Michelle's Choices

So I understand there is controversy surrounding Michelle Obama's decision to hire an Asian designer for the spring green dress and coat she wore to the inauguration with her olive green J Crew gloves. It did not occur to me that her choice would upset so many people. I just know that there was a moment when she thought: "What I am going to wear to the inauguration?" For most women when the answer to that question is: "whatever you want" it propels you into a state of delight and focus- I have to find an outfit. Well she found one. Michelle will use black designers. Just give her a minute. Let her figure out her closet, and the whole social secretary thing. Michelle is going to influence designers and the way women, particularly black women, dress. She is learning just how much influence she will have. She won't disappoint, but let's be patient. After all, no one is entitled to anything.

The Age of Barrenness

Do you remember a time in your history when so many people were being laid off? It's like being on the side of a steep hill and you just can't get your footing and you keep sliding downward. I don't know any adults that lived through the depression and are still living although I know a fair number of their children. (I am not saying I think this is a depression although it is the most serious and frightening financial time I have yet lived through). The way it seemed to affect people most commonly was that folks who survived the depression saved everything: twist ties, foil, plastic bags, all kinds of containers and leftovers. What I wonder is how our age of barrenness will scar us? What behavior will identify us as those affected by the financial upheaval at the beginning of the 21st century? It won't hurt me to be a lot more frugal and less cavalier with our resources. I guess if when it is all said and done, my generation gets labeled frugal and sensible it won't be a bad thing.

How Many Calories?

It's that time again. I could tell without even looking in the mirror. I need to go on a diet. I am not a sensible dieter. I prefer the fads. You lose weight on the fad diets. Nothing but brown rice and seaweed paper for a month and you too can be thin! I know all the diet do's and dont's. Drink lots of water. Exercise. Eat half a portion size. No potatoes, no sugar, no fat. So what the hell. I am not eating anything anyway why not eat grapefruit for 2 weeks? I like grapefruit. I did the cabbage soup diet, the unrefined apple juice diet, the salad diet, the supermodel diet (coffee, gum and fingernails) and the pork rinds diet. My friend did the pork rinds thing not me. I have to gear up. I have to talk myself into a diet and then I can actually be on the diet for 4-6 days tops. It's the same 15 pounds I lose and gain every three years.

Bad Habits

Hearing that our new president is struggling with his nicotine demon gave me hope and the urge to rush right out and get some cigarettes. A solidarity move. I know cigarettes are the bane of my generation. I don't get downtown much during business hours so I don't see how many adults are huddled outside sucking in as much nicotine and smoke as they can in 5-8 minutes. But what I do notice is the number of car windows partly rolled down with thin wisps of gray smoke twirling out of moving vehicles. The private vehicle is the last sanctuary for smokers. Inhaling deep, thoughtful breaths while listening to Mozart, exhaling your worries and anxieties right out of that car window and counting the minutes until your next date with a cigarette. When I think about smoking I don't think about the person with facial reconstruction due to throat cancer. What I think about is Truman Capote wearing a silk scarf, smoking while considering and composing In Cold Blood. I don't smoke but I miss it and clearly, I think about it more than is wise and prudent. We all know that those lustful thoughts lead to bad choices.

Turn Up the Heat!

Is it asking too much to be warm? Yes I realize it is January in St. Louis no less, but hey, how about some heat? My friend who lives in much warmer climes called last night and said that she was Jonesing for St. Louis and would like to come visit either in the spring or fall. Is there a problem with July or August in St. Louis? Hey, I am convinced that as my skin continues to age and all of the collagen leaks out or what ever happens to the elasticity that the humidity is great for our skin. I think the heat is sexy. Think sweaty, naked bodies! Flannel is not sexy. I miss the sun. I want to garden in the sun with no shoes on. I want to sit by the pool and have a gimlet. I want to mow my grass! Okay. I got all of that out. I will not continue to kvetch about winter. Not much anyway. Stay warm and don't forget to moisturize.

