An Afternoon Cup

Okay...this is so my Life...

An Afternoon Cup with an old friend...mentor...long past lover and once-upon-a-time-Republican. Having coffee after the election was NOT a scheduling coincidence (...for either of us...) 

~laughing~

So after all these years we sit in a local tea-room sharing life, pictures of children...grandchildren...and doing what we do best...discussing politics and the recent election. A bit stiffer. A tad grayer. Both on the same page after over 25 years.  

A minor miracle.

The political shift, that is.

And I must admit missing the dynamics of

How the hell could you believe/trust/think like THAT"

 or

"You voted for WHO????"
followed closely by a heavy sigh.

The truth of the matter that both the far left and the far right have swung so far out there that somehow we have found ourselves huddled in the middle wondering what the hell has happened to the government (our politicians) that no longer work "for the people" but instead work only to further their political careers.

Both agreeing that something must give...that the bickering/walk outs/ obstruction/ willful gridlock must end. That the fiscal cliff is a reality and that concessions must/will be made on both sides in fairly short order to avoid the disaster that years of tax cuts/financial spending and borrowing has created. 

So we watch...and wait...and hope for saner heads to prevail.

On a local level I am effuse with praise for our Mayor of Greencastle whom I contacted in February of the year about a safe crossing issue.

 Years ago, I dealt with INDOT. It was a campaign worthy of "Shawshank Redemption". Objective...to secure a stoplight at an impossible to cross in rush hour traffic intersection. Eventually, I did get the stoplight (with a protected left) in place. It took 3 years and so many letters that I literally could not put a number to it. Somewhere over 100. Sometimes, I have to think Joe just gave me the damn light so the letters would stop.

After moving here in November, I immediately noticed that crossing over to the rambling People Pathway through our college town was (for me...and several of my neighbors) a dangerous and nearly impossible prospect. I e-mailed our Mayor.  The very next day I received a well-thought out and personal response in the affirmative. Within a month the traffic study was complete and plans were being drawn up. Throughout the process I received several additional updates on the progress/funding of my crosswalk and safety pedestrian (crossing) lights. At the end of October the actual crosswalk was painted and now they are beginning the pedestrian safety (walk) lights. In INDOT time this has all been earth-shatteringly fast. I thank our local politicians for that.

 Never let anyone make you believe that you can't change things.

The only people that do change things or make a difference are the people who believe they can.

Which brings me back to my old friend.


Today, I took the time over our yearly brunch to thank him. For making such a huge difference in my life. He was the person to inspire me to go to college. To help me believe I could make a Difference in Life. Who took the time to believe in me...at a time when I had difficulty believing in myself.  I owe him a lifetime of gratitude.

 I graduated from Nursing School...Passed my State Boards...and spent the next 15 years "making a difference" in other's lives and my own. Because we may not be able to change the world individually...but we can change our little corner of it.


 ...together...

We CAN change the World!

The Morning After

WOW!

Can it STILL be your morning cup when you are sipping it at NOON?

Sat down last night before the first poll closed with the Electoral College Map and worked out possible scenarios. Did the math. Romney's chances were slim before the night started...slim...but possible.

As he lost every State he personally had ties with...including Massachusetts...they became smaller by the hour. 

When he lost Pennsylvania, it was game over...even if he wasn't going to acknowledge it.

When Ohio went Blue they called it...and Florida became irrelevent. For the record, it went Blue as well.

And President Obama? LeBron wishes he had game like this.

 What did we learn last night?

1. That "We The People" wield far more power than any Super-PAC ever hopes to have. And that is a good thing.

2. That a political party can't disenfranchise...insult...disregard: Woman/Gays/Latinos/Blacks/The Poor/Anybody who disagrees with them/The Elderly...and then expect to win a General Election.

3. That unless they evolve the GOP is going by the way of the Dinosaur. And maybe that isn't a bad thing.

4. That we have got to start working with each other. Our next grassroots event should center around keeping all of their feet to the flame on this one including the President (GITMO anyone?)...and using the midterm election to thin the herd of obstruction/blockage if necessary.

5. We need to get back to the Government working for all of US.

So...that is my 5-point plan.

But for now...coffee. Who the hell does their Concession/Acceptance speech at 2 AM. anyway?

Today the GOP is whirling like a dervish trying to blame everything and everyone...here is an angle you might have missed:

You just can't alienate 75% of the citizens of the USA and expect to win the election.


