Red is my favorite color

Who's the early bird in my neighborhood? Before the sun is up, before the sounds of tires and the beams of lights speed down the road to join the bumper to bumper mass of worker bees, Max & I quietly pad through the Stepford community.

Leaving the beige houses and turning the corner on to the avenue, Max finds his spot. After dumping his mess in the trash can, we head up the road. The left side of the neighborhood opens up to a large field with the mountains looming in the background. All is quiet. I'm thrilled that I've finely managed to get out before the traffic.

Then I hear it. Only one chirping bird. At first I don't realize that it is doing a solo as so many birds sing as I pass this area that I don't pay attention. But then I realize that none of the birds are singing but this one. As I walk on he is still the only one singing. I recognize his chirps as he is such a colorful character that I always run to the window to check his palls out when ever they call in the neighborhood.

It is the Northern Cardinal. His bright red plumage certainly is something to sing about and I don't blame him for being so ecstatic in the morning. I wished I could wake up and look that great, dressed and ready to go.I love red the best. And if I had his voice I would wake the whole neighborhood too. Well that is if I was going to move away and didn't care if I made enemies with everyone on my block.

But his calls are beautiful and assorted. If you would like to hear what he sounds like you can go to this site http://www.learnbirdsongs.com/birdsong.php?id=3

An Endangered Species

Kids seem to have more rights in their high school then I do when I travel. OK, I don't want to beat this air travel thing into the ground but when I saw this letter to the editor in our Sunday Honolulu Advertiser I got all riled up again.

A Kilauea, Kaua'i reader wrote to the editor about the changes to Chapter 19 concerning student rights to privacy. She stated that if they were to allow for searches in lockers, drug sniffing dogs etc. the students would have to surrender their dignity on demand.

My sentiments exactly as I'm standing in the middle of the airport having air blown up my dress. And believe me I'm no Marlyn Monroe. But surrender my dignity I had to0 or I would not have been able to fly home.

Drug sniffing dogs? I ask you , how many of us have been seated waiting to get on a plane when someone lets the dogs out and he is sniffing what ever you may have in or on you? My right to privacy? Out the door.

Then she goes on to say bad outcomes will present themselves if we... "indoctrinate our youth to accept personal space violation from figures of authority." Have I been indoctrinated?

And last but not least, the statement that had me hitting the paper with the back of my hand and ranting to Max as he sat at my feet. "Unreasonable searches of students' bodies and property undermines our country's core civic values."!!!

So when do kids in school who may have drugs in their lockers or guns or both deserve more privacy then I do when I am boarding a plane? They are not even subjected to body searches. Unlike me just because some old lady with a uniform doesn't like the way I look and pulls me over. Is it because I am taking a flight and she's at work? or she has to wear a mans uniform and I'm in a dress and she would like to see me look miserable rather then look like I'm going to enjoy a trip to Hawaii?

I thought after 9/11 our core civic values were done away with. I did not realize we had rights anymore. Well at least someone has rights, just not adults. I don't fly free from harassment, someone listening to my phone calls or reading what I search on line.

All I can say is, better watch out kids, your days are numbered. Your an endangered species. Beware when you see some little squat woman speaking with an accent descend upon your locker. Don't say a word or you may end up in detention and never go home again.