Well, ExcuuUUUUuuuuse me!

WOW! Vidalia Onion lovers unite!

I have been set straight......

"You can freeze them." (Or not)
"They are so sweet you will want to eat them like an apple" (uh, no...)
"Once you learn how good they are, you will put them in everything you cook" (I'm on strike, remember?)
"It's the Shriners and they are wonderful" (Yes, BUT they wear funny hats with tassles and sell onions)
"You can buy a bag and split it" (I like my friends)

On and on and on. I was even offered a zip lock bag full of them.

I get it. I asked and you answered. I understand - might not be running out to buy a bag but I get it. Vidalia onions have a place in this world.

Okay, now that I have been corrected, just simmer down.....relax - eat an onion.

One question though.....Just curious as to how many boxes of Girl Scout cookies you bought this year? Bet it was more than bags of onions! Of course, you probably loaded up on thin mints just waiting for the spring! Ever thought about getting some help?

By the way, you would think my blog was about politics, global warming or putting an end to world hunger. Heaven help me if I start talking about that!

AKM

Funny Hats vs. The Troops

Got home from work at 2300 and I am worn out. Few hours I will be up to do it all over in the morning. Again, I will just refrain from comment about my job. Not good to make comments when one is tired.

I had a few things to post, but will tomorrow.

One question...Why do people buy a whole big bag of Vidalia Onions? I mean what do you do with a whole big bag? I just don't get it. There were people selling them all over the place on my trip to SE Oklahoma today. Never in my life would I need a gigantic bag of onions.

Someone enlighten me, please. I assume you can't freeze onions, can you? Heaven help you if you fry them all and eat them.

Here is the real amazing thing.....some organizations wait all year to sell onions and that money helps fund their group for certain projects the rest of the year. Can't remember what organization, but I'm sure they have a funny hat with a tassle.

Anyway, doesn't that seem a bit risky? Counting on onion sales to make your money and keep your organizations a float? I can just hear the meeting now...."I would like to make a motion that we buy new furniture for the meeting hall.".......discussion ensues about where they will get the money.......

$$$$talk$$$$........

"We should sell onions in the spring"

"What a brilliant idea - all in favor?"

I bet there aren't any women in that group wearing funny hats.

Now, let's compare the onion sellers in funny hats to another group - the troops.

The GIRLscouts to be exact.....they sell COOKIES to fund their entire year of activities. Imagine that?! Who doesn't want a box of cookies? (Who wants a bag of onions?)

Hmmmmm.....let's think about this. You've got a Ford on your left, tailgate down, guy in funny hat in lawn chair, ONIONS in the back of the truck. Then on you're right, you've got the troops holding up colorful signs covered in glitter that say "COOKIES for sale". Left or right?

Onions....Cookies?

Onions....Cookies?

If you say left and buy the bag of onions, just do me and everyone else a favor.....Go right and buy a box of Thin Mints. You are going to need them.

Going to sleeeeeeeeeeeeeeeep to dream of cookies.

AKM

Georgie had this to say...

I'm supposed to be working this weekend, but I thought I would do this before I head to the nursing home. I would love to play hookie, but I can't.

Here is the eyewitness account of George Hagopian: I believe the dude!

My grandfather was the minister of the big Armenian Orthodox Church in Van (near Lake Van), and he always told me stories about the holy ship on the mountain.

And then one day my uncle said, "Georgie, I'm going to take you to see the Holy Ark." We packed supplies on his donkey, and together we started our trek toward Mount Ararat.

My feet were getting sore, and the donkey kept wanting to go in the wrong direction, but we continued climbing until we got about halfway up. Then Uncle took both supplies and me on his back, and we climbed and climbed.

It took us almost eight days from the time we left Van to the moment we got to the place on the holy mountain where both my grandfather and my uncle had said the holy ship had come to rest.

I guess my uncle took me there that year because it was a year without much snow - a "smooth year" or "no snow year" we called it.

There's one of those about every twenty years.

And then we got to the Ark. It was getting dark and misty around us. My uncle dropped his pack, and together we began to haul stones to the side of the ship. Within a short time we had stacked a high pile of rocks against the side of the ship.

"Georgie, come here" he said, grabbing me by the arm. "You are going on top of the Holy Ark." He lifted me up and put me on his shoulders, and together we climbed the pile of rocks. When he had reached the top of the rocks, his hands grabbed my ankles and he began to push me up toward the stairs that someone had added to the ark.

"Reach for the top, Georgie," he yelled. "Grab the edge and pull yourself up!"

I stood up straight and looked all oved the ship. It was long. The height was about forty feet.

"Look inside the Ark," my uncle called up to me. "Look for the holes. Look for the big one. Look inside and tell me what you see."

I shivered from the cold and from fear and glanced around me. Yes, there was the hole, big and gaping. I peeked into the blackness of the hole, but saw nothing. Then I knelt down and kissed the holy Ark.

When we were there, the top of the Ark was covered with a very thing coat of fresh fallen snow. But when I brushed some of it away I could see a green moss growing right on top. When I pulled a piece off....it was made of wood. The grain was right there. This green moss made the Ark feel soft and moldy.

On the roof, besides one large hole, I remember small holes running all the way from the front to the back. I don't know exactly how many, but there must have been at least fifty of them running down the middle with small intervals in between. My uncle told me these holes were for air.

That roof was flat with the exception of the narrow raised section running all the way from the bow to the stern with all those holes in it.

I remember, my uncle too his gun and shot into the side of the Ark, but the bullet wouldn't penetrate. Uncle then pulled his long hunting knife from his belt, and with a heavy handle he chipped a piece from the side of the Ark. Then we went down the mountainside and returned to Van.

_________________________________________________________

George made this trip in sometime between 1900-1906. He took a photographer back to Turkey in 1922 to photograph the Ark, but due to fighting between the Turks, Greeks and Armenians, he was not allowed to travel to Eastern Turkey.

______________________________________________________________

In the book, you will read professional critique's of George's stories and of his extensive intereviews before his death. The result was that Hagopian's story was difficult to falsify. The weather, his description of the area, length of time it took to travel to the Ark, etc....all facts that were verifiable.

_____________________________________________________________

It is also known during that time period....drought and no snow, there were many that claimed to travel to see the Ark.

______________________________________________________________

George made another trek to see the Ark sometime during 1902-1908, when he was 12. He relays the following about that visit:

_______________________________________________________________

I saw the Ark a second time. I think it was in 1904. We were on the mountain looking for the holy flowers, and I went back to the Ark and it still looked the same. Nothing had changed. I didn't really get a good look at it. It was resting on a steep ledge of bluish-green rock about 3,000 feet wide.

Another thing I noticed was that I didn't see any nails at all. It seemed that the whole ship was made of one piece of petrified wood.

