It’s been quite the week politically. I have various thoughts rolling around in my brain about it all.

First, I have to start off with the Presidential Debate this past Tuesday. The majority of viewers say that VP Harris did a much better job and I agree. She was the one who went directly up to Trump and shook his hand and she ‘introduced’ herself. They had never met face to face before. So, she immediately looked strong doing that. And respectful.

Kamala was prepared and used her wonderful oratory skills. As a prosecutor she has spent a lot of her career standing before people, stating her case, and speaking directly to who needs to hear it. Although Trump certainly has had endless hours of public speaking – I mean he was president – and he loves an audience, he did not speak without always sounding a bit mad or feeling like he was a target, and he never was able to turn and even speak directly to Harris.

I won’t go through all the standout moments because by now you have heard them. I will say though, in my opinion, Harris had many more coherent thoughts. That’s the least we can hope for our president, right? She spoke of what she wants to work on – on many topics. And she stressed several times that she would do it for ‘the people.’ Yes, all politicians tend to go off subject at times. Both candidates did. Trump had some really weird tangents. The fact checkers said he lied over 30 times during the debate. According to them Harris said one lie.

It bothers me that news people keep saying Harris has to show Americans who she is. I mean, really, don’t citizens have to put in a little effort to learn? It’s so easy these days. Google. Pull up videos on YouTube. Have some responsibility about who you want to lead this country.

Here’s another thing that I’d like to state (again) because it seems to be rhetoric against her as Vice President: Every single vice president who holds that position has little law changing ability. The only time a vice president votes is if there is a tie in the Senate. He/she then gets the deciding vote. The VP also certifies election results. Remember January 6th? Who could forget?!? Also, the vice president spends a lot of time shadowing the president. This is done on purpose so that if the president gets sick, or for another reason cannot carry on, then the VP is ready to step in immediately. So stop saying Harris had 3 1/2 years and did nothing. She did her job.

Other rhetoric that I’d like to mention is how I hear that immigrants are coming in by the millions (yes, millions) and are stealing, raping, taking away jobs, and more. No! It’s not true. Stop saying it is. Most immigrants, legally here or not, want to assimilate and are good, hard working people. They come because they want to live the “American Dream” and raise a family here. Can we find an example or two of someone who has caused trouble? Yes. Are they then amplified as an example? Yes. I can’t believe how people who are often very poor, maybe down on their luck, and even physically threatened, are used as a political punching bag. Stop it. It’s not fair.

So, statistics matter. Be it about the economy, or murders in our country, or numbers who are entering the country. Also, numbers matter about public education and women’s rights to abortions. Independent statistics tell the truth. Look them up. Do not listen to campaign rhetoric. The numbers they say and put in ads are often wrong, by accident or on purpose, and we need to again do a little work to find the truth.

I know that I tune into politics on TV and I read more then many do. As I have stated before, all my life I have had an interest in it, and especially on issues that I think we can change and improve to make all our lives better. I have the time to do it. I want to know. Because of that I get frustrated at times. I want others to be educated about WHO the candidates are – to know their past, their behavior, their party beliefs, and their ideals. Oh, I also know that politicians lie to gain votes. I’m not that naive. Yet, I try to live still hopeful, and I also live in a reality that power and fame too often win over doing the right thing.

I wish more would do the right thing. Politics is not a game.

Media sources have made it a game. They skew stats, they talk about polls non-stop, and they emphasis certain things while ignoring other things. For the media it is all about viewership numbers. Those numbers bring in money.

Media and political campaigns hire specialists to skew, to make fake videos, to make you doubt, and to make you FEAR! They love to do that!

So, we are going to be hearing and seeing it for the next 6 weeks or so. The election is Nov. 5th. Don’t think it will end then. We now have a man who does not accept democracy’s free and fair election results. We have a man who will challenge, and YES LIE, and will continue to make his followers feel sorry for him, to make them think the country is out to get him. He will take NO responsibility himself. He doesn’t know how. He is a psychological narcissist.

How can November 5th turn out differently, and end this ‘era’ (Swiftie love!) of craziness? We need a landslide victory. Short and simple. We need Americans to make a statement. We need to make it where 11,779 votes in Georgia won’t be questioned. We need all those ‘purple’ states to turn blue. This time we do! Enough of this game playing. Enough of the lies. Enough. Then the Republican Party can rebuild and come back to be how they used to be. A two party system is needed again. Then true conservatives can get back to working on ways to better our country with Democrats. Maybe we can get back to bi-partisan laws. Debates. Compromises. All the things our country is known for.

