"I Like Being Old. It Has Set Me Free."

I would never trade my amazing friends, my wonderful life, my loving family for less gray hair or a flatter belly. As I've aged, I've become kinder to myself, and less critical of myself. I've become my own friend. I don't chide myself for eating that extra cookie, or for not making my bed, or for buying that silly cement gecko that I didn't need, but looks so avante garde on my patio. I am entitled to a treat, to be messy, to be extravagant.

I have seen too many dear friends leave this world too soon, before they understood the great freedom that comes with aging.

Whose business is it if I choose to read or play on the computer until 4 AM and sleep until noon? I will dance with myself to those wonderful tunes of the 60's &70's 50's & 60's, and if I, at the same time, wish to weep over a lost love .. I will.



I will walk the beach in a swim suit that is stretched over a bulging body, and will dive into the waves with abandon if I choose to, despite the pitying glances from the jet set. They, too, will get old.

I know I am sometimes forgetful. But there again, some of life is just as well forgotten. And I eventually remember the important things.

Sure, over the years my heart has been broken. How can your heart not break when you lose a loved one, or when a child suffers, or even when somebody's beloved pet gets hit by a car. But broken hearts are what give us strength and understanding and compassion. A heart never broken is pristine and sterile and will never know the joy of being imperfect.


I am so blessed to have lived long enough to have my hair turning gray, and to have my youthful laughs be forever etched into deep grooves on my face. So many have never laughed, and so many have died before their hair could turn silver.

As you get older, it is easier to be positive. You care less about what other people think. I don't question myself anymore. I've even earned the right to be wrong.

So, to answer your question, I like being old. It has set me free. I like the person I have become. I am not going to live forever, but while I am still here, I will not waste time lamenting what could have been, or worrying about what will be. And I shall eat dessert every single day (if I feel like it).

MAY YOU ALWAYS HAVE A RAINBOW OF SMILES ON YOUR FACE AND IN YOUR HEART FOREVER AND EVER!

From my daughter-in-law. Thank you, C. This is one of the nicest presents that I have received in my whole life.

Azaleas In Bloom

Above, for your pleasure, as a go-to-sleep picture or a wake-up picture, depending on where you live, is an azalea bush in full bloom in our back garden.

Today Grandpère and I, along with our daughter, took five children to the Audubon Zoo in New Orleans. We had a lovely time, and now I am home and exhausted. I'll write more about our adventure later.

Below is a back view of the gang, excluding me, at the zoo.

For Doxy

From Smiley Anders column in The Advocate:

The economy is so bad that some people must get out their Greenspan and cook poke sallet.

More Good News On Roseann

Dear Mimi,

I've just spoken with Roseann, and to my relief she sounds so much better, we were even sharing a laugh. She is still being treated for the original infection, but she felt so much better after the dialysis today. The nuclear medicine scan that was done showed a deep contusion of the bone. No Break. She is still receiving pain medicine, and that will probably be for a short while longer.

I can't begin to tell you how relieved I am for her.. Pass this on to Maddy please, and again I thank you so much for being willing to help pass on these notes.
Blessings,

Sue

Sue, I'm honored to pass the word on to our blogging community and especially pleased when the news is good. Thank you for keeping us informed.

Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. Let your gentleness be known to everyone. The Lord is near. Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:4-7

Jindal Is The New Bill Clinton

How the mighty have fallen. And newspapers wonder why they are losing readers. I know, I know. I'm beating this subject to death, but it's not every day that our guy fails so spectacularly. Sadly, it's getting to be a regular thing for the Washington Post writers to get it very wrong.

From Michael Gerson at the Washington Post:

Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal -- selected to deliver the Republicans' Fat Tuesday response to President Obama -- might also be voted the man least likely to let the good times roll. Slight, earnest, deeply religious and supremely wonkish, Jindal resembles neither his flamboyant predecessors as governor nor his reveling, 30-something contemporaries on Bourbon Street.

You can say that again. But wait!

Some have compared Jindal to Obama, but the new president has always been more attracted to platitudes than to policy. Rush Limbaugh has anointed Jindal "the next Ronald Reagan." But Reagan enjoyed painting on a large ideological canvas. In person, Jindal's manner more closely resembles another recent president: Bill Clinton. Like Clinton (a fellow Rhodes scholar), Jindal has the ability to overwhelm any topic with facts and thoughtful arguments -- displaying a mastery of detail that encourages confidence. Both speak of complex policy issues with the world-changing intensity of a late-night dorm room discussion.
....

At this point in the election cycle, no Republican can be considered more than the flavor of the month. But this is an appealing one.

