I have been gone far too long and well meaning in wanting to revisit my blog. But we know where good intentions lead to! I have been writing in other places and recently decided the time to come home to Bonny's back porch was now.
It is appropriate that it is exactly one year later. Obama has been in the office for almost a year now. So what is different? As with all jobs, a learning curve exists. The job of the presidency, I'm sure, requires an even harder learning curve. I'm still waiting to see what he will be able to do. The economy is improving some, and his presidency has a feel of more of "regular citizen" than previous presidents have had.
The thing that has struck me since his election and move into the office is the racism that is rampant in our country. I'm not talking from the crazy zealots, wish I was. I'm talking about everyday people whom I know and never would have suspected of this hidden virus. I never thought of myself as hiding in the sand, but I never saw this coming. The jokes, comments, postings on FB and other social media, the negativity on news stories' comments...the list is long. I'm really tired of the behavior and ashamed of those who perpetuate this problem. I've called some out on it.
I have to give Obama this: he handles all this naysaying with dignity and doesn't let it bog him down, and I have to respect him for this discipline. So I continue to watch and hope that he serves up the promise of his legacy.
Thursday, November 5, 2009
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
A New Day
The shot heard around the world has become the vote heard around the world. Yesterday, Nov. 4, 2008, Election 2008, -- goes without saying -- is probably the most historic day I will ever witness in my life. Not to say that there haven't been historic events -- landing on the moon, the attack of America on our soil on Sept. 11, 2001, and other events. But this is one that is a long time coming, and one I'm happy to see for numerous reasons. Now we no longer have to say "if," but "when" for black Americans to be presidential candidates and presidents. I hope it is yet another step in the right direction for when blacks and whites can truly be friends, co-workers and a nation regardless of the color of their skin.
But much more than a race issue, I hope Obama will provide the leadership he's promised us and that his eloquent speech is backed up by substance. I have to have faith that it is. I don't expect him to be perfect in everything he does. I just expect him to try his best and use his best judgment based on the needs of the nation.
I don't really want to press my political views on those who might be reading this, but I do want to say that our wonderful Constitution compels us to support our new president. He may not have been your choice, but please try to give him a chance. If he doesn't do what we want him to, there's another election in four more years. That's what's great about this Great Nation of ours: our right to choose.
Now for something I think is funny. Last night, I watched the action unfolding, glued to my TV, which isn't like me for most political events. Mostly because I think it is a waste of my time. But last night was different. Anyway, living in the Southeast, our results were coming in first, and then there was a big lull waiting for time changes and polls to close across the nation.
Next thing I know, I wake up to see Obama and his family waving at the crowd. Biden and his family waving at the crowd. No one is saying anything. The announcers are quiet. I'm like "What is going on? Who won?" No one was talking. I couldn't tell who had won or lost. Then they all leave the stage, but Obama and his wife were the last to exit -- their heads coming together as they passed through the curtain. And I knew he had won. I stayed awake way too late hoping to see a replay of McCain's and Obama's speeches, but it never happened. I finally went to bed.
I felt like Cinderella who has not found her slipper: I missed the most important moment of the night. Thank goodness there's Internet.
On another note, this one sad: Bestselling author Michael Crichton died today of cancer. He's had a wonderful career entertaining lots of readers, movie goers and television viewers. Whether you like his work or not, this world has lost a great voice that won't be easily replaced. My thoughts and prayers are with his family.
But much more than a race issue, I hope Obama will provide the leadership he's promised us and that his eloquent speech is backed up by substance. I have to have faith that it is. I don't expect him to be perfect in everything he does. I just expect him to try his best and use his best judgment based on the needs of the nation.
I don't really want to press my political views on those who might be reading this, but I do want to say that our wonderful Constitution compels us to support our new president. He may not have been your choice, but please try to give him a chance. If he doesn't do what we want him to, there's another election in four more years. That's what's great about this Great Nation of ours: our right to choose.
Now for something I think is funny. Last night, I watched the action unfolding, glued to my TV, which isn't like me for most political events. Mostly because I think it is a waste of my time. But last night was different. Anyway, living in the Southeast, our results were coming in first, and then there was a big lull waiting for time changes and polls to close across the nation.
Next thing I know, I wake up to see Obama and his family waving at the crowd. Biden and his family waving at the crowd. No one is saying anything. The announcers are quiet. I'm like "What is going on? Who won?" No one was talking. I couldn't tell who had won or lost. Then they all leave the stage, but Obama and his wife were the last to exit -- their heads coming together as they passed through the curtain. And I knew he had won. I stayed awake way too late hoping to see a replay of McCain's and Obama's speeches, but it never happened. I finally went to bed.
I felt like Cinderella who has not found her slipper: I missed the most important moment of the night. Thank goodness there's Internet.
On another note, this one sad: Bestselling author Michael Crichton died today of cancer. He's had a wonderful career entertaining lots of readers, movie goers and television viewers. Whether you like his work or not, this world has lost a great voice that won't be easily replaced. My thoughts and prayers are with his family.
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
The Crackle of an Open Fire....
As I sit here listening to the fire in my fire place crackle, I realize how lucky I am. I live in East Tennessee, and it is one of the most magnificent places in the fall, year round really, but I'm partial to the fall. Outside of my kitchen window, I can see a tree in the yard of a neighbor catty corner from me. It's a huge tree that looks as if someone has taken a paint brush and lightly colored the outer leaves in special spots with hints of orange and red.