We can honor respectfulness again. We can push for honesty. We can find agreements. This really is an election that is that big and important!

So – vote! There is early voting. Mail in voting. Nov. 5th poll voting. There are no excuses.

Yesterday I was at an event where I met some new people. One of them asked me “Where are you from?” It seems like a simple question. And for many people the answer is really quite easy. They are people who have only lived in one place. They have spent their whole life in a rather small geographical area. So, yes, their answer is easy.

Yesterday I didn’t know how to answer the question “where are you from?” And, as I explained to this person about my different moves over the years, and the different places where I have called home, I realized I did not have ‘that one place’ that I consider the place I come from.

I was born in Columbus, Ohio. Then my family moved to Rockville, Maryland while I was still very young. A toddler. I have no memory at all of living in Columbus. I have a few memories of life in Rockville but I think part of it comes from looking at old photographs and hearing stories. When I was starting elementary school, my family moved to Cleveland Heights, Ohio. I think that is where I have the first recollections in my mind. I remember experiences there. We lived in Cleveland Heights until a move took us to a smaller town in Ohio, Bucyrus, when I entered the 8th grade. We lived there until the summer before my senior high school and my parents went back to Maryland, to the Baltimore area.

I finished high school there (one year). Then I went back to Columbus, Ohio for college – for two years. Unsure of my major and unsure of what I wanted to do I took a year off and worked. And, then I went back to Baltimore where I finished my undergraduate degree at Towson State University.

Are you keeping up with the moves?

After graduation I got my first real job and I continued to live in the Baltimore area. That is, until I fell in love and became engaged and moved to Norfolk, Virginia. My fiancé lived there. But, within a year, as newlyweds, we moved across country for job opportunities for him. We first landed in Redding, California, way up north in the state. After just 2 years, and a job promotion for my hubby, we moved to Pleasanton, California, part of the East bay area near San Francisco.

That’s not all. We kept moving!

We got a great offer on our home in Pleasanton that we could not ignore, so we packed up and moved to Discovery Bay, California. But, our children were little and the East Coast was calling us to go back. We were not even at Discovery Bay for a year.

So, we moved to Marietta, Georgia. First we lived in a rental home, and then we moved into a home we bought there.

Job changes and more opportunities continued and we moved our family to Frederick, Maryland. After a few years another job promotion took us to Sparta, New Jersey. Thankfully, we lived there for all of our daughters’ school years, first through twelfth. After 12 years we headed away from the cold and the snow, and we settled in South Carolina.

Since that time, we have owned a few homes in Pawleys Island and now we are living in the Georgetown area. We are planning no more moves!! It is finally nice to stay put and we have been here in South Carolina almost 20 years.

So – where is home? Where do I call my place?

Well, here, right now, is home. For sure.

Ohio is my birthplace and I have family roots there. But I only lived there on and off during my childhood. I had important years in Maryland too. I had my first adult years (first full time job and first apartment) in Maryland. Does that count?

So, when someone asks me “where are you from?” I truly do not have an answer.

I have considered all of my moves (ok, maybe not the one to NJ) as exciting adventures. Actually, living in New Jersey turned out to be a perfect place for raising our family – with good schools, sports, music education and all that NYC had to offer just an hour away (especially musical theatre and restaurants!)

I sometimes look at those who were born, grew up, and still live in the same place as lucky people. They have deep roots. But, because I have moved so many times I have learned to be flexible. I have learned to live among all kinds of people. I have learned that geography is different but good people are everywhere. I have learned EVERY place has awesome offerings but also problems. I have gotten stronger from all the changes. I will say I started out pretty independent and it has served me well over the years and all the moves.

So, how to answer ‘where are you from?’ I’m still not sure.

A few weeks ago my high school class of 1974 held its 50th class reunion. 50 years!! I did not attend because I live in a different state, and although it would have been fun to see some of the people, it would have been a full weekend of travel so I passed on going.

I should preference this all by saying that my family moved when I was going into my senior year of high school. So, the class that still considers me a member of it, I had left and did not graduate with on stage. So, I really do appreciate that I am still on their rolls, and that I get invited to events. I am on a Facebook group with the class and I occasionally see pictures (thankfully with names attached to the faces. It’s hard to recognize faces 50 years later!)