There was definately no door in the side of the ship that I could see. No opening of any kind. There may have been one in the part I couldn't see, but that I don't know. That side was practically inaccessible. I could only see my side and part of the bow.

The sides were slanting outward to the top and the front was flat. I didn't see any real curves. It was unlike any other boat I have ever seen. It looked more like a flat-bottomed barge.

_________________________________________________________

The above excerpts were taken from the book, The Explorers of Ararat. By: B.J. Corbin.

One thing I will mention about the book. It's not a subjective book of fantasy...with the agenda to make you believe. Different chapters are written by different experts and explorers and they disagree as to where the ark is, if it can be found, etc. The book contains history of documented Ark Expeditions and well as sightings. I believe it to be non-biased and a read well worth your time if you are interested.

_________________________________________________________________

Well, I'm off to work............boo hiss. I won't even get started about work, but boy wouldn't I like to!

AKM

2 by 2...

Did you all see this in the news today about Noah's Ark? What a neat thing to go see. It's huge and then to realize that it is still not the size of the real Noah's Ark....hard to wrap your brain around that.

If you are interested in Noah's Ark and the search for the ark, you should really read the book, The Explorers of Ararat. I found that book to be quite informative and most interesting!

What captured my imagination are the stories of Ed Davis and his experience in WWII and George Hagopian. George's story captivated me most and still does. I still pull out that book and read his story. I don't have a good link to read his eyewitness account....maybe one day soon I will post it - it's worth the read!!!

I don't believe that Noah's Ark was discovered in 2006 as it was claimed and I shared a few emails with Rex Gessler of noahsarksearch.com on the subject as he did not feel those claims were true as well. You can read articles as to why the discovery in 2006 was probably not the ark on Mr. Gessler's website. (See: Check This Out - link section)

I think we will know without any doubt when the ark is found. I don't feel it will just be a hunk of petrified wood within a glacier or mountain side. I think we will know just by looking. I don't think the ark will be intact or perfectly preserved, but I believe it will be more than a hunk of wood. Funny fact, the Bible says that Noah's Ark was made of "Gopher wood" - guess what? we don't know what that is! :)

This subject captures me....always has, even when I was a little girl. I remember being about 13 or so and my mom telling me about people who thought they had found the ark....I was hungry to find a book about it - I finally did, just 20+ years later.

Without sounding like a conspiracy theorist....I sincerely believe that our government has photographic evidence (at least that - maybe more) of the ark's existence in the mountains of Ararat. I think it's either "Top Secret" or more likely, something that has been forgotten or can't be located.

Read the book.....you'll see accounts of those who asked the government about evidence. In addition, you will also read about other entities that may have "something" related to the ark, such as, the Smithsonian Institute.

I know, now I sound all cracked up. Deal with it!

AKM

On a positive note...

First to answer your question, who is Richard C. Knopf and why do you have his stuff?

Well, Mr. Knopf was an amazing man....you will soon learn that with future blogs. I will briefly tell you a little bit about him. He was a WWII veteran, taught History at Ohio State University and Kent State University. He served on the Anthony Wayne Parkway Board as staff historian and I believe in some capacity he worked with the Ohio Historical Society. He edited and authored many books from children's books to Historical text books.

I acquired a small unpublished manuscript of Mr. Knopf's on ebay (where else?!). What I received was more than his unpublished manuscript.....I received written works about his thoughts and feelings on the war, society, religion, etc. I was so taken with his work, which I found to be timeless, applicable to our current war, society, etc, that I set out to find and purchase everything I could from his estate. I was very successful in my pursuits and am proud to say I own a considerable amount of his war letters, written works, published and unpublished manuscripts, etc...

Reading his thoughts were of great comfort to me as I acquired them several months after 9/11 and right as we went into war. However, they continue to be a comfort and inspiration to me on so many levels.

I wish I could have met Mr. Knopf and I would love to hear from anyone who knew him.

Here is something he wrote in 1944, while serving in Europe during WWII. It's probably my most favorite "article".

3 December 1944, Sunday.

The other day I was reading a prayer taken from Ralph S. Cushman's "Pocket Prayer Book and Devotional Guide". The whole prayer is a challenge to the reader, but the first verse in particular offers the most important task "Help me to take the common things of life and make them beautiful, Help me to take the common things of life and make them beautiful."

So many times we are mislead, so many time we search for pots of gold at the end of rainbows when we are trampling the purest gold underfoot. So many times we look with lust for our neighbor's wealth, and see not the richness at our own doorsteps.

Sheridan Watson Bell, in a letter to his children writes that men can either be greedy and selfish or kind and generous. They learn through understanding and misunderstanding.

The whole world today is tossed in the thunderous conflict because men are greedy, because they misunderstand, because they do not have a set of true values.

The happiness of men depends on their ability "to take the common things of life and make them beautiful." The painter touches his brush to a blank canvas and creates a beautiful picture, the musician applies his fingers to the keyboard and produces melodious music, the farmer plows his land, plants his seed, and finds satisfaction in his growing plants.

In a way, each of us is like the artist, the musician, and the farmer. We each have abilities and talents for producing beautiful things out of the common, elementary conditions around us; we each have individual abilities and talents which will make us satisfied, contented individuals. All too often we seek the finished product, not realizing that it's true value is only known by it's creator. The word "make" is the secret "open sesame" to abundant full living.

Some have abilities to write and through their written words come not only contentment to themselves, but to those who read of their works. The poet puts his heart into verses and creates beautiful poetry, the philosopher find satisfaction in his ideas, the mother and father take pride in rearing their children and teaching them the secret of making life beautiful.

Douglas Fairbanks Sr., wrote a volume entitled "Life is what you make it". Yes, we can make life miserable and hard and difficult if we face it with greed and lust and selfishness; but we can make it happy, enjoyable and beautiful if we face it with the spirit of generosity and kindness in our hearts.

Out of the common dust God created man, out of his common rib woman, out of the dirt of the earth He produced plants and in the waters fish, and in the sky He placed the stars to guide the mariners; out of the "common" He created the useful and beautiful. Just as He created these things, so He gave to men like powers. He gave him the power and the materials to create, to be happy in his own efforts. He gave him a mind to reason, and a conscious to know right from wrong, and a body to perform the tasks, and a soul to act as a compass to guide his thoughts and his actions in the right direction and to act as a sort of radio to have direct communication with his God.

Oh, how we have diverted our God given powers; oh, how we have failed to see the light of unselfishness and feel the warmth of kindness and generosity; oh, how we have surrered and are suffering from our lack of knowing how to make and our abundant knowledge of how to break.

Thus, as the chemist must know his ninety some basic elements in order to mix his formula, thus we too must know the basic, common facts of successful living to be happy and to live abundantly.

