Candace -- what a beautiful "ramble" on the blessings of friends. Our thoughts are with you and your friends as you pass another milestone. (And my prayers are with your one friend who is going through this painful time.) Thank you for wanting to share this w/ us.

Thank you Candace for rambling and sharing so beautifully. When you think of the sadness, though, also consider the blessings of having five such good friends. It's so rare that friends can stay together through all the stages of their lives.

Candace, that was moving, eloquent and beautiful. How lucky you are to have such friends to see each other through the inevitabilities of life. I lost my beloved father in August; watched my mom struggle with the transition into widowhood. That's when I saw the rituals and the resulting strength that a group of women friends give to each other, and that's when I realized I truly believe in a sisterhood. Thanks for sharing with us.

Candace, my father died last week. The first person I really talked to about it was my best friend--her father died 18 months ago. We've been best buddy's since jr. high--a long time ago. Yet she still knows me better than anyone else, despite the fact that we now live miles apart. How lucky you are to have a group of friends to help support each other in time of need. No one else could make me laugh last week, but my friend Kathy could. That is what best friends are for.

Everyone, I hate to break the sisterly mood created by Candace's lovely ramble, but it was recently revealed that our own Saman just got into medical school! Congratulations...

Meggin, I am so sorry. Yours and Candace's story make me even more thankful my own mother is better all the time -- just learned two days ago that a heart oblation procedure done a few weeks ago had been successful even though at the time the doctors pron ounced it a failure. S'man, I am very very happy for you. I know how much you wanted this. You deserve it.

"...our own Saman just got into medical school! Congratulations... " WOW This is so exciting - where will you do to school!!

Way to go Saman!! I'm so sorry. Margaret.

My sympathies, Margaret, and all others who have recently lost family members or friends. It's a difficult time, I know, when good friends are invaluable. Congratulations, Saman! Does this mean we'll now have an "ER" topic here??

Candace, that is one of the most eloquent, touching ramblings I have experienced. I have a photo in my family album of a group of women I know who match this description very closely. I miss having a similar relationship in my own life and it is touching to hear about it in anothers life. That's the photo on the left of the women I spoke, that's Ann Evans the bride, ex-mayor of Davis California who married a delightful Englishman named David. They are still living in Davis, CA as far as a I know. These women all grew up together. I'm very glad our week long task to put out the new Webstalker has been completed and the product is now being shipped out to reviewers and beta testers. This is the first free moment I've had in well over a week. I'm hoping to get together with the Unix team and the folks who inhabit this community today and tomorrow before I go back to the intense development effort I'm involved in right now. I'm sitting in my office/master bedroom in Cedar Creek looking out over the woods and pastures, feeling good. I've got the Wide World of Sports Ice Skating on the tube, this is one of the most esthetic and relaxing sports to watch. (more about this in a future ice skating topic in the sports conference). Ekaterina Gordeeva is skating now, what a fine skater.

Margaret, please accept my sympathy. ] it was recently revealed that our own Saman just got into medical school! That's great Saman, will you be starting this year? You must be really busy as well as please. I hope you'll still be able to join us occaisionally if y ou have to relocate. Amy, I'm really glad to hear your mother is improving.

Happy birthday Kathleen Elder!

Margaret, my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.

Margaret - I am very sorry you lost your father. Hope you and the rest of your family ware getting through this.

Thank you to everyone for the responses to my essay. In truth, what I really thank you for is this wonderful forum and all my wonderful cyber friends. This was truly the best therapy. To Margaret -- I am so sorry for your loss. I lost my own father five years ago. I know exactly what you feel. Peace be with you all.

Thanks to all for the expressions of sympathy. You have touched my heart.

Margaret, otan osaa, as they say here in Finland. It could roughly be translated as "I take a piece of your sorrow and carry it with me", and means that I am very, very sorry about your father. Keep on smiling, though. Despite many things the world still is a beautiful place.

otan osaa __ That is lovely Mixu

Terry, figure skating ranks right along with P&P on my list of things I really enjoy. Saturday the 'Stars on Ice' were in town and a group of 8 of us went to dinner and the show. The evening flew by and it is difficult to pick out the best, but Ecaterina's numbers were very special. Torvil and Dean were an awesome presence in the show. Hope some of the other contributors to this board have the opportunity to see this wonderful production. And thanks to you Terry for providing this great home for all f us.

