There is a fundraising event going on in the "Pitt"...the Pittpolice are stopping EVERYBODY on 15-501 going any speed over the limit and giving them a ticket. They must have given a million tickets in the last month. The pOOOOlice need money to get their own place, they are tired of working in the little city hall.

One of the hotspots here is the Food Lion which is located on "the other side" of the "Pitt". I can tell you it does not resemble my Publix in East Cobb but gives me many laughs. There is an entire isle with smokeless tobacco products...there are things in the meat counter I cannot identify...I could not find dental floss...Remember pecan swirls? They have them....I thought they had been banned by the FDA. 80% of the frozen food section is filled with tater tots. It is often difficult to understand anyone who works there, so best not to have to ask a question. This morning there was a very strange guy operating some sort of large floor cleaner that sounded like a 747 and was emitting exhaust. I always feel like a snob when I head the other way and drive 10 miles to the Harris Teeter.

Earth to Republicans...the states' rights argument was lost in the Civil War

The Republicans, led by Gov Rick Perry of Texas, have decided to change course and look at the Constitution. But as usual they have isolated a single section, the 10th Amendment, and used it to try and drag the country back into the 19th Century. "All power not delegated to the national government is reserved to the states"...was added to the Bill of Rights to appease the Jeffersonians and facilitate the ratification of the Constitution. The problem was and is Article I, sec.8, clause 18 which states that Congress shall have the power to pass laws necessary and proper to carry out powers listed in clauses 1-17...powers to tax, coin money, raise and support an army, DECLARE WAR (and you thought the President could do that), regulate interstate trade, for example. This section of the Constitution along with the Supremacy Clause and the Preamble complicate the 10th Amendment and muddy the waters of federalism. Recall the Civil War...a crisis in federalism. The division of power between states and the national government has always been a "thorn" in our national side because the division of power is not clearly drawn. The Supreme Court over the course of our history has ruled to negate segregation, uphold regulatory laws, allow the national government to be a steward, all having the effect of marginalizing the 10th Amendment. These politicians who all of a sudden want to talk about the Constitution need to refer to real history, not foxtory.

Michele Bachmann...(Repubublican, Minn.)

...is an idiot. She has drawn a link between Swine Flu and Democrats. She said today that the last time the Swine Flu hit Jimmy Carter was President and now under Obama the SF is back. The problem is that Gerald Ford was President when the SF hit the first time. Somebody needs to give this woman the "hook".

Welcome Arlen!!!!

Arlen Specter has crossed the isle and become a Democrat. Arlen has had difficulty with the right wing of the Republican Party for years, and it has often been suggested that he cross over. The Reps are saying the ONLY reason Specter has made this move is due to his eminent defeat by a very conservative candidate in the upcoming Pennsylvania Republican primary. Really?!! It has nothing to do with the ridiculous positions the party has taken especially since Obama became President does it?

Okay, the world has hit a new low....UGA prof kills three, Air Force 1-like plane buzzes NYC and scares everyone to death, Obama's teleprompter goes haywire, and Michelle keeps exposing her arms.

Jim Galloway (AJC) has PROVEN that there was no way 15,000 people attended the so called teabag party on April 15th in Atlanta. Fox made up a number and repeated it a million times until it became truth to those who refuse to stray from Foxland.

I don't know what to say about the Swine Flu....it could be really serious. Be sure to wash your hands.

Now they are saying Houston is flooding....Is Liz okay Carolyn?

It's another beautiful day and while Pat worked at the office I was off to my hair place, DB Sutton's on Franklin Street. It is the greatest salon. My person is Rachel who just had a baby and she is adorable. Reading material is comprised of the NY Times, Wall Street Journal, News & Observer, and the Daily Tarheel....forget catching up on celebrity gossip at DB's. You have to go down the street to NailTrix for that. There are always fresh flowers in the shop and you are offered something to drink upon arriving. DB (David) is a Democrat and during the election Obama "things" were tastefully displayed. And oh, they have hired Emily for the Summer.

