TALES FROM THE BRAT FARM

When I was a kid, the only time you saw me outside in the winter was when I absolutely HAD to be.  That meant to school and back.  Occasionally to run an errand to the grocery store down a block from the house.  Other than that, forget it!  I could easily have found myself a cave and hibernated all winter long.  I was always a sun and summer person.  That is when I truly came alive.  I still love hot weather and pools and mountain streams you can put your feet into to cool down or throw the cold water on your face and neck to refresh from a slow-paced walk.  My dream of heaven.  **Sigh**

I really wasn't sure if it was old age, possibly trying to come down with something or my hibernation mode setting in that has me sleeping so much.  It's not depression (so don't worry over that) but it's like I can't get bits and pieces of me WARM so I just want to huddle underneath the covers, close my eyes and I fall asleep.  When I wake up, the first thing I check is the temperature of my FEET.  I keep socks on them all the time but they still get cold at times.  I always feel better if they feel warm to the touch.  I should probably try to find something other than cotton socks for my feet to find out if that would help.  I don't believe I have EVER owned any other kind.  Weird, huh?

Well, just thought I would make a note here on that.  Going back to bed now (it's 3:30am).  Talk to you tomorrow when I am fully awake, if such a thing is possible.  Love you all.  Be safe. 

TALES FROM THE BRAT FARM

I was so damned tired yesterday after Chewlee finally left that I had to lay down for a nap and ended up sleeping for about five or six hours.  I awoke briefly and talked with Bratfink (who had also gotten up for a time) and then had to go lay back down for a couple more hours of sleep while my feet were not hurting.

Chewlee was actually funny.  She decided to play *cousins* with Baron, who was totally clueless about it all.   That didn't bother Chewlee.  She just grabbed his collar and dragged him along with her from place to place.  He had this really confused look on his face but he really didn't fight her much.  She kept calling him Hunter (a REAL cousin's name) and even tried, at one point, to put some Lip Balm on his lips except she suddenly realized he didn't have lips like she thought he should.  She came and complained to me about it.  I told her it wasn't a good idea to try to use that on dog's and she got very indignant and said, *He is NOT a dog!  He is my COUSIN!*  I told her that was only pretend and she mustn't forget that he really IS a dog or she might hurt him by accident.  She got a horrified look on her face, put her arms around his neck and gave him a hug and said, *I wouldn't hurt Baron.  He is my brother!*  At that, I was laughing my butt off.

Did I tell you that I was brushing her hair and noticed it was a bit shorter.  When I asked Chewlee if her mommy had cut her hair, she shook her head no and told me that *Shelle* had done it.  That's the Princess's friend who is also a hair dresser.  I don't really trust her because I've seen what she's done to the Princess's hair and it's WAY too short these days.  However, I do wish she did in home haircuts because I really could use one.  I've been just grabbing the long spots and cutting it so that it doesn't look really nasty.  But, there's no real shape to it.  Oh well.  There are times I miss Florida more than I can say.  **Sigh**  You could always find people that did what you needed and when you needed it.  It's very different here.

Today is the big weekly meeting of the JW's and I imagine the Beast will be attending.  He awoke early this morning and went to Hardee's again for their biscuit and sausage gravy breakfast.  This time he got one for me.  I found it when I woke up around 7am.  He's still in bed since he went back to sleep after eating.  I made fresh coffee a little bit ago so, when he wakes up this time, he won't have to nuke it. 

I'll be getting Chewlee later on today and then I get two days off.  I have things planned for that time.  I need to redo the linen closet and some of the wire shelves in my bedroom closet.  I just have to get my little step ladder in here to allow me to sit most of the time.  I have to find a way to let me feet rest as much as possible.

Love you all.  More later after Chewlee goes home today.  We are due for more rain so no assurances as to when I will be able to post again.  Be safe and be happy. 

TALES FROM THE BRAT FARM

I do that from time to time....think, I mean.  I was thinking that I wouldn't feel bad at all except for this pain in both my feet.  I know stress fractures are involved and I am probably not helping in the healing because of pushing myself to walk.  When my son's friend got stress fractures while he was hiking in the army, he had to stay off his feet for damn near two months and his feet were in protective footwear.  It never occurred to me that is what it could have been mainly because I don't think of myself as old all the time.  It's just when I look into a mirror or I try to do certain things and can't.  It's very frustrating at times.  I guess in our hearts we are all just 18 years old.  But our bodies betray us.

