An open letter to the U.S. Congress

Forgive my lack of tact, but have you lost your minds? It is Friday, April 8^th and the government is on the verge of a shut down. Why? Because our elected officials have turned the U.S. Congress into a playground on which you are having a tug of war with a jump rope. I can picture all of you grown men and women in your expensive business suits pulling for all you’re worth, with neither side giving an inch. It is not a pretty picture.

As I understand it, the president has met with your leaders until the wee hours of the night, to no avail. You have met with each other and argued until you’re blue, getting nowhere. One side has thrown out a number —$33 billion, I believe. The other side has finally said, OK, $33 billion it is. Then, the first side has replied, we never said $33 billion. We want more. The T-Party freshmen won’t like it. Pardon me, but who made the T-Party the boss of you, so to speak? Give me a break.

When this is over, programs will come to a standstill; people will be furloughed (nice word for out of work); and you will still have your playground, your jump rope, and by the way your health care. Personally, I am disgusted and will put my future energies into figuring out how to recall the bunch of you.

Sincerely,

Bobbi Linkemer

Citizen

A Book to Treasure

Every once in a while, a book falls into my hands that takes my breath away. Life is a Verb, 37 days to wake up, be mindful, and live intentionally by Patti Digh is such a book. First of all, it's gorgeous—full of art and color and words floating across the pages, amazing quotations, and beautifully rendered stories.

The first words in the Prologue are these: "At some point in your life you'll only have thirty-seven days to live. Maybe that day is today. Maybe not."

Remember that line in Jerry Maquire—"You had me at hello"? Well, this book had me right there and never let go. I suddenly realized I was reading a library book, which meant I have to give it back. No way! I couldn't get to amazon fast enough to order it.

This is not a book review. I don't think I could begin to capture the essence of Life is a Verb except to say it is profound, not a word I use often. I wish I had written it. What greater compliment can I bestow?.