Two weeks from now, I will be at the Ramada PDX, my car parked for the next 11 days, and my bags packed for the 5:55 AM departure time for Charlotte via Houston. Today we got more great info from Jaxon: calendar of events, FAQs, talking points, how to pack and my personal favorite, prohibited items.
Most of them are straightforward. No firearms or weapons or knives or toys of firearms, weapons or knives, no fireworks, pepper spray or mace, razor blades, scissors, needles, screwdrivers...I see no mention of corkscrews. Leave your chemicals, radiological and biological materials, bullhorns, air horns, flashlights, laser pointers, whistles and drums at home.
Only the media can bring in tripods.
No glass OR plastic bottles, metal thermoses, soda cans, or coolers. Can I bring my stainless steel water bottle? Come on, it's Charlotte, NC in SUMMER. I need my water bottle.
Here's one: no produce (whole fruit). Are they afraid someone will throw it? I'll stick to clif bars. And speaking of throwing things, leave your baseballs, softballs etc. back at the hotel.
Your animals are not welcome, unless a guide dog. I get that. Oh, absolutely no unopened envelopes or packages. We will not tolerate anthrax scares. No way. No how.
No banners, signs or placards. Well, damn, I wanted to bring my Klickitat placard from the State Convention. Oh well. I'll keep it in my room so I can say it went to Charlotte.
No chairs. Seriously? I was really gonna carry a chair to the convention.
Stay tuned for more Charlotte travel tips!
Friday, August 17, 2012
Monday, August 13, 2012
UnReal
I don't watch reality shows. I will admit to seeing a few Project Runways with Alina when she was still in High School, as well as a few Top Chefs. I was subjected to a few Dancing with the Stars when visiting my mom (not Tom DeLay, but Bristol Palin). And I recall a few American Idols, also when I had a teenager in the house.
I think they are a waste of time and a way for once respectable networks to get away with cheap programming. NBC comes to mind. NBC used to be the epitome of great dramas (think Hill St. Blues, St. Elsewhere, LA Law, ER and West Wing). How far have they fallen? Well, they cancelled Kathy Bates' Harry's Law this year. Because the demographic of the Emmy nominated show was too old. Right. As if baby boomers don't spend money?
Now they've gone beyond the pale. Check this out. A new reality show called Stars Earn Stripes hosted by retired Gen. Wesley Clark -what the fruitcake are you thinking, Wes? Celebrities, such as Todd-will-they-never-go-away-Palin, will pair-up with members of the U.S. military to compete at war-like tasks, including "long-range weapons fire." Sans the killing and dying of course.
I am speechless. And disgusted.
Of course, there is a petition you can sign.
But I don't know how we are ever gonna cure all the stupid going around.
I think they are a waste of time and a way for once respectable networks to get away with cheap programming. NBC comes to mind. NBC used to be the epitome of great dramas (think Hill St. Blues, St. Elsewhere, LA Law, ER and West Wing). How far have they fallen? Well, they cancelled Kathy Bates' Harry's Law this year. Because the demographic of the Emmy nominated show was too old. Right. As if baby boomers don't spend money?
Now they've gone beyond the pale. Check this out. A new reality show called Stars Earn Stripes hosted by retired Gen. Wesley Clark -what the fruitcake are you thinking, Wes? Celebrities, such as Todd-will-they-never-go-away-Palin, will pair-up with members of the U.S. military to compete at war-like tasks, including "long-range weapons fire." Sans the killing and dying of course.
I am speechless. And disgusted.
Of course, there is a petition you can sign.
But I don't know how we are ever gonna cure all the stupid going around.
Saturday, August 11, 2012
This I Believe
Politics Alert: Read at your own risk!
I loved the PBS segment "This I Believe". I always wished I knew what to write myself when they were collecting them. So many were inspiring. Too late for PBS, but today was one of those days when I got hit with a This I Believe moment. I just hope that those who should have heeded the politics alert but didn't will try to understand that this is me. It's who I am and has nothing to do with them and how I feel about them. I can separate the two.
