ELEPHANTS IN THE HOUSE...

Well, they went and built a hotel on the elephants' migratory path. Did the elephants mind?
Apparently not. They stroll right through the place every
November. Makes a great tourist attraction. Eh? Seems the hotel courtyard
drops particularly delicious mangoes to the ground, and these elephants
cannot resist them! Even though there are other mango trees on other
properties, these elephants prefer the ones found at the hotel.









Jiva

CHEYENNE FRONTIER DAYS ~ JULY 17 - 26

Oh, how I wish I were seeing it this year, but not happening. Next year for sure!
A madcap adventure full of fun and craziness. Yipee Cayooooooooooo...
It's The West, baby.










My heart will be there, you can count on it.

Jiva

233 YEARS OF FREEDOM ~ CAN WE KEEP IT...

Let us not forget our freedoms and how we sacrificed over centuries to maintain them. We have fought wars, civil disorders, been lied to, watched our treasury be looted by government officials, watched our hard earned money taxed and be used to bailout people who own more than we could ever dream of owning. Shall we sit quietly by and watch the freedoms we have purchased so dearly be taken away, one by one? Are YOU writing to your congressman? Are YOU in touch with Obama's transparent government by website? Are YOU making your feelings known to your government before you no longer have that power? It's up to US you know. US, the people of the United States of America. Do your part, speak out now. Send emails
to your elected officials. Stop listening to the Media, the Media lies to you
every single day. Think for yourself, examine the issues, listen to your heart.

Jiva

Sail Away, sail away, your images stay with us...

The lights that have illuminated our screens and filled
our ears with music go out. And we go on...









Jiva

THE AMAZING Billy DeGuido MIRACLE MAN !

Update June 17, 2009
Below is the latest photo of Billy.
Even though his eyes are in good condition,
the signal from his eyes is not getting through
to his brain. Therefore Billy cannot see.
The doctors don't know if his sight will return.
It's a wait and see issue. Pray for Billy, or if
you don't pray, send good thoughts his way.
You can check out his website below by
clicking on his name.

Billy is going home on Monday, June 29.
How he will do there, remains to be seen.
Thanks again to everyone who helped out.
An outpouring of money from everywhere mailed
in to the address on his website, and from
the poker tournament, and from a volleyball
tournament, will total almost ten thousand dollars,
as soon as all the bracelets are sold.
God is Great, or if you prefer, The Universe is With Us.




I want to thank all the people who wrote to Billy and checked out his web site.
He is doing so much better, as you will see if you click on the Billy DeGuido link.
Miracles happen every day, and Billy is one of them.

You can see the infectious spirit of Billy...



I love Miracles, don't you? Every now and again, I'm privileged to see a real one.
My friend, Billy DeGuido, a man of 53 years, was struck down by a massive heart attack in April. His brain was without oxygen for about ten minutes. The doctors held little chance for Billy's recovery.

Now, you'd have to know Billy to understand what happened next. At the hospital,
he became somewhat of a celebrity, as friends by the dozens poured into the
hospital to see how Billy was doing. He was in Cardiac Intensive Care,
so visits being very limited, the friends hung out in the waiting room.
Every day. Then, the doctors decided to let Billy's friends into his
Intensive Care Room, in hopes that their voices would wake him up.

Billy was known for his sports participation. He played baseball, he played
water volleyball, he played tennis. He was in on everything.
There was this:
No insurance.
I guess this is a commentary on the American Spirit, and what happens
when there is no coverage.

I decided to call Silent Unity, about two days into Billy's stay, when he was in a coma. Silent Unity is this organization in Missouri, where if you call, they pray for you or your friends for 30 days. It's powerful, intensive stuff. The next day, Billy responded a bit. ! What? Yes, he responded a bit. I'm going to give you the link to Billy's web page, so you can see for yourself, the Miracle that Billy is.

BILLY DEGUIDO

When you look at that page, you will see the enthusiasm, the hope, and the good wishes of everyone for our dear Billy.

Nurses from the original CCU visited Billy to see how the "Miracle Man" was doing. In the first few days in CCU some of the staff originally thought Billy had very little chance of making it, now the staff is so inspired by his progress they come to visit on their break. Even his doctor said he is a 1 in a 1000 case to make the recovery that he is doing.

You will also see what happens when friends rally around in a time of crisis.
It's an amazing thing... and it's what has inspired me to write this on my blog. Thanks for looking. Pray for Billy, he has a long road ahead of him.

Jiva

THE READER ~ KATE WINSLET ~ A CLOSER LOOK

This film is a masterpiece of emotional passion, upheaval, and love.
It covers territory not touched in any previous film. The story about
a woman who is illiterate, a boy who learns sex from her,
a trial about Nazi cruelty and how the laws pertain to someone
who has never read them, is brilliant in its conception and performance.


One of the Posters from the Film



The Fabulous Kate Winslet, who won the Academy Award and the Golden Globe
for Best Actress in this film



Ralph Fiennes, Kate Winslet, and David Kross who plays the
young Ralph Fiennes in the film.



Kate pictured from the film



Ralph Fiennes as he appears in the film



The most Gorgeous Lena Olin who plays a daughter
and her own mother



Kate Winslet and David Kross



Lena Olin, David Kross, Kate Winslet and Ralph Fiennes



David Kross, Bernhard Schlink, Kate Winslet, David Hare (screenplay),
Stephen Daldry (director), and Ralph Fiennes



The Trailer From the Film

If you have not seen this film, it is not to be missed.
It is one of the best films I've ever seen, and I've seen plenty.

Jiva

Beatrice "Bea" Arthur ~ May 13, 1922 – April 25, 2009

Adieu..




Bea Arthur and Zero Mostel Rooftop Theater 1958

Bea Arthur (born Bernice Frankel) was born on May 13, 1922 in New York City

Jiva

A TRIBUTE TO EARTHA MAE KITT (January 17, 1927 – December 25, 2008)

I saw Eartha Kitt in New Faces of 1952 in Chicago... she sang that fabulous
song "Monotonous" in a style that was unique and so sexy. I have been a fan
of hers ever since.


Earthy Eartha, The Diva


There never has been and never will be anyone like her.


Eartha at The Churchill Club 1951


Eartha in Anna Lucasta


Eartha with her daughter Kitt


Eartha with Julius LaRosa and Ed Sullivan


Eartha with Nat King Cole


Eartha with Kristin Chenoweth 2004


Eartha with daughter Kitt McDonald Shapiro


Eartha sings "I'm Still Here" from FOLLIES

She may be gone, but she will live on in our memories...

Here is a website for her fans from her daughter Kitt:
Eartha Kitt The Official Site

Jiva

SHALL WE DANCE??

I HOPE I LOOK LIKE THIS AT 94 !!


Patricia Morrison looking good at 94



Patricia Morrison in 1939



King Yul Brynner a legend




I don't know why, but this clip always gives me goosebumps!

Jiva