Christmas is only three weeks away. It is a time dedicated to the anniversary of the birth of God's son. It is a time which challenges us to dedicate ourselves to the ideas, and ideals or making life worth living and making living abundant, happy and most of all peaceful.

Richard C. Knopf

And on that positive, inspirational note, I am going to bed!

AKM

**Permission must be obtained by me, in writing, before any works of Richard C. Knopf can be used in any capabity in any medium.**

Final thoughts on the Kent State Shootings

Right now I will try to refrain from giving my opinion about the Kent State Shootings of May 4, 1970.

What matters is that this May 4th, 37 years ago, 4 students lost their lives for being at the wrong place at the wrong time and/or for standing up for their convictions....something we are free to do as citizens of this great country.

In addition, numerous students were injuried and those students as well as countless others will bear the physical and emotional scars caused that day for the rest of their lives.

This is part of our history that should never be forgotten and taught to our future generations.

I will never understand why or how shooting unarmed students ever seemed like a solution to a problem.

Could this happen again?

Hopefully, we have learned.

I hope you all found the posts regarding the Kent State Shootings intriguing and something that stimulated thought.

AKM

Kent State Shootings, Part 6

The correspondence between "TG" and President Schwartz ends with this post.

April 24, 1990

Dear Dr. Schwartz:

Thank you for your recent letter of April 13, that came in response to my concerns. I appreciate the time you took to write a personal reply.

The plan to announce four scholarships (which I understand has been in existance since 1978) this upcoming May 4 in the names of Allison, Jeffery, Sandra and William comes as welcome news as does your intention to have their names read at the beginning of the memorial dedication. These are positive steps.

I remain perturbed, however, by the seeming lack of commitment to having the names of those slain on May 4 engraved on the memorial. Your statement that "the designer has chosen not to do that, and I have spoken to him about that on several occasions" leaves it unclear as to whether the decision to include the names rests with your office or with the architect. Since the University already had one designer replaced and the current architect reduce the scale and type of memorial from a cost of $1,300.00 to one costing $100,000, I must conclude that your office has some authority in this matter. After all the designer is working at the pleasure of the University, not the other way around.

Moreover, the scholarship plans need not and indeed are not in conflict with the compelling need to have Allison, Jeffery, Sandra and William's names on the memorial. Both should be done, for in that way we can have a living memorial to aid current students and a visual and substantive memorial, that is accessible to all.

Likewise, I must respectfully state me dissatisfaction with the plans to simply inscribe the words "Inquire", "Reflect" and "Learn" on the memorial structure. Such an inscription does not educate the unknowing and will only help ensure that coming generations will not "Learn" what happened at Kent State.

There exists not a monument in this country of which I am aware, that fails to include either the names of those being memorialized and/or an educational plaque that informs the visitor of the purpose of the commemorative structure. As recently as two days ago a monument was dedicated in my hometown that bears the names of over 30 Syracuse University students who lost their lives in the air disaster over Scotland. What is more, scarcely a visitor leaves the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington unmoved by the visual impression left by 58,000 individual names engraved in polished black granite. "The power is in the names," more than one has said. No visitor to that memorial ever truely leaves "the words behind."

These proposals I and others have made would not cost the University either financially or politically, but it would mean a great deal to the families as well as effected alumni like myself, Jim Russell, Joe Lewis, John Cleary, Alan Canfora, Doug Wrentmore and perhaps others. Such a small gesture by your office would mean a great deal and would make possible my participation in a ceremony that should be a time of some healing for those of us who were most wronged.

Thank you for your time and consideration.

Sincerely,

"TG"

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

April 30, 1990

Dear Mr. "G":

After a very long conversation with Mr. and Mrs. Martin Scheuer on Wednesday of last week, a granite plaque with the names of those killed and wounded on

May 4, 1970 was installed on the memorial site, a few feet from the memorial itself. Mr. and Mrs. Scheuer helped me to choose the exact site. It will be virtually impossible to visit the memorial without seeing the granite plaque. It is of the same granite as the memorial. The plaque was installed on Thursday, within twenty four hours of my conversation with Mr. and Mrs. Scheuer. Friday's Plain Dealer carried a picture of it on the front page.

To be clear on another point, while Bruno Ast, the architect "works for" the university on this project, I have not, nor has any other office of the university or member of the Board of trustees ever asked for design modifications. It is true that we asked for a new design after it was concluded that we could not pay for an earlier design. (The design which has been completed cost $200,000. It has been paid.) The designer's wishes about the names on the memorial itself are his and have been his since he was declared the winner of the competition. It is true that I have agreed with him. It is not true that I insisted on his position. The plaque that has been installed was essentially my idea. Mr. Ast has no objection to it.

I hope that this letter is a satisfactory reply to your concerns, and I would like to have the opportunity to meet you at the memorial dedication.

Sincerely,

Michael Schwartz

Kent State Shootings, Part 5

The correspodence between "TG" and President Schwartz continues:

April 13, 1990

Dear Mr. "G":

I have received your very king and thoughtful letter. At the outset let me say that, I do hope that you'll join us for the dedication of the memorial. Let me directly go to your questions.

On behalf of the university, I have written to the parents of Allison Krause, Jeffrey Miller, Sandra Scheuer and William Schroeder, announcing that a four year, full tuition and fee scholarship in the Honors College has been named for each of the four students. The scholarship will be awarded to bright students and I've invited the parents to add any stipulations to the awards that they may choose. These four scholarships, named as they are, represent living memorials to ensure that the students who died here will never be "nameless victims." At the dedication, the very first order of business will be to announce the four scholarships and to read the names of the four students: Allison, Jeffrey, Sandra and William.

I cannot assure you that the names of the four students will be engraved on the memorial. The designer has chosen not to do that, and I have spoken to him about that on several occasions. On the memorial, the words, "Inquire", "Learn", and "Reflect" will be engraved as will the date May 4, 1970.

As for our responsibility to see to is taht future generations are informed about what happened at Kent State on May 4, 1970, a distribution box, made of granite, has been erected on the memorial site. The box contains a brochure, which we have been distributing for about ten years, which describes carefully the events of May 4. As you may remember, the names of the slain students appear several times in the brochure. Over 100,000 of these brochures have already been distributed. They are authored by Professors, Jerry Lewis, Thomas Hensley and Glenn Frank. The brochure has just been revised to include a statement by the Scranton Commission.

I believe that the purposes that you wish to achieve and those that I have tried to achieve are the same. I've created living memorials through namde scholarships as an alternative to engravings in stone. And we have created a written work that visitors can take with them as opposed to reading a plaque and then leaving the words behind.

In brief, I think that we have achieved the same goals but used slightly different methods. I hope very much that you'll see a unity in our purpose and that you'll agree to come to the dedication.

