Have a safe 4th!

We will be spending the 4th of July in our hometown for an all School reunion,
One of my classmate/friends is on the committee and 5 years ago it was a blast.
Having it over the 4th of July will bring in a a lot of old friends.
On the 4th there is a parade that usually attracts about 10 to 12 Thousand people.
In the central park is an old fashioned 4th of July celebration, with food, bands, and
many old friends.

So thats where "we" Hubba and I will be on the 4th, with my spiked lemonade, people watching,and visiting with old friends..
Hubba and I both graduated from the same high school, though he was 9 years a head of me and it makes me feel so young to be around his friends.
Hope you all have a safe weekend..

Things need to change !

Two years ago friends of ours who were nearby neighbors sold their home to a young Hmong family.
A couple in their late 30's with 7 children ranging in age from 3 to 20.
Things were going great for this immigrant family until the father lost his job and their income took a steep dive.
They were surviving on his wifes low income and what the older children could add to it.
There was frustration and fights that came to a peak two weeks ago when the 41 year old husband
beat his wife to death with a claw hammer.
I don't know any of the circumstances, accept what has been reported,
and what a friend who lives next door to them told me.
Their 22 year old son found the body of his mother age 39 and called the police,
his 5 year old brother was home at the time
and told the authorities that "his father hurt her."
The father was gone but had left a note written in Hmong for his relatives saying .
his life "was not good", without love and that he "was going to be done today"
For several days the nearby park and nature area was searched and then the police asked for help
from the Hmong community if they should hear from him.
The majority of us suspected he was somewhere in that lake nearby,
the police had searched there but hadn't found anything.
We were partially right, last Thursday night while two teen age boys
took a short cut through the nature area and they found his body hanging from a tree.

It is so sad for these kids who have lost both their parents, they are temporarily living with an Uncle.
I hope that some way they can overcome this tragedy.

This is only one story, there are so many families out there right now dealing with the loss of homes and income.

I just hope we can find a way to help them before it is too late.

Lazy day !!

Today I got the old bike out and went for my first bike ride of the summer.
I live within a block of a bike path that circles a nature area, a short ride around is 3 miles,
but the path does connect to other paths so it can be as far as you want.
I love it because you see so many different animals and if you don't run into another human you can almost forget you are in the middle of a city.
I also live about 5 miles from a country club where many of the more expensive houses surround the golf course.
I love biking up there, but with high 80's and high humidity coming I'll save that for another day.
Today I cut it short at 5 miles, just a little to hot to go further without water.
I wish I had a pictures to post of the area, maybe I can get one of my techy kids to take some.
Photography is not one of my talents.

I received a call tonight from my friend, who is the State Representative in our area.
She asked me to assist her in laying out her plan for the campaign this summer,
so we can set up a meeting to see how many volunteers we can reign in.
It is not too promising, because of the National and State races, it is hard to get volunteers to work on the local level
they all want to be involved with the big campaigns working parades and festivals but we'll do the best we can.

The rest of my week is going to be busy, I am taking a friend who doesn't drive on some errands tomorrow.
I will try to post as much as I can so keep checking in, meanwhile enjoy these sunny days.

Happy Birthday Sarah Lee

Now isn't this better then a card??? *smiling*

Those were the Days

It is one of those summer days that reminds me of yesterdays long gone by.

My best friend and I would meet at the municipal pool.
I would walk or ride my bike, a mile from the south
side of my home town and she would walk the mile from the north side..
We would spend most of the afternoon there, and leave with wrinkled skin.

By the time we were 14 or so, you wouldn't catch us dead at that pool.
After that we spent our time at the lake, or just cruising the town with which ever
friend happen to have a car that day. Usually it was one our little rink rat crew,
black leather jackets and all.
If you saw Grease you pretty much know what my teen years were like,
never boring but sometimes so intense, in love one day and in hate the next.
We never knew if we wanted to be Sandy or Rizzo, so we bounced back and forth.
Our parents were so confused, but in many ways luckier then they are today.
(More about that in a later post.)

