The Political Beast

The U.S. is getting close to an election that I believe will be very important. I've tried to stay away from politics on this blog because I believe that my blog was just for getting to know me and my writing and other sundry things, but I'm almost to the point of letting loose here.

Normally I love to argue politics with family and friends, but I get highly passionate and incensed when I do so. Although I may seem upset, I have never felt any less toward anyone who argues against me or disagrees with my views. I may laugh at them to myself afterwards, but I've never lost a friendship over politics. I also prefer to argue in person with people that I'm comfortable with, not put myself out there for the world to see. I do that enough with my books.

But politics is ugly. Always has been, always will be. I don't like ugliness (I'm not talking about appearances here). And now it's become divisive. I can't believe some people think the way they do. Actually I believe they aren't thinking because if they did they wouldn't vote they way they plan to.

So although I hold strong opinions about this upcoming election, I'm keeping them to myself. I won't change anyone's mind who doesn't think like me, and if they already think like me, Why argue? But I do plan to vote.

I just can't believe this election is at all close and considered a legitimate and valid electoral race.

--Gabi

Books I'm reading now:
Spindle's End by Robin McKinley

Empty Nest?

With two kids off to college this years (twins, doncha know, so I lost two at once), you'd think I was suffering from empty nest syndrome. Nope.

Don't get me wrong. I miss them, and I think they don't call or email me often enough, but it's not that I miss them. I just want to hear their news. Their lives have to be more exciting right now than mine. I just go to work and come home. They are off in new parts of the country, learning new things, meeting new people. I want to hear the excitement in their voices. And no, I'm not living my life through them.

But I don't think I'm suffering from empty nest syndrome. I already moved my remaining daughter into one of her sisters' room, painted the walls, took over her room as an office, painted those walls, and I'm loving having my own space for writing. In fact I'm thinking of having my twins share a room when they come home so I can keep the office to myself. I love having my own place to work and write. I have an extra table in their for when I work on hard copy, I have my own computer (not this one) just for writing, and my floor to ceiling bookshelves that still have space to hold more! It's quite lovely.

Nope. No empty nest. I have my own life.
But I do wish they would call more often.
--Gabi

Books I'm reading now:
Catcher in the Rye by JD Salinger
The Emergency Doctor's Chosen Wife by Molly Evans

Reading...and painting

No, not that kind of painting. Painting rooms. I spent the weekend repainting one entire room and one wall of my daughter's new room. Since her two sisters are away at college, she moved into her older sister's bigger room, and I moved into her old room. Not exactly. I converted it into my office. And that required paint to change the bright pink walls into a soothing green. My daughter's room now sports an island, the ocean and the bright blue sky. Very creative, if I do say so myself. Latent talent there.

But after two days of painting, I can't move without pain, so no way I'm taking this up as a career switch.

And, yes, I know: you're not supposed to change or get rid of your college bound child's room. They need to come home to it to feel still loved, but we warned the twins, and in our case it wasn't one unused room, but two, so they'll just have to lump it.

I am so heartless.
--Gabi

Books I'm reading now:
Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury (makes you love books all the more)
To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
Dragonsdawn by Anne McCaffrey