Hillary Clinton on Unity
August 27, 2008
Last night Senator Hillary Clinton surprised me. I expected her to make a speech backing Barack Obama. I expected her to call for unity at the Democratic Convention. I expected her to do the right thing by urging her followers to support Senator Obama even though many of them still believe she is the best candidate. What I didn’t expect is that she would exceed my expectations.
Not only did Hillary blast unity onto the stage last night with, by far, the best speech I’ve ever heard her deliver but tonight she called for the roll call to be suspended and have the delegates immediately nominate Obama. And that’s exactly what happened. Thank you Hillary.
BTW - if you didn’t hear Hillary’s speech, take a load off and listen to her here:
I Cried During the DNC Speeches Tonight
August 25, 2008
I’m a crier. Yes that person who cries at sad times, happy times, in movies, reading books and listening to speeches. So tonite there were tears flowing here at my house as I watched the Democratic National Convention coverage of Ted Kennedy and Michelle Obama’s keynotes. Was I the only one crying?
Listening to Ted Kennedy was moving. Not just because he walked out there as a man suffering from cancer, but as a man who has taken major blows from life and survived. Whatever you may think of the young Ted, he grew into a man who gave years of his life to protecting liberty and justice for all. And despite the fact that he suffered ongoing personal tragedy, he didn’t miss a beat in providing public service that benefitted so many of us. As a child of the 60’s, it’s hard to imagine democracy in this country with a Kennedy involved. So for more reasons than just Ted’s illness, I cried.
Then as I sat in my bedroom in front of the TV, Kleenex box in hand, Michelle Obama came on the screen. Strong, regal and brilliant–she had the audience at “hello”. This woman, who could run this country herself, was engaging and sincere as she gave the world yet another glimpse into character and personality of this amazing sister who will I believe will be the next First Lady of the United States of America. And for me, as a Black woman–I’m just so proud of Michelle I could cry.
And I did.
Biden Time
August 23, 2008
U.S. Senator Joe Biden will step out in public today as Barack Obama’s running mate. Learn more about Biden the man and the politician and his stand on the issues. McCain has already come out with a negative ad about the new VP candidate. And today is already shaping up as a flurry of commentary on what Biden brings to the table and whether he can help Obama win the presidency.
What do you think?
When the Good Die Young — In Memory of Colin Hubbell
August 22, 2008
This morning my cell phone rang as I was getting out of the shower. I grabbed a towel and run downstairs to grab the call. Missed it. Then as I headed back upstairs, my house phone started ringing–more running. Missed it again. When my cell phone jangled again I beat the voicemail and got the call. It was my sister trying to reach me to tell me, before I heard it elsewhere, that my friend Colin Hubbell died last night.
The best way I can describe Colin is that he was this amazingly good person. We met through our respective jobs years ago and became friends, in part, because we both believed that Detroit, the city we grew up in and loved was making a comeback. For years, if there was brainstorming and planning about how the city could revitalize, Colin was part of the mix. He had a vision and a talent for turning dream into action.
Some years after we met, I moved into one of the first successful loft developments in Detroit and found Colin already there with his development office in one of the ground floor units. (That’s our building in this picture). In good weather or bad, you’d see Colin whiz into the neighborhood on his bike — which he rode miles to and from work in good weather and bad. He’d disappear into the loft, change and emerge ready to tackle issues standing in the way of creative housing for those who love the excitement of urban living.
But then, Colin was diagnosed with bladder cancer. Like other challenges in his life, he met this one head on and sought the most aggressive treatment. The last time I saw him he was waiting to hear if his cancer had recurred. Although he gave me his broad confident smile, I sensed that Colin already knew what the answer was.
Colin Hubbell, visionary leader, wonderful husband and loving father of four died at age 49. I don’t know about you but at this point in my midlife that’s just far too young for a good guy to die.
He will be missed.
Real People Losing Home Sweet Home
August 21, 2008
Recently I learned that a friend of our family is selling his house to avoid going into foreclosure. Why? Because he simply can’t afford it anymore. It’s not because he’s irresponsible or spends his money on things other than his mortgage. Like many real people out here, shit just happened.
In our friend’s case, his wife died of cancer in her 30’s leaving him a single parent with the house they had purchased together. All this personal tragedy as our country’s economy took a nose-dive. So this young man was left with some hard choices. Keep the house or move to a rental and be able to provide a decent life for his children. He’s decided that the right choice for his family means selling their home — a place with special memories and a lot of sweat equity.
But there are politicians who don’t seem to understand how tough times can cause real people, like our friend and many others to have to give up “home sweet home”. So who’s out of touch with reality. Take a look:
Hump Day Humor
August 20, 2008
By the time we’ve gotten to the middle of the week I think we’re due for a little humor. After a friend sent a list of funny newspaper headlines that got me cracking up this morning, I was inspired to share my giggles. So to give you a little hump day boost here are some little funnies to help you through the day. LOL 
Headline Bloopers
- Police Begin Campaign to Run Down Jaywalkers (run before they get you!)
- Panda Mating Fails. Veterinarian Takes Over (What a challenge!)
- If Strike Doesn’t Settle, It May Last Awhile (Duh)
- Hospitals Are Sued by 7 Foot Doctors (Big risk)
- Typhoon Rips Through Cemetery, Hundreds Dead (Why am I not surprised to hear this?)
- New Study of Obesity Looks for Larger Test Group (Bigger is better)
- Red Tape Holds Up New Bridges (I’m taking a detour.)
- War Dims Hope for Peace (OK, not so funny because it’s real.)
Crazy Ads
- Free puppies: 1/2 Cocker Spaniel, 1/2 sneaky neighbor’s dog
- Exercise equipment: queen size mattress and box spring $175
- Ground beast 99 cents/lb.
