Good for Officer Jim Crowley; he didn’t fold under some public criticism and one shot coming from President Obama.  He felt the procedures that he followed in the wake of answering a break in call was correct and that no prejudice was used. 

“That apology will never come from me as Jim Crowley, it won’t come from me as sergeant in the Cambridge Police Department,” Sgt. James Crowley told Boston radio station WEEI. “Whatever anybody else chooses to do in the name of the city of Cambridge or the Cambridge Police Department which are beyond my control, I don’t worry about that. I know what I did was right. I have nothing to apologize for.”  He later stated “He’s the president of the United States, and I support the president to a point,” Crowley told WEEI. “I think it’s disappointing that he waded into what should be a local issue and something that is — really that plays out here. As he himself had said at the beginning of that press conference, he didn’t know all the facts. He certainly doesn’t based on those comments. I just think it was very disappointing.”

President Obama, who clearly is still waist deep in a love fest with himself, felt the need to weigh in on this subject despite admitting not knowing all the facts.  Hmm….isn’t this the same guy who said that he waited 3 days to comment on the Chris Dodd/AIG bonus scandal because he wanted to know what the facts were before he commented.  Aside from that being a B.S. excuse, he has always said that he likes to wait for until all the facts are in before taking a position. 

But in the case of his friend, Henry Louis Gates Jr, a fellow African American, he had no problem shooting from the hip and taking an immediate stance clearly based on race.  “But I think it’s fair to say, No. 1, any of us would be pretty angry; No. 2, that the Cambridge police acted stupidly in arresting somebody when there was already proof that they were in their own home; and, No. 3 … that there’s a long history in this country of African-Americans and Latinos being stopped by law enforcement disproportionately.”

I just want to give a loud shout out to Sgt Jim Crowley, who seems to be standing strong in the face of what is becoming a far too frequent occurance of shouting racist.  And shame on you Mr. President, for commenting on a situation that feeds into racial tension when you did not have the full story.

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Occasionally, I think it’s not so bad to grow old.  While browsing through our daily paper, I came across an ad inviting mothers and daughters to attend a “trunk show” for First Communion and Flower Girls!
 
I don’t think I could keep up with the pressure of being a mom these days. The really awful challenge to protect your child from the dangers lurking everywhere is obviously not seven year old “fashionistas”! The frightening thing is you cannot relax when you have the children ’safe and sound’ at home. I read horror stories of predators invading privacy via e-mails or wireless texting, and to skim through the television programs offered today is shocking! Read more

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I knew my mother was correct when she said for a parent to bury a child was not the nature of things–it is just NOT the way life should be–but, life has sorrows we can’t imagine and we, my husband and I, are living a sadness I still cannot comprehend.
 
Our oldest child, one of two sons and three daughters, passed away last May and months later, the pain is as deep and shattering as it was on that Sunday morning. Read more

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I received a wonderful Christmas gift this year from my husband–something I’ve always wanted–a tool to add the finishing gourmet touch to Creme Brulee, not to mention all the other foods I can crisp, melt or burn.
 
Upon close examination  I realized my husband had gifted me with a flame thrower complete with an empty butane cartridge. I find it very difficult to understand how he could have been so smitten with the.perfect dessert illustrated on the box. Of all people, my love should have known the dangers of placing such a weapon in my hands–I, who have difficulty lighting a match without dropping it!
 
I don’t even trust a gas stove, having always opted for electric appliances, so as I read the directions, my horror grew–I don’t think the husband was too thrilled either as he read the directions over my shoulders! We are both wondering how we can fill the little butane cartridge from the huge butane tank on our outdoor cooker!
 
Fortunately, we had a quick meeting of the minds and decided  to re-gift the flame thrower to a daughter who understood the necessity of getting such a weapon out of her mother’s dainty hands.–only request….a fire extinguish at the ready! 
 

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What is it about most men I’ve come across in my many years that makes it impossible for them to admit to a physical illness? It’s almost as if the fact that a “bug” has chosen to land upon them is a sign of personal weakness and NO bug will get the “best” of any male I know!
 
I’ve lived with the light of my life for fifty years and he’s never admitted to having a cold — regardless of the trail of tissues and sneezes resounding through the house! When I suggest some extra Vitamin C or that latest remedy for the common sniffles that you “stick up your nose” he just looks at me. I’m sure it’s to his credit that he doesn’t suggest some other place I might aim the spray!
 
I, on the other hand, believe in a different kind of spray. After the third sneeze I dig through the cupboards to retrieve the disinfecting spray and I will go nowhere in the house without squirting — I move in a haze of germ fighters until his “blowing” stage has passed and the coughing begins.
 
My beloved is always surprised since he really hasn’t had a cold, and he’s not quite sure where the coughing is coming from. I am always relieved when the coughing begins — the germs have gone away by then according to my reasoning — Of course now it’s important to “Blow your nose, don’t swallow!” 

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Once upon a time (seems a hundred years ago), I was the proud possessor of a Bachelor of Arts degree in English Literature–determined not to teach, in love with a Naval flight instructor who was also a pharmacist. Marriage seemed like a good idea but it was fun to be a newspaper reporter for awhile!  

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All of the dozens of holiday recipes that appear, as if by magic, this time of the year in magazines, newspapers and TV cooking shows are tempting and creative.  It’s amazing how many things you can stuff into a turkey! Read more

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Good grief!  I can feel the pressure already! We have new neighbors, lovely people, I’m sure, but on November 1st their yard became a veritable Christmas Wonderland–at least four weeks before those of us on our hill  have removed our Halloween decorations and are just beginning to contemplate Turkey Day. 

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When you are married to man with the last name of “New,” have worked for a “news” paper, and then retired to become a mom- - with absolutely NO experience - - it follows that a publisher friend would suggest a “News” at Home column for his newspaper chronicalling our family’s adventures and misadventures. Read more

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