Easter, Mayhem and Aliens

Happy Easter! I hope everyone is enjoying this most sacred of all Christian holidays.

As for me, I have recovered from the migraine that rocked my world more forcefully than did the students at Boardman High School’s Project Mayhem concert on Wednesday night. I knew I had a migraine coming on when we went to the concert but it is such a rare thing for us to attend anything the kids (nieces or nephews) do that I just could not back out. Truth told I am very glad I went; we sat with Curt and Erica and were able to see Bill, Amy and Matthew. Regrettably, I was not the only member of his (Matthew’s) fan club and I was unable to get close enough to say hello but even a glimpse from a distance was a treat to these hungry old auntie eyes. As for the concert, it was awesome. Those kids put their hearts into it and it showed; we enjoyed it immensely but Don says next time we’ll try a little harder to make it to a traditional concert LOL.

On to other, worldlier matters; I heard on the news today that Colorado is trying to work out legislation to bring alien workers to their farms; they would arrange transportation for and provide housing to these workers in order to acquire affordable help when they most need it. We should all be concerned with the farmer and his plight since much of his expense shows up in the grocery store. Here is my argument against importing workers. I can promise you that there are American citizens (perhaps not tens of thousands but many thousands at least) who are in desperate need of work (even at the wages paid to aliens) and cannot afford the transportation to get to employment or the housing when they reach their destination. If we have reached the point in social discourse where we can openly admit that there is still racism in this country (undeniably on all sides) then I say that it is also time that we say right out loud that there are Americans of every color who are, on a daily basis, cold and hungry and afraid that the car they call home may be stolen while they are out trying to make a days wages in order to feed their starving and sick children. That problem my friends is the most bipartisan problem this country faces and until we have addressed it we should not bring other unfortunate souls here to suffer struggle in conditions that no politician could endure.

There you have it, my Sunday sermon; unfortunately, what I say is true. Even so, this is a great nation and all we have to do to perpetuate it is work together.

There is always hope.

I Cannot Associate Myself With Obama

The talk of the town, if you watch the news, though not exclusively devoted to the 2008 presidential race; does center on Barack Obama and the speech he gave today in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. I watched the speech hoping to be swayed in favor of Sen. Obama; I was sorely disappointed. There is in my opinion, no way for Sen. Obama to redeem himself in association with Rev. Wright. Not only has the senator refused to disassociate himself with his former pastor, he has also admitted to what he denied only last Friday; that he (Obama) has in fact been in church and heard firsthand the mean minded and highly prejudicial convictions espoused by Rev. Wright. “Yes,” Obama said today, “I have sat in church and listened to his (Rev. Wright’s) controversial remarks… He has a profoundly distorted view of America.” I am appalled at the news sound bites that I have heard, both from Rev. Wright and Sen. Obama both of whom have a significant and devoted audience. I understand that the Rev. has a right to free speech, but it makes me furious that he has attacked the United States of America. Flawed as we are; I believe this country to be occupied by good, hard working and determined people who will never stand idly by and watch as people like Rev. Wright try to rip this nation apart by causing a hateful racial war. White as I am, I refuse to deny the history of this country of mine and I just as vehemently refuse to disassociate myself with the progress we have made in addressing the consequences of all prejudicial and mean hearted convictions. It is my firm conviction that I am not alone when I say that the color of someone’s skin or their ethnicity makes no difference. We are all of us responsible for the moral development of future generations and I believe we are up to the task of instilling high standards of acceptance and forgiveness in the hearts and minds of this nation’s young.

That said, I also believe there were valid and important points made in Sen. Obama’s speech. He addressed the challenges poor white people face on a daily basis and many other things that crossed racial boundaries. He referenced blood relatives on three continents and his black father and white mother. Sadly for me, he was unable to say a thing that justified his association of twenty years with a man who said the kinds of things that Rev. Wright did.

I am trying to keep an open mind about all the candidates in both major parties. It is… difficult.

There is always hope.

The Open Road the Treadmill and the Party

We watched Into The Wilderness the other day and I have to say I liked the movie, though the ending was not what I expected it to be. I suppose one reason the story appealed to me is that I have always wished that I were brave enough to chuck it all and hit the open road.

