The Shrink brought the MP for her visit to the hometown this weekend. First stop, Grandmom's house. They arrived around 1:30 in the afternoon yesterday, and Uncle J got here just as they did. He got big tears in his eyes when he saw her for the first time. What a moment. He seemed to think she was pretty fabulous.
We wore her out fast...can you imagine? We had the high school faculty, the neighbors, the friends...there were people in and out of here all day long. And the Wonder Dog thought they had all come to see her. The Munchkin Princess was pretty well behaved considering the size of her social obligation. She smiled and cooed and generally looked like a doll baby for quite awhile before she went into a rigor like we haven't seen since she got her shots.
Fortunately, she retreated to another part of the house with her mommy and got over it pretty shortly.
It is a blessing to have friends. Here are people with things to do who take time out of their day to come and oohh and aahh over a baby. They are gracious and kind and giving, and I appreciate them very much, each and every one.
Friday, June 27, 2008
Saturday, June 21, 2008
Grandmom's for Obama
The pundits have been babbling for two days about Obama's flip-flop on campaign financing. He evidently promised to accept federal funding if the other guy did, and now he's backing out of that plan.
Whatever! This is not a problematic flip-flop for anybody but the Republican nominee as far as I'm concerned. I am as pleased as punch that Mr. Obama has decided to forego the broken funding process and take it to the people.
I went right to the post office this morning and donated fifty American dollars to Obama '08. The only political campaign contribution I had made up to this point was to Kinky Friedman for governor back in 2006. You can see I have a history of limited political involvement. Before Kinky's run for the governor's mansion, it was the early 80's and Bubba White was running for governor. Since his sister is my friend, I had to pitch in on that one. I even worked at a Democratic polling place in that election.
Then I went back to voting a straight ticket for the staunch right wing conservatives who have brought us to the present. But, flip or flop, I'm through with the Republican brand for the foreseeable future. They have stepped on the Bill of Rights, divided the American people, run public education off in the ditch, and pretty much thrown the economy into a free fall.
So this young man, who says simply that he recognizes that most Americans feel that the government no longer is of, by or for the people, has my attention.
I don't care if he lacks experience. Every U.S. President that I can think of has had to do some on the job training. Japanese bombers, Cuban missiles, the Tet Offensive, four dollar oil, you have to be able to think on your feet to qualify. Obama looks like he can. He's used the technology, he's played by the rules, he has the intention.
I'm a history teacher, and I say this looks like a history maker. America's first African American candidate looks like he could be the guy who can take back this country for the people. This is what is most important to me... fifty dollars from a public school teacher is appreciated. This is a campaign that says that what I think matters. This is a campaign that has made me believe that someone remembers the fundamentals of democracy and the importance of the rule of law.
This is going to freak them out in the oil company wives bridge group, but there's one old white woman in Texas who is getting behind the Senator from Illinois, and I can't think of much of anything that the GOP can smear him with that would get me to change my mind.
Whatever! This is not a problematic flip-flop for anybody but the Republican nominee as far as I'm concerned. I am as pleased as punch that Mr. Obama has decided to forego the broken funding process and take it to the people.
I went right to the post office this morning and donated fifty American dollars to Obama '08. The only political campaign contribution I had made up to this point was to Kinky Friedman for governor back in 2006. You can see I have a history of limited political involvement. Before Kinky's run for the governor's mansion, it was the early 80's and Bubba White was running for governor. Since his sister is my friend, I had to pitch in on that one. I even worked at a Democratic polling place in that election.
Then I went back to voting a straight ticket for the staunch right wing conservatives who have brought us to the present. But, flip or flop, I'm through with the Republican brand for the foreseeable future. They have stepped on the Bill of Rights, divided the American people, run public education off in the ditch, and pretty much thrown the economy into a free fall.
So this young man, who says simply that he recognizes that most Americans feel that the government no longer is of, by or for the people, has my attention.
I don't care if he lacks experience. Every U.S. President that I can think of has had to do some on the job training. Japanese bombers, Cuban missiles, the Tet Offensive, four dollar oil, you have to be able to think on your feet to qualify. Obama looks like he can. He's used the technology, he's played by the rules, he has the intention.
