It's Spring Again!

This year my vegetable and flower beds are in better shape thanks to more careful fall cleanup by my daughter and son-in-law, and of course my grandsons. I've added some mulch to the beds and started some seeds. The little green guys are sticking their heads up and soon there will be daffodils. I already have enjoyed the white snow bells and the brilliant but tiny blue scilla siberica. I'll put my peas and garlic in next week when the soil dries out a little more. The Philadelpha garden show was definately an inspiration even though I know I'll never have the displays and elegant designs they featured. It does make you aspire to be a better gardener.

On the Generosity of Friends

“Every man must decide whether he will walk in the light of creative altruism or in the darkness of destructive selfishness.” Martin Luther King, Jr.

We have recently been the beneficiaries of extremely generous acts by a friend of ours. She likes to drive, it's true, but she'd gone beyond the call to drive us to and from an airport more than four hours away. She's driven a group of us from Greencastle to Philadelphia for the flower show. She's a wonderful friend. I greatly appreciate her gifts. Her actions make me think of this quote from Dr. King. This commentary on personal altruism holds true for politics as well.

Each member of society must decide whether or not they will advocate the generous policy that helps everyone or,instead, demand the lowest taxes, the most mean spirited programs, and the least communitarian solution to our problems. As for me I was raised by my parents to believe that our work on earth is to make a change for the better, no matter how small. I'll continue to try.

Michelle's Sleeveless Dress

My first reaction to seeing Michelle Obama in her sleeveless dresses was, "Oh, I remember when I could wear a sleeveless dress"...and that's how the image of public figures is filtered by our own experiences. The first time I realized that I had lost that well toned look was when I saw a photo of myself at an event when I was the chair of the dinner. I was about 50. Much to my shock I saw this flabby upper arm. I reacted by going on an immediate diet and attending two more classes a week at our local Y. But it didn't help. The damage was done. Now, with the help of Yoga and weights I've restored a little of the muscle to that part of my body, but it'll never look like Michelle's.

Why shouldn't she wear a dignified sleeveless dress like the one she wore to the President's Congressional speech? And, what would make Republicans yearn for the Barbara Bush look (dowdy) or the Mrs. Reagan look (uptight and emaciated). I guess Democratic women come under fire (remember the criticism of Hillary's hair?)because they stand for all uppity, independent women. Well, get used to it folks. There's two little girls growing up in the White House who are likely to have their own unique sense of style.

How Do I Feel About Motorcycles?

So now both my daughter and son-in-law are proud owners of bikes. Of course, unlike others around these parts, they've suited up in super duper safe outfits and helmets. I know my son in law is very happy to have his sweetie engaged in his favorite activity. I can't complain about danger since not one offspring of mine has cautioned me about scuba diving. But I do have a little nagging concern about the "others" on the road. Stay safe dear ones and be as happy as you look in this photo (see woman on the left) which I stole from my son in law's blog.

Under the Sea

Next time you walk on a beautiful beach consider the world beneath your feet. Here's one of the beautiful coral formations I saw on my scuba dives off Desecheo Island, Puerto Rico.

Returned from the Deep...

...75 feet below the surface of the Caribbean Sea that is at the fabulous dive site of Desecheo island in Rincon Puerto Rico. If you are a diver you must visit and dive with Taino Divers. They know every inch of the island's dive sites. It makes one realize that when you visit a place near the water you are only seeing half the world. Beneath you are vast forests of coral, wonderful fish and larger animals and small creatures that creep, navigate and flow under the sea. I'm determined to learn more about the growth and specialization of coral. Hopefully I'll have some photos from a fellow diver to add to this blog.

Many returning snow birds were in Rincon. All lost the bulk of their retirement savings but carried through on their plans and came to Rincon again. It's a great community and I especially enjoyed the book club discussion made up of Puerto Rican and Mainland folks...Ferre's "Eccentric Neighborhoods".

Before we left our daughter gave us "A Team of Rivals" by Doris Kearns Goodwin ... wonderful reading about Lincoln and his cabinet of political opponents. It gives us good perspective on both current politics and the media of Lincoln's time and how it relates to the way politics are reported today.

Hope people are still reading this blog after more than a month's hiatus. I enjoy the comments and the emails.

New Year's Greetings and Hope for World Peace

Happiness and some disappointment too. Of course I'm thrilled with the election of Barack Obama. I have some high expectations. And, I'm thinking, where would be if the other team was getting sworn in on January 20? So that tempers my disappointments, BUT what was the President elect thinking when he selected Rev. Rick Warren to deliver the invocation? This is not a person who speaks for inclusiveness. Warren has been disparaging of other humans who don't accept his way of life and his view of the world. I'm hoping that Obama's notion that the invitation will open a dialogue with this part of the electorate will work. My experience in talking with adamant anti-gay marriage and antiabortion people in this part of the world is that they have been civil but unshaken in the notion that they have the world from God.

I was also hoping for a more imaginative Secretary of Education like Linda Darling Hammond. Obama's selection of Arne Duncan favors a person who has a mixed record on public education reform. Hilda Solis will be a good Secretary of Labor. She is likely to more carefully monitor wage and hour laws and regulations covering Occupational Safety and Health and Mine Safety. Workers have suffered because of the poor record of this administration in enforcing these standards.