Jon and Kate, we are over you. Move on, get back under the radar. You’re not special anymore. If you would have succeeded at your marriage and raising eight kids, you’d be special. More so if you could have done it without TV fame. You didn’t do either. We are over you!

Pfizer–how about letting them do business? We need their products, we need jobs, we need capitalism. We don’t need government on this mission to take over commercial America.

On that note, government needs to stay out of health care, at least the insurance side of it. How about you let the insurers develop products that meet the needs of those who can’t afford large group plans? The small businesses that want to provide something affordable for their employees. A private product. Government already takes care of the uninsured with Medicare and Medicaid. Revamp those rules if need be, stick to them and enforce them. But stay out of private business!

That’s all for tonight!

As a child, before I was a quasi-news junkie, I adored Walter Cronkite.

“And that’s the way it is,” his famous tagline.

Maybe it was his deep, calm voice that attracted me. Who knows, but I felt like I’d lost a favorite uncle earlier this summer when he died.

And now this week with the passing of Sen. Ted Kennedy, I am struck by the exodus of American icons in the last year.

This site lists some who died earlier this year. Ed McMahon, Bea Arthur, Karl Malden, Robert McNamara…and of course Michael Jackson and Farah Fawcett on the same day.

Tim Russert in 2008, famous for his “Meet the Press” hosting, was the beginning I think of this string of icons leaving us. He was too young, of course, and while it’s never easy, losing Walter Cronkite at age 93 was less shocking and a bit easier to accept.

Maybe this strikes me because it points to my own mortality. These are people that have always been in my stream of consciousness. Part of the society around me…my familiar culture.

Sen. Kennedy’s death seems to close the Kennedy family legacy. Granted there are many descendants of that lineage who continue to work to serve America. But for most of us–across ages–JFK, Bobby and Ted all mean something. And today that chapter closes.

I love the dynamics of our culture and the new things and icons we add. But it’s hard to say goodbye. Even to these people I never know. It signals a door closed that cannot open again, which always nicks at my heart.

Have you ever gotten a reverse 9-1-1 call? How about one that tells you to lock your doors and stay in your house because criminals are on the loose in your area?

That happened last weekend in my quite hometown state of North Dakota. Most of the time, life is quiet and stable there. So last weekend when law enforcement in the rural western part of the state, caught two escaped convicts from an Alabama prison, I shouted, Woo hoo!

The takedown happened near the city where I was born, in Stark County. That is an especially rural area, and while I’m sure there is crime, the officers there don’t spend most of their days looking for killers and thugs. It’s just not part of life up there.

So I have to believe that the ongoing training law enforcement officers are required to take  prepared them for this event. These two criminals (and their two accomplices) were in prison for murder and attempted murder – they are not nice guys! They got through seven states without getting caught.

A rancher, one of those who received the reverse 9-1-1 call, heard his horses get skittish and called authorities. They caught all four good-for-nothings, but not without gunfire exchange…started by the convict imprisoned for stabbing someone, i.e., atempted murder, who came out shooting!

In these “tough economic times” (which by the way I’m sick of hearing everyone whine about–be proactive, take action and stop looking for handouts!), cities, counties and states should not make cuts to law enforcement and education. Those essential services protect us every day and prepare our children for the future, empowering them to continue making the United States greater.

If you want law enforcement officers prepared for any situation, even those that don’t happen frequently where you live, tell your city and county commissioners, and your state legislators. Make sure where you live officers are adequately trained, equipped and compensated so they can afford to stay in that profession, looking out for the rest of us.

I have to ask…will those N.D. law enforcement agencies get the $5,000 reward?

I traveled recently for the first time since airlines added the checked baggage fees. Paid $15 per bag each way, on top of the nearly $500 ticket! But anyway…

What annoyed me more were the other travelers who in their “brilliance” [and that is laced in sarcasm] decided their gynormous bags were in fact carry-on size so they could skip that little extra fee! Annoying because THEY ARE NOT CARRY-ON SIZE. [yelling intentional here]

More annoying is that the AIRLINES SEEM TO ALLOW IT! What kind of b.s. is that? They all post those cute little boxes by the check-in kiosks so we can make sure our carry-on bags fit there. Yet airline staff ignore all those who walk by with bags two and three times bigger than that box.

One very overweight woman had two “carry-on” bags, each so big she could not even lift them into the overhead bin. And yet…none of the airline staff said a word.

Come on! Either enforce your rules or skip the extra fee. It’s not fair to those of us who do play fair, who go along with the system and pay the stupid fee.

For you passengers, if you really cannot afford the extra fee, maybe you can’t really afford to travel by air. If you can, then do the rest of us a favor and check your bag or pack lightly enough that you can board with one-count-em-one carry-on and a purse or briefcase.

It’s a matter of courtesy and safety.

Kooper--ready for some foooootball!! Jan 31, 2009

Kooper has really cut into my writing time over the past month. Who is Kooper, you ask? New boyfriend? New boss? Baby?

Kooper is our new puppy. Since it’s been 13 years since we Nikki, our late Bichon, was a pup, I had completely forgotten just how much like infants/toddlers they are. And my husband and I just started dating when I got Nikki so he wasn’t involved much in the training of her so this is a real “trip” for him!

