I will be the first to admit, I do not know every single rule of grammar, but I find I am more comfortable than not, obeying the rules. But really, some of them are silly. Are they really necessary?
Take this one for example:
Compound nouns in which the first part is a single letter can be hyphenated (T-shirt) or written as two words (X ray). X ray is written as two words when used as a noun ("His X ray came back clear"), but should be hyphenated when used as a verb or adjective ("We need to X-ray his ankle;" "He has X-ray vision").
Now, seriously, what difference is it going to make in anyone's world, except for some grammar-fanatic, for that hyphen to be there or not be there? Just how much order in the universe would go askew? I'm all ears for the explanation.
Here's another:
You may end a sentence with a preposition. Just do not use extra prepositions when the meaning is clear without them.
Okay. Since when?
I grew up in the sixties and ending a sentence with a preposition got me a red mark on my paper, so I didn't do it out of fear. And now, I'm phobic about it. So, after all these years of suffering and agitation, someone says it's okay to end a sentence with a preposition. But, not to many. And who decides? Well, la dee freakin' dah.
But here's one of my favorites in Grammar (along with the semi-colon) the Ellipsis:
Use ellipsis marks when omitting a word, phrase, line, paragraph, or more from a quote passage.
Ellipsis. I love this word. I think it originally comes from the Greeks and means to 'fall short'. I use these marks -- which are three little dots that I place just so ... -- when I fall short of thought. I probably drive people crazy with them.
Maybe someday I will go back and fill in all those blanks.
"Grammatici certant et adhuc sub iudice lis est. - Grammarians dispute, and the case is still before the courts."
- Horace
Tuesday, May 25, 2010
Monday, May 24, 2010
Okay. Now, say What?
What?
This oil company called BP spilled a ton of oil in the Gulf and they're attempting to clean it up with chemicals. It's really a very serious oil spill.
What?
Yes, with a chemical called Corexit. Seriously.
What is Corexit?
Well, guess what? You will be drinking Corexit for the rest of your life. Because *they* are dumping it in the Gulf of Mexico to stop the oil spill.
Corexit is said to be this:
"....[snip]... Corexit 9500, is identified as a "moderate" human health hazard that can cause eye, skin or respiratory irritation with prolonged exposure, according to safety data documents.
What?
Yup. A -- Moderate. Health. Hazard.
Wow. Seriously? Those three little words don't sit very well with me at all.
And "Prolonged exposure"? Well, we will be exposed to it for a very long time, because the guys at BP are ~pros~ at using something dangerous to clean up their wicked mess!
Okay, so, *they* are dumping corexit in the Gulf to stop the oil, and then the United States Government tells them to stop ?----
Stop. As in S.T.O.P.?
Then we read: written here
"After initially approving a chemical oil dispersant called Corexit, the U.S Environmental Protection Agency retracted it's allowance and ordered British Petroleum to stop dumping the mysterious chemical substance by Sunday".
Now, fudge and pancakes, that article from The Raw Story says the Government as ordered them to stop, and then, this article here from Bloomberg Business Week says BP was told to scale back.
I don't know about another person's knowledge of the English language, but to me -- stop has one meaning, and scale back has another meaning.
So, just what did the Government tell them to do ~ Did they say Stop? Or did they say Scale Back? Maybe I am being old fashioned, but I would like to know the truth of the matter. Not just see catchy word phrases in order to make sensational bold comments in newspapers and on blogs and new shows, then, to be picked up by the internet, and people like myself who happened to live in Florida, and might want to actually know what is really going on.
One truth is, we all live on this planet. This is a universal problem. Water makes a lovely cycle all around the world ...mi aqua, su aqua, and on and on ad infinitum until who knows, we will have found that what we have been drinking, for years and years, this chemical that has altered the state of what we once knew as the human bean...will cause a change in us. Perhaps the stories of X-Men weren't to far off? I'd prefer to be a society of X-Man than a cancer ridden society, but choices aren't being given out, as far as I know, so we are going to have to deal with the unknown.
You think it not possible? Mix a few unknown x-factor chemicals in your water for a few hundred years, which will eventually get into everything that has to do with a person, and add that to all the chemicals that are already in all the foods you eat and drinks you consume. Gosh, name something left on the planet that doesn't have a chemical in it? (I'm thinking, give me a sec...)
Ummm, is not water the base of most things, now it will be water filled with corexist or something else like it ....what kind of water is that?
OH so much to learn! Maybe tomorrow I can become a scientist, after I become an environmental expert, and before I become a doctor, because we will be needing doctors and nurses as the morphing phase begins to happen...Geesh, until then, I have to trust other people. Drat.
Yeah, it reads like a grade B movie doesn't it? That is so sad. And, we are all in it.
I don't have answers. I'm not comfortable with chemicals being used in the water of the Gulf. No, not at all.
I'm banking on Kevin Costner. Where is Kevin Costner right now? Can't we just get him down there? I'd even watch Water World again and again, if Keven can shore this up. Just would love to find another way that didn't include chemicals, or that other stunt they tried, you know, throwing the garbage and stuff down there? oh, that was totally beyond my simple brain capacity to think that would work...
Nah, at the end of the day, my money's on Costner. Come on, Bull, hit us a good one...
Until we know, I'm just remaining a dreamer, dreaming about Everyman ~~
Note to self:
Coffee in the morning, maybe will see things more clearly then -- lot a doubt about that, though, lot of doubt.
This oil company called BP spilled a ton of oil in the Gulf and they're attempting to clean it up with chemicals. It's really a very serious oil spill.
What?
Yes, with a chemical called Corexit. Seriously.
What is Corexit?
Well, guess what? You will be drinking Corexit for the rest of your life. Because *they* are dumping it in the Gulf of Mexico to stop the oil spill.
Corexit is said to be this:
"....[snip]... Corexit 9500, is identified as a "moderate" human health hazard that can cause eye, skin or respiratory irritation with prolonged exposure, according to safety data documents.
What?
Yup. A -- Moderate. Health. Hazard.
Wow. Seriously? Those three little words don't sit very well with me at all.
And "Prolonged exposure"? Well, we will be exposed to it for a very long time, because the guys at BP are ~pros~ at using something dangerous to clean up their wicked mess!
Okay, so, *they* are dumping corexit in the Gulf to stop the oil, and then the United States Government tells them to stop ?----
Stop. As in S.T.O.P.?
Then we read: written here
"After initially approving a chemical oil dispersant called Corexit, the U.S Environmental Protection Agency retracted it's allowance and ordered British Petroleum to stop dumping the mysterious chemical substance by Sunday".
However, the oil giant has ignored the government's deadline and was continuing to dump large volumes of Corexit into the Gulf on Monday, according to The New York Times, apparently to keep the massive sea floor oil plumes from surfacing and possibly washing ashore.
Now, fudge and pancakes, that article from The Raw Story says the Government as ordered them to stop, and then, this article here from Bloomberg Business Week says BP was told to scale back.
I don't know about another person's knowledge of the English language, but to me -- stop has one meaning, and scale back has another meaning.
So, just what did the Government tell them to do ~ Did they say Stop? Or did they say Scale Back? Maybe I am being old fashioned, but I would like to know the truth of the matter. Not just see catchy word phrases in order to make sensational bold comments in newspapers and on blogs and new shows, then, to be picked up by the internet, and people like myself who happened to live in Florida, and might want to actually know what is really going on.
One truth is, we all live on this planet. This is a universal problem. Water makes a lovely cycle all around the world ...mi aqua, su aqua, and on and on ad infinitum until who knows, we will have found that what we have been drinking, for years and years, this chemical that has altered the state of what we once knew as the human bean...will cause a change in us. Perhaps the stories of X-Men weren't to far off? I'd prefer to be a society of X-Man than a cancer ridden society, but choices aren't being given out, as far as I know, so we are going to have to deal with the unknown.
You think it not possible? Mix a few unknown x-factor chemicals in your water for a few hundred years, which will eventually get into everything that has to do with a person, and add that to all the chemicals that are already in all the foods you eat and drinks you consume. Gosh, name something left on the planet that doesn't have a chemical in it? (I'm thinking, give me a sec...)
Ummm, is not water the base of most things, now it will be water filled with corexist or something else like it ....what kind of water is that?
OH so much to learn! Maybe tomorrow I can become a scientist, after I become an environmental expert, and before I become a doctor, because we will be needing doctors and nurses as the morphing phase begins to happen...Geesh, until then, I have to trust other people. Drat.
Yeah, it reads like a grade B movie doesn't it? That is so sad. And, we are all in it.
I don't have answers. I'm not comfortable with chemicals being used in the water of the Gulf. No, not at all.
I'm banking on Kevin Costner. Where is Kevin Costner right now? Can't we just get him down there? I'd even watch Water World again and again, if Keven can shore this up. Just would love to find another way that didn't include chemicals, or that other stunt they tried, you know, throwing the garbage and stuff down there? oh, that was totally beyond my simple brain capacity to think that would work...
Nah, at the end of the day, my money's on Costner. Come on, Bull, hit us a good one...
Until we know, I'm just remaining a dreamer, dreaming about Everyman ~~
Note to self:
Coffee in the morning, maybe will see things more clearly then -- lot a doubt about that, though, lot of doubt.
Sunday, May 23, 2010
"Tone it down"
The article I read is here ..President Obama says:
"What troubles me is when I hear people say that all of government is inherently bad," Obama said after receiving an honorary doctor of laws degree. "When our government is spoken of as some menacing, threatening foreign entity, it ignores the fact that in our democracy, government is us."
Government, he said, is the roads we drive on and the speed limits that keep us safe. It's the men and women in the military, the inspectors in our mines, the pioneering researchers in public universities.
The financial meltdown dramatically showed the dangers of too little government, he said, "when a lack of accountability on Wall Street nearly led to the collapse of our entire economy."
But Obama was direct in urging both sides in the political debate to tone it down. "Throwing around phrases like 'socialists' and 'Soviet-style takeover,' 'fascists' and 'right-wing nut' – that may grab headlines," he said. But it also "closes the door to the possibility of compromise. It undermines democratic deliberation," he said.
~~~ This article is not new on the scene, nor is the subject of the text mentioned new, from President Obama. It adds to the list of the confrontational comments that President Obama had made from time to time. Comments that are irritating to people who think when he says 'tone it down', he is saying, 'shut it up'
...which is the more dangerous, of course. That is having the leader of your country telling you not to talk about stuff, I get that, but what I don't get is,that, that is what he is doing...
I'm trying to sift through this, and I don't hear the 'shut it up',
Maybe, I will turn out to be one of the fools who is still hoping for a world, a country more specifically at this point, that can find a way to work together in their differences, without thinking that it's either ALL of something, all of the time, or NONE of something, all of the time. I mean, do we live in a country now where cooperation is just not possible? That's like bully in the play-ground tactics of a third grader, isn't it?
I know we are supposed to learn from history, but there are plenty of people who don't even learn from their parents~ and, that is certainly less of a generation away than WWII, so go figure. Who listens to what anymore? And when? I am in a fog about where some people are drawing some of their conclusions.
I'm thinking it might be better to hone up some knowledge of How Your Brain Works, specifically your own brain, so that you can understand why you react to things, to people, and what makes you do the things that you do...what makes you want the things you want, or the things you think you need for your security, rather than just focus a total reliance on history books and things in the past, because history books are being sorely altered from time to time, and people and population and life are changing faster than the history books can be written or rewritten, as the case may be.
It seems it's more about what safe compromises can be made to sustain the world, the earth, the planet ....I guess, I see more areas that involve compromise than are there are ways to compromise! And, the plan of 'my way or the highway' type America, is hard to conclude as being the one that should be successful.
I mean, really, which group having that philosophy has ever worked, in a long run, in the past?
I'm still thinking about it. It's all still going on. And, it will be when I get up tomorrow. After I have my coffee in the morning, I'll see what I think. I'm not that close to figuring it all out tonight.
"What troubles me is when I hear people say that all of government is inherently bad," Obama said after receiving an honorary doctor of laws degree. "When our government is spoken of as some menacing, threatening foreign entity, it ignores the fact that in our democracy, government is us."
Government, he said, is the roads we drive on and the speed limits that keep us safe. It's the men and women in the military, the inspectors in our mines, the pioneering researchers in public universities.
The financial meltdown dramatically showed the dangers of too little government, he said, "when a lack of accountability on Wall Street nearly led to the collapse of our entire economy."
But Obama was direct in urging both sides in the political debate to tone it down. "Throwing around phrases like 'socialists' and 'Soviet-style takeover,' 'fascists' and 'right-wing nut' – that may grab headlines," he said. But it also "closes the door to the possibility of compromise. It undermines democratic deliberation," he said.
~~~ This article is not new on the scene, nor is the subject of the text mentioned new, from President Obama. It adds to the list of the confrontational comments that President Obama had made from time to time. Comments that are irritating to people who think when he says 'tone it down', he is saying, 'shut it up'
...which is the more dangerous, of course. That is having the leader of your country telling you not to talk about stuff, I get that, but what I don't get is,that, that is what he is doing...
I'm trying to sift through this, and I don't hear the 'shut it up',
Maybe, I will turn out to be one of the fools who is still hoping for a world, a country more specifically at this point, that can find a way to work together in their differences, without thinking that it's either ALL of something, all of the time, or NONE of something, all of the time. I mean, do we live in a country now where cooperation is just not possible? That's like bully in the play-ground tactics of a third grader, isn't it?
I know we are supposed to learn from history, but there are plenty of people who don't even learn from their parents~ and, that is certainly less of a generation away than WWII, so go figure. Who listens to what anymore? And when? I am in a fog about where some people are drawing some of their conclusions.
I'm thinking it might be better to hone up some knowledge of How Your Brain Works, specifically your own brain, so that you can understand why you react to things, to people, and what makes you do the things that you do...what makes you want the things you want, or the things you think you need for your security, rather than just focus a total reliance on history books and things in the past, because history books are being sorely altered from time to time, and people and population and life are changing faster than the history books can be written or rewritten, as the case may be.
