Oh You Great Big Beautiful Doll

Some poll says people are tired of hearing about Obama. Maybe the media will take the hint and give us a break. I am for Obama, but I do not think I can stomach one more silly story about that ditzy Tyra Banks modeling as Mrs. O in Harper's Bazaar. On the plus side, it does give more fodder to E's Talk Soup and that cute and talented Joel McHale.

Even Dover Publications paper dolls are getting into the spirit of hype. They have new additions to their paper doll collection with offerings of Barack Obama and John McCain. I don't know, but I think the artist captured John McCain's rod up his back stiffness. Barack's likeness looks okay, but Mrs. O looks like a Stepford Wife.

The Answer

On August 1 two teenage boys found the remains of Sheila Joan Noblitt over six years after she disappeared one cold January day in 2002. It looks like she died from exposure.

I became acquainted with the case after writing about what happens when you Google your name. I heard back from a detective handling the case and from one of Joan’s relatives.

To the Noblitt family, I am sorry for your loss. We do not know each other, but I can only imagine how hard these last six and a half years have been wondering what fate befell Sheila Joan. May you find this closure as sad as it is, brings peace.

note: link to earlier post.

Health, Insurance and Calling Dr. Kildare

A few days after sending in a hefty check for COBRA (Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act) coverage, I pour over the differences between choosing a PPO or an HMO. I have a new job, and I must choose health insurance coverage. I long for the days of Dr. Kildare and Marcus Welby, M.D. Things were so much simpler then.

As I look at papers, more acronyms like HIPPA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act) jump at me. I will have to call the benefits administrator to see if there is an exclusion for pre-existing health conditions like my Big C. Since I have had no gaps in coverage, I should be okay on this front.

Additionally, with a million dollar baby in the family, I watch my son and daughter-in-law struggle with insurance issues each day. A preemie born as early as baby Nicolas soon becomes a veteran health care consumer.

So, I do not know on what planet those who think everything is hunky-dorky with health care in the U.S. happen to be living. It certainly isn’t the one I’m on.

I don’t know if one politician can do anything to move America on this front and help bring much-needed reform in this area, but I damn sure don’t think John McCain, the so-called maverick Republican, can. I will give my vote to Barack Obama and hope he is a man of his word about working across party lines to bring this change.

It’s a real challenge to fight the influence of corporations and organizations with payrolls full of former politician- and backslapper-lobbyists, but I am putting some of what little money I have left after paying for my health insurance on Obama.

Pop Culture Note: Photos: 1) From Calling Dr. Kildare with Lew Ayres as Dr. Kildare and the great Lionel Barrymore as Dr. Gillespie. I had no idea there were so many Dr. Kildare movies in the late 30s and early 40s. I believe there were 10 with Lew Ayres and Barrymore continued with a few more movies as Dr. Gillespie after Ayres went off to war (as a conscientious objector who served in the Medical Corps). 2) TV’s dreamy Dr. Kildare portrayed by Richard Chamberlain is the Dr. Kildare I grew up loving.

Christmas in July

I hardly ever mention that I offer some of my designs on CafePress, but it struck me odd that someone would be buying this yard sign in July. Maybe she is like my mom was--always thinking ahead. Mom would scout out bargains all year long so that by the time Thanksgiving rolled around she was done with her shopping. While I am my mother's daughter, I never caught the shopping bug. Just give me the ease of online shopping and I am one happy camper.

Little Pleasures

New grandmas are apt to go overboard. How can you walk into a department store without seeing something just too cute to pass up? I steadfastly assert that I am not yet one of THOSE new grandmas.

My latest purchase was only $5 and it was for a good cause too. The other day while paying for some socks, I noticed the Kohl’s Cares for Kids books and plush animals near the checkout registers. Kohl’s says it donates all of the net profits to organizations working with health and education programs for children. Eric Carle’s “Polar Bear, Polar Bear, What Do You Hear?” caught my eye. Carle, illustrator of the classic, “The Very Hungry Caterpillar,” creates wonderfully bright and charming tissue paper collages.

Depending on your age, you probably grew up with Carle’s books or bought them for your children or grandchildren or as baby gifts. My son still has his tattered copy, which has now been passed along to the newest family member, Nicolas.

So, this little hardback became the latest addition to Nic’s blossoming library. You would imagine a family of writers would love books, wouldn’t you? I don’t know if Nicolas will be a writer or set out on his own course, but so far, this little guy has had one incredible journey. For now, his parents are telling his story on their new blog, Illinois Preemie. Later, Nic, Grandma Sheila expects to hear from you.

For a while I fell off the face of the earth

I landed in Batavia, Illinois, a far-far western suburb of Chicago. Long-time readers might be curious about this journey, but for now, I intend to be discrete and mysterious about my detour along life’s pathways.

My new home, a quaint little town clustered along the Fox River, captured my eye immediately when I first drove into the downtown central business district. Yes, there is still a thriving downtown here, not yet lost to the strip-shopping centers which populate west Batavia along Randal Road where every manner of chain store or restaurant is at your beck and call. The mayor wrote this about his town, “Batavia in some ways looks like a town that time has left alone.” This part of the Fox River Valley is lovely, and I am no stranger to the river having once lived in a Craftsman-style house overlooking the Fox for a short time in Appleton, Wisconsin.

While Batavia is doing a fine job of straddling old and new, I found her charm immediately apparent with tree-lined streets of homes ranging from Victorian painted ladies to one classic Frank Lloyd Wright home. I can walk to my insurance agent, bank, pharmacy, coffee shop, and library.

