Wednesday, November 19, 2008

Wine & Nuts

Next week is thanksgiving. I'm sure most Americans are aware of this, but the fact that it is already here, as in next week, just entered my consciousness. I guess I should order that turkey for the SEVENTEEN people who will be here in six days wanting to eat something other than mac 'n cheese. Since coming out of my time warp, I went to the store today and at least started to give some thought to what we might want to cook next week. I didn't get too far, but I did buy 10 bottles of wine, so that should get us through. We'll just eat fondu and drink wine, and really I think we'd all be happy with that. Oh, yes, we also have about 30 lbs. of freshly roasted hazelnuts that Quinn, Logan and I picked last week. So maybe I'll "forget" about the bird and we'll just graze and drink instead.

Monday, November 17, 2008

Burn After Reading

If you haven't yet seen Burn After Reading, then go now. We saw it last night with some friends and I laughed so hard I was snorting. This is yet another brilliant film by the Coen brothers and this movie does not disappoint. The cast, the story, the subtlety were all outstanding. "League of Morons" is my new favorite term as a result of this film. There are so many reasons I enjoyed this film I think I'm going to have to see it again in the very near future.

Friday, November 14, 2008

Ballerino















Quinn and Logan burn through ballet slippers like you wouldn't believe. I was kvetching to another ballet mum, whose daughters dance with Q & L, about having to buy yet another pair of slippers for my boys at $38 a pair, when she pointed out that at least I'm not purchasing pointe shoes at 90 bucks a pop. Yikes. Yet another reason to be happy I have ballerinos rather than ballerinas.

Celebration




















We broke out the bubbly on November 4th to celebrate all the victories, from Obama to many ballot measures. I'm still pinching myself and am hopeful that our country can begin to bridge the divide that has been so toxic to our society. There is a lot of work to be done, and by no means does a favorable election outcome guarantee success, but I am optimistic and ready to continue working to make sure that we improve our country for the next generation.

Saturday, November 8, 2008

Get it Right, People

If I hear the word ENORMITY used improperly one more time, I will scream. For the record, it has nothing, read it nothing, to do with size. I know it sounds like a cousin of enormous, but it is NOT. This word means extreme wickedness as in "the enormity of Hitler's mass murders." Please make note and stop making every grammarians ear bleed when this word is misused. Thank you.


Wednesday, November 5, 2008

Yes We Can

To everyone who voted, no matter who you cast your vote for, thank you. And to everyone who voted for our next president, THANK YOU. I feel as if I've taken my first deep breath since this whole process started. I'm thrilled beyond words. Thrilled for our country, thrilled for our children, thrilled for the world.

Tuesday, November 4, 2008

Running on Rainbows

Dear Autumn,

Just a note to let you know I’m so happy you decided to stick around this year. After your hasty retreat last year, I wondered if you’d come back around. You did, and I can’t thank you enough. I don’t know which was better, the Indian Summer we enjoyed until just a few days ago, or the fabulous display of outrageous color that just seemed to continue on in spite of itself. It was as if the trees had all this pent up color, which they didn’t get to indulge last year. The overt display was palpable. Being outside was like being at a middle school pep rally what with the riotous color and overt display. No subtlety here. It was as if each tree was screaming for attention. They certainly had mine. I know that fall colors have more to do with death, than life, but you’d be hard pressed to believe that.

The mixing of colors on the sidewalks is more beautiful than any Turkish carpet I’ve ever seen. The other day while running, I felt as though I ran on rainbows that had been unstrung. It was so impossibly lovely, that I ran twice as long as I intended.

With the end of daylight savings, you packed it up and left. Now I’m struggling with darkness that descends upon us by late afternoon. The rains haven’t ceased in days, and the leaves are no longer blowing like tie-dyed tumbleweeds. I’ve pulled out the thick sweaters and scarves and am ready for bed by 8pm, but it’s worth it because when I close my eyes I see a kaleidoscope of color and my dreams are all the more vivid.

Until next year then.

Elephant Gestation

Today is the day I've been waiting for, yearning for, biting my nails for, obsessively tracking polls for, walking the streets for--November 4th. I've had this day circled in red on my calendar for so long now, that I'm staring in disbelief today. It's here, finally. This has been such a long haul, nearly as long as an elephant's gestation. But today, I'm hoping not for the birth of the symbol of the republican party, but a donkey. Too bad donkey's are not the sexiest of symbols, although I do appreciate their stubbornness. I anticipate it being a long night as we await not only the presidential election results, but also the result of numerous local and state races. I don't think I'll fully exhale until we see the Obama landslide I'm hoping for...