It seems it's more about what safe compromises can be made to sustain the world, the earth, the planet ....I guess, I see more areas that involve compromise than are there are ways to compromise! And, the plan of 'my way or the highway' type America, is hard to conclude as being the one that should be successful.
I mean, really, which group having that philosophy has ever worked, in a long run, in the past?
I'm still thinking about it. It's all still going on. And, it will be when I get up tomorrow. After I have my coffee in the morning, I'll see what I think. I'm not that close to figuring it all out tonight.
Saturday, May 22, 2010
What if you don't agree?
1. "I understand his viewpoint," she said. "And he understands mine." ...and she left it at that...that was Laura Bush, speaking to Larry King about her differences of opinions with her husband George W. Bush, regarding the issues of gay marriage and abortion rights. She thinks one thing; he thinks another thing. They disagree.
2. Disagreeing is not a bad thing. Understanding, before disagreeing is good thing, if one can do it. But, a lot of people just don't have the patience for it. That's a bad thing. Living with disagreement ~ agreeing to disagree ~ is what makes it a survivable thing.
I really don't know how easy I would be to live with if my husband disagreed with me on tons of things. I don't think I'm real opinionated or anything. I might have strong opinions, but I do respect someone's right to have strong opinions, or just plain ~ be wrong. Hah~! Isn't that what you call it when someone disagrees with your opinion? Oops. Okay. That's not polite.
3. Back to being polite:
Learning how to disagree is a necessary skill for moving through life easily. One should begin to accept that one can survive should someone disagree with their opinion on something. It took me awhile, but I learned this. It's really okay for my friends and loved ones to be wrong, oops, I mean, disagree with my opinion.
What it is, I think, is getting old. I just don't worry about it so much any more. I'd rather be polite.
What I have seen is that people with really, really strong opinions in one direction often turn out to be wrong in the long run. Life just does not go in one direction. I'm not sure why that is. You can try to make it so, but it just seems that life just sort of zig-zags in and out and back and forth and all around, and never gets done.
No one is really around long enough to know if they are right. Really. They aren't. You're here for a little while, and then you go. Somewhere. And maybe when you get there, you'll be right about all the things you thought you were right about, and you'll find a bunch of people who agree with everything you think and say and believe.
I just want it to be peaceful. I have my beliefs, and I am comfortable with them.
You can disagree with me all you wish. You can say I'm wrong. You can call me crazy. I hope you wouldn't say it too loudly because that would be embarrassing. Just whisper to yourself, if you feel that you must. And, go ahead and laugh out loud. It would probably be good for you.
4. "When you run into someone who is disagreeable to others, you may be sure he is uncomfortable with himself; the amount of pain we inflict upon others is directly proportional to the amount we feel within us."
~~Sidney J. Harris
2. Disagreeing is not a bad thing. Understanding, before disagreeing is good thing, if one can do it. But, a lot of people just don't have the patience for it. That's a bad thing. Living with disagreement ~ agreeing to disagree ~ is what makes it a survivable thing.
I really don't know how easy I would be to live with if my husband disagreed with me on tons of things. I don't think I'm real opinionated or anything. I might have strong opinions, but I do respect someone's right to have strong opinions, or just plain ~ be wrong. Hah~! Isn't that what you call it when someone disagrees with your opinion? Oops. Okay. That's not polite.
3. Back to being polite:
Learning how to disagree is a necessary skill for moving through life easily. One should begin to accept that one can survive should someone disagree with their opinion on something. It took me awhile, but I learned this. It's really okay for my friends and loved ones to be wrong, oops, I mean, disagree with my opinion.
What it is, I think, is getting old. I just don't worry about it so much any more. I'd rather be polite.
What I have seen is that people with really, really strong opinions in one direction often turn out to be wrong in the long run. Life just does not go in one direction. I'm not sure why that is. You can try to make it so, but it just seems that life just sort of zig-zags in and out and back and forth and all around, and never gets done.
No one is really around long enough to know if they are right. Really. They aren't. You're here for a little while, and then you go. Somewhere. And maybe when you get there, you'll be right about all the things you thought you were right about, and you'll find a bunch of people who agree with everything you think and say and believe.
I just want it to be peaceful. I have my beliefs, and I am comfortable with them.
You can disagree with me all you wish. You can say I'm wrong. You can call me crazy. I hope you wouldn't say it too loudly because that would be embarrassing. Just whisper to yourself, if you feel that you must. And, go ahead and laugh out loud. It would probably be good for you.
4. "When you run into someone who is disagreeable to others, you may be sure he is uncomfortable with himself; the amount of pain we inflict upon others is directly proportional to the amount we feel within us."
~~Sidney J. Harris
Sunday, May 16, 2010
Me and SuZie
My friend SuZie is an artist. She has an endearing way about her, and she and I have become friends. We have never actually met, but have talked to each other at length.
She is the person I confided to that my one secret dream was ~ that I wanted to paint. But, I could not find the connection inside myself to put the brush to the paper or canvas. Since I have told SuZie about this, and she has been so understanding of my feeling of fear about this step in my life, I have been able to actually speak my dream out loud to other people. I am now, not afraid to fail. Because I realize I would not be failing at anything.
SuZie has encouraged me, in the most gentle and kind ways, to please begin. Just begin, she says. Every time I encounter a road block, SuZie seems to say or do the right thing to help me keep on that path and further open the door that will help me fulfill this feeling in myself.
I have not yet found the way to do the big things I wish, but I have made a few small stokes on paper in my most private moments.
Anyway, SuZie made a suggestion to me, that she and I could encourage each other with quotes of motivation that we feel have meaning to us, and as they come , we send them to each other.
Here is the list we have so far:
Suzie's .... The meeting of two personalities is like the contact of two chemical substances: if there is any reaction, both are transformed. C.G. Chung A.W. page 35
Roxie's..... Creativity flourishes when we have a sense of safety and self-acceptance....
The Artist's Way, page 42
Suzie's... Dependence on the creator within is really freedom from all other dependencies. A.W. page 95
Roxie's ... Learning is movement from moment to moment. AW page 161
Suzie...What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies inside us. Ralph Waldo Emerson A.W. p. 6
Roxie... "Finish every day and be done with it. You have done what you could; some blunders and absurdities crept in - forget them as soon as you can. Tomorrow is a new day. You shall begin it well and serenely, and with too high a spirit to be encumbered with your old mistakes and nonsense" R.W. Emerson
Suzie...It's not because things are difficult that we do not dare; it is because we do not dare that they are difficult. Seneca p 83
Roxie's...When you want to do something sincerely and are decisive about it; the power of concentration becomes available to you. Concentration allows you to achieve more in less time and respond to situations in a more effective way.''''''''''''''''''''''(Found in Thought For Today) Note from roxie: I spend my time afraid of the project instead of just letting all parts of me be involved with the project.
Suzie... Life shrinks and expands in proportion to one's courage. Anais Nin P. 156
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
So there are our quotes of encouragement to each other for the week before. Perhaps others can find some encouragement from these thoughts we have stumbled upon in our journeys to feel the completion of the artistic calling.
She is the person I confided to that my one secret dream was ~ that I wanted to paint. But, I could not find the connection inside myself to put the brush to the paper or canvas. Since I have told SuZie about this, and she has been so understanding of my feeling of fear about this step in my life, I have been able to actually speak my dream out loud to other people. I am now, not afraid to fail. Because I realize I would not be failing at anything.
SuZie has encouraged me, in the most gentle and kind ways, to please begin. Just begin, she says. Every time I encounter a road block, SuZie seems to say or do the right thing to help me keep on that path and further open the door that will help me fulfill this feeling in myself.
I have not yet found the way to do the big things I wish, but I have made a few small stokes on paper in my most private moments.
Anyway, SuZie made a suggestion to me, that she and I could encourage each other with quotes of motivation that we feel have meaning to us, and as they come , we send them to each other.
Here is the list we have so far:
Suzie's .... The meeting of two personalities is like the contact of two chemical substances: if there is any reaction, both are transformed. C.G. Chung A.W. page 35
Roxie's..... Creativity flourishes when we have a sense of safety and self-acceptance....
The Artist's Way, page 42
Suzie's... Dependence on the creator within is really freedom from all other dependencies. A.W. page 95
Roxie's ... Learning is movement from moment to moment. AW page 161
Suzie...What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies inside us. Ralph Waldo Emerson A.W. p. 6
Roxie... "Finish every day and be done with it. You have done what you could; some blunders and absurdities crept in - forget them as soon as you can. Tomorrow is a new day. You shall begin it well and serenely, and with too high a spirit to be encumbered with your old mistakes and nonsense" R.W. Emerson
Suzie...It's not because things are difficult that we do not dare; it is because we do not dare that they are difficult. Seneca p 83
Roxie's...When you want to do something sincerely and are decisive about it; the power of concentration becomes available to you. Concentration allows you to achieve more in less time and respond to situations in a more effective way.''''''''''''''''''''''(Found in Thought For Today) Note from roxie: I spend my time afraid of the project instead of just letting all parts of me be involved with the project.
Suzie... Life shrinks and expands in proportion to one's courage. Anais Nin P. 156
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
So there are our quotes of encouragement to each other for the week before. Perhaps others can find some encouragement from these thoughts we have stumbled upon in our journeys to feel the completion of the artistic calling.
Thursday, May 13, 2010
Speed Evangelism
Well. It's been a long, long while since I have encountered a Jehovah's Witness on my doorstep. And, when I have, they have always wanted to talk longer than I wanted to, and I learned that there were several things you just did not mention to them, or they would try to never leave, all in the great efforts of saving your soul.
Then today, the weirdest thing ~
A little green car pulled right up in my driveway. An elderly lady with blonde hair got out. She was by herself. We saw her quickly walking up to the front door.
(I thought she had a summons or something, she was walking so quickly.)
My son opened the door, and as she was walking up she extended a paper towards him while she was still moving forward and said, "Here, this is for you to read," turned around, got back in her car and left.
We looked at the single flyer in his hand.
A Jehovah's Witness track.
Wow! That was some Speed Evangelism! I never thought I would see the day!
Then today, the weirdest thing ~
A little green car pulled right up in my driveway. An elderly lady with blonde hair got out. She was by herself. We saw her quickly walking up to the front door.
(I thought she had a summons or something, she was walking so quickly.)
My son opened the door, and as she was walking up she extended a paper towards him while she was still moving forward and said, "Here, this is for you to read," turned around, got back in her car and left.
We looked at the single flyer in his hand.
A Jehovah's Witness track.
Wow! That was some Speed Evangelism! I never thought I would see the day!
Wednesday, May 05, 2010
Smile on Cinco De Mayo
1..It is so nice to read stuff in the news about people doing really nice stuff.
Here's a story about an unselfish young athlete. And no reason to do what he did, but just being a good sport and an all round nice guy. He sounds like someone who just didn't need to be selfish.
There is a great deal of self-will in the world, but very little genuine independence of character. ~Frederick W. Faber
Character is much easier kept than recovered. ~Thomas Paine
Here's a story about an unselfish young athlete. And no reason to do what he did, but just being a good sport and an all round nice guy. He sounds like someone who just didn't need to be selfish.
There is a great deal of self-will in the world, but very little genuine independence of character. ~Frederick W. Faber
Character is much easier kept than recovered. ~Thomas Paine
Large Air Spill
It was refreshing to read this Breaking News Headline:
"Large Air Spill at Wind Farm. No Threats Reported. Some Claim to Enjoy the Breeze".
(Click on the link for the photo.)
Wouldn't that be absolutely lovely, should that be the worse breaking news?
There are no passengers on Spaceship Earth. We are all crew. ~Marshall McLuhan, 1964
I'm not an environmentalist. I'm an Earth warrior.
~Darryl Cherney, quoted in Smithsonian, April 1990
Till now man has been up against Nature; from now on he will be up against his own nature. ~Dennis Gabor, Inventing the Future, 1963
"Large Air Spill at Wind Farm. No Threats Reported. Some Claim to Enjoy the Breeze".
(Click on the link for the photo.)
Wouldn't that be absolutely lovely, should that be the worse breaking news?
There are no passengers on Spaceship Earth. We are all crew. ~Marshall McLuhan, 1964
I'm not an environmentalist. I'm an Earth warrior.
~Darryl Cherney, quoted in Smithsonian, April 1990
Till now man has been up against Nature; from now on he will be up against his own nature. ~Dennis Gabor, Inventing the Future, 1963
Monday, May 03, 2010
Some things I have noticed 'bout me
1. I am a critical proof reader of newspapers, etc. Mistypings and misspellings just jump off of the page on me. But, I make mistakes on my own posts all the time Seems I can proof read other peoples work easily, but not my own.
AND, it's easier for me to proof my own post, after I post it for everyone to see my mistakes. What is up with that? Maybe, that's some deep psychological need for being seen as human bean with flaws? Maybe, when my stuff is already 'out there' I am further back one space and can see more clearly? I don't know. I'll think some more on this. Maybe.
2. I have decided to break my habit of reading every morning. I'm going to have my coffee in silence, maybe while I enjoy looking at nature, and then, I'm going to color. Coloring in good. It's relaxing. It's nice to have a coloring book with well made paper, smooth paper, and also, to have nice coloring pencils or crayons. The stuff they give kids in school is sorry. What is going to happen to creativity in this world?
3. A friend and I are exchanging quotes by email as a way to inspire ourselves and each other to help our artistic selves flourish. I'm planning on adding those quotes every week. I am in the mood to be inspired.
4. I have injured my back again. I thought I was fine, but after I tried some exercise this morning, the message was loud and clear ~ whoooaaa, you are not! So, back on ice.
AND, it's easier for me to proof my own post, after I post it for everyone to see my mistakes. What is up with that? Maybe, that's some deep psychological need for being seen as human bean with flaws? Maybe, when my stuff is already 'out there' I am further back one space and can see more clearly? I don't know. I'll think some more on this. Maybe.
2. I have decided to break my habit of reading every morning. I'm going to have my coffee in silence, maybe while I enjoy looking at nature, and then, I'm going to color. Coloring in good. It's relaxing. It's nice to have a coloring book with well made paper, smooth paper, and also, to have nice coloring pencils or crayons. The stuff they give kids in school is sorry. What is going to happen to creativity in this world?
