I can see for miles and miles

I like living in an apartment. I like Bruce - the doorman and I like the feeling of being able to come and go knowing that someone will recognize me every day. I haven't had that since I left Alaska ten years ago.
I guess I'd forgotten the importance of human contact. And I've learned that you don't have to have intense discussions with everyone, every day. Sometimes just a friendly greeting or a smile goes a long way if its consistent.
And it seems I have more time now to listen, and really hear what is being said even without a lot of words.
Tony the night doorman had to come up and check on us when the fire alarm went on this week. I was searing a small tenderloin with mushrooms and I guess it was smokier than I realized. Later that night it occurred to me that I've had more interaction with neighbors and doormen this first week than I've had all year at the old house.
I like that a lot and I'm surprised by the realization. I didn't know I needed people as much as that.
Thank you providence

Wow! for Women -Thanks Sarah Palin

Sarah Palin has brought the federal government down to the people's level. She has the ability to convert the foreign language of congress into terms that small town America can understand. She is opening the secrets of the business of big government to reveal what is behind the curtain. It is NOT pretty.

Most amazing are the liberal pundits that criticize everything from her hair to her accomplishments as Alaska's governor of which they know even less. This is making me sick. The half truths out there about her work in Alaska is under more scrutiny than cancer genes in a petri dish?

It doesn't help that Alaska has always been "up there" and far removed from the lower 48. Most Americans know very little about the mineral rich state that has now contributed the most dynamic and feisty candidate in the history of politics and she has the old Washington guard and liberals running amok!!

What is it about her that is shaking up the politics as usual? When I lived in Alaska almost 24 years everyone knew every one else. The transparency with which you lived your life could be exhausting at times but it has proved to be the real training ground for this governor. That's why she seems so real.

BECAUSE she is.

Did I ever tell you about the time

Films do a great job of capturing the old days and moments in time that we all do well to remember. But sometimes I miss listening to stories about the old days when my mother used to tell it from her perspective. Her voice was so passionate even when her descriptions were vague and you always felt the shock or fear.

One of her stories about the real abduction and murder of a small girl in Ontario froze us in terror and we never failed to jump into the ditch just from the SOUND of a car coming around the corner when we were out walking. After that, the mere mention of her name -Tomasina Baker- would conjure the image of her lifeless body and possibly our own demise if we would not obey.

After she became religious the scary stories were about the future, world events, being ready for the rapture. Again her passion kept us clinging in fear though its hard to jump into the ditch every time you screwed up your life so the next best thing was to go back to church and get right with God. But I can see the training she instilled in every one of us about fear. Even the Bible talks about fear being the beginning of wisdom.

There is a healthy aspect in being afraid at times. It may be that sixth sense that tells us something isn't right. It could be that moment when our conscience reminds us about a wrong choice and being fearful of the consequences.
Either way she instilled in us a lifelong lesson to pay attention when you feel fear or at least acknowledge it.
Of course sometimes you have to feel it then do it anyway. Did I ever tell you about the time....

Bad Hobbits

I think I'm falling into a bad habit. It's becoming too easy to watch life go by rather than be active in it.
Remember that movie with Peter Sellers called "Being there"? All he would say no matter what would happen was "I like to watch." Thats because he was raised in an old mansion where all he did was watch TV and it became the sum total of his existence - except that when he finally was exposed to the outside world and gets hit by a car everyone he meets is fascinated by his philosophy (sort of a pre Forest Gump style)
Its not a dramatic movie by any means - more comedic but it makes you think about how people can misinterpret each others actions.
And thats the problem-he wasn't active at all in his own life. Just carried along by others and their decisions for him.
The difference is I am twice the age of Chancey (his name in the movie) and I've spent a lifetime as a leading lady. What could I possibly learn by watching?
Maybe riding a slow train for awhile won't develop a bad habit - just a different perspective.