Every now and then you get to be part of something big and cool. Probably things like that pass me by often and I miss them but this time I went with my gut instinct and said "yes".

Months ago I met a guy at my coffee shop who decided to leave his cushy life as a successful business man and run for congress. Running as an Independent almost never works but he is determined to effect change upon our nation, especially in the field of economics where he is more than qualified to serve.

Last night at his meet and greet coffee with the public, CNN showed up. Something about him has aroused interest from people in very high places. I hope people continue to become inquisitive about this man's run for office and that history will indeed be made by his successful election in November.

May God bless his efforts as he seeks to bring some order to the nation.

Caroline

I sit at my computer, choking back tears as I remember the Augusts of my childhood. My mother bought me a back-to-school edition of Seventeen magazine every August so I could pour over the pages of new styles and dream of being the best-dressed girl at LHS.

On certain late summer days the air has just the right briskness to evoke memories of my favorite season … fall. I remember daydreaming of Friday night football games, building the float for Homecoming and my beloved County Fair, all good things about to appear on the calendar. Some days it feels like yesterday. I can smell the scents of my backyard woods and feel the smoothness of the pages of the magazine.

As Labor Day approached, my mother, always proper and organized, would take stock of my current clothing and then plan our yearly trek to Columbus where the downtown Lazarus department store held everything a girl could possibly want. Rising early on the big day, I dressed carefully for the task of trying on clothes. Shoes with socks were a must in order to try on the latest Bass loafers and a half-slip helped when scratchy wool skirts were part of the try-on pile.

We planned our day around lunch in mother’s favorite Lazarus restaurant. There were two choices if I recall correctly, chicken salad in the Chintz room or celery dressing and mashed potatoes in the Café. Or maybe it was the other way around but I do remember one of those restaurants had the book section directly outside the dining area. While she waited in line for lunch, I would stare at the bookshelves.

I loved books from a very early age and never even realized it till recently. After lunch I checked for the latest Nancy Drew or Laura Ingalls Wilder and then slipped over to the candy counter to buy long red licorice ropes before returning to the clothing department.

After a long tiring day we would cross the street to the annex where the car sat in the attached parking garage. Right before entering the elevator for the car we would make a pass through the gourmet food section, perusing for some nibble or dish to take home for dinner that evening. I believe I can trace my foodie tendencies back to this very location.

Gone are the days I dream over teen magazines and sadly, gone is the downtown department store. But worse still, my mother is no longer here to share these memories or my everyday nothingness. She built some wonderful things into my life. I wonder if my own daughter will say the same about me someday?


Still striving for a little style,
Caroline