--I'm on a dandelion break.

I'm sleeping on my hammock on the balcony tonight. A summer is a terrible thing to waste, alright.

Truer words were rarely spoken.

Fascist ain't he?

I took an Olympic break today. Not the games, the History Channel had several long programs on how China got to be the way it is today. I watched two, then fell asleep.

At the moment, Obama is off to his birth state doing what Opus wants here. He will survive the convention and head to the election.

McCain will get hit with things like you see if you click on my name, because he dumped his first wife.

In the end it will be, "It's the economy, stupid."

I can live with either McCain or Obama but it seems that Obama is in a better position.

Salon has peculiar IT technology. Click on my name.

When placed in front of the words "IT technology" isn't the qualifier "peculiar" redundant?

Thanks for the gentle reminder, Berkeley, of how summers used to be for kids. We were bored out of our minds... funny, how the memories are so much sweeter. :)

Time to read (ALL the Oz books, one summer). Time to watch butterflies. Time to follow that path all the way into the wood. Time to invent new games with the kids across the road. Turn the monkey bars into a space ship. Swim (in real live lake water).

I feel sorry for the kids today. Gameboys have nothing on imagination (or books).

Thanks for reminding us all--parents, kids and former kids--about what the real priority is in life, Berke. Great, great job.

Suggest that our vital Political Process is somehow . . . . . less than real?

I had to laugh and think of all these " educated" [ formally that is]" professional" do it all , parents; many whom I often wonder if they should even bother to have 3-4+ kids; as they've got NO time for them. " scheduled activities" seem to be the buzzword today; this among these paranoid overachiever parents fearful that " around every corner lurks that kidnapper or pedophile that the TV news bimbo on action news said about." [note: nearly 96% of all child molestations/kidnappings are done by either a divorced parent, or other family member!] the news media seems to exaggerate what incidents really happen anyway! crime news= ratings= more profits for companies selling both burglar alarms and child safety kits!LOL

yes, they've got summer dance class, sylvia learning's school tutoring, and yes, SPORTS programs and more sports programs. these average suburban children seem to be led around like little sheep in mommy's/daddy's SUV; taking them from one " scheduled activity" to another!

and don't forget the good old internet; which, in some ways; has actually enriched the social lives of those whom grew up like myself- a misfit child with few friends, if any.

but I have often wondered, as I bicycle ride past all of our town parks filled with sports children, plus their mommies and daddies cheering, or often JEERING, them on. what would happen if these kids did NOT have their activities to " enrich their lives"?? [ according to their parent's desires!] I guess opus shows us what would happen!

but I'm struck especially by how beautifully drawn this installment is. I admired Mr. Breathed's way with a pen 30 years ago, when I started reading "Bloom County." These days I'm moved more than ever by his mastery of his craft.

in June I started my summer vacation from the news, NPR and Time magazine.. no election for me until fall is well under way. One should not waste a summer ever.