I wish I were a bear

The new polar bear exhibit at the Pittsburgh Zoo is totally worth the trip. My friend Sue and I do something together every year after Christmas--this year, we went to the zoo. We got some great pictures . . . .


Some bear facts from Polar Bears International: Polar bears (ursus maritimus) range throughout the Arctic in areas where they can hunt seals. The five "polar bear nations" where the ice bears are found include the U. S. (Alaska), Canada, Russia, Denmark (Greenland), and Norway.

Polar bears are the world's largest land predators. They top the food chain in the Arctic. Adult male polar bears weigh from 775 to more than 1,500 pounds.

Watch a photographic essay about a mama polar bear and her triplets!

My friend Jeanne sent this to me many years ago . . .

I WISH I WERE A BEAR

I wish I were a bear. If you're a bear, you get to hibernate. You do nothing but sleep for six months. I could get used to that. And another thing--before you hibernate, you're supposed to eat yourself stupid. That wouldn't bother me either. If you're a Mama Bear, everyone knows you mean business; you can swat anyone who bothers your cubs. If your cubs get out of line, you swat them, too. Your husband expects you to growl when you wake up. He expects you to have hairy legs and excess body fat. He likes it. I wish I were a bear.

Christmas is exhausting for dogs

If you know what a jagger is,

you must be from Pittsburgh. We went for a walk today. Morgan got a jagger stuck in her hair,

and we saw the most beautiful sunset.

O Christmas Dog

Merry Christmas!

Rosie the Riveter has nothing on my sister:

Meet Kay the Welder!

I am so proud of Kay--she was the only woman in a week-long welding class in Detroit and she passed her test! (She actually has a desk job, but Airgas, the company she works for, encourages everyone to be trained.)

Games Big Boys Play

Why does my husband like dangerous man toys so much? The more potential for disaster and death, the better . . . .

A Reality Show I Won't Hate

Did you ever have to eat your words? I'm eating these: "If I hear about another reality show, I will just spit!" Oprah Winfrey, of all people, has changed my mind, and here is why:

I believe in giving back. I always remember believing that, even long before I was a Christian--God's common grace. One of my goals in my personal and professional lives is to inspire others to do the same. It's why I choose to work in social services. I believe in giving not only our money, but of ourselves. It is truly more blessed to give than to receive.

God says, ""Give, and it will be given to you. They will pour into your lap a good measure--pressed down, shaken together, and running over. For by your standard of measure it will be measured to you in return" [Luke 6:38]. "In everything I showed you that by working hard in this manner you must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He Himself said, `It is more blessed to give than to receive' " [Acts 20:25]. "Be devoted to one another in brotherly love; give preference to one another in honor;" [Romans 12:10].

I disagree with Oprah about many things, but admire her spirit of philanthropy. Oprah is producing The Big Give -- the first prime time philanthropy reality show. It will feature individuals who are given money and challenged to multiply it and give it away to someone in need. The winner, I presume, will be the one who is most successful in this wonderful game. I wonder what the winner's prize is? Hopefully, more money to give away!

Stay tuned . . . .