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Happy New Year

2012-01-08T07:42:00.001-06:00

Well, so far, it's been uneventful which is exactly how I like it. Last year was a mess. An emotional roller coaster that wore me the fuck OUT. I'm not looking for a repeat.

I've been reading all of the New Year's Resolutions that people are making. "I resolve to lose weight or I resolve to eat less sugar or I resolve to...blah blah blah. My resolution? I resolve to be a grumpy hardass on only the days ending in Y. How's that? I'm pretty sure I can keep that one. There are some I'd like to give a go at such as not eating sugar and refined white flour and white rice. I'll give a go at not yelling at my children or spouse. I'll give a go at have more compassion at work which means I'll be sympathetic when I fire someone. I'll still fire them but I'll have feelings about it. I'll give a go at not worrying about money and bills. There is no debtors prison anymore so what's the worst that can happen? I know how to live in a tent.

Moving on....

My horoscope for this year keeps talking about movement in my career. Whatever. Not seeing that happen because that would require that some people in my group leave and I don't see that happening for a long time soooooooooo.....

Anyway, it's a new year. I have good friends and a good family. My boys aren't in jail and haven't gotten anybody pregnant so I'm grateful for that. I have a spouse that is still managing to run the household and do meaningful volunteer work which is remarkable. All in all, I'm pretty happy even though I don't wear that happiness on my shirt sleeve. No, that spot on my shirt sleeve is probably hotwing sauce.

I do have one wish and that is to be funny. Making people laugh is a good thing. I'll work on that. On days ending in Y. Those Y days are filling up with busy work already. Jeez

Huh

2011-08-26T06:11:00.002-05:00

That's just how this day feels. So far, anyway. It's early.

I have managed to finish painting the back of the house. Now, that doesn't mean the eaves, just the main part of the siding and I have no intentions of apologizing for not painting the eaves. Who looks at them anyway? All that's left is the front part of the house then to tidy up the trim because let's just face it. I was a little sloppy. You would be too up on a 24' rickety aluminum ladder. I inherited it somehow. I don't even remember how I got it. Doesn't matter because I need a new sturdier one to be safe.

More ramble.

I think that tonight I'll light a fire in the firepit and watch what we call camp tv. Why is fire so mesmerizing? it's almost hypnotic. Maybe it's the constant movement of the flames. Maybe it's the color. Maybe it's the heat. Maybe it's what it represents to our deep, evolving psyche. Fire helped to civilize us. Or so we're taught. I wonder sometimes if we're civilized yet. Look at what we do to each other and are doing to our planet. That's not civilized.

What IS civilized anyway? Using the proper fork? Maybe. Or maybe that's just manners and we should never mistake one for the other. Hitler knew which was the appetizer fork and yet look what he did to his fellow humans.

Civilized. According to webster,

adjective

having an advanced or humane culture, society, etc. (There's your arts, music, proper fork and knife and books)

polite; well-bred; refined. (Soooooo, bubba swamp person can't be civilized? Hardly.)

of or pertaining to civilized people: The civilized world must fight ignorance. (Ignorance of what? To listen to some politicians, half the population is ignorant and must be told what to think and how to act. God KNOWS that women are incapable of making their own decisions about their own bodies and God FORBID that we should hold the men just as responsible. Unless I'm mistaken, there is only one virgin pregnancy. Takes sperm to fertilize that egg so why aren't we screaming at the men and boys to wrap that thing up and be responsible? Because, people, everybody knows that women are the most powerful beings on the planet. One flash of poonany and men just lose their minds. They kill for it. They compromise their careers for it. They destroy nations for it. They write books and music and plays and movies about it. They can't control themselves because of it. Ladies...we should harness this power. Let's meet later over coffee and discuss it. Men. Ignorant fools.)

4.easy to manage or control; well organized or ordered: The car is quiet and civilized, even in sharp turns. (Well look at that. "Easy to manage or control." "Well organized or ordered." This may be why the Occupy folks scare so many civilized people. This may be why they have some politicians and rich bankers upset. They're.....say it.............unCIVILIZED........gasp. I'll bet that many in that group know what fork to use, are polite, well-bred--whatever THAT means-- and refined--whatever THAT means. And still, they are uncivilized, according to some. They are shaking and questioning the status quo. They are not easy to manage. They are not well organized (though some are getting better at it) and they are not ordered. Chaos. Chaos scares us because it's uncivilized.)

We kill each other. Steal food from each other. Subjugate each other and yet we have the audacity to call ourselves civilized.

Thanks. I'll pass. I can do without the culture and refinement if that's what makes me fit society's idea of civilized, if that's what lumps me in with those who are wreaking havoc on this planet and those who live on it.

Give me a fire and turkey leg and I'm happy.

Florida Bound

2011-07-16T07:16:00.000-05:00

Seems like forever since we were there last but it's been only since March. Time for me to recharge again. I am drawn inexplicably to the ocean. I think it's the sensations of the sound and wind and rocking of the water, the rhythmic crashing of the waves and how they make smooth the roughness of the sand. In some ways they bring order to the chaos of the tiny grains. They wash away the footprints of those who walk by.

Life is chaos and I don't know about you but I do things--mundane things--to bring order to that chaos. Loading the dishwasher kills the chaos of the kitchen and the mess of feeding the family. Ironing kills the chaos of the wrinkles on the cloths. It puts sharp crisp lines in the pants where wrinkles and muss once were. Getting work off my desk brings order to the chaos of dealing with the mess of employees and humans in general.

Humans create chaos although almost every single one will tell you they hate it. They will tell you--myself included--that they prefer an ordered life and yet we do things that shake up that ordered life.

We have children. There's chaos multiplied. They are messy both physically and emotionally. We have husbands and wives and partners. They are messy. Some take on extra lovers. There's a mess and all the while we keep saying we prefer order. Crazy ain't it?

Life is messy. Life is chaotic. Human need the chaos to thrive. Put an animal in a cage with nothing to do and watch it go slowly crazy. Put a human in a cage with defined structure and order and watch it go crazy. Watch that human do something to create chaos. We aren't wired to do the same thing day in and day out. We need change. We need chaos.

Love is messy but we need it. We crave it. It's probably the most chaotic of all. It makes us crazy. We do things we wouldn't normally do. We fight. We make up after the fight. We do things to pick fights just so we can make up. We laugh and cry and get frustrated enough to chew our shoes. And yet, we look for it over and over as if we keep trying to find the perfect chaos.

We need chaos. But we also need something that gives us the illusion that we are taming that chaos. Conquering that chaos. For me, it's the ocean. It's ironing or cleaning the kitchen or hugging my children or hugging my wife. For those few moments I've killed the chaos monster knowing full well that in the next 2 minutes something will happen and the chaos monster will return.

I'm alive and I know it because chaos makes me feel it. Finding order makes me strong enough to defeat it and face it again.

Ran and Haslam Sitting in a Tree...

2011-06-12T06:15:00.001-05:00

They're both jackasses.

Ron is crowing about this

http://www.tennessean.com/article/20110611/NEWS/306110040/TN-Planned-Parenthood-chapters-stripped-federal-funding

Nothing to crow about. How many jobs has our legislature created? What? I can't hear you. Oh...NONE. That's right you jackwagon Ronnnnn....NONE and now you're defunding a program that helps stop creating people who need those jobs YOU'VE DONE NOTHING TO CREATE.

Tennessee is slipping back to the 50's. Look out women. Look out teachers. Look out people who post pictures to the web. Big Daddy is watching.

Fuckers.

Has Facebook Killed the Blog?

2011-06-12T05:58:00.002-05:00

Didn't someone once ask, "Has video killed the radio star?"

Not really. Just changed them somehow. Facebook is more immediate than blogging which may be dangerous. On facebook, I can easily put my foot in my mouth many times a day because it IS so easy to publish what comes to one's mind. Here, I have to think about it a little bit which gives my mind's filter time to kick in.

My rant today is brought to you by the sugar cartel. A wholy owned subsidiary of and heavily subsidized by the federal government entity.

They're fuckers.

They're insidious.

Sugar is everywhere and now that I have to be aware and not put any refined sugar in my body I have to spend precious time looking for it in places that one shouldn't have to look.

For instance (not that I should be eating any of this either) it's in commercially prepared bread only they call it high fructose corn syrup and now they're calling it corn sugar. Sounds kinda like corn whiskey. Corn sugar. Say it with me and see how easily and sweetly it rolls off your tongue...corn sugar. Whisper it....corn sugar.

Bastards.

It's in hot dog buns, hamburger buns, sliced bread. Those supposedly healthy high fiber breakfast muffins--loaded with it. I'm even having to ask in restaurants if they put it in their greens or spaghetti because many southern restaurants do. I've become sensitive to the taste.

Commercially prepared meat rubs have it. Frozen juice concentrates have it. Aren't fruits sweet enough already? It's bloody fucking everywhere and it's wrecking my health. I'm mad as hell and not going to take it anymore.

Read your labels people. Anything ending is ose is sugar. It's in McDonald's biscuits for god's sake.

And I'm pissed that I have to be aware of it now. Getting older sucks a big one....not that I've ever sucked a big one because that's...well...gross.

I'm going to cook me a hamburger for breakfast and use my own meat seasoning with no bun and homemade mayonnaise because even bacon has sugar in it.

Ugh

Touched a Nerve

2011-04-02T07:09:00.001-05:00

Apparently I did today. There was this exchange on Facebook today and I obviously touched a nerve with some of the posters. It's a little long but worth the read because it gives a real indication of how differently the races feel about what's going on with this Bobo case.

Don't get me wrong, this is a tragedy but where is the equal outrage and outcry when a minority or a male is taken? It isn't there. And for Haslam to toss in 50K towards the reward? Wow. Ok, so, I'll grant that the state tossed in money for the Lester Street murders but I'm thinking that was a different case. Children were murdered--brutally so--in that case. We're still not sure that Ms. Bobo is dead. Probably, but we're not sure.

I am struggling with this. Fortunately, she's a pretty white female so this case will be followed to the end. No so with victims who are not pretty white females. If you're black, latino, fat, ugly or male you may as well give it up. The press will get bored with you long before your case resolves.

And some of the posters call ME racists. Read below.

News Channel 3 Official Fan Page
http://www.wreg.com/news/wreg- bob-roadblock,0,4143528.story

Holly Bobo: Police Set Roadblocks

www.wreg.com

‎(Reuters) - Police set five roadblocks on Tuesday to uncover more leads in the nearly week-old disappearance of 20-year-old nursing student Holly Bobo that has shaken her small Tennessee hometown.

