longstory's Journal

 Dear Family, Friends, and Colleagues,

MRS. SMITH GOES TO WASHINGTON!  (And it's not too late for you to join me.)

I leave for Washington, D.C. this Monday to Dance the White House for Barack's birthday on Tuesday, August 4 and Chalk the White House (Italian Street Painting) on MY birthday, Saturday, August 8.  (Santa Barbara has the oldest, biggest, and best "I Madonnari" Festival in the U.S.). 

There will also be a basketball game.  "I don't play basketball," I said; "I play Scrabble." 

So I offered to be the cheerleader.  "Great," they replied, before I had time to explain that---TRUTH BE TOLD---I was not a cute, spunky, little blonde with a short skirt bouncing around on the sidelines but rather spent my courtside time as the back end of the mascot, "The Castilleja Colt."  "Yes," I realized, "I am still a Horse's Ass." 

"Hoarse, With No Name."  I am bringing gifts from Santa Barbara:  Two boxes of pastels, posters, brochures, "Tips for I Madonnari Artists" donated by Kathy Koury, SB I Madonnari Director, for President Obama's two girls; letters of Happy Birthday, Mr. President! and "Thank you for being Model Parents---come see SB's Model Schools!" and "By the way...." 

Oprah Winfrey launched Obama's presidential campaign from her Montecito estate, so there are several invitations for The First Family to enjoy Santa Barbara for the summer, when Washington is beastly hot and humid.  Abraham Lincoln moved the White House out of Washington every summer......

My "Happy Birthday, Barack!" Box has creative expressions of support, requests, and suggestions.  MY FAVORITE IS FROM SB's "IMAGINE:" A METAL PUZZLE WITH EACH STATE REPRESENTED BY A SYMBOL---CALIFORNIA IS A BEAR, for example; "GEE, I WANT ONE OF THOSE!" 

Farmer Boy's Restaurant is offering to feed The Prez; Roger Thompson's CAC has goodies.....I even called Nick Welsh and asked for an SB Indie cap, (uh, for me to ward of the sun's rays---would the president like to have a used one?). 

I just started collecting the stuff today---I didn't believe I'd really be going---what does one wear in 100 degree heat with 90% humidity?

Robert Schueler, a Great Peace Marcher from Iowa, is the organizer; his son is Makiah, of "Makiah's Bill," one of the first bills Obama signed into legislation---there's a picture of Makiah with The Pres on His Basketball Court online. "DreamBigdreams," President Obama wrote on the basketball given to Makiah.

OKAY.  WILL DO.

President Obama just signed the 2002 U.N. Pact on Disability Rights, "recognizing, promoting, and defending the rights of people with mental and physical disabilities"---George Bush refused to sign it.

Hopefully, President Obama will tend to the uprising in Santa Barbara and we will Rise Like a Phoenix from the ashes of our outrage and despair. 

WHAT WOULD YOU SET OUT TO DO IF YOU KNEW YOU COULDN'T FAIL?  Visit sbschooltalk.com for my answer.  What's yours?

Hugs,

k8