My one New Year’s resolution that once got published on a page of business peoples’ resolutions in USAToday went something like this: I resolve to do no more thankless tasks. And I’m sure that if I don’t break the resolution on January 1, I surely will have broken it by January 4. All the others on the page said things like they were going to maximize profits or cut costs, making one wonder what they had been doing previously in their careers.

My plans for 2010 are more of the same. My internal life over the past year has been pretty satisfying. It’s the condition of the country that bugs me.

Yes, me too. And honestly, that is starting to make me work on my internal life even more.

Good morning DeVeria and eCAHN.

We are not only ending a year, but a decade.

Wow. And what a decade it was!

In August, 2000, I bought a Vietnam era protest button that has “Save Our Sons, Stop the War” on it, along with a flower. I thought that it was a nice piece of history. I had the naive thought that we had learned from our mistake and there wouldn’t be a repeat….ha.

Like you, DeVeria, I have worked more on my internal life. This time of year seems to beckon that…with the quiet of winter time.

Yep and today is a perfect day for that too….so quiet. Right now we have about 8 inches of snow and it is steadily coming down.

Are you in D.C.?

yep!

Aaah, the center of the storm.

Yeah, it’s snowing steadily here, too. We’ve got just a light dusting right now. I’ll have to check out the forecast…

I still haven’t bought one gift. And now I’m debating….go shopping or clean this messy house.

I am headed to D.C. tomorrow with my choir to sing at the White House, so am nervously “watching” the snow in D.C. and hoping it doesn’t mess things up too much. Normally we’d be having the snow here in NW Indiana, but we’ve had very little, and only a dusting overnight. We usually get a LOT of snow.

As for the coming year, it is likely that I will retire sometime this year, so I’m thinking of what I want to do. I am taken with the groups that give medical care, like Remote Medical and the Free Clinics people. I’m not a medical professional but as an IT person I have computer skills that might be useful.

And added: I still have lots of gifts to wrap and a couple of things to pick up to complete the process. That’s going to be today’s mission.

It caught me out last night while I was trying to finish the last of my shopping. It came in fast and has been snowing ever since.

I’m excited for you and your choir. Singing at some kind of luncheon? Is that what I heard? The snow should make it a little more interesting, no? Especially if you’re used to it?
Are you planning on writing a diary about it?

Don’t feel bad. You know how I was supposed to go last weekend, well it didn’t happen. I went out yesterday morning…came back and got some work done…then went back out last night. I think I’m about done. Everybody else is going to get a card with a token of love in it.

So I guess it is not snowing where you are?

1. To participate in and witness Chris Matthews becoming worried and seeing that the “netroots… vote in every election” and that while we may not be “‘regular grown-up [Corporatist] Democrats’,” we won’t “sit in the backseat and complain” but will take the wheel, steering resources toward the people who need help but aren’t receiving it from their government.
2. To have the chance to watch more of Jane on t.v. saying things like “Who’s paying you, [insert name]?”
3. Finally, to spend more time following Samuel Adams’ examples before I start drinking his beer at night!

Where ae you coming from again? That sounds good…you are not going to take a break for a minute?

Not yet. I’m in central NY where 2 feet of snow is barely newsworthy. Went to college in Oswego where we could get 5 feet of lake effect snow at any time. Brrr.

I know you dislike driving in it, and I’m not exactly a fan, but wow, when it covers the fields and trees around here, the effect is gorgeous.

I hear ya!

Wow..let’s just say I’m in the house until streets and sidewalks are clear!

Oh I love it! I just refuse to go out in it…

Haha. Yeah. I hear you.

BTW, DeVeria, that chili that I did not mail you last week turned out, indeed, to be the prize winner. They said I could pick any tree in the lot. (Any tree? You cannot be serious.) So, I asked them if I could get two smaller ones and they said yes. I called a friend of mine who works with social services and she delivered them to two local families who could not afford to buy one.
Now, that’s Xmas.

Congratulations, demi.

You are so right, that is Christmas. Very nice. Even though I’m still mad I didn’t get any chili…lol. It would be perfect for today!

Very nice of you. I work in County govt. Every year there’s a tree with tags like “3yr old boy” for employees to take and buy a gift. Such fun.

