Panera's and Power

I have breakfast often with my Oldies at Panera Bread Bakery and Cafe. It's their new favorite place for breakfast. I fussed a tiny bit when we switched restaurants because I like eggs for breakfast. Panera's now has a couple of egg dishes but not eggs per se. All of the millions of people who eat at Panera's know this and either abide by this rule or sneak in their own boiled egg in a baggie as I do sometimes.

But my Oldie surprised me on my first Saturday morning back in Florida by ordering and getting fried eggs at Panera's. Nobody else can do this. Just him.

He's done this at other restaurants, like ordering (and getting) grits in the afternoon or mashed potatoes for breakfast.

What's this about? I think it's about power - and I understand it.

He's losing strength and power every day. He was once the vice president of a great company. Now he doesn't even remember what he did for a living. But he was a decision maker and power broker in his realm - and he's still at it in his much smaller realm.

I wish I could order a nice buttery fried egg at Panera's but I'm just not empowered in that way.


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Making History

I've been pretty much glued to the TV the last few days. (Yes, I finally upgraded my cable.)

History was made last night when an African American was nominated for president of the United States.

John McCain did a very cool thing by presenting an ad congratulating Barrack Obama on that accomplishment.

Now today McCain has chosen Sarah Palin as his running mate. Who? I never heard of her! But in the next 24 hours we'll all know everything there is to know about her. She will instantly become one of the most famous people on the planet.

It's all exciting and entertaining and history making.

I'm glad I live here.


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Esther

I was reminded today of the book of Esther in the Bible. What a cool story.

This king gets drunk and tries to get his wife, Queen Vasti, to come and entertain him and his buddies but she says "No way" so she gets bounced and he looks for a new queen.

Of course he does this by having a beauty contest.

This really good Jewish guy named Mordecai decides that his niece, Esther, should try out for the job so that she'll be on the inside and will be able to influence the King not to persecute the Jews.

Esther's not happy about it but she gives her all for the team - and gets chosen.

In the meantime an evil villain named Haman starts hatching these crazy diabolical plots to get Esther and her uncle killed.

In the end it's all a reversal of fortune. All of the bad things that Haman wanted to happen to Mordecai - actually happen to Haman.

In one part of the story when Esther is scared and unsure that she can confront the King her uncle says, ...if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father's family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to royal position for such a time as this? (Esther 4:14)

Good words for all of us who've been in similar positions.

On a lighter note, when I lived in South Florida and Jews celebrated Purim, a Jewish holiday mentioned in the book of Esther, the Jewish bakeries featured a treat made from dried apricots call "Haman's Ears."


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Ultimate Questions

It seems my friends and I are falling apart and in constant need of repair.

Today my brother is having some extremely uncomfortable surgery.

Tomorrow my close friend is having a heart cath.

They're both going to be fine but it is reminding me today of how fragile life is.

In 1922 Carl Sandburg wrote one of my favorite poems. He asks a long sighted question and gets a short sighted answer.

Omaha

I am riding on a limited express,
one of the crack trains of the nation.

Hurtling across the prairie into blue haze and dark air go
fifteen all-steel coaches holding a thousand people.

(all the coaches shall be scrap and rust and all the men and women laughing shall pass to ashes,)

I ask a man in the smoker where he is going and he answers

"Omaha."


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My Ongoing Exploding Pens

One of my favorite descriptions of insanity goes something like this:

Doing the same things over and over and expecting different results.

This morning in church I got out my little notebook to jot down something the minister said but when I uncapped my pen ink flew all over my hands.

This has happened several times since I got off the plane on Wednesday. Not only that, it's happened many times in the past. I love Roller Ball pens. But they explode on airplanes. End of story.

But it's not.

Last Saturday on my plane ride from Minnesota to Georgia I got bumped up to first class because a family wanted to sit together. Not a big deal for me since it was only a two hour trip.

