My Bit of Earth

Killing the Monster Under the Bed

Vacationing at home in my sweats this week, watching too much TV--I flipped past CNN and heard that they suspect Saddam Hussein will be executed any time now.  It kind of caught me off guard.  Knowing what the time lines are for executions in the U.S., I assumed it would take them much, much longer.

It's hard to know what to think.  I remember in the first Gulf War when I first learned who Saddam Hussein even was.  I remember the editorial cartoons--a crazed man with huge, blood-shot eyes, and wild hair.  I was in 4th grade, and--although I don't think it was intentional--the adults around me at that time made him out to be a sort-of bogeyman.  He was a horrible, bad person, but I shouldn't worry about him much because he was far away and couldn't get me. 

Contrast that to some of the latest images, a sad, old, broken-down man--almost grandfatherly-looking.  I know what evil he brought to the world, how merciless he was to his victims; and I know that at this point there's not much else that can be done with him besides execution--alive he'd always inspire fear, at the very least.  But simultaneously, knowing that he's facing the end very soon now, I can't help but pity him.

Home Again, Home Again, Jiggity-Jog

We arrived safely back home tonight after a busy few days of family and food and presents and travel.  After sorting through some of my pictures, I watched them all on a slide show set at high speed (picture what happens in a movie when a character's life flashes before her eyes) and realized that it really felt like everything happened that fast....But it was nice to see everyone, and I had to travel much less than most!  One Nice Cousin dug out of the snow to come from Colorado, and others made even longer drives from Texas and Ohio. 

On our drive home tonight, Sweet Husband and I were chatting and he (who thinks the holidays are nice in general, but is not necessarily the great lover of Christmas that I am) asked, "What's so special about Christmas?"  I don't remember what I said, but on further reflection I think it's just that--the way everyone takes time to come together.  Before the holidays we're all in separate places--living our own lives, doing our own thing--and on the 26th we all scatter to the four winds yet again.  But for those 2 or 3 days everything else just kind of stops.  And even though sometimes it's kind of a blur afterward, even though it never feels like there's enough time to really catch up with the people you'd like to....it's still something pretty special.

Pictures are here.

Happy Holidays!

Dogs Don't Wait For Santa

Shortly after shopping for them, I tucked a few of the pups' Christmas goodies away in our spare room so they would be safe until Christmas morning.  Porter, of course, has no idea that they're there and probably wouldn't care much if she did--she's come to like toys well enough when they're easy to get, but going upstairs for one?  Forget it! 

Moe on the other hand is very aware (every second of every day) that there are two perfectly good doggie toys in the house that he's not being allowed to play with.  Every time I so much as crack the spare room door he's in there, staring at the top shelf of the book case (where the toys are).  I can see the wheels turning in his head..."How to get them down?...How to get them down?"  I say, "You can't have that 'till Christmas."  And he looks back at me like I'm playing a bad joke.

Paperwhite Zen

I'm not exactly sure what I did right, but I think it was a matter of water.  Or rather lack of water.  All I know is that I watered the paperwhites I had at work a lot, and they're all leggy and tumbling over and dying; I watered these very sparsely and they're sturdy and green and one even has a double bloom. 

Thank You David Greenberg!

Because while I've been in the December doldrums and unable to work up the spirit to do more than post a few pictures, you've written a wonderful article that is very encouraging to those of us who think that the holidays are more about bringing people together than picking fights to keep people out.  You've encouraged me to remember that tolerance really is--and always has been--an American value, and that even though people on both extremes of the political spectrum can outshout us, more people are moderates than not.

To the rest of you--go read.

Graduations

Two of the very most important people in my life graduated from college this weekend.  Sweet Husband finished his B.A. in metalsmithing and jewelry design, and Nice Mom (whose first time at college was interrupted by moi) got a B.A. in general studies.  I couldn't be prouder of them both!  Some pictures are here.

A Soldier's Story

I don't often offer my opinion on the current situation in Iraq.  It's not that I don't care--on the contrary, I really do--it's just that I don't think I have much to offer. 

I very firmly believe that stable democracy is not something that can be imposed--societies either want it badly enough to fight for it or they're not ready for it yet.  Thus, I think some of our basic premises for being in Iraq are flawed.  At the same time, I don't think there's much good to be had from pointing fingers and casting blame at this late stage.  I think the key at this point is to focus on the solution.

Since I haven't seen anyone come up with much in the way of magic bullet solutions--and I certainly don't have one of my own to offer...well, what's there left to talk about?

But Major Bill Edmonds does have something to say, and he says it well.  In his article, A Soldier's Story, he discusses the basic cultural communication problems that make his work--and ultimately finding a workable plan in Iraq--so difficult.  He doesn't tie the whole thing up with a neat little bow at the end, but he does at least suggest what some of the next steps should be.  And perhaps more importantly, he manages to do all of this without either vilifying Iraqis or making light of the real danger that U.S. soldiers are reacting to each day--something that seems to be getting rare as people get more and more polarized on this issue.  Go read.

Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree

We hosted the end of semmester party for ARG (the KU student metalsmithing organization) last night.  Beer was consumed, "Guitar Hero" was played, door prizes were issued, a good time was had by all!  Pictures are here.

Unfurling Paperwhite