And what happen to Barack and Michelle last night?  Walking out to celebrate the winning of a second term hand in hand with their daughters...individually...instead of each other. In fact with the exception of a last minute hand round the waist...his...not hers...and decidedly nonreciprocating. The couple known for their endearing PDA's was completely hugless and kissless to each other through the entire festivity.

It was...odd to say the least.

Today, however, it is over.  The sun still rose the same way it has done regularly. "Nervous Nellies" have dipped the stock market today...but the Opportunists among us know that now is an optimal time to buy low...because knee-jerk burps like this are short lived.

And as Robert Frost tells us about life

                                            "It goes on."

A Pre-Elective Cup

Sipping an evening cup and thinking (a lot) about tomorrow's election.

The first Presidential Election in years without my "comrade in arms", my husband-person, Bill...who died late in 2010. He took the political process to a whole different level. It was foreplay. It was battle. It was orgasm. It was basking in the afterglow toasting the winners (...and in some bizarre cases the defeated...) with a bottle of champagne and a clink of glass. Together we were a force to be reckoned with on Election Day!

 "We'll throw the bastards out...oh...we'll throw the bastards out."

Tomorrow, I will continue le bon combat...for both of us. 

So much has changed these days.  Remembering ten individual Presidents during my lifetime.  The first, a vague memory of the day President Kennedy was assassinated. President Johnson, President Nixon,  President Ford, President Carter, President Reagan,  President Bush,  President Clinton,  President Bush II, and President Obama.  In the past ten years I have seen the nomination of the first women presidential candidates and the first black candidates. I have seen openly gay politicians and a Man of Color hold the highest office in the land. POTUS. I can remember a time when you could disagree with a person's political alignment and still hold a civil conversation. A time when our political representatives actually represented EVERYONE...not just their chosen political party. A time when we actually got things done to better the Country. And we were ALL Americans. Not Democrats and Republicans. Not Conservatives and Liberals. Just Americans.

Heady stuff for a politiphile.

So, here we are. The Eve of the Election.

I have watched both the RNC and the DNC. I have watched every debate. I have gathered just the facts...on where both candidates stand on the issues. I glean these from sites that are non-affliated with the parties. Then I have run those through Factcheck. 

I am an informed voter.  

If you are of the ilk that refers to Governor Romney as Flip Robme or Mitt the Twit- or to President Obama as Odumbo or Ohmammy...I have no time or patience for you. In my opinion, you are a big PART of the problem.

If you do not vote...no offense...but I couldn't give a rat's posterior about your political viewpoints. In an acronym please STFU. (...or at the very least, please find someone else to listen to your misguided/ill informed rant...)

If it sounds like I take all this election business really seriously...well I do.

The decisions we make this week will be decisions that will affect every aspect of our lives...some of them far beyond a four or eight year presidency.  

They will affect the lives of our children...and our grandchildren.

And, believe me, that...is...worth getting serious over.


Now go vote...

Gratitude

Sunday...and taking a break amidst the vacuuming and scrubbing and laundry to have a hot cup of tea with honey...check email...drop in on Facebook for a minute...and perhaps at the unlikeliest of moments (cleaning day) to reflect.


 November: A month dedicated to Gratitude-  and how very very much I have to be grateful for. How even though I may not have everything I ever "want"...I always have more than enough of everything I NEED.

Gratitude foremost for my loving family and amazing friends...most of which are more like extended family. A Circle of Love.  And gratitude for being able to share all my LOVE with all of them, as well.

Gratitude for a warm cozy home...electricity...heat...refrigeration...ample food and water...and yes...even dust bunnies and dirty dishes and tile floors needing to be mopped. Laundry churning clean. As many on the EC could tell you today...these are indeed blessings.

Gratitude for my health and strength and for FRED's shrinkage this year. Gratitude for medical science that continues to strive toward cures and alternative medicine as well.

Even gratitude for adversity...the challenges...for giving me strength...patience...wisdom...empathy...compassion...perspective.  Life Lessons.

In short, I find myself grateful for everything life has to offer.

Now back to mopping the floors!

The Friday Cup

And yes...way past morning coffee.

Another week complete. It's Friday!

Halloween over and Fall inching its way out the door. Those up the EC doing what they do best...picking themselves up...extending a hand to one another...and putting one foot in front of another. Carrying on. Some beautiful stories of man's humanity to man coming from New York and New Jersey this week. Makes you proud to be an American. They've canceled the Marathon which in light of the still severe devastation, is probably a good call.


