The Runt of the Litter
It has been an interesting week - and speaking for myself I am eternally grateful for the approaching end of the 24/7 coverage of the royals. The royal wedding, the queen, Lady Diana, the giant crazy hats, Billy and Kate and the wedding gown. Sheesh. For gosh sakes they've been flatmates for years. It's about time that fella made an honest woman of her.
Over the years my pal Braumeister and I have discussed this nonsense of the royal family at length and our conclusion is that we kicked King George and his family out of this country more than 200 years ago for good reason.
Renovations nearly complete at former Drew's building in Wauwatosa
The redevelopment of Wauwatosa's former Drew's Variety Store building, 7503-7509 Harwood Ave., is nearly complete.
Renovations at the 8,400-square-foot building, which has been largely vacant for three years since Drew's closed, will be completed by early June, according to its owner, Sustainable Properties Inc. The work includes new energy-efficient windows, and a boardwalk with outdoor seating.
Realities of Texting and Driving
Do you think it is okay to look at your phone for 4 to 6 seconds so that you can read or type even a portion of a text message? Do you think it would be okay to close your eyes and continue to drive for 4 to 6 seconds? They both have the same effect, your eyes are off the road and we all know what can happen on the road in the literal blink of an eye.
Please take the time to watch this powerful video documentary prepared by AT&T.
Maybe in time for the next election. . .
My younger daughter does not have a driver's license. Why is the subject of various family legends. But if you asked me, I'd say it was because the kids split the cost of driver's education with me, and it wasn't a high enough priority for Liz. She's careful with her money.
But that's another story. A week before her 21st birthday and in preparation for the time-honored Wisconsin rite of passage, the first legal drink, she decided to get a bona fide Wisconsin ID card. And there the tale begins.
The first battle for a nondriver who lives on a college campus is getting to the Department of Motor Vehicles. Those of us who've been driving forever have sampled the locations and know which ones to avoid. But the vehicle-less aren't choosers in this world. A nondriver is stuck with the site closest to the bus line--in my daughter's case, the last one most of us would choose if we had to renew our licenses or take a test.
Accordingly, Liz waited a long time in a less than pleasant environment to show the clerk the identification she had brought: birth certificate, student ID, passport, and checkbook with her address.
Seems more than adequate? Does to me. But there's a Catch 22. In order to get an official state ID, some of the staff believe you need to have an official state ID. After a long debate, a supervisor finally agreed to accept her identification verification.
In 10 days or so, she might get the ID. Barring any further glitches. Not in time for the birthday--maybe in time for the next election.
Right now, there's a bill in the state legislature to require photo IDs for voting. Those who oppose it agree with Rep. Kelda Roys of Madison, who says that voter fraud is rare and that the bill "disenfranchises the poor, elderly, minorities, and students."
Liz's experience refutes the claims that it's no bother to get an ID. In fact, it's a significant undertaking.
As far as I know, the Constitution assures Liz the right to vote. It does not say she has the right to vote--as long as she has a driver's license. Contrary to the claims of people like supporter Alberta Darling, this law effectively puts a damper on those would-be voters.
Meanwhile, I'll hope that if Liz decided to celebrate her birthday the way many do, with a drink in a bar with friends, she found one that accepted her passport and birth certificate.
It would have been a lot easier to get a fake ID. Perhaps the enterprising will begin selling them to the other disenfranchisees. I can't say I'd blame them for trying. But I do blame the legislators who pretend that this bill is not designed to keep people from voting legitimately. That will certainly be its effect.
Do You Compost?
If your answer is yes, you have my permission to skip reading this blog post.
Friday Morning Music
More awesome guitar work.
And start your weekend with some sultry vocals from Alison Krauss...
Speak up for Transit
With gas pump prices at an all-time high, you might think that even the most diehard road and car enthusiasts might back off of their anti-mass transit positions. But no, here is the latest news I received from Kerry Thomas of Transit Now:
It's Off to the Races~ THIS DERBY DAY!!!
St. Bernard's 31st Spring Parish Auction at the Hart Park Muellner Building
The perfect spring event! All are welcome!
The Garden Chronicles
Less than three weeks ago there was four inches of snow on the ground and it had been raining incessantly. The month of April posted record amounts of precipitation on the the Door Peninsula.
It has finally dried-out sufficiently to begin prepping the garden.
Mom's the word
Mother's Day is about the mother you have, should you still have one, more than it is about the mother you are, should you be one. But maybe we should shift the emphasis.
