It's a New Day!

On Tuesday, we had a holiday all over the world. Millions upon millions of people tuned in to see Barack Obama sworn in as president. Already we are seeing changes...the US adopts a non torture policy and Gitmo is slated for closure. Amazing to me that we needed to make this change...that it was every in place at all.
There are so many people who are proud to be Americans again. This doesn't mean that we relinquished our citizenship before but we weren't proud of what our country was doing. And the only thing that we could really do, besides writing letters which fell on deaf ears and participating in peaceful demonstrations which were also pretty useless, was wait.
But there is a change in the air.
As I watched the Inauguration, I felt full of gratitude. FULL of gratitude. I cried. Tears of joy. In appreciation that this man and his family are willing to step into the fire to restore this country to its former greatness. And to lead us to greater heights than we may have imagined. We are a proud country. My husband is English and they do not feel this kind of patriotism. We have something special and we have taken it for granted for far too long. We are great and there is responsibility in that.
When I see Obama and Michelle, even their kids, I am struck by how grounded they are. They deal with what comes along with calm and humor. With sensitivity and sensibility. I have a President whose character I want to emulate. Wow.
I want to make what is a rather surprising note for me. I attribute it to the wiser, more compassionate part of me.
When I watched Bush on inauguration day, my heart went out to him. For the first time in a long time, I saw him not as the buffoon who was tormenting the world, who inspired me to come up with the political party "denialist".
On Tuesday, I saw him as a human who was not up to the job. Some people have greatest in them. Some don't. He didn't. It's a dangerous thing when someone without greatness takes a place of power. It is kind of like a pack mentality. The alpha dog can do whatever he wants, whether he is right or not.
He wasn't. I am the first to admit that I would probably be a crap president. No, definitely. But I have the sense not to run. I want to change the world but I do it from the energetic place that I am in alignment with. That is where our gifts shine, when we have a level of self awareness that understands our strengths and knows how to best use them.
This man, who is now a former president and citizen, wasn't in alignment with his gifts. He must have some. I think he took so many vacations because it took too much energy for him to keep trying to live up to his position. Everyone who voted for him has to take some responsibility in that.
Today he is a man, living in a 4 bedroom house (at least one house sold in his area!) who 2 days ago was president and today can sleep as long as he wants. I can't imagine what that would be like.
I am so grateful that the Bush era (error) is over. So thankful.
And it is a new day. I am proud. I am calm. I am hopeful.
It is a time that America can once again lead by hope and strength and not the strength of fear. Our President believes in that. Millions of people believe in it, feel it.
This is rise of not only America, but of all those who long to soar.

photo taken by Erik Prince, sunrise, Outer Banks, NC

Too excited to sleep!

Have you seen that commercial for Disneyland or world...not sure which...where the little kid says "I am too excited to sleep"? I love that enthusiasm. The tone of voice and to be honest, just the sheer joie de vie. That moment, like waiting for Santa to come or going on vacation, when the thought of what is to come fills the present so fully that little things like sleeping and working simply find no room at the inn.
That's how I feel. This little girl says it all.
Anticipation. Something exciting is on the horizon.
A couple of months ago I went to my first hot air balloon show. It was awesome. My friend and I gathered at the field and I wondered where the balloons would stage and take off. Did we have a good place? I didn't want to miss anything. People milled around. Food vendors and artists were set up around the field. A local band was playing.
Then the trailers started pulling in.
Everywhere.
People just casually stepped aside and let the trailers, full of balloon paraphernalia, pull right in amongst the crowd.
I wasn't going to miss anything!
That excitement is what I feel tonight. I am not going to be on the steps of the Capitol Building tomorrow at 11:30am. But I am not going to miss anything.
In fact, this is the first time in a long time that I feel that I am a part of something.
Of course, I am speaking about the swearing in of Barack Obama. I am so excited I can't sleep.
A few of my friends aren't thrilled. My family probably isn't. But a lot of those I know are. There is a new energy. And we need it.
So right now, I feel the gathering. I feel the excitement building. The crowds gathering. I live about 5 hours from DC (assuming decent traffic) and yet, the digital traffic signs warn of traffic delays to Washington. People are ready for less hot air and more flight. It's time for take off. Dare to dream again. Dare to speak up. Get involved. I received an email from the Obama campaign manager encouraging me to get involved in some of the community events in my area today. I didn't know that there were any. Yes, my bad, I am sure, but I want to give a huge note of thanks that the executive branch doesn't have their heads so far up their hineys that they lose sight of the importance of every person, in every town...not just 'real America.'
Get out and make some joyful noise.
Because whether or not you voted for or like Obama, the world needs a change. The economy needs a change. We need a shift. The fact that so many people are excited IS exciting. It creates a lot of good energy.
And I am all for that.

Cool

In between grocery shopping and finding a new collar & leash for Charlie, I came across this amazing frozen delight! We are having a cold snap, like much of the country, though by comparision, we are almost downright toasty. Apparently someone forgot to turn the fountain off when the temperatures dropped into the teens. I am glad they did!