And a bit magical as Lucy (...the elephant...) who has stood on the Jersey Shore forever...it STILL standing.

Just as amazing Governor Chris Christie's endless compliments of President Obama's handling of Hurricane Sandy and how both Christie and The President have worked together for days to "solve" the problem. Get the cleanup in motion. Christie may well end up being the GOP's best hope (thusfar) in 2016. Say what you will...Christie is a refreshingly straight shooter.

Sandy handing a tough break to Mitt Romney only a week before the election. Especially after comments about doing away with FEMA beforehand...and of course Christie (and Mayor Bloomberg) who have both spoke glowingly of President Obama's handling of the crisis.  And Rush Limbaugh and part of the lunatic fringe who have now started attacking Governor Christie for speaking the truth. Former Mayor Guiliani...joining in the political fray...perhaps to offset the Christie " ...presidential pat on the back..." by calling for The President's resignation over the Libya attack. A shameless move at this point, in my opinion.  New Yorker's?

Personally, this cooperation between parties is what I expect from my elected officials. They are not hired to serve their party. They are hired to serve their citizens...all of them.

It gets things done.

It's good for the Country.

It's the way things used to be. Back when you could disagree with a fellow's politics, but still put political party aside for the good of the Country.

This week's book? Finished a re-read of Bram Stoker's Classic: Dracula. Seemed appropriate. Halloween and all. It had been awhile. Apparently I had forgotten how tedious a read it really was. Excruciating. By the end I wanted to drive the Holly stake through its cover (and possibly sever Mr. Stoker's head...filling his mouth with garlic), although I have to believe my local librarian and friend, Lisa, would have harsh words for me if I followed through. Won't be reading this again in THIS lifetime...or with any luck...the next. Give me Stephen King tales  anytime.

Halloween was wonderful...filled with grands and treats...and way way too much chocolate :)

Looking forward to next week's election with the same gusto that Paula Dean has for butter. Only three more days!

Will catch you after voting...




 

Happy Halloween!

Dark Chocolate Cocoa for my "Halloween Morning Cup"

The house a flurry of pre-Halloween activity before the "Grands" arrive...and a relaxing mineral soak before suiting up as "The Grand-Mummy" tonight.

Pintrest offering up the best mummy ideas. Candle Wraps...Pumpkin Wraps...and these:

                                                (...totally NAILED it...)

 Full sized Hershey Bars still in the wrapper...Mummy wrapped in gauze with Googley eyes!

Finishing up a re-read of  Bram Stoker's: Dracula this week :)

And hard to believe that October is coming to a close.

Yesterday there was fine crystals of snow in the air and winter, it seems, just around the corner. To those in West Virginia with over 20" and still falling...well...this might not seem so idyllic to you...but looking forward to that first stick-to-the-ground snow, here in Indiana.

Henri...le chat noir...has released his Halloween Video...guaranteed to make you laugh.  Take a moment to check it out!

 http://youtu.be/R_fUsssnHPw

Enjoy...and have a Happy (Chocolate Filled) Safe Halloween!

Sandy

Good Morning!


        
         After spending hours into the evening on-line and phone and text...listening and watching as the "Frankenstorm" (...as they've called it...) made landfall...and in the midst of it all...Chuck lightening the mood posting this

noting that it "really is windy in New York"! (...which I immediately shared...) Making me laugh out loud.

 And, although it is far from over for our EC Friends and family...Morning Roll Call was wonderful. Everyone ok. Things maybe be messy. Maybe underwater. Maybe trees down or power lines down. But reaching out to each other last night and this morning was amazing. The love and strength we share together!  Valerie and Karl...you have a story for a lifetime now...Ann...You've survived two now!!! Gail...overwhelming urge to bake brownies...lol...Diane and Sal...loved the "Couple Shot"...you guys rock!!! Everyone else ((((HUGS))).  Ralph...step away from the "brownies"...lol...

The coffee du jour...STRONG...

The overwhelming feeling of the day...gratitude.

Gratitude that everyone is okay. Grateful for being a part of such "friendships" and Circle of Caring. And grateful for the strength of our Country and its citizens...that once this is over everyone rolls up their sleeves and works together to set things right again. That is what makes this nation great. Its spirit...its people. And our small group of friends/family is a microcosm of that greatness.

Okay...sorry...starting to sound like a politician and I'm not running for anything.
Anyway, I love you all. 

Till tomorrow...