Earlier in the evening, I walked my dog Nikki and relished in the changing colors of the trees in my neighborhood. Fall, as in the last few years, has come slowly. Cooler weather has only come to East Tennessee in this last week when it used to arrive in early September, and the colors are changing slowly. But the air was cool and crisp and not nearly as cold as last night. The smells of fireplaces already lit hang in my neighborhood like a long lost friend, nudging me to add mine to the bouquet.
A neighborhood boy of about 8 and his friend were looking for a lost puppy. I stopped and talked to them for a few minutes. He was sharing a review of a television show that I was not familiar with. He went on and on, and I really didn't know what he was talking about, but I tried to nod my head and make appropriate comments so as to not hurt his feelings and show interest. That's one of the reasons I love walking Nikki,\ -- I get to see who lives in my neighborhood and what their lives are like. As a "recovering journalist," I can't help but be curious.
During my walk, I thought about the elements that bring grace to my life, and I was grateful. My community, though hurting from the economic downward spiral, is not in as bad of shape as other communities. I have a job that I enjoy, and it seems stable. I have the companionship of my animals: two dogs, Nikki and Velvet, and two cats, Cody and Oop, and I am fortunate to live in a great neighborhood.
I'm not a Pollyanna; I face difficulties just as the next person. But there are times, when I need to feel grateful about my life, and this is one of them. It reminds me when I'm feeling down, that in spite of problems and difficulties, I have a good life.
What do you appreciate?
Earlier in the evening, I walked my dog Nikki and relished in the changing colors of the trees in my neighborhood. Fall, as in the last few years, has come slowly. Cooler weather has only come to East Tennessee in this last week when it used to arrive in early September, and the colors are changing slowly. But the air was cool and crisp and not nearly as cold as last night. The smells of fireplaces already lit hang in my neighborhood like a long lost friend, nudging me to add mine to the bouquet.
A neighborhood boy of about 8 and his friend were looking for a lost puppy. I stopped and talked to them for a few minutes. He was sharing a review of a television show that I was not familiar with. He went on and on, and I really didn't know what he was talking about, but I tried to nod my head and make appropriate comments so as to not hurt his feelings and show interest. That's one of the reasons I love walking Nikki,\ -- I get to see who lives in my neighborhood and what their lives are like. As a "recovering journalist," I can't help but be curious.
During my walk, I thought about the elements that bring grace to my life, and I was grateful. My community, though hurting from the economic downward spiral, is not in as bad of shape as other communities. I have a job that I enjoy, and it seems stable. I have the companionship of my animals: two dogs, Nikki and Velvet, and two cats, Cody and Oop, and I am fortunate to live in a great neighborhood.
I'm not a Pollyanna; I face difficulties just as the next person. But there are times, when I need to feel grateful about my life, and this is one of them. It reminds me when I'm feeling down, that in spite of problems and difficulties, I have a good life.
What do you appreciate?
Wednesday, August 20, 2008
I didn't mean it, really
I'm not sure if I've said it before, but I'm an animal lover and have had animals all of my adult life. Calli (Oop) and Cody are my two latest additions. As young kittens, they were found on a farm in middle Tennessee and ended up in Chattanooga with an animal lover. Via another animal lover and my good friend, Jeanne, they came to live with me. This is like six degrees of separation because it took those two animal lovers to hook up and rope me in to taking the cats, which I'm so grateful I did get them almost four years ago. I was visiting my friend in Chattanooga and instead of taking them with me, I ended up driving back down there to pick them up.
Oop, as I've nicknamed her, and Cody were close as kittens and always snuggled together. They don't do it as much now, but they always snuggled as youngsters.
I think Cody probably saved Oop's life by making sure she had food and protecting her. He is the outgoing cat, and she is more reserved. However, she has really come out of her shell in the last couple of years. And she is definitely a Mama's girl. I have a children's book in my head about their early days and loyalty, family and friendship. Maybe some day I'll get it written.
I say all this to share a photo from the other morning. I always bring my cats into the bathroom when I take a shower because Velvet, my chow, lays outside the door, and she doesn't like to be bothered. At 80 pounds, I don't want her to have any reasons to be aggravated. She has a lot of pain issues with arthritis in her back and has to take medications for that. So I don't want to add to her stress. Besides, the cats love drinking the water as it comes out the faucet and later lands on the walls and knobs.
Anyway, this one morning, Cody was in a particularly aggravating mood. I call him my little "agitator and aggravator" because he likes to pester everyone. So in my tiny bathroom, I was having to serve as referee while trying to shower and get ready for work.
Later that morning before I left for work, I found the two of them had kissed and made up. They snuggled like they had as kittens. It was an "Ahhh" moment. I know I'm ridiculous, but it was so sweet I took the photo.
People who don't have animals don't understand that they all have their own personalities. I hope to share more about my cats and dogs and they wonderful elements they add to my life. Cody is the one in the photo who is looking at the camera.
Wednesday, July 23, 2008
I promise to get better
Okay, I'm a slacker. I don't know where the month of July has gone, but it vanished into thin air. I haven't posted since the beginning of the month. A lot has been happening, some good, some not so good, but I'm pressing on.
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