I recently spent some time virtuously cleaning out my refrigerator, and decided it was time to have a Coke and a few pretzels and sit back to relax. I fixed the snack and decamped to the screened in sun porch, happily looking around at all the plants growing beautifully. Then I heard a strange sound... what was it? Oh no! The first few notes of someone practicing on a trumpet.

Do you remember those days when you were learning music? Whether it was the piano, a wind instrument, or the most painful of all... the violin? Of course I recalled my time with Mr. Bachmann, my first piano teacher.

He was a very no-nonsense German who seemed even more interested in one's posture than one's musicianship. "Sit up straight! Hold your hands in the 'proper' position!" and "take you music seriously!"

I'm sure he found it painful to hear me work through the scales on my father's full-sized Shomacker grand, which he admired tremendously. And I know he was thinking, as I labored over the keys "Pearls before swine..." After a painful hour, it was time for my kid sister's lesson, and I escaped out of doors to play lay-low-sheepie with all my friends.

At this age I think of my poor mother, who had to suffer through both hours of misery, and pay for it too! Oh, the joys of parenthood.

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Here is some information about the Americans With Disabilities Act. The act was a positive step for disabled citizens intended to allow them to participate more fully in business and cultural life, the right of all Americans.

In this computerized society, many are well qualified to hold jobs that were not possible to perform in a home setting. "Piecework" at low pay was the norm in the past. But making the workplace accessible has increased opportunity a hundred fold - and for many people, meaningful work is possible for the first time.

Cultural opportunities have also increased and there are quite a few local venues that are now accessible. One example is the Cultural Center on Jefferson Street with a ramp for wheelchair access. The Saenger Theatre supplies hearing assistance equipment as well as arranging special seating for the visually impaired. All in all the ADA has been a positive step into this century.

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Well girls, here are some words of wisdom from the De Beers Diamond Company, you know, the ones who told us "Diamonds are forever?" Now they are selling "the right hand ring" to women who now have more disposable income since they work and earn their own money - hence the advertising pitches have changed:

"Your left hand says you're taken, your right hand says you can take over."

"Your left hand celebrates the day you were married, your right hand celebrates the day you were born."

"Women of the world, raise your right hand!"

Gee, I'm left handed! What does this mean, what shall I do?

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Here's some information from the US Food and Drug Administration. If you plan to use a dietary supplement in place of, or in combination with, any drug, tell your health care provider first.

When consumed in high enough amounts for a long enough time, or in combination with certain other substances, all chemicals can be toxic. This includes nutrients, plants components and other biologically active ingredients.

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Humor is laughing at what you haven't got when you ought to have it. (Langston Hughes)

Remember this sign on the restaurant wall: "If you don't chew your food, who will?"

See you next week.