Dems 2 Wing Nuts 0

I watched with much trepidation the Democratic debates tonight.
I was afraid that maybe I would see a car wreck.
But I was pleasantly surprised.
Personally I liked Joe Biden, and when he withdrew,
I had planned on supporting Edwards
at Minnesota's caucuses.
I did not think he would drop out of the race before then, but he did.
So I will be voting for Hillary in the binding ballot we will have.
The debate tonight helped me reinforce my decision, because of their stands on health care.
Hillary's plan is closer to Edwards, a Universal Single Payer plan that would cover everyone.
Barack's plan for lower premium costs, leaves too many people out of the loop.
But don't get me wrong, this is the first time I can ever remember
that I would be happy with either one of them on the top and hope the other will take a VP slot.

In contrast McCaine and Romney's debate found them sniping at each other.
I watched McCaine sitting there with a smirk similar to Bushes every time Romney opened his mouth.
McCaine was baiting Mitt all night long giving the Pundits lots of fodder.

February 5th Super Tuesday will be the first caucus in 25 years that I have not
been in charge of organizing it.
It has been great not having that pressure this year.
When I chose not to run for Chair of the of our Senate District in 2006, some very capable people came forward,
and are doing a great job.
So next Tuesday I will go to my precinct caucus, cast my vote for Hillary, and add my name to the Districts volunteer list.

I swing a mean hammer when putting up those lawn signs, and hey I might get a free t-Shirt.

Home Sweet Home

Thanks everyone for the good wishes.
We left 16 below zero temps last Wednesday and arrived
in Mesa to 65 degrees, and a bunch of
wimps, whining because it was so cold.
The next 3 days were wonderful, high 60's and 71 on Saturday.
Sunday was a rainy Minnesota spring day and I loved it.
We got out of there just in time, the airport was full of people arriving for Super Bowl.

Now it's back to the real world.

As I write this our President is telling us how to solve all the problems in this world.
He is also talking about how successful "No Child Left Behind" has been.

Obviously he hasn't talked to the teachers I know.

Time for a Break

We are off to Mesa tomorrow to see friends and relatives.
Just a short little break in the winter.
We should have gone last week , when it turned so frigid.
Well at least when we fly home next Monday we'll be met
with warmer temps.
I won't have access to the internet or even cable.
I shall survive..

In his own words!

Remembering Martin

Today is the birthday of Martin Luther King and in honor of his birthday,
our book club invited author Jonathan O'Dell to speak to us and share his
experiences of growing up in Mississippi in the 50's and 60's.

First we read his book, The View from Delphi, based somewhat on his early life.
The book is set in a small early pre-civil rights community.
It tells the story of two young mothers Hazel and Vida, who find a common ground
because they have both lost a son.
Hazel's husband hires Vida to be a housekeeper and caretaker to his wife and to watch over their young son Johnny.
They start as adversaries, but soon Hazel and Vida discover a friendship that grows through out the story.

When Jonathan spoke to us, it wasn't long before we all realized this was the story of his family and he was
the character Johnny, from the book.

He told us when his mother comes to some of his lectures she will raise her hand and tell the people there, she didn't do everything Hazel did in the book.
But Jonathan said "she did most of it," he just changed some of the events.

He is now a resident in Minnesota, and here he sees a different type of racism.
One that many Northerners don't want to admit they feel.
Spending my morning listening to Jonathan , made this a special way to remember Martin Luther King.

It was a sad day when he died, and followed shortly by the tragic death of Robert Kennedy.

I have always wondered what this world would have been like if those two men were still here.

Jane Austen

I was in 7th or 8th grade when I discovered Jane Austen.
We were assigned a Biography to read and then do a book report.
Sister Mary Ricarda made several suggestions,
some were the life of Saints,
but I chose Jane.
After that I began to read her books and get lost in them.
Her heroins from the late 1700's to 1800's are intelligent,
spunky woman.
They lived in an era where unmarried woman were not looked on kindly.
Today I'm sure they would have been strong feminist's, they were leaders.

Tonight on Masterpiece, PBS, begins The Complete Jane Austin.
Rebecca Eaton, executive Producer of Masterpiece(formerly Masterpiece Theater)
said " Whoever thought Jane Austen would be event television, but it is."
First up is Persuasion, followed by Northanger Abbey on January 25th,
Mansfield Park, February 1st.
There will also be repeats of Pride and Prejudice, Sense and Sensibility,
and Emma, plus a dramatization of her life.
To me her books are like children, it is difficult to have a favorite.
My favorite book is usually the one I am reading at the time.
Tonight and over the next 3 months, I will be sitting in front of my new TV, with a cup of Green tea, living for a couple hours in another century.

Hillary doesn't like to Iron shirts!

Congratulations to Senator Clinton, who showed the good old boys in NH, she isn't ready to iron shirts.
This is a horse race right now and it is time for the Media to quit trying to shove their choices down the voters throats.
Last night, Chris Matthews MSNBC trying to tell people Clinton's campaign was terminally wounded, had egg on his face tonight.
Jack Cafferty CNN who would make choking sounds when he would read a complimentary message about her, is probably choking himself tonight.

I like all three of the Democratic candidates.
They all have good ideas and are going to bring back the respect that our country use to have.
My thoughts,
I can't wait for the next person who calls me to survey.

I will lie through my teeth..

Rosie is our Friend

I see Misty... *smile*

Obama wins Iowa !

I wasn't all that surprised by Obama's win in Iowa.

He is responsible for re energizing the Democratic Party.
Tonight reminded me a little of 1960.
The young supporting JFK and the old timers behind Stevenson
Like Kennedy, Obama is responsible for bringing
young people into the party to give it new blood.

This isn't over yet for Clinton and Edwards, this is just the beginning.

I think the big winner tonight was the Democratic party, because a tidal
wave swept through Iowa, a red state.
The Democrats doubled their turn out from 2004, twice as many
as the Republicans.


I am very excited about where this country could be going.

I just hope we stay on the right track

HAPPY NEW YEAR !!

Wow 2008 who would have thought it?

Hubba and I went over to the club, had a couple bumps and were back home by 8:00.
We use to go down to our home town and spend the New Years with old friends
and family.
Lot's of good memories.
Now most of them are either gone for the winter, or just prefer not to go out
on New Years anymore.
So the last several years we have been taking turns with some couples and just playing cards.
It was my turn to entertain this year , but one couple was enjoying time with their family while
their son is home for a few weeks
from Iraq.
He has about 4 months to go, that is if the Shrub doesn't extend his time there.
He has told his wife and parents, he will not be staying in the Guards.
This has been very difficult for his wife and kids, emotionally and financially

It was interesting watching people at the club.
One guy was playing pull tabs with a vengeance
I estimated he spent about 400.00 to 500.00 dollars before he quit.
He may have hit some small winners, but I think he left with empty pockets.
I guess I'll never understand how people think they can win at those games.
When the Karaoke started, we decided it was time to leave.
I just wasn't in the mood to listen to bad country music.
The usual suspects were standing in line waiting to croak.


I hope this New Year brings a new Regime,
and will bring our kids home and try to repair our image in this world.


.