Elise Sereni Patkotak

My sister and I first traveled to China in 1983. We went from an America of light, noise, vibrancy and life to a China of gray, quiet people, streets and buildings.

There were few stores and those that existed belonged to the government. There were no neon lights flashing to attract shoppers. Most people still wore Mao pajamas and caps. Everyone rode bikes except for the few military and government vehicles in lanes in the middle of the street. Buildings were bland, uninviting hulks.

We went back to China a little over ten years later and again landed in Beijing.

I give Blondie her two biscuit mid-afternoon treat. She races outside with them so that Blue doesn’t get close enough to steal one. Blue, it should be noted, can inhale her biscuits in the time it takes for Blondie to adjust them in her mouth so Blondie has learned to protect them from Blue who is usually looking for more before Blondie has even had one bite. Once Blondie has dropped the biscuits in the fresh fallen snow, she gently nudges them with her nose to cover them up and then barks to come back in. She’s usually not in

As an Alaskan, I would respectfully request that Republican pundits, talking heads, politicians and strategists… and Barbara Bush… stop trying to give Sarah Palin back to us. We have enough problems up here what with bears and ice and snow and darkness and the total lack of lane lines all winter that makes driving such a dangerous thrill. So stop saying that she should stay in Alaska. If you are afraid she’s going to run for president and thereby kill your hopes of winning the White House back in 2012, I’d suggest you find out why YOUR voters are so

Is it possible that god screwed my left ear in too tightly when I was made? Or is it just that I am suffering from the worse cold in all human history?

What I don’t understand is why any gay man or woman would want to risk death serving a country that refuses to acknowledge their full humanity. They must love America very, very much.

Am I the only one who wonders where they go to live from one Christmas season to the next?

George Bush cut tax rates for everyone early in his presidency, cuts due to expire on December 31. The current debate centers around whether they should be allowed to expire for everyone or only those making over $250,000/year.

Conservatives running back to Congress to eviscerate the health care bill as an exemplar of federal spending gone wild, ignore the fact that during the Bush years they cut taxes and dramatically increased spending on two wars without giving an apparent hoot in hell where the money would come from. Deficit spending on a war of choice apparently fits with their fiscal

Went online to a wonderful mail order store for salmon. Sent both my brother and sister a package of smoked salmon.

Christmas shopping done.

Whew!

Saying goodbye to the relatives and friends you like when they have to go home.

Bye, bye Joey…..