Apr
21
Hillary Clinton Took The Time
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The real measure of a person’s character is not what they do when everybody is watching, it’s what they do that no one will ever see. That’s why I feel the need to tell a recent story about Hillary Clinton.
Just to give some background to the story, my mother-in-law, Ann McCoy, worked for the Clintons at the Arkansas Governors Mansion and later at the White House, but she has not worked for them in 8 years. The Clinton’s were always nice and polite to all of Ann’s family but Hillary probably got to know Ann’s mother, Hazel, better than any of us.
Recently, Hazel, 95 years old, was admitted to a Hospice. How Hillary found out is beyond me, but 5 hours before her big debate with Barack Obama, she called Hazel at the Hospice to see how she was adjusting. At perhaps the most critical point in a very long and impressive career, with the world spinning around her, Hillary Clinton took the time to console another great lady. Many people think Hillary is cold and impersonal. Maybe it’s because she is so principled that she doesn’t know how to pretend to be sincere. If I weren’t writing this here, no one would ever know about the phone call. Hillary didn’t make the call because it would end up in a story or photo shoot. She did it because she is a great lady. One day, after the history is written, everyone will know, as do I, exactly how great she is.
Ms. Hazel Askew passed away yesterday, Sunday, but not before one great lady spoke to another great lady. Hazel was born when women couldn’t vote and she almost lived to see one in the White House.
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Apr
2
I’m Winning
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For the first time ever, all the number one seeds have made it to the final four. This phenomena has made all the chicks in our office winners in the pool.
If Memphis wins, Stephanie wins. If UCLA wins, Holly and I have to split the pot. I am glad to split the pot with Holly, because it alleviates some of my female guilt that would have come from being the boss and winning the whole pot.
It was really fun having the NCAA tournament in Little Rock. You don’t realize how big those players are till you stand next to one. Recently at the Tip Off Club I had my picture made with big Joe Klien, formerly an Arkansas Razorback and a Chicago Bull.
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Mar
20
March Madness
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In the Flag business, the onset of March brings high winds, torn flags and disgruntled customers. But I’m not too concerned this year because, for the first time ever, March Madness arrives in Little Rock, in the form of the Men’s NCAA Basketball Tournament. Next weekend, Alltel Arena will be the sight of all the drama and my husband and I are ecstatic. To say we are avid sports fans would be an understatement. And fortunately, we had enough foresight last year to buy tickets to this years’ “Big Dance.” We weren’t sure if our Razorbacks would even make it to the tournament this year after losing Ronnie Brewer… and we were not enthused about last years coach. “What was his name, again? I can’t quite recall.”
Well, we couldn’t be happier now. The new coach, John Pelphrey, has done a great job in his first year. It’s been an emotional roller coaster. Against all odds, we made it to the finals of the SEC Tournament by beating No. 2 Tennessee, only to lose to Georgia in the finals. But who cares, two games ago we weren’t even assured a spot in the Dance. What could have been a horrible season, turned into 22 wins; a testament to John Pelphrey. My first thought when he was hired was that his head seemed to be screwed on a little too tight. I still think it is… and I like it. It’s good for a coach to have a Type ‘A’ Personality, but it is not enough. A Coach has to have passion for the game and Pelphrey does. He also has the ability to dissect the mechanics of the game and his players. That ability to take a situation, break it down, and make a judgment call is a gift that you can’t learn in a play book. In this way, I can relate to Pelphrey. I often think of myself as a coach, my employees as players, and FlagandBanner.com as the game. Making sales is our offense, curbing expenses is our defense, and I make a lot of play changes and substitutions until December 31st when the final buzzer sounds.
I recently met Pelphrey and his family at a luncheon. He is tall, tall, tall and much funnier than I expected. And his family is adorable. His blond, unassuming wife is charming and a wonderful mother to his Son and Daughter. They graciously said they liked living in Northwest Arkansas. Although it’s hard to imagine a college coach not saying he liked the place he coached, but I truly hope they do like it here, and I hope they stay. We need Pelphrey’s passion here in Arkansas. He is a rising star.
