HA HA HA!!!

Order targets self-described pedophile
By ROBERT JABLON, Associated Press Writer 27 minutes ago
LOS ANGELES - A judge revised a restraining order against self-described pedophile Jack McClellan on Friday, ordering him to stay at least 10 yards from places where children congregate, including schools, playgrounds and child care centers.
Superior Court Judge Melvin Sandvig had initially ordered McClellan to stay at least 30 feet from every person under age 18 in California for a three-year period.
As he left the hearing, McClellan told reporters: "I don't know what I'm going to do now."
McClellan, 45, came to the attention of authorities for a Web site where he had posted photos of children in public places and discussed how he liked to stake out parks, libraries, fast-food restaurants and other areas where little girls congregated.
McClellan maintained he launched the site as a form of therapy and wouldn't do anything illegal. He has never been charged with molestation.
His Internet server took his Web site down more than a month ago.
Sandvig did not give specific reasons for revising his initial order but indicated he was aware of concerns about its constitutionality given its sweeping nature.
"Minor children are a group that do need extra protection because they can't be watched 24-seven," the judge said.
McClellan was arrested Aug. 13 for investigation of violating the order when he was found near a child care center at the University of California, Los Angeles. He had a camera with him at the time, but he told a local TV station there wasn't any film in it.
Prosecutors dropped the criminal case against him after determining the order had been invalid because the judge failed to schedule and give McClellan proper notice of a hearing required to argue its merits.
Attorneys Anthony D. Zinnanti and Richard A. Patterson had sought the order behalf of their children. After the hearing, they said they believed McClellan would follow the restrictions.
Civil libertarians and others had argued that the original sweeping restraining order had virtually barred McClellan from the state by forbidding him from going near any child.
Zinnanti said that, with the modified order, "Mr. McClellan can go shopping ... he's not barred from having a life, but there is, however, a perimeter around children." He said he and Patterson had also offered to help McClellan get counseling.
McClellan has been unemployed and living out of his car since arriving in Southern California this summer from Washington.
At the hearing, he was represented by attorney Robert J. Wilson, who said he was acting at the request of the American Civil Liberties Union of Southern California. However, Wilson was handed a note by the bailiff during the hearing that said the ACLU would not be taking McClellan's case.

I am liking the news today! Good things are happening in the world. It appears that justice for those that have very little control over their own lives is being served!! Children are a little safer today!

The Angel

I have always believed that like humans angels come in all shapes and forms. Yesterday mine was in the form of my boss. I have long stated that I have the best boss in the world. You will be hard up to find a boss as supportive and understanding. For a single mother, these qualitites are worth so much more than a large paycheck. Yesterday was a horrible day. Now the first thing you have to understand is that I am one of those people who naturally attract trouble, I have done so as long as I can remember. I don't have to go looking for trouble it seems to be attracted to me like a magnet. The day started out rough, that much is true, my son was giving me a horrible time in the morning. He wouldn't get dressed, finally after wrestling him basically to the floor he got dressed. Then he would not eat, once I decided that this was enough and threatened him with going to school late (the thought of a tardy slip makes him cringe) he ate. Then it was a fight for brushing the teeth, wearing sneakers instead of sandals, etc. You name it we fought about it that morning. I got him to school and went to the gas station. This is where my day got truly interesting. My car DIED in the parking lot of the gas station. I was stuck and already in a hot tempered mood. So I called road side assistance and my boss to tell him I would be late. My mother, in the mean time, was sitting with me to keep me company and got a call from my sister-in-law. She was in SEVERE pain and had to be taken to the hospital. This all happened before 8:30 in the morning. To say it started out rocky would be an understatement like none other.

When the tow truck driver finally showed up I was so relieved. I asked him if he was there to save me, he smiled and said "Let's hope". He was a very nice tow truck driver. I wish I remembered the company name so I could recommend it. He was just fantastic. While standing there watching him jump my car, my boss shows up. He then proceeded to buy a new battery for my car and when the auto parts store wouldn't install it, he did! I am sorry to say this but none of you have a boss quite like mine. Not only did he buy the batter, install it, but he even remembered that I buy my breakfast after I get gas in the morning and brought me some because he knew I hadn't eaten yet. I fully plan on paying him back even though he insists it is fine.

I don't say this to brag. I don't even say all this as a thank you, I have said my thank you's. I do say this as a point. Angels come in all forms and when you expect it the least you will be saved. I have no money to my name. I work to pay my bills and it leaves little extra for situations that arrise, such as this, I didn't know what I was going to do. Angels come in so many different forms and our prayers are answered in such quiet fashion. I know my boss did not do this to get a thank you or to brag about how he could do it. He did it because that is who he is. That is the type of person he is. If the situations were reversed I would do the same for him and I think that that kind of understanding is what drives our good business friendship.

So, dear reader, in conclusion. I want to tell you to never give up. Keep the driving force in your life positive. Let your light shine even if you are stumbling on the road. Let others know how loved and appreciated they are, not by words but by your actions. Let your driving force be for the betterment of humanity, not the expansion of your wallet. Let yourself believe in the truth and goodness in the human race, turn off the news it will depress you. Kiss your children, hug your mother, and feed a stray cat. All these tiny gestures will be rewarded when you are down on your luck. Do good because it needs done not because of the accolades you will receive. Let your heart swell with pride as you feed a homeless person, because you know that you fed not only the body but the soul of another human being. And as always believe in the fact that the more people you touch the better your life will get! Let us change the world one heart at a time!

A Passionate Fight

I have written on this subject several times before but today I write because I am joyous!

Seale gets 3 life terms for '64 killings By EMILY WAGSTER PETTUS, Associated Press Writer
JACKSON, Miss. - James Ford Seale, a reputed Ku Klux Klansman, was sentenced Friday to three life terms in prison for his role in the 1964 abduction and murder of two black teenagers in southwest Mississippi.
Seale, 72, was convicted in June on federal charges of kidnapping and conspiracy in the deaths of Charles Moore and Henry Hezekiah Dee, two 19-year-olds who disappeared from Franklin County on May 2, 1964.
The young men's bodies were found two months later in the Mississippi River.
The prosecution's star witness against Seale was Charles Marcus Edwards, a confessed Klansman, who received immunity from prosecution for his admitted role in the abductions and his testimony.
THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. Check back soon for further information. AP's earlier story is below.
JACKSON, Miss. (AP) — Deputies escorted James Ford Seale into court in a bulletproof vest and shackles Friday for sentencing for his role in the 1964 abduction and killing of two black teenagers.
The reputed Ku Klux Klansman, now 72, faces up to life in prison.
Seale was convicted in June on federal charges of kidnapping and conspiracy in the deaths of Charles Moore and Henry Hezekiah Dee, two 19-year-olds who disappeared from Franklin County on May 2, 1964. Their bodies were found two months later in the Mississippi River.
Charles Marcus Edward, a confessed Klansman who admitted being involved in the attack, was the prosecution's star witness against Seale and received immunity for his testimony,
Edward said Seale and other Klansmen abducted Dee and Moore near Meadville, forced them into the trunk of Seale's Volkswagen and drove them to a farm. The two were later tied up and driven across the Mississippi River into Louisiana.
Edwards said Seale told him that heavy weights were attached to the teenagers and they were then dumped alive into the river.
Seale was arrested on a state murder charge in 1964, but the charge was later dropped. Federal prosecutors say the state charges were dropped because local law enforcement officers in 1964 were in collusion with the Klan.
U.S. Attorney Dunn Lampton told jurors that Klansman abducted and beat Dee and Moore in an attempt to find out if blacks were bringing firearms into Franklin County.
Moore's brother, Thomas Moore of Colorado Springs, Colo., helped research the crime and persuaded prosecutors to reopen their investigation.
The killings were among several decades-old civil rights cases reopened by federal investigators. Federal officials said in February that they were reopening investigations into about a dozen such cases.

