"In the long run, we shape our lives, and we shape ourselves. The process never ends until we die. And the choices we make are ultimately our own responsibility." Eleanor Roosevelt'''''''' Diplomat, Humanitarian, and First Lady More >>

May your blessings outnumberThe shamrocks that grow,And may trouble avoid youWherever you go.'''''''''''''''' -- Irish blessingHappy St. Patrick's Day! More >>

Good, honest, hardheaded character is a function of the home.' If the proper seed is sown there and properly nourished for a few years, it will not be easy for that plant to be uprooted. -- George A. Dorsey, anthropologist More >>

"The family is one of nature's masterpieces." -- George Santayana, The Life of Reason More >>

Since today is George Washington's actual birthday, I thought it appropriate to hear from him this week: Happiness and moral duty are inseparably connected. -'George Washington More >>

Talk about dangerous and destructive!' A Johnson County (Kansas) grand jury is investigating Planned "Un"Parenthood to determine whether the abortion provider complies with Kansas laws on parental notification and the 24-hour waiting period.The grand jury panel has asked for medical records of sixteen women who had abortions in 2003.' Planned Parenthood is refusing to turn them over, claiming patient privacy right violations.' However, the grand jury wants the following patient information:' date of birth, date of last menstruation, dates and times of medical procedures, and notifications and/or consultations with patients.' The grand jury is not asking for any patient-identifying information like name, social security number, address, phone numbers or next of kin - they can be eliminated before the information is sent on to them.' So much for patient privacy violations.Additionally (according to the Kansas City Star ), charges allege that Planned Parenthood performed illegal later-term abortions in 2003 and falsified, forged, and failed to maintain related records.The ACLU and Planned Parenthood are also pushing San Diego's school board to end long-standing policies which require parental notification when students are pregnant and contemplating abortion, and parental consent before students leave campus, including trips to abortion clinics. The ACLU and Planned Parenthood are claiming that this violates the privacy rights of students and that the mentality is "antiquated and dangerous."'I've had conversations with some of these ACLU and Planned Parenthood types over the years, and it's absolutely scary how paranoid they are about parental involvement in their children's lives.' They are thoroughly convinced, it would seem, that parents universally impregnate and/or beat their children, and that only they are the grand protectors of children.' If that's so, I wonder why Planned Parenthood gets in trouble for not reporting molestations when adult males bring in minor females for abortions?' Gets mighty confusing to me.Happily, the Pacific Justice Institute (PJI) sent a letter to the school board, urging them to stand by their parent and family-friendly policies and offered free legal assistance if those policies are challenged in court.' PJI President, Brad Dacus stated in the Standard Newswire that "Contrary to ACLU and Planned Parenthood propaganda, parental responsibility is not antiquated or illegal.' It is indispensable to a decent society.' We urge the San Diego School Board not to cave in to pressure from radicals who ignore common sense and distort constitutional principles." PJI's affiliate attorney commented: "Parents are morally and legally responsible for their minor children, so it is just common sense that they should be aware of their children's whereabouts, particularly if they are being subjected to life-altering medical procedures, such as abortions." More >>

A word to the wise...keep your love notes sincere, or you'll end up on the Internet looking like this: To Mary, the love of my life:There is nothing I would not do to reach your side.' I would climb the highest mountain!' I would cross the trackless desert!' I would swim the widest ocean to be near you, my beloved. With love and tenderness, JonathanP.S.' See you Saturday night, if it doesn't rain. More >>

This piece of advice is from Kathleen's grandmother, who, at 69, has been married for 52 years : "A woman holds all the control in the family.' She is the center of the home.' When she is happy, everyone is lifted, and when she is not, she can drag everyone down with her.' Be generous with your affection, and let the little things go.' And most importantly, if you don't give your husband what he needs, he will look for it somewhere else." Sounds like she was practicing "The Proper Care & Feeding of Husbands" long before I ever wrote the book! More >>

I get thousands of emails, letters and faxes every week.' They can be funny, sobering, trivial, deep.' Every once in a while one comes in that just takes my breath away.' This is one of those: "I am terminally ill with cancer.' I AM GOING TO BE HAPPY EVERY DAY.' Life is a very great gift.' I am very grateful for each day.' Even if all you get in life is one sunrise or one sunset; life is a fantastic present. I DO NOT FEEL GUILTY FOR MY HAPPINESS." She asked me not to use her name. More >>

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