Fortitude to Keep on Going

I commend Elizabeth and John Edwards as they vow to keep moving along the presidential campaign trail, despite the devastating news of her cancer returning. We have personally experienced those appointments where you stop breathing while waiting anxiously for test results. We know the feeling of a "scare," and the relief when it is no more than a scare.
Our hearts and thoughts go to their family as they face continued challenges. Why do good people get extra hard challenges when they have already proven they can handle them? Maybe it doesn't work that way, but it just doesn't seem fair when he is trying to change the country for the better.
I have to say that I wept when I heard her diagnosis; we lamented their sadness all day.
It was a fitting day for it to be pouring rain.

I Know You Had The Same Thought

When I read that "one-third of the residents of D.C. were illiterate," I had one thought. And that was that at least one of those people lives at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue.
You cannot deny you did not have the same thought.

Family Value Merchandise

I never met a Spring Training souvenir store I did not like.
But the Angels have a new twist on the stuff that fans want -- shirts, hats, etc. They have a line of merchandise, with one particular logo, that is the "Family Value Merchandise." So adult shirts are $10, far less than the $27.01 I paid today at the Cubs, and hats are $10. These prices include the tax, so the shirt is $10. A kids shirt was less than that.
What a great way to appeal to fans that don't have lots of cash but still want to support their team. I think that is a great give-back to the community. Did I mention that all the Angels products are bright red?

National Coffee Break Day

My husband says that once I find out there is something free somewhere, I become possessed. Today, I heard that Starbuck's was giving free cups of coffee between 10 am - Noon in honor of National Coffee Break Day. Needless to say, I planned my morning errands around a stop for my free coffee. I arrived about 10 am, and there was a line out the door, probably the same line at that time on most days. The manager was offering free cups of coffee to people in line; surprisingly 50% of the people refused it and waited to get another beverage. That was surprising for me, as they were getting coffee, and this was free??? They had samples of the low-fat cinnamon coffee cake my daughter loves. The staff was smiling, friendly and welcoming. I grabbed a big bag of "Grounds for my Garden" on the way out as I am going to start doing a composting pile.
The premise is that people are over-scheduled, and need a break for their second cup of coffee late in the morning. According to the news on the Starbuck's website, the goal was to introduce people to the new mobile Starbuck's locator feature on your cellphone. "Travelers far from home can simply send a text message with the local ZIP code to “697289” (MYSBUX) and receive up to three locations for Starbucks stores in their vicinity. "

Nuts About Futters Nut Butters

In my ongoing search to come up with unusual, low carb treats, I searched on recipes to make flavored almond butter. BUT, to my delight, I found Futters Nut Butters, a small company that makes all kinds of flavored nut butters. There is almost every nut, then they add flavoring (unsweetened) of almond, orange, chocolate, cinnamon, etc. I am on my second order of goodies from them. The last batch included their special pistachio and hazelnut butters, and their dark chocolate bark with pistachios and dried cranberries.
We are fans in our house as they are delicious. My personal favorite is Cinna-pecan -- I eat it out of the jar with my finger (oops, not supposed to say that, I think.) and I love the chocolate orange almond butter. They also have seed butters but I have not tried those yet but be sure to go to www.futtersnutbutters.com.

U-Haul's Box Exchange Program

U-Haul gets it -- I heard on the radio about their new box reuse/recycle program. They will assist you, via their website http://www.uhaul.com/boxexchange/index.aspx to find someone with boxes that you can reuse prior to buying new ones. They encourage recycling after multiple uses. A cheer for them!!!
Many people have been doing this informally with friends and neighbors for years, but U-Haul is now structuring this for everyone to access. If you need to buy packaging tape for the boxes, the U-Haul paper tape is the very best out there. I have moved a lot; I have tried many tapes. This tapes tears easily with one hand but sticks when and where you want it. Any other paper tapes are not as good; accept no substitutes.
I think you still have to drive carefully when you are near a U-Haul truck on the highway; usually those drivers are not experienced at driving trucks. But their new box program should win them some environmental and marketing recognition!!!!!

Grace Slick and White Rabbits

We had a quiet Saturday night ahead, so we decided to go to Trader Joe's. Then we drove around the Promenade Shopping Center looking for a new restaurant when we saw the KSLX truck and a crowd in front of the "Rock Star Gallery." We saw people snapping photos and assumed someone was in there of interest. After parking the car, we walked in just as Grace Slick was leaving. Someone tried to get a guitar autographed, but the bodyguard said "that won't be happening tonight." Wow, that was so bizarre, seeing someone that you have heard sing in your memories of growing up. Her long black hair is now long white hair.
We ventured into the artist reception and saw much of her work. Needless to say, there were many paintings of different white rabbits done at different times of her life. She also did several drawings of other musicians -- Jerry Garcia was among them.
In all, it was surrealistic. The art was wonderful, there were some rock-star wannabees and the best thing was it was so unexpected today. Yes, this the day after the awesome Ostrich races, which were more than surreal and some adorable dog athletes at the Purina Incredible Dog Challenge. Spring training baseball was sandwiched in between, but that is a story for another day.