Good thing I have a few years to practice this before putting it to use.

Happy Mom’s Day, Mother Dear.  Love you!

Mirror, mirror, on the wall,
I am my mother after all!
(Acceptance is the first step, right Joshy?)

You’re the best, Mom.  Love you.

I do not want to be negligent of the day’s significance nor take for granted the rights, freedoms and privileges granted to me as an American; so before the day ends, I wish to thank the families of the men and women who have given their lives in service to their country.  The high price of their death validates and dictates the tremendous worth of America’s freedom.  Thank you.  May I, may we as Americans not take our freedom for granted.

I confess that I do not always like being “different” as an American living in Brazil, but I have also never felt more proud to be an American than when there.  My blue eyes and American accent mark strong differences from those around me, but so also do the privileges, opportunities, and freedoms available to me as an American.  May my loyalties be as easily identified as my heritage.

Brazilians have taught me a lot about patriotism.  They are passionate about Brazil and fiercely loyal to her (especially the soccer team!).  They literally show their true colors by displaying the flag and its colors everywhere and on everything: shirts, shoes, street walls, etc.

How very different from the U.S. where too often we see people burning the flag, the emblem the very freedom which allows them to do so.  I do not deny that we have, at times, erred and struggled at times as country, but many of our internal struggles result from the delicate balance of freedom democracy offers.  Instead of criticizing our country and its leaders, may we strive to work together to preserve our unity as a nation and rightly honor our governing authorities.  Today especially may we honor the men and women who served the country by the greatest means possible, by giving their lives for her.

Long may she continue to stand.  God bless the U.S.A.!

While it may not be a good one, I do have an excuse for my absence: foolishness.  And yes, that would be my own foolishness.  A little technological blunder forced me to choose between a $90 fee or 75 days in absencia from my blog, so I opted for the less expensive route.  I’ve got 75 days to spend but as for that $90…

Actually, sometimes I wonder who, if anybody, reads my blog.  Not that I have to have a following.  In fact, I was initially resistant to the idea of having a blog.  Frankly, I found many blogs to be rather self-centered, with an all-about-me mentality, and dull as they recounted the events of the day in “Dear Diary” fashion.  I had my journal (which, to be honest, has suffered horribly since this blog business began), and that was enough for me. 

For those of you who have blogs, please don’t be be offended by that.  In spite of my critical comments, I do have a few favorite blogs that I visit regularly; and as you can see for yourself (or is it “read for yourself”?), I am a fellow blogger who someone could just as readily and easily criticize for my rambling, sporadic style.  Actually, truth be told, some already have, but what’s a girl to do?  Besides, I like rambling.

In spite of my shortcomings, it seems there are a faithful few out there who, believe it or not, like to keep up on my adventures (or is it mishaps?), and a blog is a great solution; so here I am.  I intended to write more today, but now I’m afraid to lest I appear too self-focused after my soap-box speech…well, that and the fact that if I don’t publish this soon, it will no longer be April Fools Day.  Hope it was a fun one!