It seems finally this nation is making these creeps accountable for their heinous acts! It is about time! I hope to see many more cases like this one!

A Realization

lab·y·rinth (lăb'ə-rĭnth') n.
An intricate structure of interconnecting passages through which it is difficult to find one's way; a maze.
Labyrinth Greek Mythology. The maze in which the Minotaur was confined.
Something highly intricate or convoluted in character, composition, or construction: a labyrinth of rules and regulations.

I have loved the movie Labyrinth since I first saw it when I was eight years old. I remember what a great adventure I thought it was and felt a certain connection to the main character (one reason being her resentment to her little brother since I too had recently been exposed to this most annoying family issue). I used to play Labyrinth for hours when I was a child, my little brother often playing Hoggle! If anyone knows this movie you understand what I mean. It is one of the greatest films of my childhood, coming second only to the Wizard of Oz.

And so it came to pass that I grew up and eventually stepped out of my fantasy world and embraced the harsh realities of life. Now, I have to say that that sounds worse than it is. If anyone has read my entries from the beginning you will find that I am very "magically" minded person. I believe in magic in those things we cannot see or touch but that are there none the less. I believe that the world is not black and white, what we know to be reality and the "other", it is all kinds of shades and each unknown becomes reality eventually. Think of the magic and wonder of having a child. Not only is it a miracle that children are even born, when you consider the odds it faces throughout gestation, but magic of that first giggle. The touch of soft baby skin, the smell of a baby, and the magic of watching your child grow. Not to mention the magic that they let you rediscover through them. It's a simple magic, that I will admit, but it can be so powerful!

So, finally, my son was old enough to watch the movie. He like me is now completely taken with this film. He has decided to build a labyrinth in his bedroom and has been heard humming the songs while he works diligently at his task. And I have been given the opportunity to relive my childhood and also find the interesting points the movie has to offer for adults.

Much like watching Wizard Of Oz again, you can see the deeper meaning in the movie. Labyrinth is metaphorically a very intricate movie. First you have the trials of life, twisting and turning at every step, much like the labyrinth. And much like Sarah in the movie it is hard to tell who is there to help you and who is there to trip you up. Now most of us in our lifetime will not have an evil Goblin King steal a baby from us or meet goblins, biting fairies, or even talking worms. But we will sometimes go down a path that will lead us so far away from our destination we are going to be desperately clinging to the hope that we will make it in time, since our days our numbered much like Sarah's time in the labyrinth. The part that I love and always have since I was a child is the ending when Sarah says the phrase "You have no power over me." I used to love it as a child because everything breaks apart and it looks so amazing, but as an adult I have a whole new love for this scene. "You have no power over me" how many of us would love to utter that phrase some times? How many of us feel that we are being controlled by another person? Spouse? Boss? Teacher? Even the inner demons of our own souls. These can all control us and take us off our path to accomplish our ultimate goal. These things lead you to believe they have a control and power over you, when in fact the only power they hold is the power you give them. Funny how that works. We are free creatures, able to choose the destiny we desire and yet we are so eager to throw our freedoms to the wind and allow others to control our every move. Sometimes, they do not control our every move but instead they control our minds or hearts or worse yet our basic inevitable rights.

I say all this to come to one point. Be brave, dear readers, be brave in your daily struggles. Walk the labyrinth of life with your head held high. Walk along the paths of unknowing, free from the constraints of others controls. Shed your puppeteer's strings and walk the path of self discovery. And when you feel the world has beaten you, you cannot take one more step, utter the phrase "You have no power over me" with conviction and you will understand the strengths you have within!

The Final Inspection

“The Final Inspection”

Author Unknown

The policeman stood and faced his God, which must always come to pass.

He hoped his shoes were shining just as brightly as his brass.

“Step forward now, policeman. How shall I deal with you?

Have you always turned the other cheek? To my church have you been true?”

The policeman squared his shoulders and said, “No Lord. I guess I ain’t.

Because those who carry badges can’t always be a saint.

I’ve had to work most Sundays, and at times my talk was rough…

and sometimes I’ve been violent because the streets are awful tough.

But I never took a penny that wasn’t mine to keep…

though I worked a lot of overtime when the bills got just too steep.

And I never passed a cry for help, though at times I shook with fear.

And sometimes, God forgive me, I’ve wept unmanly tears.

I know I don’t deserve a place among the people here.

They never wanted me around except to calm their fear.

If you’ve a place for me here, Lord, it needn’t be so grand.

I never expected or had too much. But if you don’t…I’ll understand.”

There was silence all around the throne where the saints had often trod,

as the policeman waited quietly for the judgement of his God.

“Step forward now, policeman. You’ve borne your burdens well.

Come walk a beat on heaven’s streets. You’ve done your time in hell.”

Today, in the town of Brandon Florida, a veteran police officer, father, and husband gave his life in the line of duty. Here is the story:

BRANDON (Bay News 9) -- A Hillsborough County Sheriff's deputy was shot and killed early Wednesday morning in Brandon.
According to authorities, Sergeant Ron Harrison was shot around 1:30 a.m. shortly after conducting a DUI checkpoint.
Officials said a man suspected in the shooting was shot and killed a short time later by SWAT team members after he barricaded himself in a home.
The shooting happened on Lumsden Road near Kings Avenue as 55-year-old Harrison was wrapping up a DUI checkpoint. Officials said a driver in the area reported hearing shots around this same time.
Authorities said Harrison was in his cruiser when he was shot and activated his lights and siren and tried to drive off. However, he lost control of his cruiser, struck another vehicle and then crashed into a tree. Officials said Harrison died before reaching Brandon Hospital.
Investigators are trying to determine if Harrison was ambushed or if the suspect was in the car with him at the time of the shooting.
A short time later, a woman called authorities saying her boyfriend may have been involved in a shooting with a deputy and was at a home near Village Court.
A SWAT team then converged on that home and negotiations began with the suspect.
Hillsborough County Sheriff David Gee said the suspect was barricaded in the home and numerous attempts to get him out failed.
Gee said the suspect fired multiple shots at the SWAT team with a large caliber weapon, prompting them to shoot and kill him.
Sheriff deputies search the shooting location for evidence Wednesday morning."I authorized deadly force be used," Gee said. "He was shot and killed by SWAT officers at the scene."
Gee said none of the SWAT team members were injured.
Gee did not give specifics regarding either shooting as both deaths are still being investigated.
Harrison was a fixture on the agency's DUI task force team, overseeing a group of 12 deputies and one corporal.
Harrison, a father of four, is the first Hillsborough County Sheriff's deputy killed since 1981. Friday would have marked 21 years on the job for Harrison

I will say it again, as I always do, I don't know what kind of world we are living. What kind of world can justify this? I don't understand. I have to go through this intersection to go to work in the morning and this morning we were all rerouted. As I am sitting in a line of traffic, nothing to do but sit, I was frustrated and getting a bit testy. I thought of the reason I was stuck in traffic and felt a sudden chill. How dare I be angry today? I have no reason. My family is safe, we are all together, and I am healthy as can be. How dare I get frustrated at this situation? While I slept in my bed comforted and warm this officer was losing his life. How dare I think that I have any right to get mad at little bit of a delay!

