dateline: saturday, may 31, 2008

it's going to be 90 today!!!

isn't that enough to warrant a news story? or blog post? well, in my world it is. (hey, it's saturday, gimme a break) summer has arrived in my part of the world and i am happy. yeah, i love the heat and the humidity because i have naturally curly hair! what i'm not too excited about are the predictions that this is going to be a extraordinary hurricane season. so, i'm making my hurricane preparedness list, so i can assemble all the necessary items. it's the southern equivalent of an earthquake kit on the west coast. you do it and hope you don't have to use it. of course, mine has some extras that aren't on the official list:

1. wine
2. waiter's key
3. wine glasses
   
4. plymouth gin
5. tonic
6. rocks glasses

don't laugh, if by some chance we NEED to open the kit, a drink will be one of the first things people (ok, me) will want!

but seriously, i'll do the list after i go garage sale shopping with my bff and her hubby. she buys old furniture repurposes/paints it AND even better, sells it and makes a really nice profit! i just look for neat pieces of old jewelery. i know my limitations. the last piece of furniture i bought at an estate sale is currently sitting in my office and being used as a landing site for files. it'll probably end up at her house soon! but, a 3 dollar wow-isn't-that-great-what-a-bargain little table is hard to pass up! i have 20 bucks in my wallet right now and i plan to come home with the same amount. if not, i'll take a picture of the treasures i find.

interesting economic note: there's a "flea market" being held today at an old office building site that has a rather large parking lot. the building had sat on the market for a few years before it was purchased by a developer with the idea of turning it into condos with retail shops on the lower floors. this building is situated at the end of the historic district between one way streets - one going north and the other south, so the idea was it would get not only the surrounding residents, but folks coming in and going out of downtown. then the bottom started to fall on the local real estate market. you know the rest. anyway, the group that is now sitting on this piece of property decided to rent out 2 parking spaces each to local vendors and craftspeople once a month for a mega garage sale/flea market. everybody's happy, deals are made and i found 2 really nice real silver bracelets for only $5! but, i digress, anyway... one of the local columnists did an article on how spending patterns are changing here in our little town. it seems more and more people are shopping nearby, rather than driving to the mall. small shops are still doing ok, but the real winners are the thrift stores and consignment shops! so, in my usual convoluted way of explaining things, this is one of the reasons the monthly flea market was a good idea for the property owners and the community!

totally unrelated (but is it really?) did anyone else see the story on the news about the farmer who has gone back to plowing his fields with an ox drawn plow? he said it was cheaper! we are going back in time. recycling items, bartering, bicycles instead of cars, locally grown produce - hey, maybe it's not such a bad thing.

