Thankful for Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving is now one of my favorite days of the year.  Preceding what can feel like the onslaught of December, it’s a day to focus on our gratitude, on those we love, on precious time spent in the company of family and friends. 

As a child growing up in Minnesota, the meaning and value of the day paled next to any other holiday involving presents, candy, costumes, the jolly old elf and “that dumb bunny” as my little brother once called him.  There was the mystery of the big turkey roaster in the basement, its glowing red light and hours of preparation.  And I always liked watching the Macy’s Parade – ushering in…Santa!!  But beyond that, ho-hum to a kid counting the days until Christmas.

This is a difficult year for so many families.  It may be more challenging to find gratitude in the day, where abundance has been replaced by lack.  But it’s my sincere wish that, however humble, a sense of fulfillment from friends, family, faith and hope for better days ahead will sustain you and provide a foundation for gratitude on Thanksgiving Day.

I feel thankful for so much in my life, but most of all for a beautiful, healthy 14 year old son who reminds me every day that life holds so many surprises, and opportunities for laughter, learning and love, if my eyes are just open to seeing them all. 

Thanksgiving Blessings to you and yours.

Snow!

And plenty of it, at least for those of us living “where squalls persist.”  This morning marked the beginning of a winter morning ritual for me.  My little dog  Cody- a 12 pound Silky Terrier- can’t successfully move through much snow at all because his legs are so short.  SO, in bathrobe, Uggs, my son’s knit cap and mismatched mittens, I tackled shoveling a path through the eight or so inches of snow outside the back door so Cody could take care of business.  A path, and then a little “area” for his needs.  Dogs can be so funny to watch in the snow, some love to play in it  - not Cody! He moves with alacrity, as though being chased by howling coyotes, his speed a need to get back into the cozy kitchen and his spot on top of the sofa cushions where he’ll watch the snow through the window.  Right next to me.

Have a great weekend – in or out of the snow!

My Ears Are Still Ringing…

And I’m still smiling about the phenomenal tribute concert for Les Paul on Saturday night.  The Rock Hall and their production team put together an unforgettable show featuring the evolution of music inspired as the guitar became a more prominent instrument after Gibson developed Les Paul’s ideas for a solid body electric guitar.  “Unleashing the beast” was the term used, and perfectly on display from the gathering of guitar greats.  That the 93-year-old “Wizard of Waukesha” himself took the stage with his own group to bring it all home was the perfect way to end the evening.  Musical highlights are too numerous to list, but the highlight for me personally was watching my son’s face when he met “Slash” after the concert.  I tried not to notice the obscene messages on the attire of the former Guns N’ Roses guitarist, which was easy because Tyler’s beaming face was all I could see.   Rock on Les Paul!  And while the reverence and gratitude for the man who forever changed the sound of rock music was felt by all who attended on Saturday night, let me add my own heartfelt “thanks!”

Rock City

I’m suffering golf withdrawal, cringing at the approach of snow, but have a very exciting event to look forward to this weekend.  The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame American Masters Series Tribute Concert to Les Paul! 

The list of real guitar heroes converging on Cleveland’s State Theater Saturday night for this event is incredible!  It includes HOF inductees James Burton, Duane Eddy, Billy Gibbons and The Ventures.  Also, Jennifer Batten, Jeff “Skunk” Baxter, Steve Lukather, Alannah Myles, Richie Sambora and Slash among many others.

My 14 year old son has been taking guitar lessons for a year, and his musical tastes are fairly far afield from my own – as it should be.  But for him to see this diverse group of musicians honoring Les Paul, the man who pioneered development of the first solid body electric guitar (along with many other recording “effects”) which forever changed the sound of rock music, will be………electrifying!!  I’ll be sure to share my impressions of the evening on Monday.   Meanwhile, as legendary Cleveland radio programmer John Gorman once said to me:  “Rock and Roll IS our Fountain of Youth!”

HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND IN THE ROCK AND ROLL CITY!

What Women Wear

Yesterday, the blogosphere was all abuzz about the unusual dress Michelle Obama wore on Tuesday night when her husband made his speech as the newly elected President of the United States.  It was a striking red and black Narcisco Rodriguez dress that  – like any fashion – would not be to everyone’s taste.  She most certainly must have liked it a lot to have chosen it for such a special night.  But her choice has drawn pretty harsh criticism, and there were numerous polls on internet sites  yesterday – including our own – that invited people to vote on whether it looked good or not.  Some commentary has been pretty tough, terming it “ugly” etc. 

All women in the public eye draw extra scrutiny for their attire, criticism that men mostly escape.  (Don’t I know it!)  One viewer wrote to me that inviting people to comment on whether her dress was “ugly” or “cute” smacked of junior high level pettiness, a mean spiritedness that diminished Mrs. Obama’s own successes and accomplishments.  The brouhaha over Sarah Palin’s wardrobe involved these same issues.  If she’d hit the campaign trail in frumpish clothing, she would have been slammed for that.  It’s almost a ”no win” situation, especially in the context of a time when so many people in America are struggling to pay their bills and put food on the table. 

  Obviously clothing has the power to communicate various things for women – authority, wealth, sexuality, daring, conservativeness, creativity and other qualities.  Like many women, I happen to love fashion, enjoy seeing what women are wearing, and for me fashion trends are an entertaining topic to explore.  But it is only clothing.  And I think most people know that one’s substance, character and actions are what truly matter.

There is a long tradition of First Ladies setting fashion trends from the White House, whether Dolly Madison’s plunging necklines, Jacqueline Kennedy’s bouffant hairdo and celebrated sense of style, Barbara Bush’s signature pearls.  Personally, I think Michelle Obama is showing a very modern fashion sense – sometimes designer, sometimes J. Crew or Gap, and will carry on that tradition in her own unique way. 

So what do you think?  Is being the target of this sort of criticism just part of the role she will now fill?  Is it unfair?

I’d be interested to know what you’re thinking about this!