Please pray for this family. Please pray for all involved. Please Please Please think before you act. Watch out for one another and love thy neighbor. When you get pulled over thank the officer, I did this once and he said a quiet thank you (I still got the ticket!), thank them for keeping you safe. And before you lay your head down at night thank God that there are men and women out there willing to risk their lives so you are safe!

I Had To Share This One

For sale: Jesus action figuresWednesday, August 8, 2007
Wal-Mart sells bible action figures. Move over Transformers; a new kind of action figure is taking up shelf space in some Bay area stores.
Wal-Mart recently started selling action figures based on the Bible.
One Hillsborough County Wal-Mart sold out of the Jesus figures. They also carry others like Noah, David and Mary. All the dolls have a button consumers can push that sends a message from the Bible.
Even though her 3-year-old child preferred the Spiderman toy, Kelly Peabody thought the Bible action figures would make better role models.
"It's different from Transformers or Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles," said parent Kelly Peabody. "These actually have a message behind them. And I would not have a problem at all with him playing with these."
Chris Stephens, pastor at Skycrest Baptist Church in Clearwater, said he likes the new action figures. He said he doesn't think the biblical characters are being exploited for commercial gain.
"Folks who print the Bible and sell it, I would assume there's some profit margin there," Stephens said. "But then it's beneficial for us who take the time to read it and let it guide our decision making."
The toys are made by a company called one-2-believe. It's web site includes pictures of the entire lineup of characters and a list of which stores carry them.

Okay so I am all for getting kids into the Bible...but does anyone see the laugh factor here. "Honey, put down Jesus and come to dinner." I don't know about anyone else but I don't think that this is what getting children excited about the Bible actually means.

My Prayers Go Out

My Prayers go out to all those victims, families, and those still missing from this tragedy!
For some more dramatic stories please visit http://cosmos.bcst.yahoo.com/up/player/popup/index.php?cl=3555446

May God give you the strength to face the days ahead!

Scumbags Again Preying On Our Children

Jack McClellan
I post this picture not for amusement but for warning.

This guy is a pedophile. He photographs little children, mostly girls,

while at public locations (parks, festivals, etc.) and then reports his findings

on a website for other pedophiles. Be WARNED if you see this man block your children

or do like I would and shove his camera up his...well I think you know what I mean!

Once again our news is filled with another sicko. Another creep. Another scumbag who finds filming little children playing the thing to do! Here is the news story:

Self-Proclaimed Pedophile
Exploiting A LoopholeThursday, August 2, 2007(ABC News)
Moms fearing for their children's safety are teaming up against a man who prowls playgrounds, amusement parks and fairs stalking little girls and then brazenly boasts about his exploits on his Web site.
Even though Jack McClellan calls himself a pedophile, legal experts say he hasn't broken any laws.

"I just think they're cute, a lot cuter than women," McClellan said.
McClellan has operated detailed Web sites rating the best public places to watch young children at play and posting photos he's taken at events. He even rated locations based on how many little girls, or LGs as he call them, are there.
"He is a reviewer, a pedophile reviewing places for other pedophiles to go," said child predator safety educator Pattie Fitzgerald, of safelyeverafter.com.
One Los Angeles mother accidentally came upon McClellan's Web site and realized that he was describing her young son who she had taken to a festival.
"Immediately my skin began to crawl," said Jane, who asked that her last name not be used. "I thought this man is talking about my child. Who is this man? Why is it OK for him to speak about my child?"
But Jane was not alone. Seattle moms were the first to notice McClellan's Internet comments after seeing comments like this: "lots of frolicking LGs, including several rolling down a steep grassy hill on their side" he wrote about children in a public park.
The determined mothers pressured him out of the city.
"I think he needs to stop using children for his own selfish pleasures," said one mother.
Now dozens of Los Angeles mothers are teaming up to force him out.
"You should not be able to take a picture of a random child on the street and use it on the Internet to promote the abuse and endangerment of children," Jane said.
But law enforcement's hand may be tied.
"You can't arrest him for advocating," said UCLA law professor Eugene Volokh.
Legal experts said, and police so far have agreed, McClellan has broken no laws. He has no criminal record and his postings have been legal.
"[Sites like this are] repugnant as they are probably constitutionally protected by the First Amendment," Volokh said. - www.thebucketheadshow.com

Okay, I think I have breached this subject before. Pedophiles, no matter what their criminal background, need to be shot- that is my bottom line response. In this highly digital age it is becoming harder and harder to protect our children from creeps like this. I am not sure what the course of action is but it needs to come to an end. We need to have in place tougher laws...laws that protect children not the amendment rights of sickos! I think this man is despicable. Not only is a self proclaimed pedophile he is helping other pedophiles go to the places where children frequent. You would think, even if they couldn't get him on charges for taking the pictures, they could get him on charges of assistance of a crime. He is assisting other weirdos just like himself to harm children.
My goal with this blog today is not, in fact, to give my opinions, but to be a public service announcement. Please know this man's face. Know his name. Know who he is so you can be prepared. He seems to move around a lot so he may be coming to a town near you. Please, even if you never see him, watch you children. Know who is around. Watch all children, even ones you don't know, in public places. Watch children in parks and know what adults are with what children. Know who the adults are around the park so that you can know if something seems fishy. If something seems odd don't hesitate to call your local police or, if you are like me, approach the person and ask them a simple question like "Can I help you?". If nothing else it lets them know you are watching them. Don't leave that park until you are sure either a.) the person has left b.) someone else another parent is also watching him or c.) the police show up! I believe fully in the phrase "It takes a community to raise a child" and I live by it. I will watch out for your children you watch out for mine. That is how we are going to eradicate this problem, we are going to have to become a stronger and more forceful front. They are going to have to know that this behavior is not okay and that we will no longer tolerate it. Let him come near my child or any children in my viewing area...he will never view a park the same!

Confusionism - More Than A Religion

A few weeks ago I had reported that the company I worked for had suffered financially and may be closing, at this time I started a vigil of prayer. One night I remember very clearly stating "God, I can't do anymore you need to take the wheel and I will just glide along until you put me where I need to be." I verbally stated this and jumped in with both feet hoping and praying for the best. Little did I know that my mother, father, grandmother, my boss and his family were all praying the same thing. Low and behold we had a million dollar day today!! God works in mysterious and ever changing ways. He lets you taste the lows so the highs seem so much sweeter. Never doubt your existence on this Earth, even if you have no plan he has one perfectly mapped out...you just have to take the road of faith sometimes!

I don't remember when I came to this conclusion or if there was a moment when I knew I was "born again" (a term that for personal reasons really bothers me - was your first birth such a wonderful experience that you really want to go through it again?) but somewhere between hardships and questions of my own existence it occurred. I remember a moment when I thought for some reason that I felt God or an angel...but then again I was being choked by my ex..it may have just been lack of oxygen. It's funny how that happens. It brings up more questions than answers in a lot of ways. The tunnel with a light that so many people experience...is it nothing more than our brain closing down? It is such a great adventure yet so many people fear it. I don't...not anymore. I used to fear dying now I realize that death is nothing more than an extension of life. Maybe that explains my obsessions with ghosts...if proven they are nothing more than assurance that what I think is fact. I don't think this is it. I don't think this is the first time I have been on this Earth or that it will be my last trip around (I have way too much to learn yet)! I am a Christian, I believe that Jesus was a savior, but so much of my daily beliefs lean more toward Buddhism or Hinduism. Maybe I am just confused. There you go, if someone asks me my religion I am going to say Confusionism.

