Dog stamps have historically sold well, with the  “Adopt a Rescue Pet” set selling out quickly at many post office branches. A large number of the new stamps will likely be sold to collectors as well as to those of us who like dogs and appreciate being their friends, family members and coworkers.

Any dog-loving philatelists out there?

Vincent Van Gogh's Family Tree:

His dizzy aunt ------------------------------------------ Verti Gogh

The brother who ate prunes -------------------------- Gotta Gogh

The brother who worked at a convenience store -- Stop N Gogh

The grandfather from Yugoslavia ------------------------- U Gogh

His magician uncle ---------------------------- Where-diddy Gogh

His Mexican cousin ----------------------------------- A Mee Gogh

The Mexican cousin's American half-brother -------- Gring Gogh

The nephew who drove a stage coach ----------- Wells-far Gogh

The constipated uncle --------------------------------- Can't Gogh

The ballroom dancing aunt ---------------------------- Tang Gogh

The bird lover uncle --------------------------------- Flamin Gogh

The fruit-loving cousin ---------------------------------- Man Gogh

An aunt who taught positive thinking -------------- Way-to-Gogh

The little bouncy nephew ----------------------------------- Poe Gogh

A sister who loved disco --------------------------------- Go Gogh

AND... (drum roll, please!)

His niece who travels in an RV -----------------Winnie Bay Gogh

Hey... I think I saw you smiling................... There ya' Gogh!

(1) Fine : This is the word women use  to end an argument when they are right and you need to shut  up. 

(2) Five Minutes: If she is getting dressed,  this means a half an hour. Five minutes is only five minutes if you  have just been given five more minutes to watch the game before  helping around the house. 

(3) Nothing : This is the calm before the  storm. This means something, and you should be on your toes.  Arguments that begin with nothing usually end in  fine. 

(4) Go Ahead: This is a dare, not  permission. Don't Do It! 

(5) Loud Sigh: This is actually a word, but  is a non-verbal statement often misunderstood by men. A loud sigh  means she thinks you are an idiot and wonders why she is wasting her  time standing here and arguing with you about nothing. (Refer back  to # 3 for the meaning of nothing.) 

(6) That's Okay: This is one of the most dangerous statements  a women can make to a man. That's okay means she wants to think long  and hard before deciding how and when you will pay for your  mistake. 

(7) Thanks : A woman is thanking you, do not question, or  faint. Just say you're welcome. (I want to add in a clause here -  This is true, unless she says 'Thanks a lot' - that is PURE sarcasm  and she is not thanking you at all. DO NOT say 'you're welcome'..  That will bring on a 'whatever'). 

(8) Whatever : Is a woman's way of  saying...Go to Hell... 

(9) Don't worry about it, I got  it : Another dangerous statement,  meaning this is something that a woman has told a man to do several  times, but is now doing it herself. This will later result in a man  asking 'What's wrong?' For the woman's response refer to #  3.

One of the more touching aspects of having m  book published is the number of people who have come up to me asking when the movie version will be out. I love hearing this because it makes me feel less demented at my own similar thoughts. From the moment I wrote the first chapter, I’ve had a vision of having a small part in the film, which expands when the director sees how talented I am, and then walking up the stairs at the Kodak Theatre to pick up my Best Supporting Actress Oscar. I think you can see why I write fiction.

But clearly I am not the only one with these thoughts because at one of my signings this became a topic of conversation when someone asked who I would like to play my protagonist, Alex Harris, in the movie. Sandra Bullock came instantly to mind, though she would have to do something with her gorgeous mane because everyone knows Alex most assuredly does not have a great head of hair—something she inherited from her creator.

But before I put a lot of thought into who will play all these delightful characters I’ve created, I need to find the right writer/director/producer. On this matter, I have spent quite a bit of time. I’m happy to announce that I’ve narrowed the competition substantially down to four amazing women.

First, there’s Rita Wilson, wife of Tom Hanks, in case you didn’t recognize her name. I think she shines in everything she’s in and I’m sorry to say that I don’t see her nearly enough. But more importantly, she brought My Big Fat Greek Wedding to life and I think she could do amazing things with Armed.

Next, there’s those two powerhouses—Nora Ephron and Nancy Meyers. Do they ever get it wrong? I think not. Let’s take a look at what Nora has given us. There’ Silkwood, When Harry Met Sally, Sleepless in Seattle, and Julie & Julia to mention a few and let’s not forget her books, which keep me up to the wee hours laughing my head off. And what about Nancy who’s brought us Father of the Bride, Something’s Gotta Give, and It’s Complicated? It seems time one of them leaped into the cozy mystery pool and Armed would be the perfect diving in point.

And finally I come to the last person on my list. Truth be told, she would probably be my first choice. Not only does she act but she writes and directs as well. She consistently brings a sense of humor, intelligence and class to everything she does. I speak of Bonnie Hunt who has an impressive list of acting credits including Rainman, The Green Mile, Jerry McGuire, Cheaper by the Dozen, Jumanji, and a gem of a movie called Return to Me, which she also wrote and directed. I would love her to write the screenplay and I think she would make a smashing Samantha, Alex’s wisecracking sister.

But how do I reach these people? I’ve searched the Internet in vain. I’ve created a Twitter account but with no followers how would I get the word out? Like with lots of things, it’s who you know, and as far as getting a movie made, I know nobody.

So if by some miracle of cyberspace this blog pops up on the computer screens of Bonnie/Rita/Nora/Nancy, could one of you have your people call my people? Let’s talk

This is the story of the blonde flying in a two-seater airplane with just the pilot. He has a heart attack and dies.   She frantically calls a May Day: “May Day! May Day! Help me! Help me! My pilot had a heart attack and is dead. I don’t know how to fly. Help me! Please help me!”

All of a sudden she hears a voice over the radio saying: “This is the tower. I have received your message and I will talk you through it. I’ve had a lot of experience with this kind of problem. Now, just relax. Everything will be fine. Now give me your height and position.”

She says, “I’m 5’4? And I’m in the front seat.”

“O.K.” says the voice from the tower. “Repeat after me:

Our Father. . . Who art in Heaven. .

 Glenbrooke Community Association (GCA) Board Candidate's have all been invited to submit their Candidate statements to GlenbrookeNews for posting.    There are four candidates and this is first in the series -ed.

I am asking for your support in the upcoming election because I want to be of service to our community.   My wife, Sharon, and I moved in at the end of July, 2011 and we love the community. I am retired as Director of Sales and Marketing for a multi-national manufacturing firm. In that capacity I had both domestic and international sales responsibilities and administrative responsibilities that include personnel selection, evaluation and supervision, budget preparation, monthly forecasting, media material preparation and placement negations, and tradeshow coordination, to list a few.

I am a good listener who encourages open dialog and understands that while we may not always agree we must always be respective of each other’s opinions.

I have been involved in every community we have lived in as represented in my resume which follows.

Brooktrails Community Service District: Past president and board member - two elected terms

Willits Unified School District: Past president and board member - two elected terms

Concept Sierra HOA: Past president and board member - three elected terms

Willits Chamber of Commerce: Past president and board member

Willits Rotary Club: Past board member

Big Brothers and Sisters: Past president and board member

Brooktrails Fire Department Association: Past president and board member

Make A Wish of Greater Bay Area: Wish coordinator

I welcome an opportunity to answer any questions and listen to any concerns you might have. I can be reached at any of the following:  Home phone: 916.667.9984; email: walthess46@yahoo.com; Home address: 9854 Derby Way

Regardless of your personal preference for the Board position, please be sure to vote!

Thank you.