Pat, so glad to see this--you faced an attack from the headline hyenas, and handled it gracefully. I once commented here that you a Brave Little Toaster, and you are. Smiles!

Claire, it wouldn't be Ricochet without you-- Wishing you the best of success in 2012.

As my Aunt Opal would say, "Good-night-a-livin'...I can't believe that." You feel insecure as to whether you are truly Texan?

BradnSA is right, it's a state a mind--get it back or get back here.

My mother has had Alzheimer's for 11 years, and has been in a memory-care unit for 6 1/2 years now.   Even though she can no longer recall my father's name, she still calls him "sweetheart".  They have been "sweethearts" since 7th grade, married for 63 years.  He visits her faithfully and attentively, even as she may sit staring blankly or dozing.

So while we endure the horror of watching this disease dissolve my mother's own memory, it is paradoxically a beautiful, awe-inspiring thing to witness my father's loving devotion to her and his memories of her.  It is a powerful force for good in my own life, and it is a living lesson taught to their grandchildren -- saying more about marriage than any words they might hear.

Happy Anniversary, Mollie, and many, many more. 

You are right, Mollie, his dictator-chic was miles ahead of the epaulet-wearing strongmen elsewhere.

Judith, you may record in your lab notebook that my skull exploded at the moment he blamed Margaret Thatcher.

I like and respect my Texas Governor, although I do not know him personally. He seems to have been a hard worker in his years ciming up the ladder from farmer to Legislator, Ag Commissioner, Lt. Gov, and Gov. I think he has solid conservative principles and enough common sense. Sometimes he has thought a bit much of himself and his ideas, as others here noted. George W. Bush and Laura have always inspired more affection from Texans than Rick Perry and Anita. Perry has an ego, no doubt, but he has been a suitable figurehead for the state. She is low-key and reasonable, a former nurse. Constitutionally, our governor is little more than a hood ornament, so I cannot pin our state's vibrant economy on his tenure. The best I can say is that Rick Perry didn't make it worse. He was an early supporter of Guiliani in 2008. I see a possible Rick&Rudy ticket next summer.

Mollie, I thought you were a star writer long before I realized you were wife of a writer and mother of toddlers.  You sound amazingly sane and serene.  I hope that in your busy day, there comes along a cake and candles for you.  Wish and make it big.

CJRun, I don't know where you're from, but I grew up on a Texas cotton farm like Governor Perry. Before the late 70's, "Republican" was a dirty word in these parts. It is no shame that he used to be a Democrat. Had he not switched parties, that would be a shame.

My guess is that Duane, accomplished as he is, felt like he was the lucky one to have met you, Dave. You and your truck have an open invitation to Austin, Texas. In your honor, I would bake an all-American apple pie, served a la mode. Unless you prefer clafoutis.

I saw this yesterday, too, amused how this dog is smiling for the camera and destroying a sofa at the same time. Next time you see "George", give him a good rub behind both ears from me.

Well, Rob, call me a party girl. I hope someday you'll find the best doughnut in Mississippi. Talk about a trip... Speaking of food consumption, did Ann Coulter actually eat food at your dinner party? She is so amazingly slender.

Claire, If the point of the trip was the pursuit of happiness, why were you in the company of such a scold? Stop whatever you are doing at the keyboard this moment to go touch, smell, and admire those roses. Then have a loud laugh about what you said to the waiter. I certainly did.

Claire, you always beckon me when you host a party. I will be seated at the table with katievs and Kervinlee, since I confess I have not read the masterworks of Dante or de Cervantes.

Claire, happiest birthday wishes! When I visit Ricochet, your posts and comments are the ones I'll read first, like a kid twisting the Oreo open to savor the filling before the cookies. Though your writing can stand alone, it makes this "conversation" altogether more interesting and fun.