My reason for this post is because I think about how those fellow classmates have lived 50 years differently from each other. Some have stayed right there in the same small Ohio town. They have worked and raised families there. Some went off to college and never went back. Some excelled and some just got by. Some classmates found a path in life that brought much happiness, and I bet some did not.

Some have already died. As part of the Facebook group I am on I see a list of the deceased members. When a classmate dies it is acknowledged on the page. To tell you the truth a few of them have not surprised me because even back in high school they lived life on the wild side. Some of them had little ambition even then. I could already tell back when we were teenagers. Some had few family or friends pushing for them, supporting them. But others on the deceased list makes me wonder what happened to them. What happened? Was it cancer? An accident?

When I was in high school I had two best girlfriends. We called ourselves the “Three Musketeers” and we sat together every day at lunch, and we went to school dances and games together. We did clubs together: drama club, GAA, French club, etc. We ‘hung’ out away from school, on the weekends and during the summer. Once we three graduated and went on with our own lives we lost daily contact and checked in with annual Christmas cards. Still, we always knew we had a bond. There is something about that time in high school that keeps you connected. 50 years later and we can still remember many funny moments, shared secrets, certain teachers, boy crushes, band trip antics, and more.

50 years since I was a high school student! It amazes me sometimes. So much has changed since then. The whole technology revolution! The instant access to so much information! And – 50 years more of American History! Right? Ha!! I can’t imagine the new stresses on teenagers now-adays . All of the social media interactions and bullying. and, there is the pressure to get into colleges. (By the way, trade schools are awesome – and tradesmen and women are always needed.) The financial burden of education is real. It can be a lifetime payback.

I look back 50 years ago from today and I think back fondly on my high school years. I am lucky that I can. I was not the homecoming queen, or elected a class officer, or the star athlete, or the smart one in the class. I was average. One of many of the Class of ‘74. I blended in. I was not a troublemaker. I liked band and art more than math and science.

I hope teens can enjoy their high school experience today. I hope they can keep everything in perspective. I hope they can appreciate it as a special time in their lives. But, also know, that so much more will happen.

And, I wonder if they can just imagine what this world will look like 50 years from their own graduation – and how they will always be a member of a group, a ‘class’ together!

I just saw on Facebook that Trump is selling fabric swatches from the suit that he wore at the debate with Pres. Biden. When I first saw the post online I figured it had to be made up. I mean, come on!?! So I googled and checked a couple of sites. It’s true. Huh?

There is a catch though. First you have to buy a certain amount of playing cards with his picture on them.

Also, the golden tennis shoes and the Bibles, with the US Constitution and the words to Lee Greenwood’s “I’m proud to be an American” included in it, are still available. I think back in the day these types of men were called carpetbaggers. Scammers. People willing to do anything to take your money.

All of these items can set Trump followers back a pretty penny. None of the items are cheap. Flags. Hats. Shirts too. Aren’t they the ones who want to have him lower their cost of living and turn the economy around? How about you don’t waste money on his merchandise? Huh?

the other day Trump went to Arlington National Cemetery with the family of a war hero. When asked to stay away from a particularly sacred area he and ‘his people’ did not listen and went anyway. The ‘photo opportunity’ was too enticing I guess. Thumbs up! 👍 with a big smile! It is not a surprise from a man who has put down others who have been Prisoners of War (including John McCain), or hurt, or killed in battle defending the US. Oh, and he made fun of those Gold Star parents. Remember that? But people still support him? Huh ?

Oh, and remember when he mocked a disabled man at a rally? That was years ago. That should have been an early indicator. I have not forgotten. Have you? Huh?

Remember when he made up lies about where Pres. Obama was born? And he told stories about Ted Cruz’s father and said his wife was unattractive?

Also, remember when he was found guilty of sexually assaulting E. Jean Carroll in a department store dressing room? He put his hand up her dress for a feel. He has to pay over $88 million in damages. I guess that’s why he is selling his suit swatches. He has unbelievable legal costs! Oh, and remember how he held court each day before going in to that trial and made up lies about it? He put down the judge! Huh?

