"America Sucks"

I recently got into an argument with someone when they very quickly, in trying to be smug, spat something nasty like, "America sucks." It surely wasn't the first or the last time I'd hear such words, but something didn't sit right in the quickness of such a remark. I never thought of myself as having any national pride, but The Denver Post's photoblog reminded me how much I appreciate our history as a nation (as messy and wrong as it may be), and how often I tend to pull from Americana in my taste for music, food and thinking (within good reason). Say what you want about her, but America is nothing to scoff at. So hold your tongue, sir. I don't believe you know where you came from — surely not these fine people featured here below:

Via The Denver Post

On Home: 'I've Been Away'

So we're mentally preparing ourselves for a long drive here soon; 10 hours to Kansas City, 12 hours back if we stay in Prairie Home, MO before heading back. I'm really looking forward to seeing everyone but not cram-packing our visits. Married life and multiple sets of grandparents are tough on the holidays, but — put into perspective — are both great blessings.

We were told that the cabin would be completed by January 1st, and as my mom put it cheese-ly: we'll be "home after the holidays." I'm really looking forward to putting all my crap in a space where I can see and touch it. Over the past months I've learned that I don't need a lot to get by, but, damn, every time I go by storage and see my things it makes me feel good. I know that's sick, but to a certain degree my stuff carries a part of me that brings me comfort, no pun intended. I mean, I'm a little homesick and I've got no home — that's messed up. I can't imagine being one of the fire victims here in the Four-mile area. I hope they're getting by and that they have great blessings this holiday too. I am so lucky, and here I am whining.

I was going to post a wish list of stuipd things I'd like this Christmas and then that all seemed really petty after all I just wrote. So instead I'm just going to go to bed with my wonderful husband and two dogs listening to this song that reminds me of the Midwest and all the handsome people I'll be seeing next week.