I'm a history teacher, and I say this looks like a history maker. America's first African American candidate looks like he could be the guy who can take back this country for the people. This is what is most important to me... fifty dollars from a public school teacher is appreciated. This is a campaign that says that what I think matters. This is a campaign that has made me believe that someone remembers the fundamentals of democracy and the importance of the rule of law.
This is going to freak them out in the oil company wives bridge group, but there's one old white woman in Texas who is getting behind the Senator from Illinois, and I can't think of much of anything that the GOP can smear him with that would get me to change my mind.
Yesterday in the Garden
After a trip on Thursday to the big box home store for the sale-priced power washer, I spent the entire day Friday cleaning the patio. I started before the neighbors were all out of bed and I washed inch by inch until the whole patio was shining in the late afternoon sun.
Exhausted, but thoroughly pleased with my perseverance in completing this daunting task, I just had to get brother dear to come over and unscrew the hose from the machine. When he put it on, he didn't know his own strength. By dark, everything was back in place. Chiminea, chairs, bromeliad to schefelera, all was in good order.
I crawled into bed to read around ten and was awakened a few minutes after midnight by my light sleeping mother. "There's someone on the patio," was how she woke me. Sure enough there was. She had been up long enough to determine that this person was terribly upset, crying and moaning. He had banged around in rage and was sitting in a chair crying. When I called out through the bolted door, he left immediately. This was in all likelihood one of the neighborhood underage drinkers from a party down the block, who was so drunk that he had no idea where he was.
Daylight revealed that he had wrenched open our back gate with such force that he bent the forged iron arm of the gate latch. He had turned over the patio table unpotting plants in the process, and had even left his shoe print on the back door when he kicked it.
The scariest part of this is not that he frightened two old women in the middle of the night. It's what might have happened if this kid had left his party and wandered into the yard of someone with a male head of household armed with deadly force to defend his property.
This is Texas after all, home of Joe Horn defender not just of his home, but the neighbors. I am a high school teacher, so I saw a kid who was drunk and stupid. But many in this area would have seen an intruder whose behavior was erratic enough to be interpreted as menacing. I have long been concerned with kids drinking and driving, but now I have a new fear for what might result when kids lose their way.
Exhausted, but thoroughly pleased with my perseverance in completing this daunting task, I just had to get brother dear to come over and unscrew the hose from the machine. When he put it on, he didn't know his own strength. By dark, everything was back in place. Chiminea, chairs, bromeliad to schefelera, all was in good order.
I crawled into bed to read around ten and was awakened a few minutes after midnight by my light sleeping mother. "There's someone on the patio," was how she woke me. Sure enough there was. She had been up long enough to determine that this person was terribly upset, crying and moaning. He had banged around in rage and was sitting in a chair crying. When I called out through the bolted door, he left immediately. This was in all likelihood one of the neighborhood underage drinkers from a party down the block, who was so drunk that he had no idea where he was.
Daylight revealed that he had wrenched open our back gate with such force that he bent the forged iron arm of the gate latch. He had turned over the patio table unpotting plants in the process, and had even left his shoe print on the back door when he kicked it.
The scariest part of this is not that he frightened two old women in the middle of the night. It's what might have happened if this kid had left his party and wandered into the yard of someone with a male head of household armed with deadly force to defend his property.
This is Texas after all, home of Joe Horn defender not just of his home, but the neighbors. I am a high school teacher, so I saw a kid who was drunk and stupid. But many in this area would have seen an intruder whose behavior was erratic enough to be interpreted as menacing. I have long been concerned with kids drinking and driving, but now I have a new fear for what might result when kids lose their way.
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
Birthday
I received the best birthday gift ever this morning. When GiGi went out to get her Chronicle, there was a package on the front porch. I tore into it expecting a copy of the four generation picture, but it was so much better than that. The Shrink published a book ostensibly written by the Munchkin Princess. The title.... All About Me. This is a hardcover with a jacket and the whole thing is just too priceless.
I was in tears when I pulled it from the packaging. I am awed by the thoughtfulness of the daughter who put this work of art together. Every picture is perfectly chosen and the words are funny and touching, just so right.
I was thinking about being old...not getting, but actually being. It's not so bad. I like the way I look, a little fluffy, but with character. I like the way I feel, most of the time. Better than when I was in my forties and hormonal as hell.
