The Grand Old Party

I know I missed a class or two in Goverment studies. Maybe I was there but not really there, if you know what I mean.

So, now I'm asking; what does GOP mean? Feeling a little silly I finally looked it up. It's quite possible I'm the last to know... but in case I'm not, it stands for the Grand Old Party, otherwise known as the Republican Party. Wikipedia explains a bit more below.

"The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties of the United States, along with the Democratic Party. It is often referred to as the Grand Old Party or the GOP.
Founded in 1854 by anti-slavery expansion activists and modernizers, the Republican Party quickly surpassed the Whig Party as the principal opposition to the Democratic Party. In 1860, it came to power with the election of Abraham Lincoln to the presidency. The party presided over the American Civil War and Reconstruction and was harried by internal factions and scandals toward the end of the 19th century. Today, the party supports a conservative platform (from an American political perspective), with further foundations in supply-side fiscal policies, and social conservatism."

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Republican_Party_(United_States)

They are truly divine

I've been inspired recently by all the women in my life who are out and about serving others, leading remarkable lives. Women who posses a "touch" a "sparkle" a "twinkle." Those around them are blessed and inspired.

I'd like to pay tribute specifically to my Harmon Aunts (Mom's sisters / sister-in-laws); Aunt Penny, Ellen, Linda, Julia, Peggy, Margie, Shelly, Dodie, each of them with their individual attributes when combined together as an influence in my life are a medley of strength. I'd say magical because it seems so, but really they are each accomplishing remarkable things with ordinary means.

Penny - Faith

Linda - Courage

Ellen - Wisdom

Julia - Service

Peggy - Serenity

Margie - Sincere

Shelly - Constant

Dodie - Cheerful

On the Road Again ...

"... Just can't wait to get on the road again," sings Willie Nelson.

Daniel, my brother is out seeing just about every highway and/or freeway this summer before his up and coming Masters program starts at John Hopkins. We are all very proud and excited for their family.

He took a job with May's Trucking in the interum. He works very hard, driving every minute of his 11hr day that he can but insists it's the easiest job there is. He says the job title is really "Stearing Wheel Holder."

I assure you, there's more to it than that after my eye-witness account watching him back a 53 foot trailer into a narrow parking spot leaving minimal space on each side.

Let's see you try that.

So, I without packing a bag, jumped on the truck as it was passing through Evanston, WY. (Thanks to a lift from Dalynn after leaving Laura's baby shower in Provo, UT). Daniel and I had talked about a trip but it wasn't until the last minute that we thought it was possible. So being the adventurist that I am, or travel junking - one of the two, off we went.

Daniel graciously let me have the top bunk and of course I called "shotgun."

In Rosa Parks time she did to.
That's what makes us women so great. We know how to get a good seat.

Long days can sure make a person sleepy.

I read off and on; in between primping my nails.

I finished the Book of Mormon http://www.bookofmormononline.org/ , a few chapters in Daniel's beautifully bound copy of the Odyssey and a good portion of the Doctrine and Covenants.

So, where in the world did we go?

As I best remember

(which isn't saying much these days.)

Day 1: WY --> NE (Stayed in Grand Island, Boseman Truck Stop)
Day 2: NE --> IA --> IL --> (Chicago, I think...)
Day 3: IL --> IN --> OH --> (Cleveland)
Day 4: OH --> PA --> WV --> VA --> (Pulled off freeway)

Day 5: VA --> NC --> SC --> GA (Macon)
Day 6: GA --> TN --> KY --> MO --> (Rest Stop)
Day 7: MO --> NB --> (Grand Island, once again.)
Day 8: NB --> WY --> (Truck Stop outside Cheyenne)

Basically, we drove a lot.

I really loved Chattanooga, TN and Atlanta. Ohio was nice and I enjoyed the Virgina's. The St. Louis arch was a highlight although I barely raised my head from the pillow to see it.

Chattanooga

West Virginia
St. Louis Arch

The best part was having Daniel time. We listened to talk radio, talked politics, chatted about family, finance, his girls and life philosophies. I almost signed up to be trucker since I'm single, footlose and fancy free, as they say. What a thought that was, until I woke up.