Picasso Family Portraits

Okay, humor needed. My four year old first brought me his rendition of me. He saw how funny I thought it was, then he went to the far reaches of our house and brought everyone else.

Here is our family portraits through the eyes of our son, enjoy!

Me

Four year old's self portrait

Daddy

Big brother

Kinda Disappointed

I don't know if it's the Olympics or what, but I am sadly disappointed at what is available this year for Black History month stories. Truly, I know we all wish that there were no need for such a thing. I have Scottish blood in me, and there is no "Scotch History Month". However, I do enjoy hearing the great biographies of those historical figures who shaped the rights and privileges that brought African Americans (AA) to where they are today.

I am not finding programming on PBS that I normally see. I can totally recommend the movie "Blind Side". I haven't seen it, but if it is at all close to the true story I have read, you must be prepared to cry.

So while I have been MIA, and wondering what to blog about, I got a nice message from one of my reader's, Hutch. Here is one of his recommendations for good movies honoring African American's for whom we owe a huge thanks. Their pioneering efforts brought all of us things today that we take for granted. Here is Hutch's message to me:

"S and I saw a movie the other night that you and M should watch. Normally, I'm no so forth-right with my movie suggestions, but I think in this case, it's appropriate, especially with this being Black History month. It's called "Something the Lord Made." It's not a "Christian" film by any means, the title just comes from a line by one of the main characters. We scored the movie from the public library, so you might be able to do the same. The two main actors are Alan Rickman and Mos Def. It's quality acting.

It's the story of Dr. Blalock and Vivien Thomas, the two men who invented and performed (in the 1940s) the first surgical fix for the congenital heart defect, Tetralogy of Fallot (what our oldest girl was born with). Only the kicker is that Blalock was white and Thomas was black. So for a long time, only Blalock and other doctors got credit. Anyway, interesting story for us because of the medical side (and given Lizzie's history, I wept like a school girl... but that's beside the point)... but after watching it I thought of you and Mike. The story of Vivien Thomas is one that I think your boys might like (he went on to write an autobiography later in life... it's now on my wish list).

Anywho, long message short, I recommend the film to you and Mike. It's not for your boys since there is some *choice* language, but I really think you would enjoy it."


There you have it. I have rearranged my Netflix queue.

The Drama....

Where have I been lately? It's been beyond hectic, no where else than mostly in my brain lately.

I can't hide it anymore, I will tell you, my faithful followers of my blog. The rubber hit the road. I am running State Representative in my district, House District 45, of North East Portland. I was asked to do it, much prayer, consternation, and consideration was taken into account. It was not an easy decision. I am official though....this week, the final paperwork was submitted to the state for my officially throwing my name in the hat.

I am going to try to start a different blog from this one for the "politics". Why? I really enjoy this one for the simplicity of life, vignettes, stories, creativity. I am finding the political side of me has that as well, but it gets dicey, political and snarky. I will definitely need to nurture my creative, nicer side. The jadedness of politics has stepped in and I can feel my deep desire to look for the beauty in the simple. This whole political side of life is not simple and it isn't beautiful, but it is necessary.

I am going to get that started here very soon. You all know "Child of God" who comments here often. She and I want to start a website up, and just need to check with the treasurer person to make sure I am accepting something that is acceptable. Must keep our I's dotted and T's crossed!

I will definitely have a post in the next few days with some fun pics for you, and hopefully a website! Tea Party on the Oregon state capital front steps tomorrow! The pictures shall be fun!

Annual Super Bowl Favorites

Here is what is hard to reconcile with this year's commercials. They are all a bit crass and immature. We saw a lot of people get smacked in the face, a lot of underwear (and we aren't talking Janet Jackson or Victoria's secret), men having their masculinity completely obliterated and an awful lot of just bad taste. In all of that, our household had it's favorites. Here they are:

Doritos - House Rules @ Yahoo! Video

We didn't catch this one, but once a friend shared it with me, and I saw it, I do like this one. However, I do concede that our household of friends weren't able to vote. We'll see how long it lasts, it's been hard to find the embed code.

Much to Share

Yesterday was a very long day. Our school had it's annual "Capital Day". We got up at 5:30 am so we could pick up another family by 7:30 am, and be at the capital by 9 am. That was only the beginning. I am formulating the blog post in my mind for that day.

I also came home and had a huge deadline for my work right in front of me. Several thousand dollars in gross sales needed to be submitted to my company by 9 pm, and two people weren't calling me back with credit card information. I hate it when I have deadlines like this but it does happen occasionally. By the time 9 pm came around, my deadline was met, but I was physically and emotionally exhausted. Usually I see 9 pm as catching up on some tv time, read a book, or do some laundry. I am usually wide awake at that time. Not last night.

But I wanted to leave you a slice of heaven I received this morning. I was in bed, trying to pry myself awake when my little four year old left me a "card" by my nightstand. I love it when our kids do little things like this. It comes from their heart, not from their dad making them sign a card on a certain day, etc.

Black History Month!

And I will be trying to do my best to bring you some of the interesting stories I find along the way that bring honor to African Americans (AA) who paved the way for the opportunities many of us enjoy today.

I am slightly disappointed at PBS. Usually, in February, I can point friends to great programming appreciating the history of AA's, not so this February. So we go to other routes.

About 60 years ago, a doctor took a tissue sample from an impoverished AA woman. She didn't know it had been taken from her, but we reap the benefits today. That sample has grown and grown. It is still used today, and has been to some remarkable places. As always, with AA history you do see questionable practices (taking tissue without consent), but it's wonderful to hear the happy ending. Her contribution to science has benefited all of us today. Thank you Henrietta!

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