They painted the roses red or had fake ones planted

OK - so Obama did win, and Bill and I had a fabulous time - for a change - watching CNN "project" the states red or blue until Obama had enough electoral votes to call the win for him at approx. 11 p.m. McCain then gave a good concession speech and Obama an even better, sober acceptance speech. With the world economy in an extreme recession, it's going to be a tough row to hoe come January.

This past Monday, Nov. 10, then, George and Laura Bush, had the Obamas over to the White House "to measure the drapes" and discuss the transfer of power as the press releases went. I was particularly enchanted with the picture of the lovely red roses in the White House rose garden (late bloomers I guess). Almost made me want the job of First Lady so I could stroll the grounds each day while someone else did the work. But I doubt if Bill or I would have gleaned even one write-in vote (not even our children are that foolish) in a last-minute ballot endeavor.

Someone's - and I truly forget whose - favorite photo was of the black man with tears running down his face at one of the many Obama celebrations on election night. It was truly an evening of triumph for African Americans across the country. While Obama never made an issue of race, so many blacks said "I never thought I'd live to see the day . . . " and "Now I can truly tell my children that they can grow up to be anything they want to be." And when Barack used the words:

If there is anyone out there who still doubts that America is a place where all things are possible; who still wonders if the dream of our founders is alive in our time; who still questions the power of our democracy, tonight is your answer. Its the answer told by lines that stretched around schools and churches in numbers this nation has never seen; by people who waited three hours and four hours, many for the very first time in their lives, because they believed that this time must be different; that their voice could be that difference. Its the answer spoken by young and old, rich and poor, Democrat and Republican, black, white, Latino, Asian, Native American, gay, straight, disabled and not disabled - Americans who sent a message to the world that we have never been a collection of Red States and Blue States: we are, and always will be, the United States of America. Its the answer that led those who have been told for so long by so many to be cynical, and fearful, and doubtful of what we can achieve to put their hands on the arc of history and bend it once more toward the hope of a better day.

Well, it made me proud that on this night, it was my moment to be happy that my candidate finally won. Not that I envy him the job. We'll see if it turns his hair as gray as it did George's. But at least, in November, on any cold day in the White House garden, chances are good that the roses will still be red.