later skaters! i'll be back after the scavenger hunt. . .

~~~~~later that night
so after a really great day and lots of sun & humidity, i came home and promptly fell asleep! there's something very special about a nooze in a dark room with only the sound of the ceiling fan to keep you company! tomorrow one of the local organic co-op groups is hosting an evening tasting at one of the local restaurants. a group of us are probably going to spend a couple of hours listening to local musicians at a locally owned resto, eating organically grown foods prepared by a home town chef, robbie woods. he's one chef to keep your eye on, this guy is gonna be big time soon!

forget mr.blackwell's worst dressed list! look out you don't make michelle malkin's!

the following article was sent to me by super nana. she saw it in the los angeles times. this type of fear mongering, rabble rousing discourse is an affront to american society, arabs, (whom by the way are not only muslim, but christian, atheists, or buddhists) and maybe even, one of you out there who just might have happened to have a kaffiyeh because it was fashionable and you picked up one for a few bucks at a street fair! what's next on the you-can't-wear-that-because-i-said-so-and-if-you-do-you're-a-terrorist list? the color black?

Dunkin' Donuts pulls Rachael Ray ad after complaints

Dunkin' Donuts has pulled an online advertisement featuring Rachael Ray after complaints that a fringed black-and-white scarf that the celebrity chef wore in the ad offers symbolic support for Muslim extremism and terrorism.

The coffee and baked goods chain said the ad that began appearing online May 7 was pulled over the past weekend because "the possibility of misperception detracted from its original intention to promote our iced coffee."

In the spot, Ray holds an iced coffee while standing in front of trees with pink blossoms.

Critics, including conservative commentator Michelle Malkin, complained that the scarf wrapped around her looked like a kaffiyeh, the traditional Arab headdress. Critics who fueled online complaints about the ad in blogs say such scarves have come to symbolize Muslim extremism and terrorism.

The kaffiyeh, Malkin wrote in a column posted online last Friday, "has come to symbolize murderous Palestinian jihad. Popularized by Yasser Arafat and a regular adornment of Muslim terrorists appearing in beheading and hostage-taking videos, the apparel has been mainstreamed by both ignorant (and not-so-ignorant) fashion designers, celebrities, and left-wing icons."

A statement issued Wednesday by Canton, Mass.-based Dunkin' Brands Inc., however, said the scarf had a paisley design, and was selected by a stylist for the advertising shoot.

"Absolutely no symbolism was intended," the company said.

Dunkin' spokeswoman Michelle King said the ad appeared on the chain's Web site, as well as other commercial sites.

Amahl Bishara, an anthropology lecturer at the University of Chicago who specializes in media matters relating to the Middle East, said complaints about the scarf's use in the ad demonstrate misunderstandings of Arab culture and the multiple meanings that symbols can take on depending on someone's perspective.

"I think that a right-wing blogger making an association between a kaffiyeh and terrorism is just an example of how so much of the complexity of Arab culture has been reduced to a very narrow vision of the Arab world on the part of some people in the U.S.," Bishara said in a phone interview. "Kaffiyehs are worn every day on the street by Palestinians and other people in the Middle East -- by people going to work, going to school, taking care of their families, and just trying to keep warm."

While some extremists and terrorists may wear kaffiyehs, "To reduce their meaning to support for terrorism has a tacit racist tone to it," Bishara said.

Malkin, in a posting following up on last week's column, said of Dunkin's decision to pull the ad, "It's refreshing to see an American company show sensitivity to the concerns of Americans opposed to Islamic jihad and its apologists."

Ray, host of the Food Network television program "30 Minute Meals" as well as a syndicated daytime talk show, began appearing in ads for Dunkin' Donuts in March 2007. When Dunkin' announced the partnership, it said Ray would be featured in TV, print, radio and online spots in a campaign running through 2010.

david kiley has an excellent column in rebuttal to as he calls it "(the) cowardly and ridiculous" pulling of the ad.

if i ate dunkin donuts, i'd boycott them immediately! but, since i don't, i'll just pass along the information!

When the smoke clears, and you get right down to it, only three things really matter: your faith, your fortitude, and your family. Good night.

old tv series heaven right now...i love netflix.

first one:
If you want someone to love you, open your heart. If you want someone to be obsessed with you, close it.

Anyone who thinks controlling people is a science is dead wrong.
It's an art.

We must welcome adversity and embrace struggle. And no matter what we get from life, never give less than 100%. Of course at the end of every battle-weary day, we fold ourselves into peaceful darkness and find comfort in those gentle words -
good night.

and my favorite from this series:

Right after old Douggie had his little mid life crisis, chucked his company and joined a monastary... had to take one last shot at me before shaving his head donning his robes... Nothing like a monk with a grudge.

and then, there was this series:

And he agrees I don't belong here. Reckons I should move to Glasgow, find myself.
What if you're not there when you get there?

Listen, mush! I can boogie with the best, dance 'til dawn and drink 'til doomsday! So don't give me this old routine! Or I shall give you an injury from which you may never recover!

and another favorite and the one last one i'll mention:

Now calm down son, listen to daddy. It's just a bad dream. I promise you, Senator Thurmond is not in your closet. That's a good boy. Yes, okay you go back to bed now.

Roger, at Cornell University they have an incredible piece of scientific equipment known as the Tunneling Electron Microscope. Now, this microscope is so powerful that by firing electrons you can actually see images of the atom, the infinitesimally minute building blocks of our universe. Roger, if I were using that microscope right now, I still wouldn't be able to locate my interest in your problem.

can you guess which 3 shows, i was talking about?

yep, darlins, i'm into episodic tv reruns to avoid thinking about anything. this funk started after the luncheon (don't ask, i don't even want to think about it anymore) and is just hanging around until something better comes along. . . i think that economic development and trends in spending patterns, the educational morass that currently exists in our little town and the opinions of lameduck politicos are not the subjects for rubber chicken luncheons...it must be indigestion

~~~~
1. profit (fox, 1996)
2. monarch of the glenn (bbc, 2000)
3 frasier (1993 - 2003)

the six unspectacular quirks meme

got this from betty, who was tagged by leon, the ancient one, so why not, right? an easy wednesday. . .

these are the rules:

• link the person who tagged you. (she didn't tag anyone)
  
• mention the rules in your blog.
  
• tell about six unspectacular quirks of yours.
  
• tag six bloggers by linking them. (this one is open, do it or don't, it's totally up to you. yes, that's right, you over there...i see you!)
  
