Wisdom from the Bleachers of a Pool

Shawn and I are sitting at a swim meet in the uncomfortable and loud pool.  While we wait for Tiffany's event to start, we are chatting about different things that are going on.  We stumble upon the subject of a friend that has a pet that she has to give away because her lease prohibits animals.
    
Shawn looks at me, judging my current temperament, than cautiously evokes this jem of wisdom. "Pets are like jewelry.  You never get what you paid for them, and you can never get rid of them."

Wait.  What?  Is this about Pets?  or my jewelry?  

"Hey!" I say the implications dawning on me, "I knew you didn't like pets, but why don't you like my jewelry?"

Cloudy With a Chance of Seals

Gavin brought home a story that he wrote at school today.  I laughed at the ending, and loved the moral of the story. I am attaching the image of the paper, however it took a little deciphering for me.  I should probably add that Gavin has been asking Shawn and I if, since he has taken such good care of his stuffed seal, he could get a "real seal" for a pet.  I have tried to explain that seals can't be pets because they need the ocean--not a house--and that it would be nearly impossible to feed them.  Enjoy. 

" Cloudy with a Chance of Seals"

by: Gavin

"Onec ther was a town caled Seal town wear the kids ho(who) want seals, get seals from the sky.  when they fall down to the ground they went in peaples houses.  Thes seals stayed in ther.  And they had to take care of them.  So they did.  and when the seals were hungry they just went and got some.  and when they are mad they brak stuff.  So they tri to keep them happy.

the End

Lance Armstrong

While I was in Dallas at the Gift Show, Shawn saw a promotional spot for Oprah's interview with Lance Armstrong and recorded it for me to view upon my return. Of course we were hearing bits and pieces of the interview highlighted on the news, and comments on people's Facebook/twitter posts referring to the scandal  He lied--continually--cheated, sued people who told the truth and bullied people into submission.  So why, I wondered, was I saddened that most of the comments were unusually cruel, and mean.  It seemed to me that perhaps people assumed that Lance having done those things, entitled them to mock, act poorly and say mean things.

Having made my own mistakes, perhaps I am more willing to forgive someone who has, not only made their own mistakes, but also has them played out for all the world to discuss and debate.  One could argue that Lance put himself in the spotlight by the life he chose to live, and thereby deserves his public flogging as well as the praise he received   I ask you to consider this... Is