Interaccial Views

We have come so far in this nation, or so I thought, with the mixing of the races. I harbor no prejudice whatsoever, having been the mother of an interracial child for seven years now, and see the idiotic tendencies of my own race. I hate that people are still viewed in such a way. Here is the story that started me thinking today:

BOISE, Idaho (AP) -- The Boise State running back who scored the winning points in the Fiesta Bowl, then proposed to his cheerleader girlfriend on national television, says he has hired security for their wedding because of racial threats.
Ian Johnson, who is black, and Chrissy Popadics, who is white, are due to be married Saturday in Boise.
Since his Jan. 1 proposal, Johnson said, he has received phone calls, letters and some personal threats from people who object to their marriage plans.
"You take it for what it is -- the less educated, the less willing to change," Johnson, 21, of San Dimas, Calif., told the Idaho Statesman for its Tuesday editions. "But we're not acting like we're naive to all the stuff that's going on. We know what's been said. We're going to make sure we're safe at all times. It's an amazing day for us, and we'd hate to have it ruined by someone."
"It's really sad because a lot of people that are probably doing it are the same people who were cheering me on," Johnson said.
A Boise State football spokesman, Todd Miles, said Tuesday that Johnson hoped to put the matter behind him and did not want to discuss it further. Popadics' family said she was not available.

I really despise this kind of story for many reasons but the main one is that humans are so quick to pass judgement upon other human beings. It is the sad reality of life, I suppose, but not one I am willing to settle for. Prejudice comes in all forms, including but not solely, race. This man is obviously a college educated man with a good career ahead of him, but does that matter? No, to the white trash (passing my own judgement here I suppose) they would prefer this girl to have instead fell in love with some poor white schmuck who would beat her everyday. Now I say this not to pass along my own judgement but to instead make a point. White supremacist groups fail to realize that there are horrible white guys that would rather beat their wives than love them just the same as there are sweet black guys that will honor the ground their wives walk on. I have often thought about this. What is it about a different skin tone that unnerves so many people? How sick of a world do we live in that a couple cannot be happy? How sick is it that we fail to see the joy that is love? That love doesn't see color or boundaries? I wonder what these people would think if they were in those shoes. How would they feel if someone wrote them hate mail because how dare some skin head marry a sweet girl? And then these people have the audacity to breed, leaving their hate filled messages for another generation as well. It is pathetic.

Being from the North and moving to the South I have had to deal with my fair share of idiotic remarks. For one, I hate the term Yankee. I have been called that I don't know how many times and it really grinds on my nerves. HELLO...you lost the war....it was over 100 years ago...move on people! The other thing that shocked me was we have rednecks in Ohio...yes that is true...but NOTHING like what they have down here. It is actually kind of funny. They have the confederate flag flying from their huge trucks while their two hound dogs pace impatiently in the back...never fails...that is what you see. And as if that wasn't enough most of them have a total of possibly one good tooth. They make me despise my own race. As I sit behind them, choking on the exhaust from their massive machine, I always say a silent prayer thanking God that I was born to the family I was. What I would like to see is an uprising of those who will no longer tolerate this behavior. I want to start a group that is against white trash. White people for the betterment of our own race. I will no longer allow my race to be infiltrated and diminished in the least by scum. That is the movement I could back! Forget the color of your skin...I could care the less...I want to know how many teeth you have, how many hound dogs you own, and have you ever uttered a phrase in a dialect no one can even pretend to understand. That is what I want. I want people to focus more on the betterment of our race by providing simple instruction on hygiene, culture, and the reason why living in this country is so great is because we are the melting pot of the world. I love the fact that I can step out my door in the morning and see the different cultures I am so blessed to live by. I love that the woman across the street practices Buddhism (I don't think I spelled that right but you get the point), I love the fact that the interracial couple on the side of me celebrate Kwanzaa instead of Christmas. You have to love the fact your children are going to grow up knowing cultures other than our own. And if these people haven't noticed there is no "American" culture...we are the products of the different races and cultures coming together as one.

Now I don't think I am better than anyone. I don't think my views are the right views. They are the views that work for me, but I will tell you this much...I will NEVER EVER understand the whole redneck pride thing. Why would anyone be proud of seeming uneducated, under cultured, with a massive lack of personal hygiene? Why is that appealing to them? I suppose I just don't get it, but I do look forward to the day when a black woman will win the presidency. When my child will not have to feel ashamed of his heritage but instead, as I strive to teach him, embrace his ancestors as people who fought against all odds to come out on top. I want my son to take a sort of ownership in his race. I want him to make something of himself, not only to better his own existence, but to justify and make good the fight that those before him fought so hard. Take control and own the rights that so many died trying to give you. Much like women's suffrage and my own views on what I am as a woman. I want him to understand that his race suffered deeply to provide to him the opportunities he is now free to pursue. No matter who he falls in love with, white or black or pink or green for that matter, I will cherish the fact and revel in the great fortune that is love. I believe, in my heart, that the white supremacists are a dying race. That the interracial children of this era will eradicate the hateful ignorance of them one day. I believe in my heart that we will become one race...colors all mingling to one shade of beauty...the human race!

More on the subject of how to raise your children to be more racial tolerate please visit PARENTS EDUCATION.

A Cute Little Grim Reaper

By RAY HENRY, Associated Press Writer Wed Jul 25, 7:25 PM ET
PROVIDENCE, R.I. - Oscar the cat seems to have an uncanny knack for predicting when nursing home patients are going to die, by curling up next to them during their final hours. His accuracy, observed in 25 cases, has led the staff to call family members once he has chosen someone. It usually means they have less than four hours to live.
"He doesn't make too many mistakes. He seems to understand when patients are about to die," said Dr. David Dosa in an interview. He describes the phenomenon in a poignant essay in Thursday's issue of the New England Journal of Medicine.
"Many family members take some solace from it. They appreciate the companionship that the cat provides for their dying loved one," said Dosa, a geriatrician and assistant professor of medicine at Brown University.
The 2-year-old feline was adopted as a kitten and grew up in a third-floor dementia unit at the Steere House Nursing and Rehabilitation Center. The facility treats people with Alzheimer's, Parkinson's disease and other illnesses.
After about six months, the staff noticed Oscar would make his own rounds, just like the doctors and nurses. He'd sniff and observe patients, then sit beside people who would wind up dying in a few hours.
Dosa said Oscar seems to take his work seriously and is generally aloof. "This is not a cat that's friendly to people," he said.
Oscar is better at predicting death than the people who work there, said Dr. Joan Teno of Brown University, who treats patients at the nursing home and is an expert on care for the terminally ill
She was convinced of Oscar's talent when he made his 13th correct call. While observing one patient, Teno said she noticed the woman wasn't eating, was breathing with difficulty and that her legs had a bluish tinge, signs that often mean death is near.
Oscar wouldn't stay inside the room though, so Teno thought his streak was broken. Instead, it turned out the doctor's prediction was roughly 10 hours too early. Sure enough, during the patient's final two hours, nurses told Teno that Oscar joined the woman at her bedside.
Doctors say most of the people who get a visit from the sweet-faced, gray-and-white cat are so ill they probably don't know he's there, so patients aren't aware he's a harbinger of death. Most families are grateful for the advanced warning, although one wanted Oscar out of the room while a family member died. When Oscar is put outside, he paces and meows his displeasure.
No one's certain if Oscar's behavior is scientifically significant or points to a cause. Teno wonders if the cat notices telltale scents or reads something into the behavior of the nurses who raised him.
Nicholas Dodman, who directs an animal behavioral clinic at the Tufts University Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine and has read Dosa's article, said the only way to know is to carefully document how Oscar divides his time between the living and dying.
If Oscar really is a furry grim reaper, it's also possible his behavior could be driven by self-centered pleasures like a heated blanket placed on a dying person, Dodman said.
Nursing home staffers aren't concerned with explaining Oscar, so long as he gives families a better chance at saying goodbye to the dying.
Oscar recently received a wall plaque publicly commending his "compassionate hospice care."

