Would You Like to Try Out Your New Chair?

Say what you want about President George W. Bush and his wife, Laura, but they are among the most hospitable people to ever inhabit the White House. 

President-Elect, Barack Obama will be visiting - with his wife Michelle and their two daughters -  today and they will find this out for themselves.

I sort of envision George W. asking Barack if he would like to try out his new chair. He likes to make people feel at home! 

Even as bad as George W's approval rating is these days, I imagine most people would accept an invitation to the White House or to the ranch!

Laura has always thought through carefully plans for visitors and has a wonderful way for imagining how the other person would be comfortable.

Hopefully, we will see some pictures today of the Obamas' visit because George and Laura will make them feel like royalty! You can count on that!

Southern Methodist University (SMU) will be the site of George W's Library and so the younger Bushes will be making their home in Dallas-Ft. Worth/the Metroplex. I have only stayed in Ft. Worth once and have been through Dallas a few times. It is a very stylish area and they will be able to have a beautiful home there.  Think Neiman-Marcus and you are on track.

The Bushes Senior (George H.W. & Barbara) live in Houston and his library is at Texas A & M in Bryan/College Station. I have often commented on them being at the Houston Astros games in owner Drayton McLane's box.

Many of you know that George W. was one of the owners of the Texas Rangers, based in Arlington, near Dallas.  The family loves baseball! In a book about her, Laura explains that she likes baseball so much because it is a "social" experience. You can watch the game and still have a conversation with the person next to you.

For several months now, I have thought about George W. marking off the days on this calendar till they get back to the ranch in Crawford, Texas. Perhaps not every son is cut out to be in the "family business" as Prince Charles of England likes to call it!

The Bush Family - A Lot Like Yours & Mine

Today, the Oliver Stone movie, "W", starring Josh Brolin, opens in theaters. Now, Hubby and I don't go to many movies, but we probably will get to see this one.  It is another way we can divert our minds from the current economic drama. 

When I first came to Texas, I wanted to know about the Bush family and so I read books written about them and written by them. 

Former President George H. W. and Barbara Bush live in Houston during the cooler months and when we watch the Houston Astros games, they are often in Drayton McLane's box. (Mr. McLane is the owner and also the owner of a grocery business.) Barbara generally keeps an old-fashioned score card and they both chat to those around them. 

In one book I read about Laura Bush, she was quoted as saying one reason for liking baseball so much is that you can sit and talk to the person you are with. Baseball is my favorite sport not just for that reason, but also because it is easy to understand what is going on, and generally it is not a contact sport and usually no fights break out! 

The Bush family is, to me, a rather ordinary family - with a bit of money. The story of George W. is a story many people can relate to because he is a "recovering alcoholic" and a born-again Christian.  I am sure many people feel that he was less than qualified to be President of the United States but look around you and tell me exactly who is! Any president relies on those around him and some of the greatest minds we have do not desire to be President. 

The Bush family has its fair share of skeletons in the closet but their intent on reaching out to those less privileged is probably why they are so well-liked. 

George W. Bush is a very ordinary person, really. Is that why so many people say they dislike this man? Is it because he is, in fact, just like you and me? 

What could I have done differently than George W. did on 9-11? Could Hubby and I have entertained Queen Elizabeth any more grandly than George and Laura did? Not quite. Would we have thought to invite the jockey of the winning Kentucky Derby horse? Maybe. Would I have stumbled on my words when I was at the podium delivering a tribute to the Queen? Oh, yes! 

Did you know that Barbara Bush has bred Spaniels over the years – fine ones! You do know Barbara is famous for wearing pearls, right? Did you know you can purchase similar designs from the George H. W. Bush Library Store online? 

(So, now you know that I do some of my Christmas shopping at the Bush Library Store, but I also do some of it at Clinton Library Store as well!) 

You do know that former presidents George H. W. Bush and Bill Clinton have teamed to help hurricane-devastated areas, right? And you know that Laura Bush has for many years been a supporter of libraries and writers? 

So, this is one of Texas’ best known families and like me, they were originally from up north – New England – and still go to Maine for their summers. 

Do we feel so bad about ourselves that we judge those just like us so harshly? 

Enjoy the movie! It’s about ordinary folks doing extra-ordinary things and you know we love that!

Movie website:  http://www.wthefilm.com/index2.html

Clinton Museum Store:  http://www.clintonmuseumstore.com

George H.W. Bush Library Store:  http://www.museumstore.com

Houston and Toronto: Not So Different!

When I visited Houston in 1990, I received a tour from an old friend who had moved there when she was married in the 60s.

“Well, we just jump from air-conditioning to air-conditioning”, was how she answered my query about the 100 degree plus temperature.

Houston has underground walkways with shops, restaurants and theaters. Toronto also has these underground systems, most connected to the transit system and office complexes. Hot summers send you underground in Houston; cold winters send you there in Toronto!

We are about 100 miles north of Houston.

Both Houston and Toronto have lots of wonderful places to eat, stylish shopping, good theater and live entertainment. Both cities are massive and sprawling, have lots of jobs and high real estate prices. Both cities have excellent medical centers and universities.

You can find a superb corned beef on rye both places!

Both are friendly cities, alive and young but the one thing that really defines the similarity of them for me is BASEBALL!

Many people knew of the Astrodome and its famous Astroturf surface that became very popular everywhere.

Some Canadians might not know that a new park was built in Houston a few years ago. When I first went to Minute Maid Park, I felt very much at home. The dome is a similar design to the one in Toronto in that the roof can be open or closed. So when weather is not comfortable for spectators and players, the roof can be closed.

Both parks are wonderful for TV viewing and when you attend in person, there are “jumboTrons” (large screens) and extensive signage to keep everybody informed.

Baseball is my favorite spectator sport. It’s easy to watch and you can chat to the person beside you without missing any of the action.

In October, 1978, I attended a baseball game in Santo Domingo in the Dominican Republic. (Toronto Blue Jays were a very young team then, but already had recruited players from there.) At that time, they played seven nights a week in an open outdoor stadium. It was an intramural league. Cuba Libras (Rum & Coke) and goat cheese were served instead of hot dogs and beer. They did not realize then how much influence their players would have on the American and National Leagues! They actually thought it odd that we wanted to see a baseball game!

Texas Rangers are the other major baseball team in Texas. They play in the Dallas suburb of Arlington. Most people know that current President George W. Bush was a part owner before becoming president. His parents – former President George H.W. and Barbara Bush (who reside in Houston during cooler months) can be seen at Minute Maid Park in their front row seats behind Home Plate. Barbara – white hair and strand of pearls dazzling - likes to keep an old-fashioned scorecard.

Houston and Toronto: very much alike!