I'd wager Gerson didn't watch the speech before he wrote his column. What's missing from the comparison is the total lack of charisma on Jindal's part. Clinton engaged as he policy-wonked.

A late-night dorm discussion? Does Gerson have the right stuff to be a columnist for a major newspaper?

And yes, I do know that President Obama gave a fine State of the Union speech last night.

Faux News Didn't Like Jindal's Speech

From Think Progress:

BRIT HUME: “The speech read a lot better than it sounded. This was not Bobby Jindal’s greatest oratorical moment.”

NINA EASTON: “The delivery was not exactly terrific.”

CHARLES KRAUTHAMMER: “Jindal didn’t have a chance. He follows Obama, who in making speeches, is in a league of his own. He’s in a Reagan-esque league. … [Jindal] tried the best he could.”

JUAN WILLIAMS: “It came off as amateurish, and even the tempo in which he spoke was sing-songy. He was telling stories that seemed very simplistic and almost childish.”

When you're a Republican, and you've lost the members of the panel at Faux News, you're in deep doodoo.

Think Progress has a compilation of the "lowlights" of Jindal's speech on video at the link above.

"...You Are Dust...."

...We acknowledge and bewail our manifold sins and wickedness, which we from time to time most grievously have committed, by thought, word, and deed....
(Book of Common Prayer, p. 331)

We didn't pray the "Confession of Sin" from the Rite One Eucharist, but it would have been fine with me if we had. I like the old prayers from time to time. My sins and wickedness are surely manifold, and it's a good thing for me to occasionally acknowledge that to be so. I'm feeling sorry and determined to do better, and clean and shriven, at least for the moment.

As I left church today, I told the rector that I was rid of my manifold sins and wickedness, and he laughed and said, "Yeah, for 5 minutes". I think he's on to me.

Update On Sunny - "Life Is Uncertain"

Sunny received a heart transplant a few days ago.

Sunny update:

Mom reports that Sunny opened her eyes and Mom told her she had her new heart for 36 hours. Her eyes got really big and Mom asked "are you happy?" and Sunny nodded "yes."

If all goes well, assist pump comes out of the aorta today and perhaps Sunny comes off ventilator as well. Prayers must be working.

GN

Thanks be to God and all who prayed or sent good wishes.

Ash Wednesday - "God Be Merciful...."

"Ash Wednesday" - Carl Spitzweg

He also told this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous and regarded others with contempt: ‘Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax-collector. 11The Pharisee, standing by himself, was praying thus, “God, I thank you that I am not like other people: thieves, rogues, adulterers, or even like this tax-collector. I fast twice a week; I give a tenth of all my income.” But the tax-collector, standing far off, would not even look up to heaven, but was beating his breast and saying, “God, be merciful to me, a sinner!” I tell you, this man went down to his home justified rather than the other; for all who exalt themselves will be humbled, but all who humble themselves will be exalted.’

Luke 18:9-14

Almighty God, you have created us out of the dust of the earth: Grant that these ashes may be to us a sign of our mortality and penitence, that we may remember that it is only by your gracious gift that we are given everlasting life; through Jesus Christ our Savior. Amen.

Imposition of ashes:

Remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return.

Break A Leg, Governor Jindal!

Piyush (Bobby) Jindal

Dear Governor Jindal,

I saw you on the TV when you said that you will take all but 1% (give or take a percentage or two) of Louisiana's portion of the stimulus package, because you stand on the principle that the federal government is spending too much money. Some might say that a principled stand would be to refuse the entire amount. Some might say that if you take any of the money and continue to criticize the stimulus bill, then you are a hypocrite. I would never say that.

I am sooo looking forward to your eloquent words which will follow the SOTU speech. I've heard you speak live, and I'd only urge you to slow down a bit and not include a litany of facts and figures that will send most viewers reeling.

Remember, too, that many of your constituents may be drunk or sleeping off their Mardi Gras revels by the time you get your TV time. Have you forgotten your constituents? You're a traveling man now, raising money for "your next term as governor", but we're still here waiting for you to remember that you are governor of our state, which is in dire need of leadership, what with the budget deficit and all. We make allowances for you now that you are a star on the national stage, but a little TLC from time to time would be greatly appreciated by the folks back home in Louisiana.

Respectfully,

Louisiana Citizen Mimi

UPDATE: Louisiana Sen. David Vitter, of consorting-with-prostitutes fame, another brilliant Rhodes scholar, comments on Jindal's speech:

Bobby offered a compelling positive alternative to empower people and does not simply grow the government.

Yes, senator, and up is down, and black is white, etc., etc., etc.