AMERICANS: LOOK HARD AT THIS PICTURE

In my short lifetime the United States of America has had to rely on the Vice President to assume the office of the US President two times. That's two times in fifty years -- 1963 and 1974. The picture above is the ceremony which took place on November 22, 1963 in the cabin of the plane carrying the coffin of John F. Kennedy. In 1974, Richard Nixon resigned. Despite wildly different reasons, the act of replacing a sitting US President is a very serious and solemn moment. We do NOT face this possibility with anything but a heavy heart.

Look closely at this photograph. For many of us, this was the most powerful moment of the most powerful day in our lives. We didn't actually SEE the bullet(s) strike down John F. Kennedy, but here we are privy to the sad task of swearing in LBJ as the new US President.

Look at their faces. This is pure and real emotion -- raw and compassionate, truthful and beyond sad. Now... I've read a recent piece that forces us to think very hard and look very hard at this picture. I will try to convey what this picture now means to me.

This picture solidifies what it means to choose a Vice President -- to find and support and rely upon a person who will step into the shoes of the sitting US President and take charge. Usually even if the United States would be at peace, the moment would be fraught with danger and fear and sadness and concern for our nation. Should this event ever happen, our nation would find itself in grave danger: markets would falter and fail, services would be interrupted with disruption and chaos, citizens would freeze with disbelief and emotion, and basic necessities including defense, safety, food, transportation, information, and commerce would have to be thoroughly supported through precise and bold executive commands.

This nation is currently at war on two fronts. We are involved in many missions around the globe. We have grave difficulties at home with our economy and infrastructure. The moment for all our leaders is fraught with difficulty. During this election, we are attempting to find the right leader and statesperson for our nation's future at home and our place in the world.

LOOK AT THAT PICTURE LONG AND HARD! Squint and fill LBJ's spot with Senator Joseph Biden. Fill Mrs. Kennedy's spot with a sad and despairing Michelle Obama. Fill Lady Bird Johnson's spot with a sad and despairing Jill Biden.

LOOK AT THAT PICTURE LONG AND HARD! Squint and fill the LBJ spot with Sarah Palin; place a sad and despairing Cindy McCain at her side, and Mr. Palin on the other side.

Now think... who do you want leading this country in the event that this photograph speaks the thousand words of what truly might happen to the US Presidency? Really? What do you envision? In your heart -- with knowledge that the decision affects your life and the lives of your loved ones: your children and your children's children -- who would you trust?

LOOK AT THAT PICTURE.

Cheri Smith Kinney
OGHS Class of 1969

Sometimes life throws a curve ball. Not that it's all about me. Why is my friend's death hard for me to handle? I mean... she's the one who is dead.

I remember Cheri as one of my first friends at OGHS. She and I had PE lockers right next to each other. I suppose when you're naked with somebody -- especially a stranger in a strange land -- a certain amount of intimacy develops. We laughed and danced and goofed off and watched the senior guys trot out to PE every morning, all school year. At OGHS in 1966-67, classes ran all year, September to June, day in, day out. Same schedule, start time, end time, teachers, paths, faces. We were stuck with each other -- the roll of the dice that placed you in the right time and the right place, or hell in a handbasket. Cheri and I were fellow prisoners in French class for two years. That and the gym locker and the way we both approached life with a Glass Half Full mentality put us in line to be friends. Thank the powers that be.

Cheri had the most infectious smile, voice, and laugh of almost anyone I've ever met. If I close my eyes, I can hear the cadence of her voice, the pitch, the almost hoarse, breathy-yet-lilting speech that carried a smile in every word. If ever anyone could truly be said to Light Up a Room -- she was the IT girl. And fun! "Fun" should have been her middle name. She was the first person I wanted to see at every reunion. Oh, I have other friends from the Class of '69 -- Christina and Dennis -- who I see and talk to and keep up with way more than I did with Cheri. But Cheri just had this magic that drew me to her no matter how long we'd made the space between our connections.

And we always promised each other we would write. Or call. Or email. Maybe she was too busy -- I'd imagine so. I'd imagine her with a whirling social life. And I was far away in Vermont by the last time we saw each other in 2005. Still we exchanged addresses and all that info. And promised, again, to keep in touch.

I only wish we had.