Families are complicated things. I am so lucky to have been born into a wonderful family. I have 6 younger siblings, one brother and 5 sisters, all very distinct individuals, and I love each one dearly. Mom and Dad were there for me always. We lost Dad last year, but Mom is still in the house we grew up in. If those walls could talk! Wallpaper in the bathroom upstairs is the same as it was almost 50 years ago. It's telling me it's time to replace it. This year, pillows. Maybe next year, wallpaper.
Mom is turning 85 on September 6th, and I will be flying straight to Boston from the Democratic National Convention in Charlotte to celebrate with my daughters, sisters, brother, in laws, nieces and nephews, and maybe a few cousins. My Dad didn't make 85. No one in Mom's family made 85. It's a BIG birthday. I want to be there for the party. Fortunately, I'll be on the right coast.
I am so honored to have been chosen as a National Delegate to the Charlotte Convention. It's an understatement to say I'm excited to be one of the people to cast a vote for Barack Obama and Joe Biden, and for the Democratic Platform which this year will include a plank for Marriage Equality. Not everyone in my family shares my passion, and it makes me sad that I can't share my joy and excitement about this once in a lifetime opportunity. But I respect their opinions and try to walk a peaceful line because no matter what, we're family and we do love each other. Ditch the politics and religion, stick with the Red Sox, Pats, Celtics and Bruins, Sullivan and Herrmann family lore, and we're all good.
It's been kind of crazy lately, so I've taken to emailing Mom. Phoning is not always convenient give the time zones and schedules. I want her know I do think of her and love her, even if I don't pick up the phone. I'm actually kind of a phone-a-phobe. Like getting calls but am not much of one for making them. I love getting 'real' emails, and picture her opening up her little netbook to find something that's not spam. Last night she wrote that she was watching "Mitt and his vp choice Paul Ryan" while waiting for reruns of Lawrence Welk to come on. She added not so subtly:
Our country IS on track. Our President told us from day one that it would take a long time to climb out of the hole we were in. Two unfunded wars and an economic mess were left in his lap. And he did not lie. It has taken a long time. It will take longer, especially if he has to keep going it alone. Do I think President Obama has all the answers? No. Do I think he's perfect? No. Heck, I was a County Convention Hillary delegate in 2008. I like to think I would not have caved on a public option for health care reform to compromise with the other side. But I think he's doing the best he can possibly do in impossible circumstances. I'm not in his shoes. He's compromised past the middle and gotten NOTHING in return from the opposition. He's a good and very intelligent man. He has a wonderful family that is obviously very important to him. His wife is warm, wonderful, accomplished and wicked smart. They have two beautiful daughters, as do I. To me they are real and honest people. I have an easier time relating to them than I do to the Romneys of this world.
I firmly believe in my heart and my head that the best choice for going forward is to reelect Barack Obama. I love you dearly and forever, no matter what, but the agenda of Romney and Ryan is not looking out for you or the people or the country. I ask, do you care about having Medicare? Look at Ryan's budget and tell me what he has proposed is good for you. Do you like your Social Security? Do you remember what happened a few short years ago when the stock market crashed? What if all your SS money had been invested and was now gone??? These guys want to privatize Social Security. I know you remember a time when our family needed help. Romney and Ryan would do away with a lot of the safety net that helps good people who fall on hard times. I can't abide that, along with a lot of other things they want to cut out. I could go on longer but I won't do it now. Maybe later...
A man who hides his wealth overseas to avoid paying taxes (as low as they are on the very rich among us who can write off horse expenses that are than twice what my two college educated kids made last year combined) and won't disclose his tax returns as every other presidential candidate (and VP) has, is not the kind of person I want leading our country. Do you think he asked Paul Ryan for more than 1 year's taxes in the vetting process? Mitt gave McCain a LOT more than one year's worth...and McCain picked Palin.
Men who want to insert their opinions into the decisions that should be made by women and their doctors and spouses are not people I can support. Men who have as their mission taking out Planned Parenthood, which serves millions of women around the country for basic preventative health and family planning (which PREVENTS abortions) are not people I can support. Count me among the millions of college age women in the 70s who graduated before becoming a parent because of PP. Men who deny civil rights to fellow Americans are not people I can support. Men who are incapable of making a distinction between church and state and cannot respect that separation are not people I can support. Men who have been party to crippling any movement out of our economic crisis by voting NO to anything proposed by President Obama from the day he took office are not people I can support. In my mind they are nothing but traitors to our country. He says he'll do things but offers no plan.
