A List to Prove I Don't Belong on the List?

If we've learned anything about the expansive nature of executive powers, it is that they are, well, expansive. Executive agencies can exert oversight, insight and control into almost every aspect of our once perceived "private" lives. So, when executive programs, the Patriot Act and several other executive orders and patchwork legislative acts developed the DHS Watchlist, lots of folks found themselves flagged as "of concern" when trying to travel based upon their public library selections, names-sakes and other ridiculous criteria. In classic legistlative style, Congress is now stepping in with a solution to the problem. If your name appears on the Watchlist, you now have the opportunity to petition to have your name not removed from the Watchlist, but instead added to another list of persons wrongfully listed on the Watchlist. So, if your name is Kate Baker and there is a notorious Kate Baker on the DHS Watchlist, you have to petition and must show you are not THE terroristic rightfully belonging on the Watchlist. If you prove you are harmless, then all of your personal data gets added to the "no longer belongs on the Watchlist" Watchlist. Isn't that rich? Congressional action will develop a list of people that don't belong on the executive agency's list. But, you've got to ask to be re-listed. If you are successful, you aren't removed from the Watchlist. You are simply added to another list saying you don't belong on the Watchlist. Huh?
Wired magazine has a great article on the Feb. 4th House action that explains the process. So, when I get ready to fly over to Barcelona for my 3-week vista with Stanley, I am prepared to explain that I am NOT the Nancy Leigh that should be on the terror Watchlist. In fact, I am not even a "person of interest". Call me Hettie. Later Folks.

In the old neighborhood in Grayton Beach

Grayton Beach is a historic neighborhood off of Hwy 30A with craftsman style bungalows built in the early 20th century. There are no high-rise hotels, no fast food restaurants and no gas station. But there is beach houses with quirky names, "Salty Sisters", "Toulouse Mongoose", etc. And a bike path running from Blue Mountain Beach past Seagrove Beach, over thirty miles.

So, year after year we were lucky enough to rent the same quaint historic beach house on DeFuniak Street in Grayton Beach. My daughters loved the house with it's outdoor shower to wash the sand off and the curly trees in the front yard. Mary Kate chased the ice cream truck to the same corner several years in a row. But, in 2007 the house became a permanent residence and no longer available. Spring 2008, we went to Grayton Beach and stayed at the state park. It was awesome, but not like the house. Well, this year I found another private residence to rent and we are headed back to Grayton..... two blocks from the old house on Garfield this time.

Grayton Beach is unlike anywhere else in the world. Time stands still. Last year, I shared Grayton Beach with my friend, Stanley, and wish I could share it with everyone I care for. But, sitting with my toes in the white sand, listening to the roar of the surf and watching my girls chase crabs.... is priceless.

Lights? Camera? Action?

Everyone survive cabin fever? In all the hours of not having lights, I decided to go through a box of stuff from the basement. It included my report cards from second grade. Mrs. Gibson wrote "Nancy needs to work on not talking so much." Pretty much the story of my life summed up in a teacher comment from the second grade.