Skiing!

Pre-ski shot. I bought those wooden training skiis for the kids when Chloe was a year old. First time use.

School Supplies

Today we had another of life’s rights of passage; albeit a small one in the grand schemes as rights of passages go, but still one accomplished. David and I under the roles of Grampa and Gigi took the boys shopping for their school supplies.

Two lists one for kindergarten and one for third grade; 10 folders some with brads some without, but 2 red, 2 green, 2 blue, 2 yellow; 40 #2 pencils; 2 large block erasers; six bottles of glue; sharp scissors; blunt scissors. I have to say I looked at all that glue and shuddered. And the lists went on 20 items deep.

Of course, there was the large negotiation of the backpacks. If Connor wanted a sling strap then nothing else would do for Collin even though this style consumed the five year old. I have to stop and give big credit to Connor for getting us and his brother through the most difficult of the buying decisions (thank goodness Elmer’s glue just comes in one style bottle) by showing Collin how one style would dwarf him over another. The lunch packs seemed to be a no-brainer as army camouflage was the only acceptable choice. I’ll let Shannon figure out how to keep them differentiated as this seemed to be where I reached my limit.

The clothes outfits came under the various headings of “no, you can’t”, “yes, but not in that size”, and “the school will not let you wear that”. After much looking the boys enthusiastically settled on “don’t you think a hoodie is a little warm for right now?”. We took an educated guess on the size of the boys come fall and if luck is on our side we will have a good fit.

The lady at check out was fantastic with a wonderful sense of humor and her own grandparent mentality ruling the register. I returned from the bathroom in record time to see David caught between the two baskets and our fantastic lady saying, “Didn’t I hear your Grampa say not to touch that?” The woman was now my kindred spirit. She reminded the boys to say “thank you” to us and showed me a survey coupon for Target worth 5000.00 if I won. She gets a well deserved cut of that action.

There were no tears, no fits, and no yellow folders without brads, but someone else can go after the folders. What we did leave with was a wonderful reminder of the times the girls went shopping for their supplies for the first day of school, and hoping that new and wonderful learning would accompany these new supplies.

We, also, left with a lesson of what it will look like with four young ones at Disney World this February. That will be a different right of passage. We’ll just let this one stand alone while we catch our breaths.


Love,
Gigi

Love from us

Spending a great day on Bainbridge Island, Washington

Platform Committee Follow Up

Dear Friends,

As promised I wanted to follow up from the work on the Platform Committee.

What an amazing experience working with other committee members from the senate districts! The dedication combined with the knowledge each brought to the table would make you all proud.

First I attended as many caucuses I could get in to further study some of the topics that many of you brought to my attention. Some of the truths I heard were so powerful that at one (the moratorium on the death penalty) I had to step out for a minute to catch my breath. The environmental information shared was critical, I later found, to understand much of what was in the platform draft we received the following day. I had studied much about wind and solar energy, but had no idea about the number of dangerous/dirty coal plants that are being created over the state. I, also, know much more about the safety implications about fracture drilling near public schools, etc. I wish I could share all I learned during the caucuses and how that was extended into working on the platform committee, but too much to write.

In general the document you can find on line at the TDP site is full of the "meat" we required; very little generalities. I feel no one should doubt who we are and where we stand on the issues. The groups that met pre-conference to draft the document from which we worked that Saturday gave us a paper full of expertise both political and topic specific.

I had asked early in the process that all references to Rick Perry and/or the republican party be removed from the platform as the platform was about who we are and not who they aren't. Several of us felt strong in this view; however, the democratic way gave us a vote that differed. I offered that we move these references to a narrative page, but the majority as witnessed by the vote did not agree.

I want to share special thanks to Leonard Pierce. Leonard spent much of the day in the committee room making himself available for information I needed before a vote was taken. Devonya Shaw-Nunez and Leonard gave me notes to make sure I was catching all the intricate elements. During the discussion on the death penalty I needed critical feedback from the caucus leaders on this subject. Leonard went to the exhibit hall and returned with two specialists who made sure what was written was solid.

The coordinated campaign office must have your help and dedication to the vote. I hope this means that I will see many of you many times before November. If you have not visited Mayor White's website it is www.billwhitefortexas.com and adds to getting to know the person we must trust.

