| Well, it’s been a week since Election Day, and although it was only the mid-terms, I felt like in the weeks running up to it, it received almost as much media coverage and attention as a presidential election. |
| That is because so much was on the line. The “hype” was that there would be a “red wave” and the Republicans would dominate. And, easily take control of Congress. It never happened. |
| It certainly proved not to count your chickens before they hatch, that it’s not over until the fat lady sings, oh, I could go on and on. |
| You can stop with the idioms, especially since I am not sure the “fat lady” one is PC (politically correct). But, the results show that voters were much more levelheaded than the media gave them credit for being. |
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| Which, given how disheartened I’ve felt in the last few years, I found to be a huge relief. And although I wasn’t surprised at what happened here in Texas, the results throughout the rest of the country definitely caught me by surprise. |
| Maybe we all are just tired of all the extreme rhetoric on both sides – the radical Republicans and the progressive Democrats. Maybe even longing for the days when the two parties had different beliefs in the role of government and fiscal policy, but still shared an underlying belief in democracy. And, the right for people’s voices to be heard. |
| I know that many people thought democracy was “on the line,” but on reflection, it seems that abortion’s what got so many people out to vote. After Roe v. Wade was overturned, it became a major issue and, no doubt, got many women and younger people out to vote. |
| To a great extent, abortion was tied to democracy, as it appeared to be a partisan decision from the Supreme Court, not a reflection of what the people wanted. Just look at the results when some states made abortion a line item, a referendum, that people could vote for or against, separate from what candidates they voted for. Or, look at states where the outcome of the governor's race could dramatically change abortion rights policy. (Although, as expected, Texas and Florida stayed red.) |
| Yes, which just shows how a specific issue you feel very strongly about can greatly influence how you vote. Even to the extent that it might cause you to vote for a candidate you might not otherwise have supported based on that single issue. |
| Exactly, so why not make those key issues national referendums? Why make voters choose between candidates based on a single issue? Looking at the mid-term results, it might well have resulted in very different outcomes. |
| Now there’s an understatement. What I find most interesting is that we went from expecting a red wave and all the “noise” about what that could mean for the country to an election that, although it was incredibly tight for some races and/or had surprising results, actually felt pretty normal. |
| Agree. Luckily the predicted, or maybe “threatened” is a better word, voter intimidation, violence, and other antics at polling places never came to fruition. And, many candidates who lost even conceded with grace. |
| And the fact that many of us, including the press, found that surprising speaks for itself. Regardless, it will be very interesting to see what happens when it comes to the 2024 presidential election. Two years is a long way away, but not when it comes to politics, and much can, and no doubt will, happen. |
| I am sure many politicians are busy rethinking and adjusting their positions and strategizing as they obviously misread the room and clearly did not know their audiences. |
| And now who’s talking in clichés? |
| Want another cliché? When it comes to the will of “We the people” and voting … actions speak louder than words. |
What does Thanksgiving have to do with shoes?! Or, the fact some of Red’s most memorable Thanksgiving celebrations happened when she lived overseas and introduced the holiday to friends, none of whom were American. But this column from 2022 is bittersweet for Black, as shortly after it ran, her good friend John passed away … yet the memories of Thanksgivings spent together – and of dear friends – live on. (But that still doesn’t explain the shoes …)
| At the risk of asking you a warm and fuzzy question, have you thought about what you’re most thankful for this Thanksgiving? |
| Yes. |
| I should’ve guessed that you’d take the question literally. Could you expand on that a little, or at least give me a hint? |
| Friends. |
| I should’ve guessed that too since John’s been in the hospital for the past several weeks and is one of your oldest friends. |
| Not sure “oldest” is the kindest way to define it, but he and his wife have been my closest friends for over 35 years. To the point that John calls me his “second wife,” although he’s only been legally married once. |
| That’s funny, but on my recent fall foliage trip, I realized it was so much more than chasing leaves as I experienced the joy and appreciation of visiting a dear friend and her family. And while phone calls, texting, and even FaceTime are great, it’s just not the same as spending time together. |
| I was going to mention that when you first told me you were going to see Sawyer in Nashville and also spend some time at Amy’s in east Tennessee, but figured you already knew that friendships can easily be taken for granted … until something makes you fully appreciate them. |
| That’s so true. Although I prefer to have a small group of friends, and most of mine I’ve known for decades – either from elementary school, college, or my years living in Hong Kong. Unfortunately, though, none of them now live near me. |
| Friends do not require living in the same town, although that is usually how friendships begin. And, while we may not stay in touch as frequently as we want, over time, we see who our true friends are … they are the ones who are always there for us, during good times and bad. And, in my case, are brave enough to point out when they do not agree with me. |
| Very brave. My friends have it easier, but I count on them to give me an honest perspective no matter what, although I prefer when they agree with me. |
| Of course, you do. And, your friends should be thankful you are so easygoing. |
| Well, at the risk of sounding corny, with Thanksgiving just days away, it’s the perfect time to be truly thankful for our dear friends. |
| It reminds me of the photo that Natasha sent us last year when she was celebrating “ Friendsgiving” with her friends in England. |
| Besides not realizing it was an actual thing and not Natasha combining the words “friends” and “Thanksgiving,” I was expecting photos of her attempt at making sweet potatoes or other traditional Thanksgiving foods , or maybe a bunch of Brits sitting around the table with the lone American. Not a photo of everyone’s shoes in the entry hallway. |
| I never thought of Thanksgiving as being “all about the shoes”, but that image sums up the true meaning of the holiday. |
| Tell the truth; everything’s always all about the shoes for you. But, given this Thanksgiving will be the first without Mom, the image’s a wonderful reminder of the importance of friends who’ve been there for me this year. And I include you as both family and friend. |
| Once is enough for me. And, as the saying goes, you cannot choose your family but (like shoes) you can choose your friends. So, pick carefully, and then appreciate them. |
Take a moment and imagine not being able to read this sentence. Now, think about this … if you’re reading this, you’re doing something millions of Americans can’t.
|
I’ll admit that I never realized how many people can’t read.
It’s something I’ve always taken for
granted. That’s until Black and I met
someone doing something about it – Jackie Aguilera, now the Project Manager for
the Mayor’s Office of Adult
Literacy (Houston). Her focus
wasn’t only on reading literacy but on “literacies” I’d never heard of, such as
financial literacy, health literacy, and digital literacy. But it all starts
with the ability to read. |
|
It
is called functional
literacy. Obviously, if you
are reading this article, you are on the internet. Which has more information than anyone can
possibly absorb (and is why news literacy is so critical). Now,
imagine if you could not read. All that
information … just sitting there.
Available to others, but not to you. |
|
Books are my great escape. Always have been. So, I can’t
imagine a life without them. |
|
A great escape … in many ways. You may use it to escape from the stresses of
daily life or just as entertainment. But,
books and, more specifically, the ability to read is how people can escape a
life of poverty and limited opportunities.
|
| Working with Jackie made me see that. As did our work with the criminal justice system, as so many incarcerated people struggle to read. And I know you’re a data geek, but please don’t start quoting me statistics. |
| OK, no statistics, but did you know that more people in the US are affected by low literacy (meaning they cannot read at a sixth-grade level) than are diagnosed with cancer or heart disease? |
Over the years, as we’ve learned how many people can’t read (including one in three Houstonians), it’s made us stop and think about how that impacts every aspect of their lives … their families … their communities. And also … our communities and our country.
As former First Lady Barbara Bush said many years ago,
If you help a person to read, then their opportunities in life will be endless.