Terry, figure skating ranks right along with P&P on my list of things I really enjoy. Saturday the 'Stars on Ice' were in town and a group of 8 of us went to dinner and the show. The evening flew by and it is difficult to pick out the best, but Ecaterina's numbers were very special. Torvil and Dean were an awesome presence in the show. Hope some of the other contributors to this board have the opportunity to see this wonderful production. And thanks to you Terry for providing this great home for all f us.

Oops, sorry for the extra post.

I would kill (well almost) to see Torvil and Dean in person!

Candace, let me tell you how very deeply touched I was by your "ramble", frienship, family and the act of sharing is at the core of the soul. Margaret, accept these thoughts of peace. Loosing someone close, whether one who's life as been a long fulfilled road or, has we experienced last week, loosing a little one who had so much to experience, is never easy. Let us rejoyce in the happiness of their newfound home/salvation. Amy, all my wishes of health for your mother.

Amy, I am glad you liked the expression. I think the reason why we have "otan osaa" is because if we said "Olen pahoillani" (meaning "I am sorry") it would mean that I did the thing I am sorry for. Anyway, I like "otan osaa" myself. It even sounds nice. I just happen to love Finnish, and feel myself very fortunate that I have it as a 1st language.

Mixu, I greatlly appreciate the kind sentiment expressed by "otan osaa". All of the words of sympathy expressed for me and my family have meant more to me than I could ever have believed possible. You all don't know me and you didn't know my father, yet so many of you have made such an effort to let me know that you care. I am overwhelmed by all of this. Johanne, you write of losing a little one. How terrible. My father was old and sick and in pain and I take a great deal of comfort in the thought that he is in a better place, having lived a full life with many joys. Johanne, my heart aches for you.

Just to make things clear, I personnaly did not loose my child this past week, heaven forbid, I would'nt be able to be here at all, wondering if I would have any sanity left in such a short time. But my dear friend did loose her very soon expected baby and having lost one myself a couple of years ago, it stirred up memories. So close to the miracle of life but taken away a nano-second before. No choice but to confort ourselves with beliefs of a better place for them and the faith in a destiny much bigger than our mere comprehension may aloud. Thanks.

Most people have no idea how much of a loss a miscarriage can be -- at any stage.

Most people also do not realise that 25-33% of all pregnancies end in miscarriage. With such I high number, it should be more widely known.

AN ANNOUNCEMENT I have, this day, taken down all my Christmas decorations!!! *Applause* (Thank you, thank you very much! Now I just have to get it carried out to the garage!)

That is very good ,Cheryl. I have still the tree as it is so fresh and smells so good; I have not had the heart to throw it away. But I took away the last x-mas cloth the other day and have only kept one electric candlestick in the kitchen-window to brighten our dark and early mornings in January.

Cheryl & Ann2 -- with both of your messages blinking at the same speed, I began to feel that Christmas was still here! To any interested viewers of CF movies: I recently loaned my copy of "Dutch Girls" to Mari. If you are interested in viewing it, let me know via email (kelder@miworld.net for home or k_elder@fre.fsu.umd.edu for work). I can ask Mari to send it to you when she has finished watching it. As long as I get it back sometime, I would be happy to share.

ANTI-SUPER BOWL PARTY Grace and I were talking at Pemberley today, bemoaning a full day of the Football Fan's High Holy Day, when we decided that we should hold our own party at Pemberley! The madness, I mean game begins at 6pm EST, but the Pregame crap, I mean festivities start hours and hours before that. So the official party shall begin at 4pm EST, earlier if you cannot stand anymore of John Madden! ;-) Y'all come!

Who in your opinion was worse Dandy Don,Howard or John Madden?

Wow, Super Sunday is here. And we have cheeseheads and anti-Superbowl partyin'. Are you going to have your own anti-Superbowl half time show with entertainment?

If you are not watching but only hearing the noise, Madden's yelling is really grating. But! I don't have a football husband anymore. Yay!!!!!!!!

Hey, Terry, we posted at the same time. Are you a football fan? If you have time, would you look in deeper?

Madden's comments on the web are naive and comical. "How do you dot com something?"

Amy throws a pass and Terry goes deep...

What?

Missed signal. Let's try that play again.

Cheryl, I am here. Where are you?? Your thoughts (in chat yesterday)about Darcy as a quarterback have sparked my interest in the game, football...that is. But remember...if you get to be the team masseuse, I get to do the locker room interviews, up close and oh so personal. One more thing.....about those whirlpool tubs for the athletes...are you sure they accommodate two comfortably???

