I'll let you be in my dream, if I can be in yours...

As I've said before, this online community is mighty mighty. The other day at the tavern, Spocko told me of a lovely dream he'd had. It is a gift he gave to me.

ina

I dreamt last night that I was driving on the highway to a wide open place that held hot air balloon races and small plane races.

On the way to the place I saw a white 2 seat plane in front of me on the highway trying to take off. It went up about 4 feet then crashed. I had passed it and saw it crash in my rear view mirror. I was going to stop, but I saw others had already stopped so I kept driving down the road.

I came to your house. Your house was a 3 bedroom single story house that was in the middle of the open area (it was kind of desert like). The house was painted with lots of white and light orange colors almost a pastel orange.

I looked out the window and saw some of the balloons already up in the air and few small planes flying. Also there were a few that were crashed on the ground.

I noticed a basket of Christmas cards in the a bay window area and read some of the comments. They were from famous people who had stayed at your house for the balloon and plane races. The cards were from Mick Jagger, Bono, a Prime Minister and some other famous politicians. They had some personal comments on them thanking you for your hospitality.

I thought to myself. "Wow, ina knows lots of famous people! I'm in good company getting to stay at her house for the hot-air balloon races.

I'm not sure what this dream means.

I just finished reading Tim Powers book Three Days to Never and I think some of the scenes in the dream are taken from there, but why you, your house and your Christmas cards from famous people were part of the dream I don't know. Oh, and I never saw you or your kids in the dream, I just knew that it was your house.

"It's good to see you."
"It's good to be seen."

Talkin' World War III Blues

Have a cookie.

Made fresh this morning!

Seven Minutes in Heaven

Peace.

This has been another edition of...

...what Frank Rich said.

The First Family

My Family

Welcome to America.

Joyful tears

When I look at this picture, I see a president-elect who looks more like me than any other in my life time.

I can't stop crying.

Yes, it's historic for an african american to be elected, but even more powerful for me is that this is only the second administration in my voting lifetime that I elected. Clinton/Gore was a thrill for being the first. Now, after the supreme theft of 2000 and the shock of 2004, after these eight years of unbelievable, unprecedented high crimes and misdemeanors, the election of Obama/Biden is so much more than a thrill. It has revived my hope for my country, my faith in people to do the right thing.

I especially appreciate that Obama, in the midst of his poetry of an acceptance speech last night, reminded us of the hard work ahead. He was even brave enough to use the word sacrifice instead of shop! As my friend says, "Now, we just have to keep pulling him to the left!"

In other news, hoping for more signs of intelligent life in America, I stayed up 'til 3am last night waiting to hear the Franken/Coleman result. It looks like we'll have to wait a little longer for the recount. I've been walking around all morning saying, "Senator Franken" (I hope it helps!)

I Voted!

click on image to enlarge
Thank you to everyone who has worked for this day.

I was worried that the poll volunteers wouldn't want me to take any pictures. Not only was I wrong, they told the girls to wait before they put the ballot in to make sure I'd gotten their picture!

My voting booth.

Where is the arrow?

There.

It takes a lot of hands to build democracy.

And we voted, too!

In the Neighborhood

After the 2004 election, when I wandered around in shock, I was looking forward to seeing my neighbors. They are an elderly couple who are life-long democrats and are active in local politics. I figured they would be able to share some words of wisdom with me, help put things in perspective. I was sure that over the course of their voting lives they had lived through disappointment, had shaken off disillusionment.

Finally, the day came that we saw each other in the neighborhood. So, I told them how I had been looking eagerly forward to talking with them in hopes of lifting my spirits. Instead, my neighbor said, "Oh, we voted for Bush. We've never liked Kerry. He's too phony."

Back in the primaries of this current election, I brought the subject up. We all agreed, actually, that neither Barack Obama nor Hillary Clinton thrilled us.

Ever since Obama became the nominee, I have been trying to find the courage to bring the subject up with my neighbors. I finally did today. My neighbor called to ask if I could bring in their papers and mail while they're away for the weekend. When she said they would be getting back Monday night, it seemed like the perfect moment to bring up the election. I asked if she was planning on voting for Obama. She said no. She said she wasn't voting for McCain, she would probably write in someone, possibly her husband. She said she and her husband couldn't believe that out of all the people in the country, these were the two people they could find to run for president. I asked her why she rejected Obama as a candidate. She used the line that she didn't think he had the experience. I offered the analogy that I didn't have parenting experience when I first gave birth to my daughter, but I have the intelligence, dedication, and compassion to do my best.

I don't think she bought my argument. What should I say? I can have a lovely well-written note waiting for her when she gets back. Will you help me?




Thanks.