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 .
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
Saturday, July 11, 2009
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.
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.
Friday, July 10, 2009
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.
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.
Monday, July 6, 2009
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.
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.
Monday, June 29, 2009
JULY 4TH & JUNETEENTH
July 4Th, 1776, is celebrated here and across the country as Independence Day.
Last week, the headline in The St. Louis American, the weekly African American newspaper, called for a resurgence of a holiday called Juneteenth. The holiday commemorates June 19, 1865, when the Union Army arrived in Texas to enforce the Emancipation Proclamation, signed nearly a hundred years after the Revolutionary War, to end slavery.
Both dates celebrate men, women and children who fought to gain representation in a government they could call their own. They came from farms and towns, some with the heavy yoke of slavery, some defying brothers to join an army which would prevail through squalid conditions, underground railroads, and economic barons of the time.
The importance of one holiday need not obliterate the other. We can celebrate our national heritage and remember that justice came late for many, even as we acknowledge injustice still exists for many more.
Last week, the headline in The St. Louis American, the weekly African American newspaper, called for a resurgence of a holiday called Juneteenth. The holiday commemorates June 19, 1865, when the Union Army arrived in Texas to enforce the Emancipation Proclamation, signed nearly a hundred years after the Revolutionary War, to end slavery.
Both dates celebrate men, women and children who fought to gain representation in a government they could call their own. They came from farms and towns, some with the heavy yoke of slavery, some defying brothers to join an army which would prevail through squalid conditions, underground railroads, and economic barons of the time.
The importance of one holiday need not obliterate the other. We can celebrate our national heritage and remember that justice came late for many, even as we acknowledge injustice still exists for many more.
Sunday, June 28, 2009
SMILING AT LIFE
I've often wondered what is it that makes people respond to small happenings with a smile, while others seem oblivious to so much around them. The sweet scent of newly mowed grass, lovers holding hands in the street, watching a Robin stand perfectly still while cocking its head listening intently for its meal, any one of these things can provoke a smile for me.
Recently, I passed three burly, serious minded workers clearing a lawn. We were not in an open field, or on a farm but in the middle of an urban area. Suddenly, all of us spotted a rabbit hopping across the front of the house. "One of the workers yelled out, "Now where did you come from?" We all started to laugh and smile as the rabbit scampered away.
Did we react this way because of a sense of relief from our mundane lives or were we simply startled? Whatever the reason, I know the workers and I began our day feeling good about the world because of a stray rabbit on a city street.
Recently, I passed three burly, serious minded workers clearing a lawn. We were not in an open field, or on a farm but in the middle of an urban area. Suddenly, all of us spotted a rabbit hopping across the front of the house. "One of the workers yelled out, "Now where did you come from?" We all started to laugh and smile as the rabbit scampered away.
Did we react this way because of a sense of relief from our mundane lives or were we simply startled? Whatever the reason, I know the workers and I began our day feeling good about the world because of a stray rabbit on a city street.
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
SERENDIPITY AND ADVENTURE
The word serendipity conjures images of unexpected delights. I had such a day recently when I picked up my grandson from his summer class.
Before I picked up Hoben, there was time for me to stop at a restaurant for coffee. I was waiting in a long line when my grandson popped up in front of me. He was on a class break with his teacher. He asked me to join them at their table. Before they left, I was invited to visit the class to see his lovely glass paintings. Then we spent the afternoon doing unpredictable things.
One thing Hoben wanted to do was to get rid of a bundle of clothes he had outgrown. We took them to a store that buys, trades, and sells used merchandise. The store was fascinating and reminded me of old trading posts. The operation is run by hip, young women. As they went through each item, they used different colored clothespins to price each one. There was a two hour wait so we went to lunch and came back. We learned that the clothes were worth less than expected and most were returned to him which he gave to Goodwill.
After a few more stops and much conversation, we wound up at Barnes and Noble. When I dropped Hoben off at his house, I realized that I had experienced a day that began serendipitously and was filled with adventure and the fun of being with my grandson.
Before I picked up Hoben, there was time for me to stop at a restaurant for coffee. I was waiting in a long line when my grandson popped up in front of me. He was on a class break with his teacher. He asked me to join them at their table. Before they left, I was invited to visit the class to see his lovely glass paintings. Then we spent the afternoon doing unpredictable things.
One thing Hoben wanted to do was to get rid of a bundle of clothes he had outgrown. We took them to a store that buys, trades, and sells used merchandise. The store was fascinating and reminded me of old trading posts. The operation is run by hip, young women. As they went through each item, they used different colored clothespins to price each one. There was a two hour wait so we went to lunch and came back. We learned that the clothes were worth less than expected and most were returned to him which he gave to Goodwill.
After a few more stops and much conversation, we wound up at Barnes and Noble. When I dropped Hoben off at his house, I realized that I had experienced a day that began serendipitously and was filled with adventure and the fun of being with my grandson.
Subscribe to:
Posts
(
Atom
)
