My baby is moving away!

A clarification. Both of my children moved away a number of years ago. Each moved to Seattle to go to college, and never moved home. My youngest is now moving to New York , which for some reason, feels like she is realllly moving away. My guess is that I have gotten so comfortable with Seattle, and them both living there, that this change seems so big.

It was a big deal when we moved my eldest onto campus, coming on ten years ago.. However, she was only "away at school", came home for summer holidays, and I had a high school student at home to occupy my thoughts. My eldest got work, stopped coming home other than for Christmas, and my youngest eventually followed her to school. My youngest never came home for summer, so when she left, I truly had an empty nest. However, I became accustomed to going up to see them and, after so many years, know my way around their neighborhood. When  I visited, I could see them both.

Now my youngest has graduated from the university , and after a few months of continuing to work at the job she has had through her time at school, has decided to seek her future and fortunes in New York by joining her best friend there.   It is, in fact, farther away--about 2,000 miles farther. It also is relatively unfamiliar territory for me. I have been in New York twice, (briefly)but more as a tourist than as a visitor of any length of time. Now that my girl is getting on a plane tomorrow night (snow and God willing) it seems even farther and unknown.

Mind you, this is a kid who can more than take care of herself in any city, probably better than I. It will be an exciting adventure while she figures out if NY is for her, and see if she can find gainful enough employment to pay rent, and to be happy in her newly chosen home.  It is her mother who is dealing with continental separation anxiety.

If she does take up long time residence there, I will no doubt visit. Over time, I will be able to find my way about. If she does not stay, she will likely end up back in Seattle . Which would not break either my or her sister's heart, but only if it was what she really wanted.  In the end, if she is happy, we will be. We just need to adjust. Eventually.

At last!

In the wake of the Tucson tragedy, the Arizona legislature passed emergency meaures which will bar the Westboro Bapist Church from picketing the funerals of the victims with their hate-filled messages. It will always remain beyond my capacity to comprehend the ability of these people to dare to say they speak for God when they say that such deaths are His judgement upon our country for tolerating (if this country can be said as a whole so to tolerate) homosexuality. That they could dare to spew such hate-filled garbage at the bereaved and tell them that God laughs over the deaths and that the deaths are His vengence on "fag-loving" America is rage-inducing. All of which they were more than ready to do at the funeral of a 9 year old girl who died standing in line to meet her Congresswoman. Why He doesn't smite them down, I will never know. If anyone deserved it, they do. But Luther tells us that we do not get the punishment we deserve, but rather, the salvation that we do not.

Surely the fact that these hate-filled people have not burst into flames is proof enough of God's tolerance.

The First Post of 2011, and a sad one

I am very sad to say that my first post of 2011 is one of a tragedy. The newscasts are labeling it "Tragedy in Tucson." A madman shot up a crowd gathered to meet their Congresswoman, in his attempt to kill her and any nearby. The Congresswoman fights for her life having been shot in the head, a half dozen are dead, including a 9 year old born on 9/11/01. Heartbreaking. And angering. It is clear that this 20-something man was scary enough to be kicked out of college and sent for psychological examination, but still could buy a semi automatic handgun, with monster multi-load clips. Let's hear it for the freedom to bear arms. The local sheriff decried the vitriol and level of heated rhetoric which he felt could have contributed to this man acting out. I am not sure of that, but I am sure we can do better than the way we have been exchanging views. And we can each accept our own ability to change the tone. When criticized for her comments about responding to opposition in cute sayings that included the word "reload", and targeting congressional districts (including that of the Congresswoman in Tucson)with the use of crosshairs in a map, Sarah Palin protested that she never meant the symbols to be from a rifle, but "Crosshairs like on a map" Oh please. When someone says, "I have them in my crosshairs", they ain't talking about no map. I do not blame Palin for this young man's actions, but to try to deny the imagery she has invoked is just plain bull crap.