I have many things I would love to be doing.  I have some fabric here that I want to use to make pajamas or a nightie for Chewlee.  I have a few ceramic pieces that need painting.  I have some outside pieces that need refreshing.  I would like to compost the garden area on a sunny day.  I'd like to nag the Beast into making me another set of shelves for my DVD's.  I have been wanting to go to Red Lobster for dinner for ages and ages.  But, for the last six months, my feet have kept me from living my life.  I can't do anything that don't require their use for something or other. 

I was also thinking about Chewlee.  She is such a delight to me.  I love watching her become her own person.  I'm impressed with the things she is learning in school and how quickly she grasps many things.  Kids are such sponges when you give them the chance.  They are learning technology that many of us haven't mastered.  Chewlee has used an iPod, which I have not and wouldn't know what to do first.  Chewlee has grasped many of the games on Pogo and has been playing them since just about the time she turned four.  I am sure I will have other great-grandchildren but I won't be able to interact with them in the same way because I won't live close to them.  Right now I don't have to worry about losing touch with Chewlee as long as the Princess is engaged to Johnnycakes.  He swears he will never live any place else other than around here.  That's fine with me as long as they are happy.

I was also thinking about God.  I just don't believe in a God that is filled with nothing but hate and a need to constantly make his people unhappy or fearful.  Can you imagine how awful it is to live in fear all the time?  That seems to me what is going on with Muslims.  Or perhaps it's just because they are always involved in some sort of Jihad or other even among themselves.  The JW's are very cult-like except that they don't live together like the hippies used to do back in the 60's.  That could change.  They do, however, make them separate from non-believing family and friends.  They must only associate with each other except for work.  They go door-to-door proselytizing their beliefs.  All because of a man named Charles Taze Russell who began the movement in 1872.

He first predicted the second coming of Christ would occur in 1914.  He was a bit of a charlatan and was sued (and lost) for his claims regarding a wheat he had developed that he claimed would grow 5X more than regular wheat.  It actually grew less, hence the lawsuit.  He also supposedly developed a cure for cancer and a *millennial bean*.  He gave up those when the religion began to flourish and he began to make real money from his followers.

They (the JW's) are not supposed to lay up treasures here on earth (that means acquire wealth).  The leaders of the movement, however, are well-paid and live comfortable lives.  The *churches* are all paid for by the locals and the labor is always provided free of charge so that their Kingdom Halls seldom require a mortgage.  They are expected to donate money all the time regardless of circumstances or are made to feel bad.  I know.  I have some experience with this sect.  I refuse to have anything to do with them now, regardless of what the Beast is up to.  He had no other religious experience other than the JW's due to his mother and father.  I won't go into that but I am glad I know what I do because it will keep the Beast from trying to pressure me to attend any of their meetings.

I may not attend a church every week like some but it doesn't mean I don't believe in God or that I am not a good person.  I try to treat people with kindness and understanding.  I help out when I can.  I'm as good a Christian as I could possibly be and I DO keep the 10 commandments.  I think it's kind of funny how there is such a mixture of old and new testament in Christian thinking.  Most people think of the old testament as something that applies to the Jews and the new testament to Christians.  There is a mix of both in the sermons of all faiths and that can be puzzling at times.  I also think that it was a group of men, all with their own agendas and many were not good people, who decided what books would be included in the present day Bible.  But do people ever think about that fact?  I doubt it.  It wasn't an *inspired* selection.  They had their own agendas and prejudices.  Especially when it came to the treatment of women.

I was also thinking that it would be a wondrous thing to find out that there is life on other planets.  How wasteful if there wasn't.  Billions upon billions of planets and no inhabitants?  Perhaps that is what WE are to do...spread out and inhabit some of those most wonderful places that we can and observe the others.  What a fascinating idea!

Well, that's about it for now.  Love you all.  Have a wonderful day. 

TALES FROM THE BRAT FARM

I woke up this morning determined to get some things done regardless of how my feet felt.  I made my cabbage/noodle/bacon/mushroom dish up (and can't stop eating it now).  It's sitting in my slow cooker, keeping warm for later.  I keep going over and picking at it.    What I have done is push myself, helped out the Beast a bit and the result is that the feet are in incredible pain now.