Here’s one: Remember when he said there were good people on both sides in Charlottesville? That was when white supremists were marching. And remember when he spoke to the crowd of MAGA supporters before they went off to create an insurrection at the Capitol because they wanted VP Pence to stop the final approval of the election? And, then he sat in the White House dining room for 4 hours and watched it on TV? That was a ‘huh’ moment for sure. I mean, what president doesn’t care while watching members of the Capitol police and others get beat up? And also just wait and watch the building, which is the center of democracy, get ransacked? Members of Congress fleeing for their lives. Huh?

Thinking back, remember when he REALLY lost the election (even though he could never admit he did) and pouted and would not attend the Biden inauguration? He was the first president EVER who could not handle ‘the peaceful transition of power’ and welcome the Bidens to the White House. Instead he flew away on his helicopter to avoid it all. A grown man. Not able to accept defeat. Huh?

There are endless ‘huh?’ Moments. The IQ test, the massive amount of “Truth Social” tweets, his love of Hannibal Lector, and more. I think his behavior shows a man unhinged. But…

huh?

Don’t forget he is a felon. He cannot legally own a gun anymore. And, he has other indictments and court cases coming up.

Well, I recently had a little online discussion with someone who basically said to me that none of it matters. To them the character of a person running for president does not matter. They completely don’t care about all of Trump’s bad language, the mean names he calls others, the lies about crowd sizes and everything else, his selling merchandise to raise legal funds, and whatever else he does. It doesn’t matter.

For me, that is the biggest ‘huh?’ Of all.

This past week I felt the joy! 🎉 This past week was a good one, and this is why:

First, the weather took a break from all the heat. For August, often the hottest month of the year, we had a nice little dip in temps. The 80’s felt almost cool! After heat and humidity for weeks it was quite lovely. The mornings even felt ‘brisk’ with a start to the day in 60’s.

I spent 3 days with my granddaughters and their mama and that always gives me joy! 🩷 🩷 There is nothing better in the world than to see those little smiles, and to hear “come play with me Mimi!” I am so blessed to have the opportunity to spend time with all four of my grands. 💙 💙 I definitely don’t take it for granted and I know the days are precious when they are small. They don’t stay that way for long.

A couple of fun moments from this past week with the girls: The 5 month old has gotten smiley now, and out of the blue she did a little giggle! It took me by surprise – and it was a wonderful sound! She is rolling around now and has a new fascination with her toes! Her big sister, Miss Independent, amazes me with her skills. She wants to do things herself! All the time! She puts on her own socks and s hoes. She wants to open things. She wants to cut her food. She tries hard and sometimes she gets frustrated if she can’t complete a task. 3 year olds can be quite emotional! 🤣 😢 😀 Ha! My favorite thing right now is that she and I sleep together in her big bed. She has an earlier bedtime than me (ha) so I sneak in quietly a few hours after she is asleep. I try to be as still as possible, but sometimes she opens her eyes and sees me! And she reaches out and touches me. In the morning we talk in bed, and she checks the window to see if it is daylight because then we can go downstairs and play. And we do!! ☀️

And if that wasn’t enough for a joyful week….

It was also the Democratic National Convention four nights in a row!

I have been watching conventions from the time I was a young girl. I remember watching them on a black & white TV with my mother. Back then there were only 3 networks and of course there was no social media, so the conventions were when we really got to see the candidates and their families. The roll call vote was important because there were no computers. It was when the candidate truly became the nominee. Now it’s more ceremonial. The Democratic roll call at this convention was a huge celebration! 🎉 I have never seen anything like it! And, because I love music so much, I was awed with how the DJ on the stage segwayed to music that was connected with each state. 🎶 🎶 The music brought everyone to a joyful level!

There were certainly somber moments, like when couples affected by infertility, or had to deal with problem pregnancies spoke. And the mothers forever changed from senseless gun deaths of their children. The brother of one of the police officers who lost his life on January 6th. And the Central Park young men who were wrongly accused.

But, even then the feeling of a shared community was strong. Everyone in the arena, and watching at home, felt the pain together.

But the joyful moments came too! 🎉 Some planned. Some unexpected. Many of the speakers, Dems and Republicans, expressed the hope for the future. “We can do it!” The renewed belief that decency can win! 🗳️

Gus Walz standing and shouting “That’’s my dad!” 😊

Common, Lil ‘John, The Chicks, John Legend! 🎶

And, Steve Kerr and Steph Curry – brave to speak out! 🏀

Barack and Michelle Obama!!! ❤️

So many wonderful speakers. Each night brought words of hope for our future, and the feeling that with a unified force we can make changes – if we DO SOMETHING!

