Barack Obama - Dynamic Speech

On Thursday night Barack Obama hit it out of the ball park! His speech was nothing less than dynamic. In my opinion he covered the points that needed attention in his 43 minute speech. He addressed the economy, the Iraq war, global warming, the ethical status of the U. S. in the world, and health care which I consider to be the most critical issues of our time.

We are responsible for ourselves and for our effect on the world at large. Presidential nominee Barack Obama illustrated to me that he is ready to be a leader. I did not feel his words were mere rhetoric as some may want us to believe, but rather gave an outline of what he stands for, what the Democratic party stands for, and what America should stand for.

What we are going to do to ensure that our economy regains it's stability, what we do about getting Iraq back on it's feet and allowing them to rule themselves, what we are going to do about the health care crisis in our country, and what we are going to do to help and preserve our environment? There is no quick fix to any of this and we need a thoughtful president who listens to a variety of advisers and has the intellect and courage to make the right decision. We need someone with sound judgment and the right temprament to act on that decision.

I will be listening to the Republican party this week (if they don't postpone their convention) or later if it is rescheduled. I want to know what Senator McCain's plan is for the future. I want to hear Governor Palin speech and see what substance she has. At this point I am disenchanted with what I have heard and read from McCain's point, but I want to at the very least be aware of his point of view. Time will tell whether I am swayed by his words and actions.

Democratic Convention

Each night last week I watched the Democratic Convention and each night there was at least one dynamic speaker. On Monday night the Democrats paid tribute to Teddy Kennedy with a video and then surprisingly Senator Kennedy appeared on stage and gave a rousing speech. Even though he is seriously ill with a brain tumor he promised to be in Washington in January to welcome, most hopefully, Barack Obama as the new President of the United States.

If hearing Senator Kennedy was not exciting enough, the next step was to see a video about the life of Michelle Obama and learn of her upbringing on the south side of Chicago. We learned the dreams her parents shared in giving their son and daughter a chance at the "American dream". I felt that Mrs. Obama was speaking from her heart and connecting with people all across this land. I knew she was bright, but she was even more articulate than I imagined. She will make an honorable first lady.

Tuesday night was Hillary Clinton's night to shine. She was very clear about wanting the 18 million people who voted for her in the primary to cast their votes for Barack Obama in the general election in November. She told of meeting a young Marine who had waited months for medical care, but wanted her to take care of his buddies who were still at war; a mother with two adopted autistic children who is ill with cancer and has no medical insurance; and a young boy who was worried because his mom's minimum wage work hours had been cut and he didn't know how they would make it. Possibly her finest statement was tied to those stories when she said to her supporters, "Were you in this campaign just for me? Or were you in it for that young Marine and others like him? Were you in it for that mom struggling with cancer while raising her kids? Were you in it for that boy and his mom surviving on the minimum wage? Were you in it for all the people in this country who feel invisible?

Then on Wednesday Hillary moved to suspend the roll call and unanimously elect Barack Obama as the Presidential nominee of the Democratic Party. The convention did just that and elected Obama as the Party nominee.

Wednesday night we heard from President Bill Clinton in another rousing speech endorsing Obama and pledging to do everything in his power to help him succeed in becoming the next President.

Later Wednesday evening we saw a video on the life of Joe Biden and met him and his family. His son, Beau, introduced Senator Biden. We learned what a true family man he is. Even though he is a U. S. Senator he travels by train most nights to his home and family in Deleware. He has two sons, a daughter, and wife. His first wife and their daughter were killed in an automobile accident many years ago just after he had been elected to the senate. He was sworn into office at the bedside of his two sons who were hospitalized with injuries from the accident. Beau said that several years later his father, and my brother and I, married Jill Jacobs. Senator Biden's love of family and dedication to his country shows true patriotism. Biden accepted his nomination for the vice presidency and gave his acceptance speech.

Check back later for the stirring final night...

Bill Miller: Conversation with Dog

Bill Miller is an Episcopal priest at St. Michael and All the Angels in Kona, HI. For about 10 years he was my priest at St. James Episcopal Church in Austin, TX and was my next door neighbor. I always delight in seeing him and hearing him speak. He is a very charismatic speaker and he writes well. Bill is a well read, observant individual with a real zest for life which no doubt is the driving force in causing people to be drawn to him. He has a deep love of animals which lead to the writing of his lovely book, "The Gospel According to Sam". Sam Houston was is beloved Airedale terrier.

Last Sunday, August 10, 2008, my husband, Gerald, along with friends, Ora and Gina drove a couple of hours to St. Barnabas Episcopal Church in Fredericksburg, TX to attend a sermon and lecture by the visiting priest, Bill Miller. The title of the lecture about faith, Sam, and the book mentioned above was "Conversation with Dog". Toward the end Bill read the postscript to the book about the death of Sam Houston just two weeks before his book went to print. It was a two-hankey read ... but then Sam was a good friend of mine too.

The following is a quote from the final chapter entitled, A Postscript on Love: "The week we were scheduled to go to print with this book, Sam developed serious breathing problems. Fearing some sort of tumor or scar tissue from the long ago fire or that he had developed adult-onset asthma like his dad, we immediately took him in for a check-up. Sam's wonderful veterinarian, Dr. Valerie McDaniel, seemed visibly sad as she showed me his x-ray. 'Here's the problem,' she said, as she pointed to his heart. 'Sam's heart is more than twice the size of a normal heart.' We had always suspected as much."