This decade ends as we, partner and I, have become settled into our sixties. (We were both forced to retire from jobs in the non-profit cultural world.) We have enjoyed a rich life, our ups and downs weathered with as much grace and humility as we could muster. We move in circles of friendship and association that represent the wide swath of American community. We have seldom earned enough money to be middle class on the didactic economic charts. The first year of this decade will see us organizing our home and studio so we may join the Peace Corps, a simple way for priveledged Americans like us to get off this continent and earn our way to an afterlife- whatever that is or isn’t. We had always meant to do this when we younger- now it seems necessary.

Morning all. THings seem a little backwards – My weather is fine haven’t had any snow here in a while but they did have 56″ up in the mountains last weekend. That kind of shut things down for a day or so.
Aside for the personal get in shape things, 2010 is going to be important in the political arena. It is my intention to get involved in a couple of races.

Thanks, boogie. It’s nice to be able to help others, isn’t it?

Here ya go, baby…
http://www.lestout.com/modules/article/images/lestout/article-a_chili_cookoff_brings_out_the_spice_of_life.jpg

That sounds like a nice plan. Being settled is nice, isn’t it?

Yeah me too. And I really need to get on the ball with the physical thing too…lol

Oh my…that looks so good!

Apparently Monday is some sort of open house day at the WH — probably not for the general public, but I don’t know that. We will sing for a bit over an hour, on the State Floor near the steps to the residence. Afterward we will have 20 minutes to walk around and look at the decorations and take lots of pictures. There is no indication whether we will see Obama or any of his family, but my Senator, Evan Bayh (ugh) is supposedly going to be there. Our choir director worked through his office to coordinate this.

Cool. I wonder if companies are still doing the Adopt A Family for Christmas kind of thing.
The other fun thing was we had a cookie exchange at work on Wednesday at the gym where I work. Since I was kind of in charge of it, and there was a ton of treats. I took some in baskets and distributed them to the homeless people hanging out in parking lots. I only gave them each one or two because I was fearful of some of them getting too much of a sugar rush.

Yeah, it is great to help others.

(I’ve have to admit, though, per our conversation last week, that it kills me to see a tree killed for the season.)

We watched “Taking Woodstock” last night. I told my wife I didn’t think I’d be alive 40 years later (I came home from the Nam 2 weeks after) so I guess it was ok I have to put on the closed captions because my hearing is shot! The vivid memories of that time have a tendency to make me less pessimistic about the future than some of my brothers and sisters here at the lake.

I am in South Bend, Indiana.

Here is a video clip from one of the local news stations. I’m not clearly pictured — just a little peek way off to the right side. Another station actually focused the camera on me at one point, but the coverage was much less interesting so I won’t post that one.

http://www.wsbt.com/news/local/79468257.html

Hey, have a blast. There’s something so wonderful about singing in a choir. Your voice, one of many. All breathing together. Blending. It’s so Dynamic.
Please be sure to check the batteries in your camera. *g*

Oh, yes. I’m really enjoying my artificial tree. With all of the ornaments and tinsel, you can’t even tell. And, I don’t have to remember to water it. And, best of all, no dead tree karma.

Got a foot of snow here in Charlottesville.

Just v heard on C-Span that in the managers amendment they are INCREASING the penalty amount if you don’t buy their insurance.

Guess they haven’t been listening to us libruls.

Honestly other than for my household and my family, I find it is easier just to take one day at a time. I’m not that pessimistic…I just take things as they come.

G’Morning All….Cat and I are weary tired today…going slow.

Demi…can you write the first part of your email, and I think I can find it. How you doing?

Oh ok…nice! How are you all travelling?

Is the hearing loss from Nam? Damn. Sorry to hear that. Er.
My mister lost some, but due to playing his B-3 in bands. He avoided Nam by luck of the draw.

Really…no they are not listening.

I think that may be why you get this spot on Saturday!

Front row, white shirt, dark hair?

Combination of gun fire and rock and roll! Every couple of years I go to get it tested and they say, “It’s bad but not really worth the $$ to get a hearing aid”.

And I think they have not made an aid that is not a pain to deal with….

Never thought about that…maybe so…lol

This is just mindboggling. If you can’t afford to pay neither the premiums nor the fines, are they going to jail you?

As someone has already said–it’s like forcing the homeless to buy a house…

tellblondie at ca dot rr dot com.
Let’s talk getinshape, yeah.