3. A friend and I are exchanging quotes by email as a way to inspire ourselves and each other to help our artistic selves flourish. I'm planning on adding those quotes every week. I am in the mood to be inspired.
4. I have injured my back again. I thought I was fine, but after I tried some exercise this morning, the message was loud and clear ~ whoooaaa, you are not! So, back on ice.
Sunday, May 02, 2010
Tell me again how Corporations love America?
BP won't allow themselves to be sued by the very people they are hurting.
The oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico is a really, really, really big mess. And it is a mess that is going to keep on getting messier for a long while. It's going to affect and hurt a lot of living creatures and ways and means of living. And, guess what, it's not a Natural Disaster. It is, apparently, a man made screw up. A huge mistake and unfortunately, somebody has got to take a loss here.
The question is: Who?
BP doesn't want to take the loss. (And seriously, I know, who would?) The company will not let the fishermen who are affected by this awful tragedy help them clean up the mess --
because ---
because ---
because they do not want to be sued.
Nope, won't allow it. They will not accept that immediate help (even though, at the same time they would be taking care of getting some money in the hands of the people they are directly hurting.)
What they have done is make the fishermen who are going to help them, while getting paid money they need to feed and care for themselves and their families ... they are going to make them sign a Contract that says they will "hold harmless and indemnify ... release, waive and forever discharge the BP Exploration and Production, Inc., its subsidiaries, affiliates, officers, directors, regular employees, and independent contractors ... from all claims and damages" arising from helping to clean up the mess that BP has made.
And so what now?
I just don't get this. My guess is, just a guess, but I'll wager in the pool of life, that BP had some insurance policy going on somewhere, that payments were being made to. I mean, aren't insurance companies, like everywhere? I mean, isn't insurance like required for just about every, single business adventure. I mean, isn't INSURANCE what America is all about? I mean, like I.E. ~ *we don't want a national health care program, we want our own private INSURANCE policies* America? I mean, last time I checked there were... freakin' insurance company coverage requirements for just about every business thing going on in this country.
And, drilling for oil is risky. I mean, it's not like the words OIL and SPILL haven't come together before ...
So, Question:
Why are they, the companies and all their subsidiaries, affiliates, officers, directors, regular employees and independent contractors, NOT ready for the possible MISTAKES with all this insurance that America loves so much?
Are they not required to carry enough insurance to cover such a Catastrophe? I'll bet they got some somewhere. Because this is America, and we love our insurance companies, right? Well, where are you now?
So, Question:
Why is anyone, who cannot maintain their responsibility to the people in the surrounding environment (and the earth), and their subsidiaries, affiliates, officers, directors, regular employees, and independent contractors, even be allowed to drill anywhere in the freakin' first place?
Why?
The oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico is a really, really, really big mess. And it is a mess that is going to keep on getting messier for a long while. It's going to affect and hurt a lot of living creatures and ways and means of living. And, guess what, it's not a Natural Disaster. It is, apparently, a man made screw up. A huge mistake and unfortunately, somebody has got to take a loss here.
The question is: Who?
BP doesn't want to take the loss. (And seriously, I know, who would?) The company will not let the fishermen who are affected by this awful tragedy help them clean up the mess --
because ---
because ---
because they do not want to be sued.
Nope, won't allow it. They will not accept that immediate help (even though, at the same time they would be taking care of getting some money in the hands of the people they are directly hurting.)
What they have done is make the fishermen who are going to help them, while getting paid money they need to feed and care for themselves and their families ... they are going to make them sign a Contract that says they will "hold harmless and indemnify ... release, waive and forever discharge the BP Exploration and Production, Inc., its subsidiaries, affiliates, officers, directors, regular employees, and independent contractors ... from all claims and damages" arising from helping to clean up the mess that BP has made.
And so what now?
I just don't get this. My guess is, just a guess, but I'll wager in the pool of life, that BP had some insurance policy going on somewhere, that payments were being made to. I mean, aren't insurance companies, like everywhere? I mean, isn't insurance like required for just about every, single business adventure. I mean, isn't INSURANCE what America is all about? I mean, like I.E. ~ *we don't want a national health care program, we want our own private INSURANCE policies* America? I mean, last time I checked there were... freakin' insurance company coverage requirements for just about every business thing going on in this country.
And, drilling for oil is risky. I mean, it's not like the words OIL and SPILL haven't come together before ...
So, Question:
Why are they, the companies and all their subsidiaries, affiliates, officers, directors, regular employees and independent contractors, NOT ready for the possible MISTAKES with all this insurance that America loves so much?
Are they not required to carry enough insurance to cover such a Catastrophe? I'll bet they got some somewhere. Because this is America, and we love our insurance companies, right? Well, where are you now?
So, Question:
Why is anyone, who cannot maintain their responsibility to the people in the surrounding environment (and the earth), and their subsidiaries, affiliates, officers, directors, regular employees, and independent contractors, even be allowed to drill anywhere in the freakin' first place?
Why?
Saturday, May 01, 2010
Just so you know stuff...
1. Are you a fan of Sarah Palin. Then, you should go to Sarah Palin Digest, to help you learn everything you can about her.
2. The Martyr Personality is a tricky one.
The characteristics of neurotic martyrdom in adulthood can be summarized as follows: The person cares for and helps others while sacrificing their own needs.[snip]
On a deeper level, martyrs are very needy for love. Unfortunately, they unconsciously believe that the only way they can get love is through suffering. The suffering makes them feel special and wanted, and it brings meaning to their life. Their suffering is tied to their ego. They are actually proud of it. Take away their suffering and they seem lost.
It's interesting to read, if you are having to deal with a Martyr/Victim type. You will see it's a No Win Scenario.
It is easy to pass up on this type of person to have a relationship with, but, when they are in your family, it is difficult and frustrating. You really, really have to make up your mind not to let this person make you crazy or feel guilty because they really will not allow you to be nice to them. They must 'out-nice' you. You must accept this.
If one is not emotionally programed to function with a Martyr type, as I am not, one must just set the boundaries and carry on. One must dust off any negative feelings that are brought up from within, and just deal with it.
So yeah. That's about all there is to it.
3. A Waste Of Money Study, judging your personality on your sleep position. What does that have to do with any thing there is about anybody, anyway?
It's really all about snoring. That's what puts a strain on thousands of marriages. All they had to do, was ask all the wives, of men who snore, and the women would have told them -- he sleeps this way (whatever position, she could draw a picture, as that is inexpensive), and he snores, and I feel like punching him in the jaw, but I don't so I'm tired as all get no sleep and I am grumpy, and then I ask my doctor for sleeping medication for myself --
But see, there's the winner part. Instead of the money being spent on that ridiculous study, they could just supply the women with sleeping pills for free! Husbands don't have broken jaws, wives are happy because they are rested ...
Now, how easy is that?
4. When you get as old as me, which is Older Than Jackson Browne, you really begin to know things For Sure. And you also begin to realize that - There's Not a Whole Lot You Can Do About a Whole Lotta Stuff -- so, just accept it, and move on. (Dancing and Smiling, of course!)
5. Everyone needs a grandchild.
2. The Martyr Personality is a tricky one.
The characteristics of neurotic martyrdom in adulthood can be summarized as follows: The person cares for and helps others while sacrificing their own needs.[snip]
On a deeper level, martyrs are very needy for love. Unfortunately, they unconsciously believe that the only way they can get love is through suffering. The suffering makes them feel special and wanted, and it brings meaning to their life. Their suffering is tied to their ego. They are actually proud of it. Take away their suffering and they seem lost.
It's interesting to read, if you are having to deal with a Martyr/Victim type. You will see it's a No Win Scenario.
It is easy to pass up on this type of person to have a relationship with, but, when they are in your family, it is difficult and frustrating. You really, really have to make up your mind not to let this person make you crazy or feel guilty because they really will not allow you to be nice to them. They must 'out-nice' you. You must accept this.
If one is not emotionally programed to function with a Martyr type, as I am not, one must just set the boundaries and carry on. One must dust off any negative feelings that are brought up from within, and just deal with it.
So yeah. That's about all there is to it.
3. A Waste Of Money Study, judging your personality on your sleep position. What does that have to do with any thing there is about anybody, anyway?
It's really all about snoring. That's what puts a strain on thousands of marriages. All they had to do, was ask all the wives, of men who snore, and the women would have told them -- he sleeps this way (whatever position, she could draw a picture, as that is inexpensive), and he snores, and I feel like punching him in the jaw, but I don't so I'm tired as all get no sleep and I am grumpy, and then I ask my doctor for sleeping medication for myself --
But see, there's the winner part. Instead of the money being spent on that ridiculous study, they could just supply the women with sleeping pills for free! Husbands don't have broken jaws, wives are happy because they are rested ...
Now, how easy is that?
4. When you get as old as me, which is Older Than Jackson Browne, you really begin to know things For Sure. And you also begin to realize that - There's Not a Whole Lot You Can Do About a Whole Lotta Stuff -- so, just accept it, and move on. (Dancing and Smiling, of course!)
5. Everyone needs a grandchild.
Friday, April 30, 2010
In the mood for thinking...
Anyone can become angry – that is easy. But to be angry with the right person, to the right degree, at the right time, for the right purpose, and in the right way – that is not easy.
— Aristotle, 350BC
(That is Zen...)
Emotional intelligence is the ability to perceive emotions, to access and generate emotions so as to assist thought, to understand emotions and emotional knowledge, and to reflectively regulate emotions so as to promote emotional and intellectual growth.
— Mayer & Salovey
(This is a good thing. Calm yourself and get this way.)
Man can learn nothing except by going from the known to the unknown.
~~ Claude Bernard
(One should never be afraid to check out the beliefs they hold dear. It they are true, the beliefs will hold up to all scrutiny. And besides, who are you that you think you know everything, anyway?)
We have been taught to believe that negative equals realistic and positive equals unrealistic. ~~ Susan Jeffers
(Develop positive thinking. Work on it, want it, go after it. Beat negative thinking down with an ugly stick. You don't have time for that stuff.)
— Aristotle, 350BC
(That is Zen...)
Emotional intelligence is the ability to perceive emotions, to access and generate emotions so as to assist thought, to understand emotions and emotional knowledge, and to reflectively regulate emotions so as to promote emotional and intellectual growth.
— Mayer & Salovey
(This is a good thing. Calm yourself and get this way.)
Man can learn nothing except by going from the known to the unknown.
~~ Claude Bernard
(One should never be afraid to check out the beliefs they hold dear. It they are true, the beliefs will hold up to all scrutiny. And besides, who are you that you think you know everything, anyway?)
We have been taught to believe that negative equals realistic and positive equals unrealistic. ~~ Susan Jeffers
(Develop positive thinking. Work on it, want it, go after it. Beat negative thinking down with an ugly stick. You don't have time for that stuff.)
Thursday, April 29, 2010
Too much, too fast, no way
1...Now, here is an article that says multi-tasking is bad for your memory. I'm not sure. I used to have a great memory. Then, I became a multi-tasker. Because I had kids.
How does anyone with children get anything done without multi-tasking? I actually thought I was pretty good at it. But, apparently, I have destroyed my mind.
But, see now! ~ I have a granddaughter! I don't have to multi-task when I'm with her! When I'm with her, that's all I'm doing, and it's great. If anyone asks me to do anything, I just say, 'oh, can't ~ have the baby.' Totally zen.
3... Martyr personalities. They drive me up the proverbial wall. I have some things I have been reading about these types. So, I'll have to sort through and post about them.
You see, someone I like very much, has one of these types of personalities, and I'm trying to work with it. I thought some additional information might help.
Right now, I'm looking at this one link here. Don't have anything definite decided yet. But, I have to learn how to deal with this.
2...What happened to two? I must have done that multi-tasking thing and lost it. I will need to come back and finish this entry.
How does anyone with children get anything done without multi-tasking? I actually thought I was pretty good at it. But, apparently, I have destroyed my mind.
But, see now! ~ I have a granddaughter! I don't have to multi-task when I'm with her! When I'm with her, that's all I'm doing, and it's great. If anyone asks me to do anything, I just say, 'oh, can't ~ have the baby.' Totally zen.
3... Martyr personalities. They drive me up the proverbial wall. I have some things I have been reading about these types. So, I'll have to sort through and post about them.
You see, someone I like very much, has one of these types of personalities, and I'm trying to work with it. I thought some additional information might help.
Right now, I'm looking at this one link here. Don't have anything definite decided yet. But, I have to learn how to deal with this.
2...What happened to two? I must have done that multi-tasking thing and lost it. I will need to come back and finish this entry.
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
Monday randomness...
...on a Tuesday~
1. What happened? Medication. Steroids up the nose, third round of antibiotics, Claritin D, Guaifenesin and Dextromethorphan. And, is that like too much? I have decided it is too much. I feel like I'm on speed with an attitude (like a smart a@@, not a good thing).
But, to survive this awful lung infection, which I'm sure is from all the pollen, which I'm sure is a sure sign that the bees are highly ticked at us for ruining their planet, and to keep from going into the hospital, which my choices were coming down to, I agreed to do this regiment ~
but, honestly, I'm cutting back. This is the 6th day. I can't do this for 4 more days. So, one thing I will eliminate today is the Nasal Spray i.e. steroid. I think that is the root of the Irritated Pirate in me. Well, see.
But, on the subject of other things, the Instructions on the pill bottle: Take one tablet twice a day by mouth (in Capital Letters BY MOUTH). (Uh, by ear? no? Nose? I'm not naming any other cavities, but still ...)
2. I was glad to read the Bob Cesca is making efforts to expose Glenn Beck for the sham he really is. I'm glad he's doing this because now everything can be in one place. Bob is keeping track. I just hope some of the people who are being brainwashed by this Animal Circus Act Bleck, will actually find their way to it, and read it.
Actually, I take that back. I wrote, "Animal" - I do not want to insult animals, and really, I don't even want to insult "Circus Acts". Ummm, I'll have to think of something else Generic and Insulting.
And, here's another suggestion, if a person finds their way to the truth about Bleck, please, please, pass it along to others so that this can end.
