I have always been a person without borders; whether in my coaching, writing or blogging I believe that we are citizens of the world. So, from Canada I congratulate Barack Obama on becoming the 44th President of the United States.

“I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.” Martin Luther King, Jr

On November 4th, 2008 this dream came to be

It has been a fascinating year for politics from the coverage of the roles of candidate’s wives, to the political expertise & pantsuits of Palin and Clinton. To give credit no matter what her role the American female puts herself out there even if it means becoming a source of ratings for Saturday Night Live.

Through the years the First Ladies have often been marginalized by the press and that includes their causes until history & time validates their efforts. After 9/11 Laura Bush turned the tables and used the media to increase her presence in order to help heal a wounded nation. She has become a voice on the international stage speaking out for Afghanistan to bring focus to the challenges facing the people, particularly the women and children. She also surprised many by supporting Burma as it struggles to be free of a regime’s tyranny.  It will be interesting to witness the historical imprint that Michelle Obama will make on the White House and the multi-dimensional position of first lady.

Here in Canada headlines are reading very differently. As illustrated with Julie Smyth’s article in the October 15th edition of  the National Post, entitled “Leaders spouses stay out of the spotlight”. Chatelaine’s December edition offers “Why Politics is Still a Man’s Job” by Rebecca Caldwell and the Editor, Maryam Sanati writes in her monthly letter “On the world list of female representation in politics Canada is 50 spots behind Rwanda”.

Candidate’s wives in Canada need to do more. They can speak to and meet with the people in smaller venues and in particular listen to the women. Instead of merely being a prop for the smile and wave photo ops, they can be a functioning presence on the campaign trail; gaining insight into the grassroots issues through discussions that their husbands are unable to have. If she chooses, the Prime Minister’s wife, Laureen Harper is in a truly enviable position to make a difference. She seems like an empathic and intelligent woman but we only get glimpses of her emerging from 24 Sussex Drive to attend some obligatory charity event. While giving one’s name & presence to a cause is important it is only touches on what she could accomplish.

No matter how we chose to participate it is time for Canadian women on all levels to not only bring home the bacon and fry it up in the pan but also have a say in how it should be raised, slaughtered, delivered to the store and priced. It is time to stop being on the sidelines.

Being in the throes of puppy raising I decided to read Marley & Me by John Grogan and it had me laughing out loud. I admire John and Jenny for persevering. Chris & I had to call on a lot of patience when we acquired our chocolate lab. While I loving call Duke ‘neurotic’, in fact he came to us as a rescue dog and we went through a lot to get him to a state of near normalcy. It took years to socialize him and for us to learn what he could and couldn’t handle.  For instance the reason that there are no pictures of this fairly handsome boy is that he cannot overcome his fear of cameras.

Duke has finally realized that despite all his best attempts to end her young life that Mia is not going away. He is willing to play and interact with her from 8am -8pm, then he retreats to his bed with a do not disturb snarl at the ready. At 6 months of age Mia is an Australian Shepherd in progress. She recently started puppy classes where I tend to get more attitude than obedience.  Overall though she is the happiest of dogs so I don’t have the material for a Mia & Me book, but with that face maybe a bit part in a Disney movie?

As it is uncharacteristically warm in Alberta and there are no icy sidewalks to contend with we are able to continue our regime of 5:45ish am walks.  While Mia & I are ready to go at that time, Duke and beloved need to stretch, yawn and perform various masculine rituals before we can even get out of the door. As you can see from the pic, Mia is wearing her favorite scarf and her impatient “I’m ready to go” expression.

We have all met a version of Sarah Palin, those people who get through life on the ‘I’m attractive, charming and smart enough to absorb just as much as I need to impress’ plan.

They play each hand carefully like a high stakes poker game but when you actually need an all out team effort their lack of substance and depth of knowledge becomes apparent.

Her verbal pandering to a specific demographic smacks of reverse elitism and last time I checked America was made up of an eclectic population of which the Wall Mart mom and Joe Six pack is only a portion. Also, your guile just won’t cut it in the international arena and that my dear Ms. Palin as your handlers are probably trying to tell you is an integral part of a vice-president’s role.