Today the Beast became very interested in see what dress clothes he had.  I knew immediately that these were to dress up for the Sunday meeting of the JW's (if nothing else) and in preparation for his going out from door-to-door with these same people and becoming a real PITA to most people.  He also went out and bought a $200 sport jacket that was on sale for $80.  It looks like something a Mafia don would wear, I kid you not.  He's actually putting all of this stuff into a separate closet.  I think my sister is right.  He is feeling the hand of death and is now going back to something he's familiar with (it's the only real exposure to religion he's had in his life and from a time when he was very gullible).  I am not looking forward to the arguments that I know will ensue over this because he WILL try to bully me into going with him.  At least now I can just tell him that  he had best consult with the *elders* and learn that he can NOT do that to me.  I cannot be forced into anything.

Chewlee, the little stinker, had been trying to play with my cell phone yesterday.  I told her to put it back and she had complied....the time I caught her.  Today I tried to find my phone and it was gone.  I could hear it when I called the number but the sound was bouncing around and I didn't find it.  I let the Princess know so she could call or text the Beast if she wanted to talk to me.  Later, I suddenly heard the sound of my phone vibrating.  That vibration led me to where she had stashed the phone.  She also was the one that had managed to SET the alarm.    The one time I used that feature (while we were traveling a while back), I really had to search for it.  How she managed is beyond me.  Lucky I guess but I'm glad she did.  At least my phone is found.

Love you all.  More later perhaps.   Be good, stay warm and safe.  Be careful while driving, too. 

TALES FROM THE BRAT FARM

Tonight the Beast attended another meeting (only this one he actually got to stay...it was in English) of the JW's.  Chewlee had wanted to go with him (not knowing what was what) and he was actually willing to take her but I told him it wasn't a good idea.  First of all, she was not ready to sit still for a couple hours OR keep quiet.  She could care less and he has no patience or skills with keeping a child quiet other than force or threats so I said a flat out NO to that idea.  Besides, I was pretty sure the whole idea would have upset the Princess.

The dog, in the meantime, howled!  Yes, he howled because the Beast was gone and he didn't like it one bit.  I have this feeling that he is going to be having a personal Bible study take place here once he *gets the house cleaned up*.   That's up to him as long as he doesn't include me in those plans.  I will just stay in my room, with the door locked if necessary.

The Beast went out this morning and bought some more of Hardee's breakfast *treats*.  He got me a sausage and egg biscuit.  I really do NOT like the biscuits.   Today my body told me IT didn't either because six hours or so later, I threw it all up.  And I mean ALL of it just from the volume.  Poor Chewlee got so upset for me and kept asking if I was sick.  I told her I just had an upset tummy.  That satisfied her once I sat down again and seemed fine.  I wasn't fine but I did manage to settle my tummy down enough to have a conversation with her that satisfied her.

The Beast asked me to make up some tuna salad for a sandwich for him after his *meeting*.  I told him I would cut up the onion and celery we usually add if he would bring it to me but he decided he would manage it for himself.  I had re-hit my poor heel on my left foot (the one that is so black-and-blue) and just couldn't walk on it....not yet.  It takes a while before it settles down.  Usually it takes a couple hours minimum.  He offered to make me a sandwich but my stomach just roiled at the idea so I thanked him but told him, no thanks.  If I get hungry later and my foot is up to it, I can do that myself.

The Beast admitted to an intense desire to smoke tonight so, after he had his sandwich, he was heading for bed.  Good thing because Baron couldn't keep his paws or his nose off the Beast once he walked in the door.  When the Beast sat in my recliner, Baron immediately got into his lap and no amount of coaxing would get him off.  Too funny.  When the dog had been howling earlier, he refused to come in with me and Chewlee for company and Chewlee just shrugged and said, *He just misses Grampa too much*.  They definitely belong to each other.  If something happens to the Beast, I am not sure what I will do with him.  He will probably grieve himself to death.

It's got almost warm today despite the weatherman's predictions.  It was 57 outside at one point, bright and sunny and no wind.  It FELT warm compared to Wednesday.  It's supposed to be warmer still tomorrow.  We'll see.  In the meantime, love you all and I sure hope this first week of the new year has been a good one for you all. 