All I know is that she is dead. The lovely picture in the obituary doesn't speak of illness or sadness or a lingering disease of mind or body. No mention of accident or disaster. No place for flowers or donations or special foundations for the cure of whatever happened. I have no idea. And does that matter? Knowing won't change the result. Knowing what happened won't bring Cheri back. And having Cheri back probably won't make me a better friend to her -- I wasn't that, I guess. I wish I had been. I truly do.

Mostly I'm sad that she isn't in the world... isn't in the world where I imagine she is -- partying, dancing, and living large in her effervescent way. Because I always felt better knowing she was in the world, and that every few years I'd see her again. And as always, we would pick up as if our lockers were still next to each other and the boys were jogging out to PE and "Jumpin' Jack Flash" was a gas, gas, gas.

I miss you beyond belief, Miss Cheri. I miss you. Rock on.

13 Peanut Butter and ....

1. Jelly -- duh. BUT! Do you really use "jelly" or "jam"?? I'm partial to odd jams like apricot or raspberry. Most people like strawberry jam or grape jelly.

2. Celery -- Dieter's delight + it's fun filling the valley of the celery "perfectly" to the top

3. Granny Smith Apples -- I slice into 16ths (?) and use the slices like a potato chip, to dip in the peanut butter. Great while watching old movies during a rainstorm.

4. Pretzels -- Again with the dipping.

5. Hershey Bar -- Yes! A raw hershey bar, broken into those rectangles (don't go out of the lines!) and again, dipped into your stash of peanut butter.

6. Pancakes -- We used to do this when the kids were little and needed extra protein. Use peanut butter in lieu of dairy butter or margarine. Yes, maple syrup adds just the right yum.

7. Banana -- When I was in high school, I lived right across the street from my school. I arrived home way before my parents. So what did I do to entertain my younger siblings? I invented snacks. Now this was before the microwave. Our favorite? We named it the "Banana Extravaganza." Slice banana lengthwise. Now you have two planks. (slice several bananas so the whole gang can partake) Slather with peanut butter. Place on a cookie sheet. Sprinkle chocolate chips. Mush them into the peanut butter a bit. Add chopped walnuts if you are inclined. Coconut is also a possibility. Depends on what's in the cupboard. Then slide the cookie sheet under the broiler, just until the chocolate chips begin to melt. Be Careful! Don't burn the walnuts or coconut. Nasty. And remember... it's hot! Don't burn the roof of your mouth! We were such brats, weren't we? It's a wonder we didn't burn down the kitchen.

8. Sourdough Toast -- I like the combination of these tastes. I toast the sourdough bread and spread with dairy butter. After that's melted, I slather the peanut butter. Need a glass of cold milk with this. Long ago, we drank real milk. Today I can do this with 1%, no sweat. I wonder how much butterfat is plaqued on my heart valves?

9. Graham Crackers -- I do the dipping thing. Why waste time and energy spreading?

10. Cookies -- Make your own cookie sandwich. This works especially well if you get those chocolate hydrox cookies (like Oreos without the filling). But I have experimented with just about any cookie -- two chocolate chip cookies, two Nilla Wafers, two oatmeal. I don't see how any cookie would suffer from becoming a sandwich.

11. Bagel -- I'd only recommend this on plain or sweet bagels, like cinnamon raisin or cranberry or even blueberry. Just thinking about an "Everything" bagel topped with peanut butter is sorta gaggy -- onion and garlic... nah.

12. Noodles -- This is a bit of a stretch and you have to be in the mood, but you can make a great little pasta sauce if you have the ingredients. Boil your noodles/pasta. While you wait, make the sauce. You'll need hoison sauce and soy, a little brown sugar, sesame oil (a dab), and maybe even some sherry. If you like it "hot," add a drop or two of spicy oil or a shake of pepper flakes or cayenne. Mix all that in your own proportions, 'till it's smooth and creamy (unless you used chunky peanut butter, which would be cool actually). You want that sauce to be "pourable" -- not too thick and not too thin. For extra pizzazz, stirfry some fresh beansprouts. If you don't have fresh, use a can of beansprouts or Chinese veggies. Toss the pasta, sprouts, and sauce. Top with sliced scallions and chopped cilantro (if you like that). If you realllllly wanna get fancy, sprinkle with crushed roasted peanuts. Vi - o - la!

