I"m not sure "mayorality" is a word, but it is a combination of mayor and morality, so I threw it into the headline to see if it would stick.
Here we are in Dallas caught up in the campaign over whether to get a strong mayor system or keep the current city manager system. Compared to England, we've got it lucky.
The British are, as they say, being "gobsmacked" by news of a different kind. Just a few weeks ago everybody was saying Camilla Parker Bowles would never be more than the "Princess Consort" after she married Princes Charles. But, oh, my, word is that, after the April 8 wedding, should he become king, she will, oh, my, become Queen of England.
By the way, I read in several places that the wedding will be televised. I assume many of you, as you did years ago for the Charles/Di wedding, will host slumber parties or get up and stage early breakfast parties to watch the nuptials. It’ll be like watching a NASCAR race and waiting for the spectacular crash, won’t it?
I'm not saying the Charles/Di wedding wasn't fetching, but this Charles/Camilla thing could turn out to be very interesting, particularly if the tabloids go after it as I suspect they will and if they let American TV cover the "red carpet" arrivals.
When Charles was married to Di, the cameras of the world lovingly photographed her. I suspect the cameras of the world will not be so kind to the new wife. Expect to see the term "royal gaffe" in headlines more often. Every last trip-up will be excruciatingly reported on both sides of the pond. Ah, yes, human nature. Swell, ain't it?
And, to beat the Weekly World News and other grocery store tabloids to the punch, I'll just go ahead and create this story: "CHARLES TO BE FATHER AGAIN. Camilla has royal bun in the oven. 'Just good breeding,' Charles confides to Buckingham Palace sources. Queen elated at news she'll be royal granny one more time. Camilla praises scientists who helped clone sheep."
Whew. Got that out of my system.
TECHNOLOGY IS OUR FRIEND: Kim Polen of Treasured Friends sent a note that points out how the modern world's devices can help animals. Treasured Friends has a "Wish List" on Amazon.com. Go to www.amazon.com, click on "wish list" at the top of the site, then type in "Treasured Friends" in the search spot. You can then buy the items the group needs (cleaning supplies dominate the list right now!) and send them directly to the rescue group -- cuts out a lot of steps in the donation process (and there's even a "donation" button on the site!).
A FERRET FAN'S CHALLENGE: We first met up with Lee Ann Weller several years ago when writing a feature about her ferrets. Last year, Lee Ann, who some of you may know through her behind-the-scenes work at the Dallas Summer Musicals, was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis.
True to her cheerful nature, she has charged into the cause. Her latest letter reports, "I am doing great! So great, in fact, that I think I am taking my act on the road -- for a good cause."
She'll be at the MS Walk-a-Thon April 9 in Corpus Christi. She says she has "decided to pack the ferrets, drive to Corpus and help raise money. Since MS is a mobility impairment disease, the walk is not for distance but rather a 4-hour 'do the best ya can' endeavor. I hope to cover 15 miles. The ferrets will stay in the hotel, watch cable and cheer me on from the comfort of their hammock."
To help Lee Ann's efforts, you can sponsor her in the walk and donate either with a flat donation or a per-mile donation to MS research. You can e-pledge at the Lone Star MS Chapter’s site: www.nationalmssociety.org//txh/home/epledge_search_1.asp.
You can send a check made out to National Multiple Sclerosis Society c/o Lee Ann Weller, 11029 Wyatt St. Dallas, 75218. "I will carry it down to Corpus and turn it in with my pledges," she says. E-mail [email protected] for info on how to pledge or just to say "Way to go!" At www.nmss.org, you can get info on the disease.
Meanwhile, for you people who simply consider ferrets to be the "stretch-rats of the animal kingdom," Lee Ann has always insisted that the affectionate ferrets are the clown princes. No offense to Prince Charles, of course.
Ah, yes,
the Clown Prince.