Yes, Mom, I do listen to both sides. I just don't like what I hear from one of them. I listen to more than Fox News and the Catholic League. And I am a big fan of Nuns on the Bus. You should be, too. I do more than listen. I read. I watch. I think. I participate. And I will be doing everything I can, with every fiber of my being, to make sure Romney and Ryan don't have the opportunity to take our country backwards. This I believe.
I loved the PBS segment "This I Believe". I always wished I knew what to write myself when they were collecting them. So many were inspiring. Too late for PBS, but today was one of those days when I got hit with a This I Believe moment. I just hope that those who should have heeded the politics alert but didn't will try to understand that this is me. It's who I am and has nothing to do with them and how I feel about them. I can separate the two.
Families are complicated things. I am so lucky to have been born into a wonderful family. I have 6 younger siblings, one brother and 5 sisters, all very distinct individuals, and I love each one dearly. Mom and Dad were there for me always. We lost Dad last year, but Mom is still in the house we grew up in. If those walls could talk! Wallpaper in the bathroom upstairs is the same as it was almost 50 years ago. It's telling me it's time to replace it. This year, pillows. Maybe next year, wallpaper.
Mom is turning 85 on September 6th, and I will be flying straight to Boston from the Democratic National Convention in Charlotte to celebrate with my daughters, sisters, brother, in laws, nieces and nephews, and maybe a few cousins. My Dad didn't make 85. No one in Mom's family made 85. It's a BIG birthday. I want to be there for the party. Fortunately, I'll be on the right coast.
I am so honored to have been chosen as a National Delegate to the Charlotte Convention. It's an understatement to say I'm excited to be one of the people to cast a vote for Barack Obama and Joe Biden, and for the Democratic Platform which this year will include a plank for Marriage Equality. Not everyone in my family shares my passion, and it makes me sad that I can't share my joy and excitement about this once in a lifetime opportunity. But I respect their opinions and try to walk a peaceful line because no matter what, we're family and we do love each other. Ditch the politics and religion, stick with the Red Sox, Pats, Celtics and Bruins, Sullivan and Herrmann family lore, and we're all good.
It's been kind of crazy lately, so I've taken to emailing Mom. Phoning is not always convenient give the time zones and schedules. I want her know I do think of her and love her, even if I don't pick up the phone. I'm actually kind of a phone-a-phobe. Like getting calls but am not much of one for making them. I love getting 'real' emails, and picture her opening up her little netbook to find something that's not spam. Last night she wrote that she was watching "Mitt and his vp choice Paul Ryan" while waiting for reruns of Lawrence Welk to come on. She added not so subtly:
" I hope you listen to both sides... I know you are going to the Dem. convention, but this country needs to get back on track. I will leave it at that."Mom, of course I listen to both sides. I'm a scientist (and a Gemini)! I like data. I like truth. I know how to play with numbers. I am not easily swayed, and during my 60 years I have found myself at times when I was younger hanging about in no man's land because I can see both sides of an argument. I wasted a Presidential election vote one year many moons ago on an Independent (John Anderson). Those years are gone. This election is crystal clear to me, and the most critical and important of my voting life -I was too young to vote for JFK, back when you were a Democrat. And of course you love Ryan, he's Catholic.
Our country IS on track. Our President told us from day one that it would take a long time to climb out of the hole we were in. Two unfunded wars and an economic mess were left in his lap. And he did not lie. It has taken a long time. It will take longer, especially if he has to keep going it alone. Do I think President Obama has all the answers? No. Do I think he's perfect? No. Heck, I was a County Convention Hillary delegate in 2008. I like to think I would not have caved on a public option for health care reform to compromise with the other side. But I think he's doing the best he can possibly do in impossible circumstances. I'm not in his shoes. He's compromised past the middle and gotten NOTHING in return from the opposition. He's a good and very intelligent man. He has a wonderful family that is obviously very important to him. His wife is warm, wonderful, accomplished and wicked smart. They have two beautiful daughters, as do I. To me they are real and honest people. I have an easier time relating to them than I do to the Romneys of this world.