Using the right people to forward one’s agenda was well illustrated when she asked Elisabeth Hasselbeck to introduce her at several events this past weekend. While Elisabeth was “honored” all I could think was how better to have a positive if somewhat gushing presence on The View without actually sitting down at the table.

Sarah Palin may even believe that she has a chance at a future presidency. I for one would pay to see her debate Hillary Clinton. As with most people who are ultimately sef-serving Palin will do very little for the greater good and that includes issues like the environment & the rights of women. It is unfortunate that the spotlight is no longer on the woman who is by far the more qualified.

The true test of an actors life is where in the newspaper they are featured after their death. Most get an article with their career highlights on the entertainment pages but a rare few get their life reviewed in the news section. Paul Newman’s passing and his accomplishments are in just that prominent place.

He is portrayed as a man who kept his private life private. He appeared in some memorable movies and some not so memorable. However, it is probably his philanthropic legacy that propels him to the front pages. Newmans Own is an outstanding foundation and as the person behind over $250 million in donations Paul Newman’s legacy is remarkable . As is fifty years of marriage. In these days of self-absorbed, snivelling actors it is good to remember that for one man acting was only part of who he was.

A few days later another outstanding person lost their life but the events couldn’t be more different. Her name was Malalai Kakar, actually  she was Lieutenant-Colonel Malalai Kakar. And she did not pass quietly into the night surrounded by family, she was murdered.

As a senior police officer Malalai Kakar was the head of the city of Kandahar’s department for spousal abuse and crimes against women. This woman who represented & defended women’s rights in Afghanistan was struck down by a single bullet to the head.

The best way that I can honour her is by not linking you to the news stories about her death instead here is the link to Maire Claire’s article on her life.

There is nothing like travel to provide fodder for my observations on life. It easily starts with the fascinating people at the airport. I know that nowadays comfort is key but to that couple in the grey sweats and over sized tee shirts from some local restaurant did you suddenly decide to go on vacation on the way to clearing out the basement? And don’t even get me started on a few folks wearing PJ bottoms, I know it was an early flight but!

When we are away husband & I try to satisfy our $30- on the slot machines gambling problem in some anonymous town somewhere. While the advertising for casinos always shows happy, glamorous people in reality everyone looks serious and slightly desperate. While leaving a hotel casino $45 poorer I also noticed that no matter what province or state the red stained carpets are identical; is there a ‘Casino Carpet R Us’ that they all use?

By far though restaurants are the best places for people watching. During a leisurely lunch of perfectly chilled Chablis and a really tasty piece of salmon, I was aware of how the women were appraising each other in a manner that was reminiscent of those high school cafeteria days, only now the cheerleader, shy girl and track & field star is all grown up.

Over by the window is popular girl who has married into the country club/tennis set. She has the sweater tied around her shoulders, Hermes bag and is sporting some very expensive jewelry. In the corner with numerous family members is the cookie baking, loves her role as a grandmother type - not sure who she was in high school. Probably did well in home economics which is a class I hated. She is actually wearing her sweater, it has some sort of motif on it and she is finished off with comfortable stretchy pants. Sipping tea & honey is the forever young, still diggin’ it, 60’s love child embracing the long flowing skirt, silver & turquoise jewelry and her grey locks haven’t seen a hairdresser since 1984. We all silently but collectively hate track & field girl because she is into cycling now and is buff and tanned. She has just walked in with a man who looks like Richard Gere, so no one even cares about what she is wearing.

Who am I in the room? I was quiet library girl, now Life Coach on holiday with eclectic taste in clothes. I am wearing the J Crew chino pants, a v-neck black top that fits me in all the right places, an art deco necklace, gold earrings and leather loafers (in an eye catching shade of light green) that are  comfortable and stylish. I also never go anywhere without half of my office and a good book so handbags are not really feasible which is why I own an assortment of tote bags. This trip it was Eddie Bauer’s canvas & leather tote.

Whatever one’s individual look may be the truly great thing about being over forty is that we can be whomever we want to be. However I don’t think that I’ll be wearing my favorite sleepshirt to the airport anytime soon.

