I watched that motorcade leave Hyannisport and travel all the way into Boston. People all over the place--on bridges, under bridges, stopping their cars (even those going in the opposite direction), on corners, in windows--then the motorcade travels into the heart of Southie on its way to Day Boulevard. A ghost town--no one out/no one visible. I resist with all my strength drawing any stereotypical conclusions. You all should be glad that they are contained in my head.
Sayonara
Friday, August 28, 2009
Thursday, August 27, 2009
MEOW
At first, I thought I should say some things about Ted Kennedy. But, after watching TV last evening with Barbara, I realized I had very little to add. It is enough to say that it is an enormous loss and that I believe the Health Care Initiative would not be on life support if he had been around these past months.
Then I realized we lost someone else yesterday. Someone more personal that a lot of you knew. When Jessica went off to Ann Arbor, her really wise parents decided she needed to be "replaced" so that her loss would not traumatize Anna too much. So the four of us went to a house (I think on Tappan Street in Brookline) to look at a litter of cats. One of them had hair sticking up all over the place and was obviously Spike. Or after some thought he became Spike. Ironically, and quite sadly, the cat's owner had just dealt with the death of his own adolescent son in an unspeakable accident. So his loss was much different/more permanent than ours.
Well yesterday, Spike was put to sleep by his step parents Eve and Steve. He was, as close as we can figure, nearly, or a bit more, than 19. It is virtually the same time of year that we got him since it was just before Jessica's trip to college. Anna was his wonderful "parent"/companion. She was never quite sure if his "grandparents"(that would be me and Barbara)shared her intense love of Spike and even had some questions when she took her Midwest college adventure if we could adequately provide for Spike. We convinced her we were up to the task. Anna was truly his advocate/guardian/companion--though I was Spike's medical assistant and litter box manager. Barbara worried about Spike much like she worries about the rest of us.
The other two people who were central to Spike's life were Eve and Steve. When Jessica moved home from Germany, Spike went to live in the suburbs with them because Jess and Steffen were allergic to him. Lilli loved to visit him down there in Canton though, unlike the rest of us, he showed very little interest in her. Steve and Eve were worthy foster parents and certainly reached the high standards expected by Anna (which she was never/ever quite sure Barbara and I met). They loved him and helped him and had to deal with these last months when he was really failing.
So, in some crazy way, we will connect Spike's death to the death of Ted Kennedy. Spike's loss was as expected as Kennedy's. I find myself wondering if even comparing the loss of a cat to the loss of a person is fair--truth be told (sorry, Anna)it surprises me that I am even feeling Spike's loss so intensely. I do believe Anna,Steve, and Eve have lost someone close and special in a far more intimate manner than the loss of Ted Kennedy. Spike was truly special to them; but they were very special in their treatment of him as well. A sad day all around.
Sayonara
Then I realized we lost someone else yesterday. Someone more personal that a lot of you knew. When Jessica went off to Ann Arbor, her really wise parents decided she needed to be "replaced" so that her loss would not traumatize Anna too much. So the four of us went to a house (I think on Tappan Street in Brookline) to look at a litter of cats. One of them had hair sticking up all over the place and was obviously Spike. Or after some thought he became Spike. Ironically, and quite sadly, the cat's owner had just dealt with the death of his own adolescent son in an unspeakable accident. So his loss was much different/more permanent than ours.
Well yesterday, Spike was put to sleep by his step parents Eve and Steve. He was, as close as we can figure, nearly, or a bit more, than 19. It is virtually the same time of year that we got him since it was just before Jessica's trip to college. Anna was his wonderful "parent"/companion. She was never quite sure if his "grandparents"(that would be me and Barbara)shared her intense love of Spike and even had some questions when she took her Midwest college adventure if we could adequately provide for Spike. We convinced her we were up to the task. Anna was truly his advocate/guardian/companion--though I was Spike's medical assistant and litter box manager. Barbara worried about Spike much like she worries about the rest of us.
The other two people who were central to Spike's life were Eve and Steve. When Jessica moved home from Germany, Spike went to live in the suburbs with them because Jess and Steffen were allergic to him. Lilli loved to visit him down there in Canton though, unlike the rest of us, he showed very little interest in her. Steve and Eve were worthy foster parents and certainly reached the high standards expected by Anna (which she was never/ever quite sure Barbara and I met). They loved him and helped him and had to deal with these last months when he was really failing.
So, in some crazy way, we will connect Spike's death to the death of Ted Kennedy. Spike's loss was as expected as Kennedy's. I find myself wondering if even comparing the loss of a cat to the loss of a person is fair--truth be told (sorry, Anna)it surprises me that I am even feeling Spike's loss so intensely. I do believe Anna,Steve, and Eve have lost someone close and special in a far more intimate manner than the loss of Ted Kennedy. Spike was truly special to them; but they were very special in their treatment of him as well. A sad day all around.
