they discover someone else has gone before them into the water chamber. In a few moments I will hear the hum of hair dryers and the shouts of, “Has anybody seen my brush?” I will hear a squeal of discovery, and then the one using the hair dryer will say, “I couldn’t find mine. Why can’t I use it? Come on, give it back!”

A Battle of Words Back last October the Hamas launched a secret “Pearl Harbor Style” attack on Israel. The Israeli people had relaxed their vigil and were caught by surprise as the Hamas launched this surprise night-time attack along their border with Gaza.

April brings out the fool in me One of the things I miss most about being retired from the classroom is that it has been 5 years since I have had a “Kick Me” sign mysteriously taped onto my back. 1.