3. Control Freaks are so annoying.
4. Good coffee can be found in places like Home Goods and TJ Maxx for very good prices. I have heard, though from a lady at a bank. that if you shop at those places you should use cash, because these stores have like a second order of command for dealing with your credit/debit cards, and that means that it's easier for a thief to get a hold of your card (whew).
Just offering that bit of knowledge up ~ use it, don't use it but it happened to my sister in law, so there ya' go.
Now, she does use her credit card/debit card for everything, even a $2.83 purchase through a drive-through, but I'm thinking a lot of people do that, and what happens is that so many purchases get made and they don't realize that those purchases are not theirs for a long time, and believe it or not, by the time they do ~ those thieves are long gone from your card and moving onto another card. (I am not making this up)
Now, the bank did honor a refund to those charges that had been made in a fraudulent manner, and what manner of magic the banks use to know which is which, I do not know ...I'm just reporting in...
but, yeah, my sis in law got her money refunded ...
but the thief, got away with it. He got his stuff mailed to his house, and didn't get prosecuted, as far as we know as this time. Hopefully, the police keep track of these reports and nail these common thieves (Is there such a thing as an uncommon thief?. I really don't know either of those things.)
5. Quote from the Daily Om"
When we choose that which is not best for us, there can be a deep seated part of us that does not want to heal.
1. What happened? Medication. Steroids up the nose, third round of antibiotics, Claritin D, Guaifenesin and Dextromethorphan. And, is that like too much? I have decided it is too much. I feel like I'm on speed with an attitude (like a smart a@@, not a good thing).
But, to survive this awful lung infection, which I'm sure is from all the pollen, which I'm sure is a sure sign that the bees are highly ticked at us for ruining their planet, and to keep from going into the hospital, which my choices were coming down to, I agreed to do this regiment ~
but, honestly, I'm cutting back. This is the 6th day. I can't do this for 4 more days. So, one thing I will eliminate today is the Nasal Spray i.e. steroid. I think that is the root of the Irritated Pirate in me. Well, see.
But, on the subject of other things, the Instructions on the pill bottle: Take one tablet twice a day by mouth (in Capital Letters BY MOUTH). (Uh, by ear? no? Nose? I'm not naming any other cavities, but still ...)
2. I was glad to read the Bob Cesca is making efforts to expose Glenn Beck for the sham he really is. I'm glad he's doing this because now everything can be in one place. Bob is keeping track. I just hope some of the people who are being brainwashed by this Animal Circus Act Bleck, will actually find their way to it, and read it.
Actually, I take that back. I wrote, "Animal" - I do not want to insult animals, and really, I don't even want to insult "Circus Acts". Ummm, I'll have to think of something else Generic and Insulting.
And, here's another suggestion, if a person finds their way to the truth about Bleck, please, please, pass it along to others so that this can end.
3. Control Freaks are so annoying.
4. Good coffee can be found in places like Home Goods and TJ Maxx for very good prices. I have heard, though from a lady at a bank. that if you shop at those places you should use cash, because these stores have like a second order of command for dealing with your credit/debit cards, and that means that it's easier for a thief to get a hold of your card (whew).
Just offering that bit of knowledge up ~ use it, don't use it but it happened to my sister in law, so there ya' go.
Now, she does use her credit card/debit card for everything, even a $2.83 purchase through a drive-through, but I'm thinking a lot of people do that, and what happens is that so many purchases get made and they don't realize that those purchases are not theirs for a long time, and believe it or not, by the time they do ~ those thieves are long gone from your card and moving onto another card. (I am not making this up)
Now, the bank did honor a refund to those charges that had been made in a fraudulent manner, and what manner of magic the banks use to know which is which, I do not know ...I'm just reporting in...
but, yeah, my sis in law got her money refunded ...
but the thief, got away with it. He got his stuff mailed to his house, and didn't get prosecuted, as far as we know as this time. Hopefully, the police keep track of these reports and nail these common thieves (Is there such a thing as an uncommon thief?. I really don't know either of those things.)
5. Quote from the Daily Om"
When we choose that which is not best for us, there can be a deep seated part of us that does not want to heal.
Saturday, April 24, 2010
My brain is trying to rest....
...and I am not letting it. I'll try to do that today. Maybe. I love my brain and I want my brain to love me.
Reading is good, but brains are for thinking, right? But, I wonder, if you load them up too much, do they not need time to process? Just relax and look at flowers or the ocean, perhaps?
I'm going to the beach. I was going to take a book, but I'm changing my mind. I'm going to let my brain just float.
Reading is good, but brains are for thinking, right? But, I wonder, if you load them up too much, do they not need time to process? Just relax and look at flowers or the ocean, perhaps?
I'm going to the beach. I was going to take a book, but I'm changing my mind. I'm going to let my brain just float.
"Three Little Words"
"Three Little Words" by Ashley Rhodes. It is a true account written by Miss Rhodes of her life in foster care. A true nightmare that exposes the system as sad, needy and inept, and if one does not become angered at how children are treated, than that reader is unfeeling and probably in need of some counseling. No judgment, just sayin' ...
Miss Rhodes manages to survive this horrific ordeal with her thinking brain in tact. She tells her story through her eyes like an on the scene reporter, as the child who is living a nightmare. A child who is never told the whys or the wherefores of her situation. She is merely shuffled like cattle through the system without one word of explanation. What a stupid system is shown before us~!
But, she triumphs over all of them, and you begin to hope and pray, that children torn from their parents arms can overcome such a heartbreaking tragedy as this, a tragedy that is forced upon them by their neglectful parents and a broken system, you hope they all of them will triumph the same as Miss Rhodes, but unfortunately, that may not be the case.
It reads as if the system has no idea what it is children need. It reads as if Those Who Are Employed by this system are not aware, at all, that the children are what is important in all this,
and that if 'we the people' are going to allot money, to people, to take care of children, we need to make sure Those People are taking care of these children in a proper loving way. Yeah, that's right -- Proper. Loving Way. Come on, people ~ are we not that educated yet? Are we so heartless that we do not know that the number one thing a child needs is love? Tender Loving Care?
Are we so backwards, that we would think, that children from a troubled beginning would not need some Extra love and healthy attention?
This is not a rip against any foster parents who are kind and loving. This is rip against any of those who are not. Shame on them. And, shame on a system created in ln this country that allows such a person to participate in the lives of a child.
You go, Ashley Rhodes. You rock!
(Updated here: I had to go back and make some corrections on this. And, who knows, there could be more ~ I think this third round of anti-biotics has done my drain some bramage.)
Miss Rhodes manages to survive this horrific ordeal with her thinking brain in tact. She tells her story through her eyes like an on the scene reporter, as the child who is living a nightmare. A child who is never told the whys or the wherefores of her situation. She is merely shuffled like cattle through the system without one word of explanation. What a stupid system is shown before us~!
But, she triumphs over all of them, and you begin to hope and pray, that children torn from their parents arms can overcome such a heartbreaking tragedy as this, a tragedy that is forced upon them by their neglectful parents and a broken system, you hope they all of them will triumph the same as Miss Rhodes, but unfortunately, that may not be the case.
It reads as if the system has no idea what it is children need. It reads as if Those Who Are Employed by this system are not aware, at all, that the children are what is important in all this,
and that if 'we the people' are going to allot money, to people, to take care of children, we need to make sure Those People are taking care of these children in a proper loving way. Yeah, that's right -- Proper. Loving Way. Come on, people ~ are we not that educated yet? Are we so heartless that we do not know that the number one thing a child needs is love? Tender Loving Care?
Are we so backwards, that we would think, that children from a troubled beginning would not need some Extra love and healthy attention?
This is not a rip against any foster parents who are kind and loving. This is rip against any of those who are not. Shame on them. And, shame on a system created in ln this country that allows such a person to participate in the lives of a child.
You go, Ashley Rhodes. You rock!
(Updated here: I had to go back and make some corrections on this. And, who knows, there could be more ~ I think this third round of anti-biotics has done my drain some bramage.)
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
"The Perpetual American Lynch Mob"
Frank Schaffer has a go at explaining The Perpetual American Lynch Mob.
In case one is not aware of who Frank Schaffer is - well, he was part of the original group of evangelicals who started the extreme far-right movement. He tells you so himself in many of his articles.
He states:
"Dad (my late evangelical leader father Francis Schaeffer) and I did our bit in the 1970s and 80s to pass on the torch of unhinged Lynch Mob hate when we helped create the Perpetual American Lynch Mob's "pro-life" incarnation. That movement -- Our Movement -- was begun by people like us wanting to save babies. It ended up in the swamp of homophobia, hate of the "other" and even inspired the murder of doctors."
I always like to read what Frank has to say. I was attending church at the time that The Right Wing heavies of that day, Jerry Falwell, Francis Schaffer, Pat Robertson, to name a few, were in the forefront in the news a lot. They set their train in motion and it's still running well.
I feel that now it is running with much prejudice, judgment, spanking children, and discrimination. I got off that train really quickly, but hung around in the station for awhile and feel like I got a good idea that things weren't headed anywhere towards Fairville. A lot of people don't want fair. I want fair in law, fair in rights ... leave the judgment issues to God and the laws of our land. And people need to participate to keep the laws fair, and all people should be able to participate.
If I have to err, I'll err on the side of fair as often as I can. I mean, seriously ~ why not? If there be a reason why we should not, perhaps someone can clue me in...
Love all, trust a few, do wrong to none. ~William Shakespeare
In case one is not aware of who Frank Schaffer is - well, he was part of the original group of evangelicals who started the extreme far-right movement. He tells you so himself in many of his articles.
He states:
"Dad (my late evangelical leader father Francis Schaeffer) and I did our bit in the 1970s and 80s to pass on the torch of unhinged Lynch Mob hate when we helped create the Perpetual American Lynch Mob's "pro-life" incarnation. That movement -- Our Movement -- was begun by people like us wanting to save babies. It ended up in the swamp of homophobia, hate of the "other" and even inspired the murder of doctors."
I always like to read what Frank has to say. I was attending church at the time that The Right Wing heavies of that day, Jerry Falwell, Francis Schaffer, Pat Robertson, to name a few, were in the forefront in the news a lot. They set their train in motion and it's still running well.
I feel that now it is running with much prejudice, judgment, spanking children, and discrimination. I got off that train really quickly, but hung around in the station for awhile and feel like I got a good idea that things weren't headed anywhere towards Fairville. A lot of people don't want fair. I want fair in law, fair in rights ... leave the judgment issues to God and the laws of our land. And people need to participate to keep the laws fair, and all people should be able to participate.
If I have to err, I'll err on the side of fair as often as I can. I mean, seriously ~ why not? If there be a reason why we should not, perhaps someone can clue me in...
Love all, trust a few, do wrong to none. ~William Shakespeare
Saturday, April 17, 2010
If you can't beat 'em...
...join 'em.
No.
Actually, what I would like to do is smack 'em.
My health insurance coverage just went up $80.00 a month. That's for 3 people. Two healthy young adults and one woman who is Older Than Jackson Browne by 4 days _and_
and I stress the AND ~ a $3,000.00 deductible per person.
Give me a break.
I'm sorry. But that is robbery. Legal Robbery.
Why can't I have what Congress has? Why?
Why not?
"Don't mind criticism. If it is untrue, disregard it; if unfair, keep from irritation; if it is ignorant, smile; if it is justified it is not criticism, learn from it." ~~ The Unknown Source
No.
Actually, what I would like to do is smack 'em.
My health insurance coverage just went up $80.00 a month. That's for 3 people. Two healthy young adults and one woman who is Older Than Jackson Browne by 4 days _and_
and I stress the AND ~ a $3,000.00 deductible per person.
Give me a break.
I'm sorry. But that is robbery. Legal Robbery.
Why can't I have what Congress has? Why?
Why not?
"Don't mind criticism. If it is untrue, disregard it; if unfair, keep from irritation; if it is ignorant, smile; if it is justified it is not criticism, learn from it." ~~ The Unknown Source
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
.A day not so bad
1. I received a package in my mailbox from a friend. I didn't expect anything so it was lovely to find a special surprised for myself there. It was some music and a hilarious card! I am grateful for that deep down smile of a moment.
And, added bonus ~ I love the music he sent~! Truly, it's new to me. There is nothing as wonderful as music some days.
2. I almost got hit by a car. Seriously. I was coming out of the UPS store and had just stepped off the curb and this car, in the parking lot area now, trust me, I was not stepping out onto Highway AIA, comes whizzing around this blind corner at about 60 mph. We all know that parking lot speed is about, what 15?
Anyway, she wasn't even on her phone that I noticed, but she sure was in a danged hurry to get to a parking space. Our eyes met and she slammed on her brakes. Then we stared at each other for a few seconds; no one's face giving away anything. She broke the stare with a deep breath and waved me across the street.
Anyway, one of those small moments you are okay with being alive and whole and walking across the parking lot.
3. Went to the dollar store to pick up some sympathy cards. Had to send out four as my mother in law's sister in law just passed after a year battle with cancer. While I was standing in line waiting, a store manager told me I would have to come to the other side.
Okay. No problem.
He was closing out a register, and I had to wait until he was finished doing that. I stood patiently.
An elderly man came up to the counter to the left of me and slammed his little book on the counter and said, 'How much for that?' The cashier, who was standing motionless at this time waiting for the manager to finish her drawer update, asked him what he had wanted. She knew he wasn't in line and wasn't sure what was happening, and he thrust his finger at the book and said commandingly, "The book. How much?"
She registered the request in her brain, the other man still clearing and setting up her new register, and she answered him, "One dollar and seven cents. Do you want this?"
He didn't answer. The cashier wasn't sure what he wanted,yet.
"Are you next in line?" she asked, knowing full well he was not but trying to be polite, and knowing full well that I knew, and the people behind me knew, he was not.
He didn't answer. I'm not sure if he was embarrassed or what he was thinking ...but as she kept glancing at me, I said, "It's fine. Go ahead and ring him up."
She began, "But you're ..."
"It's alright." I said.
She said again to him, "Do you want the book?"
