The recent report confirmed what was generally believed. Football is dangerous. Brain damage was found in 99% of the professional players whose brains were studied post-mortem. Even providing for statistical variations, the results seem clear and are troubling. The NFL will, no doubt, take steps to address the problem -- changes to rules to ameliorate the most injury-causing plays, and public relations to combat the bad press. But will it impact the fans?

This is all I have today: Maybe you will find it helpful. It always soothes me. I hope it soothes you.  

  Have you been?    

The news this week about O.J. Simpson’s parole hearing immediately brought me back to his murder trial. I was in a completely different place-than I am now- during that trial. I was a stay at home mom at that time and my youngest daughter was still an infant. My older daughter was in nursery school.  

Saturday was one of the special days. It repeats each year. It includes many folks and circles surrounding two friends who go back together to Kindergarten in the same nabe.  I only got to know them in high school.

I just reread a blog I wrote over 3 months ago. It was about being heroic...seeking to understand each other rather than punish or overreact.   My intent, at that time, was to take a stride towards middle ground where anyone can speak their mind without being called names. To truly listen and respect each other's opinions. However, a recent post on the politics listserv had me shaking my head.  

When I come upon an interesting statement I often write it down for inspiration and/or recycling. For example, Mae West said "Too much of a good thing can be wonderful". Dylan said "Take what you've gathered from coincidence". The Marine Corps has an adage that "Pain is weakness leaving the body". Claire Cook said "If plan A doesn't work, the alphabet has 25 more letters". Branch Rickey said "Luck is the residue of design". There's a lot of inspiring thought going on there!  Can you add to the list?

It was a perfect summer night for an outdoor concert at Jones Beach. As Rod Stewart expressed during the concert, it was much preferred to the rain that poured on one of his last concerts at the venue.