~~~~~Anna Nichole Smith has been a tragic figure in the news lately. At the birth of her daughter, she lost her son to a needless death. That has to be beyond a parent's horror and now to make matters worse, she's publicly fighting with her mother. We on the outside watch like it's a train wreck and wonder where it all will end.

~~~~~Britney Spears surprised no one when she dumped her husband K-Fed recently, but anyone who has children knows who will pay in the long run. Any time a family dissolves it is so sad and I find no joy in laughing about the immaturity of these parents.

~~~~~Gwen Stefani's "Wind it Up" is the strangest "song" I've heard come down the pipe in a long time! A weird combination of "Sound of Music" and a high school marching band --- it confuses this old girl and I'm not ashamed to say, I don't get it. The girl can sing, but what's with that tune?

~~~~~Lindsay Lohan complains about everyone giving her a hard time because she has a party girl reputation. I agree with her, to a point, because she is only twenty and she should enjoy her life. But not at the expense of others and her career. Unless she stays in control, she may regret it.

For these ladies on the griddle, I have to quote a funny and smart Mark Twain:

I hope in years to come they agree with this statement. There are always things we want to change in our past --- it takes years of experience to see how our choices guide us to our future.

Okay, I'll admit upfront that this is a story about nothing, but as I sit here thinking about it, the question has to be asked.

When my husband went off to the shower this morning, he warned me not to go near the water because last time I burned his butt in the shower! After the last "hot" event, I told him I didn't do it. I had remained at the breakfast table reading the newspaper.

So that is what I'm doing right now --- sitting, reading, and writing this non-story. You are my witness. I am not leaving this chair until he reappears, freshly scrubbed from soap and plenty of hot water.

Last time, no matter what I said, he gave me his "raised eyebrow" look and he felt sure I had done something to cause this water heater incident. Why are we so sure someone has done something, even though they assure us they didn't? Why can't some things just be caused by unseen forces beyond our control?

There, I've asked the question. Besides, everyone knows that the hot water gremlins are most active during the autumn of the year