And that was Sam. A big lovely dog that had lived and loved his master and mistress and brought joy to all who knew him. The first chapter of the book really explains how deeply humans cared for this four legged animal. Sam was saved by neighbors from a house fire while we were all at church on Mother's Day in 1995. The week after Sam came home from the clinic there was a big celebration on Baylor Street with banners, balloons, and ice cream to welcome home our Sam. Funny how one critter can bring together an entire neighborhood.

Bill now has a dog that is part Airedale and part "other" or as Bill phrased it he's a poi dog, meaning mutt in Hawaiian. This fellow's name is Willie Nelson and I suspect he helps fill the void left by Sam.

Mamma Mia!

Mamma mia... what a day! Gayle, Priscilla, Nancy & I went to Austin to play golf, enjoy lunch, shop a bit, & see the new movie "Mamma Mia". We were celebrating Gayle's 65th birthday & we had a FABULOUS time! I haven't laughed so hard in a movie as I did yesterday. Imagine these 50- & 60-something characters dressed in '70's disco attire and singing and dancing to ABBA's "Dancing Queen", "Take a Chance on Me", and "Waterloo"! It really was one of the most FUN movies I've seen in a while. As much as I enjoyed "Sex and the City", "Mamma Mia" beat out those lovely NYC ladies and their beaus for pure fun!

Visiting San Antonio missions

The Convento at Mission San Jose

Garden at the Convento at Mission San Francisco de la Espada

Last Sunday, June 8th I was in San Antonio, TX and decided to take a drive on the historic Mission Trail. I thoroughly enjoyed driving through the southeastern part of the city. It was a very warm day with temperatures reaching 100 degrees, but the beauty of the city almost made me forget the heat. The plants are so tropical and even with the heat there was lots of color.

Each mission is about 3 miles from the one before. I did not visit the Alamo on this trip, but began my tour at Mission Concepcion. After visiting Mission Concepcion I drove to Mission San Jose which is the largest and most well known after The Alamo. 

Then I went farther south in the city to Mission Espada (San Francisco de la Espada or Saint Francis of the Sword). This was my favorite of the missions. It is smaller but well preserved.  The Convento is the priest's residence and church office. The gardens around the Convento are quite lovely. The chapel is lovely and was incense filled with music piped in. The last mission I visited was Mission San Juan. 

All these churches hold regular services.  When I arrived at Mission San Jose Sunday mass was in progress and there seemed to be quite a number of people in attendance because of the number of cars parked in the area reserved for church-goers.

Hillary Steps Up

Hillary stepped up today with a rousing speech which endorses Barak Obama and calls for Democratic unity. I was impressed and hope to become an ardent supporter of Obama. I admit I am still withholding judgment until he announces his running mate for the general election. I would rather see him make a selection sooner rather than later on the matter. Of course, I would like to see him ask Hillary to be the running mate. She might not accept and that would be okay, but I'd like to see him offer it to her. I'd also like to see her accept if he were to offer.

As much as I admire Caroline Kennedy I don't want to see her put into this situation. Caroline has even less experience than does Obama and I think it would be a SERIOUS mistake to invite her to run with him. Hillary would be a steadfast, knowledgeable asset to his campaign. Barak don't let us 60-something women down. Solidify our vote by asking Hillary to run as vice president.

Sex and the City

Finally it has arrived and tonight I went to see "Sex and the City". Truly it was fun! I asked a friend to go with me, but she said she & another girlfriend went for her birthday. I was disappointed to hear that they left midway the movie. She said it would be better watching in on TV when the DVD comes out! Let me tell you, I did not let that deter me ... and I thoroughly enjoyed the movie ... alone ... no girlfriends, no husband, nada, just me by myself. I laughed out loud and thankfully didn't have to worry about whether one single person liked the movie...I was just responsible for ME!
To tell the truth ... I've been in a situation before where a girlfriend went somewhere with me and midway the event decided she wasn't happy & wanted to leave. Well leave sister & leave me to enjoy the silliness, the loveliness, the tears & laughter by myself. Thus is the reason I do many things by myself ... don't have to worry about how someone else is faring ... I'm just groovin' on my own ... by my own self!

Visiting Ginny Blue

After playing golf at Shadow Glenn in Manor, TX Gerald & I drove out to Hornsby Bend and stopped at Tecolote Farms to see the horse that I used to have. Her name in Blue Guinevere aka Ginny Blue. Of course, I always called her Ginny. I got her when I was 40 years old and she was a 2 year old waiting to have a new home. Michael had done some legal work for a rancher & took equine payment. That was 21 years ago and Ginny is as beautiful as she ever was. She loves her new home with Katy, David & the kids. She has a beautiful gelding to hang out with all day and I can tell they are best friends.
Having Ginny was one of the best experiences I ever had and I loved/love her very much. Ginny had stayed at Tecolote Farms during the time I owned her so it was very easy for her to feel at home in this lovely place with her new owner. Thank you Katy.

Springtime

Happy Birthday Gerald

February is the month of celebrating Gerald’s birthday which falls on the 2nd day of the month. This year Gerald celebrated 70 great years. We decided to take a trip to west Texas to do some birding and hiking in the Fort Davis area. On the way we stayed at Tapatia Springs Golf Club in Boerne, TX for a couple of days to play golf & break up the 8 hour drive from Bastrop to Fort Davis.

The photo was taken on Feb. 2nd as we began a birding hike into the Davis Mountain State Park. We stayed at Indian Lodge, in the park, and took advantage of a birding tour led by a state park volunteer.

We hiked two and a half miles up and around the hills at Madera Canyon Preserve. It was a great hike and not too difficult for a couple of senior citizens!