Sincerely,

Michael Schwartz

Kent State Shootings, Part 4

The rests of the posts will be correspondence between "TG" and the Kent State University President.

March 30, 1990

Dear Mr. "G",

As you know, one year ago Kent State University broke ground for the construction of the May 4 Memorial designed by Bruno Ast of Chicago. The construction is now virtually complete, and we are planning the formal dedication of it on May 4, 1990, at 11:00 a.m. Former Senator George McGovern has agreed to speak at the dedication. I expect the ceremony to last about one hour.

I invite you and a guest to join the platform party for the dedication ceremony. The University will be glad to reimburse you for your travel expenses. Please send them to my attention.

During the ceremony, Dean Kahler will introduce you and the other May 4 families. If you can attend, the members of the platform party will gather at 10:30 a.m. in Room 115 Taylor Hall to be escorted to their seats.

After the dedication ceremony, you are invited to join the speakers, other members of the platform party and special guests at a luncheon to be held in Room 306 of the Kent Student Center. The pre-luncheon gathering will begin at 1:30 p.m. with lunch served at 2:00 p.m. The late hour for the luncheon was decided upon to allow our guests the opportunity to participate in the May 4 Task Force program if they choose. Unfortunately, I can not share the schedule of that program with you at this time as it has not been finalized.

A special parking permit for May 4, campus map showing the designated parking area, and a RSVP card are enclosed for your use.

I look forward to hearing from you, hoping that you will accept these invitations.

Sincerely,

Michael Schwartz

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

April 10, 1990

Dear President Schwartz:

This letter is intended both to thank you for your kind offer to attend the upcoming dedication of the May 4 Memorial as well as to ask some pertinent questions about the monument. Given the lack of any chance for previous consultation. I will use my response to raise several necessary points.

Upon first learning in 1984 of plans by my alma mater to erect a tribute to the students slain in 1970 I felt, perhaps for the first time since the shootings, a sense of understanding on the part of Kent State University. During a speech on

May 4, 1984 I praised your administration for having a new sense of openness and I spoke of the opportunity to right past wrongs.

While much has transpired since that time, much of which quite frankly has troubled me and others who were wounded on May 4, I continue to nourish hope that the memorial ceremony can be a time of some healing. Certainly it is my preference that this be so.

Before we can better come to terms with the memories of May 4 in the year 1990, however, we must ensure that those who were killed by National Guard gunfire twenty years ago are suitably and properly remembered. For this reason I can only accept your offer under two conditions. First, I ask for assurances from your office that the names of Allison Krause, Jeffery Miller, Sandra Scheuer and William Schroeder are engraved on the memorial. These four students were not nameless victims and they should not be the forgottne dead of Kent State.

Secondly, whiel there has been a controversary about the size of the memorial, what is of equal importance is that which is inscribed or conversely not inscribed on the monument. To have nothing engraved on the May 4 Memorial is to invist future ignorance of the circumstances of the campus killings. While this may be what is intended, I suggest that decades from now both students at and visitors to the university need to learn from a plaque on the memorial of how four Kent State undergraduates were slain by Ohio National Guard in a May 4 protest against the U.S. invasion of Cambodia. We have a joint responsibility to inform future generations of what occured at Kent State. By doing so, we here in the present can make some small measure of peace with the past. We owe that to the families of the slain students, to ourselves and to posterity.

With the upcoming dedication you are in a unique position to assuage some of the pain of 20 years and also be remembered as the Kent State President who bound up the university's wounds. It is my earnest wish that you will do so.

I appreciate this opportunity to respond to your letter and invitation of March 30 and will anxiously await what I hope will be a favorable reply.

Sincerely,

"TG"

Kent State Shootings, Part 3

I will post Professor Knopf's response to "TG" and then "TG's" correspondence with the Kent State President.

June 7, 1990

Dear "T":

I just returned to the Island yesterday afternoon and found your welcome letter and it's enclosures of May 21st. Thus the reason for my tardy response.

This will probably be a rambling note, but will try to address some of your comments and my own thoughts on the enclosures. (I might be repeating myself from earlier letters, but don't have the copies of our former correspondence; thus will aks that you bear with me.)

You and I both agree that it was a good thing for Dick Celeste to address the May 4th rally and dedication at Kent. I wrote to him thanking him for his remarks, noting, though, that htey should have come from Jim Rhodes a good many years ago. (Dick is a neighbor of mine here on the Island.) If such a move had been made years ago, it might have assuaged the hurt somewhat, but Jim ( a neighbor of mine in Columbus) is a died-in-the-wool shoutheastern Ohio hill-billy who is stubborn as hell--and not too bright, despite his political success. (He is also as crooked as the perverbial dog's hind leg!) Also, as you so cogently write, the various Kent administrations from 1970 to the present time have left much to be desired, not only insofar as the May 4th issue is concerned, but on most other aspects of the university. (I fear that the inept admnistration will probably continue so long as the Board of Trustees continues to be composed of locals who have no interest or investment in the university.)

As far as "SS" is concerned, the fact that he still exists does not change my contention that he was the tool of the F.B.I. (or other governmental agency). Perhaps it is the reason that he has been unheard of for so long. Also, I have wondered, over the years, that in none of the court hearings or court cases was he ever called or his name even mentioned. I find this particularly distressing considering the major role he played in the events leading up to May 4th and the fact that he photographically appears over and over again. I cannot bury the feeling that borth sides in the hearings and court cases were warned to stay away from him (and others who may have been included in the counter-activities). How a campus that, admittedly, was seething with government agents could go completely unnoticed during the immediate aftermath of May 4th baffles me. As I think I noted to you earlier, the lawyers for both sides (the N.Y. attorney for the plaintiffs) and Gus Lambros for the Guard, both told me that they had never heard of "S", nor had his name ever come up. I find this difficult to swallow. To me, "S" is but a symbol, one among what must have been many agents, of the government undercover operation. I cannot help but believe that both sides in the hearings and court cases were instructed not to pursue this particlar--and, obviously, sensitive element. Making the complete issue the Guard vs. the students is far too simplistic. Likewise, I cannot accept the idea that he 72 acknowledged F. B.I. agents who were on the campus after May 4th ( and into the full quarter, 1970) had not been there before May 4th. I tink that I told you that, on May 4th, when I returned home to Ashtabula on that evening, my telephone had already been tapped (and remained so for two weeks) by the F.B. I. This I learned from one of my students who was a repairman in the central telehpone exchange who told me about the tapping on May 5th. (I might mention, if I have not before, that all of the members of the faculty __?__ of which I was one--were similarly tapped.) I cannot be shaken from my belief that this action--the tapping--was planned well in advance; otherwise how could it have been done prior to 8P.M. on May 4th, 83 miles away in Ashtabula?

