"Goin' Home: A Tribute to Fats Domino" was in my Christmas stocking. I had bought the CD for a dear friend's birthday, but I almost kept it for myself! Well, I gave it to Gary, but when my husband saw how much I wanted it, he bought me a copy too and surprised me.

Old Fats was rebel music from my youth and I think I liked every song he put out in those days. Today, I still know all the words. How's that for a young brain paying attention? If only I had worked as hard on my studies, I could have been a doctor.

This two-disc CD is something special! Loaded with talented greats of today, they each sing one of Fats songs --- Norah Jones, Willie Nelson, Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers, BB King, Corinne Bailey Rae, Neil Young, Paul McCartney --- just to name a few! And the musicians are just as powerful as the singers and help capture the emotion of the old songs. It's a must-have for any lover of that early bluesy rock & roll sound of the late 50's, early '60's.

Another plus, is that the proceeds from this dynamic duo benefit Fats Domino's Lower 9th Ward neighborhood in New Orleans. Fats lived through Katrina and has stayed in his hometown. This tribute is from the Tipitina Foundation which helps insure that the young New Orleanians receive instruments and music instruction.

If music is good for our souls, then helping upcoming musicians is double-good for our souls! Learn all about it at http://www.tipitinasfoundation.org.

~~~MUCUS!? When did this become a socially acceptable word in mixed company? It seems the marketing department has discovered a fifty-cent word for snot! We went to a movie --- a movie! --- and had to sit through a television commercial featuring giant green dancing boogers! At first, I thought it was another remake of "The Blob!" This is just awful --- and it'S NOT very nice!

~~~Okay, let's agree, it's pitiful when we see adults all aquiver over gasoline prices dropping to $2.91! How soon we adjust. Are we pathetic, or what?

~~~Maybe it's because we live in a small town, but this morning I accused my husband of not telling me everything he knew about one of our friends.

His reply, "I don't remember everything I know!"

Streamers, have a memorable first weekend in February. ~~~

Hugs, Rita B

Parade Magazine tells us that cats are the most popular pet in the United States. As a has-been owner, it's because cats are loveable, smart and have such great personalities. For your amusement, here's my favorite winter cat joke:

Since I was supposed to be in Florida this week, I decided to take a break on everything including my blog. I hope everyone's been okay without me bugging them with some story about nothing!

There's a whole lot of "nothing" out there and I think I've been reading all of it in the newspapers. For sure, it's a crazy world we live in, Streamers. Between the celebrities and the politicians and the weather and the stockmarket, I've been living my normal life.

I was saddened about the deaths of Suzanne Pleshette and Heath Ledger. Opposites --- one played the same character her entire life and the other emersed himself in such different roles that it poisoned his sleep and life. Of course, the tragedy of Britney Spears won't go away, but someone's finally taken Amy Winehouse away to the funny farm.

The Race for the White House continues as each state takes a turn showing the world their choice for President. It is a game played politicians --- no matter how often they proclaim they are NOT --- and now we can only watch as players fall by the wayside. By autumn each of us will secretly know who we are backing as we step into that lonely voting booth.

Snow is one of my favorite things, but I hate to hear about stranded, injured, or people who die because of the cold and icy weather! Honestly, I don't want anyone to get hurt, I just want a couple of "snow days" a year. I didn't pray for ice, so drive carefully, please.

Okay, I'm convinced that no one knows what drives the Stockmarket. Good news or bad news, that market does what it wants if someone so much as sneezes in its direction! Don't get nervous, they tell you when the numbers dump in the toilet. It's only a wisp of a rumor that something might happen, that's all, don't worry. So, all you know-it-alls, quit saying something bad is going to happen and let's fool it into thinking everything is hunky-dory. Deal?

My sweet Hubby and I went to see The Bucket List and enjoyed it every much. However, there's something scary about two old people laughing at illness and death that seems pretty risky to me! Still, it was very uplifting and encouraging.

Have a great weekend! ~~~ Hugs, Rita

My husband reads the comics first thing when the morning newspaper comes. I read the front section covering the overnight news, saving the laughs for later. We make a good team that way --- no morning fights with our coffee!

There's something in that bit of information that tells me how we each approach life. In my family, I had to get my work done before I could play and that has carried over into my adult life. Now, I'm just wired that way. In many ways this wiring has served me well, however, since art is fun to me, I have to clear everything out of my schedule before I let myself enjoy painting. Because of this, I rarely get to create artwork!

Tell me if you like to wait for it OR are you one of those who likes to tear into the package immediately? Do you savor the anticipation or just go for it?

Streamers, are you a "yes, I can wait" or are you a "hell, no, I can't wait!"?