• leave a comment on each of the tagged blogger's blogs letting them know they've been tagged. (just tell me, if you do it, please)

1. i drink at least 2 cups of coffee every morning.
2. i never leave my house without first putting on lipstick.
3. i feel naked if i don't have earrings on. i have a pair in my purse, in case, i've forgotten.
4. except for 4 items currently in my closet, everything hanging there is either, white, tan, khaki or black.
5. i don't have a tattoo.

hey, it said unspectacular quirks! so, what about you?

and now we'll resume our regular programing

what a weekend! friends, family, lots of food & drink (this is what we do here), but the best news this weekend: the MITM is coming home next month! yes, pals o'mine, things have worked out just fine! looks like he'll be here in time for the big 4th of july celebrations! we'll miss his birthday (june 5th) but, that's just another excuse for a party when he gets home! (he reads the blog, so it's not going to be a surprise). i think i'll do a countdown clock!

last night was a small dinner party here - just 5 of us, so, i'm mellowed out and ready for my 8am meeting. this will probably be the first of day long blog entries and visits to all y'all!

hey, we missed monday work blues! that HAS to count for something. . .

~~~~~
i am officially old!
came home from the 8 am meeting full of energy, went upstairs to change, looked at my bed...and said, to hell with that and promptly feel asleep! i needed a nap, so now it's work time. ok, it's brew some more coffee and organize the rest of the day time, but that's work, too!

but wait, can we just talk about the new media buzz word? staycation (courtesy of msnbc.com: a term whose origin is often attributed to a popular Canadian television series. In 2006, a New York magazine further promoted the "staycation," encouraging people to spend their vacation exploring what the city has to offer instead of leaving town. ) ...haven't we bastardized the english language enough? yes, i know, this is a living language, but come on folks, don't we have enough words to describe staying at home instead of going away? or am i still bristling from the vernacular use of urban and talk? ( or is this just another example of my old status???) yikes!!!!

Memorial Day 2008

In remembrance of all who've died in service to our country.

sleepy sunday

nothing like a slow morning to make a person feel totally indulged. but, then reality sets in and you know that's the only one for the day. things to do before the afternoon soiree and no one to help. no one to share a cuppa out on the porch with, no one to talk to. just me.

yikes, now i'm thinking of really OLD songs...aint' misbehavin' comes to mind. i think i'll just go get some coffee (which i still need to brew), take the paper and go sit on the porch. it could be worse, so i'll just revel in the moment.

and after that, i'll take care of the things that need doing.


reality check: just heard from the MITM that one of his employee's daughter died yesterday. in africa this happens every day, a grim reality that people accept. nothing in my life or yours, dear friends of the blogosphere, compares to that sort of fatalism. be grateful for your life, kiss your children and say i love you to the people you hold dear.

three day weekend

this might be a blog lite weekend, darlings. farewell luncheon here today for a friend, birthday party and bbq on sunday and absolutely nothing on monday, but sweet recovery and serious slacking!

whatever you have planned, i hope it's lovely and delicious!

aside:
it's 22:40 and outside i can hear the sound of a horse drawn carriage going by! just one of the reasons i really do love living here! as i was driving home today everything with clean and sweet smelling after a short, but intense, downpour. i'd forgotten just how many shades of green there are around me. it was as if all the colors were doubly saturated in intensity! what a joyful riot of delight! sweet dreams tonight for me...

friday frolics

i had planned a april fool's day post, but somebody beat me to what i had planned. so here's my alternative post in honor of said day! at some point today, i'll flip this into a regular font, but until then i'll just have my little joke!

all will be revealed before happy hour !

soooooo, happy hour came a little early in savannah, but hey, it's the cocktail hour somewhere! here's what i said:

i had planned a april fool's day post, but somebody beat me to what i had planned. so here's my alternative post in honor of said day! at some point today, i'll flip this into a regular font, but until then i'll just have my little joke!

happy belated april fool's day!

this was in my mailbox

i had seen this e-card and was going to post it along with some thoughts on the new indiana jones movie and harrison ford, but then decided not to. why, you might ask? well, i'll tell you, i thought it might be inappropriate

behold, the message from super nana:

Message: OMG! so funny and wildly inappropriate!

so what's the lesson to be learned from all of this? the apple doesn't fall far from the tree, sugar! my daughter is as insane as i am! and, secondly, i hope your children will be, or are, as wildly mad as mine!

(i don't know about all y'all, but i am so enjoying this scheduled post feature!)

brought to you by the number 5

i was tagged by petey to do this meme. he took pictures to illustrate his entry, but me being the camera daunted person that i am and my cellphone pics being less than perfect this time around, it's just going to be a list.

5 Things in my bag:

black moleskine notebook, heavy duty wallet that doubles as a mini purse, fountain pen with blue ink, a plastic box filled with tiny mints and a compass

5 Favorite things in my room:

my bed, my japanese mirror stand which has 4 drawers and holds my jewelery, a picture of the MITM taken when he was 13, a serving tray that used to belong to my grandparents, it's a scene of rio de janeiro done all in butterfly wings and a mini eiffel tower that i bought the first time i went to paris

5 Things I have always wanted to do:

hike the appalachian trail from georgia to maine, go to the copenhagen jazz festival, drive a formula one race car, visit all 50 states and own a fully restored 1952 mg td in british racing green.

5 Things I'm currently into:

reading (i have a dozen books i've purchased over the last few months and i've only started one), movies ( a constant in my life), making a copper table top (still in r&d, but it's going to happen), green tea and purging my closets (out with the old)

5 People to tag:

this one i leave up to 5 of you! just let me know if you decide to do it, so i can see what your fab fives are!

fab 5 update:

dive and scout have posted!

this is my tuesday

so,
so,

ain't life grand?

*this post courtesy of someecards*

