Sandra Dee, American actress who epitomized the role of a Hollywood teen queen, was born on April 23, 1942.



I thank God for being able to grow up seeing movies starring Sandra Dee! I remember 'Gidget' and 'Tammy and the Doctor' as films depicting life of an American teen and I feel very fortunate to have grown up with that sweet role model in mind and heart.

Sandra married singer, Bobby Darin, in 1960.



Together, they had a darling son, Dodd. In the few photos I have seen, Dodd possessed each of his parents' charm and attractive appearance. The marriage ended in 1967.



Sandra, a professional model in childhood, had the challenges of anorexia, alcoholism, and depression to deal with during her life. She passed away in 2005 from renal disease.

A film about Bobby Darin (by Kevin Spacey) and a book (by her son) are out there, in addition to her own many films and television appearances, to fondly appreciate this star, remembered with praise and love by many life-long fans.

I have added links to my list so you can learn more about Sandra. There are recent photos of Dodd as well as many more gorgeous images of Sandra. Please enjoy the sites at the last 2 links. ~ Nanci Ann

"Times of great calamity and confusion have ever been productive of the greatest minds. The purest ore is produced from the hottest furnace, and the brightest thunderbolt is elicited from the darkest storm."



The above quote is from Charles Cobb Colton (1787 - 1832) It puts the idea of challenge creating character and triumph so very clearly. I wanted to share this saying for several weeks; it is time.

Without struggle, there is nothing to overcome. Life without any conflict or struggle would probably be good. But the people I've met with the most compassion and forgiveness are the ones who have gone through the trenches. Without naming names, we can look to the media for plenty of examples of personalities wanting for nothing throughout their lives but having accomplished very little. It seems that their main talent is for attending parties and being photographed. Sometimes we see the evidence of a soul without any victories over adversity. They seem "lost".

Joseph Campbell said in his interview with Bill Moyers that the "heavier the load, the stronger the lion" or something to that effect. In the 26 years since I heard that idea, I've paid close attention to lives of challenge and triumph.



The computer provides many opportunities to share with others our own inspiring stories; and I find it somehow comforting that someone living 4,000 miles away, someone I've never met, is going through difficult times - there is a bond. The granite-hard resolve to overcome is somehow shared and we go on with our own fight with strength renewed.

That fierce fire transforms the rough gold ore into the smooth pure gold of precious jewelry that is so exquisite.

For these things, I am thankful to God.

I hate to admit it but every once in a while my heart breaks out with a blemish (pimple or zit?!) of envy.



Envy is a horrible feeling. It does not make you feel good like an extra piece of coconut creme pie or one more Brandy Alexander might make you feel. What's worse, I try very hard to hide it, so it's probably painfully obvious. I know envy is one of the seven "deadly" sins; it is just plain unenlightened. I started to be more aware of being envious, although I tried to hide it, and realized I needed to take steps to rid my soul of the defect.

I prayed to God to please help me be free of envy. I read more of envy in the Bible, other sacred texts, and literature.





Envy can come from not appreciating what you have. As I went for a walk on the breakwater by the harbor, the thought popped into my mind that we are not all meant to have the same experiences in life. We each have a different Path.




I pondered the idea as I walked along in the cool, misty fog. As I watched the waves crash along the boulders and swirl around to travel back out the the deeper sea, the notion "settled" in my heart. The A-HA moment! My head and heart were cleared and refreshed with the scent of the sea, and a new "wisdom" had taken hold to wash away that blemish.


What a blessing those moments are! A statement we hear over and over again throughout the years of our lives suddenly takes root and spreads to grow in our heart and soul. And we have advanced one step further on The Path. I give thanks for these times.

Yesterday was a memorable day for me. I had a doctor's appointment with a wonderful physician at the county clinic. For years I was paying big money for relief from pain at the "disabled elite's" preferred treatment centers. After a divorce I could only afford the clinic. There I've received the best care that I can recall. I was slightly apprehensive about the appointment because I'd had to postpone several times due to kids home from school with a flu that was going around or else since my car was doing worse than I was.



My blood pressure was lower, within the "normal" range. I waited while my doctor looked at the results of the tests I had. "Your blood sugar, was...perfect. In fact, it's like you're not even diabetic." That was such a sweet thing to hear. I've been very careful, since these things "run in the family". My father managed his diabetes 2 with diet and exercise; he hated to take pills.

The great reaction from my teen-age son upon hearing my good news was unexpected. But the sincere joy and enthusiasm in his voice was worth a king's ransom!

Today I joyfully consider myself very blessed. And I now see that as difficult as a divorce was, it has been in God's wisdom that I would go my separate way to find the health I had in 1980, when I met my ex-husband-to-be. I tried to hang in there, to keep the family together, for the sake of our sons, but my health was in a tailspin with the stress.

Although the ailments that "run in the family" are a concern, the loving environment that was always in my home more than make up. My mother taught me to be the loving, patient mom that I am. When I see how well my 2 sons are doing, I am grateful. When I hear the family dynamics of my neighbor, who is barely able to care for herself, much less her 8 year old curious brown-eyed gift from heaven, my heart breaks. I can only pray that he makes it, as some do, to a man who respects women and finds a loving relationship, despite mom. At times, as I hear her blaming him for her not being able to think due to his screaming, I wonder if that's how serial murderers start out. God forgive me for that thought, I only want and expect the best for the little guy. He's only giving back what he's learned from mom and her mom...

Blessings to You,

Nanci Ann