I get a couple of newspapers on line. One is the New York Times (of course) and the other is the Los Angeles Times which carried a story about a friend of ours a couple of years ago and the only way to read it was to subscribe. Now the LAT (Latwop, we used to call it at the NYT Syndicate because it is joined with the Washington Post) has E mailed me that my subscription is about to run out and the only way to continue to get it is to re-register via Facebook or Yahoo, or Google E mail.

My friend, Steve, in California has E mailed me that I can see his photos on Facebook and included a link whereby I could sign up. After an interval during which I ignored this suggestion, Facebook has E mailed me that my friend Steve wants me to join.

I have so far been reluctant to add another on-line venue to my full plate. Can anyone tell me why I should be on Facebook, what are the advantages and disadvantages? Thank you.

Meanwhile, the New York Times merchandising arm is running a contest including a free trip to New York (very tempting), a lunch with a very esoteric French designer, a new outfit by said designer (for me, I assume, not for Ed), etc. So I clicked on a couple of the indicators hoping to get to the bottom line and half way through, I started to yawn and clicked out. I still don’t know what I have to do. Should I try for this? Suggestions welcome. I do know for a fact, however, that nothing is really free if it comes from a commercial enterprise. They haven’t asked for my soul yet, but I keep thinking that request will be there in the fine print.

Anyway, assuming that I enter and win and come home with this elegant outfit, where would I wear it in this hotbed of tattooed wonders elsewise known as SOUTHWEST FLORIDA?!! Sorry. I get worked up.

xx, Teal