Wow...the Republican Convention rocked last night! From the governor of Hawaii, to Mike Huckabee and Rudy Guiliani, and finally to Sarah Palin -- they each delivered the message in a wonderful way. I am sure the vast majority of those watching felt as I did, that one of our own was up there speaking and leading a party for the first time in recent memory. Everyone else who is running lives a privileged life. Sarah seems so all-American normal.
The sight of her youngest daughter holding the baby and licking her hand before using it to smooth the baby's hair was absolutely delightful and obviously unscripted. And so like something that happens in an average family. There wasn't any pre-prompting of kids in this venue, as there seemed to be when Michelle Obama spoke to the Democratic convention. The Obama's youngest seemed a bit too precious and very much too obvious, and I felt uncomfortable with her grabbing the microphone and the attention several times.
Anyway, the word of the day, or the season, is "ZERO". I liked that a lot. I also like the media today recognizing the genius of McCain's selection for VP and the spectacular advent of Sarah Palin. It is as if the Media people are finally connecting with the average American.
Thursday, September 4, 2008
Saturday, August 30, 2008
Viva McCain and Palin!
I write this with a great sigh of relief. Yesterday, I was thrilled when I watched Sarah Palin accept the number two spot on the Republican ticket. Over the years, I have admired John McCain's maverick persona and to see him choose one of the same and a woman to boot, is exciting.
Today I listen to the media trying to find chinks in her armor. My belief is that the leftist media commentators should exert some of their misplaced energies toward investigating how Obama REALLY got where he is. Investigate further his association with William Ayers. http://www.sodahead.com/blogs/user/238181/category/8/?tko=blog_categories Consider his association with his extremely racist pastor. I personally have left churches where the words spoken by the pastor didn't fit my own philosophy of religion and understanding of the Bible.
People are calling me a racist for my decision to vote Republican instead of Democratic on November 4. To those people I say this: what is the difference between those voters (many of whom have never voted before) who are voting for Obama based on his race alone, and my voting for a senior citizen with an McC surname who has a FEMALE vice-presidential candidate? After all, I am only six years younger than John McCain, my birth surname is McCollim, and I am a woman. Yes, I am white also, which is, after all, an accident of birth the same as my name, my sex, my age.
Today I listen to the media trying to find chinks in her armor. My belief is that the leftist media commentators should exert some of their misplaced energies toward investigating how Obama REALLY got where he is. Investigate further his association with William Ayers. http://www.sodahead.com/blogs/user/238181/category/8/?tko=blog_categories Consider his association with his extremely racist pastor. I personally have left churches where the words spoken by the pastor didn't fit my own philosophy of religion and understanding of the Bible.
People are calling me a racist for my decision to vote Republican instead of Democratic on November 4. To those people I say this: what is the difference between those voters (many of whom have never voted before) who are voting for Obama based on his race alone, and my voting for a senior citizen with an McC surname who has a FEMALE vice-presidential candidate? After all, I am only six years younger than John McCain, my birth surname is McCollim, and I am a woman. Yes, I am white also, which is, after all, an accident of birth the same as my name, my sex, my age.
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
Here's to Hillary!
Absolutely no one could address the DNC better than did Hillary Clinton last night. No one! And all I can say is this: there is going to come a day when all those who engineered her infinitesimal loss in the primary and all those who fell for the fanciful, yet empty, rhetoric of her opponent will realize the great mistake which has been made. Just as a very slim majority voted for Bush in the last two elections, so too has that majority come to realize the great error it made.
Thus, for the first time in my adult life, I will vote Republican for President of the United States. I don't like having to do that, but I am absolutely certain that John McCain has the experience and knowledge that Obama does not possess. McCain doesn't have an ax to grind with the citizens of this country nor does he need to prove something to the world. Nor does he possess the hubris to have assumed before the fact that he would be the next President of the United States. It appears as though Obama does possess a great amount of arrogance. That will not be loved by the American people.
I still believe a woman should have been nominated for President before any of the minorities in this country. And had Hillary been permitted to count all the primary votes, she would have won the nomination. Now, in the convention, those uncounted states are counted after the fact. Who were the men who decided a woman should not be president, and why? We won't know in this generation, but someday political scientists will delve into all that which is hidden from us now and they will tell the truth.