I cannot begin to imagine how so much freedom would feel after 49 years of being someone's daughter or wife. Granted, there is very little I would change if I could go back and do it all again... still, I cannot help but wonder. Would that kind of freedom be as gloriously adventurous as I imagine? What would it feel like to wake up to the sound of the ocean and fall asleep to the sounds of the mountains as they settles into rest? Think of the valleys and the rivers and the sunrises and sunsets; and the people. Hard working and proud of it (as they should be) or rich and lazy (as I sometimes wish to be) and what of the people with stories to tell. Beaten down by age and worry or those who have attained a higher plain where their lives are lived in enlightened serenity. The experiences and opportunities are endless. There is no telling what I would give to be brave enough to do those things; I am too much of a coward (and at this point too old) to do anything but dream. Cari (my brave and beautiful niece) knows and I am very proud that courageous woman!

So much for dreaming, it is a sweet luxury that sadly can be endulged in only when time permits. I have much to tell and I believe the best place to start is at the end.

After sleeping in rather late (I worked and traveled all night long in my dreams and was, therefore very tired) I goofed around on the computer for a while (regrettably I had to pester Bill about tickets for the concert on Wednesday because I forget what he told me) and then when Don went off to track practice I forced myself down the basement steps and on to the treadmill. I walked 2 miles today and I have to say it is about time I did! Now if I can only force myself to repeat that feat again tomorrow I will have a good start to spring.

Yesterday, we had the Indoor Track Team over for an end of season party. It's always fun for me when they come over and I wish it could be more often. We had lasagna, watched two movies and ate the surprise birthday cake Liz and Haley brought for Don; they also gave him a very nice gift card for one of his favorite restaurants. I think they enjoyed themselves, or at least I hope they did.

Time is running out and Don is home and ready for dinner. Maybe I'll have a little more time to spend here tomorrow after my walk.

There is always hope.

A New Perspective

I find it fascinating, the way our preconceptions, perspectives and priorities can change in the blink of an eye. One moment we can be tooling along, a jaunty grin lurking around the corners of our mouths and the next we stop dead in our tracks; the grin replaced by jaw dropping incredulity that we are human and not, as we supposed, immortal. Further, that though we have the knowledge and power to prevent or at least reduce the risks or the severity of those things that would threaten our fragile mortality, we often recognize the problem too late. How then do we find ourselves in this position? When did we make the decision to ignore all common sense and caution and do the exact opposite of what we know to be the healthy and wisest course? In addition, the result of that less than responsible behavior is the undeniable truth that we have put ourselves in jeopardy of becoming at best disabled and at worst dead! We are fallible and the sooner we recognize that fact the sooner we can maneuver ourselves back to the center of the straight and narrow path of life. Back to the safety and surety of the trek trodden so successfully by so many before us; back to the comfort of company of friends and family.


All of that senseless prattle and pretentious posturing has a point. I have been debating exactly what I wanted to say in this post since last Friday. It is difficult and I am not precisely sure why that is. I have been open and honest about personal things here in the past and I found it comforting to express my feelings and concerns. Since I can think of no way to gently reveal the latest development in my long slow slide down; I will just say it. I had a MRI of the brain last week. The results show that I have had several small strokes. NO! There is no need to be overly concerned; but given the problems I have had controlling headaches and Trigeminal Neuralgia my neurologist has referred me to the Cleveland Clinic. WHAT! Well now, that’s something to think about and make no mistake about it.

First item; I am so lucky. I know I am and I cannot begin to imagine all of the truly terrible things a MRI of the brain could have shown. God is truly carrying me right now and I am so grateful for that. Second, just because I have been referred to Cleveland Clinic it doesn’t mean there is some mysterious and fatal problem that only they can handle. Though I do give myself a nod of sympathy due to the fact that the last time I was referred to Columbus University the surgeon found a large and rare tumor that my local hospital somehow missed. Intellectually I know nothing like that will happen this time, it’s just that I have a very vivid imagination and well, the mind will wonder.

I have decided that I will not have another small stroke. I am, as of Monday on a 700 calorie a day diet. I will walk every day for at least 45 minutes and I will not have a big stroke.


There is always hope.