Of course, as I have pointed out to you earlier, I do feel that things, on the part of the "law-and-order" crowd got out of hand on May 4th; I cannot bring myself, even at this late date, to believe that the carnage which took place was planned, even though the idea of the Guard having loaded rifles still plagues me considerably; one does not go into a situation with live ammunition unless it is expected that it might be used. Frankly, I think that such action--the ordering of loading the firearms--was just stupidity on the part of the Guard officers. (Having served with a National Guard unit during WWI--I was not a Guard member, I realize how very ignorant and poorly trained the Guard was/is.) Yet, it was the officers who ordered the arming of the troops and they must take the blame--no matter what a court may say--for what happened on May 4th.

As I think I told you before (pardon the ramblings of an old man, who forgets far too easily), after leaving the Commons at noon of May 4th, I was standing talking with one of my 354 students just outside Bowman hall when the shots rang out. The boyfriend of the young lady with whom I was talking came running up to us, shouting "the soldiers have killed some student," tears running down his cheeks. Frankly, I could not believe it and made what, a little later, I would consider a most unfeeling statement: "Thank God, it is your generation and not mine." However, as I was walking up to my office in Bowman , one of my old students, who had hit the pavement in the parking lot, came rushing up to tell me that, in fact, the Guard had fired in the students.

As you might imagine, my statement, which I had not intended to be callous, certainly seemed so. Fortunately, a couple of years later, the young lady, just about to be graduated, came into my office; my words had troubled her as much as they had me. Thus I was able to unburden my own feelings of guilt and I was so glad that she had stopped by.

In one of the articles ou included, there was a mention of the Faculty Observers. Contrary to what the articles seemed to indicate, this was meant by the Faculty Senate to be a means of trying to keep repercussions to May 4th at a minimum. As a matter of fact, I think that is was Glenn Frank who made and supported the proposal to organize this group. Perhaps, in the minds of some, this was to be an informer group, certainly that was not the intention of the Faculty; quite the contrary. It was to be a means of off-setting the government-inspired and organized informers who were presumably still on the campus. Insofar as I know, the Faculty Observer group never functioned as an informer group--as a matter of fact, had little effect one way or another.

I suppose, in short run, the only positive movement resulting from May 4th was an earlier end to the war in Southwest Asia. I have no doubt that the carnage on the Kent campus hurried the end of the carnage in Viet Nam. But what is more worrying, for me at least, is that the real lesson of Kent State has never really been learned; that the American public, still feels that violence and force is justified in putting down protest. Americans, for all their sooth-saying about democratic idealism, are far from achieving that goal.

Well, I've bored you long enough. Am goin to drop a note to "JG" re: "S"; I think that he will be interested in knowing what happened to his old "buddy", though I'm sure that he shares my supspicions of "S's" informer involvement.

Finally, congratulations on your M.A. in History. Am interested in your thesis topic, though, perhaps you could/should have used your own experience in that case.

I'm going ot be on the Island until the 26th of this month. At that time, I'll return to Columbus for a couple of weeks. I don't like to be here either on Memorial Day or the 4th of July. However, will be coming back on the 6th of July and, for the most part, will be here until the middle of November. I certainly would hope that you might make it out this way. Just drop me a line, if you can. It is on the whole, a restful, stress-free place to be, aside from the holidays. Meanwhile, please accept my thanks and best wishes--and extend the same to your folks.

Sincerely,

Richard C. Knopf

Please pardon the poor typing and rambling.

Kent State Shootings, Part 2

In response to Professor Knopf's letter, Mr. Kelner had this to say.

January 12, 1984

Dear Professor Knopf:

I read with great interest your letter relating to "SS". His name never was brought to my attention in any context whatever during the Kent State litigation.

I found your summary of events to be very intriguing and I thank you for the interesting summary which you sent.

With all good wishes,

Joseph Kelner

Moving on....

The following is correspondence between a student of Knopf's and Professor Knopf. Incidentally, this student was injuring in the Kent State Shootings. In addition to the correspondence between Knopf and the student; I will be posting correspondence between the student and the President of Kent State University regarding the memorial for the events that transpired on May 4, 1970.

May 21, 1990

Dear Dr. Knopf,

You can't imagine how much I appreciate your letters and the clippings. How kind of you to think of me. had it not been for your efforts I never would have seen the many articles you collected and passed along to me. The one piece from The Cleveland Plain Dealer , provided my first picture of the memorial plaque. There is much that I have said on the subject of Kent's effort to memorialize the deceased students. The enclosed letters I exchanged with President Schwartz should be self-explanatory. While all should be of some interest, perhaps the most telling is the final letter, dated April 30.

When I saw Martin and Sarah Scheuer at the candlelight vigil on May 30 they indicated that their meeting with Schwartz (referenced in the April 30th letter) was arranged at this request. Their version of the sessions had Schwartz (after months of public and private pressure to affix a description plaque and tablet of the names of the slain students) as being __?__ what he could do to enhance the memorial. They indicated that the granite tribute would mean nothing without Sandy's and the other three names on the memorial. He acted as though the suggestion was a novel one and then promised it would be done "within 24 hours". They are convinced it was in the works for some time and that Schwartz waited until he had a better idea of how the political winds were flowing. I don't pretend to know how long it takes to prepare such a tablet but I imagine one usually doesn't do so literally overnight. Through this experience I came to realize why some so dislike Schwartz.

One final impression. I was terribly impressed with the presence of and the remarks by Gov. Richard Celeste. Having been at 15 of 19 anniversary programs I found his forthright statements to be among the most significant ever made on May 4th at Kent.

On another subject I learned recently (I was at the Organization of American Historians Conference in Wash, D.C.) that "SS" is now teaching at an army base in West Germany. I had not previously been aware that "S" was interviewed at length in the final book kinstallment of the Time-Life serious on Vietnam. I have yet to read the piece but that would explain why his name was used in the Time-Life promotional brochure I sent you some months ago. Evidently "S" is well aware of the suspicions that exist about him. Does this explain, at least in part, his absence from the U.S.?

I hope to continue our correspondence for it enforces my conviction that Kent State University's strength always lay in it's faculty rather than it's administration. Thanks again for your support and 20 years of thoughtfulness.

Best Regards,

"TG"

P.S. I obtained my M.A. in History on May 20th.

Kent State Shootings, Part 1

Let me preface this post by saying that the letters posted here are owned by me personally. I purchased them from an auction after Professor Knopf died. Mr. Knopf was a highly intelligent man who took maticulous care of his written material, be it letters, books, history papers, etc. His wish upon his passing was that the entire contents of his house be auctioned off and the proceeds go to set up a scholarship in his name at Ohio State University. That being said, I feel I have Mr. Knopf's permission to do with this material what I wish. I can only assume that if he wanted to keep his personal correspondence private, he would have had the material destroyed or given to certain individuals, but not left for just anyone to obtain.

