Daddy Was A Cowboy

If he hadn't died thirty-eight years ago at the age of fifty-eight, my father would have celebrated his 96th birthday today. He would be an age still within the limits of today's life expectancy.
My father was a cowboy. He could smell rain days away from its hitting the ground and he could see on the barest of desert soil enough green to feed a mother cow. He tipped his hat to women and allowed his eyes to tell you what he felt if you were brave enough to look right into them. He played the harmonica and provided the only music by which he and my mother ever danced -- the 'put your little foot right there' dance. Then they'd turn to the right. Then they'd turn to the left. Then they'd turn to the right. Then they'd turn to the left.
Once my Aunt Cassie admitted that her parents and her grandmother couldn't actually remember the date of my father's birth. Apparently giving birth at home in the early 1900s could be a fairly intense experience during which the participants could easily lose track of time. My grandparents, according to Cassie, figured that my father's conception took place just about the time Arizona became a state. As my aunt told it, election day in 1912 was on November 6th. And so in honor of the first election of the baby state's statehood, my grandparents declared that day the birthday of their only son. That and, as my aunt later remembered, there was a big storm that night and they didn't want to forget about that, either.
Happy birthday, Daddy.

Festival of Lights

Every Christmas season, Griffith Park's Crystal Springs Road is lit up with colorful lights and scenery sponsored by the Los Angeles Water & Power. A portion of this road is transformed into fantasy for adults and children alike. Music waifs into the night air and suddenly you feel joyous of the season. I've had occasion to hike the hills behind Crystal Springs Road at night during this season. There's nothing to put you into the Xmas mood more than viewing the scenic displays from atop a hill, hearing the sounds of Christmas carols filling the air. It's very soothing and relaxing. If you've never frequented Crystal Springs Road during the festive season, I would definitely prescribe it for one and all. The road is opened around 5:00-7:00 p.m.. Crystal Springs Road runs almost parallel to the Los Angeles Zoo. You're in for a beautiful breathtaking surprise - somthing you can tuck into your fond memory banks.

Escapee

I have three cats that were inside/outside animals all their lives until about three years ago when I discovered we not only had coyotes for neighbors but we also had bobcats and mountain lions. I discovered a bobcat near my back yard who I mistakenly thought was one of my cats (his markings are almost identical to that of a bobcats except his coloring is deeper). When I realized my mistake and with the help of a human neighbor, I quickly tried to round up my kitties. We were successful except for one who ran and jumped up on the roof. My neighbor followed him over the back side of my roof to the front of the house successfully capturing the little bugger. Now, every once in a while, one will escape out the front door where sometimes visitors are careless and don't close the door all the way behind them. One such event happened last week. The guilty escapee now does every trick he can to get my attention so I will let him out. He has nudged me, butted heads with me, bitten my toes, rubs in and out of my legs - why he has even marked me and mind you, he has been neutered. Oh well, give him another week or so and he will settle in once again. He's definitely my wild one and a good potential escapee and most importantly, I adore him.

Change in America

I, too, want change in America. We didn't vote Obama into office because of his color. We voted him in because we share his dreams for America. Yes, for America -- not for the color of skin -- for America. Some media and certain shows are playing this up as though it was a racial contest. No such thing! One voter was interviewed and commented, "This is like the civil liberties..." fought in the '60's. Obama was voted in to maintain America's freedom - not for just Black people but for all its people. The media needs to stand back and play down skin color and show Obama's strengths, intelligence and leadership. One of the most historic events can turn into a 3-ring circus if we're not careful.

Remote wars

I watched the election coverage last night with several young people ages 16 to 23.  We constantly fought over the remote.  A few only wanted to watch Stewart and Colbert on the comedy channel.  They believed Obama would win big and wanted to be entertained until the moment of certainty arrived.  There were a few that liked the special channel, tiny boxes on one screen displaying every network that offered coverage.  I tried to see how "cool" it was not to miss anything (as the benefit of this choice was explained to me) but I just felt confused and old.   I simply couldn't see or hear anything.   Since I was the senior senator in the room, I quickly vetoed this choice.  And then there were those that were perfectly fine with a skilled commercial flipping between CNN and MSNBC.  Every time someone usurped control, I felt a certain disloyalty to the people I had been getting my political food from this past year.  These young people I witnessed history with last night (some in school, some with jobs, some without) invaded my space, talked incessantly and laughed throughout the evening.  They were positive about change and how it will be achieved.  They liked that the new president plays basketball.  Seeing these young people engaged in the process (on any channel) makes me believe that the future is in very good hands.  

Yes! We Can, Too!

If California's Proposition 8 passes -- if the people who fear diversity and embrace oppression claim a voting victory -- everyone will lose.
Same sex couples will not disappear nor will they stop seeking equality. A victory for this absurd ballot initiative will only make people who care for justice more determined to seek it and to win it.
The country mandated change tonight. To deny same sex couples the right to marry is regression to a darker time. A country determined to move toward the light will eventually refuse to tolerate all oppression.
So, you YES folk, if you win this round, enjoy your party.
The times they are a changing.
Life yearns for light.

T-Ball for Tiny Tykes

Two years ago I was invited to my adopted Grandson's first T-ball game. The team consisted of ten 3 and 4 year olds. They gathered in the bull pen, giggling, comparing their uniforms and strutting their baseball stuff. Oh I'm sure they felt like big leaguers! After the team mom (my adopted daughter) settled the little ones in batting order on the bench, one at a time they would approach home plate with the help of their dads or moms. They were all so excited about being "real ball players". They kept getting up and down on the bench, runing back and forth. Finally, batter up! The little tykes had no idea who was batting, how they got to home plate, etc. They were extremely hyper. So....most dads or moms walked their little ones to home plate, showed them the stance and hollered when to swing at the ball - it was hilarious. One little boy cried all the way to home plate with his dad tugging him along. His dad helped him hit his first ball and ran with him towards the direction of first base. The little one was so proud that he hit the ball he couldn't help smiling from ear to ear. When they switched to field positions, most of the kids didn't know what to do. After a lot of coaxing from their moms and dads, they sort of got the idea. After a few hours, the kids were really getting tired so much so that some of them were sitting on the ground in the general direction of the area they were supposed to cover. The short stop (my grandson), sat in the same spot with his shoes off, playing with his feet during the entire time he was in the field. I couldn't believe it - my heart was touched to see these little tykes try to act like big leaguers. I am amused when I look back on the pictures I took that day.