Stopped at McKinney's Oktoberfest this afternoon and ejoyed watching wonderful polka dance presentations. "What the woman does to the man" was my favorite.

As I strolled the square an older gentleman asked me what the word meant on my T-shirt: gemuetlichkeit. I explained it was difficult to translate but meant something like "coziness." With the huge crowd that turned out, folks were certainly cozy in the square today. The German hospitality made every visitor feel welcome.

The warmth from my poor choice of clothing--jeans--matched the hospitality of the volunteers and venders offering tasty wurst (sausage) and all types of German food, trinkets, and crafts. The celebration lasts until 11:00, so come out and learn a new "Tanz" (dance) or admire the expert folk dancing presentations.

Do you want to debate about the right word or do something?

I refuse to be caught in the "use the exact right word" fight for defining people with a brain that isn't quite the same level as the rest of the world. My sister has the mind of an 18 month old child and the body of a 45 year old woman. She lives in a state home in Minnesota. I lived with her 14 years of my life. I wish I could spend more time with her, but I can't.

I only wish people would put energy into spending time with disabled people, like handing a runner a bottle of water at the special olympics, taking a disabled man or woman who relates to animals for a visit to a pet shop, throwing a ball for an hour with a resident of a state home. These are better ways to spend one's time than building/financing billboards that chastise people for using the not quite right word for a disability. People with disabilities need our time, our love, and understanding not the right verbiage.