Cathy,

It's funny how opposite all our views can be. Julia & Martha are actually my two ALL-TIME favs. Always have been. I have a couple others too. And other folks have favs who I'm not drawn to on any level...

I think for many folks it's a personality thing. Understandably many cannot stand Julia's nervous, giggly chuckle and high-pitched, strange voice. And for many, Martha is a cold "w"itch. And I get this- 'cause I see these traits that make some feel this way about both of them.

There are many popular cooking personalities (and personalities in general- whether they be celebs or next-door-neighbors) who don't appeal to all of us for whatever reason- though their popularity is strong with others. I think it's just a "beauty-in-the-eye-of-the-beholder thang, myself! We can't all love everybody! Somebody somewhere's dislikin' Mother Teresa, for cryin' out loud... and I'm sure that contrary to popular belief- not everybody everywhere loved Lucy! Ha!

Yep............Poor Lucy, my "FAVORITE" Grandmother could not stand her!!!!! You make great points there Kev! Some people hate me and for the life of me I don't know why:confused::p:o:D LOL

Somebody, somewhere don't like YOU, Cathy? No! Tell me where they live! I'm gonna KICK THEIR AZZ! Ha!

It is weird though. My Dad cannot STAND Carol Burnett or Dolly Parton. And I'm like DAD- these are two of the most beloved women in ALL of American culture! What's WRONG with you? Crazy, huh? But... he can't even watch them on TV- has to get up and walk away. My Dad says hearing Dolly's voice is like hearing finger-nails on a chalkboard for him. Of course this breaks my heart 'cause these are my two all-time FAV divas of ALL TIME!

Wierd huh! Or maybe it's linked back to that old saying "Variety is the Spice of Life"!!! And "different strokes for different folks" and my OWN favorite "It sure would be a boring world if we were all just alike"!

Yeah Kev I had a few husbands that put off some negative vibes like they no longer cared so after 13 yrs w/ #1 well I booted him, and ya' know funny thing is he kicked like he** and raised the roof when he found out I was done, then #2 after 15 yrs kinda gave off those same negative vibes and so I booted him too and you know he also reacted the same as #1 when I said "Adios amigo don't let the door hit you where the light don't shine on your way out"! And the funniest thing: the worst thing he could say about me was (Now get this it's plumb pitiful) I would not allow him to smoke in the house. Now give me a break! Hump I had a baby in the house who could not choose, I chose for her and asked that smoking be done outdoors to save her little lungs! Well anyhow that is my story of those who hated and resented me for what it's worth. And 'aint it funny after all was said and done I always heard what a wonderful wife and mother I was from them, now go figure!?!?! Wow even I have a darned "Soap Opera" to tell, my Eddie simply says "Their loss is my Gain" Bless his heart!!! And still I am living happily ever after....hee-hee!!!

Crazy story, Cathy. And as you say- it's all balanced out correctly now w/ Eddie. If not for those rough and tumble times- you never woulda been in the correct position to meet and fall for him. So... good for you!

That whole smoking thing is so weird to me. I have dear friends in Wasilla, Alaska. They both happen to smoke. BUT, they have two baby boys- they bought a new home about 4 years ago and they have NEVER ONCE smoked inside their house. They step outside onto the deck even in winter when it's minus 50 degrees to take puffs when they need them! I call that dedicated! Now, if Liz and Rusty can go outside in the Alalska cold to indulge in their beloved cigs- then by Gawd anyone anaywhere oughta be able to! And that's how I view that.

I grew up in a house of smokers- though I never did, myself. I didn't realize how awful it was until years after I left when I went back to visit. No one in my family smokes today thank goodness- but it was terrible! I remember their yellowed discolored ceilings and walls... I recall having to wash my clothes and coat 2-3 times to get the stench out... and going to Goodwill and buying dirt-cheap falling-apart luggage to travel back home with so that when I got back to my own home after a week or two of visiting them, I could just throw the luggage away due to the awful stink of the old, stale smoke. Just awful.

I won't infringe on anyone's right to smoke- I ain't that way- I'm all for personal choice. But I can't be near it.