"This bedrock American principle of equality is central to the political and legal convictions of Republicans, Democrats, liberals, and conservatives alike. The dream that became America began with the revolutionary concept expressed in the Declaration of Independence in words that are among the most noble and elegant ever written: 'We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.'"

Ted Olson. Newsweek

Know What?

I just read my old posts and I'm hilarious! I promise to spend some more time writing real stuff here if you all will spend some time commenting.

Now go and read my old posts if you haven't already.

3rd Annual Love Walk for The Ridge

Saturday Nov. 15th at 9:00. Register and info at http://www.lovewalk.org/

Step out with Peppermint Ridge's mascot, "Heartbeat," at the Third Annual Love Walk for The Ridge at 9 a.m. on Saturday, November 15. After the easy, one mile walk, participants will be treated to T-shirts, goodie bags and lunch provided by Backwoods BBQ and Chick-fil-A of Hidden Valley Parkway. Enjoy music, fun and playing games with family and friends. Event participation will support the residents of Peppermint Ridge, a non-profit organization that provides loving homes for developmentally disabled adults in Corona California.

Fins to the Right...

On some obscure day in October we ventured south, San Diego way, for the Jimmy Buffett concert. I'd never seen Buffett which is not surprising since I'm not a Buffett fan but I have a memory of turning down Dead tickets in the 80's because I wasn't a fan. Little did I know I was passing up a once in a lifetime opportunity. I figured I'd better check out the parrot heads before they went the way of the dead heads.

We started with margaritas. What else would they serve in Margaritaville?

We sat up top on the lawn, best place for parrot head watching I'm sure. A few fans didn't make it till the start of the concert but no one seemed to mind. All fans were very kind to just step over them.

I'll call this our first after picture.

Just kidding. Janet's just singing and I caught her at an off moment. (She doesn't read my blog or I might be getting a nasty email...)

This is our real after picture... Can you make out the stage in the background? Yes, it's funny - you may laugh.

Still Relevant

"Status quo--you know, that is Latin for ‘the mess we're in.'”
----- President Ronald Reagan, 1981

Dinner

Finally

Will it be worth it? A few days and I'll let you know. After all other plants succumbed to powdery mildew, the Super Beefsteak is the only plant remaining. I cut away any sign of mildew almost daily hoping to save the baseball sized fruit now blushing.

Are You Yellow or Green?

Stop receiving unwanted phonebooks.

Save trees and keep unwanted trash out of our land fills.

First - Register at YellowPagesGoesGreen.org

AND call your local directory company to opt out if you don't use the books that get dropped on your doorstep.

Opt out! (See Full Article on MSNBC)

The directory publishers listed below make it possible for you to stop receiving their books, but they don’t make it easy. None of the menu options includes “opting-out” of getting our directory. Follow this roadmap and you should get to a customer service representative who can help you.
— ATT/ Yellow Pages: 1-800-479-2977
— Verizon: 800-555-4833, press 4, then 5, then 2
— DEX: 1-877-243-8339, press 2
— Yellow Book: 1-800-929-3556, press 2

The Fruit Lives

On the Air at KUCI

Yesterday I spoke on the radio. I took requests. I played CDs.

I interned with Emily on her show Sweater Weather at KUCI. Emily wore a sweater - green. I did not, high 80s and quite humid yesterday but pleasant in the studio. I DID wear make-up (special day) because I wanted to post pictures of Emily and me in the studio. Ten minutes of make-up and I forgot my camera. So imagine a really hot looking Judy, hair up, full eye make-up cause you know I look better with a little smokey eye, taking calls and chatting about Spiritualized (for all of my over 40 readers - psychedelic experimental rock group whom I greatly enjoyed)

Yo - Dawg I'm down wit it!

In The Studio With Barbara

Visited KUCI this morning with Barbara to watch her do her show, Writers on Writing. I'd never been in a radio station before. So much music and I LOVE music.

Barbara told me to bring my headphones. I told her I hadn't owned a pair of headphones since I'd plugged a set into my 8-track player in 1982. She loaned me a spare set.

I'm learning to be a DJ at KUCI in Irvine. I'll give you a moment to quit laughing.

One Mississippi

Two Mississippi

DJing is a lot more complicated than I thought it would be. The tasks themselves are quite simple. It's the number of tasks, the importance of priority and order, and the multitasking that might be a problem. Barbara assures me it will become second nature. I'll let you know.

1,000th Visitor

Earlier today -
Ms Pam Espinosa from Scottsdale (internet from Scottsdale at least) marked the 1,000th visit to Judy's Jabberings.

Proof of Life

For proof of just how much I love these kids, I took photos of my house while they were out to dinner their last night in town.

My living room sofa turned into guest bed / playroom.

And the loft - Even George is speechless. It's unrecognizable. Jeans - blankets - beach bags - shopping bags - makeup - underwear - shirts - bras - jackets...
If a teenage girl uses it, it's there - on my floor.

Auntie Judy loves you Alexa, Meghan, Emilie, and Maddy.

Obligatory - Disneyland

Mommy, Meghan, and Maddy riding Pirates of the Caribbean. Poor Maddy is finally old enough to be scared - but who knew. She loved the ride last year.



Emmie brought her friend Maddison. What's one more girl when we already had 5. Here they are on the Pirates ride. Emilie's the pink Smurfette.


A photo moment at Big Thunder Mountain. The older girls were off on their own but for the life of me I don't know where that baby is in this picture. Maybe she's off riding the train?

Back Bay Science Center

At the Back Bay Science Center the girls got a hands on experience in oceanography. Here's Emilie skimming the water for samples to examine under the microscope. She also helped sort the mud samples taken from the bottom of the bay.
We didn't get pictures but we also were allowed to hold sea stars and measure fish. We couldn't touch the Rays since they still had active stingers but we got to see them up close.

The Hike

At 6:00 pm we set out into the Laguna Coast Wilderness Park for our Full Moon Hike. We had a guide - we're city girls but we're not stupid. Our hike was led by a docent from the Laguna Canyon Foundation. I thought I heard her name was Flora but I thought that would be too convenient so I refrained from calling her by name. Emilie talked her ear off and was excited to learn that we would be examining coyote and deer scat - POOP Emilie whispered to me mischievously.

We carried flashlights, water, and a snack and wore sturdy shoes. We were ready for almost anything but were a little surprised at the amount of poison oak. Luckily no one came down with a mysterious rash.

Plein Air Artists are Born

Emilie at Plein Air painting class.
While the rest of us wait inside at the Muth Interpretive Center. Maddy puts on a show for Meghan.

Home Invasion

July 18th, they arrive. The brood. Emilie and Maddy pictured here with Mommy (Pam).

Babs in Bookland

My very famous author friend Barbara DeMarco Barrett has a local appearance this Sunday July 12th in Fashion Island.

Many of you saw her in the new issue of Orange Coast Magazine listed as Orange County's #1 literary magnet. Quite and honor.

Savannah the Lion Hearted

It's that time of year.

Savannah had a few matts, she was shedding and scratching and quite miserable so I had her cut.

She loves her lion cut. She struts around the house flicking her tail at me. She thinks she's beautiful.