Katrina 10 Years Later - A Hero Remembers

Click here to read about Lt. General Honore, who was tasked by the Bush Administration with taking hold of the disaster.

 And I loved that he called me "Darlin'" when we talked.    :-)

Modern-day Schindler Rescues Girls from ISIS

Click here to read about a modern-day Oskar Schindler who is raising money to rescue girls from hellish existence as ISIS sex slaves.

Not a fun story,but this is the world. or a slice of it, at least...

Happy Monday - talking about too much homework on Laura Ingraham today...

Hi all, and happy Monday!

If you have the chance, at 11:30 EST this morning I'll be talking with Laura Ingraham about my article "Homework Hell" for her site, LifeZette.

Should be interesting - a new study shows that our kids are swamped with homework....like they don't have enough to do, just trying to be the best at everything!

I remember my best friend Nicole bringing me a Reader's Digest article years ago called "The Joys of Being Average." Can't we flip things around so that kids are average in sports (meaning, it's ok if they are - of course gifted athletes should zoom to the top of their sport) and excel at school - without hours of homework but instead solid teaching in the classroom?

Food for thought...

Check out the Los Angeles Post Examiner

I would like to thank the LA Post Examiner and the Baltimore Post Examiner very much for allowing me to have a space there to write for the past year or so.. I encourage all readers to bookmark their site - diverse and wonderful material including poetry, song lyrics and short fiction - perfect when you want to think, ponder, laugh or be amazed.

Here they are - check them out!

I have accepted a full-time writing position with Laura Ingraham's new website LifeZette, so I won't be writing for LAPE anymore.

I will miss you guys!! Thanks, Tim, for the support and encouragement. Enjoy your beautiful coast and all its wonders.

Deirdre

Protester Chic - looking fabulous while changing the world

Click here for all the latest trends in "Protester Chic" - dressing for the change you want in the world.

Happy Friday!

Guest Blogger - Lisa Ferrari - Some Dreams Do Come True

Life in the city with a slice of country...  my dream come true.

Well, I always wanted to be a cowboy. Yup, that's right, we called everyone in western gear, western movies, and in the west in general "cowboys," (and it was not offensive...) So, half way through my life, I finally achieved a dream come true. I purchased my first horse, a 14 year old registered quarter horse named "An Obvious Gentleman," "Gent" for short.  Well, I cannot even describe what it feels like to finally have a lifelong dream come true - it still tickles me when I see him, my dream come true, and I'm a cowboy at last; well, in this day and age, I suppose I'm a "cowgirl."

Even though I lived in the city I managed to have a horse, as well as beautiful trails where him and I, alone, meandered through beautiful woods, contemplating life. Not really, I suppose - I just simply sat on his back, and took in every moment, every breath of his, every click and clack of his hooves, and we sauntered luxuriously through those trails.  I didn't need to trot or run, although we did, and I trusted him completely. I had no fear, just like when I was a child, and all of it was enjoyable. As long as I was with him, life was perfect.

I remember a specific trail that I loved. Gent wasn't a real fan of this trail, because it was the longer route back to his barn, where there was hay...  but I always went this way. You had to ride uphill at one point, and then the trail flattened out, and all of a sudden, it opened up to the most serene beautiful view. I always, at this point, took my feet out of the stirrups and let my legs dangle - no fear - as we slowly just walked this part of the trail, alone, in peace and tranquility. Just me, my horse's hoof steps, and his breath.

There is nothing more special to me than those rides with him, just me... and my dream come true.

Make Sure Your Kid Does as Well in English as He Does in Foreign Language

Click here to read why English is still important, even in an American landscape of shorthand and emoticon...

Netflix Offers Sweet New Maternity Package

Click here to read about Netflix's abundantly generous new maternity/paternity package offered to keep great talent - no more breast pumps in the conference room!

My 16 year old's comment - "Wait, how do people even work at Netflix? Isn't it just like videos and stuff?"

Maybe that's what I should have been covering...

Brian Regan at Hampton Casino Ballroom

So excited to be going to see this guy, Brian Regan, tonight with the family! Our oldest son introduced us to this family-friendly comedian's work, and it has become a tradition to see his show if he is anywhere in the area.

Click here to see one of my favorite bits... and happy Saturday!

Trump in Debate - Viewers in Caucus State Focus on Economy

Click here to read about what viewers at Trump headquarters in New Hampshire care about most in the upcoming (years away still!) election. The "Live Free or Die" state usually calls it like they see it.

College Punishes Student Rather than Teaching Him

Click here for an  article on an interesting free speech story...how much weight do you give social media used by a young person - enough weight to suspend them from their college?

Where are you, Ghandi?

Click here to read stories of average people who are open to learning from our enemies. Is there any "Ghandi" in today's population, or are we just too polarized, stressed, and busy?

Mommy Porn Gets a Brown Wrapper

Click here to read about "Cosmo" finally getting the brown wrapper it deserves. Too many times I have seen toddlers staring at those racy, vacuous covers.

On a cheerier note, happy Monday! It is still summer, no matter what those darn back-to-school ads say.