One thing that was stressed from speakers during the convention is that Trump and the Republicans would push back, continue to lie, use demeaning names, and continue with rhetoric that promotes fear in their party by calling the Democrats the problem. And, they certainly have gone right back to it. (Not they ever stopped.)

Here’s the thing: a “can do” attitude is SO important. The belief in doing it. The belief in working for a positive change for everyone – it’s joyful! The belief comes first. Then comes the work…. And doing right for and by everybody is joyful!! Having good values and morals brings respect. With it the issues of the country can then move forward, with proper debate and compromise. Not with ego. To do right becomes contagious. That is the Democratic Party right now.

💙 🗳️ 💙

There are many differences on many different issues between the two major political parties, but I believe both of them have the same hope when it comes to the economy. Democrats and Republicans both want a financially healthy country, and they want Americans to have enough money so they can live free of welfare. Both parties want all citizens to work, to pay their bills, and to pay their taxes.

This is common sense, so if you hear something different then you are falling for the fake rhetoric that is out there.

It bothers me because so many MAGA folks and other Republicans say that the economy is their number one issue when it comes to picking a candidate. And, I get it. These people are not wealthy. Most Americans are not. They are often scrapping by, and budgeting their money. They live month to month. One catastrophe (a medical problem, or a natural disaster, or losing a job) could change their lives. They could lose their home. They could find themselves out on the street, relying on the government’s help just to survive. They could overuse credit cards out of desperation and ruin personal credit ratings making it harder to get back on their feet. Lose a car and you lose a way to get to a job. Lose a house and you have no permanent address that is required for employment.

We all know people who have had this happen to them. It’s a real and a scary concern.

But we must remember, our country is based on freedoms and it is also our country that encourages capitalism. Work hard, and you will succeed. So, somehow our politicians have to figure out ways to reduce the pain of the poor, and to give people financial security, and yet keep business owners and their board members free to make the decisions for their companies. These top people want their businesses to thrive, because then they will make lots of money.

This is why I believe when a country like ours runs this way then we MUST have a moral backbone. We must have political leaders who want the business owners and the boards to CARE about their employees. We need to encourage them to see that well paid employees are happy employees, who will then work hard and who stay with the company. But how do we do it? How do we reward those who treat their employees well?

Well, one way is to require a minimum wage that is enough for a person to get themselves out of poverty, to get off of public assistance. Raising the minimum wage so that it reflects inflation (the rising price of housing, utility, food prices) is just common sense to me. If prices go up, then so must pay.

Another way to encourage business owners to take care of their employees is by giving them incentives in tax credits.

Now, if you have stuck with me here so far, you might be saying that small business owners cannot afford to pay their employees a living wage. My response? Then unfortunately they should not be in business. That is capitalism. They cannot be successful without taking care of their employees. They SHOULD NOT be successful without having a moral backbone and a basic concern for them.

Obviously, I am not an economist, or a psychologist, and I know I have a simplistic view about how changes can work. But, I do know, it is not fair for far too many Americans to struggle financially when others live the ‘good life.’ It is not fair that only some get to experience ‘The American Dream.’

What can we do?

First, I think we need to learn about the policies that each party has for ways to improve financial security for all. Which one has really tried to enact laws that will actually provide better for the poor? Pull them up? I also think we need to encourage candidates to state their economic plan. Too many candidates talk about wanting to make lives better without presenting an agenda of ways to make it happen. I can’t help but laugh at Trump’s so called ‘economic speech’ the other day and how he said he had to say something about economics because he was told to…. But, guess what? He never did.

Which party speaks about lifting people up? Which party wants to have the wealthy business owners pay more, just their fair share, in taxes? Which party wants to bring back a “middle class” of people, and get them comfortably out of poverty and back to work to pay for themselves?

Okay. Okay, yes I am partial to the Democrats. I think they grasp a better plan, and I think of them as the ‘peoples’ party.’ All people. But, like I said at the beginning of this musing, both political parties want to have a stronger economy and they want all Americans to enjoy the benefits of it. When we have a place to agree we must do it!

So, we can easily find and see the differences elsewhere (gun control abortion rights, civil rights, educational opportunities) with the two parties – but the economy is not one of them. Democrats and Republicans want the same thing. We must decide which one might achieve the goal better.

