TRAVEL SIGHTS AND NAY SAYERS

On the eve of my eightieth year, I watched as a red glow raced across the St. Louis sky. The sun was about to rise even as a crescent moon was still high in the sky. I was on my way to catch an early morning flight to start a month long visit to the East Coast. As I watched the sun's arrival, I understood the power it has had on people, rituals and beliefs through the years.

Taking the advice of Vice President Joesph R. Biden, Jr., I donned a face mask and boarded my flight. In the seats next to me were a woman and her young son who was flying for the first time. The boy was excited and a bit frightened at the same time. He pressed his head close to the window as we passed through billowing clouds. No matter the startling scenery, he put on his IPOD and all strangeness seemed to give way. He was in his comfort zone once again.

At my layover, I was joined by a large, new car dealer from Texas. Asked how things were in his state, he said, "Just fine!" Later in the conversation, he said he might need to change his new car dealership to a used car one. The years have made me cautious about nay sayers. This gentleman seemed no exception.

WHAT MORE COULD ONE ASK?

When I first came to St. Louis, I asked a new friend to describe the political climate of the City. I was told, we are not into politics. "This a sports town!" The week-long All Stars Baseball festivities proved the point.

Weeks before the Game, banners fluttered on light poles. Signs were seen on store fronts in commercial areas and residential neighborhoods. Empty lots and streets in the City were cleaned. Mini-arches were placed across town. As Game time neared, the excitement was palatable. Baseball greats of the past would attend along with the best players from teams across the country.

The night of the game, a huge flag was spread across the field by service men and women. Missouri-born Sheryl Crow sang the Star Spangled Banner. The stands were filled to capacity. Thousands roared their approval when President Obama tossed the ball and it reached the catcher. Even Mother Nature behaved. The evening was balmy. A creepy stealth bomber flew over as the game got underway.

What more could one ask? Well, for starters,that the feeling of civic pride felt by so many hang around for a while and that cheaper tickets were available.

JUDGE SOTOMAYOR AND KIPLING

The Senate Hearing on the Nomination of Judge Sonia Sotomayor to the Supreme Court and the cross examination by Senator Lindsey Graham reminded me of something Rudyard Kipling said.

"Take my word for it, the silliest woman can manage a clever man, but it takes a very clever woman to manage a fool."

Whatever one's political views, where ever one stands on social issues, today Judge Sotomayor proved her mettle against the Senator from South Carolina as she managed his interruptions and slurs with her quiet, smart, patient demeanor, exposing the Senator's real worth .

WOMAN IN A RED BATHING SUIT

Today, it is hot and humid. As I walked up my street, a young woman came toward me. She was wearing a bright red, two piece with a halter top, short trunks and no other clothing. She walked with a limp and I noticed that she was handicapped.

Her left side was severely disabled, whether from a stroke or a childhood malady. Yet, she walked with assurance and smiled as we passed each other. Even with the disability, she carried herself as if to say she would not suffer the oppressive heat inside but would get to a pool instead.

She was alone. I don't know what it took for this person to get herself up, out and into a swim suit. But, her determination to enjoy life was apparent. It must have helped her overcome more than a few physical and emotional obstacles without fear of what others might think. It also put me in the mood for a swim.

BAGEL PREVENTS DISASTER

Einstein Bagels at the corner of Euclid and Laclede Streets is a well known coffee house here in St. Louis's Central West End. It attracts locals with dogs and children. Beside good coffee, it has sidewalk tables protected by a wrought iron fence from the heavily trafficked street. There is just enough room for tables, pedestrians and other dogs to get by. So far, there have been no accidents.

One of my favorite dogs is Winston, a handsome, black Dane weighing 140 pounds. Though less than a year old he is especially well behaved toward strangers, children and other dogs. I have never heard him bark.

This morning, his master's table overflowed with other people leaving him little room to move about. His tail extended dangerously through the fence and into the street. His owner seemed not to notice the peril Winston was in, nor that he wanted a bagel too until he barked and growled. She brought him a bagel. Disaster was averted and all was peaceful again.

PRESIDENT OBAMA'S HAMBURGER

Several weeks ago, President Barack Obama, took a reporter and TV crew to a fast food restaurant for lunch. The menu was take out hamburgers and fries.

The restaurant patrons and employees alike were startled and thrilled by the President's appearance in so public a place. As I watched, the President stood in line, gave his order, and shook hands with other customers as if this was his favorite spot too. It was a wonderful moment watching our President hob nabbing with ordinary people.

It reminded me of those times when Presidents felt obliged to stay as close to public life as possible even though with personal danger. Presidents like Franklin Delano Roosevelt who rode slowly in an open convertible in streets across the country, or Harry S. Truman who took early morning walks in our nation's capitol, or Dwight D. Eisenhower who rode and walked down the streets of New York in the midst of a ticker tape parade, and of course when danger finally caught up with Ronald Reagan and John F. Kennedy the impact was enormous. We wonder, is it worth it?

Even though these excursions do take my breath away, I feel good about this small demonstration of our open society. Of course, this is to say nothing of the reprimand President Obama might have received from his wife or daughters for succumbing to a hamburger.