This story warms the heart on so many levels and I truly want to believe that it is true. I also have the inclination to believe that the reason this cat is even here is to help usher those that pass to the next plane of existence. But owning a cat, a very self preserving animal, I am inclined to believe that it is more like the suggestion that he likes the warm blanket placed on dying patients. No matter which way I still find the article warming and I am happy these patients have a companion to lay with them in their times of need.

Animals have long been thought to harbor abilities we humans do not. We are supposedly the smartest of all mammals but the more I look around I think that we have highly underestimated our furry companions on this place we call Earth. What is not intelligent about the lazy house cat who has food when he wants, sleeps where he wants, and cuddles when he wants? He does not have the slightest concern in the world...that to me is far superior to our daily concerns. I would prefer being a lazy house cat any day!! There have been animals of all types, ages, and sizes that have predicted some incredible things. I was once reading an article on this subject in a medical journal my best friend had in her home. It was an interesting article pointing to literally hundreds of cases similar to this one. The most moving of the stories was about a golden retriever that could smell cancer, even if the patient did not know it themselves. It was amazing how much his people came to depend on him. He was brilliant in his meticulous diagnosis, almost like he could understand that people may not believe him. Animals have senses that we humans can only dream about...it is fascinating to understand. Dolphins can be used as a sort of cancer treatment for children. Dogs will be given to elderly patients to not only give them companionship but a reason to get up in the morning. A dog can be used to give sight to the blind. Animals are used throughout medical treatments for many reasons, the least one being their innate ability to give warnings to their humans.

There has always been legends of animals predicting death. The most famous of which is that legend of the Grim. The grim is a black dog that predicts death. It has been a legend in many European countries for ages now. It usually is known to prowl around cemeteries and there is even a church here in the US that believes they have a grim in their church cemetery. They claim to see the grim prior to the death of one of their church members. It has been described as highly nerve racking and terrifying...I would think so. In the Harry Potter series, although yes I know it is not true, the grim is the bearer of bad news. If you see a grim it is said that you have less than 24 hours to live. Now what I want to question with all of these stories is: Is the animal actually predicting the death or is the mind causing death because of the animal? There is a lot to be said about mind over matter...and in this instance it may be just that. If you know, for instance, the grim is a predicter of death and you see one could it possibly scare you to death literally. Are the incidences where dolphins are used as a sort of natural chemotherapy actually doing so or is the patient so convinced they will be healed they actually will their body to do just that. The humans brain is the one organ we know the least about, is it not then safe to assume their may be powers there we have yet to tap into. Maybe we do not need all the medications we are given for any number of diseases but a strong enough will and brain power to cure our ailments. Is it not possible to talk yourself out of a headache? I have done that on more than one occasion...I know it works. So why then can't we will ourselves out of larger diseases? It is a fascinating realm to get in to...the human brain.

Savant is a condition in which the being is so intelligent they are deemed mentally retarded. Think of the movie Rain Man here. Most savants have an injury or impairment in their left side of the brain and most of them can be diagnosed in childhood (although a severe accident can also cause it). Many doctors now believe that Mozart was a savant. Savants are brilliant in one area of study, typically one of the arts. It is fascinating. A person who is unable to tie their own shoes, dress themselves, and in some cases unable to feed themselves can compose some of the most beautiful masterpieces that our soul has ever been touched by. It is one of those subjects that I am enamoured with and I am not quite sure why. I think that it points to a much deeper subject than what is right on the surface. What is it about the left side of the brain that when damaged causes this effect? What is there that we, the general population, are missing? Are our brains so dimensional that we may never know the workings of our own bodies, the capabilities that we may never reach? What is that sets the brain functions to what they are? Are our brains so focused on daily activities that we are unable to embrace the world as savants are able to? Take away the constraints of rational thought processes and what genius may lie underneath? I post these questions not in fact to receive an answer but as more of a statement of thought. The human brain is so amazing and yet there is very little known about it. Which brings us back to the animals...do their brains (not constrained to the "human" thought process) have more capabilities than our own? If we would move past the daily life and go back to our basic animal roots would we too have these capabilities? I pose this one and final challenge upon my readers today: focus more on the joys of being human, challenge your brain to function in new and ever changing ways, and never let anyone tell you it is impossible. Dare to dream and dream big. Challenge your brain to complete an enormous task, at least just once. Do you want to write the next great American novel...do it!! Don't hesitate to compose that piece of music you never dreamed of completing. The challenges of daily life can constrain you to accept those things you think are impossible to accomplish...I challenge you today to step outside your little comfort zone and do something AMAZING!! I look forward to sharing a history book with each of you!

Happy reading and never forget to nurture the seedling of creativity inside your soul!

Actresses Missing & No One Looking For Them

So, as I am sure everyone has heard. Lindsay Lohan has been arrested again! Okay now I don't care about the details, I don't even care what she has been arrested for. What I am worried about is that this has become national news. Why is this dominating my news today? Do I care what is going on in a spoiled starlets life? No, not really. Is this going to effect my life or the life of my child in the long run? Highly doubtful. I think that it is pretty sad that in today's society the disgusting life habits of the rich and famous is that important of a news story that everyone has to hear about it. When Paris Hilton was arrested it dominated the news for weeks. I don't like these girls that much to even care what they are doing but yet I am forced to watch their pathetic lives unfold on my television screen on the nightly news. I tune into nightly news for several reasons but this fails to capture my attention. Here is my theory why this occurs:

1. They have more money than they know what to do with. More money does not equal happiness and for these girls in particular it is obvious that money doesn't solve all problems.

2. They are hounded day in and day out for nothing. They have no reasonable talent that I can see, no reason for being famous. Actors and actresses with more talent in one finger than these girls have in their whole bodies are hounded less. I think the stress of always having to appear "Hot" is too much for these girls to take (I have a whole other theory on this as well).

3. They have no responsible parental figure to guide them along through their lives. If my mother saw me drinking myself into a stupor, no matter what my age, she would damn well put a stop to it. I can tell you, not from experience myself :), but I can tell you my mother would not allow me to be taken down so shameful.

4. Their self worth images are destroyed. Most women, the ones that have a good sense of self and have high esteem and respect for themselves, would not be seen doing half of what these girls do.

5. They have found that using their bodies gets them a good result, therefore diminishing their self worth. It is a vicious cycle. For example: Girl finds that if she shows a little body men react positively, Girl shows her body off, Girl realizes that men expect her to always show her body, Girl no longer wants to play this role, men stop looking or reacting positively to the new Girl, she notices the difference and shows a little body...cycle occurs again. It is a sad and vicious cycle that the girl is left with little recourse, especially girls that are used to being in the lime light and like being the center of attention...they feel they must stay there!

6. They are used to the fast life. Things are practically thrown at them. They need their lives to keep moving all the time, never knowing the value of a day's rest. This means that when their lives are not moving so quickly they must speed it up somehow...enter the drugs.