The library features a mural of the art accompanying this post--John Philip Falter's "Fox River Ice-Skating," which was the Saturday Evening Post cover for Jan. 11, 1958. In the upper right corner, you can see the Challenge Windmill Factory, another Batavia landmark. Batavia dubs itself “The City of Energy,” a right fine tagline since it served as home to five windmill factories during its early years, and it has been the home of Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory (Fermilab) for more than 40 years.

Well, that’s a short introduction to my new hometown. More later but don't expect me to write about ice-skating on the Fox River or anywhere for that matter.

Gone Fishin'

Dear Gentle Longtime Readers:
I haven't been posting as much lately. You see, I have a new distraction: a new job. I will eventually get back to posting on a semi-regular basis, but I will mostly check in on my favorite blogs when I have a little extra time. But, I will still surround myself with words since the job entails a boatload of them. Happy blogging!

Practical loses out to indulgent

Like one of my favorite bloggers, I don’t write about products for pay. Yes, I know there is a Google ad at the top of this post, but I don’t even bother to see if there is any money in my account, and I certainly have no control over what ads Google plops up there. Ads for Ann Coulter books, sexy singles, quilting supplies, the University of Alabama and of course kitchen sinks—they are all somehow related to the content here or at least Google seems to think so, although I still haven’t figured out the sexy singles connection.

So, this cute little Springer Spaniel stuffed animal by Douglas is not an ad. As a new grandma, I am prone to impulse purchases. Ogilvy, a Springer Spaniel plush dog, was one such purchase. I thought new grandson might like this much quieter liver and white spaniel to match the real life Monte version.

I know new parents would love more practical purchases, but sometimes a grandma just has to be indulgent.

A Dog Senses Danger

My son called me on his way to work this morning. “Did you hear about the earthquake?” he asked.

I had and was going to E-mail him later to ask if they had felt the quake in the west suburbs of Chicago.

My daughter-in-law had been awakened by a shaking house and had tried to convince my skeptical son that she wasn’t imagining things. Only after checking the morning’s news did he realize she was right.

Now, unlike the west coast, you don’t really hear too much about earthquakes in the Midwest, but according to the U.S.Geological Survey, "this region has more earthquakes than any other part of the United States east of the Rocky Mountains." For example, the New Madrid Fault is one you might have heard about most. Back in 1811-1812, a series of earthquakes hit New Madrid, Missouri, and even changed the course of the Mississippi River. Today’s quake, which occurred in the Wabash Valley fault system, was centered in southern Illinois and was felt in St. Louis, Cincinnati and even as far as Canada. Because of the region's geology, earthquakes here tend to be felt over much greater distance.

But, what captured my attention was the strange behavior of grand-dog Monte as reported by my son. My son said that yesterday Monte was barking at the ground like he was terribly afraid. Monte's legs were trembling from fear. From past experience, I know dogs will bark at a lot of odd things--motorcycles, vacuum cleaners and especially items that are out-of-place; however, I am now convinced Monte is an earthquake-detector dog.

The National Geographic has an interesting article on the subject of animals sensing earthquakes. Next time, I think I’ll listen to Monte when he sounds a warning. I have a new level of respect for him.

When Whimsy Strikes

In looking for an image this morning, I consulted Dover’s Pictorial Archive Series, “Life” Magazine Cuts & Illustrations 1923-1935. Life got its start in the late 1800s with founder John Ames Mitchell patterning it after the Harvard Lampoon.

Mitchell, himself a cartoonist, gave many budding artists a start including Charles Dana Gibson, who was famous for the Gibson Girl.

During Life’s heyday, works of some of the country’s greatest commercial artists appeared on its pages including illustrations by Theodor Geisel, a.k.a. Dr. Seuss.

Dr. Seuss fashioned a career illustrating for big advertisers like General Electric and Standard Oil, drew political cartoons, joined the Army during World War II and eventually wrote and illustrated children’s books, which we remember him for best.

This is the illustration that caught my eye this morning. I don’t know how it was originally used, but I thought it needed some orange.

Call Me

I’m a total nut about serendipity. Here’s a recent example.

Our house phone had been out of order for God only knows how long. Since I was away for two weeks, I can’t say when I would have noticed it. Some time during that time though, husband called and asked if I ever had any trouble with the phone. Well, yes that was a strange thing to ask me, but he did set up an appointment with AT&T to have it checked.

The repairman showed up and promptly found the source of trouble. Our service box had been struck by lightning he deduced. Anyway, I was happy that the source of trouble wasn’t with the house wiring which would have meant we would have had to pay for the repair.

Here’s the serendipity. Even before Mike called (that’s the AT&T guy) to tell me the phone was working again, I heard the phone ring and answered. It was a call for Scott about a summer internship. Good timing or serendipity? Well y’all know what I think.

Plus, Mike showed me how I could troubleshoot to see if the house wiring might be at fault should we ever have trouble again. You take a working standard phone (you do still have one of those, don’t you?) out to the service box and plug it in. That could tell you the house wiring is at fault if you get a dial tone out there and not inside. But I guess if you don’t, you’ll need to call the phone company anyway because it could be a case like ours or not.

My Two Cents

I think I might know why so many of us are in economic trouble.

Yesterday, the third grocery store I went to had the hazelnuts I needed for a recipe. I paid for the package with two one-dollar bills and 50 cents in change. My purchase totaled $2.48. The cashier asked, “Do you want your change?”

You are darned tootin’ sweetkins. “Yes,” I replied with a hint of sarcasm. I reckon Dillon’s thinks my two cents doesn’t matter much to me. Well, two cents is two cents, and after awhile a big grocery chain with two cents extra from every shopper could actually add up to some free money.

I guess the stories about the death of the penny are true. But I’ll keep my two cents for what it’s worth.

