HAPPY...REALLY HAPPY NEWS....

By Debbie Bulloch




Sometimes there is not much good news to report.

Today, however, is a different day. Bessie, the 97-year old homeless woman has found a home!!!

Hooray for Bessie...hooray for the good guys!

From today's edition of the Los Angeles Times:

A 97-year-old homeless woman who was living with her two sons in a battered 1973 Chevrolet Suburban in Venice has received a temporary home, compliments of a nonprofit Los Angeles housing group.

Bessie Mae Berger and sons Larry Wilkerson, 60, and Charlie Wilkerson, 62, had parked nightly on Venice Boulevard after losing their home in Palm Springs and failing to find a place to stay in Northern California.

But a Times story Friday that detailed her plight prompted authorities from the city, the county and the state to step up efforts to assist the trio and led the Integrated Recovery Network to offer them immediate shelter.

For the full story, click here: Ninety-seven Year Old Woman Gets Home



For Bessie...

THE WRECK OF THE EDMUND FITZGERALD

By Debbie Bulloch




For my Canadian friends and for all of you who love Gordon Lightfoot - here are two of Gordon’s best-known classics.

Enjoy!













GORDON LIGHTFOOT – Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald



GORDON LIGHTFOOT – If You Could Read My Mind



For more information about Gordon Lightfoot, the Canadian folk singer please click here: Gordon Lightfoot


For more information on the S.S. Edmund Fitzgerald, the real-life ship that Gordon sings about, please click here: S.S. Edmund Fitzgerald

INTO EACH LIFE A LITTLE RAIN MUST FALL...

By Debbie Bulloch





Be still sad heart and cease repining;
Behind the clouds the sun is shining,
Thy fate is the common fate of all,
Into each life a little rain must fall,
Some days must be dark and dreary.

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow (February 27, 1807 – March 24, 1882)





With the above in mind, here is a little rain...

THE TEMPTATIONS – I Wish It Would Rain



THE EURYTHMICS – Here comes The Rain



CREEDENCE CLEARWATER REVIVAL – Have You Ever Seen the Rain



ALBERT HAMMOND – It Never Rains in (Southern) California

SUNDAY MORNING COMICS - OCTOBER 18, 2009

By Debbie Bulloch



Here is the October 18 edition of the Sunday Comics. Read them, enjoy them and then go out and have a fun Sunday!















(Click image for a larger view)













Being a mom of a teenager I particularly enjoyed the comic below.



And finally here are some photos from Saturday's bike ride. Sunflowers and the Halloween Pumpkin Patch.

NINETY-SEVEN YEAR OLD HOMELESS WOMAN

By Debbie Bulloch



Those of you who know me well, know that I am patriotic almost to the point (but not quite) of being jingoist. I consider myself one of this country’s biggest and most enthusiastic cheerleaders.

Occasionally, however, I come across a story that makes me wonder why, if the USA is such a great country, we are still faced by seemingly intractable problems such as homelessness. The story of Bessie Mae Berger, a 97-year-old homeless woman is one of those stories.

Bessie’s story appeared on today’s L.A. Times. As I read about the plight of this sweet 97-year-old woman, forced to live out of her vehicle, I became angrier and angrier. I became angry at the bureaucratic labyrinth that keeps this woman out on the streets. I became angry at a society that turns a cold shoulder to its most vulnerable citizens. Finally, I became angry with a government that spends billions of MINE and YOUR tax dollars to bail out banks and prop up useless ruthless dictators while Bessie and millions of people like her are forced to go hungry and sleep out on the streets.

That something like this happens everyday in Third World nations is unforgiveable – that it should also happen daily in the richest country in the world is downright criminal.

For a full account of Bessie’s story, please go to: Homeless in Los Angeles – Bessie Mae Berger’s Story

Click here for a photo (video and audio) essay about Bessie and her two sons. (WARNING: Some of the images will break your heart): Bessie’s Story – Photo Slide Show


For previous stories about the plight of the homeless, click on the links below:

Los Angeles – Meanest City to The Homeless

The Homeless and their Pets

The Homeless Among Us

Homeless in the News

I hope that you will become as angry as I became while reading about Bessie. More importantly, however, I hope that Bessie's story moves you to take action. I have previously described some of the things that even ordinary citizens like you and I can do to help the homeless. There is no excuse for sitting on our hands and doing nothing.

The time to take action is NOW.

Tomorrow may be too late for Bessie and for our homeless brothers and sisters.

BUENAS NOCHE MAMI

By Debbie Bulloch



Dear SP, your mom was well-loved by her friends and family - in fact, by any one who ever met her.

You know how much my daughter and I loved your mom and how much in debt we will always be to her (and to your family). Your mom's generosity of heart and largeness of spirit made a huge difference in our lives. We will always miss her.

Here is a selection of some of your mom's favorite music. The last song, "No Quiero Llanto," really reminds me of her. She did not want tears or sorrow at her death, she wanted everyone to dance a good "guaguanco" together with Celia Cruz.

So for your mom, here is a musical tribute.

BUENA VISTA SOCIAL CLUB - Candela



Guateque Campesino



ALBITA - Que Culpa Tengo Yo



El Manisero



ALBITA – Que Manera de Quererte



CELIA CRUZ – Guantanamera



CELIA CRUZ – No Quiero Llanto

SUNDAY RECAP

By Debbie Bulloch





No Sunday Comics today. I apologize for the missing comics, but today was a busy day for me. I will try harder next Sunday...I promise, really, I promise!

All is not lost, however.

First, here is a version of Baby Blues edited by our very talented Teressa "Tess" Adamski. Thank you Tess!





(Click on image for a large view.)



Finally, some Cuban music, from Ibrahim Ferrer and the Buena Vista Social Club, to get your new week started on the right note. Have a wonderful week!

Chan Chan



El Cuarto de Tula