Presidential Directive

As Luci gets older I begin to think a lot about her education; what kind of values I want to teach her, how I will explain or talk to her about difficult issues like violence on TV and in life, or sex. More than anything I think about teaching her respect, toward people, toward other's possessions, toward the environment.

But I am running into a conundrum. I am not sure I know how to talk to her about politics.

Actually, I take that back. I have very strong opinions right now and I know exactly how I want to talk to her about politics. I'm just not sure I should let all those views fly at my little girl quite so early.

I am scared/curious/angry about the National Security Presidential Directive that just came out of the White House in early May, and was recently signed into law. I think more people need to know about this, since a google search revealed NOTHING except links to several blogs and the actual directive itself. NO news coverage!?! This baffles me considering that it states that in the case of "any incident, regardless of location, that results in extraordinary levels of mass casualties, damage, or disruption severely affecting the U.S. population, infrastructure, environment, economy, or government functions" the president would assume control of all three branches of government in order to coordinate relief and better respond to the incident. It also states that this incident could be the result of disrupted technology, a natural disaster, attack on the nation.

I think a lot of people rely on the news in order to educate themselves about what is going on in our country and our world. And why not? Isn't that what the news is for? But when something like this gets missed I begin to wonder if I, if anyone, is doing enough to educate themselves so that we can be responsible and active citizens who question our government and make good decisions when we go to the polls to let our voices be heard.

We can't change the world if we don't know what's going on, can we?

Attention: Women I know and love, moms especially

Because I love you all
and because today a woman I admire
wrote a column that sums up exactly how I feel.
She is an intelligent and beautiful spirit
who understands the line we all must walk
between being a mom and a woman,
a poop-cleaner and a temptress;
between being what everyone needs,
and being alone sometimes.
Tatiana Von Tauber read my mind today,
and knowing someone else feels the same way
(and has the same problems with her kid and toilet paper)
somehow makes the world a little better.

Check it out:
http://www.theeroticwoman.com/members/features/columns/view.cfm?id=73

Reasons to Smile

Swimming: The Giant's View

Mother's Day

Mother's Day 2006 -- our first

Mother's Day 2007:

No pictures, sorry. In short, it was a busy but productive day spent shopping, gardening, fixing sprinklers, and at softball practice. I sat on the couch in the evening sore, smiling, and happy to have my Mike, my bean, and my Nana and Papa comfortably nestled in the same house.

Our weekend

These pics are from two weeks ago (last weekend in April). I was sick over Cinco de Mayo (damn it!) as was the Bean. Mike avoided it for the most part (damn him!). Anyway, I thought I'd share.

"Yes, mom, I am thoroughly bored with this form of digital entertainment."

"But sure, I'll pose for a couple."

"Wanna see my belly?"

Her new thing is wrapping her stuffed snake around her stomach and wandering around the house. Sometimes she grabs one of my shawls and drapes that around her shoulders too. All I can think of is Madam Sinistra at the circus.

And of course, what do we love to do best on weekends? Sleep on the dog! (mmm...fuzzy)