Friday, November 7, 2008

SARAH PALIN

Okay, enough is enough. We liberal, Obama loving fans were so hopeful that Obama would win and we would hear the last of Sarah Palin. But instead, what do we see when we turn on CNN, MSNBC, network news? Every tidbit the news people can find about Sarah? How much did she spend on clothes for herself, her husband, etc. Following her to Alaska to interview her; digging up every piece of info about her they can.


If we are really fascinated with her, let's be honest and admit it. If we have heard enough, let's let the news people know.

And, as a last word, Clifford and I have suspected that she was used and abused and tossed aside by the Republican Party. In a way, I pity this woman who was beyond her capabilities and expertise. Cast to the sharks, so to speak.

Off my soap box now.

Jean

Thursday, November 6, 2008

MOVIE REVIEW

Every once in a while, I stumble on a really great movie/documentary. Tonight we watched one! It is called "The Real Dirt on Farmer John" and is about Angelic Organics in Clinton, Wisconsin. The man who is the center of the movie is named John Peterson and his is a truly inspiring, sensitive, up-lifting story. It encompasses the 60's, the demise of farms in the Midwest, never giving up, and CSA's or Community Sponsored Agriculture. Rent it, watch it. You'll really find it a great real-life story.

Jean

Tuesday, November 4, 2008

THE DIFFERENCE IS CLEAR

The difference between Obama and McCain: For 1 thing, Clifford and I noted that McCain and supporters are at the Arizona Biltmore, one of the most posh hotels in Phoenix and a rather small venue in relation to GRANT PARK. I have been to both places and the difference between an elitist and a maverick are shown by their choice of places to celebrate.

Well three hours later and we are celebrating the most amazing event we have seen in years. Can anyone of our generation believe that we have an African/American (half white) man elected President of the United States! Let us never forget how far we have come and that the old older may pass quietly and we come upon a time when color is not as important as some people think it is.

We are so proud to be Americans again. No, we were not proud for the past 8 years and I am not afraid to say it.

Jean Baber and Clifford Hetz

Sunday, October 19, 2008

Wasted food

With the thousands (and more) people in this world starving, can anyone tell me why we should give media attention to food fights, all you can eat contests and efforts to get into Guinness Book of World Records by eating as much as you can. It is not only gross, but a total waste of food that could be donated to those who would eat it thankfully.

Jean

Monday, October 13, 2008

BOOK REVIEW

I just read "Slavery By Another Name" by Douglas A. Blackmon. It is about the re-enslavement of black americans from the Civil War to World War II and is eye opening, jaw dropping and totally overwhelming and I recommend you read it.

It seems that the southern whites could not make a go of it after the slaves were "freed" after the Civil War so developed a system of peonage or forced slavery whereby a black would be arrested on a trumped up charge and when he couldn't pay the fine, a big powerful white man would kindly pay it and the man was his for life.

If you are interested in this subject matter and learning the REAL history of America read it.

I can't believe we put ourselves up as the land of the free after reading this book.

Jean

Friday, October 3, 2008

TIRED OF IT ALL

Does anyone else feel or think that the debates are useless and simply mirrored campaign speeches?

Jean

BOOK REVIEW

I just read in quick time, the latest hot best seller, "The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society" by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows. It is impossible to describe exactly what this book is except it is a must-read. Like most books I read, it lead me to other places, to dig deeper and to look for more books with related issues. What I learned was that the Germans occupied some or all of the islands between England and France in the English Channel. Did not know and doubt many people did know.

I am currently reading "Slavery By Another Name" by Douglas A. Blackmon. We heard him interviewed by Bill Moyers and it was eye opening. Love learning more about history since we didn't really learn that much in school, did we?

Stay tuned.

Jean

Friday, September 5, 2008

MOVIE REVIEW

Clifford and I just watched "The Band's Visit", about a group of Egyptian men in an orchestra who travel to Israel to perform and end up in the wrong town. The relationships, the people, the dialogue (and lack of) is so poetic. I felt at times, I was watching a moving photo gallery of images and expressions that told so much without a word. Sweet, evocative, up-lifting and totally worth renting.

