The stereotype implies that artists are flaky, late, undependable,  and indecisive.  Like myths, stereotypes must in part be based in truth because at least in this case...it seems to be spot on. I'm saying this as a dancer and an apprentice lighting designer.  I hate the stereotype. I try to discourage it all of the time by making myself crazy trying to fit into a mold that just isn’t possible. Read more »

We are all used to seeing commercials during our local news cast each week exhorting us to adopt a cute, cuddly little animal into our loving family. I’m quite used to it now, and my own pets came from the local shelter. It's nice for the animal to get a good home...hopefully.

But, this week I’m staying with family in Connecticut and...they just advertised a child on the TV! They told all about her likes and dislikes and job aspirations. They even said that she wants a "forever home". Ahhh...I think that that might be going a little too far. I can understand advertising a puppy on the TV...but a child? Maybe my reaction is so strong because the advertisment came in the wake of reading an article about a woman who returned her adopted, teenaged daughter after raising the poor girl for most of her life. I didn’t think that was allowed. Anyway, maybe I’m just biased. But I'm thinking that if a person really wanted to love and find a child they would be researching it; not responding to an infomercial. There's a huge problem in this country with people who "buy" things on impulse and kittens and dogs are no exception. Many dogs and cats are returned to shelters because "they just didn't work out." My fear is that if you advertise a child the same way you would kittens, you run the risk of people making an impulse "purchase"...and then returning the "merchandise" if it doesn't accessorize their life exactly the way they expected they would. There's a big difference between kittens...and kids.

I'd like to take a minute to share a little history lesson and a confession. My mother and I get along really well.  Ever since I was just a kid my mother has spoken to my sister and I like we were adults. So we have always tried to be honest and open with each other. I know there are times when we disagree but it’s ok for us. I did go through that phase every child goes through by trying to please my mother always. That didn’t last long; it was too hard.  I loved growing up like that.

Having said that I have come to the conclusion that a certain percentage of blooming adults choose political parties by really researching and getting involved; another percentage just do whatever their parents say; and the last percentage do the exact opposite of their parents. Read more »

Does your mom have a Facebook? Mine does... Actually, she's had one for a couple of years (mom tries everything new on-line) but she never did anything with it to speak of until my great-aunt (yes I said GREAT...she's 70 something years old) put up a Facebook page and began "friending" every relative she could find...including me and my sister and my cousins and well, you get the idea. Of course all of these relatives "friended" everyone my aunt had friended and suddenly my Facebook hotline looked more like a family reunion sign-in sheet than the program from my high school graduation. Read more »