We didn't have to worry about some kid coming to school with a loaded gun
and we didn't even have to lock our doors at night.
The worst you could expect from any of the kids back then was a hidden beer party
in the middle of a cornfield or maybe by a lake.
We had our bullies back then too, but most of the time the parents took care of any problems.
They stuck together, because many of them worked together at the State Hospital,
and if any of their kids got out
of line and it got back to them they were taken care of with a firm hand.

It wasn't a time of entitlement, most of us had jobs before we were 16 years old,
if we wanted money for roller skating, movies
or new clothes, we had to earn the money.
The lucky ones had mothers that sewed, I wasn't one of them and neither is my daughter.

Four years of Home Ec and I still can't put a zipper in..

Yes those were the days..

TIM RUSSERT DEAD AT 58 !!

I was watching CNN when Tom Brokow broke in with the news of Tim Russert's sudden death.
I sat there stunned for a few minutes.
He will be so missed, he was probably one of the few fair journalists left since
Walter Cronkite.
I can't imagine Meet The Press every Sunday morning without him, and I can't see an election without his partisan comments.

Russert’s physician, Michael Newman, said "cholesterol plaque ruptured in an artery, causing sudden coronary thrombosis."

Russert had earlier been diagnosed with asymptomatic coronary artery disease, but it was well-controlled with medication and exercise, and he had performed well on a stress test in late April, Newman said.
An autopsy revealed that he also had an enlarged heart.

We never know when our time will come, so live each day like it is tomorrow.

Thinking Positive !

Last weekend I attended the Minnesota State Democratic Convention.
I chose to be a volunteer, instead of a Delegate.
I was assigned to the Information booth and as a teller when needed.
The biggest contest was on Saturday for the US Senate seat held by Paul Wellstone until his death
in a plane crash in 2002.
Eleven days later voters elected Republican Norm Coleman over Walter Mondale.
A bad mistake, Coleman's vote has been in Bushes pocket,
not representing Minnesota as Paul was.
We are determined to get that seat back for Paul.

Before the balloting began those of us who were supporters of Hillary got to go to a room and watch her graceful
exit speech.
I watched many of the woman in the room dabbing at their eyes.

There were 2 excellent candidates running for the Senate endorsement, Jack Nelson-Pallmeyer
a teacher at St.Thomas college in St. Paul
and Al Franken a writer, comedian and satirist and personal friend of Paul and Sheila's.
Al Franken despite some controversy won the Endorsement on the first ballot.

Can he beat Naughty Normy.?.
(nicknamed by many young woman he has hit on!)

I don't know, but he is probably our best chance.
It will take lots of money and he has the backers.

On Saturday night former Senator Mark Dayton hosted a Unity party, his parties are the best.
There was lots of good food, drinks, and a DJ that played till the wee hours.

It was a great weekend and everyone is now home ready to work.

No matter where you live, find some time this summer to help get our country back.

Sentence Delivered !

Not the best video, but this is for all of you that have been following the case of the Drug Dealer who sold the heroin to my brothers Granddaughter(my niece's daughter) Ariel.
I attended the trial but because I was a volunteer in Rochester at the State Democratic convention, I was unable to attend the sentencing.
I am happy for the Family that this chapter is over and I am happy for my friend Mike Freeman the county attorney, that he was able to get this conviction.
It is the first time they were able to convict a drug dealer in a death, and maybe it will send a message.
Thanks for all the prayers, and now maybe we can heal.

Obama 2008

Last night at the Excel Energy Center In St.Paul the the road to the Presidency began a new path.

Before Barack Obama arrived, Hillary, speaking to her supporters all but conceded
the race.
Because she didn't yell "OK you won" Some pundits are saying she is looking for something before she cries Uncle.
I heard her words, they were the gracious words of someone who only wants what is best for this country, and some time to think
and maybe grieve a little in private.

Personally I hope she stays in the Senate, or runs for Governor of New York.

