Which candidate could see Russia from their house?

I thought this was interesting. Funny too. I would even have been fooled by one or two of these.



Now,friends who supported Obama, please don't get mad at me. The media just didn't give us the whole story (and when do they?). I think this is an indictment of the media's election coverage rather than any statement about the candidates themselves.

And for you non-Obama supporters here's a reminder I think we all could need:

Be subject to every human institution for the Lord’s sake, whether to a king as supreme or to governors as those he commissions to punish wrongdoers and praise those who do good. For God wants you to silence the ignorance of foolish people by doing good. Live as free people, not using your freedom as a pretext for evil, but as God’s slaves. Honor all people, love the family of believers, fear God, honor the king. (1 Peter 2:13-17)

registration

Today I drove all the way to Germantown (which I hadn't realized was so far away) to register for A&P. After 3 back tracks, and a lengthy call to Walter involving me telling him exactly which streets I was passing and some quick tracking on google maps, I made it to my meeting. I walked in, said hi, signed a paper, signed a check, and walked out. 5 minutes tops. An hour each way.

lotus

today i stayed home from church sick. i was scheduled for sunday school and instead of infecting 13 kids with a week long illness i watched 3 foreign films and found blogs from old college friends.

the films left me wondering: if the world is really such a horrid place, what can we do about it? and why is it still so beautiful? so intoxicating?

the blogs made me wish for college and a chance to do that over. but since we don't get do overs it made me ache for close, thoughtful friendships in the here and now.

one quote from my morning: learn to live like the lotus flower, untouched by the murky water in which it grows.

Happy 4th!

I'm excited about Election Day! I voted early and now it's time to just sit back and enjoy the show. This is the first election I've participated in. Last time I was in Israel (which added a whole different, exciting, and important feel to the election but...). Postage from Israel is expensive. Illinois didn't provide the postage for my absentee ballot and I failed to plan (plus, they don't count absentee ballots... hardly ever). So this is a first. Very exciting.

Wally & I will be heading to Chris & Dorothy's for dinner and some games (actually, i'm headed there to babysit and THEN election day fun). On our way I'm going to be sure that we stop at Starbucks for free coffee!! (whether you vote or not, apparently) :) yay!

The Front Fell Off

This just made Walter laugh and laugh.
Thought you might enjoy it too.
(note: walter has kinda a dry, quirky sense of humor)
((also, i laughed at it too))

Sense of Smell

You know those silly surveys you get thru email? Well I had a realization last night:

I love the smell of the laundry vent from outside.

You know when someone is washing clothes and you walk out and can smell the dryer sheets and soap in the warm air escaping out the back? This is one of my favorite smells. I never remember this smell when I'm asked in surveys. It's one that I typically only remember in the moment. That moment was last night as I walked out of Dorothy's home. I had to stop and just breath it in.

They say that the sense of smell is attached most strongly to memory. I'm not sure if there's a specific memory attached to this one but there definitely is something psychological going on here. I can walk outside body tense and mind stressed and immediately it slips away. It's almost an involuntary action that I seem to relax my shoulders and smile. Last night I almost raised my arms to help me breath in more deeply. I don't think I can explain just how much I love (and how surprised I am-each time- by) this smell. But I just wanted to put that out there.

What are some of your favorite smells and do you have a memory attached? Tell me about them. (please) :)

FALL!

i don't have much time to say hi to y'all like i should. today is now grocery day (i set up a weekly schedule courtesy of fly lady) and i need to get a move on. but here are two quick and happy thoughts:

1. My dogs are home!! they've been boarding at the vet for 3 weeks now (oh my!) to get treated for heartworms. it's so nice to have them home. when i first saw them they looked odd to me. out of proportion almost. they have such broad shoulders and muscle-y butts. they are beasts! such sweeties tho'.

2. I'm getting supplies for a cute craft. And by supplies i mean construction paper. But really, this is a cute one. I'm excited to put some together this evening and see how they turn out.

& here's where i found it.

oh and 3 (i said two... but who will really complain?): Wally's building an airplane even as we speak. it's a little remote control one. he's pulled out the parts on a ready to fly version and is making his own "flying wing" version. i'll have to take pictures of the process.

OH! (4:) And today is a wonderfully fall-like day. It's rainy outside and cool. I can look out our living room to our deck (for which walter just built a railing yesterday), aunt janet's hanging impatien plant, and the soy bean and rice fields. while walter and i cleaned we watched dead poet's society. i got to sit down with some hot spiced cider and watch the end in peace in a clean cozy room! you can't ask for much more. :)