2:49pm (5 hours ago) · · · Share

- Meike Kogos A little late for that
  2:50pm (5 hours ago) · · 11 peopleReply
- Karen Foote Horton I hope and pray that they find her, but it is sounding more like another Natalie Hollaway to me.
  2:52pm (5 hours ago) · · 2 peopleReply
- Emily Morgan Still prayn for a safe return home!!! And for her family
  2:53pm (5 hours ago) · Reply
- Sammy Vaughn nice responce time.smh
  2:53pm (5 hours ago) · · 1 personReply
- Ginger Leonard I have to wonder if this case would be getting so much attention or reward money if the victim was NOT a pretty white female. Just sayin'
  2:55pm (5 hours ago) · · 6 peopleReply
- Megan Williams Why are they just now doing roadblocks after a week?!?!?
  2:55pm (5 hours ago) · · 3 peopleReply
- Gwenna Hicks Doty Wow Ginger Why would that make a difference on this???
  2:58pm (5 hours ago) · · 7 peopleReply
- Kim Weaver Oliver A little late for roadblocks!! I hope and pray they find her soon and she returns home safely!!
  3:03pm (5 hours ago) · · 1 personReply
- Helen Karl I think they are doing roadblocks to find people that could have passed by the area at the time of the abduction. Really to ask them if there was anything out of the ordinary, or if they noticed anything or anyone. People often follow the same route or routine and the people they are stopping today may be the same people that passed the home last week.
  3:03pm (5 hours ago) · Reply
- Chris Stephens
  Ginger. i hate that you brought that up and I hate it even more since you appear to be white. The reason this case is geting so much attention is because it's a slow news time AND because it's so weird. News always covers stories that are w...See More
  3:03pm (5 hours ago) · · 6 peopleReply
- Miriam Ann Deloach i agree Ginger....
  3:05pm (5 hours ago) · · 1 personReply
- Caleb Shockey ‎@Ginger Leonard,Your an inconsiderate idiot!
  3:09pm (5 hours ago) · · 1 personReply
- Caleb Shockey SAME TO YOU MRS. DELOACH!!!!IT DOESN'T MALE A DIFFERENCE IF SHES WHITE BLACK HISPANIC AR EVEN PURPLE I MEAN CIME THE F*** ON!
  3:11pm (5 hours ago) · Reply
- Caleb Shockey ‎*make
  3:15pm (4 hours ago) · Reply
- Becky Hooker Gestring
  Really?! There is a girl missing, everyone is doing everything they can to help find her safe, and y'all wanna pull the RACE card!? I believe you fail to see...its not about a skin color, its about a HUMAN BEING! Perhaps you should open you...See More
  3:28pm (4 hours ago) · · 3 peopleReply
- Ginger Leonard You are correct Becky. There is a girl missing and that's bad but where is this level of coverage when a black female goes missing? Or a male? I hope she's found safe but my wish is that every missing person regardless of race or gender would get this much attention or raise this much reward money. Fact is, it doesn't and that sickens me. Every life should be just as valuable as this one but they aren't.
  3:34pm (4 hours ago) · · 5 peopleReply
- Kim Cox Come on people.... you know people are going to say stupid things on here to get you all fired up! All you can do is pray for them and THANK God you are NOT like them!
  3:34pm (4 hours ago) · · 2 peopleReply
- Kristel Ray Metcalf Ginger, why would you make such a racist statement? Color is not the issue here. So sad.
  3:36pm (4 hours ago) · Reply
- Donnita Blakley
  Once again a imformative site is over shadowed by racist comments this is not about race this is about finding a young women and bringing her home to the people that love and care for her... People please out those silly racist and immature...See More
  3:39pm (4 hours ago) · · 1 personReply
- Ginger Leonard
  I'm racist? I want every life to be just as important as this one and I'M racist?? Step out from behind your lilly white walls for a moment and take a look at what is going on around you. Minority males and females go missing every day b...See More
  3:44pm (4 hours ago) · · 4 peopleReply
- Kristel Ray Metcalf Wow, sorry you have so much anger. I will pray for you.
  3:51pm (4 hours ago) · · 1 personReply
- Tracy Humphrey Crowe LORD HAVE MERCY!!!!!!!!
  3:55pm (4 hours ago) · Reply
- News Channel 3 Official Fan Page
  ‎@Ginger. We have done numerous stories about missing and murdered minorities. Unfortunately there are cases every day where people disappear but they do not get large scale attention. Right now there are two white teen girls missing but po...See More
  3:59pm (4 hours ago) · · 3 peopleReply
- LaTonya Anderson-Sullivan I agree with Ginger. Nothing is wrong with what she is saying. EQUALITY FOR ALL!
  4:00pm (4 hours ago) · · 4 peopleReply
- Lashunda Giles Brooks This is definitely a human.I understand both sides.People in her community are helping each other and most of the time only immediate family helps out. What I am curious to know is why Governor Haslam put so many thousands of dollars into this fund when education is lacking and they say they don't have the money to put into education! He gave $50 grand!WTW!
  4:00pm (4 hours ago) · Reply
- Courtney Pryor GINGER!! Would you like to know why black people do NOT get attention like white people do?? Because the majority of your color acts like complete idiots and cause themselves to get in that trouble. So why should we put in so much effort to find them if they cause themselves to go missing????
  4:00pm (4 hours ago) · · 1 personReply
- Miriam Ann Deloach Thank you C. Pryor for proving Gingers point. Thats why people dont want to see both sides because of people like you. Because of your statement now I could careless.
  4:05pm (4 hours ago) · · 1 personReply
- LaTonya Anderson-Sullivan Courtney since details are so few, how do u know Holly didn't do something to put herself in this situation as u are saying about the majority of blacks.
  4:12pm (4 hours ago) · Reply
- Courtney Pryor
  If parents would start teaching their children the difference from right and wrong..and how to walk without having to hold the crotch of their pants up to keep them from falling down..white people wouldn't judge black people the way they do...See More
  4:13pm (4 hours ago) · Reply
- Ginger Leonard ‎@Courtney Pryor: I'm white Courtney.
  4:13pm (4 hours ago) · Reply
- Ginger Leonard But you've managed to show your true colors Courtney.
  4:14pm (4 hours ago) · Reply
- Brandy Woodard Toups ‎@ Ginger: I can't comment on why the news would have more coverage over one story versus another. I would, however, like to comment about the reward money. Most reward money is raised by the family/friends and community. Perhaps you should be asking your extremely made in bad taste question to the members of the community the missing people you are concerned for live.
  4:15pm (3 hours ago) · · 1 personReply
- Miriam Ann Deloach ‎@ Pryor every black person that goes missing isnt ghetto. And Newsflash every black person isnt from the hood.
  4:16pm (3 hours ago) · Reply
- Courtney Pryor thats why i said the majority!!
  4:16pm (3 hours ago) · Reply
- Ginger Leonard Brandy...Haslam tossed in 50K. That didn't come from the family or the community.
  4:16pm (3 hours ago) · Reply
- Ginger Leonard That came from the governor either from his pocket or the state's pocket which translates to tax payers.
  4:17pm (3 hours ago) · Reply
- Courtney Pryor who cares where the money came from and how much it was and who pays for it. You as a taxpayer support convicted murderers for years that are on death row. Why not put some money toward trying to find someone who may still be alive??
  4:18pm (3 hours ago) · Reply
- News Channel 3 Official Fan Page Let's keep this civil please. At the moment, we are talking about a young woman who is missing. I appreciate your passion on both sides but please keep it civil.. thank you
  4:20pm (3 hours ago) · · 3 peopleReply
- Ginger Leonard I don't have a problem with the state tossing in 50K if the state is going to toss it in FOR EVERY MISSING PERSON. But they don't and that's where I have a problem.
  4:21pm (3 hours ago) · · 2 peopleReply
- Justin Harrison Kinda too late for road blocks. Just sayn.
  4:31pm (3 hours ago) · Reply
- LaTonya Anderson-Sullivan Courtney, also to answer ur question. U should put energy into finding everyone because we all are God's people. I'm glad he is a God that let's his sun shine on the rightous as well as the unrightous. Ultimately, its not ur decision. Despite what u, u or u say, God knows ur true heart condition!
  4:38pm (3 hours ago) · · 3 peopleReply
- Tiffany Newman Crider Instead of being negative, go help search. The negative is the not needed at a time like this. I've helped, and the family needs ONLY positive things being said.
  4:45pm (3 hours ago) · · 2 peopleReply
- Danny G Mcclure
  Society is so screwed up now days,so what if shes white,everyone yells racism if the person is white,but never hear it if they are black,its not a crime to be white these days,im so sick of hearing whites are the racist,it goes both ways,bl...See More
  5:54pm (2 hours ago) · Reply
- Tina Burden Thompson
  Ah yes....this argument. The inequality divide that always raises it's ugly head in this part of the country. Ever think that maybe, just MAYBE the reason this case is getting so much attention is because 1) it was in a small, tight knit, r...See More
  6:28pm (about an hour ago) · · 2 peopleReply
- Towers Chelsea
  Well said Tiffany. For the other comments somethings are better left unsaid. No one mentioned getting a search crew together and if it's not bout helping this family found their precious daughter keep your comments to yourself. Have some...See More
  6:28pm (about an hour ago) · · 3 peopleReply
- Becky Hooker Gestring While I don't totally agree with Ginger....Courtney, THAT statement was so uncalled for and just plain wrong! No one and I mean no one deserves what is happening to this poor girl.
  6:48pm (about an hour ago) · · 3 peopleReply

Blah

2011-02-06T06:34:00.000-06:00

I'm about tired of this cold weather. Don't get me wrong, I love snow but I need the sunshine. I need to feel it on my face or I begin to get really cranky. Some would ask how to tell the difference between my sunny mood and my cloudy mood. Phooey. I know the difference.

I don't know if it's the weather, winter in general or just stuff going on around the house that's causing my "loose ends" feeling. There's some pressure here. Financial. Emotional. Spiritual.

I have a great family but we're an intense family and that is sometimes exhausting. I'm the oldest child. The hero child. I tend to take on the burden of the world and carry it all the while ignoring the hernia it's giving me. But here's the deal....there isn't much I can pass off here.

I have a spouse who just had her knee replacement replaced. Who started having seizures after the first replacement but who, by the grace of all that's holy, has been spared seizures this time. She's also been diagnosed with early onset dementia. I can see a difference. I believe we've lost friends over it. Friends who I thought would be there no matter what. Friends who if we don't make contact, we would no longer hear from. That's been an eye-opener and it's shown us who we really can count on and that's been a shocker because they aren't who I thought they would be but they have proven over and over that they will step up.

I have one son in college. I want to give him the best college experience. I want him to live on campus and have that experience and not have to worry about money because I didn't have that. But honest to God, I have no idea how I'm going to pay for it. I'm just flying by the seat of my pants on that one. It'll fall out where it falls out. Some would chastise me for buying our RV but you know what? How could I not when I have no idea how long my spouse will remember me or that we have one or will be able to travel. Listen folks, live in the moment because the future ain't guaranteed. So when I'm sending money to college and bitching about the expense of travel, I remember that she remembers still which takes the sting out.

I have another son who has some learning challenges and some emotional challenges. There is a diagnosis which will not be named here. Just know it's one that causes some tense moments in this house and at school. He's brilliant. Both sons are. But he's also intense and moody and creative but is struggling to harness that brillance and turn it into doing homework. He takes everything personally and internalizes and agonizes over it. I worry about him.

And then there's work. It used to be fun. At the end of the day, I could always say I'd accomplished what I needed to do that day. Not anymore. It never lets up. The whole atmosphere has changed. It's not fun and it's taking a toll on me. I am eligible to retire in 4 years. Depending on what's happening there and at home...well, who knows what I'll do.

I'm bitching. It's the weather. I need sunlight which just proves that I'm no vampire. You laugh. I've been accused. And for all of my ranting, we really do have it pretty good. There's a freezer full of deer meat because we have good friends who love to hunt and are good at it. We're working with another friend to put in our own vegetable garden so we'll have hormone free, chemical free, not genetically modified veggies for the coming year. We have a house, transportation and can pay the utilities. Some don't.

And we have Molly's once a week if we're lucky.

My life isn't as bad as I make it out to be. It does get overwhelming sometimes.

Trip to Fort Pickens State Park for Christmas

2011-01-07T06:13:00.000-06:00

Just a few pics to share.

Beautiful and peaceful.

Not a Politics Expert

2011-01-07T06:08:00.001-06:00

...but I recognize bullshit when I step in it and Pickler is spreading bullshit everywhere. I have a garden area that needs some of what he's dishing out. Seriously, does he really believe that we need two functioning school systems? I bet he doesn't, honestly. But that lilly white boy doesn't have the first clue about how to deal with those frightening dark people that are about to come his way.

I call COWARD and RACIST and BIGOT and whatever other name I can think of to call him.

I'd also like to ask him how that foot tastes and offer up some A-1. A-1 make feet and bullshit taste better.

Apparently, I haven't had much to say for the last few months.

2010-12-18T08:54:00.000-06:00

That's not exactly true. I've had lots to say but by the time I sit down at the computer, I have either forgotten what it was or the moment and the passion about it has passed. I must be an emotional writer. I'd probably starve if I had to do it for money. I'd probably starve if I had to do a lot of things for money. I guess it's good I do what I do then isn't it?