Thus, for the first time in my adult life, I will vote Republican for President of the United States. I don't like having to do that, but I am absolutely certain that John McCain has the experience and knowledge that Obama does not possess. McCain doesn't have an ax to grind with the citizens of this country nor does he need to prove something to the world. Nor does he possess the hubris to have assumed before the fact that he would be the next President of the United States. It appears as though Obama does possess a great amount of arrogance. That will not be loved by the American people.
I still believe a woman should have been nominated for President before any of the minorities in this country. And had Hillary been permitted to count all the primary votes, she would have won the nomination. Now, in the convention, those uncounted states are counted after the fact. Who were the men who decided a woman should not be president, and why? We won't know in this generation, but someday political scientists will delve into all that which is hidden from us now and they will tell the truth.
Monday, August 25, 2008
Democratic National Convention
It's finally here. The great DNC, followed next week by the great RNC. My parents and grandparents always watched the Conventions, and I watched with them. When I became a teen, I developed a passion for them. This comes from a woman who, when she was 6 years old, was in love with Harry S. Truman and despised, as much as a child can, Edward McCarthy. When a college freshman in 1960, I was in love with JFK and actually was fortunate enough to shake his hand. (I didn't wash that hand for a week)
Today, I am rather cynical about the whole process. What was once Democratic is now Republican, and vice-versa. Today, politics must be hashed and rehashed by political commentators trying to sway public opinion. You think lobbyists control politics? They used to, but today it's MSNBC, CNN, Fox and all the others. The average American citizen does not make the decision about who will be president. Not really. Not when the chips (or chads) are down. Those in power decide who the candidates will be and who will win. Look what happened in the last two elections. And we, the people, must pay the price.
I am hearing how the Democrats have made things better for everyone, with healthcare reform, Medicare reform, welfare reform, affirmative action, et al. Let me tell you, those reforms haven't helped the average American. Rather, things have become worse.
Since I could first vote at age twenty-one, I have never voted for a Republican for president. This year, I am facing a dilemna. I am not wanting either candidate for president, and may vote Republican for the first time. Call me a poor loser if you want, but I still want a woman for president. I believe the men in power derailed Hilary because she is a woman, and substituted a relatively unknown minority candidate who they knew would get enough minority votes to possibly win over a Republican candidate.
I am sick right now of hearing about Obama's early days of working in community action like it was some great and noble venture. I, too, worked for a federally-funded community action program when I was young, and what I saw there was eye-opening. I saw employees who talked the talk but didn't walk the walk. A lot of people pretending to work, but not really doing anything. A boss who drew a large salary and after arriving at work 1-2 hours late, sat and clipped coupons from the paper and talked to friends and family on the phone instead of working, and whose day ended several hours earlier than it was supposed to end. An executive director who had the title of "Reverend" and stole thousands of dollars from the agency. People whose words sounded lofty, but didn't have any real content. People who were only too quick to reverse perceived discrimination. President Nixon eliminated the program because he said it duplicated existing effective programs, and it may have been the best action of his presidency. It saved a lot of money. So quit talking about those days in community action and tell me what Obama has done and accomplished since then. He has only been a Senator for three years, and most of that time, I believe, has been spent campaigning.
Today, I am rather cynical about the whole process. What was once Democratic is now Republican, and vice-versa. Today, politics must be hashed and rehashed by political commentators trying to sway public opinion. You think lobbyists control politics? They used to, but today it's MSNBC, CNN, Fox and all the others. The average American citizen does not make the decision about who will be president. Not really. Not when the chips (or chads) are down. Those in power decide who the candidates will be and who will win. Look what happened in the last two elections. And we, the people, must pay the price.
I am hearing how the Democrats have made things better for everyone, with healthcare reform, Medicare reform, welfare reform, affirmative action, et al. Let me tell you, those reforms haven't helped the average American. Rather, things have become worse.
Since I could first vote at age twenty-one, I have never voted for a Republican for president. This year, I am facing a dilemna. I am not wanting either candidate for president, and may vote Republican for the first time. Call me a poor loser if you want, but I still want a woman for president. I believe the men in power derailed Hilary because she is a woman, and substituted a relatively unknown minority candidate who they knew would get enough minority votes to possibly win over a Republican candidate.
