I've not known how to put down my thoughts on Hillary in this forum, knowing that many of you read it are Republicans, some are devotedly in love with Senator Obama, and some couldn't give a shit about any politics....but you should know that I am one of those people who really wanted to see her win.

I know she had crooked real estate dealings. I know her "marriage" is non-traditional. I know she is power hungry. I know she's a bitch. ("Yeah. She is...and so am I....") Yet, I was given a chance to vote for a smart, qualified, experienced (please don't flinch when I use that word....Obama is plenty experienced and everyone knows it) candidate who cares about the issues I do and who happens to be a woman. This may not happen again in my lifetime, nor my daughter's. But I can tell my daughter, regardless, about the time someone really did put those 18,000 cracks in the glass ceiling and really changed things for women in America. I'll tell her, too, that on a pre-menstrual, rainy night I watched Hillary's speech at 3:30 a.m. (you try sleeping when your hormones are causing your synapses to snap, crackle and pop) and I cried...even when I was bored by the stats and politicospeak...because we had a chance to see what a woman can do leading America and that chance, for now, is gone.

I am supporting Obama/Biden 100% and I plan to talk to my fellow Hillary supporters (especially those who will perhaps head McCain's way) about why. I believe Obama will work with Senator Clinton, Speaker Pelosi, and other ladies in leadership positions. And finally, I think Michelle Obama will be as powerful a first lady as we've seen....not since the likes of....Hillary.

I just love the New York Times fashion moments...just a little video blurbette for the interested observer.

When I have time, I also peruse Face Hunter for street style. They are going further and further abroad, though, so I don't find it as accessible.

I know, I know, the Democratic National Convention starts and the Closing Ceremonies were ridiculous and it might RAIN HERE...shocker....but sometimes you need a break from all that seriousness.

Welcome to the Team!

I get it. I just don't like it.

Crocs Don't Rock

From Dooce:

"So we walked over to the ENORMOUS display, I'm talking racks and racks, almost an acre of genital wart-inducing gnome shoes, and she heads straight for the green ones, and I'm all, no way, no how, this right here is called compromise, or in some circles they call it laying down the law. I like to call it There Is No Amendment To The Constitution That States You Get To Choose What Color Of Ugly Shoe Your Mother Is Averse To Even Let You Look At."

Sorry all you. I feel the same way, and thank God Mr. Puma and Ms. Old Navy Slip-On That is Too Big By a Wide Margin haven't mentioned them.

Songs of a Season, by Maureen N. McLane

for here or to go--

a glass mug, a paper cup --

life is fast, art slow

_____

only a few years

before all that I am blows

free, subatomic

______

not for me that life

the careless joy of the dog

not for me that leap

_____

how to say

beautiful weekend

in chinese?

_____

is "weekend" a concept 

in China?

______

rose petals fell

and the wine uncorked itself

for our pleasure...

______

what comfort

do you not give me

little cat?

_____

wheatfield bleached near blond

light licking the Luberon

and the sea beyond

_____

the cherry orchard

harvested but for one tree

found that afternoon

_____

yesterday I saw a fox

then saw

it was a deer

all year

I have been mistaking

the hunted

for hunter

_____

for the lilacs the bees

for the maples the jays

for the locust the chickadee

for the lavendar the butterfly

for the bleeding heart the ruby throat

for my lips your tanned throat

______

in mandarin

The Little Szechuan Place

in english

Shangri-La

this modest joint

serves taiwanese home cooking

pigs' ears, beef rolls, doughnuts

for dipping in soy milk

_____

 air thick

with lilac

the strong sun liquefying

the street

_____

mosquito whine

dinnertime

______

mourning dove at evening

and the ancients thought Venus

two stars equally bright

at morning and evening

doubling the source

of day's beauty

_____

your plum lips

your slim hips

fingertips

_____

and while I was not thinking

the lake rolled on

and while I was thinking

on a soft summer day sitting by the lake

I missed the lake

_____

with my swizzle stick

and my scissor kick

I'm set for summer

drinks on the deck

and dives from the dock

the main halyard's new

nylon white and blue

the old mainsail's patched

no mice in the hatch

let's cast off from the dock

and break out the bock

set sail for Split Rock

_____

reached for a raspberry

got a nettle

forgot the stove flame

burnt the old kettle

______

caffe latte -- "caf
or decaf?" little choices
of an afternoon

Of all the things that John Edwards did, or didn't do, that have now
come to light and merit our questions and judgement, the one that
annoys me the most is that he has completely legitimized the National Enquirer. In fact,
by calling their (spot-on) reports "tabloid trash", he has given them
claim to a moral superiority he himself once had. Or, perhaps, he never had this touted moral superiority. Gail Collins says: "If Edwards’s political career is toast, it will be because he has always seemed to be less than a sum of his parts: the position papers, the “Two Americas,” the photogenic grin, the supersmart wife. The only piece of the package that consistently disappointed was the man himself."

Maureen Dowd put the skewer in snugly by calling Edwards' infidelity "oncologically correct". I myself would say that the infidelity is politically correct, as in lots of politicians do it. The decision to do it after trotting one's cancer-stricken wife onto the campaign trail, continuing to campaign for a desperate Democratic Party's nomination, and then lying about it - and funding or having knowledge of the funding of - the cover-up.....well, Senator, there's the rub.

What Would Joan Holloway Do?

Baby got BACK! I love her. (You can also ask Don Draper.)

New episode, tonight at 10. I better stay awake, remember to watch it, and avoid the Olympics. Which may be hard to do. I know, I know....get TiVo.

I am typing from a stand-up station at the library. Our computer is down...AGAIN...but things are looking up. As in, we probably won't be buying a new computer til next year. Some guy sitting next to me at the genius bar (NOT the genius working on my machine) may have solved our problem. Thank you, Greybeard Genius Bar Guy, for suggesting more RAM. We'll let you know how it goes, should we ever run into you again.

More randomness - I promise to get organized soon! I got my hairs cut (as we like to say in our family). Only 5 people have noticed, and of those only 3 seem to like it. My husband loves it, but we all know what his ulterior motives are. My daughter reminded me that it only matters if I like it. And I do.

Top 5 Things I Love About My Baby Niece:

1. She likes me and smiles when she sees me!
2. She opens her mouth wide with amazement...lots.
3. She is completely irresistible when asleep and one wants to wake her and play with her.
4. She drinks and eats heartily and poops the same way.
5. When hiking, attached to an adult in a Baby Bjorn, she sings/talks non-stop.

My session is running out here in the library, and I must go give blood anyway. Have YOU given blood lately? Just asking.

Say what you will about our beloved Chick-Fil-A, but it made the grade. I will admit to occasionally getting fatty spicy dressing (heaven) and sweetened tea, but still.

Did you watch Mad Men's premiere? If not, you can mooch off your connected friends and see not only the missed premiere, but the 2nd episode too!!!! Big secrets revealed! Smarmy! Hot fashion and cocktails!

Do you live in town? If so, make plans now to attend the NC premiere of "Ready? OK!" starring people I like and admire, and a family-friendly couple of hours. Get tickets here.