He said how much again, she answered again, he fumbled through for the money trying to give her the exact change, he couldn't, so he settled on a dollar and a dime, while he grunted at that. Somehow this bothered him.
After he got his change, he just turned and left. The cashier turned and looked at me. I had a slight smile on my face which she probably could not interpret, and she began to apologize over and over, but I told her, "Really, it's okay. If he was young, I might have said something, but seriously, it's okay."
She talked about how she has to look out for her customers, that she needs to make sure they are treated right ... I told her again, it's okay, I'm fine. Because I am standing here with 4 sympathy cards. My husband's uncle lost his wife and his 3 cousins lost their mother, and the elderly man's inability to communicate his thoughts and lack of manners at that moment, just met nothing in the way of hurting my feelings.
But I sincerely appreciated the kindness of the cashier.
#. Watered my plants
5. Pet my cats
6. Talked with my family
7. Spent most of the day with my granddaughter.
And, added bonus ~ I love the music he sent~! Truly, it's new to me. There is nothing as wonderful as music some days.
2. I almost got hit by a car. Seriously. I was coming out of the UPS store and had just stepped off the curb and this car, in the parking lot area now, trust me, I was not stepping out onto Highway AIA, comes whizzing around this blind corner at about 60 mph. We all know that parking lot speed is about, what 15?
Anyway, she wasn't even on her phone that I noticed, but she sure was in a danged hurry to get to a parking space. Our eyes met and she slammed on her brakes. Then we stared at each other for a few seconds; no one's face giving away anything. She broke the stare with a deep breath and waved me across the street.
Anyway, one of those small moments you are okay with being alive and whole and walking across the parking lot.
3. Went to the dollar store to pick up some sympathy cards. Had to send out four as my mother in law's sister in law just passed after a year battle with cancer. While I was standing in line waiting, a store manager told me I would have to come to the other side.
Okay. No problem.
He was closing out a register, and I had to wait until he was finished doing that. I stood patiently.
An elderly man came up to the counter to the left of me and slammed his little book on the counter and said, 'How much for that?' The cashier, who was standing motionless at this time waiting for the manager to finish her drawer update, asked him what he had wanted. She knew he wasn't in line and wasn't sure what was happening, and he thrust his finger at the book and said commandingly, "The book. How much?"
She registered the request in her brain, the other man still clearing and setting up her new register, and she answered him, "One dollar and seven cents. Do you want this?"
He didn't answer. The cashier wasn't sure what he wanted,yet.
"Are you next in line?" she asked, knowing full well he was not but trying to be polite, and knowing full well that I knew, and the people behind me knew, he was not.
He didn't answer. I'm not sure if he was embarrassed or what he was thinking ...but as she kept glancing at me, I said, "It's fine. Go ahead and ring him up."
She began, "But you're ..."
"It's alright." I said.
She said again to him, "Do you want the book?"
He said how much again, she answered again, he fumbled through for the money trying to give her the exact change, he couldn't, so he settled on a dollar and a dime, while he grunted at that. Somehow this bothered him.
After he got his change, he just turned and left. The cashier turned and looked at me. I had a slight smile on my face which she probably could not interpret, and she began to apologize over and over, but I told her, "Really, it's okay. If he was young, I might have said something, but seriously, it's okay."
She talked about how she has to look out for her customers, that she needs to make sure they are treated right ... I told her again, it's okay, I'm fine. Because I am standing here with 4 sympathy cards. My husband's uncle lost his wife and his 3 cousins lost their mother, and the elderly man's inability to communicate his thoughts and lack of manners at that moment, just met nothing in the way of hurting my feelings.
But I sincerely appreciated the kindness of the cashier.
#. Watered my plants
5. Pet my cats
6. Talked with my family
7. Spent most of the day with my granddaughter.
Monday, April 12, 2010
So true, so true ... to me.
Daily Decisions ~
What I am experiencing at this moment is the result of choices and decisions made in the past; what I will experience in the future depends on choices and decisions I make now. Happiness is a daily decision.
from the site of Thought for Today ...
Yes, you got up this morning, got out of bed ~ it was you that was making a decision before your feet hit the floor ~ good day, bad day ~ ummmm ~
Would you take a little advice from one who is Older Than Jackson Browne? Choose Wisely. Choose a Good Day. Choose to be Happy in this Day.
I believe in God. And, every morning, before I get out of bed, I thank God. For whatever it was he did for me the day before. There are many things, of course, that I probably don't even know about, but I know he was there and did something to keep me safe and now able to wake, this one more day.
One of the things my God helps me do is find things ~ seriously. There is nothing spooky about this at all.
I learned through studying science that everything that goes on around us is in our brain. It's all recorded somewhere. All persons record all things going on around them in their brain. Whether you are a spiritual person, or not, your brain is still a functioning organ that records all you see and hear.
It doesn't, however, put everything in a spot right in the front, the way I file things on my desk. You know, that big pile I have where I put it all right where I can see it. No, your brain delivers it to different places where it thinks it should. And, that connection is a personal one between you and your brain. Every one's brain works a different way, okay, maybe that was more a personal thought than a scientific one, but still, very close to truth.
So, when I misplace something, anything, I ask God to please help me find that thing, to please help me set my eyes on it. I give God as much information as I can about it, what it looks like, what I need it for and when ~~ and I am here to tell you ~ I always find whatever it is ... Always.
Because God knows what is going on in my brain. He can clearly see where I put that object, and apparently, God does not mind stopping his busy day to help me find this missing thing, and I appreciate that so much.
Just as an aside thought - I believe that God is here for us, personally, to help. I do not believe that God is here to smite my neighbor for not believing what I believe, for being different than me, for being just what God made him to be.
Oh, and one more thing ~ I believe my God can help me find my way back to happiness, every time, if that should be my choice. Everyday I make one. Everyday I choose. I want the happiness, so I choose that. Thank you, God.
The feeling remains that God is on the journey, too. ~Teresa of Avila
God's will is not an itinerary, but an attitude. ~Andrew Dhuse
Have a nice day~!
Friday, April 09, 2010
"Frackles" ~ Jon Stewart
Had Fox News decided to lie?
~ decided? ~ is that a good word? I'm not sure, if they decided or not, but they lied ~ mislead? could it be mislead? I think, myself, the word would be lied ~~ about the information regarding President Obama, Russia, Ronald Reagan, and the Nukes ...
I just read the Huffington Post and found this article entitled "Stewart Rips Fox News for inaccurate reporting on Nuclear Arms Treaty."
The clip from The Daily Show can be found on the link below. Again, Jon Stewart and staff is left to inform us of the exaggerations, stories and tales of Sean Hannity, Sarah Palin, and Newt Gingrich
Here is it ~ Your Seven Minutes and 12 Seconds - Fabrication at it's best. If you don't believe the Daily Show, check your facts yourself, and whatever you do, don't believe Fox News. That is just this writer's opinion.
~ decided? ~ is that a good word? I'm not sure, if they decided or not, but they lied ~ mislead? could it be mislead? I think, myself, the word would be lied ~~ about the information regarding President Obama, Russia, Ronald Reagan, and the Nukes ...
I just read the Huffington Post and found this article entitled "Stewart Rips Fox News for inaccurate reporting on Nuclear Arms Treaty."
The clip from The Daily Show can be found on the link below. Again, Jon Stewart and staff is left to inform us of the exaggerations, stories and tales of Sean Hannity, Sarah Palin, and Newt Gingrich
Here is it ~ Your Seven Minutes and 12 Seconds - Fabrication at it's best. If you don't believe the Daily Show, check your facts yourself, and whatever you do, don't believe Fox News. That is just this writer's opinion.
Wednesday, April 07, 2010
"Waiting for stuff to happen..."
...so my husband just said to me as he walked by. Huh?
If everybody contemplates the infinite instead of fixing the drains, many of us will die of cholera. ~John Rich
I had no idea what he was talking about. I was reading someone's blog. I love reading. I read lots of stuff - books, magazines, message boards, blogs (I love blogs) and much other stuff, newspapers, notes on the side of the road ... oh, and the stuff he is waiting to happen has to do with a virus scan thing he is doing on my daughter's computer, so he just told me.
Now my husband just asked me, 'do I want to go camping in the Keys?' to which I said, 'no', as I do not want to drive for 5 hours to sleep on the ground. I can sleep on the ground out in my front yard. I live near the beach, so, no. My family does go to the Keys every summer (we grew up around Key West) and we sleep in a very nice hotel at a kid friendly resort. That's lovely. But, 'no', I will not drive for 5 hours and sleep on the ground. (I would fly on a plane to Barcelona to see Jackson Browne in concert, but, that's not what he asked me. ha.!)
Life is one long process of getting tired. ~Samuel Butler
I am recovering from pleurisy. It is not fun. I don't really feel good. But, whatever, everyone has to get something some time. What I dislike most about it is not being able to pick up my granddaughter. She is just the most wonderful thing.
To be nobody but yourself in a world which is doing its best, night and day, to make you everybody else means to fight the hardest battle which any human being can fight; and never stop fighting. ~e.e. cummings, 1955
Today I took two of my nephews to Barnes and Noble. Oh my gosh, we had a lovely, relaxing time! We had a tea and a treat and read and read and read for three hours. Just sat there together and read. No talking, just reading. It was wonderful. One nephew bought a book. I didn't have enough money to buy anything today, but I will another day. We had thought about going to the library, but then the boys always get on the computer, so they decided Barnes and Noble's. I was glad.
My nephews (and great nephews) and nieces range in age from 38 to 6 ~ there are 12 of them. My granddaughter is 16 months. My kids are 33 to 20. And I spend time with all of them. It's like jumping in and out of universes. It's like visiting other planets. They talk so fast! Their minds are full of new and exciting stuff, and old stuff, too. And, what really makes me laugh, is when they learn something new, and they are so surprised that I know that~! Of course, they are constantly telling me stuff that is new to me, too, I can't lie about that. I enjoy it, though. I love learning new stuff. I really should write down everything the 6 year old says. I am going to be sad when he makes that final cross over into the 'real' world.
I will be looking for my granddaughter to keep that portal open ...
If everybody contemplates the infinite instead of fixing the drains, many of us will die of cholera. ~John Rich
I had no idea what he was talking about. I was reading someone's blog. I love reading. I read lots of stuff - books, magazines, message boards, blogs (I love blogs) and much other stuff, newspapers, notes on the side of the road ... oh, and the stuff he is waiting to happen has to do with a virus scan thing he is doing on my daughter's computer, so he just told me.
Now my husband just asked me, 'do I want to go camping in the Keys?' to which I said, 'no', as I do not want to drive for 5 hours to sleep on the ground. I can sleep on the ground out in my front yard. I live near the beach, so, no. My family does go to the Keys every summer (we grew up around Key West) and we sleep in a very nice hotel at a kid friendly resort. That's lovely. But, 'no', I will not drive for 5 hours and sleep on the ground. (I would fly on a plane to Barcelona to see Jackson Browne in concert, but, that's not what he asked me. ha.!)
Life is one long process of getting tired. ~Samuel Butler
I am recovering from pleurisy. It is not fun. I don't really feel good. But, whatever, everyone has to get something some time. What I dislike most about it is not being able to pick up my granddaughter. She is just the most wonderful thing.
To be nobody but yourself in a world which is doing its best, night and day, to make you everybody else means to fight the hardest battle which any human being can fight; and never stop fighting. ~e.e. cummings, 1955
Today I took two of my nephews to Barnes and Noble. Oh my gosh, we had a lovely, relaxing time! We had a tea and a treat and read and read and read for three hours. Just sat there together and read. No talking, just reading. It was wonderful. One nephew bought a book. I didn't have enough money to buy anything today, but I will another day. We had thought about going to the library, but then the boys always get on the computer, so they decided Barnes and Noble's. I was glad.
My nephews (and great nephews) and nieces range in age from 38 to 6 ~ there are 12 of them. My granddaughter is 16 months. My kids are 33 to 20. And I spend time with all of them. It's like jumping in and out of universes. It's like visiting other planets. They talk so fast! Their minds are full of new and exciting stuff, and old stuff, too. And, what really makes me laugh, is when they learn something new, and they are so surprised that I know that~! Of course, they are constantly telling me stuff that is new to me, too, I can't lie about that. I enjoy it, though. I love learning new stuff. I really should write down everything the 6 year old says. I am going to be sad when he makes that final cross over into the 'real' world.
I will be looking for my granddaughter to keep that portal open ...
Updates on the Lydia Schatz's case
This is an update on the Lydia Schatz's case.
~~~Part one of this series on child abuse features the Lydia Schatz case and the connection to Michael Pearl and his teachings.
I haven't figured out how to link the video, so I have just linked to thatmom, and hope you can view it.
~~~Part one of this series on child abuse features the Lydia Schatz case and the connection to Michael Pearl and his teachings.
I haven't figured out how to link the video, so I have just linked to thatmom, and hope you can view it.
Tuesday, April 06, 2010
When you ...
When you think your kind words are all wasted ...
When you want to remember that our childrens feelings will always matter ...
When you think you are the only one who suffers ....
When you wonder if it's ever too late ...
When you think you no longer have a voice, think of who has, and then speak up, use yours to tell a darling child that some messages out there are so wrong.
God offers to every mind its choice between truth and repose. Take which you please - you can never have both.
~~~~Ralph Waldo Emerson
When you want to remember that our childrens feelings will always matter ...
When you think you are the only one who suffers ....
When you wonder if it's ever too late ...
When you think you no longer have a voice, think of who has, and then speak up, use yours to tell a darling child that some messages out there are so wrong.
God offers to every mind its choice between truth and repose. Take which you please - you can never have both.
~~~~Ralph Waldo Emerson
Monday, April 05, 2010
Message to the Tea Partyist
Geesh, honest, I am not really like all about politics, but lately my mind seems to find keep finding things that get me thinking about them ~
The following is copied and pasted from the internet from a site in a comments section at the Huffington Post. I thought it was very good food for thought. And I am hungry for understanding of what is going on in America today, as so much of it just does not make sense to me!
so here it is ~~ I take no credit for it, but I am not going to be shy about passing it along:
You didn't get mad when the Supreme Court stopped a legal recount and appointed a President.