This year has been a rough year in this house. We transitioned one son out to college and we've dealt with growing and emotional pains with the other son. He has transitioned to a new school and seems to be doing well there although, I suspect he wasn't prepared for the amount of work he was going to have to do. That's been an eye-opener for all of us. There have been some emotional disappointments for my wife.

Through it all--all the ugly--all the nasty--all the unfortunate choice of works, the screaming, the tears, we have managed to remain a pretty strong family unit. It hasn't been easy and still isn't and won't be for the foreseeable future. I guess it's like the body. As long as the core is strong, the body will function better. Our core is strong.

Diane goes in for a revision on her bionic knee. It needs to be done. There's no reason she should be living in pain after a knee replacement when everyone I talk to who has had it done is now pain free. I wonder if we should sue the first surgeon who screwed it up? Thoughts?

We're all a little nervous about this surgery given what we went through the last time. I think we're better prepared including the doctors who have been working with each other to form a plan. I shouldn't worry. But I do.

We're spending Christmas at the beach. It's always good for us to get away there. We all tend to recharge and reground. My youngest needs that. So do the rest of us but he seems to be the most at odds with himself than the rest of us.

A karmic break would be nice. Figuring out what I'm supposed to be learning this time around would be nice. Peace in my house, head and heart would be nice.

I'm rambling. I have gifts to wrap for the family. And to the rest of you, I'll be making a donation to the Ronald McDonald on your behalf.

WTH??

2010-08-18T05:53:00.001-05:00

Does Fullilove have brain damage?

End of Summer

2010-08-18T05:43:00.001-05:00

It's quickly approaching. The youngest has already started classes at his new school and so far seems to be doing well. I suspect the heavy load hasn't hit yet and will be a real eye-opener when it does.

The oldest moves into his college dorm Friday. I can hardly believe it. He turned 18 on the 11th and I can hardly believe that as well. He has all of the stuff he's taking packed up and in the middle of the living room floor. I'm not sure if it's a monument or a wall. Or just an effort to make sure he doesn't forget anything.

I know kids go to college all the time and succeed but I worry. I hope he's prepared. I hope we've done what we were supposed to do to get him ready for this day and for the rest of the days. I think he's a little nervous because he's been testy that last week or so. I guess we all have our days but jeez o pete, he's had a string of them. Doesn't help that there's other tension in the house. So much going on and no end in sight.

Retirement is looking better and better.

June 27, 2010

2010-06-27T09:08:00.002-05:00

The youngest is in a 2 week on-campus math camp. I will assume he's doing well because we haven't gotten a phone call from him or the counselors. This is a good sign. It's also been very very quiet in the house. I'm getting half a look at the empty nest. The oldest is still here but will be moving on campus for his freshman year of college. Who would have thought that almost 18 years ago we would be one day preparing to send our oldest off to college? Good lord, back then I was wondering when he was going to sleep through the night or eat something green besides a crayon.

And here we are....weeks away from sending him out into the world. Sort of. He'll still be on campus surrounded by people who will have some watchful eye on him. It's not a lot but it's something. And he's far enough away that he won't have us breathing down his neck but close enough that if something major happens we can swoop in.

I worry. He's not the most organized human I've ever dealt with and I can only hope that he'll manage once he gets to school. He's responsible enough. He continued going to high school after we had to take his brother out and he never begged to miss or whined about him having to go when his brother didn't. That gives me hope that he'll do well in college. He's competitive enough to make the grades so I'm not terribly worried there although I don't think he was challenged enough in high school so he may be in for a shock in college.

As for all of the advice that our friends have been giving the oldest......he knows better.

I think.

I wonder what it will be like with just the youngest here. He'll have 2 years to experience life as an only. The oldest had it before his brother was born be he doesn't really remember. The youngest will have an advantage there.....provided I don't kill him and cut him up for chili.

There have been moments....

I do have to say that both children are very different when the brother isn't around. I'm hoping that holds true beginning in August. We'll see.

It's quiet right now.

I like it.

18 years

2010-05-22T13:53:00.001-05:00

My oldest graduated yesterday (May 21, 2010)and I'm still struggling to figure out where the time went. How did he get to be this age? Hit this milestone? Jeez, I still remember changing diapers. Ok..ok...so I didn't change many. My SO did that but she told me that if I'd get pregnant and have a baby she'd do everything else.

I believed her.

She said she didn't mean everything.

I said, "Then you should have chosen a different word."

She just walked away shaking her head.

Did you know that men and women communicate differently? Yeah, weird ain't it? Apparently I communicate like a man and she doesn't. How we function as a couple is a wonder.

But I digress.

The oldest will be leaving the nest in the fall to live on campus. He needs that experience. Every child needs to get out from under the parents' wing for a while. Doesn't mean they can't/don't come back. Seems to happen a lot this day and age. But, they need to step out in the first place. They need to grow up and in order to do that they need to experience some life. That won't happen buried in his bedroom watching warped cartoons and overloading on NCIS everyday.

He took a tiny step when he walked across the stage and moved his tassel. He'll take another one after he gets his driver's license and another one when he sleeps his first night in his dorm room. Before you know it, a million tiny steps makes a life. I hope his is well lived.

Birthdays and Such

2010-04-30T06:19:00.001-05:00

Been a while. I wonder if Facebook is killing the blog. Just had a birthday. I've crossed over the mid-century mark and have had several people ask me how it feels. No different than 10 years ago really. I have no aches or pains except for a few pains in the arse at work but that doesn't really count I guess. Perhaps I can't multitask quite as well as I used to but that's not necessarily a bad thing. I really should focus on one thing at a time and certainly should focus on the person trying to talk to me instead of answering an email or text all at the same time. Kinda rude.

I have a slight health issue that I have to learn to deal with but am focused and energized to do that. Time to give up sugar and white flour. Time to really get serious about exercising because my goal is to live to 120 and still be healthy. Afterall, we have to do some serious traveling in the new RV we just bought because the old RV became possessed and decided to just break things while on the road.

Anyway, my birthday was swell. A good friend sent margaritas to our table last night and she lives in Vicksburg. How sweet is that?

The oldest graduates May 21 and starts college in August. Good god, how did that happen?

Where does the time go? Clearly, I don't pass it updating here. I should do better. I will.

Spring Break

2010-04-05T05:51:00.000-05:00

The oldest wanted to go to Washington DC to see the museums and have his picture The oldest wanted to go to Washington DC to see the museums and have his picture taken with the Einstein statue so that's where we went instead of the beach and it's probably just as well.

It was a nightmare getting there.

There was a time we weren't certain we would be able to make it because of the infection in Diane's knee. We still weren't certain until the Friday before the Saturday that we left. She had to go back to the doctor and get the "ok" to leave because she'd developed a black spot in the incision. Once we got the go ahead, we left and it was hectic and last minute.

This trip has been one nightmare after another. I think we're about to get it all worked out though. We had a blowout in Jackson TN. When the tread separated it broke the tailpipe so 5 hours later and $750 later with a new tailpipe and 3 new tires, we were back on the road. We ended up spending the night in a Super 8 motel parking lot in a storm. We rocked and rolled all night.

The next day, we start running hot and develop a whistle that I describe as a small tea kettle. Turns out I was right. We had a small hole in the radiator. But, before we had that diagnosed, we pulled into a Shell station in tiny Linden VA to get gas. This is when the starter and alternator burned up. We couldn't get towed all the way into the park we're staying because the tow truck couldn't take all of us so we ended up sending the night in the beautiful Shell station parking lot until early the next morning. We rented a car the next morning and got towed to our spot. There's a great mobile mechanic that's put a new radiator, alternator, starter and fixed a transmission leak for us. The tow truck driver dropped the drive shaft then when we got here said he couldn't put it back on. The mechanic said he'd do that for us.

We were a day late getting here which meant we had to cram getting our marriage license into one day which took almost 5 hours to complete. That blew a day. Then we spent almost a full day with the mechanic at the RV park. Nothing that we had planned went as planned.

We did manage to see a couple of monuments and Max's hero, Einstein. Today we spent almost all day getting to and from the Rabbi that did our very tiny ceremony. This evening, we took the RV out and guess what? It ran hot again. The mechanic is coming tomorrow at 8 AM to look at it. He said don't worry because he thinks (and so do we) that it's a faulty gauge. So, we left and had only one moment of problems. The float stuck in the carb so I had to get out, take the breather cover off and bang on the carb to unstick the float. Didn't do it again. Let me tell you, thick clouds of black smoke from your tailpipe is an eye-opener.

We stopped in a state park just outside of Knoxville for the night. Booger Holler ladies and gentlemen. The park is beautiful and sits on a huge lake. I'd love to go back but being surrounded by Nascar folks after the wonderful RV park in DC was jarring.

We plan to come back when we can just relax and enjoy the trip. We did learn something....this family doesn't get upset with each other when things like this go wrong. We pull together and enjoy each other's company. I love that.

Can you imagine the possibilities??

2010-03-04T06:06:00.001-06:00

Related Sections: Art & Design Galleries Household

Digitally printed tiles make magnificent murals

Once you've dressed up your garage door like an airplane hangar, your next trick is to make your shower look like it's sitting at the bottom of a gigantic waterfall. That's easy with these Okhyo tiles, ceramic squares that bring extra-sharp digitally printed photos into unexpected places.

Not happy with the selection? Choose your own photo and have it printed on these tiles that look great in a bathroom, kitchen, or anywhere else tiles would go. Only problem is, we might get tired of the same picture all the time. Remind us to create tiles like this out of OLED video screens. Someday.

Okhyo, via Trendir

It's Thursday

2010-03-04T06:03:00.001-06:00

Thursday suffers from identity crisis. It falls after Hump Day Wednesday so it feels inferior because everybody is dancing that it's Wednesday. It falls before Friday. Everybody is overlooking Thursday in order to see Friday.

Poor Thursday.

I'm reprinting this from its original page. I hope they don't mind.

2010-03-04T05:57:00.001-06:00

Because it needs to be talked about. What's wrong with some people?

Published on Wednesday, March 3, 2010 by Facing South

Senators Who Voted Against Extending Jobless Benefits Hail From States Devastated by Recession

by Chris Kromm

Late yesterday, Kentucky Republican Sen. Jim Bunning relented on a multi-day filibuster that was holding up passage of a bill including a 30-day extension on unemployment benefits.

Bunning's retreat allowed the bill to reach the Senate floor, where it quickly passed 78-19 and was signed into law by President Obama last night (the House had passed a similar measure last week).

The Kentucky senator's intransigence may turn out to be a political blunder, just at a time when the GOP was gaining political momentum. Fellow Republican Sen. Susan Collins of Maine criticized Bunning's move, saying over 500 jobless would lose benefits in the next week in her home state.

It's also unlikely to endear Bunning and Republicans in states hard-hit by the recession and facing high unemployment.

Of the 19 Senators who voted against the package including jobless benefits after the filibuster ended, eight of them come from states that face jobless rates higher than the national average -- all but one of them (Sen. Ensign of Nevada) from the South.

As the chart shows, Republicans in the South who voted against the bill are especially vulnerable to charges that they're putting politics ahead of the interests of their own recession-rocked constituents.

These are the kind of votes that could prove costly for Republicans where they face challengers in 2010, including North Carolina, Kentucky and New Hampshire.

It could even be an issue in states like Texas, where -- despite having an unemployment rate below the national average -- over a quarter million residents lost jobs in 2009. But ironically, the vote was cast by Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison, who on the same day lost in her primary bid defend her senate seat.

What an ass!

2010-02-20T16:45:00.003-06:00

What an ass! He buys Anderton's then lets it sit and rot after a storm. He bulldozes the beautiful facade and now this. The fucker had no intentions of trying to save the building.

We Got Some Snow Yesterday

2010-02-09T15:31:00.000-06:00

It was beautiful for a while. Unfortunately, I had to drive to work.

