I am no prude, and there are times when, for the purposes of realism, an occasional obscenity is indicated, but dialogue which is more obscenity than story is akin to eavesdropping in a men's locker room in my opinion. That isn't to say I have ever done so mind you , but I do have a fertile imagination.

Ok ... now where do I go? Do I get serious, as I do most times, or do I write froth? I can almost hear you saying ..." froth !... we are tired of your preaching. Give it a rest , already ! " I do hear you and I really do understand. No one likes to be preached at, I know I certainly don't, but it's not easy these days to restrain myself. I keep hoping I will reach just one more person who will stop and consider what I am saying. But I will give you a break this time ... I'll stick to rambling conversation. This time. I make no promises  for the future.

 Do any of you watch "24"? My husband and I never miss it. Suspense, drama, and a fast paced show ... and I can't even think of a time where they resorted to foul language  to carry the story despite the fact  the situations most assuredly would lead one to expect it at times. And you know what ? The story line doesn't suffer a single bit. I admit I am partial to the show partly because of the lead actor. Kiefer Sutherland is a fellow Canadian  and a very accomplished actor. More so than I had ever realized before this show aired. Plus it doesn't hurt that I always admired his Grandfather to an inordinate degree. We Canadians can thank his Grandfather for our universal health care in addition to so many other accomplishments during his lengthy career in public service. For a small man he stood extremely tall. I still remember meeting him and talking to him in an airport waiting room while we were both awaiting our flight  to be called  a couple of years before he retired from public life. Impressive man and yet, warm, attentive to every word I said, and I wasn't even of the same political persuasion,  and he knew it. It was no surprise to me to see Canadians honour him as  the ' Greatest Canadian'  in our country's history several months ago.

 The following is a small excerpt from the CBC write up acknowledging the voting results from all across the country.

For more than 50 years, his staunch devotion to social causes, rousing powers of speech and pugnacious charm made Tommy C. Douglas an unstoppable political force. From his first foray into public office politics in 1934 to his post retirement years in the 1970s, Canada's 'father of Medicare' stayed true to his socialist beliefs -- often at the cost of his own political fortune -- and earned himself the respect of millions of Canadians in the process.

Tommy Douglas's legacy as a social policy innovator lives on. Social welfare, universal Medicare, old age pensions and mothers' allowances -- Douglas helped keep these ideas, and many more in the public consciousness, watching as more established political parties eventually came to accept these once radical ideas as their own.

 Remembering a man like Tommy Douglas  who lived his life serving the interests of others is a stark contrast to the political figures of today where corruption, graft, and self interest are so often the motivating factors. Where are the men or the women today in public life of such honour and integrity? Like so much else in this messed up world of ours unfortunately they appear to be missing in action. Certainly there are exceptions but their voices are drowned out  by the cacophony of rhetoric by those advancing the goals of the self interest groups who have bought and paid for the allegiance of those who have sworn to govern judiciously. And, who the corporate media rams down our throats incessantly. That is, when they aren't covering the latest sex scandal or equally distasteful subject hour after hour and repetitiously.

See what happens when you make me write froth ? I ramble. Don't complain ... you asked for it. And I  always aim to please. Weeelll.... almost always. I just about slipped back into preaching there for a minute but I recognized it before I really got into my sermon. I can almost hear your sigh of relief . Nope, not gonna go there this time.

 I have just reread this  composition and am sitting here chuckling to myself. I am really beyond help aren't I ? Even my froth manages to contain substance whether I want it to or not. I suppose its because  I do worry so much about where things are going that it dominates my thinking a lot of the time these days. OK ... back to attempting to lighten the mood around here.

Are you sick of reality shows yet ? I know I am. I want to see real  honest to god actors practising their craft again. I wonder how many actors have been finding work  these days ?  I'm not speaking of the super stars. They do obscenely well. But the character actors, the journeymen artists who want only to act and interpret meaningful drama which will please and entertain the audience. Even their craft has been outsourced, although not to other countries as is the norm today, as we watch amateurs hungry for attention make utter fools of themselves for the benefit of the vast viewing audience who  apparently eat it up. I want Hallmark Hall of Fame, Masterpiece Theatre and the like, to offer me a story which will draw me in and take me away for a brief time from the reality of this time of ours. Lord knows, we need that respite at times.

 How about music ? Is it possible that we are finally returning to  appreciating real music ? The signs are all there, as more and more artists are recording lovely old standards to great success. Hopefully the ailing music industry is beginning to get the message. Good music and lyrics from those actually possessing a voice rather than the noise and sex shows we have been fed for the past several years are just maybe what the public wants. I know I am not even slightly interested in seeing some would be singer sell their product  and themselves by prostituting the wonderful world of music  with skin shows and electronic trickery. If I want that I'll find a freak show somewhere.

 And don't even let me start on how dangerous this medium we all consider such a marvelous means of communication is becoming for our children. Any parent who is not monitoring their children's internet usage is incredibly stupid or at the very least derelict in their responsibility to keep their children safe.  The threat is ever present and everywhere you turn. 

 I am hopeless, I simply cannot  turn my mind off and write drivel. Of course, you have the absolute right to consider every word on this page to be exactly that. It well may be, but it also keeps wandering into serious subjects despite my best intentions so I think I will simply give up and return to  doing what I  am in the habit of doing. Trying to pass on what life has taught me in hopes that it just might reach someone who cares.

The days when "Moon Glow " and innocence were acceptable may be gone but I continue to hope  for a resurgence. They do say things go in cycles.  I may be old fashioned and an old fool but I have every finger crossed that the cycle is about to send sensationalism and smut packing. We are better than that !

 And by the way ... have you ever tried to type with every finger crossed ? It ain't easy let me tell you  so forgive my breaking my promise to give you nothing but froth. I was so busy trying to figure out how to type given such a handicap, I   forgot my promise.