The Make a Wish Foundation reminds us that, "Lives are measured in memories, not years." Some memories are found in old yellow newspapers. These are some of mine.

July 4th, 2001: I wrote, "Ladies, let's celebrate our freedom. Let the fireworks fill the sky, the symphony orchestra fill the air with dancing tunes that ignite our imagination, and remind us that ladies fought for independence long after the Declaration of Independence on July 4th, 1776. When America was officially born that day documents read, "All MEN are created equal." How about the ladies, fellas?

August 20, 1920, 72 years later Elizabeth Caddie Stanton and Lucite Moot helped win the right for women to vote. Still, it took World War II for ladies to be officially recognized with equitable opportunities.
Amelia Bloomer fought for sensible fashion in 1851 and would applaud today's freedom of choice to wear pantsuits, slacks, jeans. She'd surely cheer the demise of steel-belted corsets and cotton bloomers. Today, it's thongs, bikini bottoms, push-up bra or none at all. We've come a long way, ladies. The rights of Americans are copied and coveted worldwide.

I ended that column with, "The greatest right of all is freedom of communication, freedom of expression and freedom of the press. Without that right - other freedoms deteriorate."

February 2002: I quoted John Ciardi, "Love is the word used to label the sexual excitement of the young, the habituation of the middle-aged, and the mutual dependence of the old. Author, Jules Renard, put it another way; "Love is like an hourglass with the heart filling up as the brain empties." To which I added, sounds like those challenging teenage years that parents can only hope their kids (and they) successfully survive.

Have you noticed couples with gray hair walking holding hands? Did you wonder if they were holding each other upright? Nah, love is grand at all ages. True love grows best in a fertile field of humor.

Love is the compelling basis for all human need and existence, the balance that makes everything worthwhile, the catapult to energy-giving desires to create a better world. There seems to be no final ending to love, even by death that sometimes seems like a hiccup of time in a love story.

August 2002: I wrote; "The term "the city" carries no emotional attachment. What is it, some innate object of government, impressive buildings? No, any real city is the face of neighbors, business folks, adults of tomorrow, children of today - and those who provide positive leadership and services.

"The future is the past come home to roost," some say.

January 2005: I wrote, "I'm right up to here in all the bad news I'm going to let into my life today. From now on my motto is, "If it don't make me smile - it don't matter." How about that!

What's wrong with objecting to war, or not belonging to an alleged correct political circle, or disliking trouble-maker-bullies and big money influencing?

When did we find it more acceptable to hate and disagree than to love and compromise? Isn't there enough nationwide politically motivated skullduggery and somber-faced television news anchors drowning us in bad news? I don't know the answers. I do know it's time to say, "Stop, let us reason together." As TV super-advisor Dr. Phil might say, "How's that working for you?" Who has the gumption to turn on the lights in such darkness of today's war-oriented world that money and greed seem to control? Who is willing to do more than point out a problem? Where is the courage and ability to fix it? Effective leaders depend on six essential success qualities-- sincerity, personal integrity, humility, courtesy, wisdom and charity.

Positive change starts at home, so I told my little dog, Miss Katrina, she better bark-up if she's got a gripe and we'll find solutions. Pouting or refusal could result in rationed doggie treats.

July 2005: I wrote, "We appreciate the finer things in life, bigger boats, flashy cars, pothole-free streets, manicured parks, youth and senior programs, plus prompt police response. Yet the city's 2005 budget had a reported 3.3 million dollar deficit. Then City Councilman Gary Petersen, said, "We must take a good serious and positive look at these hard decisions. There will be good and bad in it, but that's the way it has to be." Love works that way too - when fixed with tender care.

For some of us - loving memories, truth, and smiles are found in old yellow newspapers. Laugh often, long and loud. "Life is about the quality of breaths we take - not the number."

Today's thought: "Better a diamond with flaws than a pebble without." (Confucius)