Like children, puppies are wonderful for the soul…despite the sleepless nights. The same characteristic I love in children, I am enjoying with Koops. Seeing the world through young eyes means everything around is a new adventure. A leaf blowing across the lawn, a hawk soaring overhead, balloons, bands playing at a local block party, a motorcycle roaring up the street, every person we see—all of it!

Watching the world in motion is a pastime of mine as a writer, but Kooper has given me a fresh lens with which to observe. And his spirit changes the way I engage with the world around me. More than just watching, we explore. It takes me back to my childhood and the fun of discovering new things and places.

Most of what Kooper and I are discovering aren’t really new to me, but they feel new when I see his reactions. Each day he gets a little braver and approaches each new thing a bit more eagerly. But often at not quite four months old, he is still a clumsy, cautious and adorable pup.

http://www.comcast.net/articles/news-general/20090123/Nashville.English.First/

I respectfully disagree with Nashville voters; and voters in other cities that have already voted down “English first.” Once again Americans demonstrate that they do not understand moderation. We are an all or nothing society.

Having one language as the official and “first” language in our country (or city) does not make us exclusive. If I travel to another country, let’s say Italy and finally achieve my long-time dream, I fully expect I better have some command of their language. By the way, that would be Italian.

Just like if they visit here, they know our language is English and they prepare for that. The difference is that other countries are much better at teaching their citizens—and by citizens I mean children—more than one language. If more Americans were more multi-lingual, the language would not be a barrier.

Our country was founded on the English language, just as it was founded on the Christian faith. Maintaining those principles does not lessen our inclusive nature. If I invite you to my home and we have a dog but you don’t like dogs, you’re not going to feel excluded because I won’t turn my dog out while you’re there. You may exercise your right to cut short your visit, but you won’t let that difference stand between us.

I believe the same is true with language. If we speak different languages, there are some limitations to how we communicate. But it is possible. We could – crazy notion alert! – work together, teach one another bits of the language and forge friendship and education in one easy swoop. But here in America we need to stand firm on our foundation; it is what separates us from the rest of the world.

Did Mrs. Obama miss her husband’s announcement about open government? It went something like, “we are no long on the side of withholding information but making everything open.”

Apparently a new concept in federal government, but certainly not in many states, including Florida where “open government” reaches extremes. Where even state employees’ home addresses are available to anyone who asks, unless they have specific exemption under the law.

That aside, does she really believe as First Family they are “private citizens”? Sorry, Mrs. Obama, I believe you gave up that option back on Nov. 4, 2008. That means your daughters, too, are public sector…public servants, if you will.

I do not believe true professionals in media or other industries will exploit your children. There is no purpose or honor in that. Nor do I believe manufacturing dolls named after your daughters is anything but positive so I am disappointed in your comments to the media. (see link)

http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2009/01/24/michelle-obama-inappropriate-to-use-daughters-to-sell-dolls/

In my opinion this is another way your family’s influence filters down to the people. Think of all the little girls playing “White House” with those dolls. Imagine the dreams for themselves that play will conjur. And as you well know, thoughts and dreams help create habits and actions that lead to achievement.

Daily Thought from www.RealSimple.com
December 29, 2008

This quote hit my Inbox just in time for New Year’s resolutions. I hadn’t thought about “peace of mind” as a resolution, but I sure do think of myself as “general manager of the universe.”

Not really in conscious terms but reading that quote forced me to admit I try to manage my universe—and of course that includes my circle of family and friends. I have no doubt they will tell you in a heartbeat that I like to micromanage.

Here’s the thing. It doesn’t work. The universe doesn’t want me managing it, and doesn’t respond really well to management. I am not in control and shouldn’t be.

I know and have experienced that when I am open to the universe to send the things I want and need my way, it answers. It sends them and my universe flows easily. Why do I forget that sometimes and try to push it?

It’s that Type A-Virgo-oldest child in me, I believe. This week a coworker told me I’m “a lady who gets things done” and I took that as a compliment. Given the laws of physics that means there is an equal reaction for that action of getting things done: it is that I push and I drive and I sometimes force.

So in 2009 I want to continue to be a lady who gets things done, when the universe sends them to me. Along the way, I wait and remain open to my universe. I hereby resign as…general manager.

I know it stinks to travel right now with bitter cold temps and massive amounts of snow clogging all methods of travel. But I hope everyone remembers that not one of us controls the weather. It is up to God (or your higher power of choice). So please be kind to the airline, train or bus staff who are trying to help you. Be patient with other drivers and do your best defensive driving.

It is the holidays after all so spread some holiday cheer, even in those difficult, uncomfortable situations. If all else fails, stay home. You don’t have to travel for the holidays. It’s a privilege. Sometimes it’s just not possible.

Whatever you decide to do, I hope you will spread tidings of great joy wherever you are, to all you meet.

Merry Christmas!

Tallahassee (Florida) Police Department (TPD) Sergeant Mark Peavy recently donated  three German shepherds to the TPD. He bought and personally trained the K-9s. A newspaper article said the dogs cost about $10,000 each.

What a great Christmas gift from Sgt. Peavy to his coworkers and to his community! Police dogs contribute great things to law enforcement work, and in our post-Sept. 11, 2001, era with heightened security concerns, their work is even more critical.

Thank you Sgt. Peavy for your gift and for caring for your city.