Thank you, Glenn Beck

Glenn Beck is on a mission to restore America's honor. Thank you, Glenn Beck. I didn't know that we had lost our honor, so it's good that you are on this.

Mr. Beck promises to lead us out of the darkness and into the white. That's not a typo. I meant white. I am not sure what the plan is as I have never really watched a whole Glenn Beck show on Fox or listened to his speech at the weekend rally or even read anything he's written. I just know that he has the guts to say stuff with such gusto and bravado so that the content of his message doesn't really matter. What does count, from what I can decipher, is the color of his skin. Let's face it, he's really, really white. White is the color of most Tea Partiers. White is the color of most Republicans. White is the color of most Libertarians. And white is the color of most Mormons - Glenn's religious affiliation. In Glenn Beck's world, white must go with everything. Just saying.

Glenn Beck says he knows exactly how to retrieve America's lost honor! OMG. That's amazing. Again, I am not sure what dishonor he speaks of, but Mr. Beck must have unearthed something. He wouldn't just make up stuff. And his intel's gotta be gold. After all, he presents said intel so expertly on chalkboards. I've seen this a couple of times. It makes me think of the late Tim Russert who used to write on a whiteboard election nights. I miss him. Anyway, low tech makes Mr. Beck appear teacher-ish. Just like high school algebra, his chalk formulas are a little dizzying. Oh well. If it helps us find our lost honor, he must be onto something.

Until our honor is restored, I wonder if it is still ok that I fly the American flag in my front yard? What would Glenn Beck do? WWGBD? We recently moved the flag from the front of our house to one of the trees in our front yard. It looks so nice. It really does wave in the wind. I remember putting it out late morning the day of 9-11, through tears. It was the only thing I could think of doing, after calling my children and husband and friends. I love that flag and my country. Truth is, I don't think America has lost its honor. Just think, if all countries had their own Facebook page, American for sure would have the most friends. WAY more.

I wonder what Tim Russert would think of Glenn Beck and his apocalyptic predictions? He'd probably tell Mr. Beck his formula is flawed and advise he go back to the drawing chalkboard.

Addie update

Addie will be 11 months old next week. She continues to be our major source of sunshine and happiness. Mika is taking to her. Tex and Baxter have discovered that when Addie gets fed, they have a chance of getting fed - food on the floor, on the chair, on her tray if someone turns their back long enough.

She walks and crawls, whichever mode will get her to her destination the fastest. And she is developing an age appropriate personality. She wants what she wants when she wants it stage. But also she is easily distracted from what she thinks she wants... adorable.

Happy Monday everyone! John said something this morning I think is good: he's going to work hard this week and EARN his 3 day weekend. Me too, John!

Liberation

Paul and I are getting older. How do I know? Let me count the ways:

1. A young man admires Paul's new Challenger R/T and they discuss engines for a few minutes -- at the pharmacy drive-through where we are picking up meds to lower cholesterol levels, soothe arithic pain, etc.

2. We plan activities based on our ability to stay awake.

3. We've replaced talking about the kids with talking about the granddaughter.

4. Articles we come across about retirement have become relevant and interesting.

5. It appears that doctor's appointments have outpaced all other events on our activity calendars.

I told Jenny the other day that I had a moment of dread when I thought about turning 57. I haven't had an age aversion reaction since... I was 37, I think. She said nice things of course, but it wasn't necessary. I am OK in my skin. I wish there was a lot less of it, but still I am OK. Aging presents you with the gift of acceptance. You care so much less about what you look like. It's a shedding of vanity and insecurities. Suddenly, you no longer care what other people think about you and what you look like. Instead you are curious about what they think of real stuff: community, politics, art, life. It's liberating.

I really wouldn't trade my age for anything. It's just that sometimes it hits me, I turn around and I'm a grandmother. I turn around and two of my kids are married and have mortgages. I turn around and my husband ... actually, he's looking better to me every day. He too has been liberated by age. It's nice.

Fossil Rim

On Friday morning, Paul and I took a 2.4 hour guided tour of Fossil Rim Wildlife Center about an hour south of Fort Worth. It was hot, for sure, but manageable.

It was Paul's first time. As a weekend activity (and 32nd wedding anniversary activity) it's pretty hard to top Fossil Rim.