By the way, you can find out more about Opera and download a free copy at http://www.opera.com/. So far, I like it.

Funology (http://www.funology.com/) is a great children's site with some of the most interesting activities from interesting facts, science experiments the kids can do-safely, recipes for snack time, magic tricks, jokes and lots of online games. All the links I tried loaded quickly, leaving little time for your youngster often short attention spans from waning. I thought several of the projects would likely be a lot of fun for parent and their children alike.

Looking for something a little more mature? Try Puzz.com (www.puzz.com) for apparently hundreds of games, puzzles and the like. Anagrams, mazes, association, cryptograms, all sorts of I.Q. tests, and even ping pong are to be found here. Check it out when you have nothing to do.

This is True (http://www.thisistrue.com/) is a weekly newspaper column by Colorado humorist Randy Cassingham that reports on bizarre-but-TRUE stories in the mainstream press, much like several other sites I've reviewed. I suppose I have a weakness for the odd and humorous, which describes this one to a 'T'. My favorite, though there are many, was the story of the woman who apparently tired of trying to find her ideal mate, decided to marry herself on her fortieth birthday. She is "happy with herself," and plans to exchange vows with herself in the mirror. The ceremony will include a wedding gown, flowers, a traditional cake, and a choir. It is supposed she'll have a hand in planning her wedding night. This site is also available by free e-mail subscription.

And then there’s The Odd Duck (http://www.odd-duck.com/) advertising "Tomorrow's Humor... Today", and yes, also with a free subscription. There are some mentions of yet more stupid interpretations of Nostradomos' predictions about everything from 'The A-Team' to Doans Pills to why we all willingly accept every new operating system Bill Gates pitches with little complaint, but other than that, few mentions of the future, just silly or interesting news and facts. You may not care for this sort of thing generally, but the authors of this site have a very dry, if cutting wit that bears a read, if quick. Here are a couple of their offerings under the 'Best Forgotten' category: 1) Le Car: "Renault produced this gem in the early 80s, and like many things from France, this car appealed to people with no money or self-esteem, but a taste for understated elegance. With its 30-hp engine and 800 lb. curb-weight, Le Car made a few inroads with 35 year old single cat owners, but was ultimately laughed off the roads. Renault rebounded with the deliciously sinful Alliance model, targeting 40 year old single cat owners, but that market had already been captured by the Ford Fiesta, expediting Renault's exit from the U.S. auto market." And, 2) McDonald's McRib Sandwich "Most people are willing to give McDonald's a fair shot. After all, pretty much everybody has grown up with a Big Mac shamelessly dripping down their plastic bib onto their laps on a hot day, while Mom wiped her weary brow with her fry- grease-covered hands. But these two sandwiches were disgusting, and even though everybody thought so, McDonald's stuck with them for years. The McDLT, complete with a 16 oz. jar of mayo, was revolting. The McRib, a bona-fide gristle- fest, was totally indigestible. Sandwiches for adults? Even Le Car owners thought these offerings were gross."

And speaking of strange cars, do any of you remember the model cars kits, t-shirts and bubble gum card packs of the seventies, often including the most famous monster of the day, Rat Fink, called 'Odd Rods?" I ran across their official site (http://www.oddrods.com/) and that of the founder, Ed "Big Daddy" Roth (http://www.ratfink.org/ratfink3.htm) the other day and relived a minor piece of my childhood (I swear I could smell the gum - whew!). For those who don't remember, The cards, etc., had cartoons of very strange beasties indeed in possibly stranger hotrods, all penned by Roth. The site includes lots of pictures of the kits & cards, etc., which by now, of course, are collector's items, and a biography of the inventor.

Love a good ghost story? Especially when they're true? I've found a guy just starting a site (http://www.fortunecity.com/roswell/shelly/43/haunted.html) with wild AND true ghost stories from the 'Bell Witch' to The Queen Mary. By his own admission, it's still in the development stage, but he has quite a few already on the site. A perfect addition to your next camp out.

Our thought for the moment: Will you loan me $20.00 and only give me ten of it? That way, you will owe me ten, and I'll owe you ten, and we'll be even!

My E-mail has been somewhat devoid of good jokes this week, but here goes: Summer vacation was over and the teacher asked Little Johnny about his family trip. "We visited my grandmother in Minneapolis, Minnesota." The teacher asked, "Good, can you tell the class how you spell that?" After careful thought, Little Johnny said, "Actually, we went to Ohio."

Give us a look-see at surf.to/nethotspots or some interesting sites you’ve found at [email protected].

Take care.