~~~~~~
new blog alert, for them that knows *wink, wink, nudge, nudge* and another from the other side of the pond. (well, for me, it's the other side)

~~~~~~~~
what's up out in the world wide web? more and more blogs are going by invitation only ... did i miss a memo?

drive by monday

hit and miss monday, kiddos...i'm behind on some work (yeah, it's true, sometimes i'm a slacker) and i have to catch up TODAY.

(i started to just use an appropriate someecard, but then realized it was quicker to just tell all y'all)

later skaters

all will be revealed

it was absolutely gorgeous here last night! walking downtown is probably the easiest and most fun on a saturday night, rather than driving and trying to find a parking place. (but then that's probably true in most urban areas of any size) (oh, yeah, i'm gonna beat that horse for a while) but i digress. . .

we skipped the shakespeare festival and went to the last night of a a local jazz club. yep, another venue has bit the dust in savannah. i'm not sure what it is, because it's just not the economy. everyone says they like jazz, the city touts the music scene, but it's becoming harder and harder for jazz clubs to stay open here. there are the old standbys across the country, but birdland is in new york city and i'm not! and even there, half the clubs that used to thrive are gone and the few without the cache of name, are barely holding on. it seems such a shame that the one true american art form is appreciated everywhere but here! and jazz has touched so much of our lives, not just the sound of it, but our language, decor, style...our attitudes about all of these things and each other.

i fall in love with jazz all over again every time i hear

But Not For Me

They're writing songs of love, but not for me.
A lucky star's above, but not for me.
With love to lead the way
I've found more clouds of grey
than any Russain play could guarantee.
I was a fool to fall and get that way;
Heigh-ho! Alas! And also, lack-a-day!
Although I can't dismiss the mem'ry of his kiss,
I guess he's mot for me.

He's knocking on a door, but not for me.
He'll plan a two by four, but not for me.
I know that love's a game;
I'm puzzled, just the same,
was I the moth or flame?
I'm all at sea.
It all began so well, but what an end!
This is the time a feller needs a friend,
when ev'ry happy plot ends with the marriage knot,
and there's no knot for me.


written by george and ira gershwin in the 1930's and for me best done by chet baker or billie holiday. for a more contemporary touch, try nate birkey, you can find his stuff on itunes, give a listen. great horn player and singer of jazz.

part of the excitement downtown last night was savannah college of art & design's annual fashion show. this year a presentation was made to john galliano, so all the fashionistas were out and about! i haven't seen that many stilettos on city streets since sex & the city was on!

and here we are, another lovely day...i'll see all y'all later!

saturday in the park

tonight is shakespeare in the park here in savannah - yes, i know what you're thinking (no, i don't, i just like saying that), isn't this the rainy season? didn't tornados touch down all along the southern area and lowcountry just last week? and, wait, didn't it RAIN yesterday? and yes, y'all are right, it is indeed, springtime in savannah. hot, humid, starting to get buggy and almost hurricane season, but if you've learned anything at all about living in the south, we do like to party and lord knows, if you get caught in the rain here, it'll stop in 15 minutes and you'll be dry in 30. so, the plan of action is, skip the park and head out to hear some music, eat, drink and drink some more ...some where downtown and just wander around and enjoy our little town!

actually, i'm only kidding, but i'll leave that up to you to decide about what!

have fun this weekend, life's too short to be bored!