Except, I'm usually fascinated with first class passengers, wondering what their stories are and why they pay so much more for a short flight. The young man next to me was good looking, well built and impeccably dressed. I liked his magazines and almost asked to borrow one but then I uncapped my pen to outline a book I was reading - and it exploded all over the pages and my hands.

So that was the end of me trying to be cool in first class. You might think that it would have been the end of the exploding Roller Ball pens as well. But it wasn't.

And probably won't be.


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Random Thoughts and Helpful Hints

I flew home on Wednesday after spending almost three months with my Boyfriend and five days with my kids and little grandkids in Georgia. It was so good.

Hint # 1 - Kids Change Fast.

Here's a first, instead of my reading books at night, the eight year old is reading chapter books on his own - so he read to ME every night.

The four year old rattled off the names of the first 25 presidents. When the two year old started shouting out "James Polk" I said, "Wait a minute, you're not even old enough to talk!

I thought my flight to Florida would be cancelled because of Tropical Storm Fay. But no problem. And that was good because I wasn't feeling so hot and really wanted to get home before my daughter noticed.

Hint # 2 - AAA and the Trickle Charge

Lots to do after being away from home for three months. First my car wouldn't start -but the AAA guy was great and told me about something called a Trickle Charge that I can buy at Walmart or Target that hooks up to my car battery so that it will never
again die of neglect.

Hint # 3 - Walk In Clinics

Despite Tropical Storm Fay whipping up and down and over and about central Florida I ventured out yesterday morning to the Little Clinic located in my grocery store to get tested for strep throat. I love these clinics that have popped up in various convenient places all over the country. If you have insurance, you're covered. If you don't have insurance it's much cheaper than either the E.R. or your doctor's office. And no waiting. I was in an out in 15 minutes. Good news: No strep! Bad news: No meds! (I'm on tea and Tylenol.)

Hint # 4 - Be Prepared

Last night the power was out for several hours but, fortunately, I had my battery operated fan, flashlights, radio and hurricane phone. This is just one of those old fashioned Princess phones that does not require electricity. You may be thinking to yourself that you would just use your cell phone but where would you charge it up - especially if your car battery was dead?

Hint # 5 - Cut the Cable

Prior to leaving town I downgraded my cable from "standard" to "basic." This saved me about $150. I haven't called the cable company to re up. I'm kind of enjoying getting to know these channels I never watch. OK, four of them are Spanish and two are shopping networks but I did see a nostalgic Jack Benny program with guest star Lawrence Welk on PBS. Doubt that I would have watched that if my 100 channels were available.

Hint # 6 - Radio Shack Still Rules

Tropical Storm Fay blew out my surge protector for my computer phone line. I've always bought them at Comp USA but when I got there today they didn't have one. They said they'd never had one. Turns out that Comp USA recently went out of business and they were replaced by a new computer company that is named COMP USA!

I then traveled to Radio Shack. They had one.

Hint # 7 - Don't Spend So Much Time Worrying About the Oldies

After three days of trying to call my Oldies I finally got him to pick up the phone. I wasn't too worried that they were lost in Tropical Storm Fay because (1) they go out to eat three times a day even in hurricanes and (2) they sometimes don't answer the phone even when they're home.

But I loved hearing my Oldies' voice and the three of us are having breakfast tomorrow. I told him I'd pick them up and he said "You know that I drive!." That was right after he told me that he'd had "head" surgery while I was away but I learned later today that it was in the dermatologist's office and all was benign.

Hint # 8 - Sometimes It Pays to Use Tough Love

When I last talked with my Boyfriend in Minnesota he was enjoying himself watching the Olympics on his TV that (you and) I made him buy.


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Goin' Home

Tomorrow is a travel day. The first leg of my trip home.

What a summer it's been. So many adventures. So many experiences with different people.

My Boyfriend will come to Florida in a few weeks. In the meantime I have (too many) projects lined up.

If I've counted right, I've read about a dozen books since arriving in Minnesota. Some of them were books that stretched me, some were just fun psychological thrillers. I've learned to love the "Prey" books by John Sanford. The protagonist is a Minnesota lawman named Lucus Davenport. Don't mess with him.

