What Was She Thinking?!

One of the top songs of the 1980s, and one of my favorites, Foreigner sings along with the New Jersey Mass Choir.

Happy Valentine's Day, everybody!

For those hard to shop for folks on your gift list, here are a few links to items that you aren't likely to find down at the corner drugstore.

Kitty Wigs

For the cat lover on your list, cat wigs. I'm not making this up. They aren't cheap either; I'm sure there are some Times Square hookers who don't pay this much for their wigs.

Red Envelope

Like Overstock.com but classier. Order soon so your loved one can get his/her treasure before Christmas!

Wild Hibiscus Flowers in Syrup

For the gourmet on your list. The web site has some great drink recipes and it's just in time to be served elegantly with champagne for New Year's Eve.

Uncommon Goods

I personally love the Vintage License Plate Map, a cool $3900. Yikes.

Hillary Clinton Nutcracker

It wouldn't be Christmas without a Nutcracker. And it wouldn't be Hillary without stainless steel thighs(I shit you not).

Frog Tape Dispenser

For that wage slave donkey in your life. Or .. for me.

On this day, I'd like the world to know what a wonderful mother I had. I can't tell her anymore because she's been gone just over 25 years. But I hope she knows anyway. So, mother, may I tell everyone....

* How you tried to raise me with a sense of self worth, pride, and a feeling that I could do anything, that I am limited only by my own imagination and determination.

* That animals are neither better than humans nor lesser, but that they should be respected and cherished as fellow travelers down this road called life.

* That while licking the beaters was a reward for good behavior, taking one's finger and swiping ALL the filling from in between the Boston Cream Pie meant for dinner guests will net you a good swat on the behind with a belt.

* That sometime you didn't like me, but you ALWAYS loved me.

* How you went to the next door neighbor and your best friend, Molly, and offered to buy some of her S&H Green Stamp books so you would have enough to buy me that doll I'd been wanting for my 8th birthday.

* How you tried to shelter me from the fact of my adoption because you were so afraid that I'd run off and try to find my "real" mother ... and we both know that YOU were always my "real" -- and only -- mother.

* How you fussed at me for bringing home that one A- in the group of A+s because you knew I was just being lazy and could have done better and that I should have done my best anyway.

* You showed me by example that a woman can survive on her own, with a widow's pension and a small child in tow, but that women really do thrive in the company of the right man.

* And that just because a man is interested in you, doesn't mean he's the "right" man for you.

* That you only ever have one true love.

And I sure hope, Mama, that you would have approved of the person I've become and (most of) the choices I've made.

To all you other mothers out there...