Once again your trust in me was not lost. I was there early, worked until each topic was discussed and voted, and picked up SD 14's copy from the floor before formal presentation. I value the work and I value you.

With appreciation,
Gina Starr Hill

Thank You for Your Vote

Dear Friends in SD 14,

It's late and it has been an amazing day, but I wanted to make sure I thanked you for your vote.

I just received the draft of the party platform, have the alarm set for "early-thirty" and will begin notes before we formally meet at 8am. I look forward to representing the thoughts you have shared with me. I reassure you I will do my part of the work until close.

With much appreciation,

Gina Starr-Hill
Platform Committee
SD14

Happy July 4th!

"These are the times which try Men's souls, the summer Soldier and the sunshine Patriot shall soon fade away", Thomas Paine

These simple words were spoken during our first months of fighting for our American independence as we had suffered many losses. However, coming out of Valley Forge and crossing the Delaware River right before Christmas in 1776 George Washington led us to victory at Trenton and the tide began to turn. Our victory at Saratoga solidified our resolve and inspired the French to lend their resources to our fledgling Country. Even in the south where we faced Gen Cornwallis and suffered several losses we never lost faith in our cause, and found a means to victory, accepting his sword at Yorktown.

Therefore, some 230 plus years later we sit here in this the greatest Country the world has ever known enjoying the blessings of liberty and freedom which many in the world shall never know. However, lest we forget, there are those who would steal away our American rights and freedoms, and as always, our Patriots have answered the call to arms to defend our way of life.

So on this 4th of July, and indeed everyday, may all of us reflect as we gaze upon that "Grand Ole Flag" and remember that Patriotism is not defined by hollow words and empty rhetoric, but rather by American Men and Women who answer the call, with action within their capability. The world basically has three types of people; sheep, wolves, and guard dogs.....God bless our American guard dogs.

Happy 4th of July to my fellow Americans! Lieutenant Colonel Allen B West (US Army, Ret)

Early Morning Thoughts

Growing your food even if just a few is good for the soul and the appetite

Picking vegetables at 6am in the cool makes this summer heat later in the day more bearable

Picking fruit at 6am reminds you that summer can be a good season not just a hot one....also, baffles the early morning squirrels who also pick fruit at 6am

Sitting around the dining table with family is good for the soul

Insomnia has nothing going for it

A perfectly chilled glass of champagne in a pretty glass brought by a friend at brunch is amazing

Drinking the whole bottle no matter what the glass takes you from enjoyable to obnoxious

Watching too much news makes you feel helpless, but finding a community working on a fix makes you feel like a help

Being there for someone who needs you should be a core value for the individual

Being kind should be a core value for society

Share

And as I am reminded by Victim Services drinking and driving has so many bad consequences which makes me wonder why restaurants advertise happy hour that makes it so tempting

With love

Candidate for the Platform Committee

“Congratulations! Because of your dedication and hard work, the Governor’s Conference … was a resounding success. My deepest thanks for your dedication to our schoolchildren.”
Sincerely,
Governor Ann Richards


Dear Friends,

For those of you I have not met over our years of work in the Democratic Party I am Gina Starr-Hill, SD 14 delegate to the State Convention and a declared candidate for the
PLATFORM COMMITTEE

In preparation in asking for your vote I listened intently to your presentations during the resolutions section of the county convention. I heard a recurring theme that you want our wording to be strong, definitive, resolute. You want us to replace words such as “shall” with “will” and replace “should” with “must”. You want our Platform to reflect our strength and determination. In preparation in asking for your vote I have read our Platform and continue to be inspired by the heart of the document.

I have worked on the coordinated campaigns; have been a Delegate to the County Convention and an Alternate to the 2008 State Convention. I have walked, phone banked, and worked to sign new voters. I have worked as a State Planner at the Department of Commerce during Governor Ann Richards’ and Ms. Cathy Bonner’s leadership.

I am an Election Judge for precinct 303, a CASA volunteer (5 plus years), a Victim Services Volunteer (10 plus years), a neighborhood organizer, and a private business owner. I am committed to my community!

I am dedicated to do the work so our Platform is a well articulated document that reflects our core values. I ask for your vote at the State Convention for the SD 14 Platform Committee position.