This is a good time to be getting older. The baby boomers are going to be a bunch of old farts to be reckoned with. La Maze sent a photo of our elementary school class the other day. We look like something from a history book in our little plaid school frocks. But I recognize those children. When I look at current pictures on the class reunion website, I don't recognize some of those faces.
All the survivors of the class of '68 are way beyond the generation gap now. We are the parents, the grandparents, the doctors, lawyers, teachers, financial analysts and real estate tycoons. For so many years, I kept thinking that I had to figure something out about who or what I was trying to become. It was a feeling that lasted a lot longer than I thought it was supposed to. But suddenly today, it occurs to me that I don't have to keep working on that question.
Today when I opened that box from UPS and pulled out the book with my picture on the cover holding a wide eyed infant wrapped in a hospital blanket, I realized I'm there. I am what I'm going to be when I grow up. I'm a daughter, a sister, an ex-wife, a mother, an aunt, a godmother, a grandmother, and a friend. I'm a teacher. I'm funny and smart and now I'm fifty-eight years old and still a child of God.
I was in tears when I pulled it from the packaging. I am awed by the thoughtfulness of the daughter who put this work of art together. Every picture is perfectly chosen and the words are funny and touching, just so right.
I was thinking about being old...not getting, but actually being. It's not so bad. I like the way I look, a little fluffy, but with character. I like the way I feel, most of the time. Better than when I was in my forties and hormonal as hell.
This is a good time to be getting older. The baby boomers are going to be a bunch of old farts to be reckoned with. La Maze sent a photo of our elementary school class the other day. We look like something from a history book in our little plaid school frocks. But I recognize those children. When I look at current pictures on the class reunion website, I don't recognize some of those faces.
All the survivors of the class of '68 are way beyond the generation gap now. We are the parents, the grandparents, the doctors, lawyers, teachers, financial analysts and real estate tycoons. For so many years, I kept thinking that I had to figure something out about who or what I was trying to become. It was a feeling that lasted a lot longer than I thought it was supposed to. But suddenly today, it occurs to me that I don't have to keep working on that question.
Today when I opened that box from UPS and pulled out the book with my picture on the cover holding a wide eyed infant wrapped in a hospital blanket, I realized I'm there. I am what I'm going to be when I grow up. I'm a daughter, a sister, an ex-wife, a mother, an aunt, a godmother, a grandmother, and a friend. I'm a teacher. I'm funny and smart and now I'm fifty-eight years old and still a child of God.
Sunday, June 15, 2008
Father's Day
Father's Day is a little happier this year because it's the Johnson Boy's first. But, it's my tenth Father's Day without my Daddy. It's always a melancholy day for me. Mother would probably like it if I took a plant and went to the cemetery, but that's the hardest thing of all for me. What a harsh reminder of all that we have lost when you make a visit to a marble marker.
Me, I'd rather just think about how Daddy would have laughed that the girls were taking Gruncle to the Astros game, and he was wearing his Willie Nelson headgear. Or how much he would have loved the Munchkin Princess and been so proud of the Tacky Flapper for bringing her into our world. I think he would like Barack Obama, and I know he'd be glad Mrs. Clinton didn't make the cut. I think he'd be freaked out by four dollar gasoline. But, I think he'd be proud of us for taking good care of Mother and each other, and I think he'd want us to keep on having a good time and remembering him when we do.
So, no plant, no cemetery visit. Just a note to say how much I loved you and still do, and how much I appreciate everything you taught us about the right way to be in this life, and our faith in seeing you in the next. Happy Father's Day Daddy.
Me, I'd rather just think about how Daddy would have laughed that the girls were taking Gruncle to the Astros game, and he was wearing his Willie Nelson headgear. Or how much he would have loved the Munchkin Princess and been so proud of the Tacky Flapper for bringing her into our world. I think he would like Barack Obama, and I know he'd be glad Mrs. Clinton didn't make the cut. I think he'd be freaked out by four dollar gasoline. But, I think he'd be proud of us for taking good care of Mother and each other, and I think he'd want us to keep on having a good time and remembering him when we do.
So, no plant, no cemetery visit. Just a note to say how much I loved you and still do, and how much I appreciate everything you taught us about the right way to be in this life, and our faith in seeing you in the next. Happy Father's Day Daddy.