Cheryl, I am here. Where are you?? Your thoughts (in chat yesterday)about Darcy as a quarterback have sparked my interest in the game, football...that is. But remember...if you get to be the team masseuse, I get to do the locker room interviews, up close and oh so personal. One more thing.....about those whirlpool tubs for the athletes...are you sure they accommodate two comfortably???

Grace: One more thing.....about those whirlpool tubs for the athletes...are you sure they accommodate two comfortably??? Some things are worth a little discomfort! ;-) (and I'm at Pemberley now...where are you, dearie?)

Sorry, I missed that party,Cheryl and Grace. But from what I hear it was not totally without sports, eyh eyh, nudge,wink?

Ann, Mostly we made sport of the Neanderthals sitting in front of the tube whooping and hollering over such a stupid game. You'll be pleased to know that after much discussion, we also did reach some consensus about those Lycra pants the gentlemen wear on the gridiron. Should have been there!

Congratulations, Kali!

Thank you, Amy dearest, for your encouragement and optimism. You're great! :)

Brava Kali

tHip Hip Hooray! (Which school was it?)

Hip Hip Hooray! (Which school was it?)

Hey! I did not post that twice - though it does bear repeating. ;-)

I have only one thing to say to you, my dearest niece... YAHOOOOOO!!!!

THanks guys! It was Georgetown, Joan...:)

But, of course, I'm not at all surprised. Congratulations daughter.

Was it not Mr Bingley who found it amazing that young ladies can have patience to be so very accomplished?! And in our midst are several very accomplished, who also posess a certain something in their air, their adress and expressions. They study law, go to medical school and I know not what! Good luck, Kali! (Just saw you in Best of chat!)And Saman too!

Congrats, Kali -- and may you receive many more happy responses! I hope you have a large field of choices (although Georgetown is certainly not too shabby).

Kali, Saman; go to it, girls!

Isn't this great? We are all so proud, like a bunch of mother hens. It is sweet.

CONGRATULATIONS Kali -- Georgetown is really great. Starting with the cream of the crop!! Congratulations also to Saman. What a bright bunch we have here - nice to know the next generation is in good hands!!;-)

Georgetown!! Great. congratulations, Kali

Congrats, Kali! I'm a UGA person, myself, but Georgetown is an awsome school. Just one question, what is a Hoya, exactly? I've heard so many things from people who go to Harrison High School as to what it is, but those Harrison people usually have problems with that whole collective reasoning/agreement thing! Sorry to those that I've offended, but at least McEachern can agree on their mascot. One more question, has anyone noticed that allmost all Latin teachers are either nutty absent minded professor types, or grandmothers-from-hell? Just a thought.

Latin teachers? Our Latin teacher in high school was a messy genius type. Here at Cal, Professor Knapp is very normal. He's married, with kids, and very nice. so, you're a Dawg (woof woof woof!), Laura? Oh...and a hoya is actually a retaining wall (selected by students long, long, ago...). It has nothing to do with the bulldog that the athletic department took on as a mascot. --- Thank you for your interest and encouragement, guys...you're great!!!

A hoya is a certain way of throwing a frisbee: Hold the frisbee with your first and second fingers on the inside with the second finger along the inside of the rim, place your thumb on the top of the frisbee, then hold the frisbee in a vertical position (perpendicular to the ground) over your shoulder, then in a motion similar to a baseball throw throw the frisbee with strength and with a flick of the wrist high into the air. The frisbee will then invert and float upside-down back to the earth--that is a oya!

A hoya is an ornamental plant that grows well in hanging baskets and has tiny star-shaped flowers.

Kali, I haven't been on here long, but want to say Congrats! Georgetown is pretty cool . . . and you must be pretty smart! But then we already knew that. Enjoyed seeing your picture.

Thank you, Susan! Glad you liked the pic. Ann, Joan, I had no idea that a "hoya" was so many things! The Hoya Laura was refering to is the official Georgetown "mascot"...which is not a dog, but a retaining wall. I know not why that was chosen by early Georgetown students.

WOW OF THE DAY! Henry's Jane Austen Info site was featured Monday on CNN Interactive: http://www.cnn.com/TECH/9701/27/on.the.net/austen/ You know what I think is neat? That sometimes, once in a while, good content is discovered and recognized on its own merit. Nice job, Henry. You deserve the recognition.