Just One Bloggers Opinion

So, last night while listening to NPR's News and Notes I was surprised to hear that some bloggers (the more political bloggers I might add) reported being offended by Reverend Joseph Lowery's Inaugural Benediction particularly this part: " Lord in the memory of all the saints who from their labors rest, and in the joy of a new beginning, we ask you to help us work for that day when black will not be asked to get in back, when brown can stick around, when yellow will be mellow, when the red man can get ahead man and when white will embrace what is right." People are blogging that they are upset, that this is racist and hate filled and that the Reverend needs to apologize. Well, I was not offended. I thought it was funny. In the midst of all of the very serious milestones like the transfer of power and the hard work that awaits our new President in every corner of the globe, we need to remember our sense of humor. The Reverends Benediction was firmly rooted in the tradition of Black rhyme and poetry, and humor. Black folks have used humor and prayer, albeit not necessarily together to make sense of the most difficult and challenging of times. The Reverend just let everybody in on the secret. He shared something with the world that everyone may not be able to hear or to laugh about. I saw our President laughing with the Reverends irreverent humor and it was beautiful. We gotta lighten up people cause our load is heavy and the road is long. Let's be pissed about stuff that matters.

I'll Admit it......

I wanted to go to the Ball!! Any ball. Hell, I would have gone to the soccer ball. Just the idea, of a fabulous satin gown and a Judith Lieber minaudiere and my faux Harry Winston jewels!! I have never been to a real ball. Engraved invitations, place cards, and gloved waiters passing out things I probably wouldn't eat anyway. When I think about President and Mrs. Obama going to ten balls, I get lightheaded. Regarding my transportation to the ball, I would prefer a pumpkin to a Cadillac however.

An Incredible Moment

Several friends have asked if or how the election of Barack Obama was significant to me. Being born black is a gift. It has given me an opportunity to understand that some people do judge a book by its cover and sometimes that "cover" is the object of much hatred, vitriol and ugliness. The election of Barack Obama is significant because we got past the "cover" and responded to his character. It is exciting for me to see someone in the white house who is brown with little brown children and a beautiful brown wife. Perhaps the people who encounter brown people and view them with suspicion and mistrust will be challenged to think again. It happens one step at a time. This was a big and meaningful step for all of us.

Mom was Right

I ate almost an entire box of Organic Ginger Snaps. I say "almost" because I had help. Not as much help as I would like you to think. I have no idea what got into me. I was practically giddy when I realized Ginger Snaps have no hydrogenated fats and no ingredients you can't pronounce. I almost bought the vanilla sandwich cookies. I love those but decided against it. More calories and fat, although I love sandwich cremes. I did order one box of lemon cremes from the girl scout down the street today. I have to show some restraint with the girl scout cookies. I know several girl scouts now and have to spread my resources over a wider area. A box here a box there. I think what the world needs now is a cookie break. Lots of cookies, hot chocolate and each other. Who could be mad with a cup of hot cocoa in one hand and a cookie in the other?

Old and Tired

Have you tried to find parts for a machine or piece of equipment you have owned for a few years? Typically, even if the machine is a few years old, you can find parts without a problem. I can still get parts for my Smith-Corona typewriter! Well, yesterday I went to find an IPOD cover for a one year old IPOD. The clerk looks at me, looks at the IPOD and says: "wow, this is a 3rd generation IPOD, we don't carry covers for old IPODS." OLD??!! He said that as if I had whipped out my avacado princess wall phone out for a new mouthpiece. I was floored. I have bras older than a year, and my parts still fit! This sort of planned obsolescence is silly. Think of the money that could be made if we could buy parts for the ancient IPOD. So, I go to Circut City. No luck there either. The young man says: "Maybe you can find one on Amazon or Craig's list." I get it. I think I should have just thrown the dumb thing in the trash right there and whipped out my black American Express and said: "just give me what Steve uses; I'll take the latest and greatest." Yeah right. Screw this. I am digging out my 8-track and jammin' to some Earth, Wind and Fire. Shuffle this.

Your Secret's Safe with Me

It really did occur to me that over the years, I have been the receiver of many secrets and pleas not to share this tidbit with anyone. Please know that your secret was and still is safe with me. Sadly, it is not because I am particularly prudent or am unwilling even under the threat of bodily harm to keep the darkest secrets and desires of my friends safe. Your secret is safe with me because most likely I forgot it. Things that are whispered to me with the caveat: "Please do not tell anyone," get filed in the: "no need to remember what I can't repeat" file. I even tried today to remember the details of the dalliance of a friend, and couldn't. It is the things I need to remember like my various passwords, birthdays of friends and when to get my oil changed that I have to concentrate on. Your secret truly is safe with me.

You're Welcome

I did not commit to any resolutions this year, mainly because: "drink more water, have better posture and curse less" didn't work out last year or the year before that so I didn't go through the exercise to pick behaviors that if I didn't remain resolved, no one would notice. However, it did occur to me that one resolution I could practice would be to say: "You're welcome." I could try to hear someones gratitude and appreciation without answering their statement with: "no, thank you" I could simply say you're welcome. Seems easy enough.

