What is happening to our country?

No lighthearted blog tonight about my grandson, my dog, my peaceful and happy life, not even a subtle bit of marketing for my books. I am too deeply saddened and troubled by the attack on our embassy at Benghazi, the death of an apparently sterling young diplomat and three of his colleagues, and by the bitterness it has brought out in our nation. It's no secret to those who know me that I admire President Obama as a person--I think he is thoughtful, caring, and no more ambitious than anyone would have to be to be in public office. I saw him, today, stepping forward with dignity and courage to reaffirm the defense of our nation and the importance of its values. Yet I also have seen him misquoted, bitterly attacked, with quotes from several years ago taken out of context and made to seem that he made them today. What has happened to our nation in eleven years?
The tragedy of 9/11 brought us together, albeit under a leader I did not particularly admire. But we united. We recognized that what happens to even one of our people--or several thousand--happens to us, touches us. Today, we have lost that. Politicians have used the embassy tragedy for  political advantage; individuals have used it to buttress their hatred and--let's be honest--prejudice. I am saddened.  I think of civilizations that collapsed and disappeared. Is that what's happening to America? Have we had our run and grown so big in our hubris that we've lost sight of who we are, who we started out to be--one people, united.
Strangely, the country of Libya comforts me. I don't think this was an act by the Libyan people. It was an act by a small terrorist group, and I am heartened to see Libyans holding signs of sympathy and rallying in support of America. And I am comforted that, contrary to rumors about dragging Ambassador Stevens body through the streets, Libyans were actually rushing him to a hospital in an attempt to save him. I applaud President Obama's heightened security for embassies in questionable countries, but I cannot applaud any condemnation of the Libyan people. I suspect most of them are as devastated as we are--or should be.
Pray for our country and our people.

Jacob--and lessons in enjoying the present and the past

Jacob came for dinner last night and tonight. Both nights I had drop-in guests for wine, and he was charming, smitten by them. But after dinner tonight he wanted to watch Tarzan and wanted me to cuddle with him.So I lay next to him on the daybed in the playroom and dozed,with a casual leg thrown over mine or a hand holding one of mine, and cuddling up close to that warm little body. Occasionally he'd rouse, look at me, and demand, "Why are your eyes closed?" And I did think he has the sharpest elbows and knees in the world. But it dawned on me that soon, maybe a year, maybe less, maybe a bit more, and he won't want to cuddle with his grandmother. It's a rare treat, and I intend to take advantage of every minute I can and enjoy it while it lasts.
Yesterday I went shopping with Christmas certificates--got some clothes on sale at Coldwater Creek, a couple of books at Barnes & Noble, and a food scale at Williams Sonoma. I think the latter will really help me on Weight Watchers, because a lot of their measurements are in ounces, so last night I measured out 2 oz. of ham (which is plenty) and tonight, 2 oz. of smoked salmon, which I rolled around low-fat cream cheese. I'm thinking I need to stop eating out, eat at home, measure my food, and get serious about losing those extra five lbs. The doctor's scale was not reassuring today, but then I was fully dressed, even with shoes on, and had eaten breakfast.
Today I met with descendants of Major Cheney, who have compiled a history of the Garden of Eden African American community on Fort Worth's East Side. Major Cheney was a major landholder, and many black famlies in that area are related--the great-great-grandson (maybe one more great) told me he wasn't allowed to date locally because he was related to all those folks. He married a lady from Dallas, but he said, "She may still be kin." It's a fascinating story-the community was once quite large but now is down to a few families, and some of the famiily members still live on Major Cheney's land, on which they grow enough produce to feed themselves ever summer. When I mentioned the former vice president, a lively discussion of the white and black Cheneys ensued. I'm really looking forward to reading this manuscript.