Cry...

This photo is from a great Alvin Ailey Dance, entitled "Cry". This dance was first performed in 1971, and was choreographed as a tribute to Ailey's own mother, but dedicated to mothers everywhere. It makes you want to cry, just to watch it.

The dress is just fabulous! How that beatiful movement is captured in the skirt is just magical.

I am on day three of nurse-duty for my sick six-year-old. Last night, after giving her a spongebath at 2AM, and changing all of her bedding after this most recent round of unpleasantness, I am truly tired. I we didn't get back to sleep until after 4AM. BOTH of my children woke up, bright and shiny, at 7AM today. I have decided that there will be a mandatory nap for all of us today.

Many of us high-energy, try to do-it-all types have hit that wall before... precipitating that 4AM weepy feeling, haven't we?

A Wall street Journal blogger asks "Can you relate to Clinton's tears?"

Sure. Not a sign of weakness... tears just come so easily when you're exhausted.

No flip-flops in the White House

"The President of the United States and his wife, are, by courtesy, the first lady and gentlemen in the land; and this courteous designation is given them irrespective of personal party or feeling, and is in every consonance with the republican idea that it is the office, and not the incumbent, to which obeisance is offered. … To day receptions, ladies wear visiting toilettes, and gentlemen morning dress. At an evening reception, evening dress only is good form.”

Good Manners (Butterick Publishing Company: New York, 1888)

This post was inspired by today's news bit, which refers to the enforcement of a dress code for White House visitors. Odd as it may seem, I applaud this effort! Of course, there will always be "bigger fish to fry" in Washington, but can't we all just insist on a basic level of respect, and an acknowledgement that it isn't just another trip to the beach? Is it too much to ask that people simply put a little thought into what they wear when they plant themselves in such impressive, historic surroundings?

Clearly, this was on the minds of at least one author in 1888. I'm glad to see that this is a discussion worth having in 2007.

See this video for some "man on the street" comments. What do you think?