Overall I throughly enjoyed the book. It was a little offputting sometimes as she goes back and forth in order to cover a multitude of people and events. While not as well written in as one might have expected, the pages do pull you into their singularly quirky flow especially when you realize that she writes in the same style as she speaks. The reader is taken behnd the scenes of her life and a litany of events that are fascinating and relevant. Then, suddenly on page 391 (hardcover edition) she writes ‘I think that is enough about my personal life’ and firmly shuts the door. It’s not as though we are voyeurs as it was Ms. Walters herself who invited us in. Up to that point her words had been candid and sincere as she interwove her complicated personal and professional life with the headlines that made up the fabric of her remarkable career.

What is written after that statement reads more like a series of essays, albeit interesting essays but very structured never the less. Even the chapter titles become terse. I finished the book but was less enthusiastic; I felt perplexed as though the most interesting guest had abruptly left my dinner party just as we were about to have dessert and coffee.

For readers who have an interest in the stories behind ‘the story’ this is the memoir for you. And for any female who wants to know more about this media icon “Audition” is well worth your time.

We made the decision, found a great breeder and got an Australian Shepherd puppy. What was I thinking!!!??? Actually Mia is wonderful but all that energy. I have surprised myself though, I am more patient than I use to be, laugh at her antics and quickly realized that the best thing to do was go with the flow and enjoy her.

I especially like the way that she has re-decorated the house. The living room is a delightful blend of PetSmart toy aisle accented with a few chewed up magazines tossed here and there for that splash of colour. The kitchen she has done in the wet look of upended water bowl. But nothing can surpass the bathroom now a trendy grunge look of toilet paper draped everywhere except on the roll .

House breaking is so much easier in the summer, as is her training and exercise. The blip is that the chocolate lab really doesn’t like her so I have to keep a close eye on the two of them. The back yard is fenced but I worry that he may try to push her through one of the few small openings or whisper in her ear that the little green unripe crab apples are really puppy treats. So I usually sit outside with them which has actually been a good thing. I stop slaving over a hot laptop, grab my book and relax for awhile. I have even strayed from my schedule, made my afternoon tea and herded them both outside. Quelle shock!

A friend of mine, UK Life Coach Lynette Allen is currently raising TWO spaniel puppies, she is using the Life Coaching puppy training method mixed with some timely cursing. While I am trying the Zen like ‘what the hell’ method mixed with expletives. Lynette’s blog is aptly entitled The Life Behind the Coach .

Here are some pictures of our new addition Mia on the Casselcreek Australian Shepherds website.

(For those of you who are new to this blog the Aussie in the picture with me is Jenna, we lost her to a brain tumor in May.)

So late last year, certain things happened and I ended up sitting in my gynos office and the C word comes up. It’s ok male readers there will be no details because that is not what this entry is about. Anyway over the next six months we took certain steps and yesterday’s appointment confirmed that all is now well.

What is kinda’ interesting is where one’s head space goes during those somewhat traumatic events. For instance the first thing I wanted after yesterday’s appointment was to go to the Starbucks across the road. So I bellied up to the counter and asked the barista for a venti latte with whole milk AND a piece of banana loaf. What the heck, husband was driving.

Then on the way home I tried to remember what deal had I struck when this all began. Had I promised to enter some monastary, which wouldn’t be too bad if I didn’t have to take a vow of thou shall not use thy laptop. Or had I offered my first born to the other end of the spectrum in which case I was in trouble as that would be the neurotic chocolate lab.

Truthfully, my mental deal was far from spiritual and not even remotely noble; I had in fact promised that my healthy self would work harder to grow my business and I would find the time to write more. Now, don’t take the high road until you have been there. The brain is a mysterious thing and when backed into what it feels is a corner it is amazing what thoughts emerge. The fact is that I love working and we have a house in Nova Scotia that needs a lot of expensive renovations. The Plan being to move there in 3-4 years when the house is completely restored. The property also has a lovely little art studio (& it too needs work) which is going to be my office. So far from being mercenary, I just want to work harder on ‘The Plan’.

It is also true that in the face of an unknown one does dwell on plans not accomplished, places not visited and goals not met. So, did this experience leave me with a greater comprehension of the meaning of the time before me in which I can still tackle some of those things, yes it did.