~~~~~~~~
can i just say one thing? (no, but then that's why i blog) when did the word "urban" cease to mean "city" and become some sort of euphemism for black/african-americans or from what i'm reading outside of the states, ghettos for anyone who's poor? i kid you not, darlings, a woman recently and here in my little town (and this is a woman who's earned the right academically to call herself doctor) called an architect to task for using the term "urban planning" she called him racially insensitive!!! i wish i'd been at that meeting! i am so sick of this posturing, pandering, and institutionalization of the victim mentality i could spit! this ain't alice in wonderland, kids, words have determined meanings. and in a professional setting, can we just use english, as it was intended to be spoken by educated adults, and not the vernacular of the school yard?

ok, that's done, let's all go back to enjoying saturday

there is no friday post

*courtesy of punch-drunk opinions*

here's to the internationally known. . .

manuel, the waiter! yes, his badges are being sported by bloggers out in lalaland aka los angeles, california! hassan (who hasn't resumed blogging yet), mr. moose (who's kind of swamped with work right now) and super nana (who can't seem to log in to her blog right now). BUT, in addition to being a hit on the west coast, manuel is also on waiter rant's blogroll! the hippest east coast blog around! i swear, next thing you know, tony bourdain will be interviewing him! as well he should!

(thanks, hassan for the pictures!)

ghostface killah update

this is how i feel about the democratic primaries so far...

The Walrus and The Carpenter
Lewis Carroll
(from Through the Looking-Glass and What Alice Found There, 1872)

The sun was shining on the sea,
Shining with all his might:
He did his very best to make
The billows smooth and bright--
And this was odd, because it was
The middle of the night.

The moon was shining sulkily,
Because she thought the sun
Had got no business to be there
After the day was done--
"It's very rude of him," she said,
"To come and spoil the fun!"

The sea was wet as wet could be,
The sands were dry as dry.
You could not see a cloud, because
No cloud was in the sky:
No birds were flying overhead--
There were no birds to fly.

The Walrus and the Carpenter
Were walking close at hand;
They wept like anything to see
Such quantities of sand:
"If this were only cleared away,"
They said, "it would be grand!"

"If seven maids with seven mops
Swept it for half a year.
Do you suppose," the Walrus said,
"That they could get it clear?"
"I doubt it," said the Carpenter,
And shed a bitter tear.

"O Oysters, come and walk with us!"
The Walrus did beseech.
"A pleasant walk, a pleasant talk,
Along the briny beach:
We cannot do with more than four,
To give a hand to each."

The eldest Oyster looked at him,
But never a word he said:
The eldest Oyster winked his eye,
And shook his heavy head--
Meaning to say he did not choose
To leave the oyster-bed.

But four young Oysters hurried up,
All eager for the treat:
Their coats were brushed, their faces washed,
Their shoes were clean and neat--
And this was odd, because, you know,
They hadn't any feet.

Four other Oysters followed them,
And yet another four;
And thick and fast they came at last,
And more, and more, and more--
All hopping through the frothy waves,
And scrambling to the shore.

The Walrus and the Carpenter
Walked on a mile or so,
And then they rested on a rock
Conveniently low:
And all the little Oysters stood
And waited in a row.

"The time has come," the Walrus said,
"To talk of many things:
Of shoes--and ships--and sealing-wax--
Of cabbages--and kings--
And why the sea is boiling hot--
And whether pigs have wings."

"But wait a bit," the Oysters cried,
"Before we have our chat;
For some of us are out of breath,
And all of us are fat!"
"No hurry!" said the Carpenter.
They thanked him much for that.

"A loaf of bread," the Walrus said,
"Is what we chiefly need:
Pepper and vinegar besides
Are very good indeed--
Now if you're ready, Oysters dear,
We can begin to feed."

"But not on us!" the Oysters cried,
Turning a little blue.
"After such kindness, that would be
A dismal thing to do!"
"The night is fine," the Walrus said.
"Do you admire the view?

"It was so kind of you to come!
And you are very nice!"
The Carpenter said nothing but
"Cut us another slice:
I wish you were not quite so deaf--
I've had to ask you twice!"

"It seems a shame," the Walrus said,
"To play them such a trick,
After we've brought them out so far,
And made them trot so quick!"
The Carpenter said nothing but
"The butter's spread too thick!"

"I weep for you," the Walrus said:
"I deeply sympathize."
With sobs and tears he sorted out
Those of the largest size,
Holding his pocket-handkerchief
Before his streaming eyes.

"O Oysters," said the Carpenter,
"You've had a pleasant run!
Shall we be trotting home again?'
But answer came there none--
And this was scarcely odd, because
They'd eaten every one.

because i feel i should

...explain myself about why there's no real post today. brain farts, yep, that's it, brain farts!


discuss

midnight at chez savannah

i just finished cleaning up the kitchen! i took my time after everyone left (sat down and watched brothers & sisters - 1 hour of pure indulgence) so, not too bad for starting at 11pm. my sister-in-law had loaded the dishwasher (she's compulsive like that, bless her heart) so there really wasn't all that much to do, except wash the wine glasses, champagne flutes and break yet another wine glass, a butter dish and a margarita glass (no, we didn't drink those it fell off a shelf, hit the wine glass and then, i dropped the butter dish i was holding) and 1 roasting pan! i'm a clean up as you cook kinda girl! exciting life, eh?

anyway, dinner was lovely and leisurely consumed - good wine always helps slow everyone down! the kids called earlier in the day which is always fun, because it's such a hallmark thing to do. (we talk to each other all the time) (see where mr. moose gets his love of parenthetical statements?)