- Fully cooked boneless smoked man $2.09 lb.
- ‘83 Toyota Hunchback
And who can resist a really cute, funny little kid?
Have a great Wednesday!
Karen’s Klips — Midlife Women Bloggers Meet Face to Face
August 19, 2008
Well, this is a landmark day here at Midlife’s A Trip From time to time I feature videos from around the Internet but today I’m posting my first video made right here behind the scenes at my homebase in Michigan! It’s the result of plenty of trial and error, furniture moving and lots of laughter.
Joining me in the video is friend and fellow midlife woman blogger, Allison Allen from the great state of Texas and the awesome Women Bloom.com. Allison and I met through the growing network of midlife women bloggers and have developed a friendship and “mastermind” group. OK, OK — I’m taking my fingers off the keyboard now so you can listen to our story below:
If you could meet one of your favorite bloggers face to face, who would it be?
Weeding Grass in My Garden and Midlife
August 18, 2008
I’m a midlife gardener. It’s not something I planned to do. Actually I was led to it, reluctantly at first, by friends Gary and Jason who gave me a garden book for Christmas about 5 years ago. I remember thinking “why are they giving me this?” At the time I lived in a 3rd floor urban loft with a balcony and no dirt.
Over the long winter, I found myself turning to the book in the evenings as a distraction from the unrelenting snow and cold. It became my wish book and by spring, I was itching to get down and dirty and get something growing. And that’s how this gardener was born.
After a couple of years of successfully nurturing a potted garden on my balcony, I bought a little house with potential and a plain, uninspiring front lawn. Now mind you, I learned early on from my dad that grass was king. To him, a manicured front lawn was the goal. But as a surveyed my new property, it hit me that grass is just plain boring — at least for me.
So over the last 3 years I used my gardening skills (and the sage advice of a master gardener) to get rid of as much grass as possible and create my dream front-yard garden. 
Things are going pretty well this year. Plants are maturing and the whole vista is coming together. There’s just one problem. The grass I always thought was supposed to be in every yard is now cropping up in my garden where it’s not supposed to be. So you know what that makes it — a weed.
It struck me the other day as I was weeding grass out of my ground cover, that I’ve been doing the same kind of work in my midlife – weeding out the things in my life that used to fit or be acceptable but that just don’t work any longer. Things like bad relationships, jobs I don’t like, people-pleasing, perfectionism and not making time to “smell the flowers”.
What have you been “weeding” out of your midlife lately?
“Take Your Health to Heart” Challenge
August 14, 2008
Yesterday I had a heart to heart talk with my optimal health coach, Wendy Battles from Don’t Worry Get Healthy. Wendy has her Master’s in Community Psychology and is a certified nutritionist and professional coach. Her mission is to help women in midlife get a grip on how to eat heart healthy. I don’t know about you but with a mother who had a heart attack and a father who died of congestive heart failure, the condition of my heart is a big deal. That’s why I looked Wendy up and asked her to help me change my just OK eating habits into heart healthy habits that will enhance the second half of my life.
Wendy and I talked for an hour about her goal to engage one million women in the ”Take Your Health to Heart” challenge. Click here to learn more about this opportunity to take better care of you and get information and inspiration on how to do it. During our dialog, which was actually the intro to her series on how to get started on the challenge, Wendy told me plenty about the:
- Right foods to support heart health
- The most harmful foods
- The top 5 heart healthy foods and
- How to get started on a heart healthy plan today!
Because this is an issue that’s so important to the readers here at Midlife’s A Trip, I got Wendy’s permission to post the one hour audio of her intro here for you. So put up your feet, sit back and listen to Wendy on taking your health to heart.
The Dream Cruise–Watching History Drive By
August 13, 2008
In less than 2 days, the 14th annual Woodward Avenue Dream Cruise starts outside of Detroit, Michigan. The Dream Cruise, which is walking distance from my home, is this amazing international event that showcases 40,000 classic cars from around the world as far away as New Zealand.
And the cars aren’t just sitting around. No – they’re actually cruising in a never-ending queue of steel and rubber up Woodward Avenue, our main drag, which starts at the foot of the Detroit River and goes north for 20-some miles. Here are some cruising facts:
- The first Dream Cruise was held in 1995 and drew 250,000 people.
- This year, it’s predicted that the Dream Cruise will draw 1.5 million people for the offical event on Saturday (of course people are already out cruising in their fab cars as I write this post on Wednesday).
- Historic Woodward Avenue was the first highway in the United States.
- “Cruising” became popular in the 50s and 60s when teenagers and young adults spent summer evenings driving hot rods and their fathers’ cars up and down Woodward stopping at the various restaurants along the way that catered to this highly mobile crowd who wanted quick meals so they could get back on the road.
- The Big Three automakers used to test their concept cars on Woodward. It was darn near the birthplace of the Mustang and GTO.
- Dream Cruise is a free event held the 3rd Saturday in August.
- Proceeds from the event benefit 100 local charities.
Despite the absurd price of gas, cruisers were adamant that they wanted to see the event continue this year. So for those of us who live along the Dream Cruise route, we’re preparing for the onslaught of visitors and the gridlock that make it almost impossible to drive our own average everyday cars this weekend. In fact, this is the time every summer that many of my neighbors head out of town.
But it’s hard for me to pick up and leave with this excitement in the air. So I’m staying home to savor the Dream Cruise, the crowds and the hassle of trying to get anywhere outside of the neighborhood.
When you think about it, there’s just something about watching a big chunk of history drive by that makes it worth sticking around. Take a peek at this video of last year’s Dream Cruise and you’ll see what I mean:
-
Karen - Midlife Coach
Sign up now to receive the Midlife's a Trip Blog directly in your email inbox!
-
Syndicate
