Book Report August 28, 2008

       If you’re a fan of old movies, you might remember an actor named Robert Walker.  I particularly remember his performance as the maniacal killer in Hitchcock’s ”Strangers On A Train”.  What I didn’t remember was his tragic death at a young age, and the strange love triangle involving him, actress Jennifer Jones, and producer David O. Selznick, that many believe contributed to his death. 
      If you can find a copy of the book  Star Crossed  by Beverly Linet, it is worth the search. The story of the talented acting couple (Robert Walker and his wife Jennifer Jones) should have been a glamorous and happy one.  Unfortunately, that is not how it turned out.  If you do get a chance to read it, let me know what you think.

Square in Talladega…Ideas To Bring It Back

     I’m no expert, but if we put our heads together, maybe we can come up with something to revive the historic square area in Talladega.  My thoughts range from moving all parking and traffic one road back all around, and making a “cobble stoned”, quaint, walking area of antique shops, small restaurants, etc; to making all the buildings into apartments or condos for the young and the old.  If you have to keep the parking, at least offer some shade  with trees or attractive carport like areas.
     I don’t know what to do.  I grew up here, and walking down to the square for popcorn and a movie, topped off with a 2 cent pack of chewing gum from the nearby drug store was a treat worth saving your money for…seeing the square in this increasingly derelict condition is depressing.
     Hey, remember how the Alabama Shakespeare Festival started in Alabama?  A little theater in Anniston used to put on Shakespeare’s plays, and it became quite well known, as I recall.  Of course, once it moved to Montgomery it lost its luster.  There was something about a small Southern town hosting a Shakespeare Festival that caught people’s imagination.  Can’t lightening strike twice in the same place?  We have an open square to surround our festival with antiques, local crafts, down home cookin’, among other great things.  Come on Talladega, let’s put on a show!

Iraqi PM Demands U.S. Pullout Timetable

Good Morning,
     Is anybody else bone tired of the Iraqi PM demanding anything from the country that freed his country at the expense of its blood and economy?  He may request, ask nicely, or grovel. Or all of the above.  I demand that he stop demanding anything from me and mine.

“There can be no treaty or agreement except on the basis of Iraq’s full sovereignty,” al-Maliki told a gathering of tribal sheiks. He said such an agreement must be based on the principle that “no foreign soldier remains in Iraq after a specific deadline, not an open time frame.”

     Could somebody try to get it into this guy’s extremely thick skull that a timetable for our soldiers pulling out is also a timetable for the terrorists to start moving in?  I’m hoping against hope that al-Maliki is pontificating for the benefit of his own people.  I hope it’s playing well with his “tribal sheiks”,  because his attitude stinks to high heaven from where I’m sitting.

Obama picks Sen. Joe Biden for VP running mate

But, didn’t Biden say this when Obama threw his hat into the ring for President?

…He’s a   “a one-term, a guy who has served for four years in the Senate.”

Biden added: “I don’t recall hearing a word from Barack about a plan or a tactic” on Iraq…

I wonder why he didn’t select Kathleen Sebelius, Governer of Kansas?  She’s liberal enough for him, and he could have pulled in some of the female voters he so casually threw away…not sure what Obama is thinking…

Once again, it should be interesting right up to November.

Democratic National Convention August 25-28, 2008

Word on the street is that the Democratic National Convention could hold some surprises. That intrigues me enough to keep my eye on the proceedings and report any wild things here. Check back often.

Chase and Sanborn Coffee?? Anybody?

     I noticed that the CVS Pharmacy is having a buy one, get one free sale for Chase and Sanborn coffee.  Has anybody tried this coffee who could tell me if it is drinkable? 

     I usually buy Folger’s, but as you probably know, the price of Folger’s has gone up, too.  I’ve bought some of the cheaper coffees but the flavor just isn’t there.  Hope someone can help.

New Poll Puts McCain Ahead

August 20, 2008….A new poll shows John McCain has taken a five-point lead over Barack Obama in the race for President. The poll, conducted by Reuters/Zogby Thursday through Saturday, shows McCain leads 46 to 41 percent.  Several articles I read attribute the change to McCain’s “attempts to discredit” Mr. Obama in the last few weeks.  I think people are just paying more attention to what is going on as the election nears.  Please, God, let it be so.  There may be hope for this country yet.  Oh, and by the way, regarding the “discrediting” of other people for political gain:  payback is a .?.?.?, I mean payback is difficult to stomach.  Eh, Mr. Obama?

The Benefits of Walking

 This is for all us couch potatoes out there:

      Walking can add minutes to your life.

 This enables you at 85 years old to spend an additional five months in a nursing home at $7000 per month.

 

      My grandpa started walking five miles a day when he was 60...now he’s 97 years old and we don’t know where he is.
      
     I like long walks, especially when they are taken by people who annoy me.
      
      The only reason I would take up walking is so that I could hear heavy breathing again.

 

      I have to walk early in the morning , before my brain figures out what I’m doing..
      
      I joined a health club last year, spent about 400 bucks.  Haven’t lost a pound.  Apparently you have to go there.
     
      Every time I hear the dirty word ‘exercise’, I wash my mouth out with chocolate.
      
      I do have flabby thighs, but fortunately my stomach covers them.

      The advantage of exercising every day is so when you die, they’ll say, ‘Well, she looks good doesn’t she.’
      
      If you are going to try cross-country skiing,      start with a small country.
      
      I know I got a lot of exercise the last few years…… just getting over the hill. 
   
     We all get heavier as we get older, because there’s a lot more information in our heads.      That’s my story and I’m sticking to it.
      
      AND

, FINALLY….

 

      Every time I start thinking too much about how I look, I just find a Happy Hour and by the time I leave, I look just fine.      

 

 

 

 

CONTRIBUTED BY CHARLES BELITZ