Eco Shopping

I was in an eco mood yesterday when I popped into Wal-Mart. It’s been awhile since I’ve shopped there, and I noticed that Wal-Mart has embraced green and organic like only Wal-Mart can.

Organic is sometimes more expensive than non-organic, but the fresh organic sweet potatoes and lemons were nearly the same price.

Then, I noticed the Palmolive dishwasher detergent called Eco and decided to try it since it was less expensive than regular brands. I passed on Clorox’s new green brand but perhaps I’ll give it a try soon.

The display of Campbell’s Tomato Soup with the Earth Day label practically demanded I buy a can. Plus, I remembered that April 22, is Earth Day.

And finally, all this talk about ‘green’ reminded me of my favorite green character, Kermit the Frog, who sang, “When green is all there is to be” . . . “I think it’s what I want to be.”

Chancing It

April showers bring May flowers. What do Mayflowers bring? Why Pilgrims of course.

I thought of the old saying and kids' joke yesterday when I got what I deserved shower-wise. I tempted fate with two quick stops before getting caught in a downpour at the last shopping foray. I thought briefly about taking the blue and white Seton Hall umbrella so casually tossed on the back seat of the car. So, that’s why I got what I deserved and why I never would have made it as a Boy Scout had I been eligible to join their ranks of “always be prepared.”

Perhaps had I not dallied over the produce or if the young cashier hadn’t wanted to run back to the frozen isle to get me another sugar-free popsicle package because the one I selected was too soft or if I hadn’t been mentally tallying up prices in my head to reach the magic $90 so that I could use a $9 off coupon, I could have beaten the storm. But maybe I was destined to get a drenching to the bone. It’s been a while after all, and a shower can wash away many things including predictability.

Home again, home again, jiggity jig

It’s amazing to see the changes since I’ve been away from home. Suddenly, over the course of two weeks spring waved her magic wand and splashed away winter’s drab with yellow.

Daffodils punctuated the landscape as far north as St. Louis on the return drive along Interstates 55 and 44. And Forsythia shrubs drew my tired eyes away from the boring task of interstate driving. As I pulled in the driveway at home, I noticed the neighbor’s apple tree awash in beautiful blossoms too. Stepping out of the car was a bit of a treat too for you see spring is a little slower coming to more northern climes like Chicagoland.

So, you might wonder, am I happy to be home? I suppose so, but I must acclimate myself again to different rhythms and routines as well as prepare for a new challenge next week. And I miss one certain new member of the family much more than I thought possible. Such is life these days.

Can You Spare Stuff

I've been away from home but not the news of the terrible flooding in Missouri. This morning's mail brought a call for help for a family who lost everything. The Springfield chapter of the international organization, Freecycle, is adopting a family that basically needs well, everything.

I've written about Freecycle before because I love the idea behind exchanging or giving away stuff you no longer want to need in order to keep it out of overfilled landfills. E-mail me if you want the link to those who are helping.

A Work In Progress

Part 4
I’ve decided on the dimensions, theme and color palate. I took scissors to cloth, cutting out several appliqué pieces and selecting the background material.

The beauty of my self-inspired design is that I can change my direction at any time. This first section, however, is fairly inflexible.

And I set about embroidering by hand the first appliqué letter. I will spare the details and show the first completed piece. If you know me well enough, you will figure out what the following letters of this first word will be.

Care to guess?

Quilting Away, Part 3

Part 3
I don’t want to reinvent the wheel but I’m going about this quilt project from the ground up. Yes, I know there are software programs but I suspect they are too basic. I have a grand vision and will thus strike out in my own direction. I have read that other designers use the computer and maybe I’ll stumble upon their hints along the way.

Today’s field trip was to two Springfield quilt shops and Hancock’s Fabric store. By the way and entirely off topic, I must ask a perplexing question: why were so many men shopping with their women folk? My husband wouldn’t be caught dead in a shop dedicated to sewing.

The first stop was overwhelming. Not only do I have to figure out how to make the quilt after I design it, but I have to choose the fabric. The fabric choice is astounding. Just like having too many telephone companies to choose from is confusing for me, so is this.

I bought some fabric and brought it home to ponder. Pondering begat another trip, this time to Hobby Lobby for more red or more precisely, crimson.

May the Luck of the Irish Be With You

College Boy just returned to Hendrix College yesterday after a week at home for spring break. Mostly we caught up on how he's been doing, what he does with friends, what college students watch on TV (House & Project Runway)--that kind of stuff. He applied for some summer jobs, made his dad a birthday cake and definitely caught up on his sleep. Remember how I worried he wouldn't be able to wake himself up for classes? I didn't even ask if the Sonic Boom Alarm Clock was still in use, but rest assured, his hearing-impaired roommate isn't bothered by it. Funny how things work out sometimes.

And today I post this as I head back to Chicagoland to visit. It's about an eight hour drive and I'm throwing my Chiefton's CD in the front seat for the trip. It is St. Patrick's Day after all and I feel lucky.

Quilt Design Project, Part 2

Part 2
First off, I researched quilts and techniques. I lean toward a quilt that is appliquéd. This French term means one layer of fabric is placed over another layer of fabric and sewn in place. This appeals to my design instincts and I did a computer version of the design first. I know I should just do a simple patchwork quilt as a rookie, but I am not content with simple.

Right now I’m not sure how much I’ll show of the process. This might be the last you read of it until the quilt is complete. However, if progress is fulfilling, I’ll share. I have made field trips to scope out fabric, and I loved traipsing through rows of rolls and bolts. Not one item was purchased at first for after all, this was research.

Quilt Design Project

Part 1
I’m the type of person who is happiest with a project percolating in my head. If you saw the movie Waitress, I’d say I’m like the title character always creating new kinds of pies in her mind. I do love pies, but in this case, my head is turned by designs, colors and shapes—not yummy pies.