TALES FROM THE BRAT FARM

I swear that you can tell when kids have been away from you for a few days and exposed to new people.  They come back acting slightly *different*.  Oh, not BAD different.  Just some different reactions to things.  Chewlee was a bit quieter than normal up to a point.  She then suddenly became more demanding and that's when I put my foot down (and so did the Beast who heard the exchange we had).  I had to remind Chewlee that *around HERE* we are polite and we say *please* and *thank you*.  She insisted she had said *please* and I told her that I could hear very well and I did NOT here a single Please.  She then said, *Oh.* and in her sweetest voice then said, *Please!*

Other than that slight set-back, she was really very good.  She was, of course, intensely curious about everything the Beast was doing.  For such a small bathroom, he spent the whole damn day working on it.  I even found him sanding parts of the walls and the trim.  I guess he realized for the first time that it was, indeed, the original paint job which meant crappy paint.  After all the care he took today, when he finally rolls on the major portion of the walls tomorrow, this good quality paint we buy should last a bit longer before showing it's age.  At one point, he dripped some paint on the tile floor and Chewlee was quick to announce it to me.  Then I heard her say something to the Beast and she put her head into my room and said, *Oh, papa wasn't painting the floor, Grandma.  He was just checking the color.  It looked NICE.*  That made me laugh because it meant she really believed whatever it was he said.

He went to bed early, not thinking about the fact that Chewlee would probably have to use the bathroom in our room before her mother got here to pick her up.  The guest bathroom was really unfit to use but I managed it so she could.  She told me, *Papa is really messy, isn't he?* as she looked around.  Besides the required papers, a small drop cloth and the trash can being in the tub, he had several rags thrown hither and yon to cover things up that he didn't have enough newspaper for.

I did manage to have a better day today.  At least, I didn't sleep the day away.  I got some washing done and the Beast got up early to take a trip down to Hardee's for some breakfast for us.  He loves their biscuits and sausage gravy.  I don't because there's barely any sausage in the gravy.  He got me the bacon, egg and cheese biscuit.  It's nothing to write home about.  I prefer the croissandwiches from Burger King but especially the bacon one.  Even McD's egg mcmuffins are preferable. 

I got all the stuff ready for making the cabbage/noodles mix today and never got it made due to incredible sensitive feet.  I just couldn't stand on them long enough to cook up the bacon so I am hoping to get that made tomorrow.  Once the bacon is cooked, it's just waiting for the noodles to be ready while you are cooking up the cabbage, bacon and mushroom portion.  If I don't get it made, I may poss out just in anticipation of how much I have been craving the mess. 

It's been cold as hell all day long today.  They claim it got up to 48 but I don't believe it.  It's 31 degrees out right now and they say that should be our low...ha ha ha!

The Beast went to have his eyes checked today but just used the optometrist at Walmart.  I thought from what he was telling me that he might have the start of cataracts and, sure enough, he does.  I told him he needs to make an appointment with his opthalmologist for next month because mine were *small* too but the eye doctor got me in for surgery within a month because of just where they were forming.  We'll see what happens.

Love you all.  Be good.  Stay warm and healthy. 

TALES FROM THE BRAT FARM

....I spend the whole day sleeping.  The good thing is I feel much better.  No stomach ache.  No fever.  No hot and cold sweats.  I have always believed in sleep when your body is trying to heal.  The Beast checked in (not to see if I needed anything but to see if I was alive or dead ) a few times while he was taking down shelves and stuff preparing to paint the guest bathroom.  He spent the whole day on that bathroom but, guess what?  He hasn't painted a damn thing in there other than a tiny bit of trim up around the ceiling.  I kid you not.  I have never seen a man act more disorganized than the Beast since he has stopped smoking.  I have no idea why he's become that way other than he hasn't truly found an activity to replace smoking's place in HIS order of things.

I told the Beast at one point that he had better hide the guns because I didn't think I would be able to take his damn countdown of days and hours since he quit smoking.  It was fair warning since he can be a real pain in the ass.  I told him I would make sure to have a jury full of wives with husbands who have similar personalities to the Beast.  I would definitely be acquitted. 

Oh, and it looks like the Gecko is going to be our next insurer for the new car.  Our old insurance company doesn't want to renew us after all the accidents the Princess had.  What's funny is now she has her own car in her name and her own insurance company.  I'm sure it's pricey for her but he was ticked off that there was such a big difference in the cost between different companies.  They said we had two *chargeable* accidents.  Geiko did their check and gave us a price that was damn near the same one we were paying with our old company.  So, looks like the gecko gets us.    The little guy is making his way across country saving drivers hundreds of dollars. 