I firmly believe in my heart and my head that the best choice for going forward is to reelect Barack Obama. I love you dearly and forever, no matter what, but the agenda of Romney and Ryan is not looking out for you or the people or the country. I ask, do you care about having Medicare? Look at Ryan's budget and tell me what he has proposed is good for you. Do you like your Social Security? Do you remember what happened a few short years ago when the stock market crashed? What if all your SS money had been invested and was now gone??? These guys want to privatize Social Security. I know you remember a time when our family needed help. Romney and Ryan would do away with a lot of the safety net that helps good people who fall on hard times. I can't abide that, along with a lot of other things they want to cut out. I could go on longer but I won't do it now. Maybe later...
A man who hides his wealth overseas to avoid paying taxes (as low as they are on the very rich among us who can write off horse expenses that are than twice what my two college educated kids made last year combined) and won't disclose his tax returns as every other presidential candidate (and VP) has, is not the kind of person I want leading our country. Do you think he asked Paul Ryan for more than 1 year's taxes in the vetting process? Mitt gave McCain a LOT more than one year's worth...and McCain picked Palin.
Men who want to insert their opinions into the decisions that should be made by women and their doctors and spouses are not people I can support. Men who have as their mission taking out Planned Parenthood, which serves millions of women around the country for basic preventative health and family planning (which PREVENTS abortions) are not people I can support. Count me among the millions of college age women in the 70s who graduated before becoming a parent because of PP. Men who deny civil rights to fellow Americans are not people I can support. Men who are incapable of making a distinction between church and state and cannot respect that separation are not people I can support. Men who have been party to crippling any movement out of our economic crisis by voting NO to anything proposed by President Obama from the day he took office are not people I can support. In my mind they are nothing but traitors to our country. He says he'll do things but offers no plan.
Yes, Mom, I do listen to both sides. I just don't like what I hear from one of them. I listen to more than Fox News and the Catholic League. And I am a big fan of Nuns on the Bus. You should be, too. I do more than listen. I read. I watch. I think. I participate. And I will be doing everything I can, with every fiber of my being, to make sure Romney and Ryan don't have the opportunity to take our country backwards. This I believe.
Wednesday, August 1, 2012
A Fine Choice
San Antonio Mayor Julian Castro
will be the keynote speaker at the National Convention in Charlotte.
The announcement came along with primary GOP election results, with the
Texas Tea Party smothering more sane candidates in the GOP, raising
hopes that some of the
Dem candidates just might have a chance in November. My friend Hal gives a summary that gives me hope.
Now one of the best and brightest of Texas Democrats will have center stage in Charlotte. The youngest mayor of a Top 50 City wowed the crowd at the Texas Democratic Convention, where he was introduced by his twin brother, both of them Stanford and Harvard Law graduates.
Texas Democrats are dancing in the streets. "I had to put on heavy shoes this morning to keep from flying", wrote Juanita Jean. I share her excitement. Having lived in Texas (CD22, think Tom DeLay) for five years before relocating to WA, I know this is a big deal. I can't wait to witness his address. It will be historic. Look for me and JJ hootin' and hollerin'!
Who knows? One day this bright young Hispanic mayor from Texas might make up for the more recent governors who've made the leap to the national stage. At the very least, he'll give our country a glimpse of a non-stereotypical Texan doing The People's business in the best interest of The People.
Now one of the best and brightest of Texas Democrats will have center stage in Charlotte. The youngest mayor of a Top 50 City wowed the crowd at the Texas Democratic Convention, where he was introduced by his twin brother, both of them Stanford and Harvard Law graduates.
Texas Democrats are dancing in the streets. "I had to put on heavy shoes this morning to keep from flying", wrote Juanita Jean. I share her excitement. Having lived in Texas (CD22, think Tom DeLay) for five years before relocating to WA, I know this is a big deal. I can't wait to witness his address. It will be historic. Look for me and JJ hootin' and hollerin'!