At any rate, learning to quilt is my current project. Granny Martin was a quilter and my mother picked it up when she retired from over 30 years working for the U.S. Air Force. Let’s just say Mother was happier quilting. However, I want to make a quilt like no other. No standard designs. I will blaze my own quilting path. Dear gentle readers, you will be a part of the mystery. Will my quilt be in the same league as Granny’s and Mom’s or will it be one big poorly-stitched disaster?

I Wish the News Had Been Different

I am a writer and used to working with words, but sometimes there are situations where I find myself at a loss as to what to say. I think that I am not alone. I pray I don’t rattle on filling the quiet with annoying attempts to ease the pain of someone who is hurting.

“I’m so sorry this has happened,” seems appropriate, as does “I wish the news had been different.”

Today I wonder what I will say as I write a note to my cousin. It happens all too often and I will always struggle. But I will write.

Miles to Go Before I Sleep

The list. We all may have one either written or only in our heads. Here's my list of things I want to do before I die. And as far as I know, I am not doing that right now and hopefully not any time soon for you see I have lots of things left to do.

The List
See Scott graduate from high school. (I wrote this last year and Scott graduated in May of 2007)
See Scott graduate from college.
Be a grandmother. (Nicolas Bryant--born February 23, 2008)
Open my own business.
Succeed in my business.
Return to Italy.
Visit Greece again.
Travel by car to Montana and ride horses there.
Lose 22 pounds and have a BMI of 24.
Own an English Springer Spaniel again.
Run for public office.
See my Oklahoma relatives.
Find a hairstyle I really like.
Learn not to worry.
Perform many random acts of kindness.
Fly in a single engine plane.
Go to Mexico and eat an authentic meal.
Have a birthday party with a Mariachi band.
Visit the Smithsonian again.
See a play in New York City.
Go camping again.
Become a muckraker and right an injustice.
Go to an Alabama football game in Tuscaloosa.
See a really difficult situation to the end.
Help someone through a difficult time.
Drive a Miata.
License a design.
Laugh a lot.
Have more fun.
Spend time with my family.
Paint a picture of a cow.
Become a better photographer, writer, editor and designer.
Earn enough money to support myself, my family and have some left over for the greater good.

Invisible

I'm no Oprah snubbed by Hermes in Paris when she was not allowed in the store while others continued to shop, but I was slightly miffed by my experience at the Brooks Brothers shop at Chicago's Premium Outlet Mall on Sunday.

I was the invisible shopper. I entered, looked around for at least 10 or 15 minutes and selected a wool jacket and a blouse. It would have been nice if the sales staff had offered to place the items in a dressing room. They weren't crowded as it was before noon and the church crowd was otherwise occupied. The fact that I was not greeted as I entered the shop could have been forgiven but not the complete and utter failure to acknowledge my presence.

I suppose, dear gentle readers, you might say, "Oh, Sheila this is just the way it is." But I remember the way it used to be.

I first became a customer of Brooks Brothers while we lived in Houston, Texas in the mid-80s. I found that navy blue blazer that lasted me until last year when the moths discovered it that I have written about in an earlier post. Quality and classic styles was always what attracted me to Brooks Brothers. I don't mind paying more for quality because I know an item will last. And back then, service was a concept Brooks Brothers staffers still remembered.

As a former secret shopper for Coldwater Creek, I know the things the corporate office looks for in stores that carry the brand name, and to Brooks Brothers I say, y'all need to work on some issues.

In a Perfect World

A few years ago the U.S. pharmacy chain, Walgreen's, had an advertising campaign called "perfect." I will spare you the details but we all long for perfect. I'm glad a drugstore chain thinks it can ease us into perfect.

When we are young girls many of us dream of the white-picket fence surrounding a cute house. Remember the Crosby Stills Nash & Young song, Our House? "With two cats in the yard, Life used to be so hard." We are never even remotely prepared for life's curve balls. We only do the best we can and muster strength and resolve to play the hand we are dealt. That's the reality.

Where is "perfect" when you need it?

Hiatus

Hi all,
I will be taking a hiatus from blogging for a little while but rest assured I haven't run out of things to write about. I'll be visiting as time allows.

My Best,
Sheila

Valentine’s Day Thoughts

Life's a box of chocolates, Forrest. You never know what you're gonna get. Mrs. Gump

Winston Groom’s Forrest Gump became a beloved book and movie, but Forrest Gump just sort of fell into good fortune. He seemed to be in the right place at the right time.

Mrs. Gump’s wisdom is hard to argue with since we don’t know what will come our way. We can strive to craft the story of our lives with goals and objectives, but there is little security here.

However, there is to me one constant and that is love. Fleeting, lost, puppy, enduring, tumultuous, volatile, lustful, impulsive, friendship, romantic—there are as many kinds of love as a big box of chocolates.

It’s up to us to give and keep love in our lives. Happy Valentine’s Day!

Bob Barker Funds Unique Program for Drury University

Springfield, MO. It was probably one of the most unusual news or “mews” conferences Drury University ever had. You see animal rights activist and former host of “The Price is Right” Bob Barker was in Springfield on Monday to deliver in person his $1 million gift which will fund interdisciplinary classes examining animal rights. The standing-room-only crowd of students and faculty included several dozen dogs and even a few brave cats.

“I’m flattered beyond words for so many of you to be here,” said Barker to the audience who had ventured out in the middle of an ice storm.

The class will explore animal rights through various areas including religion, the environment, criminology, philosophy and biology. Barker said, “My hope is that the model is duplicated across the country.”