You didn't get mad when Cheney allowed Energy company officials to dictate
energy policy.
You didn't get mad when a covert CIA operative got outed.
You didn't get mad when the Patriot Act got passed.
You didn't get mad when we illegally invaded a country that posed no threat to us.
You didn't get mad when we spent over 600 billion (and counting) on said illegal war.
You didn't get mad when over 10 billion dollars just disappeared in Iraq.
You didn't get mad when you found out we were torturing people.
You didn't get mad when the government was illegally wiretapping Americans.
You didn't get mad when we didn't catch Bin Laden.
You didn't get mad when you saw the horrible conditions at Walter Reed.
You didn't get mad when we let a major US city, New Orleans, drown.
You didn't get mad when we gave a 900 billion tax break to the rich.
You didn't get mad when the deficit hit the trillion dollar mark.
You finally got mad when the government decided that people in America deserved the right to see a doctor if they are sick. Yes, illegal wars, lies, corruption, torture, stealing your tax dollars to make the rich richer, are all okay with you, but helping other Americans...oh hell no.
The following is copied and pasted from the internet from a site in a comments section at the Huffington Post. I thought it was very good food for thought. And I am hungry for understanding of what is going on in America today, as so much of it just does not make sense to me!
so here it is ~~ I take no credit for it, but I am not going to be shy about passing it along:
You didn't get mad when the Supreme Court stopped a legal recount and appointed a President.
You didn't get mad when Cheney allowed Energy company officials to dictate
energy policy.
You didn't get mad when a covert CIA operative got outed.
You didn't get mad when the Patriot Act got passed.
You didn't get mad when we illegally invaded a country that posed no threat to us.
You didn't get mad when we spent over 600 billion (and counting) on said illegal war.
You didn't get mad when over 10 billion dollars just disappeared in Iraq.
You didn't get mad when you found out we were torturing people.
You didn't get mad when the government was illegally wiretapping Americans.
You didn't get mad when we didn't catch Bin Laden.
You didn't get mad when you saw the horrible conditions at Walter Reed.
You didn't get mad when we let a major US city, New Orleans, drown.
You didn't get mad when we gave a 900 billion tax break to the rich.
You didn't get mad when the deficit hit the trillion dollar mark.
You finally got mad when the government decided that people in America deserved the right to see a doctor if they are sick. Yes, illegal wars, lies, corruption, torture, stealing your tax dollars to make the rich richer, are all okay with you, but helping other Americans...oh hell no.
Sunday, April 04, 2010
Teabonics?
I was just visiting over at boremetotears ...
and read about Teabonics.
Are we serious here? Seriously ... Teabonics?
I have no explanation.
I do not understand what is going on.
I can't wait to see how, in the name of all things normal, that the history books are going to deal with this period of sheer ignorance.
Are they going to post these photos in the history books?
These people say they are going to take America back? Looks like they already are...going backwards that is, to a time when we couldn't think and couldn't spell.
Speechless. I am .... speechless.
Better to remain silent and be thought a fool than to speak out and remove all doubt.
~Abraham Lincoln
and read about Teabonics.
Are we serious here? Seriously ... Teabonics?
I have no explanation.
I do not understand what is going on.
I can't wait to see how, in the name of all things normal, that the history books are going to deal with this period of sheer ignorance.
Are they going to post these photos in the history books?
These people say they are going to take America back? Looks like they already are...going backwards that is, to a time when we couldn't think and couldn't spell.
Speechless. I am .... speechless.
Better to remain silent and be thought a fool than to speak out and remove all doubt.
~Abraham Lincoln
Friday, April 02, 2010
Wicked awful...
...that's how I feel. Got this cold or something, and I wish to thank the general public. People are so free with their germs. They just cough, cough, cough anywhere and everywhere. Gosh, people, can you not use some real common sense? Cough into your sleeve or better yet stay home. And stop sneezing in public, too. Idiots. (I have a tendency to use the word Idiot when I don't feel well...)
No matter where you go or what you do, you live your entire life within the confines of your head. ~Terry Josephson
Wouldn't it be funny if Wolf Blitzer worked for Fox News? They could call it the Animal Channel.
Why do people say that wine has to breath? Who is out there trying to make wine die?
Is Glenn Beck only here on this earth for Jon Stewart. Jon Stewart is the only one who can explain him really well. And why is Glenn Beck so Grossly Bigoted? Just askin' ...He says some very strange stuff, IMHO. I just don't get him, at all, not even a little twinky winky bit.
The fly that doesn't want to be swatted is most secure when it lights on the fly-swatter.
~G.C. Lichtenberg
Jon Stewart is on the Daily Show with more real fake news than anyone. And, why is it called the Daily Show if it's not on daily?
Yesterday, I told someone the (very old) joke about 'not driving on driveways, and not parking on parkways,' and they said, 'wait...what?' I felt like I had just dropped into another universe.
No matter where you go or what you do, you live your entire life within the confines of your head. ~Terry Josephson
Wouldn't it be funny if Wolf Blitzer worked for Fox News? They could call it the Animal Channel.
Why do people say that wine has to breath? Who is out there trying to make wine die?
Is Glenn Beck only here on this earth for Jon Stewart. Jon Stewart is the only one who can explain him really well. And why is Glenn Beck so Grossly Bigoted? Just askin' ...He says some very strange stuff, IMHO. I just don't get him, at all, not even a little twinky winky bit.
The fly that doesn't want to be swatted is most secure when it lights on the fly-swatter.
~G.C. Lichtenberg
Jon Stewart is on the Daily Show with more real fake news than anyone. And, why is it called the Daily Show if it's not on daily?
Yesterday, I told someone the (very old) joke about 'not driving on driveways, and not parking on parkways,' and they said, 'wait...what?' I felt like I had just dropped into another universe.
I know I am Older Than Jackson Browne, but seriously, I am stepping into another zone on the spectrum. I am looking around and seeing a lot of stupid people doing and saying a lot of stupid stuff. What is up with that? What are these people reading? And why are they texting while they drive?
Do we need legislation on reading materials to mark something 'drivel' 'lies' 'exaggerated stories' "stuff messing with your mind to scare you', or 'just plain bull-hockey' and, 'do not read this while driving? Whoops! Even musing that thought makes me an 'ist' person! (You can fill in the social-fasci-mark-whatever- in front of the 'ist').
The obscure we see eventually. The completely obvious, it seems, takes longer.
~Edward R. Murrow
I have to laugh at the 'government is getting to big' comments....well, duh~! -- the population is getting big-ger, so ergo, more representation, more ideas from our representatives, more legislation, more needs, and more people trying hard to find ways to do shady things (and that's on both sides - the politicians and the people. And the worse things happen when the politicians and the corporations get together! Oh wait, they gave that a name, right? -- lobbying? ...) But all that, does not mean, We Cannot Have Health Care for Everyone. Grow up, people. Learn to be kind to your neighbor.
I have always thought the actions of men the best interpreters of their thoughts. ~John Locke
Okay ~ blather, blather, insult, idiot ...I don't feel well, and should not be spewing my thoughts out at this time. I think I'll go smell some roses or something. Or maybe study an ant mound.
We are more often treacherous through weakness than through calculation.
~Francois De La Rochefoucauld
Alice came to a fork in the road. "Which road do I take?" she asked.
"Where do you want to go?" responded the Cheshire cat.
"I don't know," Alice answered.
"Then," said the cat, "it doesn't matter."
~Lewis Carroll, Alice in Wonderland
Thursday, April 01, 2010
My Friend Doug Barnett
Do you like music? Music that will make you smile? Then check out Doug Barnett~! I love this guy.
You will find that I have written a song with Doug called End of The Dirt Road with me furnishing the thoughts and Doug putting his magic on making it a real song~ by adding the (great) music and some very, very important lyrics to complete my ever wondering thoughts.
One of the coolest things that ever happened to me was meeting Doug over at Jacksons Cafe.
I guess we've been friends, gosh ~ about 7 years now? I don't know. But he is one of the most clever people I have ever met!
Have a great day, Doug!!
You will find that I have written a song with Doug called End of The Dirt Road with me furnishing the thoughts and Doug putting his magic on making it a real song~ by adding the (great) music and some very, very important lyrics to complete my ever wondering thoughts.
One of the coolest things that ever happened to me was meeting Doug over at Jacksons Cafe.
I guess we've been friends, gosh ~ about 7 years now? I don't know. But he is one of the most clever people I have ever met!
Have a great day, Doug!!
A Thought for Thursday 2010
Exercise and Diet
Unhealthy lifestyles are rooted in the mind and seeded in the soul. The spiritual exercise of the mind involves taking the mind out of the physical body and to the subtle, angelic body of light and then to our state of being a soul - a sentient point of light and power. As for diet control, pure thoughts are the healthy diet for the mind.
Creative thoughts are like vitamins and positive thoughts provide proteins that build will power, while thoughts of serving others are like carbohydrates, which provide energy for the mind.
...From the Thought for Today site.
I really enjoy this site. I have them email something to me every day.
I have grown up in the home of negativity and fear. And I am "so done with that" as the youth of today might phrase it. I was fortunate enough to come close to the knowledge of what positive emotions can do for your life while I was parenting my children. They seem to be doing okay. They seem balanced.
Balance of the mind, body and spirit is important to me. I think if one leans to far in either direction, then things will become out of focus. And if one finds themselves leaning, one should stay quiet, don't comment, don't become engaged ...Relax and let your mind find it's way back to balance.
Be the grasshopper until you become the Zen Master. The Zen Master does not concern himself with which way the hose is facing, only that he has the hose in the hand and knows the knowledge of how to use it will come if one is patient long enough.
Sunday, March 28, 2010
Things in the news
1. Why is Scott Brown, Senator from Massachusetts, lying about Rachael Maddow, an MSNBC news commentator? What made him continue to lie the first time he was confronted with the truth?...
And still, after he was confronted -again- he still continues to lie!! If you don't like the links I posted, just goggle - Scott Brown still lying ...you will get plenty of links.
And still, after he was confronted -again- he still continues to lie!! If you don't like the links I posted, just goggle - Scott Brown still lying ...you will get plenty of links.
2. Why are people afraid of everyone having access to health care? Why does anyone _not_ want a child or an old person to have health care that is affordable? Why do people want children with preexisting conditions to not have health care?
Do people _not_ think, that in this day and age, ....that we could _not_ function in a society who cares for its sick _without_ becoming a country lead by a Hitler?
So, there is no maturity that can be experienced in this world today? We are not educated enough, enlightened enough, kind enough, good enough, wise enough, caring enough to allow the people in our country to have health care without selling out to fascist/socialist/whateverist county?
Do people _not_ think, that in this day and age, ....that we could _not_ function in a society who cares for its sick _without_ becoming a country lead by a Hitler?
So, there is no maturity that can be experienced in this world today? We are not educated enough, enlightened enough, kind enough, good enough, wise enough, caring enough to allow the people in our country to have health care without selling out to fascist/socialist/whateverist county?
3. Did you know that having your tonsils out means that now you have a preexisting condition and now anything that happens to your body that may need medical treatment that happens any where near your tonsils will not be covered? Ask me, I know this.
4. Why does Sarah Palin talk about guns, reloading, and cross hairs and fighting and then say she doesn't mean anything related to violence?
Former vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin had some harsh words for her detractors in the health care debate with a thinly veiled, March Madness-themed Facebook post in which she declared, "never retreat, instead RELOAD!"
Why does she put herself in a situation to have to defend all the words she uses, words like these:
As a woman, I have to say ~ she does not represent me.
Like a lot of other politicians, she has decided to shout the standard party 'one liners' and the 4 or 5 bullet points that her political party is marketing and using them over and over again as the answers to everything. They are inciting anger, not inciting thinking.
Why isn't her advice to Get Educated, Get Smarter? Why isn't she encouraging those who follow her to learn about the issues and get involved with something other than stock sentences to yell at the camera when they are at a rally? She totally puzzles me. It seems there are better ways to use ones' power. But perhaps, if she got people to think ~ she would lose that power.
A leader leads by example, whether he intends to or not. ~Author Unknown
5. When trouble arises and things look bad, there is always one individual who perceives a solution and is willing to take command. Very often, that person is crazy. ~Dave Barry, "Things That It Took Me 50 Years to Learn"
Former vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin had some harsh words for her detractors in the health care debate with a thinly veiled, March Madness-themed Facebook post in which she declared, "never retreat, instead RELOAD!"
She wrote about using "strong weapons" and "big guns" to drive to the basket. She urged teams to "shoot with accuracy; aim high and remember it takes blood, sweat and tears to win." She says "bombing through the press" is part of what teams must do to help reach their goals.
"To the teams that desire making it this far next year: Gear up! In the battle, set your sights on next season's targets! From the shot across the bow - the first second's tip-off - your leaders will be in the enemy's crosshairs, so you must execute strong defensive tactics," she wrote. "You won't win only playing defense, so get on offense!"
"If the other side tries to push back," she added later, "your attitude should be 'go for it.' Get in their faces and argue with them."
Read more: http://www.star-telegram.com/2010/03/29/2075005/palin-takes-on-language-police.html#ixzz0jkypuDtO
As a woman, I have to say ~ she does not represent me.
Like a lot of other politicians, she has decided to shout the standard party 'one liners' and the 4 or 5 bullet points that her political party is marketing and using them over and over again as the answers to everything. They are inciting anger, not inciting thinking.
Why isn't her advice to Get Educated, Get Smarter? Why isn't she encouraging those who follow her to learn about the issues and get involved with something other than stock sentences to yell at the camera when they are at a rally? She totally puzzles me. It seems there are better ways to use ones' power. But perhaps, if she got people to think ~ she would lose that power.
A leader leads by example, whether he intends to or not. ~Author Unknown
5. When trouble arises and things look bad, there is always one individual who perceives a solution and is willing to take command. Very often, that person is crazy. ~Dave Barry, "Things That It Took Me 50 Years to Learn"
Thursday, March 25, 2010
"86,400 Seconds"
"Imagine there is a bank that credits your account each morning with £86,400. Every evening whatever part of the balance you fail to use during the day is deleted. What would you do? Draw out every penny and use it well, of course!!! Each of us has such a bank - Its name is TIME. Every morning, it credits you with 86,400 seconds. Invest the day's deposits well, or the loss is yours. How could you bring the most contentment, happiness and benefit to yourself and others? The clock is running."