Mercy

2010-02-07T06:53:00.001-06:00

Busy month. And I've noticed that Facebook has cut down on my blogging because it's so immediate. Such a nation of instant gratification. We want it done NOW. How many of us have called tech support or a help line on the weekend only to get the recording that says, "Our regular business hours are Monday through Friday from hour to hour." And have wanted to spit across the room because we wanted whatever was broken fixed RIGHT NOW.

I'm feeling that way about life right now. My SO is probably going to have to have her knee replacement replaced because of an infection. She'll have to go through PT ALLLL over and that's painful and a pain in the ass for her. I want that fixed NOW. It ain't happenin'. I want my exterior doors replaced NOW. I want my house painted and insulation blown in the attic NOW. I want peace in the house, in this city, in this county, in this state, in the country and on the planet NOW. Not only ain't that happenin', likely will never happen in this lifetime for me.

How this is related, I have no idea but feel the need to tell it. We were coming home from a teen gathering last night and saw an injured raccoon on a street near our house. We turned around and went back to see what we could do. It was just sort of curled up on the street probably in shock. It just looked at us rather calmly, I'd have to say and had clearly been hit by a car. There was some blood coming from it's ear and it couldn't move or put weight on its back leg. We were trying to figure out how to pick it up and take it to the emergency vet to at least have it euthanized but we had nothing in the car to do that with and keep us from being bitten or clawed. It finally moved and tried to walk over to a storm drain opening dragging its back leg.

My heart hurt for it. Still does. I ease that hurt with the belief that it will find its nest and stay there until it heals....or that it will go peacefully in its sleep.

How does someone hit an animal with their car and keep driving? How do they hit it in the first place unless you're speeding down the road. Raccoons aren't that fast. The driver had to see it coming unless they weren't paying attention or tried to hit it on purpose. Don't scoff, I've seen that happen, a driver swerve to HIT a cat or squirrel or other animal. I've seen it. Was a good thing I didn't have my sidearm with me at the time.

Anyway, what happened with the raccoon feels significant to me somehow. I'll figure it out. I want that raccoon fixed NOW. Dammit.

Tired of Junk Mail

2010-01-01T06:35:00.000-06:00

Here's a website that let's you opt out of allowing companies to check your credit then send you applications or other junk mail. I did it. We'll see if it cuts down on the amount of junk I get.

https://www.optoutprescreen.com/opt_form.cgi

Gifts

2009-12-27T09:14:00.000-06:00

We got our youngest an Erector Set for Christmas/Hannukah. I had one as a child and wish I still had it. I spent hours building with it then made up and engineered my own designs.

He and I worked on the crane all Christmas Day. Well, he did most of the work. He had to re-engineer some to make it work. I think he's going to get a lot of enjoyment from it. It has a cool little power driver that came with it.

I also got a Black and Decker 3.5v screw driver. My old one finally gave up the ghost so my inlaws gave me a new one. They don't know it yet because I haven't told them. I spent some time yesterday just playing with it. Finding all sorts of screws that needed removing from something. Heaven.

It's all about the simple things.

New Things

2009-12-27T09:01:00.001-06:00

My SO and I went shopping yesterday after her appointment with the infusion clinic. See, she has to carry around this bag full of IV antibiotics so that the infection in her knee will heal.

The bag is ugly. A black, utilitarian canvas thing with various holes, pockets, velcro and straps. The nurse obviously has a whimsical sense of humor because she has given us permission to decorate it. Bedazzle it! So, we promptly paid a visit to the closest Michaels and bought supplies.

From there, we went furniture shopping. We found the perfect sectional set on clearance and a wonderful chair and a half to go with it.

New furniture for our living room. New beginnings. I'm hopeful that this portends a much better year to come. Not that this one has been bad, it's just been challenging both at home and at work.

In addition, I'm getting a new fence with automatic electric gate. I'm in heaven.

On to better things I say.

Harbingers

2009-12-27T08:48:00.000-06:00

I woke up this morning after a night frought with fighting for covers and space in my own bed with an SO, a dog and 3 cats only to step in a puddle of cold, slimy dog vomit. I cleaned that then stumbled from the kitchen with a hot cup of coffee only to see another even larger puddle of cold, slimy dog vomit.

Out oldest dog, Fudge, didn't eat his breakfast and had the foulest smelling gas last night so we've deduced that he's the one who is sick.

And now I know why. Apparently he found it necessary to jump on the coffee table and eat close to a pound of fudge.

Fudge is vomiting fudge.

It's going to be a long day.

God is Male

2009-12-27T08:44:00.002-06:00

Clearly. If God were a female, she would not let two middle-aged females with two teen-aged boys be on their periods at the same time. Clearly, God is male.

Good Sunday Morning to You All

2009-12-06T07:14:00.001-06:00

What a goddamn, fucking, mud-covered frog turd of a day we had yesterday. Bloody blue seizures had us in the ER for over 6 hours yesterday and know how many times we talked to the doctor? 2. Guess for how long total. 4 minutes. We're gonna get through this though. Is it too early for a margarita? or 7? And again, we learn what good friends we have. Yay for that. Takes the stink out of the mud-covered frog turd although when the mud dries it sort of encases the smell.

I wonder if frog turds stink anyway? Anybody ever smell one? Mine are always covered in mud.

Finally, my SO's disability came through. Now, her medication and doctor's visits will be covered. Maybe we will get some better care.

I've been reading and following the news reports about medicare and medicaid and what a nightmare they are. I always pooh-poohed it thinking those folks were just bitching. Well, they aren't just bitching. These two programs are the most infuriating, confusing, nightmare of a plan. They change things on you without notice. My SO has received no less than 6 letters and plan cards each with a different effective date. And one plan doesn't even send a card. I guess you just have to guess when it went into effect. There are restrictions on the number of prescriptions you can have filled a month so if you have more than 3 you're screwed. No wonder certain Seniors have to choose between food and medicine. There has to be a better way. And for those people who aren't educated and who are trying to navigate that maze of rules and regulations without help....God help them. I'm seeing a niche for some business start-up. Medi Coaching. A consulting service to help people figure out which one is right for them.

We bit the bullet and rewarded ourselves with a Plasma TV. It's beautiful. We are planning on hanging it today. The price was TOOO right to pass it up. I suppose it's a benefit of the horrible economy. I'm just doing my part to drive the recovery. The next two projects that I'm going to pay to have someone do instead of doing it myself is a new fence with an electric gate and insulation. I'm just going to let someone else do that....oh, and a new front door.

There isn't much else to report. Christmas/Hannukah is coming up. That means a break for the boys. We're planning on going to Florida and rest. The family needs the time down there to recover mentally and spiritually not to mention physically. It's peaceful for us. I have to keep my SO from over-scheduling though. She tends to do that which makes me crazy. Vacation, to me, is about NOT doing. It's about being quiet and resting, reading or just listening to the water.

The house is quiet. I'm going to read the instructions on the mounting unit to make sure I know what I'm doing. Yes, I read instructions. Shocking, I know.

County Commission

2009-11-10T06:12:00.000-06:00

"memphisdaily

After 24 rounds of voting, County Commission stuck on Joe Ford or JW Gibson for interim mayor. Will try again Nov. 17 at 4pm.about 12 hours ago from web"

This from Twitter. Are you seriously kidding me?? We have these two to choose from out of the entire Shelby County? These clowns? I'm frightened.

My goodness, it's been a wild week.

2009-11-10T06:04:00.001-06:00

My SO went in for knee surgery and decided to start having seizures. She ended up in ICU for a couple of days. It was very unsettling. You go in for what has become a relatively routine procedure and this happens. There's no really good way to prepare emotionally. I learned something that I'd like to pass on.

1. Make sure you have medical power of attorney if you aren't legally married. I had to sign a consent form and couldn't have done it without that piece of paper.
2. Make sure you have a signed and witness directive in case something happens.
3. Make sure you have a Will.

I know, none of that is pleasant to think about or even do but it's necessary especially for those of us who aren't legally married or considered next of kin. I'm lucky. The hospital staff was brilliant in that area. They never batted an eye. There was never a question that I was supposed to be there. Maybe they go through training or maybe it's just a sign of the times but they were brilliant.

4. Be on good terms with the SO's parents.

I can't stress this enough. I am so grateful that Diane's mom came to help. She's been a godsend. My parents offered and I'm grateful for that but it's just not the same as having your own Mother with you. Oh, that brings up...

5. The patient should be on good terms with and actually like her own parents. Because she's going to be here for a while and taking care of you while I'm at work and starting Thursday, out of town. It would suck to not like your mother.

The boys stepped up and did well although the youngest neglected his homework for a few days and has now had to play catch up. His teachers were wonderful though. They understood why we kept them out of classes for two days and have let them make whatever work they missed up. I'm grateful for that. We had friends step up and be there. Beautiful, wonderful friends. I'm grateful for that and am awed at how quickly they rallied around.

There's a saying in AA. "Get Grateful." I got it. I am. I've learned what is important and what isn't. Work can go to hell. I don't NEED that promotion. I might want it but don't need it. I NEED my family to stay intact. I NEED my SO to get and stay healthy for a long time. I NEED my kids to mature into brilliant, caring adults. I NEED air to breathe, good sleep, food and water. I NEED good, supportive friends. I NEED good, supportive family members--parents and siblings.

I look at what I need and realize that I have it. The rest is fluff.

Part 1| Obama Addresses Gay Rights Group [Human Rights Campaign]

2009-10-12T06:08:00.001-05:00

Finally

Ramblings on an Early Saturday Morning

2009-09-26T06:50:00.001-05:00

For the three people that read this blog, go to Big Scoop today. It's at the Redbirds Stadium. It's a good excuse to go eat all the ice cream you can stand AND raise money for a good cause. It benefits the Ronald McDonald House of Memphis. And to toot my own horn for a moment, I'm on the Board there and have been for many years. So many that I've lost count. It's a beautiful place and it's mission is amazing. Families whose lives have been torn apart by a severe medical diagnosis for one of their children shouldn't have to worry about where they will live or survive while their child is here for treatment. Suddenly, sometimes within hours, they must leave their home and travel to a strange city for treatment at St. Jude's.

That's where the House comes in. We house the families for free. They don't have to pay for a thing while they are here. All they have to do is take care of their sick child and that child's siblings so that not only will the sick child heal but so will the entire family. We are not totally supported by McDonalds the way Target House is supported by Target or the Grizzlies House is supported by the Grizzlies. We rely on donations from regular people. Every nickle, dime and dollar is needed to make that House run. So, go eat ice cream and raise money for a beautiful cause. If you don't want to eat ice cream at least get involved. There are other things you can do. Donate a dollar or a thousand. Volunteer. Work another event. Buy tickets for Oscar Night. Donate during the Radiothon. Visit the House. It will touch you and change you. It did me.

It takes everybody no matter their status. I had a weak moment in which I thought that I didn't fit anymore. I was not so gently reminded that it DOES take everybody no matter their status. You can save your change. Save your pull tabs. Donate $5 a month for $500 a month. JUST GET INVOLVED.

Same Child, Next Day

2009-09-14T06:04:00.001-05:00

Remember the child I was lamenting about just a few days ago? Yesterday? Good as gold. Did everything I asked when I asked with no arguments or episodes of rage. Unbelievable. I suppose this is what it's like to live with a bi-polar child. If I had this child everyday, life would be grand. He's been beautiful, helpful, caring, considerate and cooperative.

We'll see what he's like today.

Under, "WTF" Category

2009-09-13T14:08:00.001-05:00

I am 50 years old and am cramping. WTF??

Mother Nature? Eerie Crying Face Seen in Melting Glacier | EarthFirst.com

2009-09-12T17:43:00.001-05:00

Go take a look at this. Amazing.