A serious theology book that I'm just finishing up is "Seeing Gray in a World of Black and White" by Adam Hamilton. I can't wait to discuss it.

I'll leave you with a quote from another of my favorite authors.

From "Red Fish, Blue Fish" by Dr. Seuss:

Today is gone. Today was fun
Tomorrow is another one.
Every day, from here to there
Funny things are everywhere.


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Here We Go Again

I was more than distressed when John Edwards finally admitted his fling with the former '80s New York party girl and current videographer Rielle Hunter. The jury is still out on whether or not he's the father of her baby.

My daughter broke the story to me weeks ago but I was hoping it was an "Inquirer" smear job. John Edwards has been a good advocate for the poor and other disenfranchised people. Despite her life threatening cancer, his wife, attorney Elizabeth Edwards, was a full partner in his bid for the presidency.

I keep vacillating in my head from feeling terrible pain for Edwards and Hunter and wanting to see them duke it out on the Jerry Springer show.

As an aside here, Jerry Springer has many times defended his show (and others like Maury Povich) and the people on it by saying that their messy lives are no worse than the lives of spoiled celebrities. His point's well taken.

I've been perplexed and hurt when the likes of Bill Clinton and Elliott Spitzer and even people I've know personally have pulled these shenanigans.

But Edwards has confirmed what I've suspected and have shared with you in the past about this kind of behavior. He's a self confessed narcissist. He's admitted that at some point "as you become more rich and powerful you think you're invincible and there'll be no consequences."

He's wrong. Not only for himself and his family but those of us whose lives are touched by the betrayal certainly feel the consequences as well.


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Tragic Olympic Event

The family owned Bachman's floral and garden centers are all over my boyfriend's city. When he was wooing me a couple of years ago he took me to Bachman's for lunch. A delightful little tea room in the middle of Bachman's indoor gardens.

Like some other family owned businesses I know, many Bachman family members are involved in the work.

Todd Bachman, the CEO, and his wife, Barbara have attended several Olympic events. Their daughter, Elisabeth was an Olympic volley ball player. She's married to Hugh McCutcheon, the coach of the U.S. Olympic men's volleyball team.

Todd Bachman was stabbed to death three days ago in an apparent random act as they were touring the Drum Tower in Beijing. Barbara was stabbed as well and is in critical condition.

They had no prior contact with the lone assailant who immediately committed suicide.

I am a very logical person who tries to find a reason for everything. There apparently was no reason for this.

It was a random, senseless act of violence.

Son-in-law, Coach McCutcheon, was quoted today as saying they're hurt but not angry. The good wishes from the international sports community, the excellent medical care, the prayers from Minnesota and around the world and the strength of the family who are, at this moment descending on Beijing, will pull them through.

At least this random act of violence has resulted in international random acts of kindness.


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My Last Sunday in the Land of 10,000 Lakes

Usually, no matter where I am in the world, I go to church on Sunday. But today is the last Sunday that my Boyfriend and I will be together for a while. I'm heading South on Saturday.

Why would we separate? He has a life. I have a life. Unfortunately, they're in different parts of the country.

So today we stayed home and read all morning. Then headed downtown for brunch (pizza with eggs, sausage, cheese, tomatoes, spinach, onions) and fruit. We ate outside. When we finished we debated sharing a waffle for dessert - but too pricey.

So we walked across the street to the market and bought donuts and coffee and ate them outside in the sun. The temperature was 70 degrees!

Lest you think we're totally depraved our next stop was Lake of the Isles. We fast-walked all the way around. Three miles in 40 minutes.

On the way home we discussed whether or not we should feel superior to most human beings because of the walk but decided that the breakfast made it kind of a wash.

Later on we're going to hold hands in the movies.

Next Sunday I'll be in church in another city with four of my grandchildren.

The Sunday after that I'll be home in the church where I belong.

But I'll be remembering this glorious Sabbath day with this man that I love.