Quote from Thought for Today website
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
A Wednesday List
1. I do post in random streams of consciousness. I don't post everything I think because sometimes that stream comes while I am washing dishes and then 'boom! like that!' it is gone. Sometimes it comes again, sometimes not...Sometimes it comes again at a stop light.
2. In my relationship I often find myself caught between the Catch and the 22 ... that is, I catch myself asking my husband 22 times to do something because I am forgetting that silence from him is actually an answer. I just don't always know what that answer is...
3. Found this quote today on the Daily OM sight --
"Our own sense of the truth, is the most important piece when taking in information from external sources." --
and yes, that is what people mostly forget to do. It is part of what is called, "thinking" ...
I read a lot. I read a lot of stuff written by the "experts" ...and I have found, as I have gotten older, that sometimes it might take me a while to figure out what it is I actually know about the subject, but sometimes, I realize, I know a whole heck of a lot more than I thought I did.
So don't take anything at face value, run it through your thinking process and make it real to you. Understand what it is you know, and why you think you know it ~
and for heavens sake, understand that You are You and I am I and He is He and She is She and not everyone thinks alike. If you learn anything, learn that.
4. Forgive everyone. You are not perfect and neither am I, or they or them.
5. Pray or meditate on good things. Good things for yourself and for everyone you know. Especially if you are aware of a friend in need; whether it be a monetary need or an emotional need, or any kind of something they might be lacking, pray for good things to come.
6. Always be kind. Always. No excuses. I know there are days I have failed at this, and I know I am always sorry. Just sayin' ...
7. Believe that something good is bound to happen. It always will. Your turn will come. Be ready.
2. In my relationship I often find myself caught between the Catch and the 22 ... that is, I catch myself asking my husband 22 times to do something because I am forgetting that silence from him is actually an answer. I just don't always know what that answer is...
3. Found this quote today on the Daily OM sight --
"Our own sense of the truth, is the most important piece when taking in information from external sources." --
and yes, that is what people mostly forget to do. It is part of what is called, "thinking" ...
I read a lot. I read a lot of stuff written by the "experts" ...and I have found, as I have gotten older, that sometimes it might take me a while to figure out what it is I actually know about the subject, but sometimes, I realize, I know a whole heck of a lot more than I thought I did.
So don't take anything at face value, run it through your thinking process and make it real to you. Understand what it is you know, and why you think you know it ~
and for heavens sake, understand that You are You and I am I and He is He and She is She and not everyone thinks alike. If you learn anything, learn that.
4. Forgive everyone. You are not perfect and neither am I, or they or them.
5. Pray or meditate on good things. Good things for yourself and for everyone you know. Especially if you are aware of a friend in need; whether it be a monetary need or an emotional need, or any kind of something they might be lacking, pray for good things to come.
6. Always be kind. Always. No excuses. I know there are days I have failed at this, and I know I am always sorry. Just sayin' ...
7. Believe that something good is bound to happen. It always will. Your turn will come. Be ready.
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
In the words of Forest Gump..."It happens."
I had heard the bubbling a few days prior, but there was so much going on, I just passed the information over to my husband,
I said, "Honey, that toilet in there sounds like it's auditioning for a part in a Stephen King novel. It keeps bubbling when no one is around."
I can't pretend that my husband doesn't think I'm a little odd now and then, and most likely, because of all the stuff that was going on during the week - the wedding and company - he said, "I'll check it." And most likely, had to be called on to check on something else for someone else.
Then it happened.
Something really weird, out of nowhere, the toilet got the part in the movie (unbeknownst to Mr. King) and began bubbling forth that stuff that Forest Gump had stepped in -and the tub from one bathroom began to participate ... from here, I have no wish to cloud my mind with the details, but let's just say, I was shocked and dismayed and much, much Lysol was sprayed ...
However, I did not freak out. I mean, there was no point in that --
Then we found, the same as life is layered with every action equalling a reaction, the chain of horror continued because as we were dealing with what was going on in one bathroom ...
and you think you are safe ... you walk into another room, and your carpet in soaking wet ... and you stand puzzled for a minute, and then you realize something wicked this way came....you hesitate, look further and then do what all wives do....you call your husband's name~! (really loud)
I'll spare the in between, but the terrible ooze made its way to my mother in law's little cottage as well, as we are all on the same septic tank. But ,she is a woman of great faith and I believe God spared her the overflow.
Meanwhile, the carpets in two rooms ...died a horrible stinking death.
My husband said, "I'll get the rainbow and start working on getting this water out..."
Me, "Uh. No."
My husband, "Well, I suppose we could call a carpet company?"
Me, "No."
My husband, "Well, what then? We can't live with this. "
Me, "No, but we can live without this..."
He looked at me puzzled. "Dear," said I. "I know we have no money for new flooring, or even used flooring, but there is no rule that reaches our lives that says we can't throw this all away and have concrete floors until whenever..."
He nodded his head. Alrighty, then. Big pile of trash on the curb. (And don't think moving furniture from two rooms isn't difficult when you live in a tiny house...)
I lost several towels, two sets of flannel sheets and plenty of miscellaneous rag towels, but oh well, you know. I do regret that for reasons that make another story, my bed spread was on the floor, also, but, again, oh well.
So, that's it. Forest was right. It happens.
I said, "Honey, that toilet in there sounds like it's auditioning for a part in a Stephen King novel. It keeps bubbling when no one is around."
I can't pretend that my husband doesn't think I'm a little odd now and then, and most likely, because of all the stuff that was going on during the week - the wedding and company - he said, "I'll check it." And most likely, had to be called on to check on something else for someone else.
Then it happened.
Something really weird, out of nowhere, the toilet got the part in the movie (unbeknownst to Mr. King) and began bubbling forth that stuff that Forest Gump had stepped in -and the tub from one bathroom began to participate ... from here, I have no wish to cloud my mind with the details, but let's just say, I was shocked and dismayed and much, much Lysol was sprayed ...
However, I did not freak out. I mean, there was no point in that --
Then we found, the same as life is layered with every action equalling a reaction, the chain of horror continued because as we were dealing with what was going on in one bathroom ...
and you think you are safe ... you walk into another room, and your carpet in soaking wet ... and you stand puzzled for a minute, and then you realize something wicked this way came....you hesitate, look further and then do what all wives do....you call your husband's name~! (really loud)
I'll spare the in between, but the terrible ooze made its way to my mother in law's little cottage as well, as we are all on the same septic tank. But ,she is a woman of great faith and I believe God spared her the overflow.
Meanwhile, the carpets in two rooms ...died a horrible stinking death.
My husband said, "I'll get the rainbow and start working on getting this water out..."
Me, "Uh. No."
My husband, "Well, I suppose we could call a carpet company?"
Me, "No."
My husband, "Well, what then? We can't live with this. "
Me, "No, but we can live without this..."
He looked at me puzzled. "Dear," said I. "I know we have no money for new flooring, or even used flooring, but there is no rule that reaches our lives that says we can't throw this all away and have concrete floors until whenever..."
He nodded his head. Alrighty, then. Big pile of trash on the curb. (And don't think moving furniture from two rooms isn't difficult when you live in a tiny house...)
I lost several towels, two sets of flannel sheets and plenty of miscellaneous rag towels, but oh well, you know. I do regret that for reasons that make another story, my bed spread was on the floor, also, but, again, oh well.
So, that's it. Forest was right. It happens.
Monday, March 22, 2010
Some Official Wedding photos
Matthew Ennis was the professional photographer that photographed the wedding. If you click on his name, you will come to his site --
Then click Wedding and the names Bill and Adrienne will come up. Click that if it doesn't start.
I loved this photos -- and I love the song on his website.
Then click Wedding and the names Bill and Adrienne will come up. Click that if it doesn't start.
I loved this photos -- and I love the song on his website.
Sunday, March 21, 2010
The Wedding ~ (Not so great photos)
The above photo is my granddaughter having a good time at the reception.
This is a behind the scenes shot of the people taking pictures aside from the photographer which if you look closely, you might be able to find the fellow in there.
This was his first wedding. He is an accomplished photographer of other things, and I can't remember what they are right now, but the kids had found his ad which said he was looking for wedding experience to add to his resume, so if anyone would like their wedding shot for free - please call him. And since the budget was tight, that sounded like they might give it a try.
This next one is of my #2 son and my only daughter ~
... walking down the aisle together. She was actually freezing. This might be one of the few shots in which you can't tell. As you can see, the guys were casual as well. They were instructed to wear their shirts out and sandals. The girls also wore sandals.
And now the bride ~
Okay, well, someone had to dress up ~ this is a shot of my new daughter in law right after my son answered, "I do."
Behind her is the photographer.
If you look closely at the bride -- well, you might have to click on the photo -- you will see that she has a tear in her eye. She really does love my son.
My photos were not so great. I didn't have anything on the right settings. I really don't even know why I tried to take photos.
The wedding was simple and elegant, as I had mentioned before, featuring a sky that was clear with just the perfect amount of white streaks from the brush strokes of clouds. The breezes from the inter-coastal waters were cooler than we expected, but the day was just so beautiful no one will remember that it was windy and they were freezing.
My photos were not so great. I didn't have anything on the right settings. I really don't even know why I tried to take photos.
Saturday, March 20, 2010
Weddings are always wonderful
Yes, they are. My first born son and his lovely lady, who is now my wonderful daughter in law, were married yesterday. The wedding was simply done but just so elegant as simple always proves to be. It was an outside ceremony by the water.
But, I have to say ~ I am glad that is DONE ... and I mean that in a good way.
Everyone who has gone through a wedding knows there is always some crazy stuff going on behind the scenes. Life can't happen without the backstage commotion.
The guys and girls in the wedding party went out on St. Patrick's day. That was interesting. I stayed home with my granddaughter, but did not escape hearing the stories that came back.
I know there are some people out there who would be none to excited about hearing that their two sons came in second in the beer pong contest. But, it is not their normal activity, so I was not to freaked out, and since I have decided to live my life without regrets, I have moved on.
But, they all came back laughing and telling stories of how my boys are Irish, and since it was St. Paddy's day, the crowd was egging them on. And, I also know, they won't be doing that again for a long, long while! Their private lessons told them so.
Both my daughter in law and son had a great group of people as their attendants. The attendants were family and friends. Good friends, really good friends, and family is always precious. All brothers and sisters were in the wedding party. My son's best man was his best friend since 8th grade. I really enjoyed these 10 young people. They were all funny, kind, smart and witty and just so friendly.
And, different from each other! My son's two closest friends were telling me how different they are from my son. His friends are both Republicans and my son is a Democrat. They have different strategies and ideas for business and dealing with money investments and sports teams and some other such things I can't remember. But, they get along so great! One would never guess they hold such difference of opinions. It certainly can give one such hope for the world, you know?
I'll have to write up more details later as I remember them. My mind is still crawling back to find me. It's been in hiding for about a week.
But, I have to say ~ I am glad that is DONE ... and I mean that in a good way.
Everyone who has gone through a wedding knows there is always some crazy stuff going on behind the scenes. Life can't happen without the backstage commotion.
The guys and girls in the wedding party went out on St. Patrick's day. That was interesting. I stayed home with my granddaughter, but did not escape hearing the stories that came back.
I know there are some people out there who would be none to excited about hearing that their two sons came in second in the beer pong contest. But, it is not their normal activity, so I was not to freaked out, and since I have decided to live my life without regrets, I have moved on.
But, they all came back laughing and telling stories of how my boys are Irish, and since it was St. Paddy's day, the crowd was egging them on. And, I also know, they won't be doing that again for a long, long while! Their private lessons told them so.
Both my daughter in law and son had a great group of people as their attendants. The attendants were family and friends. Good friends, really good friends, and family is always precious. All brothers and sisters were in the wedding party. My son's best man was his best friend since 8th grade. I really enjoyed these 10 young people. They were all funny, kind, smart and witty and just so friendly.
And, different from each other! My son's two closest friends were telling me how different they are from my son. His friends are both Republicans and my son is a Democrat. They have different strategies and ideas for business and dealing with money investments and sports teams and some other such things I can't remember. But, they get along so great! One would never guess they hold such difference of opinions. It certainly can give one such hope for the world, you know?
I'll have to write up more details later as I remember them. My mind is still crawling back to find me. It's been in hiding for about a week.
Friday, March 19, 2010
If it's Friday ....
...I must be in the stress zone by now.
1. Today my #1 son is getting married. I tried really, really hard to take it easy through this week, but I'm the type of person who pushes that stress inward so basically I have a mouth full of cold sores!
It's nothing other than the way I am made. I stress for everyone around me and have a tendency to doubt myself. But in the end, I know all will be well and good, and that the things remembered about this day, this week, will only be the good things.
2. My husband has been a saint through all this. You know, sometimes, I get irritated by him and things he does ~ things that don't amount to a hill of beans but wives get silly about wanting their hanging plants moved ~
but, I have to say to the world, when my train is speeding down the track, my husband steps in like the zen master he is and switches my direction to safety mode without so much as creating a wave on the water. His way of stepping up next to me during these times is what makes us a most unique couple. I love him dearly.
Must go ~ time to get ready.
1. Today my #1 son is getting married. I tried really, really hard to take it easy through this week, but I'm the type of person who pushes that stress inward so basically I have a mouth full of cold sores!
It's nothing other than the way I am made. I stress for everyone around me and have a tendency to doubt myself. But in the end, I know all will be well and good, and that the things remembered about this day, this week, will only be the good things.
2. My husband has been a saint through all this. You know, sometimes, I get irritated by him and things he does ~ things that don't amount to a hill of beans but wives get silly about wanting their hanging plants moved ~
but, I have to say to the world, when my train is speeding down the track, my husband steps in like the zen master he is and switches my direction to safety mode without so much as creating a wave on the water. His way of stepping up next to me during these times is what makes us a most unique couple. I love him dearly.