It angers me even more than when something like this happens, anti-gun control groups come out in force to wail that now the gun control fanatics will try to use the tragedy to further their cause. You think? How would you expect them to react, when this is the very thing they fear. Good old AZ allows any and all to carry, and it did not help here, did it? There actually was an armed citizen nearby, but it was too late by the time he could react. Madmen are madmen, and we have to make it harder for them to arm themselves. Like the Virginia Tech student, there were clear signs that he was not in his right mind, yet the ease with which he could arm himself is alarming. At the time, there were those who blamed the campus's being a gun free zone, saying perhaps the kids could have protected themselves. That's a great idea, folks, let's have a shoot out at the OK Corral, and see who remains standing when it is all done.

There is nothing so portable, nor so deadly, especially in the hands of an unbalanced mind.

Happy (almost) New Year!

It has been way too long since I have posted. My Christmas was fine, thank you, and better than that, so was the Christmas my two daughters had, despite (different) changing circumstances in their lives. One is now looking for work while in grad school, the other is moving to New York. Adventures all, and a little nerve-wracking for the Mom who only wants her children to be well and happy. So far, so good.

In any case, 2011 here we come. In some ways it will be very different, in other ways, much the same. I just got my latest letter to the editor printed in my local rag.  I got ticked off by a doctor (and MD already!) who scoffed at hunger programs as being unnecesary because he had no hungry knocking at his door, nor did he see anyone dying of starvation. Hard to see what one does not look for, and as to knocking, they are likely locked out of his gated community in San Clemente. E tu, Mr. Antoinette?

I have this last week of the year off, and am using it to get a few things done...getting my (now paid-for)  car painted, clearing out closets, de-decorating, trying a couple of new recipes. All  this made easier by not worrying about work (not too much, anyway) and its immediate demands. House-cleaning for the mind , too.  I will be taking out a dead rose tree, with an eye to replacing it with a new one. Metaphor for my internal life too? Not so much New Year's resolutions, as end of year clean out and garage sale of the mind. You don't have to wait for a New Year, but having a little time to bum around lends itself to doing a few things for yourself, inside and out. Having a few less things on your mind allows you to spend more time on a few select items. 

So, take a deep breath-clear out the debris (from your car,  closet, or mind) and have a Happy New Year!

The Charlie Browniest

This has been a somewhat tense week, mostly because of what I let myself get all tangled up about. Work stuff, (new responsibilities with not enough information/clear explanation)  Christmas list stuff (it is not easy being head elf of the family) and other miscellaneous brain fryers. And don't ask me about driving in Arizona.

It is difficult to get into the spirit of the season with a knot in your stomach. It also magnifies other more minor irritations  to beyond their normal range.

However, some things about the Christmas remain the same. Advent calendars, advent wreaths, chocolate. And then there is "Charlie Brown's Christmas". The kids who voiced the gang must be nearly 50 now, what with it having done in the 60's, but I still love the music and the sentiment. I also am on "Christmas Carol" watch. I am in charge of letting everyone know when the various versions of the movie will air. My brother and I just love them,though I think his favorite is "Scrooged"  with Bill Murray. We have already seen that one this year. I also am waiting for the perfect time to watch my all time favorite Christmas themed movie, "Love Actually."

Tonight, I am watching Charlie Brown Christmas, and am soon to heat me up some hot chocolate. Next up is  Very Glee Christmas. Talk about your juxtapositions.

Anyway, the point (and I do have one) is that the everyday stresses and strains should not put the Christmas spirit on the back burner. Old traditions, new traditions, observe them all and enjoy that eggnog and hot chocolate, sometimes with a drop of brandy thrown in. And don't forget Toys for Tots, Sparks of Love, and all your food pantries.  Any problems you have with work should remind you to be grateful that the HAVE work. If you've got, give.

Goooooo Christmas!