Put all of these factors into play together and what you have is a very unstable existence. Their livelihood and lives in general depend upon their looks, it is sad that that is what they base their worth on. As long as they party hard, look pretty, and show a little body they will continue to dominate our press and photographers will flock to them. These girls chose this life...they are famous for nothing but for their choices no matter what those choices may be. Paris was born wealthy, that no one would doubt, but she could have quietly went about her life and no one would never have known the difference. What does she do that is that great to begin with? Is she using her life for the betterment of her fellow humans? Is she benefiting those less fortunate? Is she a regular saint hiding under her fake eyelashes and pretty dresses? I want to hear about people trying to better the world not drinking themselves into regular idiots. I don't think I am alone in my thoughts about this. I think a lot of people are paying less attention to these types of famous people and focusing more on the ones that better our world. The lives of our fellow humans is becoming a stronger pull than the partying life of drunkards and druggies. We are caring less and less about the wardrobe of our celebrities and more about their service to this world. Even our own lives are changing to reflect this new concern for our world and fellow human beings.

Like the generations before us, we are becoming more united on our different fronts. There are more and more families going green (I have been a vegan for many years myself). I drive a hybrid car when I have to drive somewhere, I wash my clothes in cold water and air dry them, I raise my child on as little meat as possible but what I do give him is bought from a butcher and contains no preservatives. I don't feed my child any foods that are not natural. I also watch little TV and allow him the same. His addiction is the video games which I try hard to control. I believe in spending as little times indoors as possible. All these things are on the rise and with so much effort being made in bettering our world these kinds of starlets are finding a smaller and smaller audience. There is a change in the world that is starting and you will find in just a few years we are going to be a much healthier world. We are going to be focusing more on our environment and less on our technology. We are going to be focused more on bettering our children and less on the exploits of the rich and famous of this world. What I would like to see is more pay being given to teachers, solders, police officers, the people who deserve more pay for what they do and less pay being given to those who don't deserve it. Paris Hiltons, Lindsay Lohans need to be stopped. We need to stop feeding into their self destruction and feed our minds and souls more. It is sad but it is a reality of our world that needs to change. Our focus needs to come back down to Earth. We need to stop focusing on those things that take us from our families and focus more on the betterment of our selves.

I don't want to be wealthy, I want enough only to pay my bills. I don't want to be famous I love the anonymity of my life. I don't want to have hordes of fans and I don't want my life splashed on every page of the daily news. I want to be free to wear sweats and a raggedy T-shirt if that is what I feel like wearing. My self worth is an inner beauty that I share with no one. I don't have to be perfect on the outside I do however have to push myself to be the best human as possible. It is my duty as a human to share what good fortunes I have been lucky to have with someone who has less that I do. I may not have much but I am fortunate. I have health, I have a healthy child, I have a good family, I have the right to come and go as I please, I live in a free country...these are things that most people on this planet cannot say. I have clean drinking water..this simple little thing so many people have to do without. I am not sure what I will become and I am not sure where our country will be but I know that as the future comes I will mentally be prepared for what I have to face.

I worry about this country. People always find it funny, my friends used to rip on me quite a bit, I am a heavy metal fan. I believe I will fall in love with a man that does something along the lines of construction...but yet I am fascinated by politics. I pay attention what is going on. I am not someone you would think would pay much attention. I am a registered voter and take that role very seriously. I follow candidates and vote for the one with the best stance on issues that will effect me and my children. Me and my father have similar views on the war and fight my mom constantly about it. I back the war fully. No, I don't want to see our solders dying. No, I don't want any one's son or daughter to be killed. But the solders are there for a reason. That is their job, risks and all. And no matter what anyone says it is keeping the fighting there and not in my backyard. Terrorists are just that TERRORists...they will come here! That is a guarantee. I don't want to see that happen anymore than anyone else. We need to realize that. Okay enough with my political rantings...I need to get going. Thanks to all my readers...happy reading and good luck with whatever dream your heart holds dear!!

Harry Potter and The Deathly Hallows

(a note to readers I will be divulging scenes and moments from this book. Being a HUGE Harry Potter fan I do not under any circumstance want to ruin this wonderful moment for anyone. PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE, I beg you, if you have not finished the book but fully intend to...DO NOT READ any further! I would hate to be responsible for ruining this most important book in the entire series for anyone!)

It is with a heavy heart and a great deal of mourning that I say to you that I have finished the last book of the Harry Potter series. It has been a great ride and I have to say that I went through about a 12 hour bummer fest this weekend once I was finished. I don't know about anyone else but I felt as though I was saying goodbye to a good friend that I knew I would never see again. I believe that all Harry Potter fans feel a bit of ownership to the Harry Potter universe, we have read his intimate thoughts and feelings for almost a decade now. For most of us we went through our teenage years with this book under our noses. It's hard to let go.

I have to say that the Deathly Hallows is my favorite but most saddened book of the series. The action is so intense in some scenes that I literally could not stop reading. The sadness in some scenes was so real that I wept tears over the pages. When JKR said that there would be deaths in this book she was not lying or stretching the truth. We have to say a hurtful goodbye to a lot of our favorites in this book and more times than not the deaths are not dwelled upon. There is no time to say goodbye in a war, as JKR makes perfectly clear thoughout this book in particular. Harry is time and time again forced to say goodbye to his friends and companions breifly and quietly. He has to move beyond the deaths so that he can focus on the task at hand. (Please if you have not read the books please DO NOT read any further...here is where I will start divulging some of the inner workings and details of the book.)

Let's start with one of the greatest moments of heart in the book. I loved this scene for so many reasons, I have to start here. The book opens with a disturbing scene in the Malfoy home, which has been reluctantly turned into a Death Eater checkpoint of sorts. This scene was disturbing and uncomfortable to read. I personally wanted to reach through the pages and save Draco (which being one of my least favorite characters is saying something), you really get a view of Draco's sad existance throughout this book. The scene I do want to skip to came shortly after. It was the departure of the Dursley's. The Dursley family, whose name I have thought from the beginning sounds like a horrible disease (oh you have the durslies that is so horrible), is being moved to a safe location by the Order because they know that Voldy will definately torture them to get info on Harry. The scene is amazing and deep on so many levels. First there is the typical Vernon tantrum, always wanting to have the control over his own life, which Harry squashes pretty quickly. You can tell from the start of this scene that Harry's transformation into a man has been complete. He is no longer the quiet little boy living under the stairs, he speaks his mind and forcefully makes his point. He comes off, for the first time in a long time, like the powerhouse in this household-it made me feel proud and elated for him. The part, though, that not only blew my mind but made me get choked up was the goodbye between Dudley and Harry. These two boys grew up with each other. Dudley tormented Harry but having older cousins that were as close as siblings growing up, I can say honestly that his torments were nothing more than what is typical. The two Order members that were sent to escort the Dursley's to their safe haven were upset because there was no formal goodbye between Harry and the family that raised him. Harry explained that it was okay they could care the less about him, making a comment along the lines of "they think I am a waste of space". Dudley chimed in and said "I don't think you are a waste of space." WHAT? Never saw that one coming and neither did Harry. For Dudley, that is practically an I LOVE YOU. It was a touching scene to say the least. These two boys who were always at each others throats were now two men going their seperate ways. Maybe it was the sense of loss that got to Dudley. He was losing someone he has been with since he was one. There is a bond, although it may be an odd bond, there is a bond that is created between people raised together. After a touching goodbye with Dudley, ending with a very formal handshake, Harry was left alone with Petunia. I expected more from this scene but knew what I got was appropriate. She gave a knod of her head and went to the door. She gave a little pause at the door, like she wanted to say something, and then continued on her way. It was amazing. Very true to character and very deliberate in action. JKR made what could have been a very simple scene smolder. In true JKR fashion she put a deeper more emotional scene in something that could have been very dull.