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Visual Arts

Yesterday I mailed a card to my granddaughter depicting Claude Monet's "The Walk Near Argenteuil." I love this picture.

It's a man and a woman walking in a field of flowers carrying black umbrellas. A child is walking ahead.

In 2007 my Boyfriend and I were fortunate enough to tour Monet's home and gardens in Giverny, France. A real treat for the eyes.

Monet once said this: I wish I had been born blind, then suddenly gotten sight so that I could see without preconceived notions.

Interesting! My Boyfriend recently read an intriguing book called "Crashing Through." It's about a man named Mike May who was blinded when he was three years old. He defied all expectations by breaking world records in downhill speed skiing, joining the CIA and becoming a successful inventor, entrepreneur and family man. He never yearned for sight.

Then in 1999 he received revolutionary stem cell transplant surgery to restore his vision.

The book deals with how he coped. It was very difficult. Turns out the brain has much to do with our vision and much of what we perceive visually is learned from the time we're born.

If you saw a dog for the first time how would you know it wasn't a bear or a horse?

He couldn't tell men from women. He didn't know when someone was laughing or scowling. He couldn't tell his children apart. It bothered him that his wife, to whom he'd been happily married for many years, was kind of messy. He never knew. Vivid colors where painful.

I can't tell you much more because I haven't yet read the book.

However, it's safe to say that Claude Monet, and all of us, should be careful what we wish for.


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Goin' to the Chapel

I read a while back that the wedding chapels in Las Vegas were gearing up for a big rush of weddings TODAY. Why? Because it's 08/08/08. Apparently a huge number of couples rushed to Vegas on 07/07/07 and so they were expecting even more today because an 8 turned on its side is the symbol for infinity.

As Dave Barry would say, I'm not making this up!

Maybe I could buy into this value system. But if I got married in Las Vegas I'd want the Flying Elvis's to zoom down and shower the guests with poker chips. I'd want Wayne Newton to officiate.

Prior to the nuptials I'd have to have various surgeries, adding to some areas and subtracting from others.

No wait, that reminds me. I could get married on 10/10/10. Those are big time computer numbers. So, in honor of that and the surgery, I could be married in Silicone Valley.


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French Hotel

(Note: My goal here is to use as many French words as possible.)

My Boyfriend played golf a while back with a young Frenchman who turned out to be the food and beverage guy at the local Hotel Sofitel. Sofitel is a chain of luxury French hotels located all over the world.

The young French guy invited us to dine at the Sofitel.

So, today, along with friends, we did. We had lunch at Chez Colette, the smart brasserie located in the Sofitel.

The lobby is sort of luxury art de vivre, not my style, but very French. Lots of lime green, purple and circle patterns. Looked a little like Target to me - but we know how "Target" is really pronounced.

The food was good. I had French onion soup (of course) and Pan Bagnat. I considered the escargots bourguignons but I'm not crazy about snails. My Boyfriend had Quiche Lorraine.

The French guy entertained us with stories of his travels and his baby. Dessert was on him.

All in all, a lovely afternoon.


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Dogs and People

You know how I like to make fun of people who are way too ga ga over their pets - especially dogs.

This includes some people I love like crazy. You know who you are.

I get seriously concerned with those who spend loads of money and put animals through tremendous unnecessary pain just to keep them alive a while longer. But then I feel somewhat the same way about keeping people going past their expiration dates. (That includes me when the time comes.)

But then I read today about a local dog named Batman who has a brain tumor. His owners love him but were struggling with what to do. The University of Minnesota has come to the rescue (maybe) with an experimental therapy they hope will cure the brain tumor, which by the way, is the same kind that Ted Kennedy has. The therapy, if it works, will help dogs and people.

And, too, Batman the dog, won't suffer the terrible effects of chemo and radiation and his owners won't bare the costs. Lets hope this is a win - all the way around.

In a related story today, a woman from California (of course) has just spent $50,000 to have her pitbull cloned. Now this is something I can make fun of.