Barker, whose sign off for the game show was always, “Don’t forget to have your pets spayed or neutered!” graduated from Drury in 1947 with a degree in economics and started his broadcast career at a local radio station.

And in case you were wondering, my source says the four-legged attendees, some sporting Drury University bandanas, were nearly all very well-behaved.

The Price is Right for Drury University

Springfield, MO. Today, former “Price is Right” host and Drury alumnus Bob Barker will present Drury University with $1 million to establish the Bob Barker Endowment Fund for the Study of Animal Rights. “I have established endowment funds at seven of the finest law schools in the U.S. for the study of Animal Rights Law. And now, with this endowment fund at Drury University, I hope to create a model program that other undergraduate schools will enthusiastically emulate,” says Barker.

The initial course at Drury titled “Animal Ethics” will educate students about issues that directly affect the lives of animals. As a multidisciplinary class, the course will be team-taught with professors with expertise from the fields of biology, law, sustainability, psychology, criminology, philosophy, religion and anthropology.

A Sweet Postscript

NOTE: Chris, the British journalist/author whose grandfather, Frank Marhoff, I wrote about after visiting Oakwood Cemetery in Montgomery, Alabama has named his new son Harry Peter Montgomery Hunt. Chris discovered my original post last November and we corresponded and I again wrote about this story.

I am happy to hear of the start of Frank Marhoff's great-grandson Harry's life and that his name will carry a part of his grandfather's story forward. Congrats Chris and family!

Dogs and Cats Join the Presidential Race

Politics can be ugly. Politics can be exciting. Or fun. Some disenchanted folks are even running dogs and cats for president. That upstart Daisy the Curly Cat has been drafted and I must admit that Daisy is a formidable opponent. Do you remember Morris the Cat ran for president in 1988 and again in 1992? Daisy, may I remind you that Morris did not win?

However, I brought the Monte for President campaign to light last September and want to remind everyone that this dog can hunt. Dear gentle new readers might wonder about my connections to the candidate and what’s Monte’s story. So, to recap, here goes.

Monte’s mother, a survivor of Hurricane Katrina, found herself displaced and a long way from home when she was relocated to northern Illinois. Like many other Katrina survivors, Monte’s mom depended on the kindness of strangers until she could get back on her four feet. However, she was pregnant and soon gave birth. But, this new mother could not take care of all of her offspring; and thus, my son and daughter-in-law adopted Monte. You see Monte is my granddog.

Although Monte is an English Springer Spaniel, he is true-blue American through and through. Monte is a graduate of puppy obedience school with post-graduate follow-up training with the instructor. He is generally affable and makes friends easily at the dog park. He would be a great president. Everybody’s friend so to speak.

His positions are several and worth noting: spread out on the kitchen floor ready to clean up any problems with dropped food, curled up on the sofa by the window keeping watch on the borders for possible intrusions from illegal squirrels, resting dutifully with one eye open in his crate when his master and mistress are busy with fiscal matters and running joyfully through the worst of winter’s storms.

He has vowed to accept only small donations. PetSmart, Petco, Petland and some rather big vet pharmaceutical companies have been in touch, but Monte has made it clear, he will entertain no lobbyists nor their fancy offers. In the interest of public disclosure, though, it should be noted that Monte does have a couple of vices: the weight of the world’s problems is sometimes so great that he must arise earlier than normal creatures and this of course necessitates his security detail’s attention. Another potential issue that Monte believes he should disclose is that he has a weakness for belly scratches.

As the Democrats and Republicans winnow down their candidates, Monte’s campaign team is now poised to step forward proudly with a candidate whose all four feet are firmly planted on the canine values of love, loyalty and licks. He’d be happy to have your support for the odds are a lot of fur is going to fly.

Click here to get your own Monte campaign gear.

The Tide Rolls at National Signing Day

According to rivals.com, my Alma Mater, the University of Alabama, is sitting at the top of the heap for National Signing Day. If you are clueless about what I’m talking about, let me clarify. It’s college football and today is the day top high school players signed letters of intent.

Coach Nick Saban and his recruiting staff snagged several amazing and highly sought after players like Julio Jones from Foley, Alabama. Jones is the nation’s number one receiver.

Roll Tide!

I Vote

My Republican friend Sarge posted about yesterday's piece, and if you are interested in reading a different perspective, check out what he had to say. Sarge and I are blog friends but he did get my dander up when he called the Democratic Party a "total failure." Yes, Democrats have as they say "issues." But to me, it's like the pot calling the kettle black as far as what the Republicans have been up to the last eight years.

Anyway, I'm off to vote.

Top Ten Reasons I'm Voting for Obama

Sorry to bore you international readers and Republicans, but I posted this to my spot on the Springfield News-Leader OzarksLeft and I am putting it up here too. Isn't that the wonderful thing about having a blog? We can spout off whenever we like. Sure you can write a letter to the editor, but this is way easier and broader too.

Over the last several days, Missouri saw several candidates blow through the state. Obama spoke to 21,000 in St. Louis on Saturday night. Bill Clinton was here in Springfield at Central High and 3,000 Springfieldians took in his visit. Mike Huckabee gave a quick airport speech. It's great to be noticed here in the "Show Me" state. Missouri is known as a bellwether state for picking the nominee who goes on to win. I think voters here might have missed it one election though. Polls have it very close between Clinton and Obama and so I can't really predict how we will go. I will say Hillary Clinton once had a huge lead which has eroded thanks in part to our U.S. Senator Claire McCaskill's endorsement of Barack Obama.

At any rate here are the Alabama Kitchen Sink's Top Ten Reasons I'm Voting for Obama:

1. Hillary Clinton inspires and rallies Republicans who want to do everything possible to keep the presidency from her and her co-president.

