Monday, September 01, 2008

Attitude of Gratitude

Among the delightful thoughts I took away from this morning's online time: If we're concerned about keeping separate church and state and at the same time being engaged in politics and religion (and/or the lack of interest in either is ok too!) I loved this comment "Jesus Christ was a community organizer, Pontius Pilate a governor."

It made me sad, really sad when Palin referenced having an advocate for special needs kids in the White House when special needs kids are literally shunned and often die from lack of healthcare benefits. Comparing herself to Hillary is like comparing a plastic bimbo Barbie to a Michaelangelo marble sculpture! On the other hand, I was glad to see Elizabeth Edwards at the Stand Up Against Cancer event last night. I believe we'll see her support Obama if he will move closer to Hillary's health care agenda--THAT would be real courage in the face of the public ridcule of her husband. THAT's a woman who makes a difference.

If, in the next 60 days, now 59--those are the voices I so hope will whisper to the collective and individual consciences of our spirit--quietly, yes prayerfully nurturing the best of what we are. Did you love it when Melissa Ethridge did a medly that included Give Peace a Chance, God Bless America etc. at the convention? So my kind of mellow!

You know me--ever the incurably optomistic woman of faith in the goodness of all. So, go ahead--make this politician a celebrity--how cool is it to think that a President might be admired, cheered and have an intellecually compelling message. I so want the young folks of Iowa to trudge through the politics of lies, dirt, attacks, and sarcasm of "grown ups"--the mostly white women and men of what was the "greatest generation" waving flags and pledging "allegiance" to a country that certainly doesn't make me very proud when we abuse individual rights, torture unjustly, go to war on lies...go Michelle & Barack! Jill and Joe--Men and Women who are the image of the USA I love.

Wednesday, August 20, 2008

I'm bbbbbaaaaaaack!

I am ABSOLUTELY furious to watch the deterioration of the McCain campaign into stupidity. And the worst of it is that using Paris Hilton, attacks on patriotism and the not so subtle references to "he's not our kind" innuendos are working! My hope is that the pollsters aren't really asking cross sections of voters that are intelligently too busy and not answering pollsters. I'm finding myself wanting to "get down on their level" to question in more detail how McCain's "readiness to be commander in chief" includes the poor judgement to be acting against his very own principles of straight talk to use the doubletalk, garbagespeak and deception of Karl Rove.

Hooray for Jon Stewart's commentary about the sabre rattling, the lies, and the war in Georgia--"War," he defined, "is God's way of forcing Americans to learn geography!" And Bill Maher seems right on target to ask, "what's wrong with a country whose leadership says it's ok to torture but not to smoke marijuana!!!"

Sunday, August 10, 2008

Sunday Stuff

Good news of the week: the public notice that two of the world's best--the Traub-Prisers will "increase and multiply!" That's 18+ for the next generation. "Movers" and new job congrats to the Cardinale-Powells. The Prisers/Powells can trade OK stories! It's another college faculty apppointment to add to the growing list of The Krider-Okeefe Siblings/Cousins multi-generational achievements!

Tom Brokaw hosted Meet the Press from Beijing with The Secretary of Treasury. No Cabinet position seems more significant to our relationship with that amazing country. Tonight Bob Costas interviews the George Bush. What an "olympic" measure of difference in the intellectual levels of conversation. January 20th can't come soon enough! Saddened by John Edwards lack of judgement--angry at our cultural obsession with moral judgements that equate competence and leadership with personal shame. How does that compare with lies and waterboarding?

Friday, August 08, 2008

08 08 08

OK so as everyone in the world watches fireworks, on the Chinese "luckiest day" opening of the Olympics, I'll be watching too. What a "bang up, spectacularly lucky summer!" And--we didn't get to Tybee YET!

Mercury miles traveled, gas & motel expenses, phone calls, emails, coupons cashed in, tears and prayers for friends and families' losses, some scary days and stormy nights. Oh, and giggles, painting my oasis, Sam's appendectomy, Sam and Luke and Ben & Andrea's weddings, ...and that's just what I remember. Next up, anticipating arrivals from LA,then flights CO, Philly, and Switzerland to Cht. Anyone want to go to Tybee before the summer ends?

Now, though, there's this blog to jog me into keeping an online journal.
so 08 08 08 is another great day--with fireworks!

Thursday, August 07, 2008

Another day closer

It's fewer than four hours until 08 08 08, a magical, lucky-in-Chinese mythology day. It's entry #2 on my Betsy and Mellen induced Blog. While Mellen is packing or more likely in a panic over WHAT to pack to attend an OKeefe family reunion--400 relatives at an estate in N.Andover, MA. and Betsy is probably busy doing some follow-up project for work--here I am--blogging!!

It's been 19 years+ since Jim left me a June 26th birthday gift, farewell cassette mix tape in my car. "Joy to the World," "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" played as my moms always miss their kids tears mixed with giddiness at the emptier nest and fewer groceries and less beer to buy.

The middle child was leaving Terre Haute--with little or no intention of coming home except to visit. Jim went first to Greendale, loaded his stuff into Sweeney's hatchback and rolled up what they referred to as the TajMahal of tents--it had a porch! They attached their bikes to the back and headed north to MI and MN--the only two really planned "meet-ups." (The girls in Lansing they had met at a Grateful Dead Concert. MN was a Satchwill fishing cabin destination--free beer and uncles who can REALLY catch, clean and fry up fish like no one else in the universe.)

The really magical meeting though, happened in the white sands of New Mexico...Carla and Lisa were vagabonding to LA from Long Island, NY. in an orange truck...wanted to meet some nice,"wholesome" guys who might join them on a side trip to Mexico and an Indiana license plate and a red head who matched the truck were happy for the diversion--and delighted with the companionship. The girls went on to LA, but shared their address so the guys might stop for a visit and upcoming Thanksgiving Dinner. The rest, as they say, is history.

Jim and Carla, moved a couple of times, married in Joshua Tree National Park, and in '98 became super parents. 10 years and another grandson later, Sam & Jay, Carla and Jim are leaving LA.Flipping over their map of the USA to head back to the East Coast. If I can find that mix tape I'll think I'll play it on my trip up to meet them in Davidson, NC What a trip.

Guess that is the reason for blogging--logging miles and making memories. Every other day? Daily? Once in a while? I'll have to detail Jon's adventures that took him to the Rockies, also by way of New Mexico. He's "living happily ever after" with Sue and Sean--and they're headed "home" for Halloween. Bob's journey took him to San Diego, Long Beach and his own magical meet-up with Eva -- who has taken him on a magical carpet 747 jet to live now in Switzerland will be here for Halloween weekend and a week after so Bob can vote.Rosemary's already filling in her calendar with ETA's--Marijo is coming too. Maybe Garry & Diana. I'll need mind maps and more to report our adventures--challenges and of yeah--a bit of commentary perhaps?

Is the soap opera voice over intro: "Like sands Through the Hourglass, these are the Days of Our Lives" still on TV? I'll check the remote control guide--or google it. Anything and everything is possible. What a trip.

Wednesday, August 06, 2008

OK OK OK I AM

Betsy is so demanding! This is the blog. It's created, named and I've selected Sand Dollar as the template. The template title is a metaphor of a couple of my favorite things: SAND--from beaches, e-sands through the microsoft web icon or crystal, antique hoursglasses that call me always to greater patience, and oh yeah, sand that represent memories and dreams from deserts and dunes from Hunting Island to Joshua Tree. And then there's my other favorite thing--DOLLARS!