Praise Song for the Day - The Inagural Poem

Praise song for the day

Each day we go about our business, walking past each other,

catching each others' eyes or not,

about to speak or speaking.

All about us is noise. All about us is noise and bramble, thorn and din,

each one of our ancestors on our tongues.

Someone is stitching up a hem, darning a hole in a uniform,

patching a tire, repairing the things in need of repair.
Someone is trying to make music somewhere with a pair of wooden spoons

on an oil drum with cello, boom box, harmonica, voice.
A woman and her son wait for the bus.
A farmer considers the changing sky;

a teacher says, "Take out your pencils. Begin."
We encounter each other in words, words spiny or smooth,

whispered or declaimed; words to consider, reconsider.

We cross dirt roads and highways that mark

the will of someone and then others who said,

"I need to see what's on the other side;

I know there's something better down the road."
We need to find a place where we are safe;

we walk into that which we cannot yet see.
Say it plain, that many have died for this day.

Sing the names of the dead who brought us here,

who laid the train tracks, raised the bridges, picked the cotton and the lettuce,

built brick by brick the glittering edifices they would then keep clean and work inside of.

Praise song for struggle; praise song for the day.

Praise song for every hand-lettered sign; The figuring it out at kitchen tables.
Some live by "Love thy neighbor as thy self."
Others by first do no harm, or take no more than you need.

What if the mightiest word is love, love beyond marital, filial, national.

Love that casts a widening pool of light. Love with no need to preempt grievance.

In today's sharp sparkle, this winter air, anything can be made, any sentence begun.
On the brink, on the brim, on the cusp -- praise song for walking forward in that light.

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by Elizabeth Alexander

Read at the Inauguration on January 20, 2009

Mike & Debbie's Babies

I thought I would share a picture I just received from Debbie & Mike of their "little babies"!! Debbie wrote "Finally something to keep up with Mike when he runs."

Guinness & Riley - 8 Months Old

Rhodesian Ridgeback

The Rhodesian Ridgeback, sometimes referred to as the African Lion Hound, is a native of South Africa bred by the Boer farmers to fill their specific need for a serviceable hunting dog in the wilds.

The Ridgeback represents a strong, muscular and active dog, symmetrical and balanced in outline. A mature Ridgeback is a handsome, upstanding and athletic dog, capable of great endurance with a fair (good) amount of speed.

Of even, dignified temperament, the Ridgeback is devoted and affectionate to his master, reserved with strangers.

The peculiarity of this breed is the ridge on the back.

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Nice looking Babies!!!

Xmas 2008

Christmas has come and gone so guess it is time to get some pictures up!! If I don't do it soon it will be time for Xmas 2009's pictures!! I hope everyone had a great holiday season, I know we did.

Even if all three of my kids couldn't be with us (two out of three isn't bad though) I had the memories of all three with me!! From left to right: Jim, Darcy & Steve. Aren't they just the cutest little kids ever???

The kitchen was all done for Xmas. That was the biggest gift ever! Here is a picture of the hutch in the dining room.

Xmas dinner. Poor kids, it was their 4th big dinner in a week!! I think all four of them were burned out on Turkey and "stuff"!
Steve & Lisa in the front.


Grandpa, Tammy, Jim and Lisa

Lisa, Jake & Steve
One person that didn't seem to be "tired" of eating was Jake!! He couldn't get it in fast enough!!
He is eating a lot of "big people" food now.

"Mattie, stop taking pictures so I can get back to eating!!"

Grandpa getting his new heart monitor watch to wear on his walks.

Tammy & Jim

Jake & Steve reading some of Jake's new books.

Hi Daddy!! I love you!!

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Wishing everyone the Best Year Ever!! Happy 2009!!