Birmingham Blues

Daddy’s memorial service was this afternoon.  Lots of family, lots of friends, tears and smiles and good stories.  Several of our Birmingham friends came over, and aunts, uncles, and cousins came from several states.  There were work friends, neighbors, church friends, golf buddies, and fellow gardeners who came to remember Daddy.
I managed to get through singing “Precious [...]

I’m moving this post back to the top in honor of our celebration of Dr. King’s birthday.  His “I Have a Dream” speech still gives me chillbumps.  He was a man of incredible courage and grace.  Would that we had more like him today. 
Rest in peace, Dr. King.  Forty years later, your words on war still [...]

Daddy passed away at 12:55 pm Eastern time.  He fought the cancer long and hard, but at the end he was at peace.  He had his wife, his children, and one of his grandchildren with him.  I can’t think of a better eulogy than this essay, written by 13-year-old daughter when she was in fifth [...]

Newly-elected Rep. Keith Ellison (D-MN) has put up with a lot of crap from Rep. Virgil Goode (R-VA) because he wanted to use a Qu’ran for his private swearing-in ceremony, and he has responded to every nasty comment with grace. He neatly turned the tables yesterday by announcing that he would use Thomas Jefferson’s [...]

I’ve always liked her; this profile from the New York Times reminds me why.

Wow.  Just wow!  Big crowd, minimal security (or at least it felt that way), and even a couple of protesters.  The protesters were allowed to stand where we could see them — no “free speech zones” for this former president.  They really needed some lessons on how to protest more effectively.  Their signs were written [...]

I’m off in a few minutes to meet President Jimmy Carter and have him sign his newest book. I grew up in Georgia but was only a sweet young thing when Mr. Carter was president, so I don’t remember much about his term in office. I admire him for what he’s done since [...]

It’s forty-three years since the “I Have a Dream” speech.  The memorial will be near the steps of the Lincoln Memorial, where Dr. King delivered that speech.  I hope it will be beautiful, just like the words of the man it honors.

Keith Olbermann has had it with W, Republicans, Faux Spews (thanks, Cindi!), et al, trying to blame everything on Bill Clinton.  Watch if you can; if not, there’s a transcript at the link, thanks to the good people at Crooks & Liars.  The media has been so cowed by the Bush machine that it’s big news [...]