Faith the Amazing Biped Dog!

Happy Birthday to Meg McAllister in Toronto, Canada!!  She's a fantastic (no really, a FANTASTIC) publicist and P.R. Queen.  I love her as a good friend and I want the world to know it!!  Happy Happy!!

YES - I did have the opportunity to meet with and speak to Michael Jackson.  It was in 1983, long before Faith, before I had children infact. We were both in Los Angeles, as I was a writer and set producer for a strange lower budget film.  Michael showed up on set only because he had a few good friends who were connected to the movie.  I remember he was in the backseat of a car being leased by an actress in the film. She asked me if I wanted to meet Michael. I told her I wasn't a star-gazer but she insisted saying he wanted to meet me. I agreed to meet with him but felt uncomfortable with the level of security and mystery surrounding him. I told him I wasn't like that - - I wasn't one to hide or go into hiding and I didn't want to seem imposing either. Being a fan of his music didn't mean I wanted to invade his privacy  -- he giggled and in that second I realized this was a man with less connection to reality than most.  We had a good 10 minute conversation, me doing most of the talking, but he did respond and he did add a few comments. I told a friend this morning that it was as if he hadn't been spoken to normally so he didn't know how to respond or communicate normally. People DO THINGS for Michael rather than just talk with him. I talked to him, I talked WITH him and for that he thanked me.  That was it. He was too insecure to continue an actual friendship - - but he sent me flowers to the mansion I was watching and it was sweet of him to do so.  My attorney Debra Opri is a former Jackson family attorney - - she was with the family in 2005 during the last trial.  Lots of prayers go out to the Jackson family from my family and to the lives and hearts all of the Jacksons have influenced and touched.  Rest in Christ's Glory Michael.

WOW, you would not believe the turn out! We had more than 300 people show up for a couple of shows on Saturday, April 4 in a town of 508!  Now, of course, I realize that folks from nearby Mingus, Gordon, Ranger, and Thurber came around - - but it was awesome!  I was able to use all the kids and have them scooting around on their bellies as if they were little two-legged puppies.  It was fun to watch them "learn to walk" upright like Faith did.  I hung out with some really cool ladies - - and yes, they remained ladies even after our impromptu "Pyrate Nite" at the local bed & breakfast - - the Thomas House.  The girls and I decided to take a little off the record tour of the house since I had the whole place to myself. We went into a very scary dark basement and found treasures untold!  We made up stories, drank a little out of paper cups, smoked the cigars and yes, yes, I took Faith into the Mule Lip Bar where we met a couple of surprised locals.  The manager of the Thomas House made us all French Toast and strawberries for breakfast! It was awesome. I slept in the big house ALL BY MYSELF with Faith - - 6 empty bedrooms except ours.  Do you have any idea how many ghosts the girls and I came up with before they went home around 2 this morning?  HAHAHA....I don't mind, the ghosts were pretty tired too. We all slept well, and I'm going back.  The important thing is that Faith's visit to Strawn, TX (2008 STATE Champions of 6-man football - Hi Bowie!!) was that we were able to help 7 dogs get adopted, we collected a lot of money for the upcoming needs of C.A.R.E., and we were able to form friendships and even a business partnership with C.A.R.E.  I'm giving 10% of my proceeds from sales at www.chermarketing.com to C.A.R.E. for one year or until they get their new shelter!  Thanks for the fun and for bringing us out C.A.R.E. of Strawn, TX....kiss those dogs and cats for me!

Faith's story is in both American Talk and Modern Dog magazines this issue. Here is the link to Modern Dog: www.moderndogmagazine.com/articles/faith/752#comment-909  I hope you enjoy the video, I think it is the one from Oprah.

OH MY GOSH....we get to go to Seattle again!  I love Seattle. I can't even imagine life without going to Seattle at least every 6 months.  It's been about 9 and I'm about to die.  I love the air, I love the sea, I love the land.  I love the soldiers, and YOU KNOW I love the coffee......this time it's even better if you can believe that. We're going to be seeing the new movie by Jake Rademacher titled "Brothers At War", a documentary that Jake wrote, directed, produced, and poured his heart and blood into --  Gary Sinise, David Scantling, and Norman Powell are producers.  I can't wait to see it....but I know I'm going to cry several times. No mascara March 24, that's the rule.  Oh, and Faith of course will be going, and she'll be at the PX loving and squeezing on kids and meeting the families of not only the Ft. Lewis soldiers, but the Air Force Base (McChord) is right next door! They'll come over too! We'll go to the hospital, visit the patients, get some love on with the Leverings....Marcus and Laura had a new baby named Caleb since I was there.  This is going to be so cool. Thanks to American Airlines for getting us there, and to Mr. Pat McGhee at Ft. Lewis for the arrangements to and from and on the base.  I LOVE YOU!!