Speaking of voices in the wilderness

I sometimes wonder why I keep reading our local paper's letters to the editor, when they aggravate me so. After the recent election my relief that we were not entirely turned over to conservative and/or tea party candidates was drowned out by the whining of those who didn't get what they wanted in California. Letters and columns of disgust at our socialist, "statist  workforce and dependancy class" who "simply outvoted the productive class." Um, I am socially liberal, and work more than full time, and work very hard, thank you...and not for the state, thanks. This middle class as victim is getting on my last nerve.  I am middle class, folks. It is not exclusive to the politically conservative. I cannot and will not vote for someone who would outlaw abortion and prevent gay marriage. I presume such social concerns are at least part of what kept Carly Fiorina from being elected over Barbara Boxer, who is  unabashedly socially liberal.

Worse than the above letters was the flat out statement that the Senate Minority Leader made, without the least hesitation, that the first goal was to make sure that the President was a one term president. He and his colleagues are more concerned stopping anything from being accomplished, and showing us who is in charge now, than attempting any co-operation to do the work of the people. Did no one learn from the mistakes that the Dems made when they "took over?" The bullying? The take no prisoners attitude? They pushed, the Republicans did all they could to make sure nothing that they pushed for got done. Does no one notice where this has gotten us? I truly believe it was more the disgust with all of that, than anything else, that got the bum's rush on so many.

The minute President Obama was elected, the whining and wailing and ranting began. Socialist, facist, nanny state. Anger that the government was going to get into everyone's life. Yet they would control the most personal issues like marriage and choice over abortion. And the viciousness of the attacks on those they feel threatened by, be they illegal immigrants, "leftists" or those who wish same sex marriage, is just dismaying. I often despair of just who I am surrounded by in this County.  Now that much of the country voted a conservative majority in, they hiss that we in California are clueless because we did not vote in their choice of candidate. Worse than that is the attitude that the working people were outvoted by the indolent. The arrogance of it is so very gauling. Then I read the one or two letters who sound an awful lot like me, and shouted a hurrah over my morning paper. I am not the only voice piping up in this angry wilderness. I guess we best stick around and keep writing.

Small but mighty

I have set a new personal record for the smallest airport I have ever flown into. My previous record was the one in Yuma, AZ , a city that has a special place in my heart, as my parents eloped there, over 60 years ago. The airport there has four gates, which are actually doors. Whichever one is open when you land, that's the one you go in. The desk crew moves over to check you in through the gate when you depart. However, my new smallest airport ever is  the one in Prescott, AZ, to which only Great Lakes Airlines flies. There are a few flights a day, but only one to and from CA per day, from Ontario. The girls downstairs who check your bag in, are the ones that are up at the gate in Ontario. The co-pilot is standing at the foot of the stairs when you board. There is no attendant, as least not on this route. It is only an 18 seat plane ("every seat is both a window and an aisle.")  When you get to Prescott, you land near a building which resembles a post office from the outside, and  a house from the inside.  Inside there is not a baggage claim conveyor. There is a door inside which the luggage is placed. There is a fireplace which enhances its resemblance to a house, and I think it has fewer square feet than my small house does. The Hertz counter is a cubbyhole with a desk and a very nice young lady who runs down the street to fill the car up. When you return you just leave the car out front ("we'll find it!") . When time for departure comes, the same guy checks you in, take your bag, opens the one door to the field, and loads your luggage in after you go through security. That is small. Oh, and no gift shop. Yuma has one.  Prescott does have a six stool, three booth lunch counter with the nicest ladies in the world running it. Everyone at this airport are the nicest I have met, including the TSA agents, who outnumbered the passengers. Big time it ain't but big-hearted it is. Oh , and the flight itself is a hoot. Not particularly rough, though noisier than a commercial jet, as it is a twin engine turbo prop. I know I am dating myself when I say it reminds me of my childhood TV watching, and hearing the announcer call out "Skyyyyy Kiiinng!!"  Look it up on imdb.com. 0 : )