Mother Nature? Eerie Crying Face Seen in Melting Glacier | EarthFirst.com

God Grant Me the Patience

2009-09-12T08:49:00.000-05:00

Dealing with my bi-polar 15 year old is a test. I recognize that. What I don't understand is why the gods feel the need to test me in this way. Is it to see just how far I can be pushed before I snap and end up in the psych ward? Is it some form of punishment for something I've done in one of my past lives?

Not only is he 15, a teenager, with raging hormones, he's bi-polar which makes the raging hormones look like cake. There have been days when it took every ounce of control that I had not to hurt him.

It started already this morning. First thing, there's a fight over homework and electronics. I'm ready to take them all away from him until school is out for the summer. It's exhausting and tests my ability to continue loving him when he acts like this. It feels like it's getting worse, his behavior. And when he comes in after one of the fights to apologize and make nice, it feels fake and usually is because when he asks to get his computer back or his game back and I tell him no, he blows up again. It's like living in an abusive relationship. It is abusive. One never knows how he will react when told to do something.

I'm reaching a breaking point and it scares me.

September and Florida

2009-09-11T06:13:00.001-05:00

Oh my gosh, this will be the first September in 17 years that we aren't spending it at the beach. We made the choice to put both boys in school which took away the freedom to go play for a month. I'm going through withdrawals already. I have some sand and shells at work that I will put out on my table so I can at least put my fingers in it. I'll have to find some records of the ocean to play.

The beach is always a place for me to recharge my batteries, as it were, and god knows after the last few months at work, I need recharging. Decisions there have been made that feel like betrayal to me. I feel like my support from my management has been yanked out from under me and I can't get anybody to shoot straight with me about why.

An employee was chosen to lead the department I'm in who has only 4 years as a professional, who has two managers that have complained TO ME about her work ethic, attendance, attitude and how she treats other people, and no leadership experience. And now, that same employee has been nominated to attend a managerial executive development program. I was not and yet I've been through the supervisory program. She hasn't. I'm not seeing the fairness in this. I'm not seeing the logic. I'm not seeing the rightness.

She is black. I am white. One wonders.

And yet....and yet....and yet.....I'm asked to do the investigations. I am requested specifically by other departments. I am given the large assignments. Why? I would assume it's because I am competent and have demonstrated that.

One wonders.
I need the beach.
I need the truth.

I can handle the truth.

This must be shared.

2009-08-30T07:20:00.000-05:00

Just because it must. Here's the link, for legal purposes.

Confirmed: God is slightly gay / Just ask the animals. As soon as they stop having all that homosexual sex

Confirmed: God is slightly gay
Just ask the animals. As soon as they stop having all that homosexual sex

By Mark Morford, SF Gate Columnist

I am sitting here right now smiling just a little, fondly recalling that famously controversial children's book, the one about the gay penguins.

Remember? That positively adorable pair of them, at the Central Park Zoo, who had adopted an abandoned egg and then hatched it themselves and were raising the chick together as a couple, even though the chick was clearly not theirs -- though of course how penguins can actually tell whose kid is whose is still a question. Never mind that now.

The best part: the story was absolutely true. The book, "And Tango Makes Three," was beautiful and sweet and touching in all the right ways -- except, of course, for the fact that it was also totally evil.

For indeed, the penguins in question, named Roy and Silo, were both males. This meant they were clearly in some sort of ungodly, aberrant homosexual relationship, mocking natural laws and defying God's will that all creatures only cohabitate with the opposite sex and buy microfiber sofas from Pottery Barn and eat their meals in silent resentment and never have sex.

Worst of all, the book depicted this relationship, this "family," as perfectly OK, as no big deal, as even (shudder) normal. After all, Roy and Silo didn't seem to give much of a damn. Tango sure seemed happy, what with not being left for dead and all. As of this writing, the Central Park Zoo has yet to be swallowed into a gaping maw of sinful doom. Any minute now, I suppose.

I am right now amused at this because it turns out Roy and Silo were not really so much of an anomaly at all. Nor were they some sort of unholy freakshow, an immoral mistake in the eyes of a wrathful hetero God. Far from it. Turns out they were, in fact, far more the norm than many humans, even to this day, want to let on.

Behold, the ongoing, increasingly startling research: homosexual and bisexual behavior, it turns out, is rampant in the animal kingdom. And by rampant, I mean proving to be damn near universal, commonplace across all species everywhere, existing for myriad reasons ranging from pure survival and procreative influence, right on over to pure pleasure, co-parenting, giddy screeching multiple monkey orgasm, even love, and a few dozen other potential explanations science hasn't quite figured out yet. Imagine.

Are you thinking, why sure, everyone knows about those sex-crazed dolphins and those superslut bonobo monkeys and the few other godless creatures like them, the sea turtles and the weird sheep and such, creatures who obviously haven't read Leviticus. But that's about it, right? Most animals are devoutly hetero and straight and damn happy about it, right?

Wrong.

New research is revealing so many creatures and species that exhibit homosexual/bisexual behavior of some kind, scientists are now saying there are actually very few, if any, species in existence that don't exhibit it in some way. It's everywhere: Bison. Giraffes. Ducks. Hyenas. Lions and lambs, lizards and dragonflies, polecats and elephants. Hetero sex. Anal sex. Partner swapping. The works.

Let's flip that around. Here's the shocking new truism: In the wilds of nature, to not have some level of homosexual/bisexual behavior in a given species is turning out to be the exception, not the rule. Would you like to read that statement again? Aloud? Through a megaphone? To the Mormon and Catholic churches? And the rest of them, as well? Repeatedly?

Would you like to inform them that such behavior is definitely not, as so many hard-line Christian literalists want to believe, some sort of poison that snuck into God's perfect cake mix, nor is it all due to some sort of toxic chemical that leeched into the animal's water supply, suddenly causing all creatures to occasionally feel the urge wear glitter and listen to techno and work on their abs?

And so we extend the idea just a little bit. Because if homosexual/bisexual behavior is universal and by design, if gender mutability is actually deeply woven into the very fabric of nature itself, and if you understand that nature is merely another word for God, well, you can only surmise that God is, to put it mildly, much more than just a little bit gay. I mean, obviously.

But let's be fair. That's not exactly true. God is not really gay, per se. God is more... pansexual. Omnisexual. Gender neutral. Gender indeterminate. It would appear that God, this all-knowing and all-creating and all-seeing divine energy that infuses and empowers all things at all times everywhere, does not give a flying leather whip about gender.

Or rather, She very much does, but not in the simpleminded, hetero-only way 2,000 years of confused religious dogma would have us all believe.

God's motto: Look, life is a wicked inscrutable orgy of love and compassion and survival instinct, shot through with pain and longing and death and suffering and far, far too many arguments about who did or did not pay the goddamn mortgage.

Life on Earth is messy and bloody and constantly evolving and transmuting and guess what? So is sexuality, and love, and connection, and what it means to exist. And if you uptight, hairless bipeds don't soon acknowledge this in a very profound way, well, it ain't the damn penguins who will suffer for it. You feel me?

This, then, is what science appears to be trying to tell us, has been telling us, over and over again: Nature abides no narrow, simplistic interpretation of her ways. Nature will defy your childish fears and laughable behavioral laws at nearly every turn. God does not do shrill homophobia.

Of course, until very recently, science was also beaten with the stick of right-wing fear for many, many years, told to keep quiet about those damnable facts, or else. Homosexuality is a lifestyle! A choice! And you can be lured into it! Seduced by the evil rainbow! Just like those poor penguins! Right.

Let us be perfectly clear. Not every individual animal necessarily displays homosexual traits. But in every sexually active species on the planet, at least some of them do, for all sorts of reasons, and it's common and obvious and as normal as a warm spring rain falling on a pod of giddy bottlenose dolphins having group sex off the coast of Fiji.

And either humankind is part of nature and the wanton animal kingdom, a full participant in the messy inexplicable glories of the flesh and spirit and gender play, or we are the aberrant mistake, the ones who are lagging far behind the rest of the kingdom, sad and lost in the eyes of a very, very fluid and increasingly disappointed God.

Mark Morford

Fishing

2009-08-18T05:46:00.001-05:00

So, as some of you may know, I bought a used, old, flat-bottomed jon boat a few months ago. My dad and I finally took it out on the water yesterday. I hadn't really tested it for leaks so wanted to put it on a small body of water just in case there was a problem. I'm happy to announce that while there did appear a tiny bit of water in the bottom I couldn't say for sure that it was a leak. There was only about a cup full and it could have sloshed over the bow while we were moving because I was sitting up there working the trolling motor and as some of you also know, I'm built a lot like Robert Newhouse. If you don't know who he is, look it up.

Anyway, I would count the morning a success even though we didn't catch a thing. My cork went under only once and I can't even say for sure the it was due to a fish. The weather was great. There was just enough of a breeze to keep us cool. In fact, it blew hard enough at times to make tiny little waves which is what was splashing over the bow when we drove into it. It was quiet. And for about the first hour we were the only ones there. A few folks showed up later.

We finally called it quits around 9:30 and came home. It was nice to spend some time with my dad doing something that we both enjoy doing and not really caring whether we caught any fish. A few bites would have been nice. Maybe next time we'll just do to the middle, drop and anchor and do some catfishing on the bottom. Who knows. Who cares. It's fishing.

Information

2009-08-08T08:23:00.001-05:00

Are we as a society on information overload? There's Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, MySpace, a gadrillion blogs and news sites that people like me spend hours reading. Curiosity is going to kill me. And yet, with all of that information that is available, we still seem to be ignorant about so many things.

The healthcare debate is out of control. And I know that we tend to pick the news outlets that support our own personal opinions but somehow I think we're doing ourselves a disservice. Not only are they out of control but debate in general has become mean, mean-spirited and just downright nasty. Today, I read that some of those opposed to the overhaul of healthcare are equating it with Nazism. My god. Seriously. Nazism. So, OK, if we can't debate rationally and intelligently we'll just denigrate into name-calling. That's mature.

I believe that the media is partially responsible for that but I also believe that each individual has to be held more accountable. Not necessarily but their fellows in the media but by us, the people. WE have to tell them that this ugly discourse is unacceptable but we aren't.

There are things that need to be fixed but it will never happen as long as we're standing across the street from each other screaming at each other. Who hears that after a while? Nobody.

Healthcare needs to be fixed. Crime needs to be fixed. Children having children needs to be fixed but it won't happy until all sides agree to sit at the table and talk about it rationally.

Where has the anger come from?

Gawd.

Venus

2009-08-03T21:01:00.001-05:00

She's one of our cats. I think of her as the oldest but she may not be but only by days when compared to another cat that was adopted at the same time. She's been diagnosed with sarcoma. We're going to keep her comfortable but know that before the week is out we'll have to make the "decision."

She's had a really good life. Soft bed to sleep in. A family that has loved her. Other cats to play with. A garage to hide in. Rats, mice and cicada to catch. Raw hamburger meat to eat. There's no way we could let her linger and suffer.

Isn't it funny that in the name of being humane, we have the option of a peaceful exit via euthanasia but we can't do that to our human loved one. We can't be humane to humans. We make them linger and suffer and hurt and lose their memory and lose control of their bodily functions. How is that humane? How is that human?

Out with the old and in with the new.

2009-08-03T20:53:00.000-05:00

Herenton's gone. We can sing a little song and do a little dance. Lowry is in. We can do another little dance then stand on the sidelines for a bit and watch what he does. So far so good. I find it funny that those who supported Herenton are singing the loudest about how the city is going to hell. And this thing with Jefferson. I'm confused. He wanted to quit under Herenton but wasn't allowed to. Now, the new Mayor Pro Tem wants Jefferson gone but Jefferson doesn't want to leave. Figure that one. Did Jefferson know something that Herenton was doing which Jefferson wanted to get away from and now that Herenton isn't doing it anymore, he wants to stay?

Sounds like an abusive relationship to me. The abuser is gone and the abused wants to stay. Baffles me.

