THE CEREMONY

The ceremony has begun. I'm watching CNN. The invocation has been given and Lady Aretha is about to sing. Her performance is stirring of course. (I love her hat, that's a real "church" hat.) Joe Biden's middle name is Robinette, did you know that. "Air and Simple Gifts", the musical interlude. is beautiful, it sounds so hopeful. It's now noon and BARACK OBAMA IS OUR NEW PRESIDENT!!!! The inaugural speech is powerful and inspiring, given by a man who appears confident and ready to accept his challenges. Our new president is challenging US, "get up and dust yourself off". "America is ready to lead once more". Wow, what strong messages our new president is sending to our friends and enemies around the world!!

INAUGUARATION MORNING

Tuesday morning, January 20, 2009. It was difficult to sleep last night, I was so excited about today's prospects. Right now I can't decide which broadcast to watch. Of course I'm tuned to NPR on the radio as always. When I can't be in front of the TV, I can depend on NPR to paint a visual picture for me. Diane Sawyer and Robin Roberts are my usual morning show friends but I want to hear and see what everyone is saying...who are they interviewing. I want to hear poignant questions and thoughtful answers. The crowds in the city are unbelievable and despite the cold they all appear positive and genuinely happy to be a part of history. I have been snapping pictures of the television as the important people of the day come into view. It's all so awesome!!

INDOOR SPORT

I'm trying to think of something positive to say about the interminable Michigan winter. If I were an aficionado of winter sports I would be in hog heaven. The down hill and cross country skiers, as well as snow boarders and snowmobilers have been thrilled with the many inches of snow we've had so far. Ice fishers have been loving the days and days of sub freezing temperatures that assure their safety on the lakes. The Michigan outdoor sports people have great big smiles on their faces. Me, I sit inside flipping through the pages of seed catalogs.  Maybe the challenge of keeping my seed order below $$$ could be considered a form of indoor sport. 

SHARING

A friend sent me the email below. With her permission I'm sharing it with you.

Last night Tim had gone to bed, and I was doing my wait until you get sleepy routine. I looked out the family room window toward the bird feeders to see if I could spot any night feeders. The view was just perfect, and so beautiful. I found myself staring out the window, and when I would go back and sit down I would find myself going back to the window just to look. It immediately reminded me of a story I read to my children at school entitled OWL MOON. In it the author says, “The shadows were the blackest things I had ever seen. They stained the white snow, and the snow was whiter than the milk in a cereal bowl.” It looked like my yard was a giant glow stick. God had left the yard light on. The snow like the milk in your cereal bowl and the moon shinning on it was glorious. The light was so bright I could actually see the shadows of the trees on the snow. Then, the bunny hopping into the feeding place was just perfect. I went to the west side of the house to the sliding glass doors, and the yard to the west was the same not quite as bright but still picture perfect. I wish at that time I had Jera’s, my niece, talent for painting, or Phil’s, my nephew, talent for taking picture, but I could only capture it in my mind. The only problem with that is my mind is getting older, and how long the image will stay is a mystery. I had to share this with you all. I wanted to share it with Tim, but was afraid he would not be quite as thrilled with it as I was; being roused from a sound sleep might have put a damper on it.

WHO ARE YOUR FRIENDS

Take a minute and think about your close friends. Are they all within ten years of your age? If so, do you think that's by choice or by happenstance? Does age make a difference in our choice of friends? We tend to develop friendships with people who share our hobbies, our line of work, our religion, etc, etc. Of course we tend to feel most comfortable with and gravitate toward those people who also share our world view. Last night I met a woman who is in her early nineties. It turned out we had a lot in common and we chatted for quite awhile. I think we could become good friends. Today I was introduced to a young mother who is in her early twenties. Interestingly enough, we also had a long conversation and elected to continue our conversation over lunch next week. I think sometimes we dismiss people as potential friends because we assume they are too old fashioned or too modern for our tastes. Unfortunately, if we never start the conversation we may never discover what might be a golden fit.

IT'S ALL RELATIVE

I traveled from Michigan to spend the Thanksgiving holidays in Los Angeles. My son's mother-in-law, Linda, hosted Thanksgiving dinner. Linda decided to purchase plastic patio chairs for extra seating as about thirty people were expected. So, in addition to last minute food purchases we shopped for plastic patio chairs. No chairs were found at Costco, Home Depot, or two supermarkets. When we arrived home, I called Target and Walmart. No one had the chairs and can you guess why! "Plastic patio chairs are seasonal"...they were no longer on the sales floors but stored until spring. What! In Michigan seasonal changes are drastic and obvious. Are those subtle temperature fluctuations in Los Angeles actually called seasons? Do retailers realize their customers actually use their patios year-round? Isn't that the point of living in Southern California!

WHAT WAS I THINKING

How many times have you done something that you wonder "what was I thinking"? Lately I feel like I'm practicing to participate in the "what were you thinking" Olympics. My latest antic was locking myself inside the gates surrounding the pool area at my son's condo. I wasn't sure the key I picked up as I left his house was the correct key but of course if it didn't work I would come back and find the right key. However, someone had left the pool gate ajar so I just walked in. As the gate slammed behind me the little voice inside my head warned me I didn't have the right key. The voice was right, I was locked inside and no one was around. I had planned to relax in one of the lounge chairs near the pool and finish my mystery. I had on a t -shirt, light -weight pants and sandals but It was a much cooler day than I'd anticipated. After about twenty minutes I was feeling pretty darn chilly so I warmed my feet in the hot tub. I sat there reading while hoping someone would come to use the tub or that my family would realize I hadn't gone for a walk. I finished my book and began to pace around wondering what the neighbors were all doing on a quiet afternoon. Where were the dog walkers! Just as I thought I would need to lay out a plan to climb the fence, a neighbor walked by with her two little dogs. She alerted my son and I was saved. Thank goodness.