With appreciation,
Gina
State Delegate, 2010, SD 14

“We appreciate the time and personal dedication by which you are so well known.”

Jim Boyd

Gina's Garden Update

The sunflowers are six ft tall. Lots of beans, good tomatoes, and black eyes are starting.

The Appalachians

“It is not the number of breaths you take, but the moments that take your breath away” is a quote I see frequently and certainly subscribe to, but the thought physically manifested itself in the Appalachians this May.

What amazing hills, mountains, valleys with shades of green in such numbers that a painter’s pallet would overflow. And then you would turn a mountain’s corner and there would be this beautiful flood of Mountain lupines in purples, yellows, reds.

The Cascades along the Blue Ridge Parkway gifted us a beautiful hike and the sounds of snow melt rushing down the mountain. The Park Service has highlighted much of the foliage with small descriptive signs, but the names of the plants give you the hint of what is the colors of the trail…blazing rhododendrons, goldenrod. The views that make you stop in amazement gave us a beautiful day, but report upon report talks about modern industry polluting the skies of the Parkway and clear days are becoming an exception rather than a rule. This view is also such a strong reminder of our responsibility to stop our reckless habits.

We found a cabin for our week called “The Yearling”. A log cabin with wood burning fireplace beautifully furnished and equipped with quality kitchen ware. I mention the kitchen as I cooked most of our meals and often we would sit on the deck watching our small part of wonderful. What a time to dream and plan just the two of us still “in love after all these years”.

The brook behind the cabin had its’ own small cascades from the snow melt and, although, I took video only memory can replay the beauty in picture and sound. The doors and windows were always open so we would not miss one moment of that wonderful sound. And the air! cleaned daily by all the trees that surrounded us.

Now if you ventured into the towns I want to mention some of our favorites. We stayed outside of Boone which is home of Appalachian University, the Rustic Tuscan Restaurant, several great golf courses (via David), and shopping that focused on local designers and artists. The prices of all items mentioned above were very reasonable.

One day was spent traveling to Jonesborough, Tennessee which was a couple of hours from Boone. The treat waiting in Jonesborough is the International Storytelling Institute. We were traveling in the cusp season, but fortunately got there as the Storytelling summer was beginning and enjoyed an hour of a professional storyteller. He unfolded years of growing up in New York focusing on his family’s personal dedication to civil rites. And this town houses many historical sites, such as, the first building named after George Washington which I am going to assume is not an arrow through the apple tree fable. The blue plate special is collards, pinto beans, and corn bread for 4.50.

And Asheville, North Carolina was a constant blend of joy and surprise. The Biltmore, the largest privately owned residence in America, is a blend of art in architecture and sustainable farming. I want to return for the Christmas season as staff said it is impossible to describe the décor and ambiance the house takes on. It has a wonderful aura about the home which feels like a legacy left by the owner and his wife, the Vanderbilt’s, who were happy there.

The town of Asheville has wonderful restaurants focusing on farm to table fare. We got a good recommendation in a little private book store for a restaurant called The Market Place. Our waitperson told us the 50 year history of the restaurant as well as bringing us delicious cocktails and dinner.

The people of Asheville deserve a special note of thanks. We were always greeted with warm hospitality whether it was on a tour of the Biltmore or the chocolate designers at The Chocolate Fetish on Haywood. The desk clerk at the Doubletree asked about our day calling us by name and pointed out the historical grounds of the hotel which was the Biltmore’s Dairy. We should have spent at least two days there instead of the one.

We always enjoyed returning to our cabin, the running brook, the tree cleaned cool air of the evening. And we truly had a week of moments that took our breath away.

Memorial Day

Every Memorial Day, families and communities across the nation take time to honor those who made the ultimate sacrifice in defense of our nation. Americans observe this special holiday in many different ways so decorate the gravesite of a fallen hero, read your family history, display the flag, watch a parade, or plant poppies (the universal symbol of tribute and support for veterans). Have a very fun and safe Memorial Day Weekend! Gina Starr-Hill

Letter from Gov. Richards

I am most proud of a letter from Governor Richards ending with “My deepest thanks for your dedication to our schoolchildren.”

TEST

TEST BLOG