Who knows? One day this bright young Hispanic mayor from Texas might make up for the more recent governors who've made the leap to the national stage. At the very least, he'll give our country a glimpse of a non-stereotypical Texan doing The People's business in the best interest of The People.
Monday, July 30, 2012
Catching Up on Good News
Nothing like a couple of days away from the 24 hr news cycle. I went to work at the tasting room Saturday, drove to Vancouver to spend the night with Liz and Perry Campbell, briefly read The Columbian Sunday morning before we left for Seattle. We talked all the way up and back on the drive with fellow delegate Gene Finley, so no radio news. Got home around 10 and watched Olympics until the tumbling girls all started looking alike (about 30 minutes) and went to bed.
This morning, I read the saved Sunday Oregonian, the Monday Oregonian, and hit the computer. While I was out:
-The Red Sox beat the Yankees TWICE at Yankee Stadium
-Mitt Romney continued raising eyebrows: praising Israel's Socialized Health Care
-There was an announcement that I'll get to hear The Big Dog again in Charlotte (I heard Bill Clinton speak in McMinnville back in 2008 when he was stumping for Hillary)
-There will be a plank in the Democratic Platform at the Convention in support of marriage equality
and, most importantly,
-my niece Sydney recuperated so quickly from her emergency appendectomy on Saturday that she's going home today. Speedy healing, Syddo!
I love Good News Mondays.
This morning, I read the saved Sunday Oregonian, the Monday Oregonian, and hit the computer. While I was out:
-The Red Sox beat the Yankees TWICE at Yankee Stadium
-Mitt Romney continued raising eyebrows: praising Israel's Socialized Health Care
-There was an announcement that I'll get to hear The Big Dog again in Charlotte (I heard Bill Clinton speak in McMinnville back in 2008 when he was stumping for Hillary)
-There will be a plank in the Democratic Platform at the Convention in support of marriage equality
and, most importantly,
-my niece Sydney recuperated so quickly from her emergency appendectomy on Saturday that she's going home today. Speedy healing, Syddo!
I love Good News Mondays.
Always Have a Plan B
My two fellow delegates from CD3 and I were pretty excited after our blogging workshop in Seattle yesterday with Andrew Villeneauve from the Northwest Progressive Institute. We were happily heading south on I-5 when flashing lights warned us: Traffic accident ahead. All lanes blocked. 2 mile back up.
Hmmm. Things were moving well...decisions, decisions. We went with cautious, and decided to take a detour across the lake on I-90, on down I-405 to Renton. I was happy the driver and copilot knew their way around Seattle enough to know to do that! Except we took the wrong exit. Retake. We went back around, now the flashing signs said 5 mile back up. No question, take the alternate route. We got it right that time.
While it added a little time to our trip, we rejoined I-5 with no problems (and VERY light traffic from the north), and sailed on to Vancouver. After a quick bite to eat with Liz, I drove back to the Gorge, and got home in time to watch a little bit of gymnastics before heading to bed. And enjoy a much needed glass of wine.
Today's Seattle Times detailed the delay. We made the right choice, missing out on a car chase, a shooting, a rolled Kia, and fender benders near the Boeing exit. YIKES!
Hmmm. Things were moving well...decisions, decisions. We went with cautious, and decided to take a detour across the lake on I-90, on down I-405 to Renton. I was happy the driver and copilot knew their way around Seattle enough to know to do that! Except we took the wrong exit. Retake. We went back around, now the flashing signs said 5 mile back up. No question, take the alternate route. We got it right that time.
While it added a little time to our trip, we rejoined I-5 with no problems (and VERY light traffic from the north), and sailed on to Vancouver. After a quick bite to eat with Liz, I drove back to the Gorge, and got home in time to watch a little bit of gymnastics before heading to bed. And enjoy a much needed glass of wine.
Today's Seattle Times detailed the delay. We made the right choice, missing out on a car chase, a shooting, a rolled Kia, and fender benders near the Boeing exit. YIKES!
Monday, July 23, 2012
Officially In Training
I've been warned by veteran Convention goers to wear comfortable shoes, carry as small a bag around as possible so as to cruise through the security lines, stay hydrated and to learn how to get by on 5 hours of sleep.