When he’s playing the Hammond during the day, I don’t mind the turn it up to 11 dude volume, but when it’s later at night, he considerately plays his syntesizer with head phones.

We’re flying in on Sunday afternoon, returning late Monday afternoon. Sort of a whirlwind trip, and we had to pay our own way, except for the students in the choir — IUSB pays their way.

Gotta run! Lots to get done today, so I won’t be able to hang out at the Lake much.

This year, this season, I’m newly pessimistic about peace on earth and so I’m zeroing in on peace in Congress. The former has a better chance than the latter, however.

Wishing you all a peaceful Christmas, if that is your holiday in this winter season. A lovely holiday if it’s not.

Nope. Striped sweater, blonde, about 2nd in from the right.

The other clip with me singing was from our local Faux Nooz station. I had no idea the camera was on me until I saw the clip the next morning. I had TiVo’d the two from the other local stations, but for obvious reasons hadn’t seen the Fox coverage. Their description of the event was much shorter and less interesting.

This is quite the big deal in little South Bend!

The guests on Bill Moyers Journal last night were Matt Taibbi and Robert Kuttner. Mr. Kuttner predicted that a movement is coming, but did not predict if the Palin-Beck or progessive-left would win. WE MUST NOT LET THEM WIN. We must find a voice or leader and mobilize and organize. Some suggestions are of course Dr. Dean, maybe Richard Trumka, Marcy Kaptur, or JANE, ARE YOU LISTENING? We cannot fight them with 10 and 20 $ donations, they have 90% of the money. Our strength lies inn our numbers. ALL liberals are pissed.
I do not want my only grandchild growing up in Palins and Becks America.
Think abou it.

Good Morning, Mike.
It’s very pleasant here. A couple of weeks ago, we had snow on the foothills, but it’s warmed up a lot. Supposed to be high of 79 today. And Windy. Feels very Santa Ana like.

Have a good one…let us know next week how it goes.

Wasn’t that a great conversation…I will miss Moyers so much.

Why did I think you had dark hair? I must be crazy. I couldn’t get the video to work, but will try again in a bit. I’m really happy for you.

I think I am just going to try to find peace within myself…Seems like it is not a lot of hope elsewhere these days.

I sent you a note….I need all the help I can get

BUT just got my breaking news alert from CNN Ben Nelson IS going to vote for hcr. So I wonder how badly they caved into him.

THIS. SUCKS.

Morning, just dropping by from the Camellia B&B in Covington, LA since they have wireless and for the first time I daredto travel with my old laptop since I have a new one and will not have to replace all sorts of vital connections if something happens to this one. About to go to brunch with cousins. Watching the huge snow in the east and hoping my Kid in D.C. is okay, but know he is, he’s no idiot and will have gotten together with his friend in Baltimore before it was hard going. Hope all are well, and sending you virtual view from my window of camellias and spanish moss and stuff.

Thanks, Demi. Not sure why the video won’t work. I had no trouble with it.

Here is the one that shows me clearly (with my mouth wide open as usual! LOL).

http://www.fox28.com/global/story.asp?s=11690283

Whassup, darlin’?

Did you know that all caps is considered yelling? Not sure if anyone here has told you that. We’ve had so many new commenters here since Jane’s been on the teebee so much, that it’s hard to tell everyone about the few etiquette guidelines.
Just thought I’d let you know. *g*

Oh, hon, we all do. I’ll write you in a bit. There’s an ant attack in my kitchen right now. Whoopee.

The internet is such a whole new world, I remember the desperate feeling of watching the worst administration ever-ites lull an entire country into Don’t Worry Be Happi-ness with what we liberals from TX could see was the intent to run off with the public trough.

The vivid memories of that time have a tendency to make me less pessimistic about the future than some of my brothers and sisters here at the lake.

Really? Honestly? I never smoked, myself. But I might try some of whatever else you’re snifftering.

We were terrified back then. But now, it feels as if we HAD had the luxury of time, in which to right the ship back then. Now,… it feels as if we’ve run out of time… people nominally “in charge” are acting like the figurative “rats trapped in the bottom of the barrel” as we used to describe it back then.

My biologist background, a life scientist by training and strong inclination,… it used to give me hope.

now… not so much…

I love and deeply admire you guys.

no. i won’t give up. there is no quit in my nature.

p. e. a. c. e.

There you are! Our singing star. How much fun is that?

