Few stories I read will touch me like those dealing with children or the elderly.

When I hear people complain about the “things” they don’t have or the raise which wasn’t quite as large as they had hoped, (so in many cases they can go buy more things), it serves as a reminder that getting caught up in the trappings of possessions or money is not necessarily the way to live this life we have been given.

Sure, we all want to live comfortably and provide for our families but what happens when you grow to old to do so?

Some would say, you should have prepared for retirement in your younger days…okay, in today’s world with 401K’s and private retirement plans it has become easier to save, but how about those who never had the luxury of such things? What about those who are disabled or worked in professions which provided enough to simply “live” and nothing more?

Such are the lives of these folks. Funny, I’ve never met them, but I would like too..they show such pride and grace in the face of adversity.

They have worked since their teens in backbreaking seasonal jobs, extracting resources from the sea and the forest. Their yards are filled with peeling boats and broken lobster traps.

In sagging wood homes and aged trailers scattered across Washington County, many of Maine’s poorest and oldest shiver too much in the winter, eat far more biscuits and beans than meat and cannot afford the weekly bingo game at the V.F.W. hall.

In this long-depressed “down east” region, where the wild blueberry patches have turned a brilliant crimson, thousands of elderly residents live on crushingly meager incomes. This winter promises to be especially chilling, with fuel oil prices rising and fuel assistance expected to decline. But many assume that others are worse off than themselves and are too proud to ask for assistance, according to groups that run meal programs and provide aid for heating and weatherizing.

Certainly, this is not a situation unique to these seniors. Maine does not hold the monopoly on poverty. The location should matter not.

I am not advocating that those who are “rich” in this country should be forced to share their wealth with those less fortunate. As a matter of fact, many of these same people would be too proud to accept what they would consider charity.

What I do say, is that instead of throwing money out the window on senseless earmarks, those in Washington could spend a little (of our money) on those who have worked to make this country what it is today. Rather than millions spent on elections, how about insuring no one will be cold this winter?

Having worked with individuals at both “ends” of this thing we call life, I can say there has been little in my life more rewarding. There is both an innocence and a wealth of knowledge to be gained from the honesty of a child and the wisdom of an elder.

It is a tragedy that in the United States one should go hungry or freeze to death in the winter. Somewhere, our priorities were misplaced. Maybe one day we’ll find them again and as for me, I hope it’s soon.

It struck me funny that a writer at the NYT began this article with the following sentence:

It takes a lifetime to build a reputation — and a moment to destroy it.

With revenues of many major publications declining, could the subconscious have been at work here?

Those who watch the Olympics no doubt remember Marion Jones and her incredible feats in womens track. By now most know of her illegal use of steriods to enhance those performances.

One would like to say that this came as a shock, but in todays climate in sports at all levels somehow it was no surprise.

What is sad though, is that her actions could very well cost those who legitimately secured their medals the opportunity to have them remain in their possession.

The international track federation’s council on Friday recommended that members of the 2000 U.S. Olympic relay teams on which Marion Jones competed be stripped of their medals.

Jones returned her three individual medals after admitting last month she had used banned anabolic steroids before the Sydney Olympics. She also won a gold on the 1,600-meter relay and a bronze on the 400 relay.

The International Olympic Committee’s executive board will consider the recommendation at its meeting next month.

IOC President Jacques Rogge has said he believes the relays should lose their medals. U.S. Olympic Committee Chairman Peter Ueberroth supports that action, a change from when the USOC appealed a similar decision in a case involving Jerome Young and the men’s 1,600 relay at the 2000 Olympics.

Texas town goes Italian?

Someone in Italy placed the winning bid of $3.8 million on Friday for an unpopulated, one-house Texas town auctioned online.

No one lives permanently in the 13-acre town of Albert, about 60 miles north of San Antonio, but the tavern created from the frame of the old general store is open on weekends.

The town also includes a pavilion, an 85-year-old dance hall, a tractor shed, a three-bedroom house, plus peach and pecan orchards.

But before town owner Bobby Cave signs the deed over, he must ensure the eBay bid is legitimate. Cave said that unlike the usual items bought through eBay, there are no contractual obligations when it comes to real estate.

What do a chimney and a curfew have in common? Read on…..

According to Sky News Prime Minister John Howard has been defeated in Australia’s latest election:

Australia’s opposition Labor Party has claimed victory in the national elections, ending 11 years of John Howard’s Conservative government, the party’s deputy leader has said.

Rudd (r) likely to succeed HowardJulia Gillard told Australian television: “On the numbers we are seeing tonight Labor is going to form a government.”

A Sky News Australia exit poll predicted that Prime Minister John Howard has lost his bid for a fifth successive term in power.

The Conservative leader was trailing in opinion polls behind opposition Labor leader Kevin Rudd.

The Sky exit poll of 31 marginal government seats forecast a 30-seat gain for Rudd, more than enough for him to form a Government.

The poll of 2,787 voters by Auspoll gave Labor 53% of the vote and the ruling Liberal party 47%.