I will be posting material not original to Knopf but rather sent to him by his student that he corresponded with. After great thought, I have decided to post this as well in an effort to give you as complete a picture as possible. Leaving out certain things will only result in confusion.

**Permission to use the material posted in this blog and the following blogs must be received by me, in writing, before it is used in any capacity in any medium.**

It is not my intention to be irresponsible with this material and therefore some names will the abbreviated into initials only. Nor, is it my intention to violate any one person's privacy. However, I found this information so intriguing and riveting that I couldn't resist posting it. I hope you find it just as interesting. I know it is a lot of information to read and take in. In my opinion, it's worth it.

If you know nothing about the Kent State Shootings of 1970, then please familiarize yourself with the events before reading....might make reading the following posts more understandable and interesting.

So, in the spirit of Amendment #1, here goes.....

This letter was written by Professor Richard C. Knopf to Joseph Kelner, author of: The Kent State Coverup on January 4, 1984.

Dear Sir:

I have just completed reading your The Kent State Coverup, a most interesting account of your parrying with the partisans of Jim Rhodes. However, this letter is directed to you, not for what is included in your book, but rather, for what is not there.

My own association with May 4 and the events which led up to it is a rather close one. However, I shall not regale you with my own observations and activities during that tragic week-end, but, rather, I should like to raise a question and, hopfully, peak your interest.

The query: Who was (is) "SS"?

During the whole aftermath of May 4--including the Scranton hearings and National Guard trials, not once did I note any references to "SS". As a matter of fact, after one of the trials in which an old friend of mine, Gus Lambros, was a defense attorney, I asked him if the name of "SS" had come up. He answered in the negative and then I related to him the story which I want to tell to you. He was interested and surprised, but, I fear, did nothing about it; perhaps there was nothing to be done.

However, here is the story for what it is worth: During the academic year 1969-1970, I was a Professor of History at Kent State University. As such, I was assigned a number of graduate assistants, among whom were "JG" and "SS".

"G" I had known for some time as a graduate student in the department. However, "S" (whose picture is on p. 184 of your book) was new that year.

Almost from the beginning, "S" was considerably different from the other graduate assistants in the History Department. Granted it was a time of considerable feeling re: Viet Nam and other social issues among both faculty and students. Kent, like other large campuses, had its' share of both reform and radical elements. Frankly, I shared many of the concerns of the time, but "S" seemed to be in the forefront of the most radical campus elements; as a matter of fact, his work for me as a graduate assistant suffered so badly from his non-academic activities that I complained to the departmental chairman about his lack of enthusiasm for his departmental work.

It was at this point that I was informed that he was a "special" student; to wit, (1) he did not possess the required prerequisites for a departmental assistantship, but had been assigned to the History Department by the university administration; (2) he was not paid out of departmental funds (as was the case with the other assistants) and (3) succinctly, we were to ask no questions about him.

Obviously, this made me rather wary, especially as his work (grading papers) for me was carried out with a most cavalier attitude.

Meanwhile, "S", though holding (at least to my knowledge) no official position in any radical group, worked tirelessly as a campus agitator. Again, my concern was not his campus activity, but his dereliction of his duty to me and the department. (In addition, in the three-plus quarters he was at Kent, his own classes were all "incomplete"--he finished not one single course in which he was enrolled.)

In the Spring Quarter of 1970, "S" and another of my graduate assistants, "JG", became friends. "G" was the docile follower; "S" was the leader. "G" was (and is) a well-meaning, good soul who came under the influence of "S", the agitator.

At any rate, what is often forgotten, but, I think, of primary significance in the whole of the May 4th affair is that the events which led up to the Monday killings were initiated by "S" (and a meekly following "G") on the preceding Friday afternoon when "S" led a rally--among other things burning a copy of the U.S. Constitution.

To this point, you might well ask, what is so different about "S's" behavior and that of hundreds of other student radicals across the land.

The acts themselves, designed to be symbolic protests, were not, indeed, unusual.

But let us get on with the story.

After a hectic summer, when the fall quarter of 1970 began, "S" was again assigned to me as a graduate assistant. However, about two weeks into the quarter, he asked me if he could have a few days off; he was to get married to a girl in upper New York state. This obviously, was not a peculiar request and I okayed his absense, congratulating him on his impending wedding. That was the last we ever saw or heard of "SS"!

Hopefully, by now, you have understood my concern and curiosity in the whole "S" affair. Frankly, I have felt ever since that he was a "plant" perhaps by the F.B.I. or other government agency; that he was supposed to infiltrate the Weathermen, S.D.S., or other campus radical groups. Further, I am (at least to this moment) convinced that he not only did an intelligence job, but, perhaps, did it so well that it led to the whole series of tragic events culminating on May 4th.

I think that it is more than happenstance that "S" took the lead as an agitator, but then faded out completely from the picture. For me it is interesting that Miller, Krause and "G" (who was a student of mine), among others, come in for considerable criticism for their radical activities, but that "S" is either completely omitted or, at most, only mentioned in passing. That he came on the scene at Kent under the most peculiar of circumstances and then disappeared as mysteriously presents a most interesting puzzle.

One might ask why "S's" activities have never been mentioned before. I think there are several reasons, depending upon one's point of view and/or knowledge of "S":

1. No one could believe that he was instrumental in the agitation which led to May 4th. (From my point of view, the facts belie this.)

2. That the peculiar circumstances of "S's" presence on campus were a secret known only to top administration.

or

3. That there has been a fear of "opening a can of worms" should "S's" mission be revealed.

Perhaps none of the above is a true statement and perhaps "S's" role is a matter of circumstances only. Yet, for over a decade, I (and others) have had a haunting feeling that the real coverup is not as you have maintained in your book (frankly I think it was not a coverup--the trial--but a miscarriage of justice), but surrounds "S".

Whether the real truth or identity of "S" (or a fair assessment of his activities) are ever to be known is anyone's guess. However, the whole train of events, from "S's" appearance on campus to his departure, lend credence to the thought that he was more than just another radical. That he had, at least from an agitator point-of-view, a great influence over the events of that year--and most especially that first week of May--one just cannot deny. To me, the amazing and mysterious point is that he is given no serious attention in the aftermath; it is almost as if he had never existed.

Well, Mr. Kelner, that is my story in which you will, perhaps, have a passing interest. I could have bothered you with a recital of some of the bizarre happenings of that week-end, to which I was both a participant or observer, but I felt, especially having read your book (plus a number of others including Michener's "novel") that you might be interested.

