Here is a potpourri of links I run to fairly often!

For the time being, many are either family/friend links or specific to a certain season or holiday . . .

Family and Friends First:

• Daughter Jeannie
• Son Joseph Jr.
• Son Dave
• Son John I
• Son John II, aka Jack
• Jack's older stepson, Chris Lee
• Jack's younger stepson, Ryan Lee
• Nephew Joel Ryan from Michigan
• Great Nephew (or second cousin, if you prefer) Martin Ryan Jr. from Cleveland -- His father, Martin Sr. is one of my brother, Tom's, sons.
• Nephew Tony Mrazik, his wife Tina, and their family
• Friend and Alpha Delta Phi brother: Bob (and Brenda) Novak
• Madeline's special link!
• John Michael's special link!
• Nadia's special link!
• Aislyn's special link!
• And yes, I regard my Alpha Delta Phi fraternity brothers as "family" too!!

Four links that mean a lot!!

• 
  . . . Feed the Children is worldwide and needs support!



• 
  . . . CARE was there, distributing food . . . even in Iraq just before our cruise missiles were sent.



• 
  . . . Those terrible scenes of hurricane devistation after Mitch still haunt me. The Red Cross was there!
  And oh yes, would you believe, they are still in Oklahoma (and Arkansas and Kansas and . . .) today! And no one has to ask if they are helping out in Turkey after what has to be the most awful tragedy of our lifetimes.



• 
  . . And for those of you who wonder how my daughter, Rachel, plans her vacations . . .

And here are some more that I find either fun or useful:

• You might enjoy this JOKES page
• Ask any question!
• There are HTML tutorials and there are HTML tutorials, but this is the grand-daddy! It's all here!
• That having been said, if you want to learn the basics, and a little more -- in a very relaxed pace -- and learn some super HTML at the same time -- try this one!

Here are some super sources for music (mostly midi, but others) plus interesting multi-media files:

• This is a monster list and well organized by alphabetic "buttons"
• These are largely original, hard-core and quite good!
• A genuinely good jukebox of fifties music -- for me, quite nostalgic!
• Several original Arabic pieces, some of which I have put here and there on this website
• Here's another very good collection, and the file sizes are posted up front
• But if you're like some folks and want to get to midi-linkage (not everything!) with one click of your mouse button!
• Here's a very large collection of animated heads (with voices) of our favorite people -- from Bill and Monica to Saddam and O.J.!
• Besides some unusual midi files, etc., there are a number of useful backgrounds and animated graphics at this ubiquitous site. Enjoy!

This one is worthwhile, if only for a moment's reflection at Christmas time:

• Jim sent this out to several of the family, and it surely remined me what Christmas is all about -- as well as a reminder that we all must be very careful not to drink and drive.

But if you simply want to get into the spirit of whatever holiday:

• Fourth of July (You could have clicked on the flag on my front page, but I kept that a secret)
• The Christmas Season
• Thanksgiving Day
• Easter Sunday
• Halloween
• Martin Luther King Day
• Valentine's Day
• The Month of Ramadan (Muslim)
• Mardi Gras
• Mother's day
• Father's day
• Chanukah and Yom Kippur (Jewish High Holy Days)
• Purim -- Festive Jewish Holiday
• Eight day observance of the Passover (Jewish Holy Time -- but also referenced in the Bible)
• Shavuot (Jewish Festival of the Weeks)

And for you sports fans!!

• 
  . . . I followed my Tigers from before most of you were born!



• 
  . . . and from about the mid-1950s forward, I discovered NFL football.



• 
  . . . Gretsky, Schmetsky . . . you gotta love our Redwings, man!



• 
  . . . And although the NBA sucks this season, the Pistons are still my team!



• 
  . . . Thanks to a few of you, I have learned the meaning of "Go Noles!"
  
  




• 
  . . . Johnny recommends this site too.
  
  
• 
  . . . And lest we forget the Mighty Irish (at least in times past) and Jack's #1 team!
• 
  And yes, I will be a Mariners fan this season (unless the Tigers are a challenger), mainly because they will be playing in SAFECO's ballpark! I do work for SAFECO, after all! . . . Oh by the way, the way this website opens is great--and it's different every time you go you it!
  
  
• 
  Well, they weren't the team to beat in 1999, but they are still my Seattle Supersonics! . . . and in 2000 AD -- if MJ stays out of it -- who knows?
• 
  Although most of you were probably unaware of it, my absolutely favorite active sportsman today is young Tiger Woods. (David Duval notwithstanding!!)
• 
  But Michael will always be around, at least in spirit. What a sports hero he has been!