Good morning Ruth. Yes, the snow is really coming down here…a great time to be in the house. Enjoy your B&B!

if he hasn’t actually voted yet, don’t hold yer breath.

(((Adie!!!)))

Mornin’, DeVeria, pups

Get to spend the weekend rewriting the code for my accounting program at work.

Raven – eyes getting worse every year but the ears aren’t to the needing closed captions yet but close. Didn’t hear the lady next door come onto the porch last week. The door scrapes the slab and makes a lot of noise. First I knew she was there was her banging on the sliding glass door with the handle to my hoe. Scared the hell outta me.

Ruth, Adie, Barbara!! Fab ladies, all.

Lots, actually. And now I really AM outta here. Way too much to do today.

Hey, Good Morning….pretty good. Slow start. We have had a run of dreary weather, until yesterday, so moving slowly to get out. How are you?
Doing pretty well with the holidays?

Just reading this Wiesel quote: “Idifference always helps the aggressor, never his victims. And what is memory if not a noble and necessary response to & against indifference?”

When I think of this year, I always go back to day of Inaugural…such hope & promise. I have not given in to total disappointment yet; Kuttner last night on Moyers seemed to say Obama still has time to find his way + he found some good in the health care efforts. I hope he’s right.

we’re on cat-sitting duty over the holly dayz, way off across the lake-effect snow to t’other side of the city. wish us luck. we’re gettin’ too old for this gig, but… it’s for a good cause. ;->

NO Saints play Dallas tonight..I am so not a follower. But I did live in NO for years, and that town needs a giant success.

Make sure ya spoil ‘em really good for their guardians. *g*

Off to start the day. (probably won’t be *here* next week, at least in real time)

Be careful out there playing in the snow.

Peace to All.

As ordered! yeh, I tho’t it would be nice to stay in the oldtown area and see the cousins after about twenty years.

Heya, demi!

Hugs to all. BTW, I’m travelling until second week of Jan, just doing this stuff while I can since I discovered I’m about to get old. Stocking up, like folks in D.C. running out to get food and stuff. Reminds me of when I lived in the suburbs of D.C. and in three feet of snow saw some lady who was buying a cart load of toilet paper. okayyy.

Good morning…sounds like fun. I’ll be surrounded by numbers all weekend. But I’m going to take a few hours and just relax for a while. I’ll start again this afternoon…I have to recoop from all my shopping yesterday.

Same here. My one wish right is to go back in time to 1974 and tell my younger self and a few responsible adults some key things, and to see if I could get the Amish started on solar and wind power a couple of decades early.

See, the Amish in Holmes County, Ohio realized about ten years ago that small-scale solar and wind installations made sense for them — they could use them to power electric lights to replace the kerosene lamps that they used as lights for their outbuildings — and which were fire hazards as they were unattended much of the time. They’ve now embraced solar and wind to the point where many of them make their livings installing solar and wind systems. If I could have got them on started on that road twenty years earlier, there’d be a lot more money and incentive for innovation and more potential for lowering costs through volume dealing.

Yes, that almost sounds like a Star Trek episode. :-)

and YOU demi! Hugs all around, ladies and gents of the Lake. Here here!

Handle of the hoe you say, Dragon? You keep that door locked, son. Ya’ hear? It’d be awful to be brought down by a hoe at this point in yer career. We cannot abide that, atall a’Tall! Mind, now… [lil' *g* through the fog of self-indulgent frump]

P. E. A. C. E. DAMMIT!

Have fun…

I hope my comment didn’t offend you. Was meant more as useful information. And, not only for you.

I did my stocking up yesterday…lol

In The Big Easy they have taken to calling their QB: St Breesus.

http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/wire?section=nfl&id=4754462

Some aren’t too amused.

Holidays are okay. Especially when I compare to last year, which I barely remember. Big, sad blur. So healing has begun in earnest. Yay! I even put up a tree this year!!

This country of ours . . . I dunno. Wish I could trace with some degree of accuracy when “progressive” replaced “liberal.” That was a watershed time, because that’s approximately when Dems started apologizing for being Dems, opening the kennel door to Blue Dogs in a very big way.

I should STFU, because this is a better conversation for post-Christmas, when we’re all eyeballing a new year. But I’ll tell you what. With regard to calling out everyone else as has become popular to do, I am reminded of that bittersweet refrain, “Let there be peace on earth and let it begin with me.” That will be my personal mantra, I think.

