A day in the life of President Bush (birthday edition): 7/6/03

yahoo.com, whitehouse.gov

[rintense]

President Bush was back in Washington today, a day before leaving on a trip to Africa. The President is celebrate his 57th birthday today, and began the day with church services where Rev. Spencer M. Rice included birthday wishes and prayers for him. Enjoy your daily dose of Dubya!

[My2Cents]

I think his profusion of sweat is indicative of a fit body. When I used to jog and exercise regularly, I used to sweat easily. It's just sign of an efficient "machine."

[My2Cents]

It's become a tradition with me to watch it every 4th of July! :-)

Same here, natural-LEE!

[spookycc]

Northern Indiana is more like Kansas....flat.

The better for us to see tornadoes coming. ;-P

[Bushfanatic]

Oh, yeah I agree. I wasn't criticizing the president for sweating, I was just commenting on the fact. It's very humid there.

[My2Cents]

I didn't take your comment as a criticism. I was simply noting that people who are physically fit sweat a lot, or more easily than those who are not fit.

[Fawnn]

I posted this vanity, self-indulgent post in the canteen, but it does somewhat relate to some of our earlier discussions about being a packrat and the more recent "efficient machine" stuff. So, I thought some of you might like this mini-essay from my (still unpublished) book, Rhymes and Reasons: Coping with Chronic Illness, SEX, and Other Stuff

Life’s Bumps and Bandaids

My computer monitor has a Winnie the Pooh Band-Aid on it.

No. The monitor isn’t broken. But I am.

The Band-Aid is there to remind me that although things may not always go as well as I hope, I do have people who care about me. Therefore, somehow I’ll find my best path.

After spending a day shopping with my daughter Lara, my grandson Charlie, and my granddaughter Taylor, I moved items from the trunk of Lara’s car to mine and then carried a few of the things into my daughter’s house. Lara went out to the car to bring in the rest of the stuff while I watched the kids.

By that point, every muscle in my body was complaining. The spasms in my lower back were awful. I live with pain. I’ve learned how to cope. But sometimes, I’m hit with one that is like an in-your-face dose of reality. One added to the others that then makes them all difficult to bear. I tried hard not to, but I found myself crying. I wait until I’m home alone for that crap. Tears rolled down my face. I couldn’t mask them. They were there. When she got back in the house, Lara asked what was wrong. I replied, “I just hurt. Give me a minute.” I grabbed a tissue and started my deep breathing in hopes the spasms would subside.

While I did so, three and a half year old Taylor came up to me, and without saying a word, put one of her treasured Winnie the Pooh Band-Aids on my left hand. And then we hugged.

Later that night, I couldn’t bring myself to throw the Band-Aid away. It’s one of the most precious things I own now. And it’s here in front of me ... where I can see it as I work. It’s my reminder that there is immeasurable value to life.

Copyright © 1998-2003 Pamela Rice Hahn

My granddaughter will soon be 8, but I still have the bandaid. ;)

[hoosiermama]

Drove all the way to Indy for a DR appointment only to find out it had been cancelled. Yuck! WIsh I'd beenhere freeping. Stopped in at Sam's CLub, Home Depot and got an orange sherbet. I"M BACK! Lots to do this evening, but it's hotter than h377! SO guess I'll take a nap!

[hoosiermama]

I've got a book in me too, just need to make myself sit down and write it.

[Fawnn]

That book is written -- and was almost published. I put an explanation at post #145 in the Canteen, if you're interested in knowing more....

[Cordova Belle]

Sneaking in a quick reply, my boss just walked by. ;-) It's so hard being on the day shift, waaaaaaaaaaahhh!

Yes---I miss being able to enjoy the Dose in "real-time."

Fawnn, it was a beautiful excerpt from your "book-in-progress." Thank you for sharing it. Whether we experience physical muscle spasms, or those spasms of the heart that bring us to tears, we can all relate to what you wrote. I certainly can!

hm--so sorry about that wasted drive into Indy! It was perfect here--strangely enough--for our church's huge fireworks celebration last week, but has gone back to mormal for Memphis these days---only Hades could be worse--or Baghdad!

EVERYONE--have fun on tonight's thread.REALLY looking forward to our first pictures from Africa. I will have to catch it tomorrow, as I'm heading for home now (after a bunch of annoying errands!)

Hi, MS. B! Anything you want to get rid of, just ship it my way! :-)

[Bushfanatic]

Oh, good.

[Lady In Blue]

No,I missed it. I'm not familiar with him but I'd like to read his bio on Ike!

[Lady In Blue]

I sure did! And just you wait until you read the book on Adams! I was rather ticked-off for some months when I started thinking about how Adams has been so little appreciated.If it wasn't for him pushing Jefferson,I doubt if we would have the Declaration of Independence,at least not as we now have it. You'll cry at the end. He was a fabulous man,husband,father and above all a PATRIOT !

[Lady In Blue]

I sure don't! You mean at the very year that our 2 great founders died, a composer was born?! I can't even think of who it could be.

[marylina]

It’s my reminder that there is immeasurable value to life.

Beautiful story, beautifully told.

[hoosiermama]

ANswer in post 88. Stephen C. FOster. Oh Susanna, My Ol Kentucky Home, Swanee River, Camptown Races, Ring de Banjo, etc

[hoosiermama]

Actuallyit ws the day, it was the very hour, for Adams

[Fawnn]

Thank you!

[McLynnan]

Sorry to take so long. I haven't been on the computer all day, which almost gave the the shakes! I'm enjoying Brands book very much. Lots of background detail. This is the first biography of Franklin I've read so I don't have any comparison.

[belle99]

One of my favorites...had it as my wallpaper for a while...need to use it again to rattle the dims in my office...Thanks!!!