Yep, this week in "Paradise" presented the challenges in full force all right. We had a tragic accident in the valley over the weekend and sadly a 23 year old young man was killed whilst joy-riding. His friends kept a 48 hour vigil over his last resting place. All because there was nothing better to do than race cars on a dirt road. My own son has to pay extra car insurance because he is under 25, because the immature brain takes some incredible risks all in the name of "fun". Which thus begs the question "what is fun, and why are we so in need of it?" Of course a ridiculous question. Or not. Look at the animal kingdom. I think they spend so much time simply surviving that "fun" is not in their vocabulary. Unless they are in a completely 100% safe environment without a smell of a predator anywhere. I have witnessed animals at play. I have watched my rabbits roll on their sides when they think no-one is watching. Animals at play can be very comical. And their reaction when they realise they were observed by a human is even more comical. I will talk about animals tonight, because the human race is ridiculous most of the time, and certainly not funny. Two things, I am on the verge of resigning for the 20th time, but that would be financial suicide, and my daughter's close friend with whom she had as close an attachment she was capable of after an abusive relationship, decided to drop her a "dear john" note. Her tears rolled silently down her cheeks as she read the note and I know that this is no easy knock, after all, he has been her rock for the past four years with all her anger at the human race in general. Their shared compassion for animals has kept her on the straight and narrow. Thus another evening in this household where we just stare at one another and wonder "where to now". I have been suffering with light-headedness over the stingly boss scratching out a small increase exactly according to her guage of my worth. I did all my sums and am getting closer to telling her that sadly I can no longer be her slave. I have always been careful with my budget, working it backwards until one day I can work a half day. I am getting closer to the joyous day when my circumstances are such that I can tell her to find someone else. I have been hinting, but she still believes she is fire-proof. Throughout all of this our "children" the dogs, sit at our feet, on our laps or in our faces with every expression of angst or exasperation about the days tribulations. My dog Leah is always at my feet or on the chair next to me. Yesterday I was at home with my "wierd" head in the afternoon and she slept with me on my bed. It is as if she understands when we are under the weather or stressed. She would love it if I never left the house at all. This morning as I left to go work, she lay right across the front door and I had to persuade her to move. She is a beautful collie cross we adopted when she was a tiny ugly scrap of puppy, with amost no fur and little legs she could hardly stand on. I was told she would never be homed because she was ugly and I knew then that she would be my special girl. She grew into a beautiful dog, and my "baby". As I type this blog she is sleeping next to me. I could never ask for the same devotion from a person. Sometimes we need to sit back and enjoy our good fortune. I have a companion who never judges me, berates me, complains if I am not at home and is always happy to see me. She makes me feel needed and special. It takes a lot of searching to find that in humans. Outside of the family, I mean. And when I asked my daughter what her next move was going to be in the "friend" saga, she said there was some serious TV on tonight. That has to be "Desperate Housewives". She is growing up after all.!! Thank the Lord for small mercies and our furry friends.......... Love from Eve