Every time I try to articulate my feelings about the movement to outlaw abortion, I can't do it. I get too angry, absolutely torqued up, completely livid. Yes, Representative Akin and his ilk are dangerously misinformed about rape. Even though his party has had the vapors over his "mis-speaking" and want him to withdraw from the race, they still want to outlaw abortion, in all cases -- rape, incest, health of the woman -- doesn't... Read more →
It's raining today. Not a big thunderstorm or a brief shower, but a steady, gray rain -- sometimes light, sometimes heavier -- but always rain, soaking everything. It seems right, after yesterday's tragedy. It would be wrong, somehow, to have a bright, sunshiney day today. The police have defused the first tripwire in the shooter's booby trapped apartment. The living mourn their dead; the wounded begin to heal, if they can, both physically and psychically.... Read more →
Well, Happy Easter to those who celebrate it! For us, today was pretty much like any other Sunday. We haven't really done much for Easter in the past several years. Since SonnyeBoy grew up, we haven't done the usual stuff like dying Easter eggs and assembling baskets and nibbling the ears off chocolate bunnies; because neither of us is particularly religious, we don't go to church. Instead, we went to lunch. I had a taste... Read more →
When I was a kid, we learned this poem in grade school. It has stuck with me all these years. Remember to thank the vets for their service, not just today, but every day. In Flanders Fields John McCrae In Flanders Fields the poppies blow Between the crosses row on row, That mark our place; and in the sky The larks, still bravely singing, fly Scarce heard amid the guns below. We are the Dead.... Read more →
Today Americans and Canadians honor those who serve in the military; those who protect and defend us from those who would harm us. There are lots of vets in my own family. My great-uncle Earl served in World War I. My Pop and my father-in-law served in World War II. My cousin served in Korea. My brother served in Vietnam. I am grateful for their service and for the service of all who serve, men... Read more →
Yesterday I took the lovely and talented Deb up on her offer to get together and off we went to the Maryland Renaissance Festival. We had a blast! We actually had A Plan, which was to see as many shows as possible, interspersed with eating and drinking. Notice that I did not mention "shopping." While I enjoy browsing in the shops, I have learned that I really have no need for a snood or a... Read more →
A blizzard warning is now in effect until six tonight. I took this shot from our bedroom window about two hours ago. Our street is to the left somewhere. The SOS continues to rise -- we have well over a foot now!! Read more →
SOS -- that stands for Shitpile of Snow, which is what we are supposed to get over the next 36 hours or so. The forecasters are calling for a minimum (yes, minimum) of 14 inches of the white stuff, so it looks like we will have a White Christmas for the first time in years. Naturally, everyone is stocking up on toilet paper, milk, and bread. We have plenty of each just because we normally... Read more →
I mentioned in the last post that Joe took me on a private tour of the Sant Ocean Hall, where he's a volunteer docent. It's magnificent! I loved the living coral reef, with Nemo and Dory swimming around the brilliant coral. Psychedelic! I even loved the male giant squid, hanging head down in his case. His is a face -- if you can call it a face -- that only his mother could love. He's... Read more →
Congratulations to the winner of the National Spelling Bee! I'm fond of the spelling bee kids. I really am, because I was one. I've always been a good speller. Even in grade school I used to kick at in the classroom spelling bees. Once, when I was in third or maybe fourth grade, won the classroom bee and progressed to the school bee. The principal, Sister Donelda, called the words. At one point, my word... Read more →