Sunday, November 07, 2010

Late Day Light on the Birches

26 comments:

  1. Howie IS first!!

    I get that kind of light on the sycamore trunks, all winter. It's especially lovely when the norther sky is that deep steel blue, but there's sunshine in the middle. . . .

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  2. Dang, I love Vermonters. . . . This is Reed, last summer, on the statehouse steps. . . .

    http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs586.snc3/30926_391903392591_117787157591_4606174_7516843_n.jpg

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  3. Breaking news in the Chicago Mayor's race: A coalition of black leaders, who had previously announced that their choice lay between ex-Sen. Carol Mosely Braun and Board of Review Commissioner Larry Summers, instead chose Cong. Danny Davis -- my congressman. Davis has a soslidly progressive record and has taken a leadership role on issues of disability and ex-prisoner rehabilitation, but is otherwise often considered -- at least in Oak Park -- as relatively ineffective for a 7-term congressman from what some call the safest seat in the country. I think he would make a good mayor, though. It has always seemed to me that one reason he hasn't been more of a leader in Washington was that he was basically focussed on Chicago.

    From the Chicago Sun-Times: "The final sense was that it would be easier for him to build a coalition that would be needed to win," said the member, who asked not to be named. "You can't win with just black votes."

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  4. I should suppose that Chicago would be represented by several congressmen, more if the districts are pie-shaped pieces with a small part of the city and a large part of suburbs rather than being contained within the city. But a Congressman should have a political base of about the requisite size for a successful run for mayor. As memory serves me there are a whole lot of candidates this time around.

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  5. About forty again, and sunny. But it got down to 22 degrees last night. And looking like winter's coming. 'Cept next week, no freezing temps at all. . . . not for the entire week!

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  6. Sounds really good, Bill. And good luck! Will be keeping ma fingers crossed for ya'll.

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  7. That does sound good, Bill.

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  8. Alan, not rattling on at all, no more than I was anyway.

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  9. Well, *I* enjoyed the exchange, lol!

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  10. Is it standard operating procedure for a Protestant minister to invite parishioners to his house for dinner?

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  11. Chicago is part of 9 congressinal districts. Some, like Emanuel's old 5tth, are (I believe) entirely within the city. Some, like Davis's 7th, are mostly within the city but also extend into the suburbs. Unlike, say, Gary Chico, Davis has the political base to *launch* a potentially successful run. But as the qoute says, he needs to forge a coalition similar to that which elected Harold Washington in the 1970s. This is within the bounds of possibility but far from a given.

    The number of candidates is still in flux. Sheriff Tom Dart has announced he won't run after all. Ald. Fioretti dropped out when he learned he had cancer. At the moment Carol Mosely Braun is not conceding anything (including the fact that she is not the coalition's choice), but that could change. State Rep. Rev. James Meeks says he's in no matter what. Add in Chico, one of the also-rans in the 2004 Senate primary, and I *think* you have the lot.

    One of the things to keep is mind is that Chicago has a run-off if no one gets a majority. Right at the moment the best bet would be a run-off between Emanuel and Davis.

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  12. Depends on the minister adn the congregation, I would think. Wouldn't raise any eyebrows.

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  13. Hmmm...

    Thanks, Bill.

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  14. What a truly lovely day we had!!

    Granddaughter was angelic and warmly welcomed by all. She loved the dresses, the shoes, the jewelry, and all; at last she had found the place where all the Princesses shop! I didn't know until today that she (and Granddaughter*in*VT) will be a flower girl at the wedding, That made us all extra happy that she was present.

    The dresses were amazing! Hundreds, possibly thousands of them. The bride-to-be needed only try on two. She had one she liked awhile back and one she fell in love with more recently. She went with the latter, which looks lovely and antique and has golden threads worked into the lace. The bridesmaids will wear the same dress, each in a different shade of blue (because the happy couple became engaged at the Blue Moon last New Year's Eve!). The moms are supposed to wear shades of blue as well. So that should be a bit challenging (to mesh but not clash). But as it's my favourite colour, I'm good with that. Ha!

    The funniest moment was early this morning when I overheard Daughter and Granddaughter talking about Grandad (Hubby). Daughter said something about him and Granddaughter said, "I'm not related to him, just Grammie." Daughter explained that she really was related to him since he is Daddy's Daddy, while Grammie is Daddy's Mommy." When Grandad heard what was said he chuckled and said, "She's not claiming Grandad as a relation, no sir; he's from the shallow end of the gene pool!" LOL! 8-)

    This was sort of a follow on to something that happened a few weeks ago when we were at Granddaughter's house. Grandad likes to read stories in a silly way, such as saying "The End!" at the end of each page, or embellishing the story as he goes along. Granddaughter is just at the age where she is working on learning to read and takes book reading very seriously. So, while she thinks Grandad is a total scream, she is also annoyed that he doesn't do it properly. I, on the other hand, being a library clerk and all, read the books as they are written. She appreciates this. She said to me a few weeks ago, "You know how to read books, Grammie. You're smart, right?" Ol' Grandad could hardly breathe he was laughing so hard! :-D

    ROFL! There's just nothing like granddaughters!! ♡

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  15. Clarification:

    The bridesmaids will wear the same dress...

    ...as each other, not as the bride!

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  16. It's okay. In fact, it's a good way to be able to visit with each family in the congregation without asking the families to go to all the work of cleaning house and cooking dinner for the event. Instead, the pastor can metaphorically wash their feet. And what an admirable pastor to let the parishioners come as Marys instead of Marthas to the dinner! Sure hope s/he doesn't go broke feeding the flock! :-)

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  17. Hope that not too many are trying to get into that dress. . . .

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  18. Glad you weighed in on the pastor/dinner question. I thought you'd do a great job on it. I started to and realized that I've never been a protestant, lol! Mormon --> Catholic --> Ethical Society --> Quaker. Interesting spiritual journey it's been, too. I suppose that Quakers *might* be considered protestant, but they don't have pastors.

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  19. If I ever get back in the habit of going to religiouis services -- and I know I'm missing something -- they'll be Quaker. That was what I went to before I married Penny and she insisted firmly and absolutely that religious services were a waste of time. But I was raised in a Southern Baptist household, so I have some idea of how mainstream Protestant denominations work.

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  20. I *do* love them, Bill. But I'm afraid they've unfitted me for mainstream churches, lol! If I happen to go with a friend, or sumpin, I always end up thinking that if they could just be quiet, they'd find God right there, trying to tell them something. . . . One of Rick's charms for me is that he actually *wants* to come. But then he grew up UU. . . .

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  21. ROFL!!! Hmmm...same design of dress, but different colours.

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  22. I very nearly went to Quaker meetings near here a few years ago, but when I checked the buzz on it I found out the local group is mostly social justice oriented and doesn't hold quiet all that well! I already have you folks for the former. What I need from a local group is the quiet!

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  23. I am complimented.

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  24. We call those popcorn meetings, 'cause the Friends just can't help popping up, lol! The main meeting in DC is a popcorn meeting, as was my meeting in NYC. Alas. The *rule* is that you're NOT supposed to come to meeting for worship with a plan of what you're going to say. Some can't help themselves. . . .

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