Time Out for Serious World Events

In Burma (also called Myanmar), thousands have taken to the streets in what is so far a peaceful mass protest against the ruling military junta. Buddhist monks have joined the marchers, holding signs about peace and kindness. The last time there were widespread protests like these was 1988, when the military opened fire on the peacemakers, killing and injuring hundreds and starting a massive, bloody exile that continues today. These are the folks with whom my sister Meredith works on the Thai-Burmese border (she is here in Memphis right now on a fall sabbatical).

The world is watching with baited breath, hoping against all hope that the Burmese military will show restraint. Rumor has it that they plan a significant crackdown on the borders which will be followed by violence. Please pray that the tide will not turn in that direction.

President Bush is expected to announce US sanctions against Burma in his UN speech tomorrow. Laura Bush has actually long been tied to this cause and is trying to get the word out about the situation there. Finally we have some official administrative acknowledgment of the abuses going on in Burma (see my earlier post on this topic from May 2007). Maybe something can be done to begin to address this issue. I am hopeful, since so many world leaders are gathered together at the UN now--perhaps there are more listening ears!

Right now, pay attention, get educated and let your leaders know how much it means to speak out in favor of the peacemakers and against the military junta. Pray for the marchers, for their safety and that their message may be heard. May peace prevail.

Setting the Trends

I would just like to point out that I am SO far ahead of the curve in terms of what is "in." Okay, this refers to some things and not others. I do not claim to have any idea who the Grammy-nominated singers are, nor have I seen most of the shows honored at the Emmys. However, when it comes to home decor and, yes, BLOGGING, I am clearly setting trends.

For example, when Rebecca was turning one, I planned a ladybug-themed party. Granted it was February (and not ladybug season), but I had the hardest time finding decorations. Within a year, you just couldn't go anywhere without seeing ladybug party stuff. Nana/Bev is my witness on this one. Another example: last year, I made a Christmas wreath for my mother with a red-and-white candy theme (you know peppermint drops and candy canes and gumdrops and the like). Looked all over the place for stuff to fill up the wreath. I did find stuff, but it didn't quite fulfill my vision. This year, after a recent trip to Garden Ridge (quite possibly the coolest home decor place on earth), I learned that red-and-white Christmas candy is SO in this year.

Finally, I read an article in Memphis Parent magazine about mommy bloggers (specifically the ones in this city). We're everywhere! And how cool do I feel to be one of them? My cousin's wife Cathy even had her mommy blog listed in the "Memphis Mommy Bloggers You Will Love" category. How I didn't make THAT cut I do not know. I will have to chalk it up to the fact that I am a recent import and haven't made my mark yet. But I will. Look out, Memphis, the Trend Setter has arrived!

Summer Slide Show Part II--The Finale

Bigger than the Beatles

There's a 14-year-old phenom called Hannah Montana (real name: Mylie Cyrus) who has captured the hearts and pop-star-obsessed minds of girls everywhere. She has a show on the Disney Channel and several CDs. She's pretty wholesome, being a Disney creation and all. Her angle is that she is a "regular kid" who goes to public high school as Mylie and has a secret identity as a rock star called Hannah. Her father (played by her real-life father Billy Ray Cyrus of "Achy Breaky Heart" fame), her brother and two friends know the truth, but she relishes in being able to live a normal life in addition to her famous one. She sings sugary-sweet songs, pop at its finest, the kind that grown-ups can't seem to get out of their heads.

Hannah Montana is on tour as we speak. And she is coming to Memphis on November 29, to the FedEx Forum no less. A huge venue, where our NBA team plays. And this little 14-year-old kid SOLD OUT the concert in no less than 8 minutes. All the local radio stations and TV stations are featuring outraged parents, who assume (probably correctly) that the tickets intentionally went to professional scalpers who are already advertising Hannah tickets for $800 or more. The insidious part is that the same outraged parents will probably fork over that kind of dough to ensure that little Muffy gets to see Hannah not-so-up-close-and-personal. If there weren't some stupid parents, the scalpers couldn't make any money.

Fortunately, I did not tell Molly and Rebecca that Hannah Montana was coming, so they are none the wiser. I am certain this blissful ignorance is short-lived. Some kid at one of their schools will, in fact, have a parent willing to sell their next-born child for tickets to the concert and the kid will brag about it at school. These things start as early as preschool, I have learned, so I cannot hide this sad information forever. There is a rumor that, since promoters have not officially declared HM a sell-out, they may open the arena further, making available some partially-obstructed view seats and the like. We'll see...

You think they'll be just as happy to see "Madeline's Christmas" at a community theater in December?

Fresh-Squeezed (well, almost!)

I'm not sure where the idea came from, but for a couple of months, the girls had been asking to have a lemonade stand. Moving and cooler weather prevented this undertaking before we left Iowa. When we first got to Memphis, it just never seemed to be the right time. I promised them that we could do this once we got into the apartment--and I added that we'd probably get more customers there since there is a steady stream of residents. They held me to that promise one very hot August Saturday (we figured it was only 98 degrees that day, practically Antarctic weather compared to the 105-110 we'd been blessed with in preceding weeks). They helped stir the lemonade and put the lemon slices in the cups with me. We took ice separately, so when we had buyers, their lemonade was ice cold but not yet watered down--and each cup had a fresh lemon slice as well. We had 8 customers in an hour, lots of "awwww"s and grins, and many compliments on the taste of the lemonade itself. Gotta love the CountryTime folks!

The stand came from Linens & Things (thanks, Granna!). I know in the old days, kids made their own out of refrigerator boxes or card tables, but who has time for that!? The girls DID color this one, though, making it semi-homemade. Good enough!

taste-testing

Who can resist buying lemonade from this kid!?