2. Much of Clinton’s “35 years of experience” comes on the coattails of her husband and experience isn’t always what it’s cracked up to be.

3. As a feminist she tears up and says she “has found her voice” only to have her husband become her attack pit bill.

4. She is an icon of the past—one with a boatload of baggage.

5. Mastery of old-school politics needs to give way to a new generation’s leadership.

6. Consensus building involves more than just your friends and interest groups. Obama is reaching out to many.

7. It would be nice not to see the same old tired cast of characters, and Madeline Albright looks like she could use a vacation.

8. Entrepreneurial leadership demands a new approach to accomplishing common goals.

9. New partnerships must be entered into and a resourceful style must overtake the ideas of those who have had their day in the sun (and time in the White House).

10. The Millennial generation and Generation X are excited, interested and motivated toward civic action by Obama who is attracting huge crowds and energy. Heck, even this Baby Boomer is more excited and energized than I have been in years. I am again hopeful that we may finally tackle some of the major problems facing America and actually see that change in action.


These are my reasons. See you at the polls!


Note: New political designs are up on Hail to the Chief, my CafePress shop. I've added a new cartoon yellow dog Democrat design but the old one on the oval sticker is my bestseller. The Obama t-shirt with the JFK quote sold well over the weekend and someone in Washington state bought two kids t-shirts for his children.

Thank you John Edwards

John Edwards was my guy until recently when that upstart Barack Obama stole my heart. Edwards was constant in his words to what he set out saying when he threw his hat into the presidential ring. However, his message never gathered steam, and today he’s chosen to withdraw from the presidential race with class and grace, and for that, I thank him. His voice is one we needed.

Who will his supporters choose now? For me, it was always a clear-cut choice: either Edwards or Obama. Never did I consider Hillary Clinton. It was the electability issue. It was the arrogance, sense of entitlement and those “35 years of experience” in the ways of old-school politics and tactics. I never longed for a “co-presidency” and did not care to go “Back to the Future.”

So now Hillary’s put the choke collar on Bill and given it a big yank. Former President Clinton has chilled out his rhetoric but only after the Clinton campaign lost Sen. Ted Kennedy’s endorsement of Barack Obama--an endorsement that logically should have been hers.

Whether this endorsement will help Obama win over the hearts and votes of Hispanic voters and other core Democratic factions remains to be seen. However, the symbolism is striking. I hope he picks up some Edwards’ supporters too and that this combination will be enough to propel him ahead of Clinton, who continues to lead in some big states.

I do have great hope. Maybe you’ve seen the new Obama ads with Caroline Kennedy speaking over the images of her late father. Do you remember how energized and proud Americans were back then? The positive tone of this ad speaks to the reason Obama has touched so many tired Democrats who have for so long dutifully gone to the polls and voted with the party though disappointed and disillusioned.

Now, with Obama’s campaign we have a glimmer of hope that the old divisive and destructive ways of politics might change.

The Subject is Hair

Dear gentle readers of the male persuasion may skip this post unless you’d care to get a little insight about women. You see I’m growing my hair out. I can’t think most men spend as much time with their hair as we women do. With you guys, it’s pretty much wash-and-go. Dana Carvey’s Church Lady on Saturday Night Live was so fond of saying, “How convenient!”

Anyway, it seems we are always on our way to a new style or thinking about it. During those days when I didn’t have to worry about MY hair, I once had a lady in the supermarket ask, “Where’d you get your hair fixed?” I didn’t hem and haw in replying, “Oh, it’s a wig.” “Well, it sure is cute,” she replied.

Yes, that was one advantage during those days. However, I have been growing out my short cut since before Christmas and now it’s at that stage where I need some kind of trim. My dilemma is whether to have the stylist cut some bangs or just keep heading toward a sweep to the side in front. Right now when I brush it back it kind of looks like Hillary Clinton’s current do, and y’all know what I think about her.

Any guys still with me at this point weigh in. Do you actually notice or care how the women in your life fix their hair? Well, I’m sure I will work out this little issue. But you women know what I’m talking about.

Coloring books

Do kids still color in coloring books? I know I loved them. If I had to be home from school because I was sick, my mom always picked up one at the drug store when she collected my prescription. And even in healthy times, I could often be found coloring away. Maybe they do curb artistic expression in some, but I credit them with giving me a chance to experiment with color. Anyway, I went on to do my own thing eventually.

Dover Publications puts out some of the nicest coloring books these days and they are a fairly inexpensive way to introduce kids to art. This designer likes and uses Dover Publications often for inspiration. If you sign up for the Dover Sampler, they’ll even E-mail you free designs to download each week such as this floral sample.

Looking at the sample almost makes me want to round up the Crayolas. Speaking of which, check out this link to Crayola.com for online coloring fun. You can choose from colored pencils, markers and of course, Crayolas.

Do you remember how exciting it was when school started and you got that huge box of crayons? There seemed to be infinite possibilities then. I charge you to explore your creativity. And don’t tell me you aren’t creative, because I will just think you aren’t trying.

Note: the sample is from Color Your Own Great Flower Prints

Stephen Colbert’s Persuasion

I’m a little late in writing about this story from last week, but it’s too good not to say a few words. Comedy Central’s faux pundit Stephen Colbert has succeeded in getting the Smithsonian Institution to hang his portrait in the National Portrait Gallery in Washington, D.C. for a six-week showing. The museum placed Colbert’s portrait in what it deemed an “appropriate place”-- between the bathrooms and close to the “America's Presidents” exhibit.

Maybe he can’t get the Democrats to put him on the ballot in South Carolina but he certainly knows how to play a joke to conclusion even without his writers who are on strike.