The book takes us on a journey from the very start. Across Britain and into the depths of human emotion. What a wild ride this book is. Once left alone, Harry is picked up by the Order. They have an ingenious plan to have 7 Harry's fly out of the house. Polyjuice potion of course is used and 7 Harry's with 7 different Order guards are flown out of the house. They get ambushed, of course, and a harrowing and wild ride ensues. This scene had two deaths that were very sad. The first being Harry's beloved owl, Hedwig. She is killed by a Death Eater aiming for Harry but then as her cage is falling to the earth Harry hits it with a curse and it explodes. It is so sad but yet again they are in a time of war and there is little time to recoup from that death before you are thrust right back into the thick of the battle. Once they get to the Burrow, Harry realized that the others have been ambushed too. Slowly they stagger in, beaten and bruised. Slowly they make their way to the safety of the Burrow. Fred loses an ear in battle, some good jokes come out of this one in true Fred & George style. But then they realize that Mad Eye Moody is missing along with Mundungus (who becomes a REAL scumbucket throughout this book). Lupin has the horrible job of delivering the news, Moody was killed in battle. Immediately, there is a group that is formed to go out and find Moody's body before the Death Eaters get it. They never find it. His magical eye is later found in the Ministry.

The ministry is taken over by the Death Eaters, the minister of magic is killed, and every muggle born witch and wizard now has to be registered as if they are animals. It is a terrible time for the magical community. Snape becomes headmaster at Hogwarts, Death Eaters are sent in to teach the children and the kids are forced to sit through classes designed to create little Death Eaters. Neville becomes HUGE in this book. I love his role and growth in this book. No longer a stuttering clumsy little boy, he heads up a movement from within the school. He is tortured and beaten for his defiance but it doesn't even squelch him. He goes into hiding within the school and creates a sort of "Underground" railroad within the school to escort other children to safety. It is amazing to see this demention of Neville. He really becomes an amazing character that after reading all the books I finally love him. He is strong and brave. He has a sort of soft detachment to his own existance and continues the DA long after he realizes Harry is not coming back. Dumbledore's Army becomes more than just a bunch of kids learning the Dark Arts in this book, it becomes a movement. A sort of teenage version of the Order. It becomes a slogan and a subject for grafitti for those that oppose the current regime at Hogwarts. It is yelled out in times of peril to lift spirits. It is worth hanging onto for these kids and Neville is at the steering wheel. I absolutely LOVE JKR for putting Neville in this role. Finally he has become a character worth reading about.

Harry's journey through Britain in search for the Horcruxes is great. There is danger and snags all along the journey, but it brings him back full circle to the place where it all began for him, Hogwarts. Along the way we see him deal with going to Godric's Hollow to visit the graves of his parents, Ron's short disertion of Hermione and Harry, death and love. It is all there. It is just amazing. JKR delivers a powerful mastery of emotions in this book. Through his journey you see Harry grow from being a floundering lost human to being a man on a mission. He is seeing into the depths of Voldemort's mind this time, but using it in a way that is helpful. He delves into the inner workings of Voldy's mind to allow himself the access he needs to get to the Horcruxes. Absolutely one of the most amazing and spooky parts of the book. Harry is using the mind of evil for the greater good. Their journey takes them deep inside the Death Eater run ministry. To a scene of havoc and despair as Muggle born witches and wizards are brought to trial. Muggle borns have been accused of stealing magic from purebloods. In a scene much like something out of the holocaust it is distrubing on so many levels. These Muggle borns are coming to the Minstry (not realizing of course that the Minstry has been taken over by the Death Eaters because they also control the media much like current terrorist groups or much like Hitler's regime did) and they are stripped of their wands and put on trial for trumped up charges. They are ushered along like cattle, it is so sad. We see, through the eyes of our favorite trio, Umbridge (whose office door now has the eye of Moody hanging on it) taunt and even laugh at the Muggle borns as they plead for their lives. They are sent to Azkahban which becomes a sort of Muggle born concentration camp, all real criminals being released. We see here a very disturbing interaction between a Muggle born woman and Umbridge, in which everything she says to defend herself is turned over to mean something else. It is a disturbing and uneasy read, to say the least. In true Harry Potter form these people who happen to be there on the day the three infiltrate the ministry are saved. Moody's eye is buried and they move onto the next big adventure. I think this book will possibly upset many readers because of the depth in which JKR goes. The Death Eaters cruelty is definately shown in true form in this book. They have actual hunters out trying to find non registered Muggle borns, runaways from the school, and of course the ultimate prize of Harry or his devoted followers. We also get a glimpse at an underground radio station run by Lee Jordan and other members of the Order. The Death Eaters regime is very disturbing, all other books seemed to water down this but this book puts it all out on the table. Children and old women are killed by them and no one is safe. It is very difficult to read many of the parts.

The scene at Godric's Hollow is very interesting. There is a touching moment where Harry finally gets to his parents' graves. Where Harry finally sees the ruins of the scene that created his destiny. He also sees a memorial of sorts put up in the form of a statue of himself as a baby with his parents. There is also a moment of fear as an old woman escorts Harry to what he thinks will be Gryffindor's sword, only to have her body be ripped apart by the large snake that has infested it. Very scary scene. Again, they get away by the scuffs of their necks. They do this quite a bit in this book. One of the most disturbing and possibly hardest chapters comes when the trio is caught by these human hunters. Now the part you have to realize is that Voldemorts name has been made a Taboo. What this means is anyone who refers to Voldemort by Voldemort only (Death Eaters believing this to be a sign of disrespect) will give off a sort of beacon to themselves and they will then be taken in as opposers of Voldemort. Harry says his name and they are immediately swooped down upon. They are taken to the Malfoy residence where they are imprisoned until Voldemort gets there to confront Harry. By far the most disturbing part of this scene is when the boys are sent downstairs in the basement to wait and they can hear Bellatrix torturing Hermione for information upstairs. It is disgusting and horrible. Ron is yelling out her name and it is all so dramatic. It literally brought me to tears. It was horrible. But in pops Dobby to save the day and that he does, but not without a price. Dobby is killed by Bellatrix right as they are Disapperating from the house. Harry feels such loss and remorse for this that he digs Dobby's grave by hand alone. He places Dobby in the grave alone and etches out the words "Dobby a Free House Elf" on his tombstone. This is one of the only deaths we are allowed by JKR to dwell on and it is a hard hit. Dobby has been a constant since book two and has saved Harry's neck on more than one occasion. It is a very hard death.

Harry also finds out about the Deathly Hallows. It is explained through a children's story about three brothers who escape Death. Death then gives them three prizes for doing so. One is a wand that can beat any other wand the strongest in all of the wizarding world, a cloak that allows the wearer to escape death by being invincible, and a stone that when turned three times can bring back the dead. It is these three Deathly Hallows that become a focus throughout the book. These were the obsession of Dumbledore himself. Dumbledore's life and history (family in particular) comes into play quite a bit in this book. It is Dumbledore's brother that is helping Neville get children out of the school. There is a history on Dumbledore's family and sister Adriana that was tortured at 6 years old and refused to use magic. It is her death that set forth the events of Dumbledore's life. The reason why Dumbledore never took the ministry of magic position is also explained in this book. A good deal of time is spent in one of those deep heart to heart talks between Harry and Dumbledore (which I will explain how in a little bit) in which Dumbledore explains these things to Harry who is starting to question Dumbledore himself. It is amazing how all of a sudden everything makes sense. JKR really ties all the loose ends together in this book.