Sincerely,

Richard C. Knopf

Emeritus Professor of History,

Kent State University

The Cook....on strike!

Thursday, I went to a local Super Suppers and I'm sold!

I had so much fun there. It was nice to create recipes and have someone clean up after me. I love knowing that I have good, prepared meals at home - all I have to do is cook them. It will save me time and money and be so much more healthy than eating fast food or nothing at all.

I was able to make 4 entrees for under $60.00 - can't do that at the grocery store! 1 entree has about 6 servings - I split each entree into 2, 3 serving containers since I am single.

I tried Barbecue Meatloaf with mashed potatoes last night and it was wonderful. All I had to do was put it in the oven and throw away the pan......good times in the kitchen!

So, I encourage you to try Super Suppers....it's fun and will save you money and time.

AKM

Pablo rocks!

Salt, that is. Get it? Rock Salt?! Ha! Okay, okay....so it's not that funny. I'm still laughing though.

Thanks to Steve for passing along this great poem by OUR favorite poet, Pablo Neruda.

I read this last night and fell in love with it...hope you like it!

Ode to Salt:

This salt

in the saltcellar

I once saw in the salt mines.

I know

you won't

believe me,

but

it sings,

salt sings, the skin

of the salt mines

sings

with a mouth smothered

by the earth.

I shivered in those solitudes

when I heard

the voice of the salt in the desert.

Near Antofagasta

the nitrous

pampa

resounds:

a broken

voice,

a mournful song.

In its caves

the salt moans, mountain

of buried light,

translucent cathedral,

crystal of the sea, oblivion

of the waves.

And then on every table

in the world,

salt,

we see your piquant

powder

sprinkling

vital light

upon

our food. Preserver

of the ancient

holds of ships,

discover

on

the high seas,

earliest

sailor

of the unknown, shifting

byways of the foam.

Dust of the sea, in you

the tongue receives a kiss

from ocean night;

taste imparts to every seasoned

dish your ocean essence;

the smallest,

miniature

wave from the saltcellar

reveals to us

more than domestic whiteness;

in it we taste infinitude.

_______________________________________________________________

Several years ago, I had the priviledge to visit the Wieliczka salt mines in Poland, near Krakow. (Pronounced: Va-leech-ka) It was amazing and simply unbelievable. EVERY single item in the salt mines were made from salt.....the chandeliers, for instance. The floors look like tile, it's salt...........trust me, everything is salt and it is hard to wrap your brain around it.

It is said that the air from the salt mines has healing properties and there is a rehabilitation center in the mine that offers treatment based upon that premise.

_______________________________________________________________

The chamber is located 135 meters underground. The specific microclimate of the underground Lake Wessel Chamber is characterised by bacteriological purity; furthermore, the air of the chamber contains large quantities of sodium chloride, magnesium and calcium ions.

I took some real deep breaths during my tour, which was several hours long. I left feeling quite invigorated. It's a magical place. A place I hope to visit again - I would love to stay overnight there. Can you imagine working there everyday? (I'm jealous)

Okay, just so you know....humans aren't the only creatures that mine for salt. Check out the salt mining elephants of Kenya. I saw this special a few years ago and was fascinated. I'll let you read for yourself, but I will say that the thing that intrigued me most was that generations of elephants have been mining - same time of day, same places.....it is information that has been passed on from generation to generation. How did they do that? Only God knows. Amazing.

AKM

She's home!!!

We give dogs time we can spare,

space we can spare

and love we can spare. And in return,

dogs give us their all.

It's the best deal man

ever made.

M. Acklam

Bentley is home! I am so thankful and I believe that she is too.

Thanks to the kindness of strangers, she was safe the entire time she was gone. A man in my neighborhool found her in his yard and took her to a local vet. He then posted signs up and down a main street regarding a dog that has been found....... So nice of him and the vet that kept her until I came for her.

During this process, I have heard "She is just a dog...." - I know that and I would have been a person saying that in the past, but she is more than a dog to me. She is my loyal companion, she makes me laugh, she is there when I cry and I feel her love for me. Dogs are amazing and wonderful.

In the search for Bentley I had to go to the pound. Oh, my.......so sad to see so many beautful, sweet dogs there. Don't get a dog if you aren't going to care for it. They feel pain, loneliness, etc....I hated seeing them in cages. Open your hearts to a pet....go to the pound and get a dog. They will love you for your kindness and your life will never be the same.

What a journey in 24 hours. I appreciate all the concern from my family and help from my sister. I am thankful to all who prayed and especially to the friend who cared enough to pray with me at 5 in the morning.

I am blessed.

AKM

Incredible Journey???

I hope NOT.

I came home tonight to no dog in the backyard. A moment I will not soon forget. I searched for her for hours....mascara down my face....my pride out the window - with the panic a mom would have for her two legged child if he or she was missing, but my four legged girl is still MIA.

MIA without a collar (Found that in the backyard in two pieces) and in the cold. I hope and pray that she comes home. My fear is that someone has her and with no identification, it would be near impossible to get her back.

I am going to trust that she is having a great time and will be home soon. The door is open, the light is on. The prayers are going out......

Cut that Incredible Journey short and get your tail home!

Going to be tough not waking up to her in the morning.

AKM

Fragile yet Fearless...

I wanted to pay tribute to a special friend of mine, Violet Mitchell, who sadly passed away this month.

Violet was a lady in every sense of the word. She was lovely with eyes that twinkled like stars - eyes that took you in and loved the sight of you. She always had a smile on her face. She was so soft and always smelt so good. She seemed fragile....like she would break if you hugged her too tight. (Believe me, you would have wanted to squeeze her tight.)

Always quick to say, "Thank you, hon" if you did anything for her. When you told Violet something, such as: "We have new fish in the aquarium", her face would light up and her response would always be, "You don't mean it." Loved that!

Looks were decieving when it came to Violet. She appeared fragile, frail - and in many respects she was, but she could hold her own. She had spunk and a fight that amazed and impressed me.

About a year ago, a local animal park owner brought a variety of animals for the residents to see. Snakes, turtles, spiders, an alligator, etc. Most of the residents tried the "look but don't touch" method. Not Miss Violet....she held every animal and loved every minute of it. A smile from ear to ear. Eyes so bright from pure joy of the moment. She held that alligator and let the handler wrap that python around her neck - trust me, she was the only one "in line". Violet had moxy!

I will miss Violet. I always looked forward to seeing her, hugging her, telling her "I love you" and watching the affect that had on her. Getting that smile and being loved by those eyes. I wish I had known Violet while she was in her prime. I have no doubt she was an amazing everything....wife, mother, grandmother. She is the type of woman you want to snap green beans with on the back porch.

I loved her.....I love her. She will never be forgotten by me. Her picture is on my kitchen counter reminding me why I do what I do every day.