After many years of living in hotter latitudes, I have a vast array of
fine water bottles, and never leave home without one. So staying
hydrated is not a problem.
Shoes, I live for comfy shoes. But I have been in need of a comfy pair of sandals. It will be Labor Day weekend in Charlotte when I arrive, so sandals will be appropriate. It's still hot in the south. I can check off that little item. I found some lovely blue (of course) Chacos on sale at Sierra Trading Post. They look fabulous with my blue nail polish, and I walked around and stood in them Saturday from 7:30 am until 11:00 pm. PERFECT!!
This was also an exercise in going full throttle all day. After coffee and some breakfast, I loaded up the Subaru with six cases of water, 14 packages of Costco Polish Dogs in a cooler, 11 multipacks of sandwich rolls, 6 huge bags of kettle chips, condiments, napkins, and a cooler full of bagged ice, then unloaded them at Katina's for food vending at the Art and Wine Fusion. I then went home and loaded up an EZ Up tent, two jugs of iced beverages, two folding tables, a big giant rubbermaid box of 'stuff', three folding chairs, a cooler of watermelon, and multiple candidate signs, and drove them to Rheingarten Park for the LD14 Democrats Picnic. We were all set up when the first guests from out of town (Yakima) arrived promptly at 11. The festivities ended at 2.
We packed it all back up, adding two big boxes of NEW candidate signs and posts. I took it home, unloaded all but the tent, and folding tables, and returned to Katina's. Unloaded it all, then spent the next 7 hours either selling dogs or pouring wine samples with a few of my favorite fellow travelers. We were at the Cafe on the right of this photo (thanks, Darlisa Black), as kid parade rolls.
Then we packed it all up again, and I headed the Suby back to the barn...and to feed my poor dog, who probably would have thought we forgot her, but lucky for us, a little bit of doggie dementia can be a blessing. I fed her, unloaded the coolers with food, washed them out, then sat down with a big glass of wine and put my feet up at about 11 pm. Never drank much of the wine, answered a few emails, and went to bed at midnight. I didn't even hear Lloyd, who was running the show at the Art and Wine Fusion, get in at 1. He said he thought the shower would wake me up. Normally yes. But not that night.
I felt great the next day, which was a good thing...I still had to unload the rest of the car and put everything away. It's amazing how much can fit into a Subaru Outback. But now I need to work on the getting by with 5 hours of sleep thing. Maybe I'll just stay well rested and go for broke when I get there. They must have good coffee in Charlotte...maybe just not a drive through on every corner. But that's OK, I'll be WALKING!
This is how we roll in retirement.
After many years of living in hotter latitudes, I have a vast array of
fine water bottles, and never leave home without one. So staying
hydrated is not a problem. Shoes, I live for comfy shoes. But I have been in need of a comfy pair of sandals. It will be Labor Day weekend in Charlotte when I arrive, so sandals will be appropriate. It's still hot in the south. I can check off that little item. I found some lovely blue (of course) Chacos on sale at Sierra Trading Post. They look fabulous with my blue nail polish, and I walked around and stood in them Saturday from 7:30 am until 11:00 pm. PERFECT!!
This was also an exercise in going full throttle all day. After coffee and some breakfast, I loaded up the Subaru with six cases of water, 14 packages of Costco Polish Dogs in a cooler, 11 multipacks of sandwich rolls, 6 huge bags of kettle chips, condiments, napkins, and a cooler full of bagged ice, then unloaded them at Katina's for food vending at the Art and Wine Fusion. I then went home and loaded up an EZ Up tent, two jugs of iced beverages, two folding tables, a big giant rubbermaid box of 'stuff', three folding chairs, a cooler of watermelon, and multiple candidate signs, and drove them to Rheingarten Park for the LD14 Democrats Picnic. We were all set up when the first guests from out of town (Yakima) arrived promptly at 11. The festivities ended at 2.
We packed it all back up, adding two big boxes of NEW candidate signs and posts. I took it home, unloaded all but the tent, and folding tables, and returned to Katina's. Unloaded it all, then spent the next 7 hours either selling dogs or pouring wine samples with a few of my favorite fellow travelers. We were at the Cafe on the right of this photo (thanks, Darlisa Black), as kid parade rolls.