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Mar
12
Lent is a Mother Cusser
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Every year I give up the same thing for Lent: Alcohol. And after this years holiday season, Lent couldn’t come soon enough. I actually look forward to Lent because it’s the only time I can give up drinking without catching a lot of hell from my friends. Mention quitting alcohol to most of them and you might as well be bringing a cross into a vampire den. I tend to have a lot of get-togethers and I think my friends consider my not drinking to be a threat to their social life. But 40 days without alcohol is manageable. If I can do without alcohol for a little over a month, they can do without the raving social butterfly that I tend to be after a couple of cocktails. And quitting alcohol isn’t really that difficult for me because it’s not my worst vice. Cussing is. I say “cussing,” instead of “cursing” because I think of bad language more as a creative way of complaining than actually wishing any ill will on anyone. Anyway, I used to try and give up cussing, but I finally accepted the fact that I can’t stop because I do it unconsciously. But cussing does have it’s benefits: my kids hate it. If you want to raise a kid who doesn’t cuss, just do it all the time. But what do they know anyway… For Lent, they gave up paper towels to save the planet, now they use so many cloth towels that we’re adding 400 F****n’ gallons of deterginated water to the planet for every roll of paper towels we do not use! I think cursing does a lot less damage.
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Oct
11
The Clinton’s Little Rock Pad
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Last night I was invited to a welcoming party, for some friends in from Hong Kong, at Bill and Hillary’s apartment in Little Rock. Their apartment is located atop his Presidential Library on the Arkansas River. The Clinton’s were not there but I got to see their modest and modern home. Designed and decorated by local designer Kaki Hockersmith, she also decorated the White House for them.
A small group of us watched the sunset on the river and then the city lights of Little Rock come up. It was breath taking. Thanks for inviting me.
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Oct
8
Dreamin
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Since I am from the South, I like leaving my g’s off words. It makes me feel like I’m writin in dialect.
Anyway, I have always thought my day-dreamin, especially during class and right before I fall asleep, have had a lot to do with my success. I am a good daydreamer. Growing up I visualized the house I wanted to live in, the building I wanted to work in, the clothes I wanted to buy and ,of course, the men I wanted to date. Did I say men? I mean man.
Now that I am older my daydreams have turned to night-dreams. I can’t sleep and I have all these really weird dreams. What do they mean? My gut feelin is, nothing, I am just brain dumpin the day’s activities. But what if I am wrong and they are tied to a more deeper meanin. Maybe even a spiritual one.
My church, Trinity Episcopal, is exploring the idea of Natural Spirituality and has begun a Sunday school class on dream studies. A thousand years ago the Christian church and dreams where united in their quest for knowledge. It is a 4 week study. I will let you know if I find out the meanin of life.
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Oct
2
I saw the Duggers, family of 19, on the Today Show this morning. They seem to be very nice people and very efficient in their life management and child rearing. But I am embarrassed to admit they are from Arkansas. Mrs. Dugger could have done so many socially right things with her abundant love and organizational skills. Instead she is procreating to a point of social irresponsibility.
Life is a long journey. Maybe this will give her the press and credibility needed to fund an orphanage or some other good deed for children in the name of God. If God is listening, “Give this woman’s uterus a break. Use her to do more good for more people.”
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Jul
3
Everybody needs a new love now and again, just to make you feel alive and to feel that life is worth living. But it is hard to do that, especially when you want to have a successful marriage and I have been successfully married for 20 years. So how do you have your cake and eat it too?
Buy a convertible sports car! It’s true, it really works. Like a new lover, I think about it all the time. My mind is wonderfully preoccupied with questions related to my car. When can I drive it next? What’s the weather going to be like? Where should I park it? What outfit to wear to stay cool? What to do with my hair? And so on. I no longer scowl on my way to work as I contemplate the day that lies ahead. Instead I am shifting gears with the wind in my hair and the sun on my face feeling ten years younger. No worries mate.
If every morning you shuffle out of bed across the floor to stare into a mirror that depresses you and makes you wonder “what is the use’, then you need a convertible. I guarantee you, you will jump up early for work so you can drive with the top down before the sun gets too hot and the streets get too crowded. And when you have a moment to day dream, you will dream about returning to your new love.
Posted by kerry
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Apr
9
Special Easter
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This was a very special Easter. My oldest son Gray, who is a freshman at Jacobs School of Music in Indiana, came home for Easter and brought a friend, Ed Cohen. Ed is a junior who is on a scholarship from London for one year. They met because they both love music. Gray is an aspiring opera singer and Ed is an unbelievable pianist. So this weekend was like stepping back into the 18th century. Parlor art was a bloom in my house. My piano was worn out. Ed has to practice 2 hours a day, and it is unbelievable! I can’t even see his hands because they go so fast.
We had 16 people for Easter lunch and the young men performed before they had to hit the road. Gray sang two songs in French and one in German, my youngest son played a piano piece from Grease and my middle son sang something from Godspell a capella. It was a mother’s dream come true.
I forgot to video, darn.
Posted by kerry
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Aug
21
College Bound
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It is back to school blues for everyone in my house except my oldest son, Gray. The moment he has been waiting for has finally arrived, “He’s Moving Out” with strings attached. We leave tomorrow for Indiana University,