Midlife’s A Trip

Line Up for Hatred

Posted on 15. Oct, 2008 by Karen.

From time to time I actually convince myself that we’ve made progress as a country and have moved beyond the blatant racism experienced by my parents and grandparents. But then that big reality check hits me in the face — this time in the form of this shocking video from a rally for Sarah [...]

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Ranting About Racism on the Campaign Trail

Posted on 14. Oct, 2008 by Karen.

OK. I know this is a blog about midlife. But part of my midlife is my identity as a Black woman in America. And right now, that part of me is outraged about the incendiary climate on race now swirling around the presidential campaign.  
Yesterday I spoke on a panel at the BlogHer conference in [...]

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On the Road Again

Posted on 13. Oct, 2008 by Karen.

Today is the BlogHer Reach-Out Conference in Washington D.C. — and I’m here!!  Later this morning I’ll be speaking on a panel about how I got into blogging.  The title — “I Blog, Therefore I Am.  How to Find Your Blogging Mojo”.  We’ll be talking about:

How or if we planned the launch and focus of [...]

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Keepers of Tomorrow

Posted on 11. Oct, 2008 by Karen.

  Forrest Whitaker is one of my favorite actors ever since I saw him years ago in “The Crying Game”.  Well yesterday I got to meet him.  He was visiting Michigan as a spokesperson for Barack Obama and met with a small group of us who are working on the campaign.  I was touched to see that this [...]

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Lessons from Moose on Perspective

Posted on 09. Oct, 2008 by Karen.

  Today I got an email from “B”, a friend who has a place out in Wyoming.  She was reporting to a group of friends about her early morning encounter with several moose.  And yes, I had to confirm that the plural of moose is moose. 
Apparently the moose–a family replete with mom (the cow), dad [...]

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Swiffing with the Peanut

Posted on 06. Oct, 2008 by Karen.

The topic of this post is deliberately light.  No politics, nothing about the economy, nothing sad or disturbing.  Lately, you’ve noticed I’m sure, I’ve gotten swept up in all that’s happening in the news.  Despite the fact that I censor my news intake, the little bit I’ve let in has spilled over into my blog.  Well [...]

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Isn’t Anyone Feeling Sorry for Tina Fey Today?

Posted on 03. Oct, 2008 by Karen.

Gosh darn–was that Sarah Palin in the vice-presidential debate last night? I thought it was Tina Fey doing a parody of her. Who but Tina could have mastered the cutesy demeanor, the beaming smile aimed right at ya, the down-home colloquialisms and yes, even that wink? 
In all seriousness, Palin far exceeded my expectations that she [...]

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Waiting for History — The Debate Between Palin and Biden

Posted on 01. Oct, 2008 by Karen.

Tomorrow night is the much-awaited debate between vice-presidential candidates Sarah Palin and Joe Biden.  Just about as different as any two people can be — one a male political veteran, the other a woman and relative newcomer on the political scene.   
The candidates are only the second male/female couple to go at it in such a high level-national debate.  [...]

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A Day of Positive Vibes

Posted on 30. Sep, 2008 by Karen.

This past Sunday, there was a rally in Detroit for presidential and vice-presidential candidates, Barack Obama and Joe Biden.  I was lucky to get 4 tickets at the 11th hour and turned the outing into a family event with my sister, my cousin who was in town and, of course, my 4 year old niece, [...]

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Do You Feel Like Piggy Banking

Posted on 29. Sep, 2008 by Karen.

I don’t know about you but I can’t even watch the news these days without feeling anxiety over how the economy isn’t doing.  Last Thursday, I started watching the 1/2 hour of news I now allow myself each morning — it’s all I can stand.  The expert being interviewed on the economy stressed me out [...]

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Ever So Fine Paul Newman Has Died

Posted on 27. Sep, 2008 by Karen.

 One of my earliest crushes was on the ever so handsome, incredibly fine actor Paul Newman.  I remember sitting cross-legged on the floor in front of the television gazing into those blue eyes that looked out from many a movie.  As I got older, Paul remained one of my favorite actors.  Well, now he’s gone — dead [...]

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Bad News is Bad for Your Health

Posted on 25. Sep, 2008 by Karen.

  As part of my normal routine, I turned on the Today Show this morning to get my 30-minute daily fix of what’s happening in the world.  Lately I’ve been limiting my exposure to the news because so little good gets reported and the bad is stressing me out.
Today I got about 15 minutes into [...]

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Ivan — One of America’s Finest

Posted on 24. Sep, 2008 by Karen.

Since July I have been hosting Ivan (pronounced “e-van”), a young Obama campaign organizer in my home. At the time I got the call asking if Ivan could stay with me, I remember thinking “It’s the least I can do”. To me, being a campaign “den mother” beats the hell out of being [...]

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