I'm just ready for a new day in the city. Lowry has invited those who left to come back. I heartily agree. We need those good folks back. This city can be great but it's going to take work and dedication and and smart people. I'm hopeful. This city has great in it. This city has great people in it. This city won't make progress until the old guard is gone so that the new guard can make progress without pulling the old guard's caboose. I'm ready for that progress.

The City Mayor is a Freak.

2009-07-23T20:24:00.001-05:00

No, really.

Fishing at Herb Parson's

2009-07-18T13:04:00.001-05:00

I went with my father and very dear friend. I'd never been there before and was amazed at how pretty it is. Nice shoreline full of trees on one end. The dam end is open. There's a nice little dock to fish from and several jetties you can sit out on. We, well I, caught a few. A very nice crappie and several smallish but edible stripers. I'm ready to go back with my boat. I didn't take it today because I was warned that the Rangers were out checking registration. Who knew you had to register a job boat? I didn't. I will Tuesday. We could have rented a boat but decided not to. We might have done better if we had. Who knows?

It was a fabulous time. I'm definitely going back. I think Daddy enjoyed and my friend said she did.

It was a beautiful day. Cool breeze, quiet and water. Doesn't get much better.

July 4

2009-07-06T19:36:00.000-05:00

Long weekend. I did a few little things around the house like totally reconfigure the closet just because we needed to pull the carpet out. One of the cats decided that the litter box was beneath her. I'm not sure which one it was yet and may never find out because they all go in there. We tried everything and just like Herenton, no matter what we did the smell just kept coming back. Nothing would get rid of it. So we cut it up into tiny pieces and hauled it out in a bag. Hey, you don't suppose......

Our cow was delivered. 389lbs of beef is a lot of meat. There was dead cow all over the kitchen. Luckily, folks came and picked up their parts fairly quickly. We now have a freezer full. It's beautiful meat too. We've had some steaks and they were delicious.

The youngest is sick with a viral sore throat. You'd think that would make him quiet but NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO.....he's still talking nonstop. He just sounds crappy and is very grumpy.

I'm grumpy. This mayor thing is about to chap my ass. What really pisses me off is that he thinks so little of the average citizen in this city that he believes we'll believe what he says about why he's postponing his retirement.

We're not stupid, Willie. We're sick and tired of the mockery you're making of the office. We're sick and tired of you blaming everything on race. Really, we're just sick and tired of you. We're ready for you to just go away and take your arrogant, narrow ass with you.

Whew...what a weekend

2009-06-28T21:01:00.001-05:00

On a whim, I decided to even out the dip where the driveway meets the street and drafted my oldest and SO. Of course, I had to wait until noon to start. I'm just weird that way. I have to move when the mood strikes and it struck at noon. Took us two hours to mix, pour, spread and form 9 bags of 80lb concrete. I am now one with all those concrete workers. They deserve a beer. Many beers. It's hot work. Once you start you can't stop. I sweated 4 gallons and I'm still trying to replace it. It may take me all week to replenish that much water.

The oldest boy had to work barefooted. Ancient slaves and pyramids again. One day that argument won't work. I have to say, though, that he was a trooper and actually sweated. All these years we thought he couldn't but guess what? He sure can. And he worked instead of standing around making caustic remarks.

I then moved to fix a bike, fix the gate, hang a clothes line, work on the RV and move a couch into the living room.

I'm tired. I have to work tomorrow. Margarita tomorrow evening.

And all's right with the world.

Lessons for Life

2009-06-22T14:42:00.001-05:00

This came to me in an email. I can't vouch for the validity of the author but who cares? They are good lessons nonetheless.

Written By Regina Brett, 90 years old, of The Plain Dealer, Cleveland , Ohio

"To celebrate growing older, I once wrote the 45 lessons
life taught me. It is the most-requested column I've ever written."
My odometer rolled over to 90 in August,
so here is the column once more:

1. Life isn't fair, but it's still good.

2. When in doubt, just take the next small step.

3. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone.

4. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick.
Your friends and parents will. Stay in touch.

5. Pay off your credit cards every month.

6. You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.

7. Cry with someone. It's more healing than crying alone.

8. It's OK to get angry with God. He can take it.

9. Save for retirement starting with your first paycheck.

10. When it comes to chocolate, resistance is futile.

11. Make peace with your past so it won't screw up the present.

12. It's OK to let your children see you cry.

13. Don't compare your life to others. You have no idea what their journey is all about.

14. If a relationship has to be a secret, you shouldn't be in it.

15. Everything can change in the blink of an eye. But don't worry; God never blinks.

16. Take a deep breath. It calms the mind.

17. Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful.

18. Whatever doesn't kill you really does make you stronger.

19. It's never too late to have a happy childhood. But the second one is up to you and no one else.

20. When it comes to going after what you love in life, don't take no for an answer.

21. Burn the candles, use the nice sheets, wear the fancy lingerie. Don't save it for a special occasion.
Today is special.

22. Over prepare, then go with the flow.

23. Be eccentric now. Don't wait for old age to wear purple.

24. The most important sex organ is the brain.

25. No one is in charge of your happiness but you.

26. Frame every so-called disaster with these words 'In five years, will this matter?'

27. Always choose life.

28. Forgive everyone for everything.

29. What other people think of you is none of your business.

30. Time heals almost everything. Give time time.

31. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.

32. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.

33. Believe in miracles.

34. God loves you because of who God is, not because of anything you did or didn't do.

35. Don't audit life. Show up and make the most of it now.

36. Growing old beats the alternative -- dying young.

37. Your children get only one childhood.

38. All that truly matters in the end is that you loved.

39. Get outside every day. Miracles are waiting everywhere.

40. If we all threw our problems in a pile and saw everyone else's, we'd grab ours back.

41. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.

42. The best is yet to come.

43. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.

44. Yield.

45. Life isn't tied with a bow, but it's still a gift."

So Herenton is Running for Congress

2009-06-13T06:48:00.003-05:00

There are many other bloggers out there who are much more politically active than I am and who do a much better job of analyzing politics than I do so I'm not even going to try and step on their toes.

All I have is my opinion and I'm usually not afraid to share it.

Right out of high school I moved to Kansas to work with and become a professional horse trainer. Growing up in Henderson TN we had horses and I loved--still do--to ride. All of that means that I've shoveled some shit in my day and learned to recognize it. I even learned to tell a sick horse from a healthy one by the content and consistency of the shit.

Let me tell you something folks, based on the content and consistency of Herenton's shit, he's one sick muther. There's something mental going on here. Something maniacal. Based on a close examination of his shit, it's become apparent that he'll eat anything fed to him by his posse. Which means, it comes back out.

He's become a characature, a cartoon. Every time he opens his mouth, all I hear are bells, whistles, honks and snorts. How do we take him seriously when he strips to his boxers and crawls into a boxing ring to trade punches with another over-the-hill boxer who has also stripped to his boxers? How do we take him seriously when he fathers an out of wedlock baby in his 60's? Has the FOOL not heard of STD's, AIDS or protection? How do we take his ability to make decisions in the heat of the moment or an emergency situation when he can't pause long enough to wrap the wand? What the hell do we think he'd do in a major storm? Oh, wait...we know that. He goes to Little Rock to raise some money.

My bad. I forgot for a moment.

How do we take him seriously when he continues to put total gomers in positions of authority over important divisions of the city? Joseph Lee? Yolanda McFadden? Loraine Essex? Good lord, what decisions would he make as our congressman?

What about his flipflops on the superintendent? "Hell no on Kriner Cash. I'm the best man for the job." Then, "Hey, Kriner's cool. I didn't really mean what I said."

Joseph's in, Joseph's out, Joseph's in, Joseph's out, Joseph's resigned but now is assistant at the Parks department.

That must have been a helluva blowjob.

He's become a sad, disillusioned man and I feel for him. I suspect that he's had unprotected sex one too many times because he's showing symptoms of some ugly STD. Trot on down to the Health Department and get yo'self checked out Mr. Mayor. Your lack of judgement is showing and it's embarrasing.

I feel sorry for him. He needs help and none of his friends will tell him so. He's lost touch. He's ruined this city. The damage he's done will take years to fix.

Vacation

2009-06-12T18:56:00.002-05:00

We've returned from Florida. It was a wonderful trip. There was a slight snafu in the beginning with where we were going to stay but things worked out for the best. We found a place that we can park the rv further down the beach for free. Was awesome! I have some pictures to share. The dolphins were only about 30 yards off shore. You could hear them clear their blowholes. The weather was wonderful and the water was clear. We go back later in the year.

I must send much appreciation to our wonderful housesitters. They are the BOMB!

The oldest is taking a college class. French. He wanted to take Latin but it didn't make much to his disappointment. He's also doing an internship with Opera Memphis. I think he's enjoying it. The youngest is doing three camps this summer. 2 at Bridges and one at the Library. Tech camp, some environmental thing. I don't remember the other one. All I know is he'll be out of the house.

I'm having some issues at work. I don't know how to move past this latest setback. Many people say that there's always a lesson. I'm not sure what this one is. The cosmos has resorted to 4x4's and it hurts. My heart has been hurt by a decision that has been made by someone who I thought respected and appreciated my job knowledge and ability. Apparently he doesn't. There's been damage done to our relationship and I'm not sure I can move past it.

Life goes on I guess.

Can someone please explain...

2009-05-26T05:42:00.001-05:00

How a man can hit a deer at 150 yards with a tiny bullet but can't hit the toilet at 2 feet?

Interesting Article.

2009-05-26T05:33:00.004-05:00

Are women really less happy now than 40 years ago? I don't know. I do agree with a lot of what he says in this article but don't have a solution. Read it. Think about it. Talk about it.

Liberated and Unhappy

By ROSS DOUTHAT

Published: May 25, 2009

American women are wealthier, healthier and better educated than they were 30 years ago. They’re more likely to work outside the home, and more likely to earn salaries comparable to men’s when they do. They can leave abusive marriages and sue sexist employers. They enjoy unprecedented control over their own fertility. On some fronts — graduation rates, life expectancy and even job security — men look increasingly like the second sex.

But all the achievements of the feminist era may have delivered women to greater unhappiness. In the 1960s, when Betty Friedan diagnosed her fellow wives and daughters as the victims of “the problem with no name,” American women reported themselves happier, on average, than did men. Today, that gender gap has reversed. Male happiness has inched up, and female happiness has dropped. In postfeminist America, men are happier than women.

This is “The Paradox of Declining Female Happiness,” the subject of a provocative paper from the economists Betsey Stevenson and Justin Wolfers. The paper is fascinating not only because of what it shows, but because the authors deliberately avoid floating an easy explanation for their data.

The decline of the two-parent family, for instance, is almost certainly depressing life satisfaction for the women stuck raising kids alone. But this can’t be the only explanation, since the trend toward greater female discontent cuts across lines of class and race. A working-class Hispanic woman is far more likely to be a single mother than her white and wealthy counterpart, yet the male-female happiness gap holds in East Hampton and East L.A. alike.

Again, maybe the happiness numbers are being tipped downward by a mounting female workload — the famous “second shift,” in which women continue to do the lion’s share of household chores even as they’re handed more and more workplace responsibility. It’s certainly possible — but as Wolfers and Stevenson point out, recent surveys actually show similar workload patterns for men and women over all.

Or perhaps the problem is political — maybe women prefer egalitarian, low-risk societies, and the cowboy capitalism of the Reagan era had an anxiety-inducing effect on the American female. But even in the warm, nurturing, egalitarian European Union, female happiness has fallen relative to men’s across the last three decades.

All this ambiguity lends itself to broad-brush readings. A strict feminist and a stringent gender-role traditionalist alike will probably find vindication of their premises between the lines of Wolfers and Stevenson’s careful prose. The feminist will see evidence of a revolution interrupted, in which rising expectations are bumping against glass ceilings, breeding entirely justified resentments. The traditionalist will see evidence of a revolution gone awry, in which women have been pressured into lifestyles that run counter to their biological imperatives, and men have been liberated to embrace a piggish irresponsibility.