13. A spoon -- Yes, grab a spoon and the jar and you're in business. Of course, you can get seriously decadent by adding a jar of Nutella. Or a jar of honey. Or a jar of Hersheys Hot Fudge. Or a jar of Butterscotch sauce. Or a combination? Or... well... you get the picture.

Any "peanut butter and what???" you'd like to add?? Please do!

Today Casou might be sick. I'm off to the vet in a bit. When I consider the very idea that he might be in pain or sick, I feel responsible and caring and even a little sick myself. I have no idea why I love him like I do; I just do. I've been a "dog person" my whole life. Lotsa dogs. Lotsa lotsa dogs. And I've never loved a dog like I love Casou. That said, why do we own pets?

1. Unconditional love. Well, dogs do give us that. Yep, they do.
2. Responsibility -- keeping a schedule, making the house and environs safe. Casou actually keeps me from a life of forgetfulness and self-absortion. He checks my ego at the doggie door.
3. Patience -- when a dog "errs," the fault (99%) is the human's. Don't lose temper. Don't yell. Don't hit. Don't punish. Rethink where you put those old socks, those cupcakes.
4. Exercise -- well, if we walked, Casou and I would be in the BEST shape! Wow!
5. One more reason on a long list for friends and family to check and discuss how I'm nuts. "She'll go completely crazy if anything ever happens to that dog."
6. Topic of conversation -- "How's your dog?" "What kennel do you recommend?" "What hotels accept pets?"
7. Joining a group of owners, thus meeting more people, building friendships. Or, just walking with your pet. People come up and make lovely comments like "What kind of dog? He's beautiful." My husband, who usually waits outside stores and holds Casou's leash, meets lots of pretty girls. I'd say Casou is definitely a chick magnet.
8. Entertainment for the grandkids. How many times can they race around the room? Duh.
9. A valid reason to stay home, miss the party, avoid the buffet, or at least leave early. Okay, a good excuse. "But we can't bring the dog..." or "Ooos, gotta get home and feed the dog."
10. Some people clear their refrigerator and table of leftovers by owning a pet. Casou doesn't eat "people food," but some dogs or owners...
11. Companionship. Casou likes to hang out with me while I work. He's comforting and quiet. He knows how to support this writer.
12. A live reminder that we are connected to the earth and not necessarily masters of the universe.
13. A good sounding board -- I can say ANYTHING to Casou and he never tells. He cocks his head, listens, and usually smiles. He's great for brainstorming plot points.

RETURN of the VACATION FLOOZY

I know. I know. Today is FRIDAY. I could claim that I cannot remember what day it is -- I'm in the fog of vacationitis. Days have melted into each other like a dish of Neopolitan ice cream on a hot August day. But it's still June. And rainy. And I've been bored. Bored? Yeah... a slug. Maybe doing this T13 will get me out of my post-vacation doldrums? Worth a try!

13 Items I Acquired (discovered or purchased)
on My Vacation

1. Buckets o' seashells -- every day we walked about 2 miles on the beach. I wanted to find a nearly-perfect conch shell. Alas, no. But I have a lot of great little shells which I plan to use on dominoes or other art projects. Or stare at until I'm transported to the beach -- breathing the salty air, hearing the shush and roar of the sea, digging my toes in the cool sand, and turning my face to the dazzling warmth of the sun (especially this winter when the trees are bare, the sky looms leaden, and the thermometer reads below zero).

2. A big bag of Grits - the coarse, yellow variety. Dinner at the Ryberg's on Sullivan's Island. Native South Carolina shrimp (ooooh delicious!!!) and Grits. My first time to eat grits, I'm surprised to say. Purchased this burlap bag at the Charleston Market -- a fun place to shop.

3. Two bags of Benne wafers - a tradition of Charleston. Yum. Gave one bag to our neighbors for taking care of the homestead. Thanks to John, Rosie, Taylor, and Lilly

4. Two jars of Greek Spices -- from a little restaurant on King Street in Charleston. My friend, Betty Ryberg, gave me a little tour of Charleston. She grabbed my hand and took me into the Olde Town Grille & Seafood. She swears by this jar of spices. I bought some and agree -- excellent! Gave one jar to Lorraine Losa, for gradiously allowing us to use her home as the half-way point in our drive to and from South Carolina. All that, and she cooked meals, too! Thanks Lorraine and Gene!

