Walnuts on My Windshield - Issue #8

Friday, July 30, 2004

First the serious news item. This morning, we did something we have never before done as a family. We heard President Bush speak, in person! Scott had gotten us six free tickets to the event. Of course, for Scott it didn't matter that only four tickets were distributed per person. Scott usually figures out a way to get what he wants.

The president was to speak indoors at the Expo Center at 9:00 AM. It seats about 3500. Doors would be open from 6:30 AM till 8:30 AM. The Expo Center is about 45 minutes from our home, not counting traffic. We chose to leave home at 6:45 AM.

The night before, the weather was rainy and expected to be rainy during the speech. We heard on the news that the venue had been changed to the new baseball field across from the Expo Center. However, in the event of rain, it would be moved to the Expo Center. Go figure.

I had two jobs: have everyone dressed, fed, and ready to go at 6:45 AM; and take along enough books, toys, water, etc., to keep Andrew happy through the expected one hour pre-speech wait and the speech itself. I packed a huge backpack with my wallet, two disposable cameras, breath mints, lip gloss, three books for Josiah, six books for Andrew, a book and magazine for me, crayons, coloring book, and - at Scott's request - a beach towel.

We approached the ball field in a very light drizzle. I was driving so that Scott could work during the road trip. I got ready to turn onto the street leading to the stadium and found an orange cone in my lane! How rude! Not knowing what to do, I ran over it, then backed up and circled around a few blocks to find a parking place. I hefted the backpack and away we went.

Two blocks later a young lady told me that she had been told no purses were allowed. Aaack! It didn't look rosy for my backpack, so I trudged back to the van and left it. I shoved into my pockets my driver's license, the lip gloss and breath mints, and the two cameras. It was a nice little hike up to the ball field, where we could see a huge crowd already gathered outside the gates. There were about six lines, each stretching almost two blocks. We got in line.

We stood in that v-e-r-y slow moving line for about a hour. Even with nothing to do, Andrew did pretty well. We noticed the sharp-shooters on top of the stadium. We politely ignored the anti-Bush and pro-Kerry protesters with their nasty signs and rude chants. From within the stadium, we could hear someone speaking, but couldn't make out many of the words. However, about halfway through our wait, we began to hear LOUD praise and worship music playing in the stadium! I have no idea who organized that, but it sure was wonderful to hear!

Usher-type folks in event T-shirts were instructing us to have our tickets and photo IDs ready, to have cell phones and digital cameras turned on, that no video cameras would be allowed inside, and that no signs could be taken in, even those that were pro-Bush. We inched our way up to toward the metal detectors. I looked back and realized that a little ways behind us, blockades had been set up. Not everyone with tickets would be getting in! I am SO glad we arrived when we did.

Under the ticket-inspectors' tables, there were big piles of umbrellas and water bottles. Those, along with little American flags, were not allowed in.

My whole family passed the metal detector test, but I failed. Of course, I had already dumped my keys, but I now unloaded the breath mints, $6.00 cash, and the two disposable cameras. I have deep pockets. = ) Still, that woman kept running her wand over me, and saying as it beeped, "there's more." Well, there was, but I couldn't figure out how a tube of Vaseline lip gloss could possibly be the problem. I hauled that out and finally gained admission.

We were some of the last folks seated, about halfway up near first base. The mist had stopped, but the seats were wet. I was really glad Scott had insisted on the beach towel. We probably could have rented it out at the point. = )

After a wait of maybe 20 minutes, we finally heard the words, "THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES!" How exciting it was to watch him walk in along the third base line, shaking hands with everyone, waving and smiling! He was dressed casually in a leather jacket and appeared quite relaxed and comfortable.

The speech was good, not stellar, and I agreed with most of what he said. His delivery was not as smooth as he comes across on TV, but I wonder if that might not be because we were his first stop on this campaign swing. I'm sure by three or four cities down the road it will be smoother. However, he must have a great memory, because he acknowledged our senator and representatives who were there, plus several other dignitaries, without seeming to look at his notes. He appeared to know these guys personally. I was impressed.

Including the many interruptions by applause and the numerous standing ovations, the president spoke for about 45 minutes. Our kids were all attentive, and Andrew generally clapped and screamed at the appropriate times.

The only other time I heard a president speak was in the late 80s, when President Reagan came to Little Rock. I remember that event well, and even though our kids are much younger than I was then, I hope that they will remember with equal fondness the day they saw our president and heard him say, "we're not turning back!"

We now return you to your scheduled weekly humor.

Andrew has set the world's new peeing record. We were dropping a friend at the airport - just a curbside thirty-second deal; not planning to park or anything. Two minutes before we get there, he announces that he has to pee, badly. Oh, lovely. We drop the friend, leave the airport, and I look for a place to pull off. Andrew has a look on his face like he is trying not to cry! Two minutes later, I find a place, and we hop out. I face him away from the road and toward some bushes and tell him to let loose. I am not exaggerating when I say he peed more than ten feet. Not only that, I timed the guy (just for grins). He went, without a let-up for 97 seconds. I have absolutely never seen anything like it.

Until Next Time,
Patty

I have not finished any books this week, but I have a couple in progress. . . in my spare time. Ha ha ha!

Quote of the Week:

"Cleaning your house while your kids are at home is like trying to shovel the driveway during a snowstorm." Sonlight e-zine

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