BUT, for me, the best part of yesterday was hearing from the MITM - he's in *****, tired as all get out, but not in deepest, darkest, revolution/coup d'etat happening africa for 10 days! which for me and for all of us, short of him coming home, is absolutely the best possible thing to have happen.

say i love you as often as you can.

xoxo

i'm going to bed.

mother's day 2008

i copied this from the new york times because rather than leave a link, i wanted to share this piece immediately. super nana called me after she'd read it. i'm not a big believer in hallmark card holidays, but this is tribute to a mother from her child that surpasses a day and speaks to a loss i totally understand and one that almost 20 years later, i still feel. so, if you still can, call your mama.

Op-Ed Columnist

Call Your Mother
By THOMAS L. FRIEDMAN
Published: May 11, 2008

The ad popped up in my e-mail the way it always has: “1-800-Flowers: Mother’s Day Madness — 30 Tulips + FREE vase for just $39.99!”

I almost clicked on it, forgetting for a moment that those services would not be needed this year. My mother, Margaret Friedman, died last month at the age of 89, and so this is my first Mother’s Day without a mom.

As columnists, we appear before you twice a week on these pages as simple bylines, but, yes, even columnists have mothers. And in my case, much of the outlook that infuses my own writings was bred into me from my mom. So, for once in 13 years, I’d like to share a little bit about her.

My mom was gripped by dementia for much of the last decade, but she never lost the generous “Minnesota nice” demeanor that characterized her in her better days. As my childhood friend Brad Lehrman said to me at her funeral: “She put the mensch in dementia.”

My mom’s life spanned an incredible period. She was born in 1918, just at the close of World War I. She grew up in the Depression, enlisted in the Navy after Pearl Harbor, served her country in World War II, bought our first house with a G.I. loan and lived long enough to play bridge on the Internet with someone in Siberia.

For most of my childhood, my mom appeared to be a typical suburban housewife of her generation, although I knew she was anything but typical. She sewed many of my sisters’ clothes, including both of their wedding dresses, and boy’s suits for me. And on the side, she won several national bridge tournaments.

My mom left two indelible marks on me. The first was to never settle for the cards you’re dealt. My dad died suddenly when I was 19. My mom worked for a couple of years. But in 1975, I got a scholarship to go to graduate school in Britain and my mom surprised us all one day by announcing that she was going, too. I called it the “Jewish Mother Junior Year Abroad Program.”

Most of her friends were shocked that she wasn’t just going to play widow. Instead, she sold our house in little St. Louis Park, Minn., and moved to London. But what was most amazing to watch was how she used her world-class bridge skills to build new friendships, including with one couple who flew her to Paris for a bridge game. Yes, our little Margie off to Paris to play bridge. She even came to see me in Beirut once, during the civil war — at age 62.

The picture of her in Beirut makes me think back in amazement at what my mom might have done had she had the money to finish college and pursue her dreams — the way she encouraged me to pursue mine, even when they meant I’d be far away in some crazy place and our only communications would be through my byline. It’s so easy to overlook — your mom had dreams, too.

My mom’s other big influence on me you can read between the lines of virtually every column — and that is a sense of optimism. She was the most uncynical person in the world. I don’t recall her ever uttering a word of cynicism. She was not naïve. She had taken her knocks. But every time life knocked her down, she got up, dusted herself off and kept on marching forward, motivated by the saying that pessimists are usually right, optimists are usually wrong, but most great changes were made by optimists.

Six years ago, I was in Israel at a dinner with the editor of the Haaretz newspaper, which publishes my column in Hebrew. I asked the editor why the newspaper ran my column, and he joked: “Tom, you’re the only optimist we have.” An Israeli general, Uzi Dayan, was seated next to me and as we walked to the table, he said: “Tom, I know why you’re an optimist. It’s because you’re short and you can only see that part of the glass that’s half full.”

Well, the truth is, I am not that short. But my mom was. And she, indeed, could only see that part of the glass that was half full. Read me, read my mom.

Whenever I’ve had the honor of giving a college graduation speech, I always try to end it with this story about the legendary University of Alabama football coach, Bear Bryant. Late in his career, after his mother had died, South Central Bell Telephone Company asked Bear Bryant to do a TV commercial. As best I can piece together, the commercial was supposed to be very simple — just a little music and Coach Bryant saying in his tough voice: “Have you called your mama today?”

