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Dec
19
My neighbors sometimes ask me why I keep pushing myself forward to fight what may seem like a losing political battle. ”How is it that you don’t just stop and let things be?”
Admittedly, it can be unpleasant and hard at times. And on those days I turn to a wonderfully inspiring poem by Langston Hughes. In the poem, a mother tells her son that life for her had not been a “crystal stair”, it was full of obstacles but she is determined to persevere and make it to the top. She encourages her son to do the same and not give up when life gets hard.
Luckly, my life has not been incredibly difficult. Challenging at times, frustrating maybe, but not difficult. Some of the obstacles I have encountered were of my own doing, others were put there by petty individuals, and still others like the economy are purely situational. But they were and are fully surmountable. So every once in a while I pause and remind myself that life may not be a “crystal stair.” It is up to me to keep striving, keep climbing and never ever turn back.
“Mother to Son” by Langston Hughes
Well, son, I’ll tell you:
Life for me ain’t been no crystal stair.
It’s had tacks in it,
And splinters,
And boards torn up,
And places with no carpet on the floor –
Bare.
But all the time
I’se been a-climbin’ on,
And reachin’ landin’s,
And turnin’ corners,
And sometimes goin’ in the dark
Where there ain’t been no light.
So boy, don’t you turn back.
Don’t you set down on the steps
‘Cause you finds it’s kinder hard.
Don’t you fall now –
For I’se still goin’, honey,
I’se still climbin’,
And life for me ain’t been no crystal stair.
Apr
24
Hillside, Hillside. Quite contrary. How does our garden grow?
Filed Under From Where I sit, Happenings, Home | Leave a Comment
Every once in a while I may take a diversion from politics and talk about a new favorite pastime that strangely enough I really didn’t get involved with until after I began campaigning last year. As I walked from door to door meeting my neighbors, I saw that a number of Hillsiders have fantastic gardens. I’m not talking a rose bush here, an azalea there, a tomato plant tucked in the corner. I’m talking master class type showplace gardens; Martha Stewartesque vegetable plots and flower beds. I got inspired.
That inspiration drove me to plant more than 100 daffodil bulbs in the front yard last fall. I admit I had a little help digging the trenches to plant those sunny little harbingers of spring. And, you will have to take my word for it that for three weeks I had a beautiful wave of sunshiny yellow large-cupped daffodils swaying in the wind. It was wonderful `welcome home’ greeting after work.
But now that the blooms are spent, the yard looks a bit tired and drab. However, I am determined to work my personal little corner of Hillside and make it shine! So in a couple of weeks, I’m going to seek the advice of experts at Rutgers Gardens annual Flower Fair on May 9th - 10th and pick a few more plants to spruce the place up.
In the meantime, I am going to continue to weed, fertilize, water, beat back invasive plants and take care of the yard so that it will be ready for a new crop of beautiful flowers.
Who would have thought that gardening and politics would have so much in common!
Jan
19
One Monster of A Budget
Filed Under From Where I sit, The Leadership | Leave a Comment
At first look, comparing the Hillside budget and the looming tax hike currently under consideration to the Frankenstein monster might be considered a bit of a stretch, but then again, maybe not.
Like Frankenstein’s monster, the Budget has been poorly stitched together, it’s not too intelligent, and it should be put down immediately; because, the longer it remains alive the more out-of-control it becomes. This is why I’ve chosen to vote against this budget every step of the way and will continue to do so. Someone must point out that there is an out-of-control monster in the room.
In the movies, the mad doctor relies on the apathy of the townspeople as he goes about creating his monster. The same can be said of the Leadership in Hillside. But finally, it seems that life is beginning to imitate art. As the Star-Ledger reported yesterday, Hillsiders are finally waking up to what’s going on at town hall and are realizing that things do not have to be this way. Residents want answers; an empty smile coupled with an “I’ll get back to you later” response from local officials won’t suffice.
Both “Frankenstein” and “Son of Frankenstein” end with angry, torch-wielding locals storming the castle. But, it won’t take such hostility to get the attention of your elected officials. I invite you to come to the Hillside Township Council meeting this Tuesday, January 22 at 7pm and to be heard.
But, please, leave the torches at home.