People Hope

I waited in line for two hours to see Obama speak his words of hope. It was exciting and energizing. It wasn't just about him. It was a line of strangers that stretched out over a mile. We were all talking and wondering and hoping. We weren't really waiting. In that space of two hours we started talking and laughing and feeling good about being together in America at this time. We were joyful. And then we got to get inside and hear the man talk to us with great spirit and responsibility. He helps me believe that things can really get better if we all do our part.

I loved watching the people walk by in that line. It was cool to see their faces as they realized how long the line was. Not one person gave up after looking at the line. No one turned around. They just kept walking, got in line, and started chatting up the next person in line. That's what Obama people do. We keep walking, we don't give up, we build relationships, and we work on it.

Work has been busy this week. The early days were frustrating but now things are getting done and coming together. I'm wondering about next year and I'm hopeful. It will be better. It's funny how overwhelming a new school year can feel. It is looming out there and I need to start thinking and planning about it. Just think how next year looks for our country, for our new president. We all need to keep walking and believing that we'll get in. Even if we've been waiting for 8 years.

Grownups

What do you do when the grownups start acting like children? I'm at a loss. I wonder if I should just call it - "you're acting like a small child." or "Why don't you do what you're asked to do?" or "How about you just do your job?" Sometimes I think we should have a sign in the office that lists the requirements for working there. #1) Come to work on time every day. #2) Do your job every day. It seems so simple and obvious and yet it is not the norm where I work. Then I get to thinking, why don't people do their job? Two reasons. First, they don't want to. Second, they are unable to. Both reasons suck it up. If your reason is that you don't want to, I suggest you find a job that you want to to. If your reason sis that you are unable to do your job, either get trained so you can do your job or find a job that you are able to do. It is maddening.

Today was gloomy and warm. I rode home in the rain. There are two loon couples I see on my ride. On my way in I see the first couple near the shore of Calhoun and on the way home there is another couple at Harriet. It is sweetness. They are close together probably getting breakfast in the morning and dinner in the evening. They give me hope for some reason. Here they are two beautiful creatures in the middle of the city living a perfectly lovely life. I get to enjoy them every day. Thank you for that.

So in the midst of all of my ranting about people not doing their jobs. Really, who cares. Those loons will be there whether or not everyone shows up to work and I can count on them to give me a little joy every day.

Random Ideas and Musings

I wish I was a funny writer. Thinking can be funny - I particularly like to think of funny things. Sometimes I believe I can actually feel the funny part of my brain enjoying the humor. Garrison Keillor is a funny writer. He is funnier in his writing than in person. Strangely, many people take his writing seriously and then get all pissed off with him. Enjoy the fun. Relax.

So last night there was some drama at my house. The weather was sunny but the clouds were rolling in. My bf came over for dinner and I was waiting for my daughter to return from work. It starting looking a little ominous outside and the sirens went off so I called my daughter. She was walking home and had taken refuge in a bus shelter. I set off to pick her up. She was about one mile away. The weather turned terrible in a matter of seconds. The wind picked up and the visibility went down to about 5 feet. It started raining and then hailing... hard. Large sticks and debris flew in front of the car. I was afraid for my life but I realized I had to get my daughter. I kept driving and praying. My hands gripped the wheel. Finally I got to the bus shelter and she ran out to the car. We drove home. The hail was pouring down, the car was sliding on the hail as if it were ice. The wind was really strong. We made it home and the yard was white, covered with hail. The bf and his son greeted us with concern and happiness. All was well.

Then I remembered what I had done just a few hours earlier. I carefully planted the seedlings that I had started inside about 6 weeks ago. I planted some organic heirloom tomato and brocolli plants. The garden bed was now covered in pea sized hail. I was crushed! Life that I had nurtured was gone. In the morning I checked the damage. One plant survived. The others were gone - no evidence was visible of their existence. Then of course I thought of the poor farmers and all of the people who had gone through real distaster and devastation in the past year. My sad little plants had lost their lives - but the effect on my life was tiny. I had a little part of my heart broken, but it has healed. There will be other plants.

How do people survive real loss and tradgedy? How can they believe that things will be okay?

The Compact

A few weeks ago there was an article in the newspaper about something called "The Compact". There is a group of people in San Francisco who started The Compact. The idea is to buy nothing new for one year to support recycling, reusing and to go against consumerism. Think about all the stuff in the world. I have way too much stuff in my basement, in my garage, on my night stand, under my bed. Everywhere! I don't NEED any more stuff. And when I go to Target and see that cute shirt for only $9.99 I have to say no.

I've been trying to do this since January 6. There are no hard and fast rules - the San Fran people have general guidelines, and they are relaxed about the so called rules because they are from California after all.

So, here are the rules. Buy nothing new except food. If you really NEED something, barter, trade, or buy it used.

Here are some ways that I've managed to make it work:

1) buy food for gifts (chocolates, wine, candy)
2) make cards
3) DON'T go to Target - go to the crappy neighborhood Walgreens instead
4) Everytime you say no to the cute shirt in the groovy Boden catalogue take a moment to feel good about what you've just done
5) Tell people - they will hold you to it and keep you on track by asking how it's going
6) Let yourself make exceptions

I will keep you updated on my progress. So far this year I have purchased some non-food items, but no clothes.

Which Is It?

Politics. Exciting, envigorating, depressing. When I delve into things I see how naive I am about so many things and I'm just an average person. It frightens me to think how uninformed we all are. And how does one become informed in an unbiased way? Who can we trust?

The war is about oil. Haven't we all heard that many times? What does it mean? It seems to me that it means that the war is about power and greed - specifically, American power and greed. We are in Iraq to get the oil. It is not about democracy or terrorism or any wmd (at least that is clear to everyone now). Check out Antonia Juhasz's editorial in the NYT. www.nytimes.com/2007/03/13/opinion/13juhasz.html. Her message is powerful. Just as powerful as the one that has been painted of the big bad terrorists and middle east oil barrens. Which is it?

Her answer to the oil problem. Stop driving. Is that possible?

Here is something you can do that is both good for you and good for the world. http://www.freerice.com check it out.

Be good to everyone. Be good in each moment. Make the hard choice. Smile when you don't feel like it. The next time you want to give the finger to the jerk who cut you off on 35W, give a smile with the peace sign. Be the peace in the world. Really. It's up to YOU.

A New Year

Always maintain a joyful mind. Try the mantra. Today I practiced this mantra. About 50% of the time I wake up angry or glum. Today I woke and said the mantra. It helped me to read it and say it several times. As I went through my day I forced my mind back to the words. At one time in the day someone said to me, "You seem different today - so joyful, what's up?" Isn't that cool?

My teenage kids and I went to the MLK concert at my church on Sunday. I sang in the choir with G and it was quite fun and moving. My kids went reluctantly. They ARE teenagers. But later that day when I was using the computer I saw that my son had downloaded a song from iTunes that he had heard at the concert. Happiness.

Life is filled with sweetness. Look for it. Let it in.

What To Do?

John is coming home from school next week and Miss Mary and I are baking cookies on Saturday. What more does one want than two happy healthy children who sort of like to hang around with me still?

Would you rather a chocolate kiss on your peanut butter cookie or would you rather have a real kiss followed by a peanut butter sandwich?