Friday, June 13, 2008
Tim Russert
Tim Russert died today. I didn't really know Tim Russert, but I feel as if I did. I cried when I learned of his death. Just as if a friend was suddenly and irrevocably lost.
Tim Russert was born the same year as me. Only about a month before me, in fact. He was from another part of the country and another faith, but our growing up coincided and the things that we believed about our country were based on similar values. The history that was made during our life time is incredible to consider: the Cold War, the Civil Rights Movement, Vietnam and assassinations, lunar landing, Woodstock, Watergate....We were there for some momentous events and the loss of innocence.
Tim Russert made a huge impression on me. He knew a great deal about things that I consider very important, and he was a journalist who came from a political background, but seemed to really get it that democracy exists in the light with citizens who are informed and constantly in search of the truth.
I am saddened for his family and for his colleagues. And I'm saddened because he was my generation, my peer, my fellow American and his death means that we are diminished by one whose voice sounded for what we all could be.
If it's Sunday, it's Meet the Press...without Tim Russert, it just won't be the same.
Tim Russert was born the same year as me. Only about a month before me, in fact. He was from another part of the country and another faith, but our growing up coincided and the things that we believed about our country were based on similar values. The history that was made during our life time is incredible to consider: the Cold War, the Civil Rights Movement, Vietnam and assassinations, lunar landing, Woodstock, Watergate....We were there for some momentous events and the loss of innocence.
Tim Russert made a huge impression on me. He knew a great deal about things that I consider very important, and he was a journalist who came from a political background, but seemed to really get it that democracy exists in the light with citizens who are informed and constantly in search of the truth.
I am saddened for his family and for his colleagues. And I'm saddened because he was my generation, my peer, my fellow American and his death means that we are diminished by one whose voice sounded for what we all could be.
If it's Sunday, it's Meet the Press...without Tim Russert, it just won't be the same.
Hope
The esperanza is in full bloom today. The yellow bells are a sharp contrast to the green foliage along the back fence. All the color in the back looks like Cinco de Mayo! But it's the esperanza that catches the eye and lifts the spirits. Hope in English...these flowers blooming in the hot June sun at a time when we need some hope from any direction.
But there they are and there's Obama, another ray of hope. No money from lobbies and PAC's for the DNC. There's the Supreme Court ruling that habeas corpus is not GW's to deny, even to aliens at Gitmo. There's hope in that for certain. Hope that the conservatives will not be able to use fear to errode the Bill of Rights any further. Hope that Americans will not follow like sheep when they are told that they must trade liberties for security.
The esperanza is in full bloom today, and it makes me hopeful that we are turning a corner in America this summer. The economy may be bad, but the times may be about to get better when we are able to stop the divide between Americans and bring back something to believe in besides materialism and greed. It may be naive, but I remember what America felt like when JFK was the too young, too Catholic, too elite prospect for restoring hope in America. That was a good time...this almost feels like it could happen again.
But there they are and there's Obama, another ray of hope. No money from lobbies and PAC's for the DNC. There's the Supreme Court ruling that habeas corpus is not GW's to deny, even to aliens at Gitmo. There's hope in that for certain. Hope that the conservatives will not be able to use fear to errode the Bill of Rights any further. Hope that Americans will not follow like sheep when they are told that they must trade liberties for security.
The esperanza is in full bloom today, and it makes me hopeful that we are turning a corner in America this summer. The economy may be bad, but the times may be about to get better when we are able to stop the divide between Americans and bring back something to believe in besides materialism and greed. It may be naive, but I remember what America felt like when JFK was the too young, too Catholic, too elite prospect for restoring hope in America. That was a good time...this almost feels like it could happen again.
Thursday, June 12, 2008
THE Tomato
Today we ate the first tomato from my garden. Yes, there was only one. Actually, I've harvested three tomatoes, but you have to get them the very instant they begin to turn pink, or the cardinals will beat you to them. Two are ripening on the kitchen windowsill.
Every year as soon as there is one sunny day in February everyone races to the big box home store out on the highway for something to plant. My grandmother had a garden and she always grew tomatoes, and I'm determined that as a grandmom that's going to be part of my persona....Grandmom's garden. Now about those tomatoes. I planted them the end of February. I protected them from frost and high wind and lack of rainfall. I planted marigolds to keep the bugs away, and every afternoon after school, I faithfully showered them with very expensive city water. I was rewarded fairly early with blooms and that was encouragement enough for me.
