RALPH

             Ya know, sometimes one just overflows with pride.   I often wonder what my boys might have become if they had had the opportunity to grow up. David would be just a few years younger than Ralph.
              I had Ralph as a young'un in elementary school my first year of teaching - that year when, no matter how long you teach, you will always remember those kids, where they sat, what they did... Ralph was in the 3rd grade that year. He was not an outstanding artist, not the class clown, or the kind of kid you had to give "that LOOK" to... but he had Something. I was not able to define what that was - still can't, but in the course of my 38 year career, I have been so blessed to have had a few kids with that Something. They didn't all become big shot politicians, but they all became FINE men and women- people to be proud of. I confess, having had and lost 2 boys, I paid more attention to my boys than my girls in school, and especially in that age bracket, always wondering if mine would have been like this kid or that...........
                My pride in Ralph is not exactly politically oriented, tho I am proud of his beliefs and the stands he has taken in his political career... but it is as a doctor where he so greatly shines in the hearts of so many here. This article does not begin to give him the credit he deserves - he does not seek publicity or fame. He is often very understated, even underrated. Humble. My kind of guy. He does tons of pro-bono work, flies out to Tangier, for example, to care for kids when they come home from CHKD. No one mentions the stuff he does like that, and that is the way he wants it.
Check him out here. Ya gotta love this guy.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/virginia-politics/ralph-northam-vas-low-key-lieutenant-governor-juggles-politics-and-pediatrics/2014/07/27/9bfcbf72-fd7f-11e3-8176-f2c941cf35f1_story.html

A DRY OCTOBER DAY

We had rain only twice in September, I think, for an inch and a quarter, total. Nothing so far in the rain bucket for Oct. But we have a promise of Tropical Storm Karen working her way up here beginning of next week. They promise 3 days of rain. Lord knows, we need it. Normally I would have drained the hoses and had them back in their garbage can for the winter, but not this year. I got some mums for my birthday, and they need to drink or die. I put some out front next to a campaign sign for one of my “boys.” Well, Ralph has not been a BOY for quite a few years, but once they are your boys, they are always your boys. Who would have believed that skinny little kid would be first a neurological pediatrician, then a Senator, and now running for Lt Governor? But he has always been a good boy, and that is what counts most, isn’t it? Anyway, I have a few of his signs up and this was a perfect place for some of the mums.

 

As I said, it has been dry. The deer are coming up into the yard to drink out of the bird feeders. I find them  drained dry every morning and have finally put a tub of water out for them. When there is water in the ground baths, it stays very busy. I was happy to get this shot since the other birds tend to scare the cardinals away from the birdbaths. Can you see him?

 

The veggie gardens are just about done, but I have baby yellow wax beans just coming. This is the second planting in my stand-uppity garden.

The tomatoes have been slow this year. Many of them just up and died. The ones I plant in strange places, after the tomato garden itself was full, are still going strong. Not often one sees tomatoes in an azalea bush! But this seems to be a favorite growing area.

I was told I did not show any of my window boxes… and these are right outside the window here, with my birthday camellia behind them.

 

Thanks for visiting my garden!

TODAY'S MEETING with TIM KAINE

FORMER GOVERNOR TIM KAINE came to town today... we had a Meet and Greet lunch at the Sage in Exmore. He met with a packed house - not even standing room! The intro speaker was Senator Ralph Northam. Kaine is running for Senate. Governors are allowed only one term here in VA - otherwise the man would still be in office! Tim and Frank Moore, DemCom president for Accomack County. Tim and Luz, the liason with the Hispanic community; with Aşir; Tim, guess who, Luz, and Ralph.