Sayonara
Monday, August 17, 2009
hopefully, short and sweet
So last week, the "death panelists" managed to scare us away from end of life counselling reimbursement. Now, I wake up to learn that we are being scared away from a public option. Thoughts:
1. I just read a brief piece in Rolling Stone--a panel consisting of Michael Moore, David Gergen,and Paul Krugman discussed Obama's initiatives and graded him--I could care less about the grade. However, the one thing they all agreed on was that without a public option, there is no reform in this bill.
2. Medicare, Medicaid, and the VA system are in one way or another federally overseen or federally funded health care plans. But we are scared of another.
3. How is it that Democrats from small rural states (Conrad/North Dakota and Baucus/Montana to name two)have so much control. The Republican opposition is to be expected. These guys combined don't represent the total population of two New York City boroughs.
I can hardly wait for Keith Olberman tonight. He will be berserk.
Sayonara
1. I just read a brief piece in Rolling Stone--a panel consisting of Michael Moore, David Gergen,and Paul Krugman discussed Obama's initiatives and graded him--I could care less about the grade. However, the one thing they all agreed on was that without a public option, there is no reform in this bill.
2. Medicare, Medicaid, and the VA system are in one way or another federally overseen or federally funded health care plans. But we are scared of another.
3. How is it that Democrats from small rural states (Conrad/North Dakota and Baucus/Montana to name two)have so much control. The Republican opposition is to be expected. These guys combined don't represent the total population of two New York City boroughs.
I can hardly wait for Keith Olberman tonight. He will be berserk.
Sayonara
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
Grumble, Grumble, Toil, and Trouble
All you Red Flop fans can carefully crawl off those ledges you have been on since the weekend. There are still 50 or so games left. The Yankees have yet to show enough consistency. Plus, you will get Wakefield back. Ultimately, I think both of them make it (I have said that all along) but each of them should be very worried about either the Twins or the Angels. By the way, lucky for you, you wont need a fourth starter in the playoffs because you really don't have one.
So, the Israel General Consul for New England but based in Boston has been called back to Israel for having been both honest and direct. He had the temerity to say that Israeli policies, especially about the settlements, was creating divisiveness here among American Jews. seems his bosses did not appreciate his candor and he will now have his hand slapped. There is a great movie called "Lemon tree" which, much better than me, articulates the danger of building walls and creating settlements.
Those health care forums (no matter who funds them are enough to maker me puke. Bibles held up to be sure we know this is really a religious issue. Intense anger and deep seated fear. Much of this is fueled by racism and the reality that the Democrats are actually in charge. what actually scares me are the Hitler references and the Nazi symbols--those folks in the right wing media are stoking up these citizens and may not be able to put the genie back in the bottle (Have any of you head or seen Glenn Beck?) It would not surprise me if one these town hall meetings turns physically violent.
Most of you know that our parking lot empties onto Elliott Street which is one way away from the pond. On exiting the lot, you need to be watchful for walkers on the sidewalk on their way to the pond. But imagine my surprise to go left and be facing a bicyclist 10 feet away--one who was unhappy with me. In my new persona, I simply shut my mouth and smiled. But I am seriously getting tired of having these folks ignore all the rules of the road that I have to obey. If I broke them, they would be the first to yell.
Keep an eye out for Mr. Brady this week in his return to pro football. One hit to that knee and I will be on the ledge with you.
Sayonara.
So, the Israel General Consul for New England but based in Boston has been called back to Israel for having been both honest and direct. He had the temerity to say that Israeli policies, especially about the settlements, was creating divisiveness here among American Jews. seems his bosses did not appreciate his candor and he will now have his hand slapped. There is a great movie called "Lemon tree" which, much better than me, articulates the danger of building walls and creating settlements.
Those health care forums (no matter who funds them are enough to maker me puke. Bibles held up to be sure we know this is really a religious issue. Intense anger and deep seated fear. Much of this is fueled by racism and the reality that the Democrats are actually in charge. what actually scares me are the Hitler references and the Nazi symbols--those folks in the right wing media are stoking up these citizens and may not be able to put the genie back in the bottle (Have any of you head or seen Glenn Beck?) It would not surprise me if one these town hall meetings turns physically violent.
Most of you know that our parking lot empties onto Elliott Street which is one way away from the pond. On exiting the lot, you need to be watchful for walkers on the sidewalk on their way to the pond. But imagine my surprise to go left and be facing a bicyclist 10 feet away--one who was unhappy with me. In my new persona, I simply shut my mouth and smiled. But I am seriously getting tired of having these folks ignore all the rules of the road that I have to obey. If I broke them, they would be the first to yell.
Keep an eye out for Mr. Brady this week in his return to pro football. One hit to that knee and I will be on the ledge with you.
Sayonara.
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