I am sick right now of hearing about Obama's early days of working in community action like it was some great and noble venture. I, too, worked for a federally-funded community action program when I was young, and what I saw there was eye-opening. I saw employees who talked the talk but didn't walk the walk. A lot of people pretending to work, but not really doing anything. A boss who drew a large salary and after arriving at work 1-2 hours late, sat and clipped coupons from the paper and talked to friends and family on the phone instead of working, and whose day ended several hours earlier than it was supposed to end. An executive director who had the title of "Reverend" and stole thousands of dollars from the agency. People whose words sounded lofty, but didn't have any real content. People who were only too quick to reverse perceived discrimination. President Nixon eliminated the program because he said it duplicated existing effective programs, and it may have been the best action of his presidency. It saved a lot of money. So quit talking about those days in community action and tell me what Obama has done and accomplished since then. He has only been a Senator for three years, and most of that time, I believe, has been spent campaigning.
Sunday, August 24, 2008
Is There Such a Thing as Too Sweet?
I have been neglecting my blog of late, probably because I have been doing so much freelance writing. In the process of SITTING and writing, my weight has increased and thus my blood glucose levels. I suppose when I see my PCP and my cardiologist the first week of September, some meds are going to be changed. I will be told to exercise, exercise, exercise. My response will be to say that I am exercising, though not as much as I should. I won't tell them it is my fingers which are being exercised on the keyboard! They don't like to hear about how miserable it is to walk when the temp is almost 90 with a matching humidity level. Or that there are steep hills in all directions from my house, making the prospect of walking seem like some kind of torture. Don't get me wrong -- I like to walk. I like to walk where it is reasonably flat. And cool. The trouble is, I must drive to get to a flat spot, and that takes gasoline which I hate to use too much of. I know, we are all in the same situation.
Today I went with my sister-in-law, niece, and grand-niece to the Diabetes Expo at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center in Pittsburgh. My niece is a Type-I diabetic, and uses insulin. We came away with so much literature, freebies, and information! Now if I could just get remotivated!
This was the first time I have been to the new Convention Center, and I was totally enthralled with the water feature installed outside the entry. It is probably one story deep and probably a block long, and has a pathway between the two walls of water falls, one on each side, along with two other flows of water on either side of the walkway. It is difficult to describe, but is well-conceived art, in my opinion.
The river side of the Convention Center has floor to ceiling windows giving those inside a lovely view of the river as well as a panoramic view of the city. Aside from once again appreciating the beauty of Pittsburgh, I kept thinking about the unseen big fish in the rivers. This made me think that I haven't been fishing lately. Hmm...maybe tomorrow.
After we left Pittsburgh, we stopped in Monroeville at Panera Bread for lunch. I LOVE Panera Bread sandwiches! My niece is getting married in November, so we stopped at another of my favorite stores, Pat Catan's, so they could find some wedding things. I, of course, spent all my time in the art department. This is the store where I purchase my art supplies.
But I digress. After all the WALKING I did today, and it was a lot, my blood sugars were very high tonight. It wasn't because I ate a lot, either. Go figure. This is one unpredictable disease.
But all in all, it was a very good day. I hope your day was as good.
Today I went with my sister-in-law, niece, and grand-niece to the Diabetes Expo at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center in Pittsburgh. My niece is a Type-I diabetic, and uses insulin. We came away with so much literature, freebies, and information! Now if I could just get remotivated!
This was the first time I have been to the new Convention Center, and I was totally enthralled with the water feature installed outside the entry. It is probably one story deep and probably a block long, and has a pathway between the two walls of water falls, one on each side, along with two other flows of water on either side of the walkway. It is difficult to describe, but is well-conceived art, in my opinion.
The river side of the Convention Center has floor to ceiling windows giving those inside a lovely view of the river as well as a panoramic view of the city. Aside from once again appreciating the beauty of Pittsburgh, I kept thinking about the unseen big fish in the rivers. This made me think that I haven't been fishing lately. Hmm...maybe tomorrow.
After we left Pittsburgh, we stopped in Monroeville at Panera Bread for lunch. I LOVE Panera Bread sandwiches! My niece is getting married in November, so we stopped at another of my favorite stores, Pat Catan's, so they could find some wedding things. I, of course, spent all my time in the art department. This is the store where I purchase my art supplies.
But I digress. After all the WALKING I did today, and it was a lot, my blood sugars were very high tonight. It wasn't because I ate a lot, either. Go figure. This is one unpredictable disease.
But all in all, it was a very good day. I hope your day was as good.
Monday, August 18, 2008
Festa Italia
First of all, I may have been one of the only non-Italians at the annual Festa Italia in our town. I know for sure there was one other present, a young man working in a food concession stand. I know he was Irish because he had on a green t-shirt which had shamrocks on the back and the words "Token Cake Eater". I'd like one of those shirts!
