Quick Takes

How many times can a person apologize for not staying more updated with their blog before people begin to roll their eyes?

Anyway.

Here are just some quick takes on stuff that's been on my mind lately.

Politics: Uninspired by either candidate, and beyond the point of exasperation with the "gotcha" style reporting of every inconsequential sniffle, this may well be the first time since I registered to vote in 1976 that I choose not to choose. The candidates have turned me off (or perhaps it's more accurate to say that the "machines" of the candidates have turned me off); enthusiasts from both sides have effectively made me nuts; and frankly, I don't think it makes a dime's worth of difference who wins anymore. Neither of them will accomplish a third of the good things they've promised, thanks to an entrenched Congress, so it's really hard to get all fired up over rhetoric. Heck, at this point I'd be more thrilled with a candidate who said, "I can't make you any promises. I can only try."

Religion: I am loving the Jesus in the Gospels Bible study we're doing every Sunday afternoon, under the direction of Dr. Jason Borders. It's been an interesting observation of mine that when Henry and I don't sit together, Henry really participates more in the class, and it's very neat to sit across the room from him and listen to the stuff he comes up with. Last night he and Jason got off on a discussion of Gnosticism, and it was incredibly interesting.

Parents: My mother has now lost just over 50 pounds, and it's been amazing to see the transformation in her. She wore a new outfit to church yesterday -- and it was like she'd lost another 20 pounds because it FIT HER. She was out weeding in her yard yesterday afternoon, according to my sister-in-law, and I'm pretty sure she hasn't been able to do that for probably 15 years. My father continues his occasional, rather dramatic moments of downsliding. Yesterday he was introducing himself to someone with whom I was speaking, and said, "I'm Eleanor's .......... well, I know Eleanor." Whether he was tired, just lost the word "father," or honestly just couldn't remember, I don't know -- and it could, of course, be an effect of the brain tumor. Really anxious for the re-scan to see what we're dealing with, but that is still a few months away. And here's an interesting GUY thing -- he is very quick to take my arm to help him walk, and holds on to me like he's holding on for dear life, but he will not let Henry help him. I have to think that it feels "weaker" to him to have to depend on another man for help. Anyway, he retains his sense of humor, still enjoys the football games on Saturdays, and most of the time is an older, slower, crankier version of his old self.

Financial Meltdown: Plenty of blame to go around here (politicians who thought it would be an excellent idea to create shortcuts to the achievement of the American Dream; lenders greedy to obscenely capitalize on the above mentioned; and borrowers who got stars in their eyes from the rocks in their heads.)

Particular Frustrations of the past couple weeks: Half-assed commitments. #2 in the polls (Hello?? Bama has beat 2 top ten ranked teams -- Texas???? One. This does not a leapfrog justify.) Failing to hit the 12 mile mark on my walk Saturday. Icepick headaches.

Best Moments of the past couple weeks: Cooler temps. Working out at Y's Up with my best husband and cutest son. An "all-clear" report from my sister's second breast biopsy.

So. There ya go.