Unless your mother was from the Mommie Dearest school of mental illness and depravity, chances are you are painting her in the light of near sainthood today. This is the day we pay homage to the best in our mothers, and with generosity forget about the rest. Since I no longer have a living mother, I've been ruminating about what it means to become a mother worthy of the real and ritual forgetting of the faults, heaping of the fond memories, putting aside of the wrongs done.
My mom was a wonderful woman, no doubt about it. Still, she had her quirks. Reverse snobbery was one. It came from protectiveness, but she was deeply distrusting of my friends who came from wealthy, highly educated families. She didn't want anybody to hurt or think they were better than her beloved cubs. I try to remember this when the Sarah Palins of the world sneer at the articulate and well-informed. Or when I fall into my own deep distrust of those who claim authority or superiority over me.
Mom was also a master of the freeze. She could go silent for weeks. Anyone who lives with a cold shoulderer knows how awful that can be.
Still, my own in-the-thick-of-it failings were much worse than Mom's. One bedroom door is tattered and warped from a crazy period when I couldn't handle stress, when I felt alone in the world, when I reacted with "wooden swearing:" the slamming of doors.
Since I am sometimes a little oblivious, the universe has taken to delivering messages in odd ways. Once a postcard fell from the sky into my hands. A house in the neighborhood had exploded, and I just happened to be walking by at the time. Today a book fell from the bookcase, knocking me ever so slightly upside the head.The title: How to Behave So Your Children Will, Too.
It was clear enough whose behavior is on the line here: Mom's. In this case, mine.
If I live to be as old as my parents, I've got nearly 30 years to get it right. Or at least more right. A few decades to deserve the title Mother and the flowers and brunches that go with it.
Thanks, Mom, for being flawed and wonderful, a whole person. For showing us how to love and how to keep growing for as long as we have in this beautiful, difficult, world. And for sending me messages now and then, in whatever ways they appear.
31st Parish Auction Pictures
All attendees (parish members and guests alike) had a great time at the "Off to the Races!" 31st St. Bernard Parish Auction.
Thank you to the 2011 Chairpersons: Melissa and Keith Pups for their tireless dedication...
Here Comes The Sun
It's been a long, cold, lonely winter.
Less than a month left. That’s what I have to keep telling myself to get through the rest of this school year. I know that this time of year, pretty much everyone is excited for summer, but let me tell you a few of the reasons why I’m especially excited.
Random Musings and Idle Chit Chat
Just last week we celebrated an important anniversary in America's exploration of outer space. On May 5th, 1961 - Alan Shepard was the first American in space.
NASA Photo
Children of inspiration
In 2002, fellow
Friday Morning Music
Start your weekend with an awesome cover of a classic Patsy Cline tune by Madeleine Peyroux.
No video just the tune...
Wauwatosa Catholic School: Meet & Greet (& take a peek...) THIS WEDNESDAY
Opening in the Fall of 2011! *K3 to 8th Grade* Meet the Staff! Learn about International Baccalaureate Program! Meet Principal Julia D'Amato and faculty!
Going First
It's scary being the one who chooses to go first. Be it the first one who hops on the latest rollercoaster, the first to say, "I'm sorry", or the first to say, "I love you." Some would agree that being the first to taste this blogger's cooking would be the most scary of them all!
Wauwatosa Catholic School~opening in the fall of the 2011-2012 school year~ is going to be the first of its kind. WCS is more excited than nervous to be a part of a community that is watching as we dive into uncharted waters for the Wauwatosa area. We ask for your prayers and support as two families become one while we work together to fulfill our mission.
Outreach of All Kinds
As the weather (hopefully) gets warmer, human nature turns our attention to the great outdoors. We get so few months of "nice" weather here in Wisconsin, we tend to get busy making all sorts of plans to enjoy it. But hunger and the need for a helping hand are always present in and around our community-even when the weather is nice.
St. Bernard Parish happens to house the Wauwatosa Food Pantry. http://www.stbernardparish.org/wauwatosa_food_pantry.cfm
Celebrate~St. Bernard Parish's 100th Anniversary!
St. Bernard invites the community to celebrate at Mass with us! If you have fond memories of St. Bernard Parish over the years, please share (post)!
If Only The Dead Could Talk
Today is Memorial Day.
The day we honor and remember those who have given the last full measure of devotion by sacrificing their lives in service to our country.