The fountain looked like a frozen wedding cake. It was awesome. I stood there snapping photos for as long as I could before the reason for all of this ice got the better of me and my naked hands and I had to get back into the car. I felt like I was in the middle of the frozen tundra. Not sure if you would ever have the occasion to see a fountain there but you know what I mean. When I say this was cool, I mean this was cool!

Sign of the times?

OMG.
Are you kidding me?
My bestfriends and I went to our communal niece's swim meet in another town on Friday. On the way into town, we saw this sign.
Free Casket.
Really? A free casket?
I don't mean to be insensitive but in all fairness, I don't think I am the trendsetter here.
And I am trying to imagine the conversation that takes place around this.
"Well, our dearest Aunt Matilda has left us. It has changed our lives forever but...good news, we just saved a bunch of money on the casket."
Has the market really gotten this tough? Are so few people dying lately that there is a price war? Is a casket an optional accessory in the whole burial thing...should we go with the mahogany or a Hefty Ultra Flex? Or perhaps some entrepreneurs are just so 'creative' that they will do whatever it takes to be number 1!
Just for the record, when my time comes, save the cash if this special has, ah, expired. Toast me and plant me in the garden. Use the cash to have a party and let what's left of me help the daisy population. If you want to send flowers, do it while I can still appreciate them.

up or down

Do you look up or down when you walk?
It is said that if you look down when you walk, then you are less optimistic and can be more determined, maybe closed minded, introverted.
It is said that if you look up when you walk, you are more positive, more extroverted, think more on loftier ideas, indecisive.
You also tend to step in more dog poop.
You know it's true.
But it's a great metaphor for life, I think.
I used to look up most of the time. Then I got dogs and learned that I had better look down more often. But looking down became a habit. I missed more things going on around me but was well aware of little gifts left by my neighbors dogs and gum that had passed its useful state.
I have seen some amazing mushrooms by looking down.
I saw this in the parking lot of Barnes and Noble the other day. Not quite sure what they are but they looked so cool. Maybe skittles or some such thing. Even squished, they were unapologetic about their pink and orange-ness! And they really brightened up the gray asphalt. Looked like art.

But my spirit wanted to look up. I felt informed but kind of lonely. I felt like I was missing out on so much. This is what I get when I look up...
Pinks and Oranges again but on a much bigger palette. Maybe that's what it is about. The size of our palette. Some days I only have the energy for a small one...some days the sky isn't big enough!
Remembering that there is a choice seems important. If you leave your head bending forward or back too long, it hurts. Maybe it is the balance. Not to lose sight of one even though you have a natural preference for the other.
I am, by nature, a skygazer. Clouds, colors, storms, the sun and the moon, reflections of the earth and mirrors of the atmosphere. Rainbows. It's who I am.
I am learning to keep the poo off my shoes and yet to delight in all the possibility of expanse.
I know the old adage...feet on the ground, head in the clouds. But you can never fly if your feet are on the ground.
I want it all...up, down AND all around!

traces

We all leave traces.
We may not think so but we do.
On the environment, on each other.
On those we know and those we don't.
Just being here, being who we are, we make a difference. Our names may never show up in history books, but make no mistake, how we show up in the world will change it. Unlike the handprint left from a warm hand on frost, the imprint we make will be forever.

007...I mean 00Sister

On Monday, I got to do something that I don't get to do often enough...hang out with my younger sister. Sandy is an incredibly talented hair stylist and I always know that I am WAY past due for a haircut when she starts asking me about it. That has been happening for a couple of months now. So she was going to cut my hair and then we were just going to watch a movie and do some knitting.
I got the haircut (thanks, San)- it is short and sassy and fun! Then ran a few errands.
Then finally we got to the relaxing part. The movie is in, the fire is going, I have my knitting and wait...something is missing here. Oh yeah...this is my sister relaxing! I was sitting here and she had gotten up yet again for some reason. The woman is the real Martha Stewart in that she does her own work without the servants and does a beautiful job of it. She always looks great and has an amazing sense of style. Her house is comfortable and always annoyingly clean. I am inspired and intimidated by it at the same time. While I sat there, I came to understand the level of commitment doing what she does takes. I don't have it. Oh well. That's that. I guess I will keep knitting.
After awhile she reappeared and actually sat and watched the rest of the movie "The Women". I liked the movie and want to point out that it is truly a Chick Flick. There is not a single male in it. Not even in the background! Amazing.
I liked the movie but not as much as I enjoyed getting to sit and chat with my sister.
The 007 reference?

Well, other than the fact she is like a breeze, here one moment and gone the next, secretly working on her missions, all I could think of was her as a secret agent. She was 'modeling' the new coat she got for Christmas. She swirled around and looked like an upscale agent in her very fashionable trenchcoat! She's too funny. And she likes to strike a pose! Work it, girl!