Then we packed it all up again, and I headed the Suby back to the barn...and to feed my poor dog, who probably would have thought we forgot her, but lucky for us, a little bit of doggie dementia can be a blessing. I fed her, unloaded the coolers with food, washed them out, then sat down with a big glass of wine and put my feet up at about 11 pm. Never drank much of the wine, answered a few emails, and went to bed at midnight. I didn't even hear Lloyd, who was running the show at the Art and Wine Fusion, get in at 1. He said he thought the shower would wake me up. Normally yes. But not that night.I felt great the next day, which was a good thing...I still had to unload the rest of the car and put everything away. It's amazing how much can fit into a Subaru Outback. But now I need to work on the getting by with 5 hours of sleep thing. Maybe I'll just stay well rested and go for broke when I get there. They must have good coffee in Charlotte...maybe just not a drive through on every corner. But that's OK, I'll be WALKING!
This is how we roll in retirement.
Jetting Through July
Well, I had my little sojourn back east, nearly 2 weeks of family, friends and fun. I found summer when I landed at Logan. There was no need to pack those jeans, long sleeved shirts or light fleece jacket. The entire trip was sunny and warm, with the occasional Tstorm threat that never made it through Boston...until I was on the Cape on the 4th. Then they had to evacuate the Esplanade during the Pops concert, pre fireworks because of severe weather. I probably would have been there with my sister, who left her bridge view spot for the tunnels on Storrow Drive. But I digress...
My first big event was our Waltham High School Class of 70 Turns 60 Birthday Bash on June 30th. A pre-party at the Marriott bar Friday night was a good way to break the ice. My sister Linda, class of 71, came with me. And dressed me, in a cute little black dress. She also dressed me for the Bash, in a long summery dress. Smashing. Thanks, Linda. And Alina took me out for a pedicure for my birthday present so my toes looked pretty smashing as well! It was good to see old friends, many of whom I'd not seen since graduation.
Enjoyed my time with Mom, had a great night at Linda's for Patrick's 27th Birthday on the 3rd.
I visited the Concords for their 4th cookout, then I left my laptop behind for a tech break, and headed with Alina to Chatham for a few days with Larry and Helen McKevitt.
We had such a great time, no internet, walking around town, and lazing at the beach, with short dips to cool off- white shark alerts kept everyone very close to shore.
We took a drive with Cassie in her convertible to Provincetown, taking in a drag queen show, eating oysters, drinking local brews, and sipping more than a few different wines and talking late into the night on the deck. Nothing like some good quality time with a daughter.
At the end of the week we drove to Falmouth for our Cape Cousin reunion, planned back in Feb 2011 at Dad's funeral. All 5 Cape cousins, spouses and most of their kids gathered at the old homestead, 31 Gayle Ave, now owned by cousin Jim (aka Tiba). Cousin Pat (aka Cookie) is doing his best Uncle Jim imitation. Uncle Jim used to wear that very hat and apron whenever there was a cookout at their place. So glad Cookie saved it. We had some good laughs about burned chicken.
We got everyone in front of 31 Gayle for a photo. The 'Walthams' were missing Carol and Mary, five out of seven ain't bad! Add Alina, Linda's three boys and Janet's Paul, and we had half our our kids there, too. Kevin's fiance Heather and Ryan's Soraya joined in the fun. Mom was the honored guest. It was a great day. I'm still smiling about that one.It's a keeper. Eat your hearts out, Concord Sullivans! To ensure you are in the NEXT one, you're hosting, haha.
My last night in Waltham, I boiled up some lobsters for Mom, Mark and myself. What a treat! Karen came to visit on Tuesday, and dropped me at the airport for my flight home.
I arrived home to find that summer had made it to the Gorge while I was gone. The radishes had gone crazy, the lettuce was up and needed thinning, the spinach and arugula were bolting, and the tomato plants finally had some blossoms and wee green tomatoes starting. And along with summer, we had guests! Our retired Chevron friends Steve and Bev Zalen stopped by for 2 nights with Ozzy, their Tibetan Spaniel. Welcome home!