Violet often said, "I wish the Lord would just go ahead and take me on home." Well, you might have waited longer than you wanted, but you're home now Violet.

How about we meet at that Pearly Gate when it's my time to come home? Then I know I will be able to squeeze you tight!

Until then, lady.

AKM

Stick a fork in me!

I'm done...........fried, to be exact.

I've been told that I am just a little "pasty white". I prefer adjectives like, "Peaches and cream complexion" or something a bit more flattering. Nevertheless, I decided that perhaps I needed to do something about my lack of tan.

Soooo, I thought why not utilize the tanning bed at my gym? Brilliance! What I failed to do was find out the particulars about tanning.

Being the staunch woman that I am.....I went to the gym to "Git 'er done" and that is just what I did.

Stripped down - walked into the booth and pushed start. 10 minutes later, I thought "Well, that wasn't so bad." 4-5 hours later, I thought "I don't think that worked...I don't look a bit different." The next morning....."Owwwwwwwww" I thought "I just might need professional HELP!" OR.....a gun.

There might be a reason why the sun doesn't shine on all parts. I'm thinking 10 minutes was a bad idea. I'm thinking that maybe stripping down was not smart as well.

I'm thinking that I'm an idiot.

Tan, but still an idiot.

Will update you on the tanning process.

Is it hot in here, or is it just me?

AKM

I'm just mad about the Maysles!

In the words of my mom, "What's a Maysles?"

Well, mom....that would be David and Albert Maysles....the documentary film makers of Grey Gardens and The Beales of Grey Gardens - part of the Criterion Collection. If you haven't seen these documentaries, you must....this week. Tonight works for me - I'll bring the popcorn.

The stars of both documentaries are Edith and "Little Edie" Bouvier Beale and they are stars. I find them to be delightful, free spirits. I love their artistic, uninhibited ways. I wish I had been their neighbor....I wish I had been their friend.

Some may think they are completely crazy....I did at first. The more I watched, the more I admired them. Both, "Staunch Women". Both, beautiful.

Things I love about these documentaries:

• The "revolutionary costume" of the day and the frequent costume changes
• Edith taking pics of the Maysles
• The singing.....oh, the singing. (Tea for two and you for me.........)
• The dancing
• The search for the "Libra man"
• References to "The Marble Faun"
• The "Staunch Woman" moment
• Their outlook on the world

Here is some information to entice you (as if I haven't already done that):

Grey Gardens is the name of a neglected, sprawling estate gone to seed. The crumbling mansion was home to Edith Bouvier Beale, often referred to as "Big Edie," and her daughter, "Little Edie." The East Hampton, Long Island, home became the center of quite a scandal when it was revealed in 1973 that the reclusive aunt and cousin to Jackie O. were living in a state of poverty and filth. That's the background to this 1976 film portrait by cinéma vérité pioneers Albert and David Maysles, but it's only incidental to the fascinating story they discover inside the estate walls.

The two Edies have lived in almost complete seclusion since the mid-1950s, ever since Big Edie's husband abandoned her and Little Edie (then a young socialite on the verge of a dancing career, or so she claims) was called home to care for her depressed mother. Twenty years later they continue to live in their memories while camped out in a single bedroom of the 28-room mansion overrun with cats (who use the floor as their litter box). Rehashing mistakes and missed chances with an accusing banter that becomes more stinging and angry as the documentary progresses, they exist in a sad codependency brings new meaning to the term dysfunctional. Disturbing and discomforting, it comes off like a freak show at times, but for all their arguments and recriminations, the Maysles reveal two women abandoned by their families who are left to cling to each other, for better or worse. --Sean Axmaker

Can't say I completely agree with Sean.....I believe both Edith and Edie had a deep, loyal, abiding love for each other.

Watch the Documentaries........tell me what you think.

Well, I'm off.......to look for that "Libra Man"

AKM

Hi, my name is......and I'm a Lush

Lush addict, that is!

Okay, if you haven't tried Lush bath products, you haven't lived. Well, you've lived, but haven't smelt as good as you could have.

First of all, let's talk baths. I think that there is nothing better than a good, long bath with wonderful bath products. A bath that makes you feel special......a moment where time stands still and the stresses of the day wash away.

I never feel guilty about treating myself to a perfect bath. It's a necessity in my world.

Love this line from JoDee Messina's, Downtime: ".....But your memory's taken second to a good book and a nice long bath....." Amen, sister!

Got the bath water running yet?

Back to Lush.....I came across these products a few years ago and now I am hooked. A complete Lush am I!

Here are my favorite products - they are all good, but with these, you can't go wrong:

Bath Bombs:
Sex Bomb, BlackBerry, Ne Worry Pas, Tea & Sympathy, Avobath, Sakura, Youki Hi

Soap:

Rock Star, Snowcake - Only comes out at Christmas and it's perfection!

Bubble Bar Slices:

Amondopondo, Hot Milk, Pop in the Bath, Flosty Gritter, Holiday bar (Christmas Item)

Bath Melts:

Floating Island, Ceridwen's Cauldron, MMM, Something Wicked This Way Comes, In the Nude, Elixer, Dreamtime, Creamy Candy Bath Melt.

Check Lush out, you won't be sorry!

Well, I'm off to the bath............................ahhhh!

AKM

Pablo Neruda

The following is a poem/sonnet from my favorite poet, Pablo Neruda. His work moves me.....he has a way of putting into written words what only my heart has known or felt but my mouth was unable to express.

Love Sonnet XVII

I do not love you as if you were salt-rose, or topaz,

or the arrow of carnations the fire shoots off.

I love you as certain dark things are to be loved,

in secret, between the shadow and the soul.

I love you as the plant that never blooms

but carries in itself the light of hidden flowers;

thanks to your love a certain solid fragrance,

risen from the earth, lives darkly in my body.

I love you without knowing how, or when, or from where.

I love you straightforwardly, without complexities or pride;

so I love you because I know no other way

than this: where I does not exist, nor you,

so close that your hand on my chest is my hand,

so close that your eyes close as I fall asleep.

Sigh......

If you recognized the last part of that sonnet; it was quoted in Patch Adams by Robin Williams.

AKM

Why?...

....the title "Just One More Thing"? Simple, I'm a huge Columbo fan. Noooooo, not a nerd.....a Columbo fan. If you still don't understand, watch an episode or two of Columbo.....you'll figure it out. More about Columbo in future blogs....WOO HOO!

This being my first post, I will warn you now that I'm not a genius when it comes to punctuation...so, if you're disturbed, that makes two of us.

Does anyone know what type of wildflower is in the picture above? If so, let me know! I took that picture this month on vacation.....thought the flower was so pretty and unusual.

Will post more later......still trying to figure this blogging thing out!

AKM