Elizabeth Warren

July 19th, 2011 → 7:28 am

“The poor wren,
The most diminutive of birds, will fight,
Her young ones in her nest, against the owl.”  – Macbeth

Elizabeth Warren was passed over to run the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.  That is a shame.  Warren would have fought, and hard, to protect U.S. consumers from abusive financial practices.  Here’s hoping former Ohio attorney general Richard Cordray has the fight in him as well.

Filed under: Blog & Politics/Politicians

Mondays

July 18th, 2011 → 8:11 am

“To business that we love we rise betime, And go to’t with delight.” – Antony & Cleopatra

It’s Monday.  I’m tired from the weekend.  I’d rather turn around and crawl back into bed.  If you feel like I do, here’s hoping you at least like your job, so rising on Monday morning and getting to it, if not a “delight,” at least isn’t half bad.  😉

Filed under: Blog & Other

Birthday

July 17th, 2011 → 7:22 am

“This royal infant (heaven still move about her)
Though in her cradle, yet now promises
Upon this land a thousand blessings,
Which time shall bring to ripeness…”  – Henry VIII

Shakespeare wrote this about Elizabeth I, but I hold the same sentiment for my baby, whose first birthday party is today. Happy First Birthday Party Vincent!  I hope all the decorations, people, laughter and noise aren’t too much for you.  Mummy loves you…

Filed under: Blog & Self/My Life

Debt Crisis Back-up Plan

July 16th, 2011 → 6:54 am

“A thought which, quarter’d, hath but one part wisdom and ever three parts coward.” – Hamlet

I hear that President Obama is taking Mitch McConnell’s back-up plan for raising the debt ceiling seriously.  Bummer.  The plan is only one part wisdom (the avoiding default part), and three parts coward by the Republicans.

Filed under: Blog & Economics/Money & Politics/Politicians

Fun

July 15th, 2011 → 6:43 am

“Now stand you on the top of happy hours.” – Sonnet

My friend from out of town is here, my baby’s first birthday party is this weekend, there are dinners planned and parties to attend.  As I’ve been telling my husband, now begins the Weekend of Fun!

Filed under: Blog & Self/My Life

Friendship

July 14th, 2011 → 6:54 am

“Small cheer and great welcome makes a merry feast.” – Comedy of Errors

An old friend of mine from my Michigan days is flying in today for a visit.  Yeah to old friends, great welcomes, and merry feasts all weekend long!!

Filed under: Blog & Self/My Life

Debt Talks / Al Pacino

July 12th, 2011 → 7:16 am

“Talkers are no good doers.” – Richard III

Last night I watched a great documentary by Al Pacino on playing Shakespeare’s Richard III.  It was great fun watching him dissect some of the famous lines and scenes, as well as try to get teenagers in Central Park to go and see a Shakespeare play.  I was watching it, thinking, what quote could I use for today’s blog post?  And then, lo and behold, this one came up, which also perfectly described the posturing budget talks currently taking place in Washington, D.C.  If all the craziness on Capitol Hill is driving you insane, rent Pacino’s movie, it’ll at least take your mind off things for a little while…

Filed under: Blog & Literature/Theatre/Art & Politics/Politicians

Summer Heat

July 11th, 2011 → 7:56 am

“Sometime too hot the eye of heaven shines.” – Sonnet 18

There is an extreme heat advisory in St. Louis today.  It is supposed to top 100 degrees, with a heat index approaching 117.  I noticed last night, at around 10:30 p.m. it was 95 degrees!  At 10:30 p.m.!  Stay cool everyone…

Filed under: Blog & Other

Determination

July 10th, 2011 → 8:01 am

“Our bodies are gardens, to which our wills are gardeners.” – Othello

I’ve been doing a lot of gardening lately, after seven years of completely ignoring our backyard so that it had become something of a cesspool.  It is starting to look quite good.  It is a reminder that patience, time, effort, and determination can do a lot.  Which is what I need to remember regarding my hip as well.  I still can not walk, and surgery was twelve week ago now (!).  This is greatly disappointing, but, I need to just keep at it.  I often tell my students that all worthwhile achievements take effort.  You don’t do well in school without a lot of hard study, you don’t have successful relationships without a lot of difficult communication, and you don’t get a great body without a decent amount of time in the gym.  I doubt my body will ever be great again, but I WILL walk again, and I’m going to keep gardening until I do!!

Filed under: Blog & Self/My Life

Morning

July 9th, 2011 → 9:07 am

“But soft, methinks I scent the morning air.” – Hamlet

A little late for me this morning, but it does seem like its going to be a sweet, fresh-smelling day…

Filed under: Blog & Self/My Life