There’s evidence to fit each of these narratives. But there’s also room for both.

Feminists and traditionalists should be able to agree, for instance, that the structures of American society don’t make enough allowances for the particular challenges of motherhood. We can squabble forever about the choices that mothers ought to make, but the difficult work-parenthood juggle is here to stay. (Just ask Sarah and Todd Palin.) And there are all kinds of ways — from a more family-friendly tax code to a more accommodating educational system — that public policy can make that juggle easier. Conservatives and liberals won’t agree on the means, but they ought to agree on the end: a nation where it’s easier to balance work and child-rearing, however you think that balance should be struck.

They should also be able to agree that the steady advance of single motherhood threatens the interests and happiness of women. Here the public-policy options are limited; some kind of social stigma is a necessity. But a new-model stigma shouldn’t (and couldn’t) look like the old sexism. There’s no necessary reason why feminists and cultural conservatives can’t join forces — in the same way that they made common cause during the pornography wars of the 1980s — behind a social revolution that ostracizes serial baby-daddies and trophy-wife collectors as thoroughly as the “fallen women” of a more patriarchal age.

No reason, of course, save the fact that contemporary America doesn’t seem willing to accept sexual stigma, period. We simply don’t have the stomach for permanently ostracizing the sexually irresponsible — be they a pregnant starlet, a thrice-divorced tycoon, or even a prostitute-hiring politician.

In this sense, ours is a kinder, gentler, more forgiving country than it was 40 years ago. But for half the public, it’s an unhappier country as well.

An Inspiring Commencement Address

2009-05-24T15:47:00.001-05:00

It's long but well worth the read. Everyone needs to hear this and take it to heart.

Published on Saturday, May 23, 2009 by CommonDreams.org

Commencement Address to the Class of 2009

University of Portland, May 3rd, 2009

by Paul Hawken

When I was invited to give this speech, I was asked if I could give a simple
short talk that was "direct, naked, taut, honest, passionate, lean, shivering,
startling, and graceful." Boy, no pressure there.

But let's begin with the startling part. Hey, Class of 2009: you are going
to have to figure out what it means to be a human being on earth at a time when
every living system is declining, and the rate of decline is accelerating. Kind
of a mind-boggling situation -- but not onepeer-reviewed paper published in the
last thirty years can refute that statement.

Basically, the earth needs a new operating system, you are the programmers,
and we need it within a few decades.

This planet came with a set of operating instructions, but we seem to have
misplaced them. Important rules like don't poison the water, soil, or air, and
don't let the earth get overcrowded, and don't touch the thermostat have been
broken. Buckminster Fuller said that spaceship earth was so ingeniously designed
that no one has a clue that we are on one, flying through the universe at a
million miles per hour, with no need for seatbelts, lots of room in coach, and
really good food -- but all that is changing.

There is invisible writing on the back of the diploma you will receive, and
in case you didn't bring lemon juice to decode it, I can tell you what it says:
YOU ARE BRILLIANT, AND THE EARTH IS HIRING. The earth couldn't afford to send
any recruiters or limos to your school. It sent you rain, sunsets, ripe
cherries, night blooming jasmine, and that unbelievably cute person you are
dating. Take the hint. And here's the deal: Forget that this task of
planet-saving is not possible in the time required. Don't be put off by people
who know what is not possible. Do what needs to be done, and check to see if it
was impossible only after you are done.

When asked if I am pessimistic or optimistic about the future, my answer is
always the same: If you look at the science about what is happening on earth and
aren't pessimistic, you don't understand data. But if you meet the people who
are working to restore this earth and the lives of the poor, and you aren't
optimistic, you haven't got a pulse. What I see everywhere in the world are
ordinary people willing to confront despair, power, and incalculable odds in
order to restore some semblance of grace, justice, and beauty to this world. The
poet Adrienne Rich wrote, "So much has been destroyed I have cast my lot with
those who, age after age, perversely, with no extraordinary power, reconstitute
the world." There could be no better description. Humanity is coalescing. It is
reconstituting the world, and the action is taking place in schoolrooms, farms,
jungles, villages, campuses, companies, refuge camps, deserts, fisheries, and
slums.

You join a multitude of caring people. No one knows how many groups and
organizations are working on the most salient issues of our day: climate change,
poverty, deforestation, peace, water, hunger, conservation, human rights, and
more. This is the largest movement the world has ever seen.

Rather than control, it seeks connection. Rather than dominance, it strives
to disperse concentrations of power. Like Mercy Corps, it works behind the
scenes and gets the job done. Large as it is, no one knows the true size of this
movement. It provides hope, support, and meaning to billions of people in the
world. Its clout resides in idea, not in force. It is made up of teachers,
children, peasants, businesspeople, rappers, organic farmers, nuns, artists,
government workers, fisherfolk, engineers, students, incorrigible writers,
weeping Muslims, concerned mothers, poets, doctors without borders, grieving
Christians, street musicians, the President of the United States of America, and
as the writer David James Duncan would say, the Creator, the One who loves us
all in such a huge way.

There is a rabbinical teaching that says if the world is ending and the
Messiah arrives, first plant a tree, and then see if the story is true.
Inspiration is not garnered from the litanies of what may befall us; it resides
in humanity's willingness to restore, redress, reform, rebuild, recover,
reimagine, and reconsider. "One day you finally knew what you had to do, and
began, though the voices around you kept shouting their bad advice," is Mary
Oliver's description of moving away from the profane toward a deep sense of
connectedness to the living world.

Millions of people are working on behalf of strangers, even if the evening
news is usually about the death of strangers. This kindness of strangers has
religious, even mythic origins, and very specific eighteenth-century roots.
Abolitionists were the first people to create a national and global movement to
defend the rights of those they did not know. Until that time, no group had
filed a grievance except on behalf of itself. The founders of this movement were
largely unknown -- Granville Clark, Thomas Clarkson, Josiah Wedgwood -- and
their goal was ridiculous on the face of it: at that time three out of four
people in the world were enslaved. Enslaving each other was what human beings
had done for ages. And the abolitionist movement was greeted with incredulity.
Conservative spokesmen ridiculed the abolitionists as liberals, progressives,
do-gooders, meddlers, and activists. They were told they would ruin the economy
and drive England into poverty. But for the first time in history a group of
people organized themselves to help people they would never know, from whom they
would never receive direct or indirect benefit. And today tens of millions of
people do this every day. It is called the world of non-profits, civil society,
schools, social entrepreneurship, and non-governmental organizations, of
companies who place social and environmental justice at the top of their
strategic goals. The scope and scale of this effort is unparalleled
inhistory.

The living world is not "out there" somewhere, but in your heart. What do we
know about life? In the words of biologist Janine Benyus, life creates the
conditions that are conducive to life. I can think of no better motto for a
future economy. We have tens of thousands of abandoned homes without people and
tens of thousands of abandoned people without homes. We have failed bankers
advising failed regulators on how to save failed assets. Think about this: we
are the only species on this planet without full employment. Brilliant. We have
an economy that tells us that it is cheaper to destroy earth in real time than
to renew, restore, and sustain it. You can print money to bail out a bank but
you can't print life to bail out a planet. At present we are stealing the
future, selling it in the present, and calling it gross domestic product. We can
just as easily have an economy that is based on healing the future instead of
stealing it. We can either create assets for the future or take the assets of
the future. One is called restoration and the other exploitation. And whenever
we exploit the earth we exploit people and cause untold suffering. Working for
the earth is not a way to get rich, it is a way to be rich.

The first living cell came into being nearly 40 million centuries ago, and
its direct descendants are in all of our bloodstreams. Literally you are
breathing molecules this very second that were inhaled by Moses, Mother Teresa,
and Bono. We are vastly interconnected. Our fates are inseparable. We are here
because the dream of every cell is to become two cells. In each of you are one
quadrillion cells, 90 percent of which are not human cells. Your body is a
community, and without those other microorganisms you would perish in hours.
Each human cell has 400 billion molecules conducting millions of processes
between trillions of atoms. The total cellular activity in one human body is
staggering: one septillion actions at any one moment, a one with twenty-four
zeros after it. In a millisecond, our body has undergone ten times more
processes than there are stars in the universe -- exactly what Charles Darwin
foretold when he said science would discover that each living creature was a
"little universe, formed of a host of self-propagating organisms, inconceivably
minute and as numerous as the stars of heaven."

So I have two questions for you all: First, can you feel your body? Stop for
a moment. Feel your body. One septillion activities going on simultaneously, and
your body does this so well you are free to ignore it, and wonder instead when
this speech will end. Second question: who is in charge of your body? Who is
managing those molecules? Hopefully not a political party. Life is creating the
conditions that are conducive to life inside you, just as in all of nature. What
I want you to imagine is that collectively humanity is evincing a deep innate
wisdom in coming together to heal the wounds and insults of the past.

Ralph Waldo Emerson once asked what we would do if the stars only came out
once every thousand years. No one would sleep that night, of course. The world
would become religious overnight. We would be ecstatic, delirious, made
rapturous by the glory of God. Instead the stars come out every night, and we
watch television.

This extraordinary time when we are globally aware of each other and the
multiple dangers that threaten civilization has never happened, not in a
thousand years, not in ten thousand years. Each of us is as complex and
beautiful as all the stars in the universe. We have done great things and we
have gone way off course in terms of honoring creation. You are graduating to
the most amazing, challenging, stupefying challenge ever bequested to any
generation. The generations before you failed. They didn't stay up all night.
They got distracted and lost sight of the fact that life is a miracle every
moment of your existence. Nature beckons you to be on her side. You couldn't ask
for a better boss. The most unrealistic person in the world is the cynic, not
the dreamer. Hopefulness only makes sense when it doesn't make sense to be
hopeful. This is your century. Take it and run as if your life depends on
it.

Paul Hawken is an environmentalist, entrepreneur, journalist, and author.
His books include Blessed
Unrest.

Whew

2009-05-24T13:45:00.001-05:00

Well, the SO and I had a disagreement about the status of upkeep on the piece of yard on the south side of the house. Afterwards, we went out to do yard work which turned in to transplanting 3 large azaleas that had been growing in our front yard for 17 years. It took two teenage boys, two adult females, 2 broken shovels, 1 intact shovel, the truck and a moving strap to get the suckers out of the ground. Two of the larger ones have been moved up by the house. The pieces of the smaller one have been moved to the backyard. Let's hope they grow.

The eldest announced (after we told him he had on inappropriate shoes) that if the slaves could build the pyramids of egypt in sandals, he could dig up a bush.

How does one argue with that?

The youngest wanted to build a catapult type contraption to hoist it out of the ground which would involve timbers, straps and a sling.

He tends to overdo.

We attached a moving strap to the base and pulled it out with the truck but not before spraying the front yard with mud because, you know, it's rained a little.

There was no yelling, no screaming, not throwing of tools. It was actually a fairly pleasant experience if you over look the mud and sweat which, who can really when it's all over you.

The problem now, besides keeping the transplanted bushes alive, is the upkeep on the front yard. It's no longer hidden from the street so we have to mindful about that. Mowing will have to be done more than twice a year unless we decide to declare it a nature preserve.

I've sent for the paperwork on that.

Right now, the SO and I are sitting our our patio eating popcorn and working on the computer. Life it pretty good.

Commercials

2009-05-22T06:42:00.001-05:00

Can someone please tell me why people think I will buy their product if they use their child to sell it?

Today

2009-05-19T18:00:00.000-05:00

Well today ended with a rush of adrenalin. My SO calls. "They fucking left our son at the state park!!!" I'm...wha???? The 8th grade went on a field trip and to Meaman state park and some how they managed to leave 3 children behind. The school didn't know it. Apparently the bus driver just left. People were rushing around trying to find them. Two teachers raced back to the State Park trying to chase my SO down and stop her. It was a mess. The other two parents were in the office with me. The police show up then leave once they (and we) found out that the kids were at the visitor's center and were safe. I guess leaving children behind isn't criminal--just incompetent. For 15 minutes, I felt like all the other parents out there who have lost a child. It's horrible. It's helpless and it's enough to make one eat nails and spit out needles.

