A big day an a lot of ways

A part of me will be relieved when today is over. Don't get me wrong--I've got the TV on, and I'm fascinated by the pomp and circumstance. Yes, the networks try to fill time for all those long stretches whle the President is out of sight--in church, at the congressional coffee, etc. Still, it's history, and I find it fascinating. But this morning on the TODAY show I heard a fleeting mention of the President's safety. Matt Lauer, talking about security, said something to the effect that if anything is going to happen, you'd think it would happen today. Add that to a friend's comment last night that a friend of hers thinks someone will shoot the President--though not necessarily today. It's a dark thought I've heard off and on ever since Barack Obama was elected--and I hope to God that it's wrong. So I'll be relieved when the day is over--maybe he will be too. Jordan tells me tonight that she is pretty sure both the Obamas had bullet-proof vests on because they looked bulky when they walked down Pennsylvania Aveneue--but wasn't it gand to see them walking, holding hands!
The ceremony itself was spectacle and wonder, from the President's brief speech to James Taylor, Kelly Clarkson and James Taylor. Mark Shields of PBS described the President tonight as a "happy warrior"--it fits.
Jacob comes home from his grandparents' today, though I won't see him until tomorrow. I've missed him, though most people say, "What a nice break for you." Only the grandmother of one of his close buddies understood when I said, "I'm having withdrawal symptoms." But I have gotten a lot done during these four-and-a-half days. I've steadily added a thousand words a day to my work in progress. I started that on January 2 with a blank first page, and now I have 25,500 words--so I'm a bit ahead of the game. I have a cushion for the days I don't accomplish it. I've been writing those passages in the evening, devoting the daytime hours to chores and, principally, editing a manuscript for my publisher.
This morning in a moment of personal triumph I sent the edited work back to the author. The editing part is fun for me--I like catching the odd phrase, small inconsistency, shaping a manuscript to be what the best it can. On the other hand, formatting and using track changes are enough to drive me screaming from the computer. I saved the work, properly formatted, last night; this morning it had reformatted itself. And track changes puts blue lines, indicative of a change needed, where there is absolutely no change. I finally sent it off with instructions to ignore those problems and simply accept or decline suggested changes and deal with comments.
Yesterday I was particularly efficient--which always gets me into trouble. Kathie was coming for dinner, and I looked forward to giving her the prayer shawl from the ladies of my church and to sharing memories of Rick and tears with her. So I got lots of kitchen things done in the morning  and about ten went happily to my computer, only to realize I'd left the roasting vegetables in the really hot oven way too long. Charred brussel sprouts, beets, and carrots anyone? Now my garbage smells of brussel sprouts, and I have some sympathy for Christian who can't abide the smell of brussel sprouts, broccoli or cabbage cooking. But the evening was good and today it's a warm memory that I treasure.
All in all, a grand day, one to be proud to be an American and proud of our President. But I think I'll be glad to get back to routine days.

