God Bless America

I can't help it, I am very emotional about the Obama presidency. I've been glued to the TV for a couple of days watching the activity in Washington, D.C. This morning's inauguration was stunning. I so wish I had been there to soak in the joy and optimism that was surging through the City.

I was in high school, filled with idealism when the civil rights marches were happening in the South. I wanted to change the world then and over the years I've tried to contribute in my small way. The last 8 years have been such a difficult time for our Country....I've been so sad and unhappy about the political choices that have been made and the lives that have been lost in War. There were times when I truly wondered who my fellow Americans were. Today changed all that for me. My heart is full of love and appreciation for my Country and the ability we have to rise and choose to overcome ourselves.

President Obama said it all in his inauguration speech. America is back! The dream lives and the American people can and will do what it takes to clean up the mess we have created. We will get past our greed, our fear, our arrogance, our failures, our aggression, our smallness and grow into our bigger, better selves and be once again, the beacon of light and hope and freedom in this World.

It is a new America. An America that can embrace a Black man as our President and look to him for leadership and inspiration. President Obama has asked us to commit to the service of our Country and each other. I'm willing, are you??

Merry Christmas

I'm leaving in the morning for San Diego to spend Christmas with my son Dan and family. I've delayed my trip hoping to shake this bronchitis I acquired. I was going great, finished up the four Westernaire concerts....see me in my concert finery.

I had a wonderful open house party for about 12 of my neighbors. Met some great people and feel much more connected. I've also been enjoying hot tub time at my neighbor Janet's.

Anyway, I was in great shape until the morning after the party and wham....the old bronchitis came to stay. So I have been popping antibiotics, resting, and trying to get the coughing under control before I head for Dan's.

In spite of the bronchitis, I have really enjoyed this Holiday season. Starting with Sandy's Thanksgiving visit, time with Karen, the Westernaires and some actual entertaining. I'd forgotten how much I enjoy people and entertaining. More of both in 2009!

Well, best wishes to all for a wonderful Christmas and a prosperous and healthy New Year. I'll be on the road to San Diego in the morning.

Happy Holidays, Happy Birthday

It's been a while since I posted on my blog. I've been busy with my new life and that is a good thing. The choral group I joined, The Westeraires is rehearsing for a Christmas concert and that has been so much fun. There are about 100 members and we have a great sound. We are doing 4 days of shows beginning December 12th.

Thanksgiving was great. My friend Sandy flew out from Florida to spend a week. I was able to show her my new place for the first time and give her a tour of my new stomping ground. We spent two days, including Thanksgiving in Sedona, AZ. It is such a magical place, even in the rain. Yes, it rained almost every day Sandy was here. Go figure. It must be my Washington Karma. We did some good pictures in Sedona, including the rainbow.

Trip to San Diego

My grandaughter Katie, came home from College (Sonoma State) for the first weekend since August. So I went to San Diego to see her and visit my family. We had a great time. I always love being in San Diego. Perfect weather and familiar turf for me. We went to Seaport Village on Sunday to eat at one of our favs...The Greek Island Cafe, known to us as "Jerry G's". Good food and great outdoor seating on the water.

We took Katie to the airport after dinner and then waited for several hours to get her "home safe" phone call. I noticed we all relaxed then. She is growing into a lovely, competent, young woman, but she is still our "little girl"...and we worry.

Michael is just a few months from turning 16 and he actually misses his sister. Amazing.

In San Diego

My grandaughter Katie came home from College (Sonoma State)for the first time since August. I came to San Diego to spend the weekend with her and the family. We have had a lovely visit. San Diego has perfect weather, and is good, familiar turf for me.

We all went to Seaport Village Sunday night to eat at our favorite place, The Greek Island Cafe...better known to us as "Jerry G's". Then we took Katie to the airport and waited for her call to say she was safe and back at college. Once we had that message we all exhaled and relaxed.

Our girl is growing up to be a lovely young woman.

Life is Good

Since my last post I have been busy. I joined the Westernaires singing group and I absolutely love it. It is so wonderful to be back in a choral group. They are quite good and being surrounded by 4+ part harmonies is a spiritual experience for me. The leader is a hoot. She is technically excellent and has a great sense of humor. We practice for 2-2 and a half hours at a time and it flies by. We are getting ready for a Christmas concert and will do another in the Spring. I have also joined a writing class with a teacher from the University of Washington. I knew he was my kind of guy when I attended the first class and he arrived with his Obama button up front and visible. His focus is poetry, right up my alley. Although he is a fan of the modern, open format. I will have lots to learn.

My big project with the house has been to have the exterior painted and do some planting. I went with a yellow, grey and white color theme. I love the result. What do you think? I'm still experimenting to find "rabbit proof" plants. So far it is pretty limited. I just read that putting baby powder on the plants will discourage the rabbits. I'll be trying that soon.

Bonding with Sun City West

I'm still having flashes of "what was I thinking", particularly since we are still in triple digit temperatures. That being said, I am doing my best to get involved with the local community and take advantage of all SCW offers. I did join the Westernaires singing group and I am loving it. I had forgotten how wonderful it is to be surrounded by harmony. The group is very good and I am looking forward to the Christmas Concert. We are doing some lovely music. So fun. I have also signed up for beginning Spanish, a writing class and landscape painting. I'm doing a volunteer project at Church and continuing my phone calls for Obama. All this reaching out is not easy, but I'm determined to give Sun City West and Arizona a chance.

I have to admit I have been "Seattle Dreaming" since I've been home. I'm missing my Tribe, especially with this election looming. Also miss the water and trees and I guess, just the familiarity. It takes time to settle into a new life in a new place and I am definitely a "work in progress".

I have been watching, with great concern, the financial crisis our Country is in. I will suggest to anyone reading this....put your cash in a federally insured account. I moved my money market out of a money market mutual fund and into a bank money market account. With all my years in banking, greed does not surprise me, but where were the Regulators??? They are suppose to keep us honest and protect us from flim-flam. The proposed bailout by the government looks like the only reasonable choice if we want to avoid a complete meltdown that could look very much like another great depression. I'm most worried however, about the incredible deficit we face. Since the US is technically bankrupt, let us hope that China and others want to continue to buy our paper and keep us in operating mode. No matter what both candidates say, tax increases are inevitable.

The USA may be down but I believe we will recover and rise again. For me the best chance for leadership is Barack Obama. But what a mess he will walk into. Stay optimistic out there but wear a life preserver.

P.S. The sunset view is from my back yard. Nice.