“I understand how difficult this health care debate has been. I know that many in this country are deeply skeptical that government is looking out for them. I understand that the politically safe move would be to kick the can further down the road – to defer reform one more year, or one more election, or one more term

But that’s not what the moment calls for. That’s not what we came here to do. We did not come to fear the future. We came here to shape it. I still believe we can act een when it’s hard. I still believe we can replace acrimony with civility, and gridlock with progress. I still believe we can do great things, and that here and now we will meet history’s test.

Because that is who we are. That is our calling. That is our character.”

Great speech, Mr. President.  Now let’s get this thing done.

Burano 2003

“On Approaching Italy” by Oscar Wilde

I reached the Alps: the soul within me burned,
Italia, my Italia, at thy name:
And when from out the mountain’s heart I came
And saw the land for which my life had yearned,
I laughed as one who some great prize had earned:
And musing on the marvel of thy fame
I watched the day, till marked with wounds of flame
The turquoise sky to burnished gold was turned.
The pine-trees waved as waves a woman’s hair,
And in the orchards every twining spray
Was breaking into flakes of blossoming foam:
But when I knew that far away at Rome
In evil bonds a second Peter lay,
I wept to see the land so very fair.

Here’s a playlist I put together for an Autumn trip to Italy.   Wonderful to listen to on the long flight.  One of the stops for this trip was Lucca, Puccini’s birthplace, so a lots of opera.

Cavalleria Rusticana-Intermezzo-Mascagni

Mendelssohn Symphony #4-”Italian”

Albinoni’s Adagio in G minor – Amici Forever

Ancient Airs and Dances-Resphighi

Sicut Cervus-Palestrina

Canzon for Double Echo-Gabrielli

Concerto Grosso -Corelli

Cantabile, for violin and guitar- Paganini

Carnival of Venice-Paganini

Double Cello Concerto-Vivaldi-Ma and McFerrin

Four Seasons-Autumn-Vivaldi

Chorus of the Hebrew Slaves-Verdi

O  Sole Mio-Pavarotti

La Danza-Rossini-Pavarotti

Nessum Dorma-Puccini-Pavarotti

E Lucevan le stella-Puccini-Pavarotti

Vissi di’ Arte-Puccini-te Kanawa

Mattinatta-Bocelli

Confessa-Celentano

Autumn Leaves-Andrea Bocelli

How stupid is this guy?

Read this explanation about the art.

Glenn Beck Debuts as Fox News Art Critic

Lessons for President Obama from FDR.

I bought a great set of speakers for my mp3 player so I’m ready for the patio picnic.  A nice set of oldies, classical, and cuts  that always make me smile.  Sorry, I am so not a country music fan, so none on the list.  Here are some of the tunes I’ll be playing while celebrating our collective birthday.   Let the celebration begin.

Ray Charles-America the Beautiful

Betty and Jon-A Change is Gonna Come

U2-4th of July

Elliott Smith-Independence Day

James Taylor-On the 4th of July

Simon and Garfunkel-America

Williams-Liberty Fanfare

Sousa-Stars and Stripes Forever

Copland-Fanfare for the Common Man

Copland-Simple Gifts

Neil Diamond-America

Grand Funk Railroad-American Band

James Brown-Living in America

Tom Petty-American Girl

Fifth Dimension-Save the Country

Jimi Hendrix-Star Spangled Banner

This sums it up.

Robert Reich is a former Secretary of Labor, a political economist,  and currently a professer at the University of California.    He is easy to understand and lays it on the line about the current situation about health insurance and federal legislation.

Citizen involvement in politics is necessary more than every four years.  This is a critical issue for all of us.  You may not agree with Reich, but his voice is one that needs to be heard.  Contact you senators and representative and let them know how you feel.

I’ve driven between McMinnville and Hillsboro,  Oregon many times.  Here are my favorite signs.

Not the house address I would want

If you need cats, they got 'em!

Not bad, not great, but a pretty good grocery

You just never know when you need both at the same time.