All too often we forget the revitalizing effects fun can have. Children have known it since the beginning of time. Then we grow up - get older and get "busy" too busy.

Yesterday I had a sensational Sunday. I was driven on a ride to nearby Tarpon Springs. It is a Greek community here in Florida with Sponge Docks and Greek Restaurants and Bakeries. On the way there and back home we drove through the various county parks. I even got a black raspberry ice cream cone on the way home. Simple day. Fun day. It may not be the day of crazy fun some might envision that would make for a sensational Sunday but for me it was terrific.

I topped it off with conversations with my sons. I love hearing what is happening in their worlds. All in all definitely a fun day!

Yesterday the Tampa Bay Rays were on the wrong side of history as Mark Buehrle pitched a perfect game. There have only been 18 perfect games pitched in major league history. It was an exciting game.



I'm happy for Buehrle and his family as well as for the White Sox Fans moment in the history books, enjoy it while you can. Go Rays!

It is terrific how sometimes we can do something and it can renew our spirit. What we do is different for each person. Maybe it is planting seeds and feeling the hopeful anticipation of new plants growing and flourishing. It may be signing up for a class or joining an exercise group that makes us feel good anticipating the things we will learn or the new improved shape and health of our bodies. For me I had my spirit renewed and my enthusiasm and zest for life increased by renewing my passport. I just got my new one in the mail and my old one returned. It is a fun reminder of adventures I have taken and excitement about the ones that are in my future.

Some of my greatest adventures haven't required a passport. It is just a fun reminder that there are exciting experiences and challenges and joys yet to come.

What do you do when your spirit needs a little boost? Have you done anything recently to reinvigorate yourself as you look forward to the next chapters of your life adventure?

Hoping that my sons remember fun, happy memories from their childhood once in a while while they enjoy creating their own fantastic memories with their wives and children.

I am truly the luckiest woman ever to be Tom and Jim's Mom and have Shelia and Carol for daughters and Hope, Noah, Jakle and Jonah as grand children.

Times we shared having fun together will never seem often enough. That's just part of the Mom thing and being geographically seperated. BUT the memories make up the brightest colors in the tapestry of my life.

From bike trips, to camping, to cruises, to all the pets, to sharing time with their friends, soccer, sports, to Chuckee Cheese, to go Karts, to having them help and support me at book signings. The number of happy thank you memories I enjoy each day thanks to the time we shared is awesome.

I now get to have the added joy of hearing about the adventures they are creating. I am excited looking forward to the next fun memories we create together.

May you have a fantastic Friday and wonderful weekend. Find time for some mischief and fun.

Dear Judy,
Here is your horoscope for
Monday, July 13:

You are starting something fantastic today -- even if you can't tell exactly what's going on! It's one of those days when you can tell that things are going to work out for the best.

Saturday was sensational. I was the delighted passenger for a roadtrip to nowhere in particular. Because I was going to be in the car most all day I was able to wear my old track shorts and tank top. Comfort and cool was the attire for the day. South was the direction.

At first I thought we might stop and visit Sanibel Island and Captiva. I love going there because I remember fun times with my Mom and Dad when they would winter at a campground in nearby Ft. Myers. I remember my Mom learning about Sanibel many years ago from a feature article in Southern Living Magazine. It said Sanibel was a great place to collect shells. I think my Mom spent more time "bottom up" seeking shells than right side up. It was a view I am sure made my dad smile. They had great times there and enjoyed getting bakery treats from Jerry's restaurant/grocery on the island.

We didn't stop but passing the exits made me smile and remember the great times we shared there. It was awesome.

Continuing south I thought we would end up at the Everglades but no we kept on going. As we passed that exit I fondly remembered Airboat rides and seeing gators with a driver that looked like he may have starred in Deliverance.

That was the way the day continued. I was filled with dejavu memories of the many times I had traveled around the state for business as well as for pleasure. I even ended up having the opportunity to put my toes into the Atlantic Ocean. Imagine being so lucky that you get to walk on the beach near your home and put your toes into the Gulf of Mexico and the following day put them in the Atlantic Ocean. It was a fantastic day. Who would have guessed when we left in the morning we would cover so many miles. The biggest expense was the gas and it was worth ever penny and minute invested in a wonderful circular trip around Florida with side trips down memory lane.

Time to water the plants on my balcony and once again count my many blessings. I hope you enjoy a sensational Sunday.

"Just remember people are like sticks of dynamite; the powers on the inside, but nothing happens until the fuse gets lit." Mac Anderson

It is fine to enjoy sports either as a spectator or participant but I don't understand why Congress should take up its valuable time today to weigh the issue of the BCS playoffs, use of performance enhancing drugs or any other sports related issue.

I don't usually voice my political opinions either here on my blog or on Facebook. I have however addressed my concern that Congress seems to divert its attention from matters of immediate concern to focus on the item that seems in the news or more important to a niche than to our country. Perhaps it is time for members of the House and Senate to re-read the Constitution, Article 1 and become more familiar with their role and responsibility. We each need our Representatives to pay attention to the matters that effect us all - our men and women at war, health care, our economy and so forth. It is less important which college teams make it to the National College Football Championship Playoffs or which baseball player hit extra homeruns because he took drugs.

When the Founders laid out the blueprint for our government in the Constitution, the first thing they did, in Article I Section 1, was to specify that "All legislative Powers herein granted shall be vested in a Congress of the United States..."

Most of Article I consists of structural and procedural details for the Senate and the House of Representatives. While all parts of the Article are necessary, there are a few points that bear extra and repeated emphasis. These have to do with the powers granted, and the limitations placed upon the Congress.

Just what are the powers granted to Congress in Article I? Financial powers include taxation, borrowing, coining money (and setting up systems of valuation for money, and weights and measures), and punishment of counterfeiters. Military powers include declaring war, creating and regulating an army and navy, regulating and calling the militia to active duty. Other powers include regulating commerce, naturalization of immigrants, bankruptcy, and a seat of government (which turned out to be the District of Columbia); setting up mail delivery, patent and copyright protection, and federal courts; and defining and punishing international crimes (such as those committed on the high seas).

The common thread running through the specific powers granted here is that they pertain to matters outside the natural jurisdiction of individual states. As James Madison explained in Federalist Paper Number 45, "The powers delegated by the proposed Constitution to the Federal Government, are few and defined. Those which are to remain in the State Governments are numerous and indefinite. The former will be exercised principally on external objects, as war, peace, negotiation, and foreign commerce; with which last the power of taxation will for the most part be connected. The powers reserved to the several States will extend to all the objects, which, in the ordinary course of affairs, concern the lives, liberties and properties of the people; and the internal order, improvement, and prosperity of the State."

Conspicuously absent in Article I is the Congressional responsibility to determine which college team plays in a national championship game.

AT 5 MINUTES AND 6 SECONDS AFTER 4 A.M. , ON THE 8TH OF JULY, THIS YEAR, THE TIME AND DATE WILL BE:

04:05:06 07-08-09

THIS WILL NOT HAPPEN AGAIN UNTIL THE YEAR 3009!!!
(I had a deep feeling that you just really needed to know this...LOL)

Who figures these things out?!?

Keep smiling, keep shining, you can always count on me. Thank you for being there for me in good times and challenging times. I hope you have an awesome day.

To everyone who is traveling home after what I hope was a fantastic vacation and/or Fourth of July celebration, I wish you safe travels and happy memories.