In Anticipation

In seven short days, we will usher in a new president and hopefully a new philosophy which will give the FDA teeth to do its very important work , "un-muzzle" the Surgeon General and be sincere in its desire to "leave no child behind." I am looking forward to an administration that is curious about how we can lead the charge to address the vanishing wetlands and take back our national parks. I am excited about being a part of the dialogue of our future and not shushed when my opinion does not mirror that of the administration. I am hopeful that President elect Obama will seek support of congress and the senate to get consensus, but that he can make difficult decisions when he feels he is acting without a mandate. I am hopeful that young brown children will take notice and believe that they to can impact the American legacy through national leadership, the arts, science or local government. I welcome the new administration and am realistic enough to know that with all the challenges that lie ahead the road will be long and hard. I believe he can.

The Patchouli Incident

So I am getting on the elevator in the building where my bank is located, and a man in a track suit that I had never seen or met before gets on board with me. After a few minutes he starts waving his hands in front of his nose with a scowl and says: "what is that smell?? Some kind of cough drop?" I replied that it was patchouli, a favorite scent of mine. He dashed off the elevator as if I had offered to behead his pet ferret. So, as was my intent, I went to see my banker and while I am seated there, two women walk by and one of them says: "wow, you smell good, what is that?" No two people are likely to have the same reaction to something are they? I love patchouli. It reminds me of the 70's. I will continue to wear it, and if pushed, I may macrame a little pouch to carry it in around my neck!

A Tribute

Ever since I could walk I have had a pet of one sort or another. I have had turtles, fish, mice, (a lab rat that I rescued from my high school biology lab) dogs, cats and birds. I have been so lucky to have so many pets all with their individual personalities and quirks. In 1991 I spotted a cute, gray dog watching me while I was checking the cages for someone special. There sat "Frisky." Dumb name, cute dog. They "estimated" her age to be about a year old. Thelma was a pistol from day one. She chased dogs, geese, and hunted squirrels with a vengeance. She would push Sydney out of my lap and hog up as much of my attention as possible. Thelma has gone on rode trips, camping trips, fishing and horse back riding and most recently to work with me almost everyday for the past five years. She is always near by. I am getting a little nervous as my companion ages and not so gracefully. Sometimes I feel like Thelma is giving me a preview of what I can look forward to as I age. Her hearing is almost gone, she has horrible depth perception now and can't see well in dim light. She has fewer teeth and horrible breath. She is riddled with warts and fatty tumors and she leaks pee frequently. She is not the same dog I shared popcorn with or a bed with for many years. She is tired, walks with a limp and doesn't get up in the car as we approach the house to roll down her window and bark. I know the inevitable is coming, and I am not prepared. As with all of my four legged friends, I love her dearly and only want her to be comfortable, well fed and dry.

The Sky is NOT Falling

As a culture we no longer rely on public fortune tellers/soothsayers or clairvoyants to devine the future of our communities. Except when it comes to the weather. Weather folks "predict" or "see" bad weather coming and often have it on good authority; who can argue with Doppler Radar? Followers of the readers of weather tea leaves react accordingly, storming grocery stores, cancelling school, after-school activities and life all based on a prediction. What really kills me is that 60% of the time, the predictions are wrong. We cancel all sorts of things based on a prediction and when it goes south, we shrug it off, eat the emergency bread we bought and put the candles back in the freezer. I pay no attention to the forecast. When the wildlife start acting weird, that is when I hustle to the store and move for higher ground.

Is it Spring Yet?

it may be spring where you are, but we are still slogging along in early January in Missouri. Actually, its been a great time to get indoor projects done, order trees for the spring, plan the garden and our first outdoor party. I hope you are well, healthy and above all, warm. On the last point all I can say is that I am trying. But it just isn't that easy. Winter in Missouri is not for the faint of heart. If you are in Missouri, pretend you are a cake and layer up!

Under Water

So, the worst of it is over. The water has been sopped up, and most of the things- papers, books, games, toys, recipes, projects, letters, plans- are gone. Pulp is not something you can turn back into the paper it was before the incident. "The incident" was the damage to my little office following the break of two water lines in the vacant apartment upstairs. It is over, no one died, and other than the gross, wet smell, its not so bad. I did learn something though and that is that nothing of value should be stored on the floor. Ever. The flood happened before the New Year, so I will put this in the 2008 column. I am just looking forward now. Happy New Year.