This was my first visit to this festival which is held in the park for one day, always a Sunday. The day begins with an outdoor Mass celebrated by a retired Italian Bishop in our Diocese. I loved it that the music used for this special Mass was Contemporary Christian, including my favorite song, "Above All". It amazes me how Communion can be so easily distributed in such an atypical environment with such a huge congregation.
After Mass, I went to the grocery store and then came home to change into something casual and cooler and then went back to the park. Parking is at a premium, but I was lucky and didn't have to walk very far. I met my friend Mary Ann and her fiance and we settled in to watch the entertainment. Periodically, I went to get water or food, and ran into people I know. It was great! I absolutely love small town community celebrations -- you get to see people you normally don't see and it's a wonderful catch-up time. Not to mention all the good food, from bagna cauda to calimari to pizza. Yummy!
Julius LaRosa was the headliner, and though I recall when he was first featured on The Arthur Godfrey Show, I was either too young for an 'idol' or I was already enthralled with Elvis. I was quite surprised at how short LaRosa is -- he looked taller on tv -- but the man can still sing! There was a group of dancers attired in traditional Italian dress who danced to all the favorite Italian dances, including the Basket Dance. (I will have to research that one to know what it symbolized). There were also some very talented Italian singers who performed. Getting chuckles from the audience was a quartet of 4-5 year olds who performed on the dance floor. One little girl in particular was a delight. She had on jeans, a pink top, and a matching pink cowboy hat. I decided she must be either a natural talent or she is taking dance lessons. She kept bowing in a very dramatic fashion and tossing her hat as she did so.
The highlight was the last group, Dr. Zoot, a swing band from Pittsburgh. They were FABULOUS! If you ever get a chance to see this extremely talented and professional band, go! I can't say enough about how good they are. What was particularly interesting and uplifting was seeing all the teens run up to the dance floor to dance and interact with the band. It gives me hope that young people appreciate true musical talent in an age when most seem enthralled with the lowest form of musical entertainment, rap. It would be wonderful to see the swing and big band sound become very popular again, and this comes from a diehard rocker. Seeing performers who are truly talented and educated in their art form is a blessing.
The day ended for me just after dark when I headed for home, sunburned and very pleasantly tired. I just wish my children and grandchildren could attend these events with me.
This was my first visit to this festival which is held in the park for one day, always a Sunday. The day begins with an outdoor Mass celebrated by a retired Italian Bishop in our Diocese. I loved it that the music used for this special Mass was Contemporary Christian, including my favorite song, "Above All". It amazes me how Communion can be so easily distributed in such an atypical environment with such a huge congregation.
After Mass, I went to the grocery store and then came home to change into something casual and cooler and then went back to the park. Parking is at a premium, but I was lucky and didn't have to walk very far. I met my friend Mary Ann and her fiance and we settled in to watch the entertainment. Periodically, I went to get water or food, and ran into people I know. It was great! I absolutely love small town community celebrations -- you get to see people you normally don't see and it's a wonderful catch-up time. Not to mention all the good food, from bagna cauda to calimari to pizza. Yummy!
Julius LaRosa was the headliner, and though I recall when he was first featured on The Arthur Godfrey Show, I was either too young for an 'idol' or I was already enthralled with Elvis. I was quite surprised at how short LaRosa is -- he looked taller on tv -- but the man can still sing! There was a group of dancers attired in traditional Italian dress who danced to all the favorite Italian dances, including the Basket Dance. (I will have to research that one to know what it symbolized). There were also some very talented Italian singers who performed. Getting chuckles from the audience was a quartet of 4-5 year olds who performed on the dance floor. One little girl in particular was a delight. She had on jeans, a pink top, and a matching pink cowboy hat. I decided she must be either a natural talent or she is taking dance lessons. She kept bowing in a very dramatic fashion and tossing her hat as she did so.
The highlight was the last group, Dr. Zoot, a swing band from Pittsburgh. They were FABULOUS! If you ever get a chance to see this extremely talented and professional band, go! I can't say enough about how good they are. What was particularly interesting and uplifting was seeing all the teens run up to the dance floor to dance and interact with the band. It gives me hope that young people appreciate true musical talent in an age when most seem enthralled with the lowest form of musical entertainment, rap. It would be wonderful to see the swing and big band sound become very popular again, and this comes from a diehard rocker. Seeing performers who are truly talented and educated in their art form is a blessing.
The day ended for me just after dark when I headed for home, sunburned and very pleasantly tired. I just wish my children and grandchildren could attend these events with me.