Tomorrow I get Chewlee after school.  Feels like she's been gone for a week instead of just a few days.  I am making my cabbage dish tomorrow.  Since it has both noodles and bacon in it, I am going to be curious to see Chewlee's reaction to it.  It's yummy.  One of those dishes you try to be *nice* and then find yourself craving it later on.

Love you all.  Have a great week and let's work toward this being a fantastic new year! 

TALES FROM THE BRAT FARM

When I finally threw my hands up and suggested bedtime for him, I was getting an almost hourly countdown of how long it had been since he had smoked a cigarette.  He had said he wanted to quit but I have heard this before.  When he had his strokes and the doctor told him it could be the difference between life and death for him, I quit smoking.  Friends came and cleaned the ductwork in the house for us (that was their business) and cleaned the walls and ceilings to remove cigarette odors.  The housekeeper I  hired for the purpose spent a couple days cleaning linens, cabinets, even the rugs in the house.  I intended to make it as easy as possible for him to stay smoke-free.  Visitors to the house were herded out to the patio at the side of the house by the pool to smoke so nothing would waft back into the house.  I spent nights cleaning clothes that were hanging in closets.  I think it was the happiest the Princess was as a child because she hated the smell.

So, even though I had no intention of quitting (and no real desire to), I went about five days (I know!  Enough time that I should have had most of the nicotine out of my system....mea culpa!) without smoking even though there were friends that smoked and our kids that were smoking outside and I would often sit out there with them.  I just kept thinking about the long haul the Beast was going to have in rehab to recover from the paralysis.

So, what happens?  I go to get the Beast from the hospital since he kept insisting he wanted to come home and have a physical therapist or two come to the house instead of going to rehab.  However, it turns out he left with his cousin for home before I finished with the business office and the doctors, who had to write all these different prescriptions.  I knew there was something wrong immediately.  Sure enough, I get home, he is sitting at the rear patio table in his wheelchair, cousin at his side, smoking a cigarette.  I was FURIOUS!!!

So furious that I told him to go ahead and kill himself if he wanted.  I and our friends had done so much to try to make the house smoke-free FOR HIM and all he could do was get his DAMN COUSIN to come because he knew everyone else was in on the fact that NO ONE WAS GIVING HIM CIGARETTES.  We wanted him to LIVE.  SO..................when he finally chose to quit, he could damn well do it on his own.  I would no longer quit for HIS benefit but I would quit when I was damn well ready to do so for myself.  With that I put my hand out to one of my sons and demanded a cigarette.  He took one look at my face and sheepishly handed me one.  I realize now how stupid that was to do that but....one should never really quit unless you are truly ready because it won't work.  I would have relapsed somehow.  I know because this scenario had taken place years earlier when our kids were young due to health problems the Beast had even then.  *I* truly quit but the Beast was sneak-smoking and I would smell it on him.  I should have remembered that.  But, c'est la vie!

So, now the Beast decided he wanted to quit smoking and I am getting really tired of hearing a blow--by-blow, minute-by-minute countdown.  I just told him that I would believe it in a month or two.  After all, one of our sons quit for well over a year and stated smoking again.  Then it was even longer and now he smokes those electronic cigarettes, which I think is just as bad even if it's healthier.  It's still an addiction of a different type. Like Yoda says, *Do or don't do.  There is no *try*. Or, in this case, substitutions don't count as quitting.  Both are unbroken habits.

Oh well, that's all I have to say on the subject.  For now.  Love you all.  Have a wonderful week. 

TALES FROM THE BRAT FARM

It was a slow morning for our last one together before the girls returned home.  It seemed like a short two weeks but I'm sure they will be glad to get back to their regular routine as will we.  Buttmunch made breakfast...corned beef hash and eggs, which tasted wonderful to me.  I had to remind Buttmunch to get her ham bone out of the freezer.  She said she knew her cooler bag looked like something was missing.  She had packed the water bottles she had frozen for them but, I admit, I don't know what else she packed for them to munch on, if anything. 

The Beast took the opportunity of being in Huntsville to take the dog to one of the two dog parks he had found there were up there.  He said Baron had a great time.  He knew immediately that it was for HIM!    When they got home, I was napping so the two of them laid down for a nap, too.  I woke up, got some coffee and noticed they were back and sleeping.  I drank the coffee, smoked a cigarette and went back to nap for a bit longer.  We all woke up again around the same time so the Beast shared his info with me on the dog park.  He really wishes we had one nearer to us but the park by the river will have to do for us for now.

