Good morning, everyone...<br /><br />It is truly a glorious day in the San Francisco area...cool, sunshine, not a hint of fog.  <br /><br />Ed, so sorry about this young man.  My Jeremy, since he&#39;s been working in Argentina this summer with these cancer drug trials, has seen five terminally ill patients, who are hoping against all odds, that this trial will save their lives.  One of these days, all the research being done, will work, I guess.  I applaud the scientists who spend their lives doing this work.  It just seems so unfair for a young man, in the prime of his life, to die, leaving behind a wife and young children.  But it is all up to a higher power.<br /><br />Mary Lou, glad you&#39;re having some fun on your trip.  It&#39;s nice to take some money away from a casino.  Years ago, in San Juan, playing blackjack, I actually paid for my entire trip - air, hotel, etc.<br />I&#39;d gamble a bit every night, pocket my winnings and quit for the evening.  I&#39;d go back the next night and do the same.  I was consistently ahead about &#036;300 every night that whole week.  <br /><br />Jackie,  I love Italy, too...haven&#39;t spent much time in any one place.  Was in Milan for three nights a few years ago but, all the other times, I&#39;ve been cruising with just a day or an overnight in port.  At least, we&#39;ll actually have three days/nights in Rome.  I&#39;ll be back again overnight in Venice and we overnight in Livorno.  <br /><br />I&#39;m missing work today.  Was awake all night with leg cramps...this diurectic, I guess.  Took some potassium and ate a banana, to no avail.  Also having terrible hip pain.  Need to bite the bullet and<br />see an orthopedist.  I imagine I will be needing a total hip one of these days.  The pain is getting<br />worse and worse, mainly my right hip but it is definitely interfering with my sleep.  Old age sucks.<br /><br />Deb, once your son starts on helium, I know he&#39;ll get hooked.  I haven&#39;t done a poem in a couple of weeks but I&#39;ll start up again.  Too busy planning my trip.<br /><br />Here&#39;s another:<br /><br />Creative Writing  www.helium.com   Poetry: I must write <br /><br />There are 88 articles on this title. You are reading the article ranked and rated #2 by Helium&#39;s members.<br /><br />by Carmen Henesy<br /><br />It doesn&#39;t take much effort, <br />My thoughts are always there, <br />For me, it helps to write them, <br />Whether poetry or prayer.<br /><br />The words express my daily life, <br />The pain I sometimes feel, <br />Putting it in writing, <br />Is the way I start to heal.<br /><br />I write to tell a story, <br />Of my travels far and wide, <br />Of sharing different cultures, <br />All differences put aside.<br /><br />When I cannot find the words, <br />To speak to someone dear, <br />Sometimes I take a pen in hand, <br />Writing what they want to hear.<br /><br />I write poems for everyone, <br />It&#39;s always been that way, <br />For occasions sad and happy, <br />Or just an ordinary day.<br /><br />Writing helps my sanity, <br />As we live upon this earth, <br />I&#39;ve been jotting chronicles, <br />Almost since my birth&#33;<br /><br /><br />