Big food week on the horizon, which means a slight shift from South Beach to North Pole. Uffdah! I can do this. The 30 pounds cannot be placed in jeopardy!!

Interesting….He was very estranged from his mother who committed suicide not long ago…Quite a year for him.

I quit going to the Saints games while I was there after the drunk behind me spilled beer into my pretty good shoe. Must have been my own beginning of getting old;)) I liked the shoes.

you bet. one’s a lil’ mr. nonsense whose huge eyes glow out of a chocolate sheen, and his partner is a geriatric matronly tortoise-shell bit of gorgeous fluff. Tigers and other people, we be a whole gang of mutually, shamelessly spoiled indulgence. No price tag on that. *g*

Have a great holiday, Tiger-Savior.

I am making applesauce today for presents and finish my sewing.
Made reading shawls for my friends and stuffed the pockets with tea and chocolate.
My children want/need money so that will be easy with online banking.
My husband and I got a new washer and dryer, easy but expensive.

We are not getting the snow/blizzard that is hitting the East coast, but we are the furthest north and just getting brutal cold.Our cats will not even go out!!!!!!

what were you thinking?! It’s written somewhere… Never wear your favorite shoes to a foosball game. Haven’t u seen all those ads with all-dee gents hustlin’ to th’ loo during the big play?

peace (((RevBev)))

Smart cats, I’d say.

I was still young enough to want to be cute….Of course you’re right.

Last time I went to Pimlico, I was parked behind a fella who could hardly manage to get the key into his car door to open it… and then drove home. Yikes.
The shoes we can replace.

heh Spotted a gorgeous black and white as I pulled up to work the other day. Scooted under another car and I’m thinkin’, oh, no, not another dump job. Talked to him a bit while looking him/her over. Well fed, shiny coat. Very skittish, ran off after a minute or so. Neighborhood tiger who wandered a little far methinks. Haven’t seen him/her since.

It is cold here too, but I’m sure not as cold as it is there. I love applesauce, but have never had it homemade.

Time to pack up to get together with my cousin for brunch, best to all, and yes, I did my usual weekend posts at the Seminal ahead of time, so if you look in and comment (@ 10) I won’t be here to respond but I tho’t of you all before leaving on Friday.

Stay safe and well.

Enjoy…there used to be a great bookstore in Covington. Don’t know about now.

gotta go avoid a righteous scolding.

have a good day folks, and thanks for the emotional sustenance. that and a boot to the rear should get me thru the day ;->

Hi dear DeVeria-

2009 was very special for me. Meeting you, what a great blessing! Getting to know Jane and working with both of you, an even bigger blessing. And going to the free health clinics and meeting Americans living without healthcare. I am deeply demoralized by what is happeneing in washington and this awful legislation giveaway, but if it help some Americans, then there will be some benefit.

Merry Christmas to you, Jane and all those I love.

Eve, Nice to have you here…Good luck. And thanks
for sharing your story. Our best….

I hear ya.

I surely hope you’re not referring to my comments about yelling.
What righteous scolding are you talking about?

You too Ruth. Enjoy your week.

Same to you Eve!

If my attempt at a gentle reminder is perceived as a righteous scolding, I’d better go and work on my communication skills.

HEY! [heh] Not you, hon. Not you, for heavens’ sake. I wuz talking closer to home here. My sweetie here gently helps me guide my wayward ADHD tendencies on a regular, much appreciated basis. That’s what I meant, and all I meant.

Ease back a notch. okay? Appreciate all your comments, always. No problem.

Now, to try to tiptoe back out again. Peace to all.

“Life should NOT be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in an attractive and well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, chocolate in one hand, wine in the other, body thoroughly used up, totally worn out and screaming ” WOO HOO what a ride!”

I’m a basket case. I’m just trying to find my own voice before I pass from this dirtball for sweat hogs. Sweetness and light, eh?

I’m afraid to say anything, because life has a way of throwing me curve balls, and poor judgment on my part hasn’t helped.

If you tax payers come through for me, the V.A. may help me get into a shack near the Cascades this year, and I can roam the mountains with a camera, try to outlive my cat, and murder innocent Steelhead trout.

If not, then I am moving to Armenia. Or, I hear you can get a French Colonial mansion in Ho Chi Minh City for 600 a month. My cat says he doesn’t want to go.