Clerk Sweeps out the Bad Guy

Before I read about it the Springfield News-Leader, I saw the video on TV and maybe you did too. Springfield has experienced a string of convenience store robberies lately like other cities, and this really isn’t big news. But when the robber attempted to do his bad on one Springfieldian clerk, she took after him with a broom. Cops and store honchos say this is probably not the best course of action when confronted by a robber, but it worked this time.

I guess I can understand the reluctance to hand over the money if the robber fails to brandish a weapon or only shows up with a BB gun as he did at another store. Of course, y’all know Missouri is the Show Me State. Any serious robber best come prepared if he’s expecting the cash.

It now looks like the cops have a suspect who will likely be charged later today.

Focus the Nation National Teach-In

From the Hartford Courant:

With an urgency — and a sense of irreverence — reminiscent of the anti-war movement of the 1960s, a group of activists from Portland, Ore., has recruited students at more than 1,000 college campuses, K-12 schools, civic organizations, church groups and private companies to conduct a massive “teach-in” on global warming Jan. 31.

Focus the Nation, the brainchild of economics Professor Eban Goodstein of Lewis and Clark College, has energized the push for possible solutions to the problem of global warming.

Here in Springfield, students, faculty and community and business leaders are planning a full day of events on Jan. 31 as Drury University hosts Focus the Nation: Nonpartisan Solutions to Global Warming. Drury University’s Hammons School of Architecture will be the location for discussions ranging from “The Science of Global Warming” to “What Would Jesus -- and Moses, and Buddha, and Muhammad -- Do?”, which will explore religious values in an environmental context. And "Fanning the Fire - The Common Good: Public Policies We Can Live With" will be a concluding panel discussion by top city leaders.

But Drury University is not the only local university involved with Focus the Nation. Missouri State University reportedly uses 15 tons of coal to power the campus for one hour, and according to the Focus the Nation Web site students will get a very accurate idea of what that looks like when trucks dump 15 tons of coal at the student union the day of the teach-in. I have no idea what 15 tons of coal looks like much less who will clean it all up, and I am so intrigued by this idea that I may have to stop by and see since MSU is in my neighborhood.

Note added after original post: A local source tells me MSU is supposed to have barrels of coal on campus to demonstrate how its energy upgrade of buildings is saving the university tons of money and cutting the area’s coal use. Drury is supposed to dump about 7 tons (not sure about the exact figure) to show the university’s 6-8 hour use of coal each day. This information differs from what is posted on the Focus the Nation Web site which may have been earlier plans. Please don't blame me if you go to either campus looking for all this coal and find things are different.

Scary Clowns

Reuters says kids don’t much like clowns according to a University of Sheffield study reported on in Nursing Standard magazine. Good thing children were consulted about hospital décor before some do-gooder artist painted up the walls. How frightening to be in the hospital surrounded by scary clowns!

Coulrophobia is what you call fear of clowns and it’s real. Noted sufferers include Johnny Depp, my husband and Bart Simpson who said, “Can’t sleep, clown will eat me.”

I suppose someone is going to have to break this news to the folks at McDonald's and Ronald McDonald himself.

Hillary on Top

We drove down to Conway, Arkansas, to return son to Hendrix College for the second semester. Classes start today. He switched a couple of classes to get different professors, got out of the semester-long temporary dorm room, bought over $400 worth of books and is happy to be back fresh from a month of sleeping.

I’ve written about this three to four-hour drive through the beautiful Ozarks before, and I absolutely love the wide expanses of trees, mountains and farmland. It is what renews my spirit. And husband and I even talked about returning in a few weeks when the weather warms for a canoe trip on the Buffalo River. I’ll have to get over my fear though. The last time I went canoeing in Missouri was over 20 years ago when we hit a submerged log and capsized. I still remember the murky light above my head as I headed toward it.

Sorry for the digression, but as many bloggers do, I carried the camera along and stopped just outside of Conway for this topical photo. See, my mind is so politically focused that I can’t forget about the 2008 presidential race even if I want. This particular business has concrete statues ranging from Greek gods to chickens. Need a lawn jockey or gnome? They have them. But the Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama jackasses immediately captured my attention and I thought the resulting photo was blog-worthy. Only later did I notice the fallen “Proud to be an American” sign.


© 2008 by Sheila Noblitt

Whiny About Wine

Prosecco, that wonderful Italian sparkling wine, does not need the likes of wild-child Paris Hilton hawking it. I completely understand why Fulvio Brunetta, president of the wine growers association of Treviso, was so adamant when he said, “Hilton hotels are a sign of quality; Paris Hilton is not.” Hilton is featured in advertising for Rich Prosecco, which is soon to be distributed in the U. S. Canned wine sold by an Austrian company and promoted by the gal who had such a terrible time after her D.U.I. Interesting choice.

On the other hand, if you want some real prosecco, Prosecco by Martellozzo is a good deal for $6.99 at Trader Joe’s and is one of our favorite year-round wines. It’s particularly nice in the summer, and with the addition of peach nectar or peach puree, you can make those wonderful Bellinis. The Bellini originated at Harry’s Bar in Venice, Italy, and uses white peach puree and prosecco. Of course, you’ll find Americanized versions at restaurants like the Olive Garden, but it’s a lot easier as well as cheaper to make your own.