My first big event was our Waltham High School Class of 70 Turns 60 Birthday Bash on June 30th. A pre-party at the Marriott bar Friday night was a good way to break the ice. My sister Linda, class of 71, came with me. And dressed me, in a cute little black dress. She also dressed me for the Bash, in a long summery dress. Smashing. Thanks, Linda. And Alina took me out for a pedicure for my birthday present so my toes looked pretty smashing as well! It was good to see old friends, many of whom I'd not seen since graduation. 
Enjoyed my time with Mom, had a great night at Linda's for Patrick's 27th Birthday on the 3rd.
I visited the Concords for their 4th cookout, then I left my laptop behind for a tech break, and headed with Alina to Chatham for a few days with Larry and Helen McKevitt.We had such a great time, no internet, walking around town, and lazing at the beach, with short dips to cool off- white shark alerts kept everyone very close to shore.
We took a drive with Cassie in her convertible to Provincetown, taking in a drag queen show, eating oysters, drinking local brews, and sipping more than a few different wines and talking late into the night on the deck. Nothing like some good quality time with a daughter.
At the end of the week we drove to Falmouth for our Cape Cousin reunion, planned back in Feb 2011 at Dad's funeral. All 5 Cape cousins, spouses and most of their kids gathered at the old homestead, 31 Gayle Ave, now owned by cousin Jim (aka Tiba). Cousin Pat (aka Cookie) is doing his best Uncle Jim imitation. Uncle Jim used to wear that very hat and apron whenever there was a cookout at their place. So glad Cookie saved it. We had some good laughs about burned chicken.We got everyone in front of 31 Gayle for a photo. The 'Walthams' were missing Carol and Mary, five out of seven ain't bad! Add Alina, Linda's three boys and Janet's Paul, and we had half our our kids there, too. Kevin's fiance Heather and Ryan's Soraya joined in the fun. Mom was the honored guest. It was a great day. I'm still smiling about that one.It's a keeper. Eat your hearts out, Concord Sullivans! To ensure you are in the NEXT one, you're hosting, haha.
I arrived home to find that summer had made it to the Gorge while I was gone. The radishes had gone crazy, the lettuce was up and needed thinning, the spinach and arugula were bolting, and the tomato plants finally had some blossoms and wee green tomatoes starting. And along with summer, we had guests! Our retired Chevron friends Steve and Bev Zalen stopped by for 2 nights with Ozzy, their Tibetan Spaniel. Welcome home!
Saturday, June 30, 2012
Devil's in the Details
It's actually SUMMER here in Boston. The one light fleece shirt I brought 'just' in case is now at the bottom of my suitcase, along with my jeans and long sleeved shirt. I got up early this morning for a walk before it hits the 90s, and to enjoy my Morning Edition on NPR.
One report caught my attention with details I hadn't heard anywhere else. Of course, only FOX news on here at the homestead, so details aren't exactly a specialty. It has to do with the student loan legislation just passed.
Sure, the interest rates will not double. This saves student borrowers about $1,000 a year. No chump change, for sure. But here's what else the bill did:
One report caught my attention with details I hadn't heard anywhere else. Of course, only FOX news on here at the homestead, so details aren't exactly a specialty. It has to do with the student loan legislation just passed.
Sure, the interest rates will not double. This saves student borrowers about $1,000 a year. No chump change, for sure. But here's what else the bill did:
- Interest on graduate student loans will have to be paid while still in school
- Eliminated six month grace period to start repayment of all loans
- Limited number of semesters needy students can get Pell Grants
- Made it harder to qualify for the maximum award
Thursday, June 28, 2012
Baseball Books
For my big birthday this year I got several books. Mostly related to baseball, and Fenway's 100th birthday. I think Fenway turning 100 made me feel young at 60. One of the books, from my sister Mary in McMinnville, OR, is called "Trading Manny: How a Father and Son Learned to Love Baseball Again" by Jim Gullo, also of McMinnville, about his and his son Joe's love of baseball, the effect of the steroid era on their passion. This fine little book, autographed by both Jim and Joe to Fenway Fran, was taken along for the 5 hour nonstop Alaska Air flight (I love you, Alaska Air). It was so engaging, I read some more before falling asleep last night. Thanks, Mary!
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