Thursday, November 20, 2008

Dinner. No nutrition included.


It is on a rare occasion when I find myself swept away by the food at a basket ball game. Last night I did. A hot dog, which I do not wish to know what is in it, how it is made, what the food handling issues are, etc. I just wanted to put some catsup (I prefer it over the spelling of ketchup) on it and eat it. I did. I was great. Wayne made a different choice, a chicken caesar pita. Good for him. However, he didn't want the Lays, how could I let them waste? I couldn't...plus, they go so well with a dog. Then, I had a chocolate chip cookie. Otis Spunkmeyer. My favorite. Wayne was going back for more at the half, I said I didn't want anything further. Good choice I say! He brought back a soft pretzel with cheese. Well, not real cheese I am sure, I even wonder if it was real cheese product. Either way, cheesy goodness on a soft pretzel shared by two. Then he said, here, I know you love Otis Spunkmeyer cookies, so I thought I would share. Did he not notice I already had one? Well, who can turn down sharing...so a second chocolate chip cookie I had... I drank water....uh, does that help? I don't know what it is, but a game just doesn't seem complete without some stadium eats. We won by the way! DEEEEE-TRIOT BA-SKET-BALL! Sleep deprivation and all, it was a good game and a great time!

Thursday, November 6, 2008

A Lot on My Mind - Politics and Keeping It Real


I was watching an interview with Bill Clinton. He had a very realistic view on voting. He said some people are one issue voters-like pro-lifers for example, some would vote for McCain because he had a female running mate-regardless of their politics. Some people vote along party lines. Some people would vote for Obama because he was black. Some would vote McCain because he was a veteran. Some people would vote for the best of the two. Voting is an emotional issue. It is not a rational issue. It is not black and white (no pun intended). That is why it is so hard to understand.
That is where politics come in. I was thinking about something a friend said. She said it was hard to be happy when a minority candidate was not supportive enough for gay rights. I heard that both our liberal and conservative candidates said they did not believe in gay marriage. Obama more inclusive, but not going there all the way. I also think about the last election when gay marriage was a key issue and some pundits believe the "family values" crowd AKA those against gay marriage came out in herds just to keep gay marriage off the ballot. What is the answer? How does one reconcile extreme happiness and disappointment?
I feel Roe V. Wade won't get flipped. I feel ecstatic. I feel peace will have more of a chance and my brothers and sisters in uniform will be safer, but not pulled home because it is too complicated. That gives me mixed emotions. I feel an extreme connection to Obama and his life story. I feel hope for minorities in this country--especially the young who can see something different-something attainable. I still feel like we have such a mess to handle, it will be a very difficult job. So when I put my full support behind our president am I short changing gays and non-Christians and selling out or rather being exclusive in a group that promotes its all inclusiveness? I am not sure what the answer is. I feel like it will take me a while to wrap my brain around it all.
I feel optimistic, and then I feel guilty. I feel that my soul has a chance and I feel I have some soul searching to do. Does the good outweigh the bad? I say yes. Is it enough? I hope so. Can I do more? I can. Will I? I will. Will that be enough? I don't know. I feel alienating the non-christian or gay people in our country is not as inclusive as I feel it should be. I will keep thinking...and listening...and loving the fact that I have people in my life that keep me thinking and exploring.

Wednesday, November 5, 2008

My Inspiration

The election is over. I have been moved by many things, but none more than my mother. She found her voice in life after many years of quieting herself for the perceived benefit of her family. She did what she thought she had to do. She endured. When I was about 16 she really began to find her voice and by the time I was 18 she heard it too.

She has worked tirelessly to stand up and be heard. She has worked on behalf of those who are often quieted. I see the connection. I feel inspired. My mom was raised in a small town on a farm. Last week she was walking miles and miles for hours and hours, literally, in one of the worst areas of Flint, MI to make sure that EVERY person knew their rights, their polling place and their worth. She was often paired up with people more than half her age and she kept on going. She was stopped in a neighborhood and asked what she was doing there. She told them, their eyes and spirits met. That is what mattered. My mom sees people for who they are beyond the exterior in a way that people respond to. She saw devastation from industry that no longer exists in a neighborhood demolished, partially burnt down and ravaged by the circumstance of loosing a factory in what was once a middle class working neighborhood.

My mom is tough. Dedicated. Hard working. Motivated. Courageous. She is the epitome of what is happening everywhere. She is working to bring people together. She worked for her job and then on her own on every one of her days off for the past several months to work toward hope. Hope in elections big and small and proposals popular and unpopular. She walked the streets of Meridian Township, she walked the streets of Flint. She walked in the sun, she walked in the rain. She had doors slammed in her face, she was greeted with anger and she kept on going. She knew that if one person was informed, touched or motivated it was worth it. She was also greeted with hope, which kept her going. She had strangers over to her house to make calls to get out the vote. Strangers with a common cause-which of course bonded them beyond knowing each other personally, but rather knowing each others commitment and values. She did the things that many people are intimidated to do and she did it without complaint and with determination.

I have hope. Thanks mom. She doesn't read blogs, she doesn't get putting all of your feelings out-especially to strangers...but the funny thing is that is what she does in person every day she empowers someone else or is there to hear them. We are more alike than different. I owe my mom a lot. She continues to inspire me. Her passion is contagious. Congratulations to my mom. She was a part of the success being felt by the majority of this country and it couldn't be done with out people like her. I couldn't be me without her either. Words can't express my thanks I hope my actions do.

Monday, November 3, 2008

Buttery Goodness



Today, I went with Wayne and my Father-in-law to Frankenmuth. What a comforting day. A trip to the outlet mall (insert some shopping), the largest Christmas store in the world (you just can't be in a bad mood there), my FIL purchasing a $500 coo coo clock (and the clock is...just kidding, just kidding-ther is history and a story behind it. To each their own.), and then sum it up with chicken and buttery noodles. Please, I think I need say no more. Oh yes I do. The mashed potatoes, how do they perfect them? The Bavarian Inn is my favorite. I feel Zhender's and the BI's food is similar in taste, but the atmosphere at the BI is so much better. Ahhhhh, buttery goodness. Just what I needed to start my week. Did I mention there was butter involved?