Midwestern Endorsement: Rachel Maddow

I am a big Rachel Maddow fan. I have a feeling like I might have showered her with praise on the Midwestern Position before this post, but I must do it again.

Being a Rachel Maddow is quite a commitment. She has a show every night on MSNBC where she asks the tough questions, illustrates the nonsense in politics, and holds politicians to a high standard.

It shouldn't surprise you that Rachel is a left-leaning pundit, but I appreciate that she holds all accountable on her show. She is respectful to all politicians, right and left. She has this great segment called "It's Pat" where she discusses a topic with Pat Buchanan who is undoubtedly on the opposite end of the political spectrum than she is. Rachel is wicked smart and has the chops that bring us back every night to her show.

Pie Lessons 101

After a summer of pie making, I entered my friend Laura's kitchen to help her make her first pie. Laura chose a very challenging and highly rated pie recipe, Grandma Opal's Apple Pie from allrecipes.com.

Laura is a natural pie maker. She used her new pie making materials to make a pretty lattice crust top along with the leave cut outs that made this fall pie even more pleasing to the eye.

The special thing about this pie is that you do not toss the apples in cinnamon and sugar like I have done in the past. Instead, you make a yummy caramel sauce and pour it over the lattice top. The sauce drips down into the apples and is cooked into the crust to make it sweet and crunchy. Tim and I went back over to TC and Laura's place in the evening to enjoy a piece of pie with vanilla ice cream.

Midwestern Endorsement: Collapsible Market Tote

Thanks to Laura, I have a new obsession. For my birthday, she gave me my first collapsible market tote. Mine is red perfect for storing just about anything. It is easy to find them online, but they are more expensive than I would like. However, if you have TJ Maxx where you are, you can find them for $10! I see these as the perfect gift. You can store items in your car, bring them to the store, or carry your food when you are invited to a potluck. So, if I know you, chances are, you are going to be receiving one of these at one point this year!

My Day

People always ask, "How was your day?" I have decided to tell you every detail of my day.

I wake up at 6AM. I pack my lunch and head out about 7AM. I drive in the right hand lane at about five miles over the speed limit, but that still doesn't seem to be fast enough for Philadelphia drivers. They like to pass me with disgust.

I pull into the Dunkin' Donuts drive through. It is a cut throat drive through. I have had many drivers/drinkers think that the rules of the road do not apply to the drive through, but let me assure you. They do. It's funny what people try to do with their bumper.

After I get my medium hazelnut coffee with cream and sugar, I turn my ipod onto shuffle. Why do I wait until I get my coffee? Because it just seems right. I am just not sure that I could hear the music until I can taste the hazelnut.

I take a road that is mildly deserted in the wee hours of the morning. It's pretty and curvy.

I arrive at my little kindergarten center located on a beautiful college campus. I spend the hour and thirty minutes before the children arrive preparing plans, activities, and lessons for five and six year olds. During the next seven hours, I comfort the boo-boos. I sing the songs. I teach the lessons. I manage the young. I read the books. I build the blocks. I play the tag. I encourage. I admonish, if needed.

After all of the children are on the buses home, I head out to the local drug store. I can't believe how much stuff costs. I needed some odds and ends and those odds and ends add up.

I head home to discover three new netflix movie envelopes, one birthday card, two catalogues, and one bank statement in my mailbox. I call my friend. We chat. I write one email. I watch Hardball with Chris Matthews. And now, I am writing this blog post.

And now you know all about my typical day.

Philly Goodness

I know that I often come to the Midwestern Position to lament rude behaviors that I encounter in my life in Philly, but tonight, that all changes. Tonight, I toast you, little old librarian at the Ardmore Public Library! I toast your sweet nature who wanted to find all of my books for me on my list even when I told her that I could do it. I toast you and your pretty impressive computer skills that found my books at other libraries. Little, Old Librarian, thanks for your extra effort and enthusiasm at your job.

More of the Same

Cindy McCain is Filthy Rich

I know that I have been writing a lot about my two cents about the election, but I simply cannot help myself tonight.

I like Laura Bush. I just do. I think she is a classy lady and I think she speaks with grace and empathy. I do not have anything against Cindy McCain, but I do have one issue with her.

On Monday night, Cindy McCain and Laura Bush spoke to the Republican National Convention and the American people to ask for donations for victims of Hurricane Gustav. Little did we know, Cindy was wearing an estimated $300,000 worth of clothing and jewelry.

Yes, you read that right. $300,000.

I can't swallow that she is asking people to donate in the middle of a near recession as she stands in an outfit that costs more than my house. I would happily donate to many causes, but Cindy standing there in her Oscar de la Renta and her three-carat diamond earrings does not convince me to give. I do not have my giving or not giving wrapped up in this Cindy McCain outfit, but I think it is something to consider when we have John McCain telling us that he can relate to our problems.

Yes, you could argue that it isn't John McCain's money, but trust me. John McCain is not eating Chef Boyardee at his seven kitchen tables.