Today is the last day of the 2024 summer games, the Olympics, being held in Paris. Did you watch much of it? It seemed like the first week had a bigger audience because it was the gymnastics events, and it is always very popular. The second week had all the water contests and track & field. And, of course there were many other ‘games’ from soccer to basketball to rugby, and ping pong, volleyball, and archery, and more. I felt both male and female events were televised pretty evenly. I’m happy about that.

Sometimes hubby and I just left the TV on and we would walk by and watch a bit of whatever event was airing at that time. Because of that, it was interesting to watch a sport I never thought about before. It also made me think how there are so many people, from all around the world, that work so hard towards winning an Olympic medal. They have other competitions in between but for almost everyone just the chance to participate, and maybe win, in an Olympic event is the epitome of their work and all the time they put into it. It’s wonderful to see the happiness in winning, but as an empathetic person I also feel really sad for those who didn’t get a medal. Some didn’t by tenths of seconds.

Most sports are for young people. And most Olympic sports are not something that will turn into a career and be financially lucrative. Basketball and golf are two exceptions. So, when you think about all the time, and the energy, and money that the athletes devote to their sport, it really is quite amazing.

The Olympics took up a lot of our TV viewing time the past two weeks. I admit at other times I have pseudo-news channels on during the day, and we watch movies or stream TV series at night. Right now we are in the middle of “Presumed Innocent” with Jake Gyllanhal, and it’s a really good ‘who dun it.’ It’s based on the John Grisham book of the same name, and I think I read it a long time ago, but I don’t remember the ending. So, that’s good!

Speaking of reading, yesterday was International Day of Reading. I have two books going right now. I’m reading “The Huntress” by Kate Quinn, and “Who Thought This Was a Good Idea?” By Alyssa Mastromonaco. Two very different books. “The Huntress” is fiction but based on some of the third Reich leaders who escaped after the liberation in Europe. One in particular was a woman, yes, the huntress. The other book I bought just last week, because I think I mentioned earlier that I have been enjoying a podcast called “Hysteria” and Alyssa is one of the podcast hosts. She spent years working first for John Kerry on his campaign, and then on Obama’s campaign – and she stayed with him working in the White House. This book is her autobiography and tells of interesting antidotes from her time in the political world. She is a witty writer. I’m enjoying the book.

I don’t mean to be a ‘book snob’ or really just a person who wants people to read more. But, maybe I am. A case in point this morning on a FB post someone wrote that they blaming Biden for the high gas prices and they wanted Trump back so gas prices would be down again. I have seen this post before online and so I am guessing this thinking comes from some of the conservative rhetoric out there. So, I took the time, googled, and found an article on Gas Buddy, which is an independent, non-political company that monitors gas prices and everything going on in that industry. The article was very clear about how presidents, any presidents, do not have the ability to change gas prices in America. The facts are that it is a global industry, and there is much to consider, like how much is exported vs imported, how much oil is needed vs gasoline refined for transportation, etc., and what is really a simple ‘supply and demand’ equation that can lower or raise the cost. I copied and pasted the article and simply said she should read it. Again, no president on his (or her!) own can change the prices.

We have so much out there pulling us into one of the two sides – and much of it is false. We need to fact check everything. We can’t believe anymore words used, especially what is headlined, without diving deeper. It takes some effort. But we must do it. We can’t be pawns to the whole political game out there. It’s worse than a game… it’s destructive in many ways.

So…. READ!!!

At least then you can have a real conversation and not look like a lazy person not interested in knowing the truth.

New topic:

It’s August already. I feel like I usually do this time of year, and that is that summer has gone by too quickly. Many schools have started back, and yes, they are on a year-round tracking program, but still when mid-August arrives I wonder what happened to June and July? What did I do during those months?

Community band rehearsals start up this week. We get our Fall and Winter music. Lots of patriotic songs for Veterans’ Day. Then the wonderful holiday music for our December concert. If you are local and are interested in playing, let me know. I’ll meet you at rehearsal and help get you set up.

Football is about to start up too! Well, preseason NFL games have already begun, but come the first of September college football and the pros will be back on the field. It’s something I really enjoy! As I say every year at this time: Go Gamecocks! Maybe this is the year! Let’s do it!