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Morgan's Accident

I'm so happy that Morgan Freeman's accident doesn't seem to be as serious as was first reported yesterday. When the newscast said that the car went end over end over end and that he was in critical condition I was very sad.

I'm not nearly ready to give him up. He's the best actor to play God - ever. Way better than George Burns and a million times better than the awful portrayal of God by Alanis Morissette in the dreadful movie "Dogma" starring Ben Affleck and Matt Damon.

And even when Mr. Freeman isn't playing God he still acts like the calm, gentle, wise, strong, folksy being that we'd like God to be.

Like when he was in one of the best movies ever made, "The Shawshank Redemption." Or in the movies where he played Dr. Alex Cross. So wise and in charge but in deep pain for the people he loved.

Even when he played a corrupt cop in the excellent "Gone, Baby, Gone" he had his reasons - and they were good.

I haven't seen him in the Batman movies but, as Lucius Fox, I'm sure he runs Wayne Enterprises in a God-like way.

So, Morgan Freeman, get well soon. I know, despite your age (older than me) and your impressive body of work, you still have more movies in the pipeline.

I humbly suggest that, in the future, you (along with some other celebs, namely Britney Spears) let others do your driving.


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Little House on the Prairie

One of my daughters loved the "Little House" books by Laura Ingalls Wilder. I can understand it because when I was a child in Indianapolis I loved a series of pioneering Hoosier stories called "Bears of Blue River." But my series didn't morph into a long running, wildly successful television series staring Michael Landon and the adorable Melissa Gilbert as Laura Ingalls.

The most popular setting for the series was Walnut Grove, Minnesota.

And now, all these years later, "Little House on the Prairie," a lavish new musical, staring Melissa Gilbert (this time around as Ma Ingalls,) is premiering at the great Guthrie Theater in Minneapolis.

The show broke box office records on its first-day sales and has been extended into October.

So let's hope for a smash hit - then off to Broadway!


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Remembering the Bridge

Yesterday was the one year anniversary of the collapse of the bridge in downtown Minneapolis.

Lots in the papers and on TV all this week. Many people are still suffering both physically and emotionally from the trauma and aftermath - even those who were not on the bridge.

Here are some quotes:

A structure than we all have used was no longer there. It was now in millions of pieces floating down the Mississippi River.

I was anticipating the arrival of my first child...As we were watching the coverage, I turned to me husband and said, 'This would not be a good night to go to the hospital'...Our son was born (in the hospital midst all the carnage) early on the morning of August 2nd.

I had just arrived home from work at the Medical Center when my pager went off...I jumped back in my car. Well on my way, I realized I had some bridges to cross. Was this some terrorist attack? Will more bridges fall?

My daughter died of cervical cancer on September 0, 2007. She was a patient at the university hospital at the time of the bridge collapse. She said to me, 'Mom, I know that I'm going to die, but all those people on the bridge never had a chance.'

The new bridge is almost finished. Hopefully, it will help continue the healing.

What Would You Like Heaven to be Like?

I've taught a class in my church a couple of times called "What Do You Think Heaven is Like? What Would You Like Heaven to be Like?"

Since my church is full of really smart and open people, the title alone has engendered some great discussion.

In my Boyfriend's city there is a big, wonderful supermarket. It's known, among other things, for its diversity. It's kinda expensive (but not as expensive as that Whole Paycheck place.)

How big is it? There are 18 bins of olives. All different.

Yesterday I had finished my shopping and was waiting for you know who in the front area where employees tend to congregate.

Within five minutes I observed the following employees:

* a mentally challenged middle aged bag boy who speaks way too loud and is difficult to understand - but is friendly and helpful and everybody treats him with respect

* a beautiful young Muslim check out woman wearing a uniform modified to her beliefs

* an Orthodox Jew baker with his long beard caroused in a hairnet, the ends secured behind his ears

* two beautiful teenage girls just coming on duty who were so delighted to see each other that they were jumping up and down, hugging and/or clapping their hands

Is this what heaven is like? It's kinda like what I'd like it to be like.


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