25 days--can we just start now!?

With all of the frenzy over the weather, the holidays arriving, you look away and then look back: it's less than four weeks away until the Obama inauguration! 25 days!!
Information abounds about all of the new appointments, new faces, new influences on the soon-to-be Obama administration. I liked this link I found today as a quick reminder, overview for the whole team (even though there was music involved!); have a feeling that I'll return for a reminder here & there as things get 'underway'.
The annual poll 'who do you admire most' just conducted has Obama far ahead of any other (over 35%)--which is a great place to be starting a 'trial-by-fire' term. (First time since Eisenhower that an incoming president-elect filled that slot. Of note, GW Bush is 2nd (5%) & J McCain is 3rd (about 3%), and Sarah Palin is 2nd for most admired women (about 11%). Dang--still! Hillary, however, still reigns in the #1 spot--and has mostly maintained that spot for over fifteen years. Again, a good thing for the incoming administration that 'the public' starts with good thoughts at the beginning of what certainly will be a long slog.
I was reminded this week that not all of us were winners on the home front in November. My Arizona brother pointed out that even though collectively we all gain from Janet Napolitano moving to the Obama cabinet, the governor's seat will revert from blue to red at home; and Senator/candidate McCain had some coat tails at home which moved the state legislature to firmly red both houses. The Arizona flip flop from blue to red to blue over & over is not a new surprise, but it is disappointing that our national gain enhanced their loss at home.
In other national winner/loser catch up, however, we may have gotten a Christmas eve present from the Minnesota supreme court: it looks like Al Franken may really be 'the one', can you believe it? Although the certification of the election (which will surely have court battles to follow) is not expected until after New Years, Franken is now 46 votes ahead. So the 'unknown' senators are narrowing down.

In Memorium

Another amazing woman--a true pioneer & role breaker for all of us--passed away yesterday. As long as I can remember, Eartha Kitt was so vital, so positive, so sensual. She was open about the challenges of being a mixed-race child of a single mother but never bitter (at least publicly) or apologetic. At the time, I was a bit disdainful of her taking the Cat Woman part on Batman (the series), but in hindsight--it must have been a hoot, and a risky, bold thing to do. She will always trump Madonna on 'Santa Baby' in my book!
And it sadly is a season for paying honor, as Harold Pinter also passed away this week. Also such an influence on my generation--not just as a playwright, writer, but an activist willing to speak his mind. I'm so glad that he received the Nobel while he could still revel in the fact that he was respected & admired on a grand scale.

Merry Christmas!!

The Arctic Blast!

This winter stuff is getting CRAZY! We've had snow on the ground for a week now (an uncommon occurrence in Puget Sound). It has been just beautiful, although brutal at times. We've had temps down in the teens at night and the snow accumulation has been ten inches or more, depending on where you are on the island. Many days of minimal car travel & the kids around town have been having a blast sledding, building snow forts, etc.
It can be Grinch inspiring in the work world--trying to figure out how to get people's needs met--but all in all, it's been relatively OK. Since I'm closest to the office--I've had a few wild & woolly days being mostly on my own with the usual daily grind, but everyone has tried hard to do what they can--and that's all you can ask. No power outages as yet--the dire predictions of extremely high winds did not come to pass. The dog & cat have been pretty clear they are staying inside, except for extreme potty breaks or (in Cassie's case) a quick romp in the new skiffs. Definitely a good time to catch up on reading, baking, decorating & movies.
Christmas will be here sooon! I took a couple of hours to make some simple pillow covers to add a little holiday cheer--they were fun. Think I might make some for the holiday sale next year!

Much to be Thankful for!

Wow--this month is really scooting by! So many events since posting last.
We had a great Thanksgiving holiday--lots of food, family fun, and relaxation was had by all.
Thanks to everyone who traveled so far to be together for a brief time. It was great to catch up, share news & hugs, and play awhile. I love it when we have enough on hand to put the leaf in the table!
It was our first chance to see the 'newlyweds', Joe & Amy--that was a treat. The wedding quilt had just come off the quilting machine before their arrival.

So we 'presented' it, but I wasn't able to send it to it's new home quite yet, as it still needed binding, a hanging sleeve (just in case...) and a label. Those tasks are almost finished so it will be mailed very soon after Christmas--sorry guys!
Just a note about the quilt: it's a one-block-wonder creation (the lower right panel is the original fabric). It went together much better in the 'trip-tic' format and was much fun to design. My friend, Arlene, quilted it--and did some great work; there's even a little quilted crane in the lower left side!

We're gearing up for the next holiday fun fest--it will be here before we know it!

Odetta

I was saddened to hear today of Odetta's death yesterday. She was such an influence on me--and many/most of us. If there is any blessing: she performed right up to the end, she shared with us every minute she could. What an incredible woman. "It was in those songs I could get my fury and anger and hate out," Odetta said in a 2005 interview. "When I was that furious and singing, it was overpowering. But in singing through those emotions, it really did heal me." Pete Seeger & Harry Belafonte helped her get her start--and one of her first 'causes' was to work on freeing the Rosenburgs. She had released an album recently, and I heard her interviewed not long ago on NPR. She was still so vital, so resolute, so committed. She certainly will live on in our actions & our hearts.