The Beast has gotten involved with one of the Jehovah's Witnesses that live in our little enclave here.  This morning he announced he was going to the Kingdom Hall for the Sunday meeting.  That was a bit of a shock to me but it's HIS choice so I just shook my head in acknowledgement.  Later on, after he left, Buttmunch was shocked that he would get reinvolved but I told her it was probably because he is now concerned about dying and doesn't want to take any chances.  After all, he's had two strokes and two bouts of bladder cancer.

He returned home less than an hour later and I knew something was up.  He laughed and said the morning meeting was for the Spanish speaking members.  The *gringo* meeting was at 1pm, which meant he wouldn't make it today because of having to take the girls to the bus station for their trip home.  At least I will be prepared for his going off next Sunday.  I just wonder how long it will be before he starts attending the OTHER meetings.  We shall see.  As long as he doesn't expect ME to go with him, we will be able to maintain domestic tranquility.  I have my reasons.

Not much of a choice on movies today for our start of the New Year.  I ended up watching *2012* on StarzW.  I really like the movie.  It has everything....horror, pathos, hope, wonderful special effects and a show of the greatness of the human spirit under adversity.  I hope nothing near it ever happens to us but it does give one pause when you consider that it is a realistic possibility with the volatile nature of our planet.

Later, I will probably watch one or two of the new dvd's I got for Christmas although I have seen the majority of them before.  Except *The Bucket List* which is at the top of the pile and *I Am Legend*.  Those will probably be the first before I start repeating movies I have seen before.  I have two of the Librarian movies, which I love.  I have the King Solomon's Mine one and the Judas Chalice.  I don't remember how many were made but it couldn't be more than four, I think.  Which is a shame because I really think the public missed out on some interesting and well played movies.

Time to get this posted.  My internet is a bit *iffy* again tonight.  Love you all and, again, I wish you all a Healthy, Happy and Prosperous New Year. 

TALES FROM THE BRAT FARM

So, here it is.  2012.  Do I feel different?  No.  Do I think I will mistakenly put the wrong year's date down on my checks?  Curiously, no.  I guess because there has been so much hype about 2012.  And, no matter MY take on the end of the Mayan Long Count Calendar and their beliefs, they poisoned their own water supply with their human sacrifices and caused their own demise.  So brilliance astronomically doesn't mean they had the answers to anything.  The fact that we will experience an alignment that occurs only once every 65,000 years or so doesn't mean it will end our world.  Sorry.  Don't mean to pop a bubble for anyone but it's like expecting 72 virgins for being a martyr for Allah.  Takes a lot of faith for which there is no evidence.  The Mayans seem to have preferred to die out rather than clean up their act so they could experience the end of the long count calendar.  They scattered, died off mostly and there are few survivors.  All because they couldn't accept gods that didn't require human sacrifices....utterly inhumane sacrifices and in great numbers.  Does that remind you of another religion that exists in this day and age?  Perhaps they, too, will reduce their numbers greatly and almost die off like the Mayans.  Perhaps the remaining ones will be more amenable to the idea of living together in an atmosphere of peaceful co-existence than their more genocidal brethren. 

Will there be *Heaven's Gate* exemplars ahead of us out of fear for the forecast?  Only God and his angels know.  I would hope that we would treat the end of the long count calendar as the start of a new era for humanity or at least a new understanding of the universe in which we reside.  I believe we will enter an era of discovery about that universe.  The Milky Way will reveal many of it's secrets that previously were not available.  We will be closer to it than we have been in over 65,000 years.  We have the technology now to observe and understand many things that we couldn't have back then IF we were around.  Makes you wonder who it was that actually educated the Mayans who had no telescopes to view these distant bodies.  It's one of the greatest reasons that I believe in Ancient Aliens that came to earth to help along the growth and education of man.  Of course, I also believe that not all aliens were GOOD ones.  Those were, perhaps, the ones that enjoyed human sacrifices and used scare tactics because they really did not want man to progress or survive.  We may never know in our generation but I do believe that there are *people* on other planets.  I don't believe that a reasonable god would leave hundreds of thousands of planets and universes unpopulated.  Too much waste.

Well, I hope 2012 brings everyone both joy and happiness.  Good health, too.  Love you all.  Smile a lot.  Laugh a lot.  It's healing for us all.