One of the biggest questions going into this book was the true loyalty of Severus Snape, the man who killed Dumbledore. Was he a Death Eater in disguise or an Order member in disguise? It was answered in one of the most amazing scenes. Because Snape killed Dumbledore than Voldemort came to the conclusion that it was Snape he had to kill to gain full control over the wand (THE Deathly Hallow wand) that he stole from Dumbledore's grave. Snape is attacked by Nagini (while Harry watches from under his cloak) and left to lie there and die by Voldemort who is now practically skipping with delight because he thinks he has finally got full control over the wand. Harry goes to Snape and in his last moment of life Snape releases his memories to Harry. When Harry goes to the Pensieve in Dumbledore's office he finds out the truth behind Snapes loyalties and his deep hatred for Harry. Snape had been in love with Lily (Harry's mother) since childhood. He had loved her so deeply and fully and yet because of his love for the Dark Arts Lily could never fully love him back. When Voldemort threatened Lily and then eventually killed her, his loyalty became fully Dumbledore's. When Dumbledore found the Horcrux ring he reaslized this was the stone that was the Deathly Hallow. It was the only Deathly Hallow that Dumbledore wanted with all his soul. He wanted to bring his sister back to life. He made a fool's mistake and put the ring on...he was poisoned. He was given one year to live in which time he would die in pain. He didn't want Voldemort (knowing that Voldemort would eventually figure out what his want was and the person who kills the previous owner is its rightful owner) to be responsible for his death so that he wouldn't get become the rightful owner of the most powerful wand in history. So, he made Snape promise, in order to keep Draco's soul pure of killing, to kill him. Snape did just that. He was sickened by it and hated himself for doing so, but he also did as Dumbledore asked and gave Harry this information before he died. It was one of those moments in the book where it all became very clear after it was put out there. Of course he hated Harry, Harry was the exact image of his father whom Lily married. The man that won out over Snape. But yet Snape had to protect him because he was Lily's child. It must have been hell for Snape to have a constant reminder right there in front of him of what he could have had. Of the woman he loved so much. Snape's patronus is a doe, the same as Lily's. It was this doe that was sent into the forest to bring Harry Gryffindor's sword so that he could destroy the Horcruxes. It was Snape that sent Dobby to rescue Harry from the Malfoy's house. It all became very clear. The children were not in that much danger because although he played the part of a Death Eater, Snape would never allow the children to be killed because he was Dumbledore's man. Harry actually named his child after Snape at the end of the book. And claimed that Snape was one of the bravest men he ever knew. How true that is.

Everyone wants to know how Harry finally did it. How did he finally defeat Voldemort? That was one of the best parts of the entire book. Harry finally realized that he is the 7th Horcrux. Voldemort, on the night he killed the Potters, unknowingly transferred a part of himself into Harry. This means that Harry must sacrifice himself out of the love for his fellow wizards in order to make it possible for Voldemort to be killed. Once he realizes this he sets off to find Voldemort to give himself over freely to save the masses of innocents being killed. He, along the way, finds Neville and makes Neville swear he will kill Nagini (the only Horcrux not yet destroyed) and Neville tells him yes. Once he finds Voldemort he leaves his hands at his side, walks up to him, and hears Voldemort scream out "Avada Kedavra". All Harry Potter fans are now crying, at least I was, but then something happens that no one sees coming. A trip to the other side with Harry. We get to see him talk to Dumbledore. And what is then found out is the part that was actually killed in Harry was the part that Voldemort himself put into him. Voldemort actually killed his own soul and left Harry's not only in tact but for the first time free from the constraints of Voldemorts soul. He is then given the option to go back to where he was or to stay in the peaceful surrounding with all his friends and family that had died. He goes back. Hagrid, who was taken hostage by the Death Eaters, thinking Harry is dead is forced by Voldemort to carry him up to Hogwarts. Harry plays dead so that he can get as close to Voldemort as possible without putting Hagrid in danger of being killed by the Death Eaters that are surrounding him. Here is one of the scenes that has actually haunted me since I finished it. Voldemort announces that Harry has been killed trying to escape the Hogwarts castle and deserting his followers who believe in him. McGonagall screams first and this shocks Harry. But the worst sound he heard was Ron, Hermione, and Ginny screaming for him. He hears the Death Eaters laughing and then he hears Neville. Neville runs up front screaming NO and then he yells out DUMBLEDORE'S ARMY, which gets the crowd all worked up to fight again. Voldemort then offers Neville the chance to come over to the Death Eaters and Neville tells him when hell freezes over. Voldemort then decides to use Neville as an example to all those who oppose him. He binds Neville's body up and then puts the burning Sorting hat on his head. In a sign that the school will now be under Death Eater's rule and that there will be no houses besides Slytherines. Neville's screams make Harry decide that enough is enough. All at once Harry puts on his cloak, unbinds Neville who upon taking off the hat finds Gryffindor's sword inside, Neville cuts off Nagini's head, and then Harry puts up a sheild charm between Neville and Voldemort. All this time Hagrid is screaming because he cannot find Harry's body. A fight then makes it's way into the castle. You have the Death Eaters and Voldemort fighting against not only wizards but threstrals, hippogriffs, house elves, students, parents, siblings, and the Order. It is a wild scene. This was the second battle of the night for Hogwarts but it was by far the best. It was a crazy scene and very chaotic. In the end the deaths were numerous but the scene that captured it all was the final duel between Harry and Voldemort. Once Harry revealed himself people were cheering and screaming and then it became obvious what was going to come next. What I love about this scene is Harry calls Voldemort Tom Riddle, his given name, a name that Voldemort was ashamed of in life. It was an amazing touch. Also his death was so quiet. It wasn't this big long drawn out duel he killed himself basically. Both him and Harry did their spells at the same time. Harry a disarming spell and Voldemorts the killing curse. Harry got the sword and Voldemort was killed. He just died...nothing really drawn out. It was the perfect touch. Perfect scene. Really JKR did great in showing that Voldemort was just a man, a mortal man, and that he couldn't fight death. It happened. It was great. This final battle against good and evil came with a big price though. Amoung the dead are Lupin, Tonks, and Fred Weasley and 50 more nameless others.

But through it all there is hope and happiness. There are scenes that have you laughing out loud. Like Ron's rude aunt. Lupin and Tonks get married, have a boy, and name Harry the godfather. Bill and Fleur get married and are right there to support their family and Harry in the fight. Bellatrix is finally killed by Mrs. Weasley who calls her a bitch. Harry ends up marrying Ginny and Ron and Hermione fall in love and get married. There is a scene where they are about to go into the battle where Ron and Hermione start kissing. It is hilarious because Harry gets annoyed that they couldn't pick a better time to do that! The book ends with them sending their own children off to Hogwarts. Neville is the herbology teacher. Very good ending to a very good series.

If nothing else one can safely say that JKR has made it cool to read again! She brought a series that is going to be a classic for years to come. I can't wait to give them to my son to read or my grandchildren. They are never going to know, sadly, the frantic heart pounding adrenaline of a release day. Or the wait that leads to ultimate satisfaction in getting the book, but they will enjoy them just the same. I am sad to say goodbye to my friends in the wizarding world but I know that they are forever etched in my heart and mind. They have taught us lessons no other book series has and for that I thank her. We have learned to truly love a character and I look forward to the last two movies. Although, in my heart, I am hoping that she continues the series possibly with their children. It would be great but I am not getting my hopes up too far. Good luck to JKR in all of her ventures and I want to say thank you as well...for a wild ride!! We will miss Harry but will cherish the decade as one when magic entered back into our lives!!