Turn Left Right at Des Moines
Getting here was amazingly easy - drive South, turn Left Right at Des Moines - and Iowa was so much more beautiful than I'd expected!
I don't know what my expectations were of Iowa, I don't know that I spent much time thinking about it (sorry, Iowa...) However, as I drove through Iowa and Nebraska, I found the beauty of the rolling, green farmland stunning.
Grant Wood was on to a good thing. Geez, I love his stuff. Why didn't I ever put 2 + 2 together?
There was some flatness, but not nearly as flat as Northern Ohio or Texas. Iowa & Nebraska, you gave Virginia a run for it's money - and that's hard to do!
Driving, I've missed you. Yes, I know it's not energy efficient (although it was MUCH cheaper than flying to Omaha) but I feel much more centered when I drive to an engagement. I like my car time.
I have an hour or so before my lecture this evening. I'm REALLY looking forward to it - I've been honing it for a bit, and had a nice chat with Hannah about lectures and public speaking. They're studying it at the Breakthrough program right now. She asked me if I used body language and humor. I told her that was about ALL that I used, the rest was commentary.
Speaking of flying, I awoke to news that NWA is canceling their direct flights to Paris starting in October. Hannah and I are going in late September, due to return on 10/2. Hmmm - wonder how this will affect us?
I wonder if they could take some of that profit and fund the Meals on Wheels programs that are cutting back across the country due to high fuel costs? There is nothing that isn't being affected by this, and my fear is that the spiral will begin to twirl faster and faster down.
Time to stay home and knit.
Politics
I don't ask anyone to adhere to my own political or religious beliefs, but this is a blog where I write about a LOT more than just knitting. Other subjects creep in, and I allow them.
I love my country fiercely, but I feel that we're better than we're presenting ourselves to the world right now. We are better than this.
There will be no 'perfect' candidate, but of course I want to support the one who seems to reflect my own beliefs in the clearest way. If you don't agree with me, that's fine - but don't expect me not to discuss something that is very close to my heart at this time. We're at a watershed, and this election will determine many things.
I don't talk much about politics when I teach - I do mention certain things, but I try to keep it pretty neutral. But, being a human being, I have opinions and thoughts and feelings, I can't pretend that I'm an automaton.
I've always felt that if we talk about politics (or religion) with respect, we CAN talk about it.
So I'll try my best to be respectful, and I hope you'll respect my right to my opinion. And I promise I'll respect your right to disagree with me on anything. Even decreases and increases.
And now I'm off to find a Denny's, or someplace where I can get breakfast before I teach. I'm feeling a need for scrambled eggs and bacon. I have no idea why, but it's almost a craving.
I don't know what my expectations were of Iowa, I don't know that I spent much time thinking about it (sorry, Iowa...) However, as I drove through Iowa and Nebraska, I found the beauty of the rolling, green farmland stunning.Grant Wood was on to a good thing. Geez, I love his stuff. Why didn't I ever put 2 + 2 together?
There was some flatness, but not nearly as flat as Northern Ohio or Texas. Iowa & Nebraska, you gave Virginia a run for it's money - and that's hard to do!
Driving, I've missed you. Yes, I know it's not energy efficient (although it was MUCH cheaper than flying to Omaha) but I feel much more centered when I drive to an engagement. I like my car time.
I have an hour or so before my lecture this evening. I'm REALLY looking forward to it - I've been honing it for a bit, and had a nice chat with Hannah about lectures and public speaking. They're studying it at the Breakthrough program right now. She asked me if I used body language and humor. I told her that was about ALL that I used, the rest was commentary.
Speaking of flying, I awoke to news that NWA is canceling their direct flights to Paris starting in October. Hannah and I are going in late September, due to return on 10/2. Hmmm - wonder how this will affect us?
First-quarter [2008] profits at Exxon Mobil Corp. were $10.9 billion. The company's 2007 profit was $40.6 billion. Ð A.P., June 25, 2008
I wonder if they could take some of that profit and fund the Meals on Wheels programs that are cutting back across the country due to high fuel costs? There is nothing that isn't being affected by this, and my fear is that the spiral will begin to twirl faster and faster down.
Time to stay home and knit.
Politics
I don't ask anyone to adhere to my own political or religious beliefs, but this is a blog where I write about a LOT more than just knitting. Other subjects creep in, and I allow them.
I love my country fiercely, but I feel that we're better than we're presenting ourselves to the world right now. We are better than this.
There will be no 'perfect' candidate, but of course I want to support the one who seems to reflect my own beliefs in the clearest way. If you don't agree with me, that's fine - but don't expect me not to discuss something that is very close to my heart at this time. We're at a watershed, and this election will determine many things.
I don't talk much about politics when I teach - I do mention certain things, but I try to keep it pretty neutral. But, being a human being, I have opinions and thoughts and feelings, I can't pretend that I'm an automaton.
I've always felt that if we talk about politics (or religion) with respect, we CAN talk about it.
So I'll try my best to be respectful, and I hope you'll respect my right to my opinion. And I promise I'll respect your right to disagree with me on anything. Even decreases and increases.
And now I'm off to find a Denny's, or someplace where I can get breakfast before I teach. I'm feeling a need for scrambled eggs and bacon. I have no idea why, but it's almost a craving.
Feed me, baby!
10 Comments:
Yay for clearly and courteously taking your stand for Obama. His sign has been in our yard since before the NH primary and it's still strong and unbent, in spite of NH snows, plows, and the school bus stop.
May we all stand together for knitting AND improving our country!
Very well said! I think more of us should talk about politics (and religion) or other subjects that are important to us, our blogs are after all are the place to express our ideas, thoughts, worries and happy things.
I love those Grant Wood's, too.
As for politics on a knitting blog - what was it you billed me for reading your blog? I kind of remember it was a whole lot and I should get to tell you what to write. Oh, wait, it's free? Huh, how about that?!
Um, I think you meant turn RIGHT at Des Moines. A left would have taken you to Illinois.
I love the midwest. So beautiful! Absolutely love driving there. I am definitely a midwesterner trapped in the south.
Anne
I love reading your blog, and certainly respect your opinion. I hope other opinions regarding politics are given the same respect since this is,after all a knitting blog.
This is only a knitting blog? Sorry, Annie, I thought it was your blog. As in: Whatever You Want to Write About. I didn't know it had to be defined so narrowly.
Huh. Silly of me. I've been enjoying all of your writing about everything. Even the knitting.
trisha
a Knitter and Crocheter
who will vote and pray and discuss socially 'inappropriate' topics at will.
Heh. I grew up surrounded by people who believed firmly that the political is personal and the personal is political. To make a false distinction between the rest of life and 'politics' seems harmful to civil discourse. The political sphere should not be separated from the social sphere. It's all enmeshed, or should be if we don't want politics to be something done TO us by people in fancy buildings in DC. You can't separate the knitter from the political animal without harm to both! Carry on and nevermind the naysaying.
Driving through Iowa really makes one appreciate Grant Wood.
Thank you for the wonderful comments on beautiful Iowa. Yes, it's my home and I love it, especially in the spring, summer and fall, and I think it IS surprising to many people who see it for the first time.
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