Susan is still getting over being named Woman of the Year by the Brentwood Woman's Club on Tuesday. She promises a new column, including her thoughts on the election, soon.

In case you went to bed without hearing the news, Osama bin Laden is dead. This isn’t Brentwood news, but it is national and international news, which makes it Brentwood news.

When the ABC Special Report was broadcast shortly before 10 p.m. Sunday night, I immediately called my good friend and former co-worker Mary Hance, aka Ms. Cheap. She and her husband Bill have had a decorated Osama bin Laden tree in their west Nashville front yard since shortly after 9/11. Mary said they wouldn’t take down the lights until Osama was no more.

I may just volunteer to go over and give her a hand.

Royal wedding recap
The royal wedding lived up to its billing, even though I had to travel five hours to view it with the college friends with whom I’d watched Di and Chuck’s nuptials almost 30 years ago (we were mere children).

There was a Brentwood connection. I carried scones from Fresh Market for the wedding breakfast. Apparently I wasn’t the only one. The bakery clerk said they had been flying out of the store all day Thursday.

Now, let’s talk about that dress. Yes, it looked a bit like Princess Grace’s gown. But seriously, hasn’t anyone out there seen The Sound of Music? We all instantly recognized it as a knockoff of Maria’s gown. Google it and see if you don’t agree.

And don’t miss Becca Brewster’s first-person account in BHP today. I’m SO jealous. Only wish I had a daughter to capture Harry’s heart. If Caroline and Michael are good enough for the Queen, I’m sure Larry and I can pass muster. And I’m sure I can come up with a hat that’s better than Beatrice and Eugenie. Then again, anyone could come up with hats that were better than theirs. We surmised the hats may have been Fergie’s way of getting back at the family for not being invited.

A dog tale
While I was gone, the Crowe family sent an email about a friendly German Shepherd they had found running loose at Civitan Park. Before I had a chance to post the news, they sent a follow-up email that the pup had been reunited with its family.

Love dog stories with happy endings. Don’t forget that we have a “Lost Pets” category in our free classifieds. For that matter, please don’t forget that we have a Free Classifieds section (and a free Community Calendar) where all of our members can post items.

Not an official member, or not sure if you are? Just click the Sign Up button on our navigation bar.

Tornadoes struck close to home
On a sad note, to all of those who have loved ones, friends, students and others affected by last week’s tornadoes, know that you are in our prayers. The storms struck close to home for me when I was in Virginia. The same storm that devastated so much of Alabama, hit the tiny town of Glade Spring, just two miles or so from my own college campus, Emory & Henry. At least seven people died there and the damage was hard to understand.

Especially on this first anniversary of our own floods, let’s all do what we can to pitch in and help those who are in need. Donations to the Red Cross, local United Way offices and other help centers are much needed.

As are prayers. I’m sending both. Won’t you?