Inauguration reflections

What's to say? It's all been said on TV, but it was truly an inspirational day, an inspirational speech--and even a prayer that made everyone laugh. I'm sure God laughed too. After early morning meetings and cleaning up some odds and ends at the office, I stayed glued to the TV much of the day. Susan and Melinda and Charles arrived about 10:30; the girls left right after lunch--about 12:30--to go back to work. Charles stayed a bit longer, but then I got to work even though I still had the TV on. I was amazed but delighted to see the Obamas get out of their safe car and walk in the streets, greeting the crowds. I was even impressed to see all the dignitaries file into the special seating, and I watched the Obama girls with delight. No sense saying this has been a historic day--everyone knows that, and everyone knows the hard work begins tomorrow.
Some have criticized the expense of this inauguration, but I thought the pomp and circumstance had its place. It's comforting to know that these rituals go on from inauguration to inauguration--sort of like a sign the United States will survive its current multiple crises. And it was fitting to mark this particular transition with ritual. I thought the day well planned and appropriate, and I vicariously enjoyed every minute of it--wouldn't, however, have given a plugged nickel to be on that mall in the midst of all those people.
I felt a tad sorry for George Bush. He has been protesting too much about leaving with his head held high, but if he really listened to what President Obama said, he would have at least squirmed in his seat--so would Dick Cheney. It's always a bit sentimental to see the outgoing president fly away in the helicopter. This time the crowd below waved--but only some of them. And it must be cold comfort to leave, saying that history would justify his presidency--because current public opinion sure hasn't. I felt sorry, years ago, for Mrs. Nixon--I remember watchng that departure with a very young Colin who says he remembers it--and now I feel sorry for the Bushes. Not forgiving, but compassion.
My boss told me her niece who is a freshman at George Washington thought the National Mall was a shopping mall. When her aunt and mother expressed concern about the cold, she assured them it would be all right because malls are enclosed. They had to do a quick bit of educating. In a way, it shows me how much many of us need to learn about our government and our capitol.
Now I'm waiting for the final NBC roundup--maybe they'll finally show what Michelle Obama is wearing, though she looked stunning this morning.
I hope all of you are savoring the day--and praying in your own way for the new president, his administration, and his family.

A sense of anticipation

Like most Americans, I await tomorrow with anticipation--and a little apprehension. This is such a momentous inauguration in the history of our country that I pray no violence will mar it. I feel sort of like I did while we waited for the turn of the century eight years ago (seems like yesterday!). But maybe this time it's with a bit more apprehension. My friend Jean has a friend who is a ham radio operator, and he told her they have their emergency network set up and ready to go. "You mean they expect trouble?" Jean asked, and he said, "Oh, yeah!" Jean said she felt better than if he had just shrugged. But I realize that you can't put three million more people into a city without some trouble. Colin called tonight and said if anyone was after Obama, they wouldn't do anything tomorrow. Of course, we all know there are people out there, from racist bigots to terrorists, who would like to get rid of him but I guess we should be comforted that security is so high. I look at pictures of him with his family and almost wonder why he's willing to risk his safety, in a sense putting country before family. It makes me admire him all the more. But he and his wife and those two charming daughters are on my daily prayer list.
Today being MLK Day, I was home all day--so I saw a lot about the inauguration. The news media is of course playing it for all its worth, but I was fascinated. The TODAY Show was a three-hour special edition, Martha Stewart featured tomorrow's dinner menu (or was it lunch?), and the NBC nightly news seemed to indicate almost nothing had happened elsewhere in the world, except perhaps the ceasefire in Gaza.
I talked to Charles today and he said, "You know, you just don't want to watch it alone." I said a dumb thing: "Well, Charles, I'd invite you over but I don't have enough lunch." I was thinking of those three large tomatoes I bought to stuff with tuna. To my shame, Charles said, "I don't have to eat." Of course I realized I could eat a smaller tomato and called him back to say, "Of course you'll eat," to which he replied, "Only a dainty portion." I''ll also serve tomato/basil soup--I have some tomato/basil sauce left from last night's chicken and will add it to some purchased organic tomato soup. The table is set in the family room--I keep walking by it and thinking, "Oh, I have to clear that table" but I don't.
Tonight Jeannie and Jim came for a one-dish meal. Jim was giving me financial advice. I fixed what the kids used to call green noodles--usually I use spinach egg noddles but I discovered spinach penne in my cupboard and used that. The sauce is butter, olive oil, lemon, mushrooms, scallions, artichoke hearts, pesto, and Parmesan.. If I do say so, it's really good. It began as a simple recipe--lemon butter on egg noodles, but I began using the spinach noodles and then gradually added ingredients. Jim ate two helpings, just as Jeannie said, "We're trying to cut down on the portions we eat." I was glad he liked it because when they arrived she said, "He's really hungry," and I worried about my one-dish meal. I did serve cheese (saga and havarti) and grapes for dessert.