Vote as if America's soul depended on it

 

Dear Friends

Those who read this blog know that once in a while I cannot help going political! Today is one of those days. It is hard to imagine anyone not being moved by the two speeches we just heard from Joe Biden and Kamala Harris. No cheering crowds were needed to feed our emotions. Even those who support our current president would be hard pressed to deny how refreshing it was to hear intelligent and inspirational, hopeful and heartfelt words, coming from the mouths of those who seek to lead and represent this nation.

The buttons above (for sale online from the Biden campaign) sum up well the choice we have before us this November. If it weren’t for Covid 19, Kathleen and I would combine a road trip with visiting any state that needed volunteers to insure victory. And as it was said today, it is not enough to win; we need a clear mandate to let the world know we will not tolerate the tone which we have had to endure for nearly four years. We must replace our divider in chief with a Healer in Chief, something this country needs now more than ever.

Enough of the lies. Enough of the fear-mongering. Enough of the juvenile whining and blaming.  Enough of destroying the dignity of the office and insulting people. Enough of the ego over the common good.

It’s not enough to just vote this year. We must encourage others to get their souls and remember their souls when they go to the polls, by whatever means.

Lord have mercy if we don’t take this election seriously.

John

 

 

 

Reclaiming your house

Dear Friends

Kathleen and I are happy to announce that we have just finished filming the premiere episode for a new HGTV series, “Reclaim Your House.” We had not expected to have the opportunity to share our experience in such a public way. But we hope it will help others who find themselves in such a situation someday, as we have over the past week since returning to Corona. It is scheduled to air in October. Check your local listings.

One of several reclamation scenes is the "kitchen counter makeover". It’s out with the “Hello Kitty” toaster, tea kettle, water dispenser, pop-corn popper, chocolate fountain, and many other appliances that littered the counter and in with just a few of Kathleen’s standard favorites.

This is the first time we have had a completely “empty nest” since Christopher moved in to live with us when he was just three days old. That was in 1984. (And then Emily moved in with us when she was seven days old in 1989.) Our joy is only tempered by missing the wonderful memories when our nest was full, including the backyard fort, swing set and sandbox. (A couple dinosaurs that were affixed to the fort have survived on the fence.)

All this is to say that while we are glad to be home alone, we also thank God for the memories and that our children are relatively close by!

John

P.S. Kathleen just informed me she has called HGTV to offer our house for an episode of another new series, “Reclaim My Garage”. If accepted, it will feature multiple boxes from Christopher and Emily. And me.