On the day of the filming, though, he decided to ad-lib something. He reportedly looked into the camera and said: “Have you called your mama today? I sure wish I could call mine.” That was how the commercial ran, and it got a huge response from audiences.

So on this Mother’s Day, if you take one thing away from this column, take this: Call your mother.

I sure wish I could call mine.


i love you, liz and i always will!

this how we do it. . .

other people's stuff

stop by café del nightmare and find the link to new banksy stuff (and a whole lot more). this is a great spot for the new/unusual/very cool things/links/stuff.

check out firstnations for one of the more unique memes making the rounds.

beautiful pictures are over merisi's vienna for beginners

waiter rant because he's just so damn good!

talk about an entrepreneur! found this guy at daily candy. . .he brings new meaning to the term personal shopper

if you haven't already listened, drop over to rock mum's place and have a listen to her podcast!

today's going to be one of those days... drive by blogging
~~~~~~
it finally rained...


























yep, an hour later it's almost dry...gotta love the south!

waiting for the storm

trying to get an early start today. in typical southern fashion, warm weather usually brings about thunderstorms at some point during the day and because they move in fast, rain hard and then move on, you can assume some street is going to flood. it can be scary, but you learn quickly how to navigate, or rather, what and where to avoid. (remember how mr. moose described it as Lake Pontchartrain decided to relocate in front of the house.) besides, i hate having to carry in groceries while it's raining!
living here gives me a deeper understanding of southern writers. the goods ones captured the essence of this life that is so tied to the past, the seasons, just the humidity alone can skew your thinking, most certainly alter your actions... i love the feel of it.

i'll be back later with more ramblings/rhapsodising.

~~~~~~
81 outside, humid and slightly overcast...i left the house in a crisp, freshly ironed white blouse. (cotton is the only thing to wear when it's warm here) (and yes, i was also wearing a skirt!) it is now limp and sticking to my back! it will rain today, i know. i have to tell y'all my car was fragrant with the scent of a gorgeous lavender plant, absolutely luscious yellow roses and plump white hydrangeas. the lavender plant will reside in the sun on my back porch and calm all who pass by. the roses for the table and the hydrangeas will hold court from a low chinese bowl in the living room. i may not leave my house for a few days it will be so delish in here!

~~~~~~~~~~~
sooooooo, i turned on cnn and wolfe blizter was interviewing senator obama and i thought OH.MY.GAWD!, senator clinton has finally dropped out of the race, but no, so here's the interview: (ok, the lead from cnn with a link to the interview)

Sen. Barack Obama today said the most important thing he could achieve as president would be to deal with Iraq and the threat of al Qaeda in Afghanistan while improving "our influence around the world." In his first interview since Tuesday's primaries, Obama downplayed headlines and stories that have declared him the Democratic presidential nominee. full story

i live in hope, but still watch the news!

mid week or i have plans

yeah, sunday...i have to start thinking about what to do for sunday - mother's day - may 11th. i'm fixing dinner, by choice because then i don't have to go anywhere or drive. i can start the day off drinking mimosas and continue on until evening with no worries about driving under the influence. ok, so that plan is in motion. first thing on the to do list - buy champagne...

now back to work.
of course, i'll be back later...blogging is going to be like taking smoking breaks today...as needed!

~~~~~
back and sooner than i thought!

i wonder why, people seem to feel that posting personal information and/or slanderous remarks about another person online is fair game? this practice of hiding behind a hastily put up site to demean is cowardly and hurtful. i really don't understand it, and what's even more sad, i'm really not sure how to respond. to acknowledge the commenter, is to give them attention, to in some way give credence to their accusations by defending the aggrieved party. the anonymity of the internet is not like face to face confrontations, you don't know to whom you're really addressing your comments. but, part of me feels as if i should post my denunciation of the flamer in the comments section in some sort of solidarity with a blogger who's work i enjoy reading. hell, y'all know i'lll say something!

how do y'all handle these things?

~~~~~~
i think i'm taking more breaks than i am working...BUT, i have found an interesting bit of trivia...the google search that brings the most people to this blog: i'm free to do anything i want, any old time bet they're surprised when they land here!

please, feel free to disperse or discuss, as your inclination takes you. . .

~~~~~~~~
i don't know if all y'all saw that 5 star rating system at the bottom of each post, but i didn't put it there! i did, however, find out how to remove it! the blogger help group says:

You can go to the layout of your blog and then click on edit in the
blog post widget. There is a check box there to remove it from your
blog posts if you want.
Mishka
Blogger Help Group Blog*Star

only 2 other people wanted to know how to remove it! i guess all y'all already knew how because i checked and nobody else had the ridiculous widget!

ipod meme

i lifted the intro and questions directly from dive. he explained his answers, but i'm not even going to attempt that...but i must say, #15 was spot on!