Sunday, August 10, 2008
My Friend Sammy
Since I've been holed up in my house writing for two days, I was determined to be outdoors today. The weather was perfect - low 70's and sunny - and I was missing it all. I called my sister-in-law to see if I could borrow Sammy, their elder dog. She said yes, that Sammy loves to go in the car. So I picked him up (I swear the dog is psychic - how did he know I was coming to take him somewhere? He ran right to my car and stood there til I opened the door) and off we went to Northmoreland Park. This is where I normally fish, which I haven't done lately. As soon as we arrived, Sammy was more than anxious to get out. My niece told me before we left to be careful because as soon as the door opened, he'd jump out and take off. Sure enough, he pushed between me and the steering wheel before I could get the leash on. I pulled the door shut just in time, got the leash on, started to open the door again, and out Sammy went. The leash wasn't too long, so out I went, as well. The door shut. Inside the car were my car keys and cell phone! The door didn't completely shut, but I couldn't open it, either. A half-locked door. I could see the darn keys hanging in the ignition, so near yet so far. I thought that we'd take our walk first and figure it all out afterwards. This is my Scarlett O'Hara persona.
The brick paver path is 1.1 miles long, and is a lovely and fairly easy walk. Sammy was a happy little dog, smiling at everyone and wagging his tail. One lady said, "What a happy little mutt that is!" Sammy just smiled and looked back at me to see if I heard that. He was very obedient, didn't chase any other dogs, geese or ducks. Didn't growl or bark at anyone. When we finished and went back to my car, he stood there facing the door and looking back over his shoulder at me, like "come onnnnn already!". Now I had to get the car open. I saw some fishermen nearby so we walked over to them and I asked if anyone perhaps had a coathanger I could borrow? No one did, but they all came to my car to check it out. Another guy in the vehicle parked next to mine offered his pipe wrench to break the window. *Gee, thanks, but no thanks!") Pretty soon, there were about 12 people standing at my car! I asked, "Where are all the car thieves when you need them?" Everyone laughed, especially the teens.
One of the guys divulged the info that he owns a used car dealership and has to get into cars almost every day. He just happened to have a broken fishing pole (I have one, too -- in the trunk of the car, along with a coathanger). While one teenager held a tree branch between the door and roof of the car, the used car guy was able to hook the car keys, but they fell off the rod onto the floor before he could bring them out. So he kept trying, and finally pushed the manual lock open and voila! The door opened. Sammy couldn't have jumped into the car any faster. He sat there looking at me as if he was saying, "What are you waiting for?" I thanked everyone and off we went. Sammy was happy when we reached his home! I may ask to take him out again one day, but he may refuse. He is good company, though. My niece told me before we left that walking with a dog is a good way to meet men. Yup, it sure was! But they were all teens or married. Just my luck!
The brick paver path is 1.1 miles long, and is a lovely and fairly easy walk. Sammy was a happy little dog, smiling at everyone and wagging his tail. One lady said, "What a happy little mutt that is!" Sammy just smiled and looked back at me to see if I heard that. He was very obedient, didn't chase any other dogs, geese or ducks. Didn't growl or bark at anyone. When we finished and went back to my car, he stood there facing the door and looking back over his shoulder at me, like "come onnnnn already!". Now I had to get the car open. I saw some fishermen nearby so we walked over to them and I asked if anyone perhaps had a coathanger I could borrow? No one did, but they all came to my car to check it out. Another guy in the vehicle parked next to mine offered his pipe wrench to break the window. *Gee, thanks, but no thanks!") Pretty soon, there were about 12 people standing at my car! I asked, "Where are all the car thieves when you need them?" Everyone laughed, especially the teens.
One of the guys divulged the info that he owns a used car dealership and has to get into cars almost every day. He just happened to have a broken fishing pole (I have one, too -- in the trunk of the car, along with a coathanger). While one teenager held a tree branch between the door and roof of the car, the used car guy was able to hook the car keys, but they fell off the rod onto the floor before he could bring them out. So he kept trying, and finally pushed the manual lock open and voila! The door opened. Sammy couldn't have jumped into the car any faster. He sat there looking at me as if he was saying, "What are you waiting for?" I thanked everyone and off we went. Sammy was happy when we reached his home! I may ask to take him out again one day, but he may refuse. He is good company, though. My niece told me before we left that walking with a dog is a good way to meet men. Yup, it sure was! But they were all teens or married. Just my luck!
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