Jean

Wednesday, August 20, 2008

MUST READ BOOK

I am in the midst of reading a book that I can't put down. It is compelling, scary but each chapter ends happily. I am talking about "The Big Green Purse". If you don't know of it, google it. Everyone in this world should have it with them every time they shop. I am buying extra copies on Amazon (used of course) and sharing them with friends and relatives.

Jean

Friday, August 8, 2008

CHAPTER 2

DAY 5, AT THE RECOMMENDATION OF OUR FRIEND, BONNIE BROWN, WE TOURED PARKIN ARCHEOLOGICAL STATE PARK IN PARKIN,AR. IT IS ALONG THE ST. FRANCES RIVER AND A VERY PRETTY SITE. IT HAD A MISSISSIPPIAN MOUND AND OLD PARKIN CEMETERY. WE THEN DROVE NORTH TO TYRONZA, WHERE WE VISITED THE SOUTHERN TENANT FARMERS MUSEUM. IN THE 1930’S BLACKS AND WHITES FORMED A UNION TO DEMAND BETTER CONDITIONS FROM THE LAND OWNERS. WE HAD VISITED THE SITE OF THE MUSEUM A FEW YEARS AGO AND MET A FRIEND OF HERS WHO WAS INSTRUMENTAL IN SETTING UP THIS MUSEUM AND WROTE A BOOK TITLED “PLOWING NEW GROUND”

WE THEN DROVE SOUTH TO CLARKSDALE,MS AND STAYED AT BIG PINK GUESTHOUSE. SINCE THE NEXT DAY WAS THE 4TH OF JULY AND IT WOULD BE CLOSED, WE ONLY HAD ONE HOUR TO TOUR THE DELTA BLUES MUSEUM WHICH WAS JUST ACROSS THE STREET. THAT NIGHT WE HAD DINNER AND LISTENED TO BLUES AT THE GROUND ZERO BLUES RESTAURANT PARTIALLY OWNED BY MORGAN FREEMAN. WE LEARNED FROM OUR UNIQUE HOST AT THE BIG PINK GUESTHOUSE THAT TENNESSEE WILLIAMS’ GRANDPARENTS LIVED IN CLARKSDALE AND HE VISITED THEM FREQUENTLY.

DAY 6 JULY 4TH, AS WE WERE HEADING TO MEMPHIS ON RT. 61,WE SAW A SIGN FOR RIVER PARK. IT IS A LARGE MUSEUM ON THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER AND ABOUT THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER AND IS VERY NEW. WE FOUND THE HOLLYWOOD CAFÉ ON OUR WAY TO MEMPHIS AND ATE FRIED DILL PICKLES. WE WERE NOT IMPRESSED. WE DECIDED TO STAY IN OUR ROOM AS WE DIDN’T WANT TO BE ON BEALE STREET ON THE 4TH OF JULY.

DAY 7 WE TOOK A RIVER BOAT RIDE ON THE MISSISSIPPI AND TOURED THE WOODRUFF-FONTAINE MANSION IN THE HISTORIC DISTRICT. WE ALSO SAW THE LEE MANSION. WE FOUND A CUTE CAFÉ CALLED CAFÉ 61. HIGHWAY 61 IS THE “BLUES HIGHWAY” THAT RUNS FROM CANADA THROUGH MEMPHIS DOWN TO NEW ORLEANS. CLIFFORD HAD FRIED ALLIGATOR. ON THE RECOMMENDATION OF OUR FRIEND, SHARI CALLAHAN, WE ATE DINNER AT RENDEVOUS RESTAURANT. IT IS TUCKED AWAY IN AN ALLEY BUT WAS PACKED EVEN ON A VERY RAINY EVENING. WE THEN WENT TO MY FAVORITE PLACE ON BEALE STREE. THE UM BOOGIE CAFÉ.

MORE TO COME, JEAN