Let's see...lot of questions or statements!

Yes; No; No; Well, it's not me...must be you; I cannot explain it either; In that case, Good to live near hills; No fear; No...but occasionally I'm tested!

Seriously, I was married for 35 years...and until the last five years it was a loving relationship. I met Susan after my divorce and fell so deeply in love...It is sweeter, better the second time for me...but maybe that's because I know me better. We're all different...and everything that we experience shapes us. Good luck in your relationships!

My friend, we are all complicated...some a little more so than others. Certainly, we are complex! We know about as much about the human brain as we do outer space...so a lot more exploring to do. And yes, sometimes, some of us take "complicated" to an art form!

Abuse is a complex issue. Statistics on the American Bar Association's Commission on Domestic Violence provide some insights...but law enforcement officials believe that much abuse - physical, verbal, sexual - goes unreported to law enforcement authorities, and thus, escapes these statistics. While abuse goes both ways, clearly women are far more likely to be victims than men. In either case, it is wrong...and against the law. Here's a sampling of statistics.

According to the U.S. Department of Justice, between 1998 and 2002:
Of the almost 3.5 million violent crimes committed against family members, 49% of these were crimes against spouses.
84% of spouse abuse victims were females, and 86% of victims of dating partner abuse at were female.
Males were 83% of spouse murderers and 75% of dating partner murderers
50% of offenders in state prison for spousal abuse had killed their victims. Wives were more likely than husbands to be killed by their spouses: wives were about half of all spouses in the population in 2002, but 81% of all persons killed by their spouse.
Of females killed with a firearm, almost two-thirds were killed by their intimate partners. The number of females shot and killed by their husband or intimate partner was more than three times higher than the total number murdered by male strangers using all weapons combined in single victim/single offender incidents in 2002.

And when children see adults hitting each other...what lesson is learned?

Ironically, duct tape can - and does - serve tens of thousands of purposes, but when the Department of Energy's Lawrence Berkeley Laboratory in California tested duct tape against dozens of other tapes and sealants on HEATING AND AIR CONDITIONING DUCTS...it was the first one to fail!
Go figure! Meanwhile, it's used everywhere and is so indispensable in some industries it has its own separate name...on movie and TV production sets...it's called Gaffer's Tape. Alas, for anyone who has tried, it won't hold together a relationship either. And yes, I know of a divorce where the former happy couple split a case of duct tape during property settlement...it was listed in an official court document!

Well, at least he didn't do his caddy, Steve...Oh, Tiger, say it ain't so!

Well, for me, it's her...I can honestly say in a life-or-death situation...I'd even choose her over me.
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When I was 12 years old, my parents gave me a first edition of "To Kill a Mockingbird" by Harper Lee, which I still have. After reading it, I told them that I wanted to be a writer. For nearly 40 years I have made my living writing. So, it was by far the most memorable gift I was ever given.

I like what you say!!!

Hmmm...I have a friend...well, an acquaintance, in Philly...Tony "Louisville Slugger" Califano...AKA
"Tony the Whacker"...AKA "Tony Bada Bing Bada Boom"...AKA "Tony the Persuader." He gets out again in 6 months...email me...I'll give you his cell number...well, make that his mobile number!

Damn, Holly...this is my son! Puhleeezee take him...he's in his 8th year of college!

First impressions can be lasting...and from your previous few posts to this one...I have to ask, Ever hear of Dale Carnegie? Good luck...I think you are going to need it!

Welcome...some of the usual suspects are here and have welcomed you with open arms (except Goof...who's a torso only so don't expect too much from him...but I digress)!

I don't really need or want much...the greatest gift in all my Christmases is having Susan in my life.
But, I will probably gift myself with a slightly self-indulgent dining experience...that I will prepare because I love being in the kitchen. There will be what I call, "The Cook's Wine," which is an incredibly great bottle(s) of something rare and yummy! I will have the love of my life...and a few precious friends nearby.

Otherwise, in addition to my work with Heifer International, about five years ago I started giving money...nothing huge - sometimes $20...sometimes more...to complete and total strangers I see when I am out and about before Christmas. There's no rhyme or reason...it can be someone smiling or laughing...someone that I observed being "nice"...someone that looks sad or in need of a friendly gesture. Some are perhaps financially in need...some are not. I put no conditions on my gifts. I simply
say, Happy Holidays. The looks are priceless...it is one of the reasons I so love Christmas!

Ok, maybe...just maybe...HE'S STANDING TOO CLOSE! Yeah, that's it...it's a perspective thing!

I knew I wasn't the only one!

It's a chain reaction!!!!

You're welcome...if everyone does a little...a lot of good happens!

'Tis the season, indeed...Way to go! There are many worthy charities, but one I have been involved with for 30 years is Heifer International...www.heifer.org. They do amazing things the world over and bring the true spirit of the season to millions of people. Please check it out if you are looking to do more good this year!

Ditto!

Yes....one time is too many. And quite frankly...it's never going to be just one time!