Down with Doughnuts--Signs, That Is

Krispy Kreme lost a big sign, but the tornadoes that struck near Springfield, Missouri, were deadly. Two lives were lost. We had tornado warnings in the early evening but those storms mostly skirted Springfield. Then around 2:45 a.m. the wind, rain and sirens awoke us. Those of us used to tornado warnings will ignore them until we really feel threatened. Well, last night we did and we quickly headed down to the basement as we listened to fierce wind buffeting about outside. Slowly the storm moved away and we returned to bed. Daylight brought reports of downed signs, lost roofs and other damage about three miles away. Threats to our safety always seem scary in the middle of the night. This time they were only threats for our little family. I’m sorry for the families whose losses were great.


photo by Dean Curtis

Who Can Inspire

Today, at least for today, I am very pleased that the Establishment is left scratching their heads after the results are in from the Iowa caucuses. If Iowa is indeed the microcosm the media has made it, both Republicans and Democrats want our next president to be different. Sen. Barack Obama and former Gov. Mike Huckabee are of course different, but they are alike in that they spark hope in their supporters. Americans want a president who inspires us and one who is authentic and genuine as best as we can tell.

For the time being Hillary Clinton has been left behind as has Mitt Romney. They come from far different backgrounds than Obama and Huckabee. Clinton grew up in Park Ridge, Illinois, an affluent suburb of Chicago. She graduated Wellesley and Yale Law. One of my sons pointed out that she’s spent much of her adult years living in a governor’s mansion and then the White House. Romney grew up the son of a governor.

Fundamentally, I believe most Americans are tired of political dynasties. It is time for change and the populist tone of this presidential season will only get more intense. And here’s the new buzzword for you: authenticity.


ADVERTISEMENT: visit my CafePress shop, Hail to the Chief, if you'd like see the latest politically inspired designs.

Televangelists Respond to Sen. Grassley

One of my readers, KJ, responded to my post about Sen. Grassley’s inquiry into the finances of certain televangelists including Joyce Meyer Ministries. Here’s a portion of KJ’s comment:

“Joyce Meyer—for one—is above board. I have met her more than once and I have followed her ministry closely. She has actually helped many people avoid the snakes by teaching them how to shed low self-esteem and a victim mentality. . . .

As we start hooraying when it looks like some Christians—or so called Christians—are getting "theirs", I think we need to question our enthusiasm. Is it because we want justice wherever there is abuse, or is it because we have personal issues with Christianity. Just as it is wrong to lump all Middle Eastern people into the category of terrorist, it is wrong to identify all Christians as wolves and hypocrites.”

And I respond,

“I think we hold those claiming "piety" to the standard they proclaim no matter if they are Christians or some other religion or if they are politicians or other public figures. The gotcha moments come when these folks are found out to be less than what they claim to be. For example, the politician who advocates the sanctity of marriage is strung up by the media if it is found out he or she is cheating on the spouse or is secretly engaging in same sex relationships while condemning them. Well, it used to happen this way—I just don't know what to think about Rudy Giuliani’s marital track record and how that’s being treated. Maybe it doesn’t matter as much anymore. But in general, walk the walk and talk the talk. However, I think without delving more deeply into the individual philosophies of some of this bunch, that they are not actually advocating helping the poor and troubled necessarily.”

Now to the responses of those under examination. According to Joyce Meyer Ministries, Sen. Grassley has been furnished the requested information. Meyer issued a well-crafted response to the probe wherein she says for 2006 82% of the money received went for outreach or programs, 13% for administrative costs and 5% for fundraising. In October of this year, she says the organization received a letter from the IRS saying the organization continues to meet the requirements for Federal Income Tax exemption under IRC Section 501 (c) (3). The response also addressed expenditures for furnishings for the Fenton, Missouri, headquarters and explained that $23,000 wasn’t for a real commode (toilet) but was for “a tall elegant chest of drawers.” Should Meyer have spent this for a piece of furniture? Let's just say, if I thought one of my favorite religious nonprofits spent the money I donated in this way I'd be offended.

But, and it's a big one, I am not sure followers of the Gospel of Prosperity expect their leaders to be pious. The Gospel of Prosperity idea as tied to the Bible is not new. I remember in the 1970s a character named Rev. Ike who was my first brush with the notion. Rev. Ike is still around and his Web site has this to say, "As an evangelist, on TV, radio, and at mass meetings, he had the “nerve” to PREACH “Prosperity NOW!” — long before it became popular to do so. He was dismissed by some “mainstream” and “fundamentalist” people, but now many famous preachers, teachers and authors sound just like Rev. Ike — teaching prosperity!"

I digress. Another televangelist, Creflo Dollar (yes, that really is his name if you are to believe his Web site, which says his father Creflo A. Dollar, Sr., named him so) of the World Changers Church International had his lawyers send Sen. Grassley a letter stating that the "ministry" does not intend to provide the information and further

The Church's first Amendment rights and the problems that section 7611 was designed to prevent are implicated by the recent request for information. While we applaud Senator Grassley's dedication to tax law oversight and we can assure you that the church is willing to comply with a proper request for information, we believe that the IRS, through the framework of section 7611, is the appropriate governmental body to review these sensitive matters. Therefore, we respectfully request that Senator Grassley, or the full Senate Finance Committee, refer any information regarding federal tax compliance concerns to the IRS for the agency to evaluate.

A press release from early December indicated that the other organizations were communicating with the senator's office.

Gerald Iversen, national coordinator of Alternatives for Simple Living, over on the Global Ministries United Methodist Church Web site offers a mainstream Christian view with Treasures on Earth: the Gospel of Prosperity. You can imagine that Iversen, who advocates voluntary simplicity or "Living More with Less," might have problems with the Gospel of Prosperity.

I hope I have presented "the rest of the story" as it now stands. Because of how I feel about the First Amendment, I am not anxious to jump on any bandwagon to quiet the voices of these ministries of prosperity and personal growth. It's one of the wonderful things about living in a free society. Sen. Grassley and the Senate Finance Committee will need to tread carefully here but I do encourage them to proceed.