5. An adorable illustrated book: Very Charleston, by Diana Hollingsworth Gessler. Delightful and informative.

6. Some photos-- only a few and not one of me -- (okay, just the one picture Steve took in which a lighthouse seems to be emanating from my head) (said picture also forced me back to Weight Watchers the minute I arrived in Vermont)

7. Lots of new clothes! (can you say "Fresh Produce Store"? I love this stuff!) I own quite a few pieces of this summer clothing. Everything works, the colors are vibrant, and ... I can't say enough about the value. I've had some of these pieces longer than I've had Steve. Here's the website: http://www.freshproducesportswear.com/

8. One large, new crossword puzzle book (but only did a couple... too much work while on vacation... ha ha)

9. Two completed paperback novels and two others started (put the "done" on Bookmooch and right away somebody mooched 'em)

10. A tan - I religiously wore my sunscreen. Even re-applied. Still, I'm sporting a bit of color from my cheeks to my toes. I'm sure I'll fade soon, but it's nice to feel like my ol' California self.

11. A relaxed state o' mind - isn't a vacation a tiny miracle that refreshes the spirit and rejuvenates the soul and places all the daily hustle, bustle, rant, and worry into perspective?

12. A true love of Folly Beach --- who knew? What a delightful spot for a week at the beach! Wanna go back. Maybe in a couple summers -- I think next year we owe the west coast a week or a month.

13. One shaken, but not broken, marriage! Despite 40 hours in the new Honda Civic. Thank goodness for TomTom GPS!!! Whatever did we do without it? Oh, I remember. I read the darn maps and Steve freaked out and we argued about the turns. Oy. So much more calm , cool, and collected -- both of us!

We wave a found farewell... as Casou walks on the beach....

We're baaaaccccckkkk!

Loved Folly Beach. Loved doin' nuthin'.... loved seafood, shopping, sand, sea, salt, 'n surf. Sitting with my face toward the ocean reminds me of my roots, revives my soul, and lifts my spirit. Alive again, naturally.

Glad to be back. More later.
Weeding needs to be done, or no organic tomatoes for this family. Oy!

ROAD TRIP!

We're off...
like a dirty shirt...
like a herd of turtles...
like ???

We rented a dog friendly house on Folly Beach, South Carolina.
Can't wait to sit in the sun and read through the used paperback books that I've accumulated for just this purpose.

Mmmmm.... what does a vacation give me an excuse to do? Inquiring minds want to know!
Here goes...

THURSDAY THIRTEEN brings you....
VACATION... an excuse to....

1. Buy (one? two? three?) .... well at leaste one new bathing suit.
2. Stockpile all those lovely trashy novels to read on beach
3. Buy (not just read in checkout line) mindless magazines
4. Eat junk food (road trip junk food rocks) without eating calories!
5. Go to the movies (matinee if it rains) without an "official" occasion
6. Buy cheesy postcards for to our friends and family
7. Sit on the beach, under an umbrella, and read those trashy novels (see #2) all day long
8. Rent a house in a faraway land (like South Carolina)
9. Ask (beg?) nice neighbors to water all our plants and veggie garden
10. Drive with the top down (well, how about the sunroof open?)
11. Dine in fancy restaurants and order local delicacies (beer and a dog??)
12. Get romantic in foreign land (or in a different state?) (or in the kitchen?)
13. And the best excuse for taking a "road trip" vacation?

NOT SPENDING TIME WITH THE FAMILY!
Just "us"... alone and romantic!

(not that we don't LOVE our family, but HEY... we never get to vacation alone...)

See you all in a couple weeks!
We'll be home (and thinking up a new T13 every week) for the rest of the summer.

p.s. Yesterday was my Mom & Dad's Anniversary -- I think this would have been 60 years? Not sure. Trust me... my parents were an awesome couple. Text book. Lovey dovey. Strict but caring. Not sure about the #. Hafta ask Mom. Also...I graduated from Orange High School, Escondido, CA... on June 11, 1969. Next year is the Big Four Oh. oooooh nooooo.... My how time flies when you're havin' fun!