TROPICAL STORMS, HURRICANES, HATS AND JEWELRY

The Atlantic Ocean has been fierce over the last few days. We have been casting our gaze in the general direction of, Isaac.

We ARE in hurricane season, so why are people shocked when the potential swirling clouds move toward land? Should one really be shocked? Cautious and aware? Yes. Shocked? Not so muchy.

Having said that, I want to make certain we have water, flashlights, canned tuna and what-have-you. What I mind is how the weather people and channels pour on the drama until you want to throttle them.

So, we have been keeping our eyes on the clouds, attemtping to keep our eyes OFF the weather people and just kick back and watch it blow.

Tropical Storm warnings were all over us this past week and I did wonder, out loud, what is the appropriate attire for a TS Champagne Party.

I opted for shorts, a hat and jewelry. Always, jewelry, right? Of course.

Keeping the Gulf Coast in our prayers at Isaac roars (sort of) toward those coastal states of Mississippi and Louisiana.

COFFEE, HURRICANES AND MARTINIS

Having been away from, Indiscreetly Us, for a few months, I woke up this morning and felt compelled to post something.

What, exactly?

I have no idea.

Really, no specific topic is burning my fingers, yet I want to express myself here.

Gaz and I are in the midst of many other projects, but there is something calling me...drawing me here today as I sip java.

Is it the thunder, dark skies, rain and potential hurricane threat?

Could be.

Not certain.

We're about as ready as we can be for the swirling and twirling wind heading toward Haiti at the moment. My prayers are with all those there who have already suffered so much and still have so little.

Our preparation?

We have some water, flashlights, candles, are prepared to fill bathtubs (for toilet flushing if water supply gets interrupted), have full propane tanks for cooking outside on the grill if necessary and have random food items that will suffice.

You know what I really think?

I think August is crushingly boring and dull, even as a hurricane is threatening.

So, this afternoon it will be Rodeo Drive coffee and tonight it will be martini time with Gaz and we'll see where it goes from there.

TO MY SISTER, WITH LOVE, ON HER BIRTHDAY

Tomorrow, May 4th, is my sister's birthday. It is also my husband's birthday, but, for today, this blog post is just about her (he won't mind a bit).

Cards and gifts have been sent from Florida to Texas, but I just wanted to send a special greeting to her this morning. She knows how I feel in my heart, we tell each other, but this blog is the perfect way to summarize the celebration.

Barbara, has always been a part of my life. She has been there for all the important milestones for me. Always.

*She tells me she taught me to talk, and her name was my first real word. I have no doubt about this. No baby-babble was allowed!

*She let me play dress-up in her clothes and wasn't too angry about it when I messed them up.

*She made lists, assigned household duties and bossed me around and tried to be my mother, but I didn't mind too much. She's still a perfectionist about her house, but in a good way.

*She was always generous to me as a kid. She still is. I mean not just anyone would buy me a $50.00 salt keeper from Williams-Sonoma, just because I love to cook, right?

*One New Year's Eve when I was very young and disappointed about something, she surprised me with a little party for just the two of us. She had really fussed and I was so happy and loved it.

*It was in her car that I drove for the first time. It was standard-shift, I was horrible at it and I'm sure she was terrified. Our Father took over the lessons (bless his heart), but she never criticized me. I still loathe shifting gears in a car. This is why they make automatic transmissions!

*She took me to movies I loved. Of course, she was in charge of buying the concession treats. I didn't object. Did I want to? Probably.

*Years later, she pulled her husband to my crappy high school football games (she wasn't even an alum) to see me perform in the drill team. This in all kinds of weather, when she was quite pregnant. They also came to the dumb HS musicals and bragged on me (now, that's love).

*Her first-born, became like my own. When I babysat one evening and had to put him to bed with his shoes on because I had no idea how to remove those things that cover and protect shoelaces, she only laughed at me a little bit. She still brings this up though. Oh, yeah, some things never die.

*She was there for my high school graduation with her new baby.

*A few years later she gave me my wedding shower and years after that, my baby shower.

*As she is a fantastic cook, I learned so much from her. She still cooks RINGS around me!

*She was on-hand for the birth of my son, never leaving the hospital during my 12-hour labor. She helped us get through those trying first few weeks with a new baby. She stayed with us and didn't get much sleep, but she was happy and helpful and showered all of us with love and care.

*Once my child was born, he became her very special (and only) nephew. They have a bond that is strong and lasting.

*She has been a big part of every important milestone for my son: his typical babyhood accomplishments, his kindergarten graduation, school plays and events, his first trip to New York City, high school graduation and college graduation. She marks every occasion in his life with a call, card, gift of recognition (her love and regard is the most important thing).

*As I finally finished my college degree, she gave constant support.

We have, of course, also shared the joys of her family, but that's another blog.

Sadly, we have weathered the painful loss of beloved family members together. Giving and getting strength to and from each other.

Do we have and have we had tiffs or spats? Do we get annoyed?

Naturally. We're sisters.

Do they last long? Not really.

Our sister-story is long and there is much more to say about my sister. This is just me, blowing her a special birthday-kiss.

Those ties that bind, those heartstrings are impossible to break.

Happy Birthday, big sis, have a great day. You're in my heart today and always.

Love you, so much.

SQUARED, SQUARES

Salud, Kids!

Whew, it's been crazy for Indiscreetly.

But, we've some cool news about a new blog JUST launched.

So, get yourselves over there. It's still wet-behind-the-ears and sort of in BETA mode, but it's twirling a bit.

Perhaps we can convince, British Brian and Mo to join us there!

http://cruisingsquared.blogspot.com

PLEASE friend us at Facebook and follow us on Twitter.