Must go ~ time to get ready.
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
Why do you spank your child?
That's what I would like to ask parents who decide to spank. Why do you use that method of discipline? Each set of parents needs to answer this question for themselves. Spanking is such a major step in the relationship between a parent and a child, a parent really needs to consider the time to evaluate this question.
I want to start out the posts on this topic by clarifying - This is all Just My Humble Opinion. Some may think it is not so humble of me to say they should not spank under any circumstances, but at this point in my life, I have come to this opinion, and I stand behind it.
Who am I and where did I get this idea that spanking is wrong? I have thought about it and thought about it, and after what happened to Lydia Schatz, I have decided that I will lend my voice to say no to spanking. I realize that little Lydia was beaten to death, but from the information that has been provided so far, her parents had considered it a whipping or a spanking. But this is not about them directly. This is about spanking and not wanting to stand on the side of it being a correct form of discipline.
I have three grown children, one granddaughter (whom I write about on another blog, and I will write about how I discipline her and what is working and what is not). I have a great marriage. I have a great relationship with my children (ages 33, 23 and 20).
I have nieces, nephews, and great nephews. I have babysat and cared for all my nieces and nephews and great nephews, and have helped in the rearing of one great nephew. I am happy that I was allowed to be a part of his life. I love my family dearly, and they love me.
I love children and always have. I am endeared to them naturally. I help take care of my granddaughter and two of my nephews on a daily basis. I volunteer one day a week in a kindergarten class (I would volunteer more, if I had the time).
I am an observer of people and their interactions. I have read many books on interpersonal relationships and understanding life and am currently still reading these types of books and have had a long interest in how the brain does actually work. As the brain actually does work, you know, but it works by recording information that we put in it, which is then coupled with information that is hard wired in us. I believe we could say, we are all born with a pre-existing condition ~ a personality dealt to us by things beyond our control. Our DNA. Our blueprint, if you will.
But the situation is that we don't get a copy of this blueprint for our children. We are called upon to figure out who they are and what works out best for them in this job of bringing up our children. Each one of them is unique and individual from the beginning, from their first breath. They are separate beings from us, and we are responsible for them. They are separate beings from each other. No two are alike.
We, as parents or caregivers or teachers or anyone who interacts with or works with children, we who are anywhere near children, it is us who are putting things in their brains that will affect them for the rest of their lives. We are building a person. That is a great responsibility.
I did use the method of spanking my children for a brief time. So, I have asked myself, "Why did you do that?"
Answer: I thought I was supposed to do that. Just that simple. (Or just that stupid, if you prefer.) I was spanked (and pinched) in my upbringing. If I had it to do all over again, I would not have spanked my children. I listened to others instead of thinking for myself. I finally came to a point during the time I was raising my children that I said to myself, "you know, what? ...this is not what I want to do."
I had read James Dobson and learned about the spanking spoon at my church. I was around families at church who thought spanking was represented in God's word. One day someone handed me a book by the Pearl's. I didn't read it cover to cover. I felt there was something really wrong there. The whole picture of spanking began to seem wrong to me, and I stopped considering spanking as a punishment I would use.
So, for those who spank: Please ask yourselves ~
1. Where did I get the idea that spanking a child was a good thing?
2. Why would I think that taking an object and striking a child's body would be a correct form of discipline?
3. When I think my child is disobeying me, or having a tantrum, or extended his hand to touch something dangerous, like an electrical cord, why do I think that striking the child is the correct thing to do?
Whatever the reasons you might say yes to spanking, look into your own mind and heart and answer those questions for yourself. I would love to know the reasons why any parent feels they have to spank their child, strike their child, hit their child. I know what my reasons were, and I don't agree with any of them. I felt desperate to have good children and wanted to learn how to do this. I was foolish to think that spanking should be a part of that equation.
Perhaps you were spanked, and you are thinking, "well, I turned out okay, soooo..." And I say, "So what?" Is this little child you? Are you your parent? You are not your parent, and your little child in a new person. Think about a world where a child grows up and is not hit. Why not think about that? Why can't it be that way?"
Answer the questions honestly.
Each of you should decide for yourselves why you cannot consider or learn or choose an alternate method of discipline. Ask your yourselves, why do I have to spank? What is in my way that I can't learn to be more patient with my child and apply other forms of discipline or correction or teaching?
As I stated in another post ~ I am going to stand up against spanking, striking, hitting, whipping, swatting, paddling, or whatever it is one would call taking an object and administering pain to a child's body part. On that, I stand up and say "No". Do not do this. I encourage you to find a new method of discipline.
"Children are like wet cement. Whatever falls on them makes an impression."
Dr. Haim Ginott
I want to start out the posts on this topic by clarifying - This is all Just My Humble Opinion. Some may think it is not so humble of me to say they should not spank under any circumstances, but at this point in my life, I have come to this opinion, and I stand behind it.
Who am I and where did I get this idea that spanking is wrong? I have thought about it and thought about it, and after what happened to Lydia Schatz, I have decided that I will lend my voice to say no to spanking. I realize that little Lydia was beaten to death, but from the information that has been provided so far, her parents had considered it a whipping or a spanking. But this is not about them directly. This is about spanking and not wanting to stand on the side of it being a correct form of discipline.
I have three grown children, one granddaughter (whom I write about on another blog, and I will write about how I discipline her and what is working and what is not). I have a great marriage. I have a great relationship with my children (ages 33, 23 and 20).
I have nieces, nephews, and great nephews. I have babysat and cared for all my nieces and nephews and great nephews, and have helped in the rearing of one great nephew. I am happy that I was allowed to be a part of his life. I love my family dearly, and they love me.
I love children and always have. I am endeared to them naturally. I help take care of my granddaughter and two of my nephews on a daily basis. I volunteer one day a week in a kindergarten class (I would volunteer more, if I had the time).
I am an observer of people and their interactions. I have read many books on interpersonal relationships and understanding life and am currently still reading these types of books and have had a long interest in how the brain does actually work. As the brain actually does work, you know, but it works by recording information that we put in it, which is then coupled with information that is hard wired in us. I believe we could say, we are all born with a pre-existing condition ~ a personality dealt to us by things beyond our control. Our DNA. Our blueprint, if you will.
But the situation is that we don't get a copy of this blueprint for our children. We are called upon to figure out who they are and what works out best for them in this job of bringing up our children. Each one of them is unique and individual from the beginning, from their first breath. They are separate beings from us, and we are responsible for them. They are separate beings from each other. No two are alike.
We, as parents or caregivers or teachers or anyone who interacts with or works with children, we who are anywhere near children, it is us who are putting things in their brains that will affect them for the rest of their lives. We are building a person. That is a great responsibility.
I did use the method of spanking my children for a brief time. So, I have asked myself, "Why did you do that?"
Answer: I thought I was supposed to do that. Just that simple. (Or just that stupid, if you prefer.) I was spanked (and pinched) in my upbringing. If I had it to do all over again, I would not have spanked my children. I listened to others instead of thinking for myself. I finally came to a point during the time I was raising my children that I said to myself, "you know, what? ...this is not what I want to do."
I had read James Dobson and learned about the spanking spoon at my church. I was around families at church who thought spanking was represented in God's word. One day someone handed me a book by the Pearl's. I didn't read it cover to cover. I felt there was something really wrong there. The whole picture of spanking began to seem wrong to me, and I stopped considering spanking as a punishment I would use.
So, for those who spank: Please ask yourselves ~
1. Where did I get the idea that spanking a child was a good thing?
2. Why would I think that taking an object and striking a child's body would be a correct form of discipline?
3. When I think my child is disobeying me, or having a tantrum, or extended his hand to touch something dangerous, like an electrical cord, why do I think that striking the child is the correct thing to do?
Whatever the reasons you might say yes to spanking, look into your own mind and heart and answer those questions for yourself. I would love to know the reasons why any parent feels they have to spank their child, strike their child, hit their child. I know what my reasons were, and I don't agree with any of them. I felt desperate to have good children and wanted to learn how to do this. I was foolish to think that spanking should be a part of that equation.
Perhaps you were spanked, and you are thinking, "well, I turned out okay, soooo..." And I say, "So what?" Is this little child you? Are you your parent? You are not your parent, and your little child in a new person. Think about a world where a child grows up and is not hit. Why not think about that? Why can't it be that way?"
Answer the questions honestly.
Each of you should decide for yourselves why you cannot consider or learn or choose an alternate method of discipline. Ask your yourselves, why do I have to spank? What is in my way that I can't learn to be more patient with my child and apply other forms of discipline or correction or teaching?
As I stated in another post ~ I am going to stand up against spanking, striking, hitting, whipping, swatting, paddling, or whatever it is one would call taking an object and administering pain to a child's body part. On that, I stand up and say "No". Do not do this. I encourage you to find a new method of discipline.
"Children are like wet cement. Whatever falls on them makes an impression."
Dr. Haim Ginott
Monday, March 15, 2010
Spanking for discipline?
On a serious note, I have been reading around the blogs about the issue of spanking since the death of 7 year old Lydia Schatz, whipped to death by her parents who are now charged with murder. Just google her name, and you will come upon a multitude of links talking about this.
This awful happening has brought up the issue of spanking on a lot of blogs. Spanking - yes? or Spanking - no?
I say, 'no' ~ not under any circumstances. I'll post more of my thoughts later when I have more time. But, I do want to be a voice that might persuade people to think of another way to discipline, so I will get to it.
A lot of people with opinions about spanking have no more credentials than I do. They are just parents reading a book that says something about what someone else thinks, or grandparents, or aunts or uncles, or people who have lived ~~
Some of the people who write books that people are reading to help them make the decision to spank really have no more education on this matter than I do.
So, that said ~ I'll be giving my thoughts on the matter, if for no one else but the future generations of my family who will be read this blog.
This awful happening has brought up the issue of spanking on a lot of blogs. Spanking - yes? or Spanking - no?
I say, 'no' ~ not under any circumstances. I'll post more of my thoughts later when I have more time. But, I do want to be a voice that might persuade people to think of another way to discipline, so I will get to it.
A lot of people with opinions about spanking have no more credentials than I do. They are just parents reading a book that says something about what someone else thinks, or grandparents, or aunts or uncles, or people who have lived ~~
Some of the people who write books that people are reading to help them make the decision to spank really have no more education on this matter than I do.
So, that said ~ I'll be giving my thoughts on the matter, if for no one else but the future generations of my family who will be read this blog.
Why I have so little time right now...
Hah! That's how I feel! Like there are two babies running around here. I cannot imagine how people with lots of babies do manage. They are blessed though, truly.
1. This past weekend there was much activity in my yard. My yard looks great, but I still have this insatiable need for more flowers. I put in different species of butterfly plants. Right now, I have no home set up for hatching the caterpillars, so I have been taking them to the school, and they are taking care of them. I have several species to it gets interesting and beautiful out there.
2. One of the reasons for the extra yard activity is that #1 son is getting married this Friday. Family and friends have started coming in today. Busy, busy, busy, lots of smiling and hugging. I cannot believe I am already tired!
3. I rarely have a week in which every day has something already in it, and now this week, I have things added to the things that have been added to the things of the things already in the week~! My calendar looks like a cave painting!! Please don't ask me to even pencil you in!!
Sunday, March 14, 2010
A Wednesday List
1. I do post in random streams of consciousness. I don't post everything I think because sometimes that stream comes while I am washing dishes and then 'boom! like that!' it is gone. Sometimes it comes again, sometimes not...Sometimes it comes again at a stop light.
2. In my relationship I often find myself caught between the Catch and the 22 ... that is, I catch myself asking my husband 22 times to do something because I am forgetting that silence from him is actually an answer. I just don't always know what that answer is...
3. Found this quote today on the Daily OM sight --
"Our own sense of the truth, is the most important piece when taking in information from external sources." --
and yes, that is what people mostly forget to do. It is part of what is called, "thinking" ...
I read a lot. I read a lot of stuff written by the "experts" ...and I have found, as I have gotten older, that sometimes it might take me a while to figure out what it is I actually know about the subject, but sometimes, I realize, I know a whole heck of a lot more than I thought I did.
So don't take anything at face value, run it through your thinking process and make it real to you. Understand what it is you know, and why you think you know it ~
and for heavens sake, understand that You are You and I am I and He is He and She is She and not everyone thinks alike. If you learn anything, learn that.
4. Forgive everyone. You are not perfect and neither am I, or they or them.
5. Pray or meditate on good things. Good things for yourself and for everyone you know. Especially if you are aware of a friend in need; whether it be a monetary need or an emotional need, or any kind of something they might be lacking, pray for good things to come.
6. Always be kind. Always. No excuses. I know there are days I have failed at this, and I know I am always sorry. Just sayin' ...
7. Believe that something good is bound to happen. It always will. Your turn will come. Be ready.
2. In my relationship I often find myself caught between the Catch and the 22 ... that is, I catch myself asking my husband 22 times to do something because I am forgetting that silence from him is actually an answer. I just don't always know what that answer is...
3. Found this quote today on the Daily OM sight --
"Our own sense of the truth, is the most important piece when taking in information from external sources." --
and yes, that is what people mostly forget to do. It is part of what is called, "thinking" ...
I read a lot. I read a lot of stuff written by the "experts" ...and I have found, as I have gotten older, that sometimes it might take me a while to figure out what it is I actually know about the subject, but sometimes, I realize, I know a whole heck of a lot more than I thought I did.
So don't take anything at face value, run it through your thinking process and make it real to you. Understand what it is you know, and why you think you know it ~
and for heavens sake, understand that You are You and I am I and He is He and She is She and not everyone thinks alike. If you learn anything, learn that.
4. Forgive everyone. You are not perfect and neither am I, or they or them.
5. Pray or meditate on good things. Good things for yourself and for everyone you know. Especially if you are aware of a friend in need; whether it be a monetary need or an emotional need, or any kind of something they might be lacking, pray for good things to come.
6. Always be kind. Always. No excuses. I know there are days I have failed at this, and I know I am always sorry. Just sayin' ...
7. Believe that something good is bound to happen. It always will. Your turn will come. Be ready.
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