Next door to DB's is the Mediterranean Deli which is wonderful...While I was waiting for Pat to join me for lunch, Tyler Hansborough came in to get some takeout just like any other person....no one made a deal. We ate out on the sidewalk and this time it did feel like Europe since Chapel Hill does not have a Wash & Fold and hides all the trailers.

Birds have nested on our deck as usual (I wonder if they came all the way from Jackson's Creek?) and I am obsessed with planting things.

No heavy thoughts today...

The "Pitt" on CNN!!!

Leonard phoned this afternoon to tell me that CNN had a segment on Pittsboro of all places. Here is the link to the article...click on video and after the commercial see the "Pitt".

http://www.cnn.com/2009/LIVING/wayoflife/04/22/printing.own.currency/index.html

Isn't it strange?

I am very puzzled as to why all forms of Republicans can utter horrible things about President Obama and Fox News and talk radio report the "tongue lashings" as real news, but the Dixie Chicks were trashed, boycotted and accused of treason by the same right wing pundits. To verbally attack GW Bush was a mortal sin, but it is fine to say ANYTHING about President Obama including accusing him of treason and being a terrorist. The hypocrisy of the right lives on.

celebs

Brinkley and her friends are having brunch somewhere in DC and the Bidens are sitting at the next table. The Secret Service is everywhere. Joe and Jill, so cute!

Updates

My little computer has been at computer hospital forever and I have been taking a real estate class for the past two weeks so....no posts. They really expect you to know things in NC if you want to sell homes. OMG I had to do a HUD statement all by myself. So much for that, though I have to take 2 more classes. We will probably have to solve the economic crisis in one of them.

Lets see, what's been happening in the "Pitt"? Well for one the Home Owner's Association (of which I am NO longer a member) closed the basketball court because of "an incident". No two people have the same story about this incident, but it had something to do with kids from outside the neighborhood. It has caused quite an uproar....remember there is no real basketball so people have to do something.

Speaking of basketball, they have replaced the huge Franklin Street sign in Chapel Hill that was torn down and used to ferry two girls around the night of the VICTORY. Franklin Street seems to have returned to normal.

The liquor by the drink (mixed beverage referendum) vote is coming up soon and the City Tap is getting everyone on board!!! Toot toot! I will let you know the outcome.

All the Farmer's Markets have opened and there were tons of neighbors who walked to our little market up at the "fairgrounds" this afternoon. Weather is wonderful and I felt like I lived in Europe (except for the trailers and the wash and fold).

All of you must see our yard...it is getting to be absolutely beautiful. We are getting really good about ignoring our neighbor's mess. No, he has made no progress and I have come to the conclusion that he never will. We have planted things that will grow tall and one day we will not be able to see any of it. The frog in the pond has mutiplied and I think there are perhaps 25 frogs now. I am not sure how to count but my brother is sure he can. Jan, we have blue birds too!

We had another sale last week and have picked up 2 listings. Slowly but surely things are moving. If all of you would move here we could sell you homes!!!! "Nothing could be finer that to be in Carolina"

Tarheels v Michigan State...40 minutes and counting

We are staying in the "Pitt" and watching the game with Bruz and Diana. We have only just recovered from Saturday. Chapel Hill is evidently wild. Emily stood in line to get into a bar for hours. Will keep you posted.

Looking good...could be 120 points at this rate.

Don't want anyone hurt.

The Tarheels are finally playing defense!!!!!!!

...But what about shots from the charity stripe? Yes we did watch the game at Ham's on Franklin Street...Emily even joined us. Bruz and Diana opted out (now we know why). I do think we were the oldest people but we do not care it was still fun. No Big East team playing for the championship!!!!! Pat might be the only person who picked Michigan State and UNC to play for the big prize.

April Fools

We didn't win the lottery Carolyn!

OMG!!!!

You won't believe this but we won the NC lottery!!!!!!!!