Old News

Just love this image from Rolling Stone Magazine... So glad they are not in charge! Yippee! I realize that it is like um... wrong to celebrate this way, but I haven't been so amused by a polical cartoon since Maxim published Dave Itskoff's "Curious GWB." And that one will make me smile every. single. time.

It occurred to me that as I hadn't posted since the election, I might have given the mistaken impression that I was holed up in a corner licking my wounds after a defeat.

Not so dear readers!

I celebrate that we have elected folks who we can be proud of. Hope isn't just a buzz word, I feel it will be a way of life for this administration.

In the same way that the President-Elect did not make race a part of the campaign, I will note that for me it was never an issue either. I do my best to see that it never is, except of course when we are valuing differences. But I will give a nod to those to whom this was a serious bridge to cross and I am thankful that they did. With hope (there's that word again) it will help to heal a divide I see growing but just cannot fully understand.

I look forward to the civil and human rights that have been given away thoughtlessly over the past eight years being returned. "Those who would give up Essential Liberty to purchase a little Temporary Safety deserve neither Liberty nor Safety." It is unclear who said this first, but if it was good enough for Franklin and Jefferson to quote, it's good enough for me.

I am optimistic that the rest of the world will recognize that as a people we are worthy of their respect, and our actions will be those that can be looked up to once again. It is horrifying that we are no longer the go to model for human rights.

I wish that in time, with the successes of the future, more people will recognize that it does not diminish their life to let others live and love in a different way.

Let us focus sincerely on the education and support of our youth. It is not a cliché that they are our future. Seriously. They are. Rather than refusing to provide them with funding, get involved in helping decide how the money is spent. Mostly I think that means School Board.

I hope that we will remember that life is one of the choices and allow a woman to make decisions which are in her own best interest and the interest of her family with the safe and free guidance of her doctor.

And can we please remember that every single one of us came here from somewhere else (even the Native Americans had to cross the Bering Straight at one point!) and stop pretending that getting here under the wire doesn't mean you are better than those trying to get in since 1952. Let's just repeal the whole damn thing and start over. It clearly hasn't worked very well. And also, may we please stop equating immigration control with protection from terrorism? Their Venn diagram has a very narrow overlay. (Thank you grade school math teacher if you understood that sentence. Education again.) Let us be a land once again that will say

Give me your tired, your poor,

Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,

The wretched refuse of your teeming shore.

Send these, the homeless, tempest-tossed to me,

I lift my lamp beside the golden door!"

I will find a way to participate in facilitating the change which must come. I challenge you to do the same. It is easy to say, "We put you in, now don't screw it up." But far harder to pledge your own time and energy to ensure success.

Here's hoping!

Manifesting My Intentions

me granting wishes sometime ago...

"I intend to overcome procrastination and become a focused, centered woman not afraid of possible failure and welcoming of success."

At least that's the plan with the help of the folks at Christine Kane's 2008 Great Big Dreams Retreats. She provided us with Six Simple Steps to Effortless Manifesting... to state our intentions clearly and let go.

I'm waiting for the mojo to kick in...

I'm back posting this Sunday night to reflect the 2PM Friday afternoon "I'm in!" time. I would have joined the intent circle promptly, but I was busy sleeping right at that moment in between having a nasty flu for three days, working, and sorority commitments. So in one way - I was out there getting it done, on the other hand... it's two days later.

Procrastination? Just saying.

Another part of the process is to recognize those things we are grateful for. In this time of preparation for Thanksgiving, that seems a marvelous plan so here goes...

1. My husband who supports me in all things.
2. My son who is my life and who makes me proud in all he does and in the man he has become.
3. The rest of my family - I would not be who I am without all of them.
4. The love of my sisters in Chi Omega.
5. My wonderful friends and the laughter we share (even if we don't see each other nearly often enough)
6. That I live in a country where hope and promise are realities. Dreams can come true and opportunity is there for those who reach for the brass ring. (we'll keep working on the equal rights for everyone thing and the personal freedoms thing - but we're still pretty swell!)
7. A job which gives me both personal satisfaction and the means to explore my outside interests.
8. My intellect and ability to communicate with others through words and through art.
9. My physical health and ability to move easily, walk, even dance if the spirit moves me.
10. The beauty of our earth (even though it is snowing right now and I would prefer it not, it really is lovely to watch!)
11. In the spirit of turning it up to eleven, as a bonus point I will also add that I am grateful for my faith, for it has sustained me through many challenging times. Windows do open when doors close. The trick is to listen to the Goddess when she tells you to just turn the knob again or to turn around and look for the window when it is behind you. Blessed Be.

What are you grateful for? Any intentions you'd like to state?

Vote!

If you haven't yet... the polls are open until 7:30pm (at least in my state!) I arrived promptly at 6:30 a.m. and waited in line for about one hour. The lines were much shorter as I was leaving. Hopefully your polling place will be well organized and smoothly run.

Need more information?

Visit the League of Women Voters.

You really can make a difference. In my case my local schools and the library need me! Some people get discouraged because the popular vote takes a back seat to the electoral college. Voting for our President is critical, but there is so much more than that to decide.

Exercise your Right to Vote!

What Do You Mean It's November?!

How did that happen!

We've done fallen back already! Let's just say that after Alice came to play for the big bash he invited us out on tour with the band and I got a bit distracted. Yes. Sure. That's what happened! Sounds way better than the boring truth about being a grown-up and life and work and chores!

I did actually go off on an adventure which I will share with you soon. And it did involve hanging with a famous person and a cool person!

Meanwhile, enjoy a few shots I took celebrating the changing seasons here in South Euclid. Remember the park all covered with snow? The new banner up top is her all dressed up in fall splendor.

And some here we have some beautiful, golden leaves.

And my buddies were back to enjoy the neighbor's apples instead of my tulips!

I had fun taking those shots in the park the other day after work. I spend a lot of time driving through it but seldom actually get out of the car. Know what I mean? And I didn't even care that there was mud on my pumps when I was done. The subject matter and composition isn't exactly original, but I loved getting out and just shooting.

I had planned a delightful Haunted Cleveland Tour for us during Posting Spooky Month... but alas it was not to be. Maybe next year! I missed out on trying the awesome "lomo-izing" site all the cool kids were using on my haunted pictures, so I decided to try altering these snaps instead. Even if you don't have a Lomo camera, you can fake the fun, saturated, slightly blurry look they produce by using the web software. I do believe I'll be back for more!

I like them... what do you think!? Not so much spooky as weathered. Kind of like the earth right now. Ready for a rest.

Sigh... I guess I must finally admit that Summer is over now.

Happy Fall Everyone!

And anyone who tells me how many shopping days until Christmas will be punished. Seriously.