Woo-hoo, H...

That CNN write up is "mah-ve-lous" !!! Good work HC -- who's your publicist? ; )

Congratulations Kali.......i did not notice but were you one of the non fans for football.......(I guess i could read back a bit and find out).........but to many of us out here Georgetown is to Basketball what Notre Dame is to Football.....hope you like b-ball........not just the fact they are two great catholic colleges......... Also has anyone tried to make either of the pizza's yet...........been curious to find out if you liked it

Cool, HC! ;-)

THank you, TJ...I like football alright, i guess...basketball even less...but then again, I don't go to school for the athletic departments! ;)

Congratulations! HC. That's great publicity and a really nice write-up. IMHO You deserve all the accolades you can accumulate for your pages!

Congratulations! HC. That's great publicity and a really nice write-up. IMHO You deserve all the accolades you can accumulate for your pages!

Inko is obviously very excited! :)

Congratulations, Kali! (This is the 1st time I use blink... Take a deep breath and embrace yourself, because you deserve it (hug yourself for me, too!). Save the strength to be used later. I'll try to convince a tonttu (Finnish elf, a guardian spirit of places etc.) to follow you... If you think something invisible is living at your flat, just "forget" some food on the table - the tonttu loves it!

Hip Hip Hourra Henri If not for your webpages I probably would'nt be here, million thanks and **smoosh**

Johanne: million thanks and **smoosh** Johanne dear, is this the French equivelent of a *samooch*? ;-)

] Johanne: million thanks and **smoosh** Johanne dear, is this the French equivelent of a *samooch*? ;-) __ Wouldn't that be "Mmmwwwa!"

If so, I think it should be spelled "smouche"

Okay, then I guess my "Mmmwwwa" would have to be MMMMMMMMoi!

Mmouah, Mmouah, Mmouah Amy, I like it very much. Mmouah Henri, and when kissed dearest, something else than the spelling should occupy your thoughts ;) Kissing Fest

Well, I think kissing is a fine topic for this place. I'd not be ashamed to have either Ayelet's mom or mine read about it. We start moving the schwinging today.

We're moving the Schwinging?

I'm laughing my a** off as I type!

Kali -- A big Congrats!! Oh the places you'll go!!!

Thank you, dear Candace and Mixu...

What a find :

Congratulations, Kali

Congratulations to HC on Great CNN presentation ! By the way you must have been doing lots of work on that site this autumn if I remember correctly. I visited and used bibliographies before I found old P&P2 board, in September. Were the colours there then?. Looks nice and inviting.

Relationship No ship, please. Not now. I haven't a captain nor a first mate � never mind a crew� It would take all my courage to try a relation inner tube. How about a relation floatie? Frozen margaritas in the pool some sultry summer night? Relation = Relative = Relativity = Energy = ME scared. Time flies when I'm fleeing fun. Marybeth Gradziel June 19, 1995 Reproduction We women need not be alone for long. We can grow friends. Find the right seed. Care for the sprout. and Enjoy the fruit of our labor. Marybeth Gradziel August 22, 1995 Dream Thought I understood it all one night. How men looking for women get mixed up, and flit from one to another � always looking for more. If only they knew� Inside every woman is an infinite number of other women just waiting for true love, trust and acceptance, to come out and love the man in an infinite number of womanly ways. Marybeth Gradziel August 24, 1995

Very nice Doug,thanks for sharing

OJ verdict is in, not read. I have this terrible feeling something awful is going to happen.

I wish the media would stop making such a big deal of this. They are now saying that they will delay the President's state of the union address to wait for the reading of the verdict. Where are our priorities, for heaven sake???

I agree, Joan too. I was going to shut off the tv when I heard that there was this conflict about what to cover! (However, the snow/ice storm here cut off the cable before I could get to the remote. :-)) It is delightful to come to this civilized oasis, but I had intended to pay some attention to the President's address. Oh well, maybe I'll be a more informed citizen tomorrow.

At least ABC is going ahead with the President's address as planned. I plan to compliment them excessively!

This is really scarry

This is really scarry but on the other hand there's a lot of parodies outthere

My TV is broken, so I'm listening over NPR -- they haven't broken into the speech to announce the OJ verdict yet ;-)

Last message outdated -- State of Union solid but unmemorable... OJ verdict: GUILTY!!