Now we have to move forward, the attacks on Obama will begin, but I firmly believe that once people see Obama and McCranky side by side on stage,
they will make a wise decision when they go to the polls next November.

I will be holding my breath all summer long, and lighting a lot of Candles in church
Ever since Paul Wellstone's plane went down,I just don't feel comfortable anymore.

I will be gone through next Sunday volunteering at the Minnesota DFL Convention in Rochester.
I chose not to be a delegate this year, but can't just quit cold turkey.

Besides former Senator Mark Dayton throws a mean Party

Ariel Joy 4/1/1984 - 5/29/2007

It was May, 29th 2007, around 6:00 PM, when I received the frantic call from my niece.

"My daughters dead,come quick!"

It is a night I try not to remember, but will never forget.

Today was suppose to be the sentencing for the dealer who sold her the Heroin
she overdosed on. This was the second time it was delayed, now rescheduled for June 6th.

At approximately 11:05, some of the family went to the location where she died and spent some time.

Then in the afternoon, many of us gathered at their home watched some videos, shared memories and released balloon messages.

Now that one year has passed maybe healing will be faster.

It is not something they/we will ever get over, but I know first hand that the pain subsides as time goes by.

Though at the time she was struggling, we know she was also trying to overcome her addiction while hiding it from her family.

We will always wonder what path her life would have taken.

Misogyny in the Press??

Speaking up a little to late if you ask me.

It is sad that the worst offenders have been liberal woman who have had to crawl slowly up the ladder in their own professions.
I hope Hillary stays in the Senate and shows the world what a winner she really is.
I remember 1980, when Ted Kennedy stayed in the race right through the Convention no voice out there was telling him to get out of the race.
Not one Liberal Democrat was calling him out at every turn.
Then when he lost handily, he refused to even acknowledge Jimmy Carter on the Stage.

Take a deep breath before you watch this.

We need to remember.!

We took a quick road trip yesterday to see my Aunt Lo ( my Dad's sister) in Iowa.
She turns 96 in June, and we want to spread out the visits so she can enjoy them.
Each time I go I see a little more physical failure, but still a very upbeat lady with a mind as sharp as a tack.

What she wanted to talk about most was politics and Hillary being President, she said she had hoped to see that before she died.
But now since it doesn't look like Hillary will make it she is ready to go to sleep and not wake up.
Then she said..
"I guess thats not my decision to make."
"Who knows maybe I'll make it to 100."
She just might do that, she has already lived longer then her parents and siblings who have died, but just in case I think I will try and get down again later this summer.

On our way home we stopped in our hometown overnight to celebrate a
surprise birthday party for an old friend.
Again most of the conversations were about the upcoming election and the anger that Hillary won't be on the ballot.
The funny thing about it was, my female friends, though not very happy with the outcome so far, are mostly like me.
Disappointed but willing to vote for any Democrat on the ballot.
It was the older male Democrats that seemed less likely to accept him.
But because of their disgust with what is going on in this country,
I think they will come around, and if they don't,there have been so many new voters that have come out this year, maybe they will pick up the slack.

A lot of changes are going to have to be made after this primary season is over.

After visiting all of our family graves,we headed home this morning.

Cost of gas for the weekend?
About 75.00

American Idol 2008

This was the song that turned me and most other mature woman
into

"Cougars for Cookie"

Finally an Album I will purchase.

*Smiling*

Guess who they are voting for??

Wedding Day !

Last Saturday my second Grandson got married.
The three brothers have always been very close,
and if their mom would ever decide to blog I would suggest
the topic be.

"How to turn three rebels into men."

When she became a single mom, the oldest was 4 and the twins were 2.
I hope someday she finds time to write all of their experiences down
for her grandchildren to read.

Maybe he needs his loofa!!

How does someone like this stay on the air, and this was before his harassing phone calls, back when he was on Inside Edition.

If you get bored this weekend just google Bill O'Reilly..

Happy Mothers Day!!

Maybe you already know about the origin of Mother's Day. I didn't.
Womans concern about war goes back even further, I remember my oldest son
appearing in a college production of Lysistrata by Aristophanes 410 BC
Guess things never change..Remember your Moms today!