Cruising Squared for both!

See ya there, kids.

GAZMOOLIE GALLERY

Salud, Kids!

Busy at, Reggie's Rant 'n Rave (new year, new blog...always) and noodling with Pinterest (more on that later).



The above is my own creation for Gazmoolie Gallery entitled, Emerald. Abstract art on canvas.

Below is one of many Icart prints we own.


Pining It (them).

More on that later, too.

Join me, Pamela C Barker on, Pinterest!

DRESSY SWEATPANTS FOR MEN

Salud, Kids!

Poppin' in to say you should pop on over to the Rant 'n Rave blog and rant and/or rave about...DRESSY SWEATPANTS FOR MEN!

Oh, yeah.

http://reggiesrantnrave.blogspot.com

See ya 'round the beaches-real or virtual.
Read me fictionally, The Bainbridges of the Palm Beaches
Follow on Twitter, PalmBBarkerHowl

NEWT GOT NAUGHT, MITT GOT GRIT

Salud, Kids!

We are MONTHS away from the real-deal election, but are enduring the primary what-have-yous (narrowing the field, if you will).

Ghashing teeth is what we are doing, basically, because all candidates have the charisma of a limp dollar bill (no, the bill has more).



Florida Republicans cast their shiny ballots yesterday and Gritt Mitty (totally made that up, because they are ALL SO BORING) trounced FIG NEWTON (see, now he's not so boring, right?)

Anyhoo, British Brian (he wants to learn more about our system, but that is impossible because no one REALLY gets the primary shenanigans, the electoral college or WHY WE CAN'T ELECT A WOMAN (like a female could do worse around here?) pops in, so read on...

##

Contributed by Brian Wilson
Bath, UK
All Rights Reserved and Copyrighted

We read that Florida Republicans is the latest to be casting their votes for their candidate in the Presidential elections.

Now, I know something about your system (IU NOTE: good to know someone does) - but I would like to learn more (IU NOTE: so would we)

Us Brits do like the cut and thrust of political debate - and the chance to question your local politician is one that many people do not want to miss (IU NOTE: wish we had this passion).

At election time prospective Members of Parliament travel around their constituency giving speeches and shaking hands, etc.

Until recently most political meetings were open to one and all - and this gave people a chance to "heckle" a candidate.

Heckling (IU NOTE: sounds good to us)could be asking a question or shouting out a comment during a speech to show the weakness of an argument.

We like to put our politicians to the test (IU NOTE: bravo) - especially those who have delusions of grandeur (IU NOTE: all of the U.S. candidates have this), or those who tell us what to do and then do not do the same in their own lives (IU NOTE: ditto prior comment).

Unfortunately during Mr Blair's tenure as Prime Minister, he developed a more "presidential" manner (IU NOTE: sorry to hear) - only invited guests came to meetings and these would only be the party faithful.

This did not go down very well with the general populous(IU NOTE: the real movers 'n shakers) - us Brits do not like our MP's to get ideas "above their station"- we like them to remember that they are OUR representatives.

Anyway, here are some examples of UK heckling and political "banter."

In the 1960's Harold Wilson was one of our Prime Ministers.
It was a hard time - unemployment was rising (so what's new?).
Harold Wilson was walking down a street greeting well wishers etc, when "wham" he was hit by an egg!!
The Police arrested the egg thrower - but, quick as a flash Harold said "let him alone. You see everyone, only under a Labour government can people afford to throw eggs!!"
Everyone laughed and he got lots of press coverage (IU NOTE: lovin' this).

But, us Brits do not have to say anything to heckle.
When Tony Blair was Prime minister at the time of the launch of the Iraq invasion (which many people did not support) he was invited to speak at the Annual Conference of the Women's Institute (largest voluntary organisation for women in the UK, with 210,000 members - an organisation that any politician does not want to upset).

The invitation was for a non - political speech, one that reflected the debates at the WI Conference.

The Women's Institute has a rule that there is no heckling of invited speakers.
But, he started to give a political speech - against all the rules of the conference - and he was heard in absolute silence.

Even when he tried to make a joke there was no response.

Then the audience started a slow hand clap.
If you look at the videos of the speech you can see that Mr. Blair was almost panicking - certainly he was seating.

There is nothing so scary as standing in front of women who are silent - us men know the panic that such a non-reposne can engender.

Our politics are substantially more robust than yours - I'm not saying it is better -just different (IU NOTE: couldn't be worse).

But, now and again there comes from US politics some remarkable "put-downs" that makes the recipient squirm.

Can you remember in the 1988 Vice Presidential debate between Lloyd Bentsen and Dan Quayle?

Dan Quayle said " I have as much experience in the Congress as Jack Kennedy did when he sought the presidency. I will be prepared to deal with the people in the Bush administration, if that unfortunate event would ever occur."

Lloyd Bentsen replied "Senator, I served with Jack Kennedy, I knew Jack Kennedy, Jack Kennedy was a friend of mine. Senator, you're no Jack Kennedy."(Prolonged shouts and applause.)

Ouch!! - and Senator Bentsen looked like a quiet and retiring man (IU NOTE; it's always the quiet ones).

This retort has gone down in history - it is a phrase that many still remember.

So good luck to you all over in Florida - both us over here and you folks over there have had to fight and struggle for the vote - so make sure you use it (IU NOTE: of this, I am a fanatic about voting...to NOT vote is a crime against our heritage).

All the best - Brian and Mo.

See ya 'round the beaches-real or virtual.
Visit our blog, Reggie's Rant 'n Rave, http://reggiesrantnrave.blogspot.com!!