Hi there, come on in.  I know, another long and exhausting day.  Find yourself a seat and I'll get you something to drink.  I've got some munchies around here somewhere, I'll find something to fill that hole in your stomach.  What?  That won't work?  I wonder why not ...

I'm so sick of John McCain.

I'm so sick of Sarah Palin.

I'm so sick of Joe the Plumber.

I'm so sick of Talking Heads.

I'm so sick of Polls.

I'm so sick of the color Red.

I'm so sick of the color Blue.

I still like the color Purple.  Cool movie.

Hi there, come on in.  Good to see you, too.  It's been far too long, how have you been?  Me?  I'm good ... finding my way and all that.  You know the drill.  Let me get you something while you make yourself comfortable on the sofa.  Of course it's still here!  What would my living room be without the ugly blue chair - it's all yours.  You used to like Zin, if I recall correctly.  Cool!  Perfect timing, the disc needs changing.  I remember, REM it is - just for you.  All set?  All right then, I'll be right back.

Ah.  That cool breeze feels so good as it wanders in through the open kitchen window.  Playing with the curtains, making them dance.  Reminds me of the first friends who danced with me in wild abandon as kids in my memory's living room.  Laughing so hard we lost our breath, falling on the floor while still dancing in our hearts.  Of course, back then it was a turntable playing vinyl so we ruined more records by jumping around and making the needle skip than we could ever replace.  We were too caught up in the joy of living to worry about such mundane things.  Ah, yes.  That cool breeze feels so good.

Funny thing, first friends.  Learning to love someone because of who they are, how they make you feel when you're lonely.  When you're down, when you want to cry for no other reason than to feel the tears stain your cheeks.  They're the ones who teach you to lean on a shoulder, to appreciate the tears they shed with you - for you.  When you're so excited about something you'll die if you can't tell them.  You're giggling so hard that you can't find the words ... then realize words don't matter when they're giggling with you.  Funny thing, first friends.

Gosh, I've got a glass or two to fill and good folks waiting on me to join them.  I'm convinced that the friends I am blessed to call mine today are the gentle by-products of my youth ... my first friends.  They taught me to love, trust, accept, understand and to appreciate what friendship means.  And made me a better person in the process.  

Hi there, come on in.  Sure, give me your jacket.  Let me help ... I know I'm laughing but don't take offense, okay?  I have trouble with sleeves myself, sometimes.  There we go.  It'll be right here waiting for you.  Now then, care for a drink?  Not a problem, a glass of wine for each of us is on the way.  Find a seat and make yourself at home.  What?  Sure!  Whatever you feel like listening to, it's all good with me.

Hungry?  You're in luck!  I mentioned the other day that I hadn't had a good hand-made pie in ages ... guess what?  Some friends here tonight decided to remedy my situation and grant me the gift of their craftmanship.  We have apple cinnamon, lemon cream, cherry and blueberry.  Peach, too!  But technically, that's a cobbler.  Never to be confused with a pie.  I made a cheesecake all by my lonesome - have some warm blackberry preserves and chocolate sauce as sides, just pick one.  You're kidding, right?  Both combined?  Well, if it works for you ...

Oh, oh!  Almost forgot the ice cream.  I took it out of the freezer awhile ago so it's nice and soft.  No, just vanilla.  It's really perfect as an accent to the flavor of the pie without taking it over.  Of course it is, don't make me stick your nose in a spoon full to prove it.  I always serve the best whole bean vanilla ice cream with a great pie - is there another choice?  Now behave, take your paper plate of pie with ice cream (on the side, you're so weird) and go sit down.

Great idea, who said that??  I barely heard it over the music but I'm totally there!  Election night, everyone brings a dish.  Doesn't have to be pie.  In fact, let's put a whole family meal together!  A potpourri of dishes that run the gambet of flavorful delights.  Only rule?  They have to be blue!  Yep, that's right ... everything has to have a blue hue, to celebrate the election and ... well, you know what we'll be celebrating.  I'm already thinking about food coloring - blue mac and cheese!

So, are you with us?

P.S.  Why did it take so long to put Bill Clinton out there with Barak Obama?

Hi there, come on in.  Yes, it has been an interesting day, hasn't it?  Gosh, it's gotten almost cold out there, that wind out of the North doesn't help a bit.  May I get you something?  Really!  Well, sure - I've got a bottle of that around here somewhere, do you have a favorite mixer?  Hmm ... I've got that, too.  Actually, that sounds so good I think I'll make two for the price of one.  Sounds like there may be something on your mind.  Who?  Oh no, he's gone.  Get comfortable on the sofa, grab a couple of pillows and I'll get our drinks.  Fill you in when I get back.

Here you go, on the rocks.  I'm curious, why did you ask about him?  I see.  He does kind of get around, doesn't he.  I can't understand for the life of me why he gets in those moods like he does.  I've had some decent conversations with him in the past - believe it or not - and although we've disagreed more often than not they were civil.

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I just watched Barak Obama give a fabulous speech in Canton, Ohio.  Many of you may have seen it, too.  His words were inspirational, his intent clearly to lead this country to a better day.

Yet, he looked so incredibly tired.  Not really well.  Made me wonder as I often do - why does anyone want that job?  It's not for the money.  That's not worth your heart and soul.  The power?  There's a thought --- for some.  Ego?  We've seen a lot of that, so I'll concede the possibility.  Then again, no one succeeds in life and grabs the gold ring without a healthy sense of self.

I don't see those reasons when I look at Obama.  It is taking such a toll on him, just the campaign alone.  He is already looking forward on our behalf ... years down the line.  He is trying so hard.  Doing his best.  And being slammed in every conceivable way by others who wish to take him down.  To make him small.  Why does he want that job?

Because it matters.  We all matter.  Barak Obama isn't afraid to take on the world, if it means making a difference.  One step at a time.  He's so tough ... and so human.  While I worry for him, I will be so proud to call him Mr. President.  And so very grateful he took the job. 

Hi there, come on in.  What?  Yes, it's loud again and I'm not turning it down.  No, not even for you.  Grab a seat, close your eyes and remember better days.  Or at least younger ones - when all that mattered was rock and roll - the louder, the better.  Sing along, you know you remember the words.

What are you playing on my stereo tonight?