This one says, put your iPod on shuffle and press next for each question. Write down the song that's playing as an answer.


1) How would you describe yourself?

la valse d'amelie - yann tiersen

2) What do you like in a guy/girl?

grey blue from monk's dream - steve lacy

3) What is your motto?

bend down low from natty dread - bob marley and the wailers

4) What do your friends think of you?

parker's mood from bluebird - charlie parker and miles davis

5) What do you think about often?

don't pass me by from the white album - the beatles

6) What do your parents think of you?

she's leaving home from sgt. pepper's lonely hearts club band - the beatles

7) What do you think of your best friend?

please, please, please from the 50th anniversary collection - james brown

8) What do you think of the person you like?

bijou from everybody's boppin' - lambert, hendricks & ross

9) What do you want to be when you grow up?

say what you will from back home - eric clapton

10) What do you think when you see the person you like?

pain in my heart from the very best of otis redding - otis redding

11) What song will they play at your wedding?

search for peace from things ain't what they used to be - mccoy tyner

12) What will they play at your funeral?

don't explain from the billie holiday songbook - billie holiday

13) What is your hobby/interest?

shelter me from ultimate collection - joe cocker

14) What is your biggest fear?

alcoba azul from frida - lila downs

15) What is your biggest secret?

i want a little sugar in my bowl from the blues - nina simone

16) What do you think of your friends?

i try from on how life is - macy gray

17) What is your theme song?

the face of love from dead man walking - eddie vedder with nusrat ali khan

18) What do you think of your family?

you know i'm no good (remix) from back to black - amy winehouse featuring ghostface killah

19) What is your best friend's theme song?

mockingbird from reflections - carly simon & james taylor

20) What is your mood right now?

waltz (better than fine) from extraodinaty machine - fiona apple

21) If your heart could talk what would it say?

rollin' and tumblin' from unplugged - eric clapton

22) What do your co-workers think of you?

chuck e.'s in love from live at red rock - rickie lee jones

23) What does your future look like?

october road from october road - james taylor

so what does this say about me? hell if i know, besides the fact that there's a hellva lot of musical diversity on my ipod.

and hours and hours of music to listen to when i'm on a plane!

one of these is true

mid-day update:

the vote so far:

#1 - 3 votes

#2 - 0 votes

#3 - 6 votes

4.38pm update:

no more votes, BUT, it's 87 hellish degrees (30c for all y'all across the pond) outside!!!! sweet mary mother of god, i can't even begin to imagine what this summer is going to be like!!!!!


final update and the correct answer is: #1

congrats to pi, chica and mark for knowing how i think! ;-)

tomorrow a meme from dive!

ok, thank goodness for the delete key

there was another post here, but i deleted it.

yesterday was a blast, but no one had a camera. trust me on this one thing, we had a good time.

now, you might wonder, why did she delete a post? savannah is such a polite and gracious woman, what could she have possibly said? here's the deal, as many of you have experienced with blogging, sometimes you just share more information that is good or smart to have floating out there in the world wide web. this was one of those times. i'm explaining myself, because in the time between posting and deleting, one of y'all MIGHT have seen it. so, there you go.

and now, back to another sunday in savannah. (go find nina simone's version of that song)

~~~~
sometimes, you just have to know when to stop talking, to stop reacting and just listen...i forget that. (sometimes, it's just not all about me. . .or you, remember that)

~~~~~
i miss the MITM and i wish he was here!

another saturday in savannah

i'll be on river street today!
arts on the river is a three day festival that started yesterday. art, food, music and fireworks at night...and all of this is happening just down the street from my house! today, we'll all play tourist and wander down to the riverfront and at some point during the day, someone will say, "damn, sugar, why don't we come down to river street more often?"

be a tourist in your own town today! see things with new eyes.

there might even be pictures later.

but, i'm not promising anything!

friday frolics

wow, who knew?
i JUST discovered compose mode!
color, size, italics w/o html, and BOLD.


not to mention



centering!

i am so easily amused. now, i'm off to find some used patio furniture. actually, just a couple of chairs for a bistro table i found. (MITM, in case you're reading this, nothing cost more than 30usd.)


this is the best time of the year in savannah!

update: a fun song from buckwheat zydeco

thanks to tony for the link to imeem.com

almost the weekend

sometimes it happens. we all go through that blank period where nothing sparks, clicks, happens mentally.

i.am.there.

i.am.standing.on.that.spot.

a.big.black.mental.hole.


and


like



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