Happy rest of your Sunday to my readers. Thanks for taking the time to check in with me. 😊 ❤️

Yesterday was a joyful day. Politically. I was already excited about Kamala Harris on the top of the presidential ticket and how she has brought renewed energy among all Democrats. Yesterday, when Ms. Harris announced Tim Walz as her running mate I did a quick deep dig into him, and I got to say I really like what I see!

I think most people learned yesterday that he is a midwestern man, a military man, who spent years as a social studies teacher, and as a high school football coach. He became the teacher advisor for the school’s newly organized student group for gay individuals. Students suggested he run for public office and so he did. He then served in the US Congress before becoming the governor in Minnesota. The guy has a wonderful, varied background.

While governor he passed a law to make sure all Minnesota schools offer free breakfast and lunch to public school students. He knew how important being physically fed is required to nurture the mind. He cares for teachers and students. He codified abortion rights in the state, which means women’s rights in Minnesota can never be taken away. He stated yesterday that he and his wife used IVF for starting a family.

Yesterday I watched the rally in Philadelphia when Harris introduced Walz to the country. It was a spirited event! It was uplifting! The crowd was energetic. Both Harris and Walz spoke articulately about hopeful change and progress for America. At one point Walz said to the people there that Ms. Harris brings joy wherever she goes, and that was a lovely thing to say! I want a president who is happy, and one who is looking to making America better. I don’t see that on the other side. In fact there was not much happiness anywhere for a while. Instead there were lots of complaints. Lots of depressing rhetoric. Negativism. People were going low…. Feeling low.

Now I realize that there is a lot more to being a good president besides being a positive person. I think a president needs experience in government, in rational decision making, and needs to handle adversaries diplomatically. A president needs to represent us all with dignity, and a president needs to listen to smart advisors. When a president is open to learning then we all rise higher from it. Better choices are made.

Joy is a good thing! We all want to feel it and we want our leaders to serve with it. There is nothing wrong with feeling joy. I think about a book I recently read about feeling awe in life. We strive for it. The emotions of joy and awe are wonderful! The Olympics are happening now and we are getting to watch the athletes feel immense joy and awe.

So, I feel joy this morning. Politically, not everyday will feel that way for sure. The meanness is still very much out there. Just yesterday Trump posted on X calling many people (his opponents) nasty nicknames, as he usually does. People will still be vicious. Lies will be told. I stay off the media outlets that spew it.

But, I have got to say – man, it’s good to feel a little joy this morning. It’s nice to feel excited about future leaders, and that maybe, just maybe, we may be turning a corner on being better in our politics.

There has been all kinds of research done over many years that show that babies who hear music have greater brain development. Listening to music at a very young age stirs many different parts of the brain, including the areas where they learn about emotions. Babies and toddlers are human sponges and by putting music into their young lives it sparks their language and they learn audio patterns. Music is actually their first language, before understanding words.

I’m thinking about this right now because lately I have seen the beauty of music in the young lives of my own grandchildren. My 6 1/2 year old grandson twins have had music at bedtime for years. Their mama started humming to them “Somewhere over the Rainbow” years ago as a way to wind down, along with reading a bedtime story. When they got into bed and then heard the song (now it’s sometimes played on Mama’s phone – the Israel kamakawiwo version with a ukulele) there are big yawns, and eye rubs, as the boys cuddle into their beds.

At times when they visit here, I read a book called “Peace Train” to them which is a beautifully illustrated book of the words of the Cat Stevens’ song. After reading it we listen to the song too. Music is calming.

Oh, and over the years I have watched the boys ‘happy dance’ to all kinds of fun music! I continue to dance and I know the benefits that come from it, mentally and physically. Both the parents of the boys stress their own love of music through playing and enjoying it.

My 3 year old granddaughter has also experienced music from her earliest days. Her Mama and Dada play music in the car, all kinds, and she sings along. The other day her Mama videoed her totally into the music while she sat in her car seat. I will try and attached the video here.

Eyes closed, listening, swaying, feeling the music of Luke Combs while in the car. What a beautiful thing!

I admit that this Mimi is a big advocate of anything to do with music in a little one’s life because it was a part of my own childhood. I took piano lessons. I started flute in 4th grade in school and I played it throughout the rest of my school days. I was in concert band and marching band. It became part of my identity. And even now, as a woman in her 60’s, I have music in my life because it brings me such joy.

So, seeing my little grandchildren expressing themselves through music at their young ages makes me happy. I know it’s a life long love.