I kept up my watering and fertilizing routine and staked the lanky things when the wind blew them down.
All my hard work has paid off and today we ate the world's most expensive tomato. In view of the great tomato salmonella scare of 'o8, we were very glad to have this ripe delicacy. We sliced it to eat with a pot of fresh purple hulled peas. It was small, but perfect. Thinly sliced and liberally treated with sea salt and freshly ground black pepper, it was an awesome acidic blast of flavor.
Next year I'm going to start with more plants and get some steer manure from the Ag barn to mix into the soil. Now that I know that I can grow tomatoes, the sky's the limit. I could probably do cucumbers and canteloups as well.
Every year as soon as there is one sunny day in February everyone races to the big box home store out on the highway for something to plant. My grandmother had a garden and she always grew tomatoes, and I'm determined that as a grandmom that's going to be part of my persona....Grandmom's garden. Now about those tomatoes. I planted them the end of February. I protected them from frost and high wind and lack of rainfall. I planted marigolds to keep the bugs away, and every afternoon after school, I faithfully showered them with very expensive city water. I was rewarded fairly early with blooms and that was encouragement enough for me.
I kept up my watering and fertilizing routine and staked the lanky things when the wind blew them down.
All my hard work has paid off and today we ate the world's most expensive tomato. In view of the great tomato salmonella scare of 'o8, we were very glad to have this ripe delicacy. We sliced it to eat with a pot of fresh purple hulled peas. It was small, but perfect. Thinly sliced and liberally treated with sea salt and freshly ground black pepper, it was an awesome acidic blast of flavor.
Next year I'm going to start with more plants and get some steer manure from the Ag barn to mix into the soil. Now that I know that I can grow tomatoes, the sky's the limit. I could probably do cucumbers and canteloups as well.
Summer Vacation
I'm a teacher. There's nothing I enjoy more than the first days of summer vacation. Ah...freedom! Freedom from school routine and office politics. All the glorious free time that looms before me. I always think that I'll do all these great and wonderful things with all this free time. Projects get identified and listed, and some even get started. Today's project turned out to be this blog. I never even considered the possibility before, but suddenly here I am and it's done.
Now I have this place to come to and set down my thoughts about whatever. What an accomplishment.
I have spent the last two days in Dallas visiting with the the Munchkin Princess. How I love that child!! Last night when changing clothes, I caught just the teeniest whiff of that wonderful milky, Johnson & Johnson baby fragrance and I missed her already. Today she is two months old and she is learning how to smile. She favored her GiGi with several, but Grandmom only got one. Considering the situation, I've decided that she recognizes who is closer to God.
While on this visit we saw Dr. for first innoculations against dreaded baby diseases. It was easier being the Grandmom in this. The Mom came out of the examining room in tears. But GiGi had read that a dose of sugar water administered either just before or after the injections had been found to reduce evidence of discomfort. I don't know if the greatgrandmother wisdom worked or if it was all in the baby Tylenol, but the little girl recovered quickly and slept soundly post trauma.
We took our four generation picture while on this visit. I have a feeling I'll be receiving a 5"x7" for my birthday next week.
Now I have this place to come to and set down my thoughts about whatever. What an accomplishment.
I have spent the last two days in Dallas visiting with the the Munchkin Princess. How I love that child!! Last night when changing clothes, I caught just the teeniest whiff of that wonderful milky, Johnson & Johnson baby fragrance and I missed her already. Today she is two months old and she is learning how to smile. She favored her GiGi with several, but Grandmom only got one. Considering the situation, I've decided that she recognizes who is closer to God.
While on this visit we saw Dr. for first innoculations against dreaded baby diseases. It was easier being the Grandmom in this. The Mom came out of the examining room in tears. But GiGi had read that a dose of sugar water administered either just before or after the injections had been found to reduce evidence of discomfort. I don't know if the greatgrandmother wisdom worked or if it was all in the baby Tylenol, but the little girl recovered quickly and slept soundly post trauma.
We took our four generation picture while on this visit. I have a feeling I'll be receiving a 5"x7" for my birthday next week.
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