*Mother's Day* is celebrated each year on the second Sunday in
May. Inspired in part by Mothering Sunday in England, the U.S.
Mother's Day originally was intended to

"unite women against war."

The Mother's Day Proclamation

written in 1870, was a call for peace and disarmament. In 1907
Anna Jarvis started a crusade to found a memorial day for women,
the first of which was celebrated in Grafton, West Virginia, on
May 10, 1908. President Wilson declared the first national
Mother's Day as a day for the American flag to be flown in honor
of women whose sons died in war.

The* "Mother's Day Proclamation"* by Julia Ward Howe was one of
the early calls to celebrate Mother's Day in the United States.
Written in 1870, Howe's/ Mother's Day Proclamation/ was a pacifist
reaction to the carnage of the American Civil War and the
Franco-Prussian War. The Proclamation was tied to Howe's feminist
belief that women had a responsibility to shape their societies at
the political level.

Today, the proclamation is included in the Unitarian Universalist
hymnal,/ //Singing the Living Tradition/.

*Mother's Day Proclamation*

Arise, then, women of this day!
Arise, all women who have hearts,
Whether our baptism be of water or of tears!
Say firmly:
"We will not have great questions decided by irrelevant
agencies,
Our husbands will not come to us, reeking with carnage, for
caresses and applause.
Our sons shall not be taken from us to unlearn
All that we have been able to teach them of charity, mercy
and patience.
We, the women of one country, will be too tender of those of
another country
To allow our sons to be trained to injure theirs."
From the bosom of the devastated Earth a voice goes up with
our own.
It says: "Disarm! Disarm! The sword of murder is not the
balance of justice."
Blood does not wipe out dishonor, nor violence indicate
possession.
As men have often forsaken the plough and the anvil at the
summons of war,
Let women now leave all that may be left of home for a great
and earnest day of counsel.
Let them meet first, as women, to bewail and commemorate the
dead.
Let them solemnly take counsel with each other as to the means
Whereby the great human family can live in peace,
Each bearing after his own time the sacred impress, not of
Caesar,
But of God.
In the name of womanhood and humanity, I earnestly ask
That a general congress of women without limit of nationality
May be appointed and held at someplace deemed most convenient
And at the earliest period consistent with its objects,
To promote the alliance of the different nationalities,
The amicable settlement of international questions,
The great and general interests of peace.

Happy Birthday Crash!

Today was my Moms birthday.
If she was still on this planet, she would be 100 years old.

She was a little pistol, whose feet hardly ever touched the ground.
Busy every minute..
She loved her sisters and her baby brother, and we had so many fun times
during Holiday gatherings.

Many of us cousins are still close because of those get together's and the crazy Trowbridge girls.

She never drove until after my Dad died, then at the ripe old age of 55 she took lessons.
One week after she got her license she headed for Iowa with sweet little Sally and totaled her car.
After that we all referred to her as Crash.

She was one Independent little Irish Lass, a nurse who worked until she was 65
at a State Mental Hospital.
When she retired she spent time with her grandchildren in between her trips to Arizona.

In 1991 just before her illness she reigned as the St Patrick's Day Queen
in her hometown celebration.
She loved every minute of it.

She is missed!!

If I were a Terrorist !!

Rain Rain go Away!!

News that next week will bring normal temps for this time of year helps my state of mind.
The cold I had thought was over came back with a vengeance yesterday, a quick trip to the Doctor this AM told me what I already knew..
Bronchitis, most likely from a virus, so antibiotics won't help.
She did prescribe a Bronchial Dilator, and it has helped somewhat.
I am not a pleasant ill person,
I have things to do.
Poor Hubba has just crept down to his TV room,I did feed him first.
If anyone has any good suggestions other then the usual chicken noodle soup and steam..
Please be my Doctor Nurse..

Mean while I am going to fix a hot whiskey and water and hit the couch.
( the doctor didn't say what kind of steam :D )