Start them out with “Twinkle Twinkle” (with hand motions) and other little nursery songs. Cocomelon is ALL music! Then there are so many wonderful musical movies for children out there, old and new. My little granddaughter loves to sing ‘bip-a-Dee, bop-a-Dee, boo!’ From Cinderella and lots of songs from “Beauty and the Beast.”

Music makes children happy! They feel it and they move with it. They do the hand motions and they dance! They giggle!

And remember: Music is a way for grownups to connect with their babies and children. Lullabys for sleeping, funny songs for teaching and laughing, songs with dance moves. Do it with them! It’s the best!!

The past month has me thinking about when people die. Not how they die. Or why they die. But WHEN they die and if it’s sometimes just a sad accident vs. God’s timing.

First, I think about my dad who died at the age of 97. Dad had lived longer than he really wanted to live. I remember hearing him call out to God to take him after he was hurting so much when he needed hip surgery at 96 years old. His quality of life had passed. He spent endless hours sitting with the TV on, dozing, probably playing memories over and over in his head, and waiting.

Then, last week tragedy struck locally when a 17 year old, a rising high school senior, and a basketball star, got caught up in a strong riptide in the ocean and could not escape it. It took a day for his young body to wash up on the shore.

Just the other day a man who had served our country proudly over in Afghanistan and Iraq, and had earned medals, took his own life by jumping off the bridge between my town Georgetown, and Pawleys Island. He had PTSD and could not stop thinking about the horrors he saw in war. He could not overcome it, and he could not find peace back home.

And last, we all watched the assassination attempt on Donald Trump that took the life of a man who was firefighter and a father. He was in the stands behind Trump at a rally. He was there to support the candidate and to share the experience with his family. He died sheltering them from bullets.

These deaths were all very different. All of them but my Dad’s passing were unexpected. At least they were to most people.

But, were they unexpected to God?

It’s been a conversation happening because Trump’s close call has some people saying ‘it was not his time’ and that ‘God has big plans for him.’ They believe Trump was spared for a reason, and directly by the Almighty. Some people believe we all have a clock ticking and our time is planned, and we need to be ready.

As a Christian, I agree that we always need to be ready. Don’t put off for tomorrow what we need to do today. Confess our sins. Say we are sorry when we have errored and hurt others. Use today for some good. Share the Good News of God’s promise for an everlasting life beyond our time on earth.

I cannot say for certain that God does not plan how long our time on earth will be. I mean, God doesn’t have to live on a linear line of days like we do. God is ‘timeless’ and all knowing. He sees the big picture and He also sees minute motions we go through.

We all have a personal relationship with God. I know you have heard this before. God knows YOU! And, He knows YOU are unique and different from everyone else. So, the connection I feel, my gut feel, with God, is one that says I am given free will and I make my own decisions. Some decisions might save me. Some might lead me to my death. Every day I make choices and some are for my own safety. Yet I know I can’t keep myself totally out of harm’s way. And I don’t know if my body, which seems healthy, will turn on me. I could get hit by a car – or I could have a stroke. The young man who went swimming for enjoyment certainly didn’t think a riptide would take his life last week. The dad at the rally didn’t know a shooter would gun him down on Saturday.

Did God know? If so, did God make a choice NOT to save them? And did God somehow push Trump by a fraction of an inch to save him a more direct and deadly hit?

I don’t know. I believe in divine intervention but I don’t think it’s always obvious or grand. I believe we feel nudges at times. I believe we can also have ‘aha’ moments too.

But is God behind the events that take our lives? Are we just God’s puppets?

I know God heard my Dad’s cries. Did God purposely wait? Did God see the boy in the riptide and not give him enough strength to get out of it? Did God see the man on the bridge fighting visions of horror, and let him hop over into the water? Did God know ahead of time the man at the rally was right where bullets would fly?

I don’t think anyone has the answers. I certainly don’t. But, I don’t think God just picks and chooses. What I do believe though is that when people do die that God is there. God is with the person ‘passing’ on to what is next. God is with the family and friends who mourn. God brings love to sad times. God gives peace when emotions are raw. God comforts. God gives hope. Ask, and you will receive it from God.

That is how we get through dealing with death whenever it comes.

Be it an accident, a planned finish, or a body wearing out in old age.

WHEN is not planned, but WHO is there when it happens and that means everything.