Yesterday heading into Baton Rouge to meet "Scarecrow,"
I was on a strip of the I-10 that was very reminiscent of
the road to Emerald City.

Being "Dorothy" I'd know that.
It's a 2 line hwy for both directions, opposing lanes separated by
a lengthy stretch of green grass, perfect for bocce ball, (or so they tell me --
the proverbial "they")
or a skinny game of croquet.
Framing these roads were tall lush trees, creating the illusion
of approaching the magical green metropolis.
Tried to photograph said enchantment...













yeah,
not so much
unless your actually into
blurry bug carcasses.


Went to see Jarhead tonite.
(Silence.)

Strange to go see a movie
about war, killing and premeditated man-made destruction
when you're on a hugging mission
to promote love, kindness and human connection
post inexorable natural disaster.



In my head,
as I viewed soldier after soldier,
disembarking the destination Desert Shield airplane,

I imagined a deployment of huggers.


And I smiled.

Then I got back to the movie,
watched the depiction
of exploited boys,
and I cried.









Granted, anyone that knows me, is aware that I pretty much cry at every movie,
except maybe Elf, nope, got a little misty there too, but the thought of
"making things better" by killing people.

Scarecrow and I agreed, it's a fine line to walk,
opposing the war,
yet respecting, supporting, caring for those who go to war.
The soldiers aren't declaring the wars.
My heart breaks for the sincere love of country and reverence for our nation
that these brave individuals hold, and who earnestly believe and trust that those in charge
are serving the highest good.

What a sacred trust to brake, a true sacrilege.

HEAVY SIGH!

Whew, sorry folks.
I debated whether to go this route,
but heck, it's America.
Ironic.
Fighting for our freedom?
Against Hitler, I get that
but this?

You know, my dad brings up a good point that I'd like to interject here
(bare with me if you would...)

SEND-A-HUG
is a nondenominational, bipartisan, universal program open to all in need of a hug.
Huh, a little foreshadowing now that I think about it.
The Red Cross Public Affairs writer was doing a little article on SEND-A-HUG
and wanted to quote me as saying "I want to deliver hugs to soldiers."
I didn't actually SAY it to this individual but I sure as heck thought of it.
And now, look out Bob Hope (may you rest in peace) SEND-A-HUGs comin' to entertain the troops.
=)
It would be a really great idea.
Don't worry Dad, I'm not leaving for Iraq THIS week.

I will say this about pulling out now
it feels a bit like bringing a patient in for brain surgery
and midway through
the doctor declares
"oops, this was a mistake."

Well, he can't very well just leave the patient lying there with his head cut open
He DID go in and now it's his obligation to do right by the patient.

Let's move on...
I'd like to close with what will probably go down
as the quote of my entire journey.
Perhaps even a SEND-A-HUG motto.
Today I joined Arin aka Scarecrow at
an Interfaith Community Meeting in Baton Rouge.
The various religious organizations in the area pull together
to try and meet the needs of the Hurricane victims.
At least mother nature pulls people together and inspires the BEST of humanity.
(Oops, I said I'd move on and I didn't, I went the other way.)

So, we're at this meeting
and of course
many are expressing their disenchantment
with FEMA.
Questions are being raised about unpaid gas bills
and the real possibility of folks freezing as temperatures drop.

One man tried to explain that actions could not be taken until a proper
case management system was in order.
After all, we wouldn't want to inconvenience
folks by having case workers knocking on the door of their
unheated FEMA trailers every 15 minutes.

Amidst mumblings of "they wouldn't mind" and
"probably could use the company"
one of my new favorite personalities, "the mayor of munchkin city"
aka Rabbi Barry declares
"God forbid people get too much help.
Knock on wood we should be so lucky!"
(When reading this one must do so aloud as if they were Mel Brooks.)

His poignancy, coupled with the reminiscent charm
of my dearly departed elder Jewish relatives, captured my heart!


This is NOT actually
an elderly relative
it's my dad,
but how cute is he!!!

=)

Incidentally,
the good Rabbi later left me a message stating
"Daisy, this is Rabbi Barry,
it was such an honor to meet you.
If you need a place to stay,
please come to our house,
you're always welcome
just give us some notice,
about 65 seconds should be fine.
And I want to SEND-A-HUG.
My wife wants to send a hug,
my daughters want to send a hug
in fact, I'm sure my whole congregation wants to send hugs.
It's brilliant, I wish I had thought of it."

Well Rabbi, I may have started SEND-A-HUG, but you sure as heck
know how to SPREAD-A-SMILE!!!!!

God forbid there's too much help.

God Bless ya, Rabbi Barry!