Leonard Pitts, from the Miami Herald wrote an article about the myth that Abraham Lincoln freed the slaves. He says the Emancipation Proclamation was a military measure to destabilize the rebellious south and did not apply in slave holding states. http://www.miamiherald.com/living/columnists/leonard-pitts/story/857544.html
However, he does point to the fact that Lincoln abhorred slavery and believed in the humanity of blacks. Lincoln’s primary goal was to save the Union. And so, the Union of the United States remains.
But what kind of Union? We are witnessing today in the inauguration of the 44th President. The main theme is hope and confidence. We can be down in the gutter, but hope is the light at the end of the tunnel. I do hope for a greater Union. President Obama has been clear that it will take work and sacrifice. He is asking for all to do their part.
The United States is in virtual bankruptcy. I have awakened in my own personal life , the value of myself without a penny. I lost a big source of my usual income in the last year as a realtor in Miami. But in the process right now of rebuilding, I haven’t lost my dignity, self-respect or self-value. (more…)
That is what I have been, in frustration, yelling to Sparky( my 100 pound Labrador), every time he licks his wound. He got angry when the groomers shaved him for the first time. It was my sister’s suggestion to avoid shedding so much hair. Instead, all I have done is shed grief for 4 months and his wound doesn’t get better. It hasn’t gotten infected because I have given him antibiotics, gone to 2 veterinarians, applied sprays that the vet gave me, and holistic creams, muzzles, collar, special “bite not collar I bought of the internet, etc…. He is a mighty stubborn dog . I have also gone through countless gauze, bandages and tape which has pulled off. 
I went out with my son tonight for a Coldstone ice cream desert on Miracle Mile in Coral Gables and happened to see this painting for sale in the window sill. With the inauguration of President elect Obama less than a week away, I thought that this depiction of Obama as Superman was symbolic.
Wow! What an amazing year it has been. I had about four meltdowns, financial, health, love and possibly letting go of my home. I have learned with each experience, that the next one is easier. All this restructuring in the middle of the madhouse of this financial meltdown in the world has made me feel like this cartoon that came out in the Miami Herald today: 
It has been about two months since I was actively engaged in this blog. So many things have happened in this time. I created this blog with my sister and was waiting for her to “get going.” In the meantime, I did a 