He's fine. You'd never know from him that something weird happened. Go figure children.

I want to hold someone accountable, but I just don't know who. Or if it's even worth it to stay upset about it.

Good grief.

Happy Mother's Day

2009-05-10T18:40:00.001-05:00

To all mothers out there. We had a wonderful one. Our youngest got up and made cheesy, garlicy scrambled eggs with bacon. It was delicious. Then both the youngest and the oldest gave me a very cool new tool. I've used it twice. It's an Expedition Tools HK1 Adjustable Wrench. This is what it looks like

ThinkGeek :: Hydrokinetic Adjustable Wrench :: Zoom!

I've already used it twice. Very Star Trekkie. They are getting my SO a new blender. They asked what she wanted and she told them that it must grind ice up for margaritas so they did a search. I'm not sure what they found because it hasn't arrived yet. I'm curious.

The SO and I went bike shopping. We found a very plain beach bike which we are taking to Florida in a few weeks. We also fixed a bike we had here. It just needed some WD40 and new inner tubes. Now it's good as new. That's the one I'll be riding unless the oldest wants to.

All in all, it's been a great day. Now, I have to make a list of things that need to be done on the house. Apparently Mother's Day only last a few hours.

On Turning 50

2009-05-08T06:04:00.001-05:00

I just did it. People ask me how it feels and all I can say is it feels the same as yesterday but not as good as tomorrow. Nothing to it. The only thing I need to change is exercise. I don't get nearly enough of it and that's my fault. I must get back on that elliptical. We're also looking at bicycles which I think I can do. Walking aggravates my back which is a product of my ample stomach.

Anyway, back to 50. I had a small party which I didn't want and will freely admit that but am happy that I have friends who insisted. It was nice. Intimate. Surrounded by people who I consider my truest friends who could be here. I have some who live far away and couldn't make it. One sent me a fabulous, beautiful bottle of tequila. And it's delicious. I had to taste it.

All in all, it's been a good time. I'm not skeered of aging. Several of my friends who are already over 50 have told me that it only gets better. I believe them and am looking forward to this decade. I wonder what changes and/or advances we'll see. I wonder if the collective consciousness will become aware of the need for each of us to care about our neighbor. I wonder if we'll see peace and sane prosperity. I just wonder. 50 is cool.

Sunday

2009-04-26T20:08:00.001-05:00

Was beautiful. I got out and cleaned up some leaves and a pile of sticks and tree limbs that we've been collecting with the intention of burning them in the firepit in the backyard. Didn't happen so I just hauled them to the street.

I mowed the backyard with a weedeater. It's not that large obviously. What amazes me about that backyard, though, it just how much yard trash it generates. Good god, it never stops. Sticks, leaves, just tree crap everywhere.

I was going to try and get my motorcycle started. Something's wrong with the float. I didn't find that out soon enough today to work on it. Guess it'll have to wait until next weekend. I can't afford a mechanic right now so I'm going to have to feel my way through it.

There's still work to be done on the house. I'm beginning to feel overwhelmed by the thought. I don't know how to do it all which bothers me. I have some roofing work to do, rerouting of the water heater vent, painting, jacking up the house. You know, general home owner shit.

Perhaps I should sell and live in the RV.

Spring has Sprung

2009-04-24T06:12:00.003-05:00

...all over the place. I've washed pollen off every horizontal surface I have and that includes indoors. We have an attic fan that we run. It's huge which means it sucks in all sorts of things through the window screens.

We've had our first baby visitor. Our lovely newest cat decided to bring us a screaming baby bird the other night. Thank goodness he has sense enough to take it to the bathroom. I still haven't decided why they've made that the killing room. Fortunately, the baby bird was alive and well when I retrieved it from the cat's mouth. I took it outside and put it where I thought it would be safe and where its mother could find it. I'm trying hard not to think about what happened after that. I will always believe that it's safe and growing.

We went to the Jimmy Buffet concert in Dallas last weekend. My first Buffet experience and I must say it was a grand one. RV's everywhere. People everywhere. Costumes and booze EVERYWHERE. One guy even brought a hot tub on a flatbed trailer. Wow. We're going back next year.

I"ve got to get my bike running. It's time to get back on it. It calms me. Better than a therapist or drugs. I can't explain it. One would have to ride to understand and I recommend that everyone buy a motorcycle and ride ride ride. It's awesome.

Nothing of much substance here. My SO is maintaining although I'm noticing that she's tiring much more quickly. I'm still holing out hope for a cure soon or at least a better treatment regimen.

Susan Boyle - Singer - Britains Got Talent 2009

2009-04-14T17:42:00.001-05:00

It ain't about looks. You have to watch this.

You really have to check this out

2009-04-09T16:54:00.001-05:00

It's a musical treat.

http://vimeo.com/moogaloop.swf?clip_id=2539741

Evolution

2009-03-30T06:11:00.000-05:00

I was reading the posts of some of my friends on Facebook and one had put this up there:

"Mary Antin, 1912: We are not born all at once, but by bits. The body first, and the spirit later; and the birth and growth of the spirit, in those who are attentive to their own inner life, are slow and exceedingly painful..."

it caught my attention. I'd received an email from a friend that I'd made several years ago during a time when my spirit was in a period of evolution. My growth of spirit caused some painful changes in the relationship I was in. My spirit needed to grow and couldn't do it in the shell of the relationship I was in at that time.

It needed to expand so for a time, that relationship changed. My SO moved and took our children with her. My spirit exploded. I made some very intense friends and connected with some very intense and emotionally advanced women. One of those women was the one I received the email from. She said that based on what she'd read on this blog showed her that I was very different now than I was then.

She's right. My spirit evolved. I learned lessons. I brought that back to my current relationship and fully believe that this is where I'm supposed to be and want to be. I'm more settled in and calmer spiritually. Not necessarily temperamentally.

It doesn't diminish what I had back then. I was supposed to experience that as well. And learn from it, which I have. It's made me who I am today. It prepared me for what's to come. I wouldn't make any different decisions if I were given it all over to do.

I miss those women. I miss the energy that was around me then. I miss what I was surrounded by. I love what I have now and have learned to balance the "then" with the "now" and it works for me.

My spirit is still evolving but not nearly as explosive as it was then. I'd like to think that there is more maturity which means taking measured steps towards what I'm supposed to become. I would hope that there's more awareness on my part.

We'll see. I'm looking forward to the journey. I remember what I was when I met my friend and I use that as a guide or measuring stick for what I am now and what I will turn out to be.

Broadway Pizza

2009-03-30T05:45:00.000-05:00

I keep forgetting it's there and just down the street from me. We decided to go there last night at about 5:30. It wasn't crowded so we thought that dinner would come quickly.

Not so.

And we discovered why. They do a HUGE takeout business. I wish they delivered.

We ordered a large "everything" which is what the youngest wanted. We also ordered hotwings. We ordered the hot which turned out to not be terribly hot but very tasty. I'd get them again. The sauce is spicy with a hint of vinegar and salt. it was delicious.

And the pizza was also delicious although I don't think I'd the the "everything" again. It was too much. The flavors all meshed together until it really didn't taste like much. Kinda like mixing all the colors together and you just end up with black. I'd go with only a few toppings.

I think that next time we might call ahead although the wait wasn't unpleasant because we entertained ourselves at the table.

We will definitely go again and might even go there for lunch or at least call a pizza in then go pick it up. I don't think it would give Memphis Pizza Cafe a run but it's a nice diversion and much closer to us.

Vacation

2009-03-25T19:32:00.001-05:00

Vacation was awesome! Traveling in the RV was a pleasant adventure even when we had to spend the night in the Firestone parking lot in Hattiesburg, MS. We had some overheating issues which required us to stay over night.

So hear we are in the parking lot with our feet kicked up watching a Harry Potter movie while eating dinner that my SO had cooked. The next morning we're all getting up but still in our sleeping clothes while breakfast is being cooked. Sausage, biscuits and eggs. The poor Firestone techs were just looking over at the RV and drooling. We had the exhaust fan on in the RV which sucked all that good smell out into the parking lot.

Torture.

We got back on the road and made it down to the coast. The weather was nearly perfect. Two days of showers then 7 days of mid to upper 70's, clear, great water. It was just wow. Lots of time to read and relax and recharge. I love it down there. I think moving there would kill the magic though. Not sure. May have to test that though.

Amazingly enough, we all got along even though we were in tight quarters. There was very little computer access so we either had to read or play games or just sit and enjoy the calm. I enjoyed the calm. I enjoyed the sun and the wind and the water and the peace.

I can hardly wait to go back.

Squirrels in the Attic

2009-03-10T05:59:00.000-05:00

No, it's not a movie. Our newest cat addition when hunting in the attic and brought back a prized catch which it promptly took to the bathroom to finish gutting.

Thank goodness I wasn't home at the time. My SO was and had to deal with the carcass and the cat. He was so proud of the gift he'd presented.

Fur, blood and guts all over the bathroom. At least he had the sense to take it to a tiled room so that clean up would be less unpleasant.

This is our third encounter with a squirrel in the house. At this point, we're no longer interested in saving the vermin. Funny how certain encounters will do that. Kinda like the beggers downtown. I used to have compassion. Now I just glare at them.

Kinda like the folks that have gotten us into this financial mess. Where is their tiled room?

Potato Cannon

2009-03-10T05:52:00.000-05:00

We had a nice family weekend. The boys were scheduled to have some friends over for a game night but all families backed out for various reasons. My youngest was feeling it the most. He's my social mocking bird. So, we loaded up his potato cannon and took it down to the greenbelt at the end of the street.

We set up, carefully loaded it, sprayed just the right amount of hairspray into the combustion chamber then pushed the button.

WHOOMP and out shot the potato. The people sitting on their porch across the street immediately turned around to watch. We fired off another and they were moving closer. Then a third that really boomed because the youngest added just a little more hairspray. We decided at that point to pack it up because we figured the police were next. As we were leaving, we noticed a father and 2 sons coming down the street.

Sorry they missed it.

What is it about loud booms that attract people? Fireworks do it. Sonic booms do it. Apparently a family spending time together with a potato cannon does it.

Maybe we'll get it out again soon.

I have to share this commentary

2009-03-10T05:46:00.000-05:00

The article is below. He says what many of us have been thinking. The middle class and poor have been screwed by the ultra rich and we're a poor nation for it. Talk about moral bankruptcy!

Reviving the Dream

By BOB HERBERT

Published: March 9, 2009

Working families were in deep trouble long before this megarecession hit. But too many of the public officials who should have been looking out for the middle class and the poor were part of the reckless and shockingly shortsighted alliance of conservatives and corporate leaders that rigged the economy in favor of the rich and ultimately brought it down completely.

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Bob Herbert

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As Jared Bernstein, now the chief economic adviser to Vice President Joseph Biden, wrote in the preface to his book, “Crunch: Why Do I Feel So Squeezed? (And Other Unsolved Economic Mysteries)”:

“Economics has been hijacked by the rich and powerful, and it has been forged into a tool that is being used against the rest of us.”

Working people were not just abandoned by big business and their ideological henchmen in government, they were exploited and humiliated. They were denied the productivity gains that should have rightfully accrued to them. They were treated ruthlessly whenever they tried to organize. They were never reasonably protected against the savage dislocations caused by revolutions in technology and global trade.

Working people were told that all of this was good for them, and whether out of ignorance or fear or prejudice or, as my grandfather might have said, damned foolishness, many bought into it. They signed onto tax policies that worked like a three-card monte game. And they were sold a snake oil concoction called “trickle down” that so addled their brains that they thought it was a wonderful idea to hand over their share of the nation’s wealth to those who were already fabulously rich.

America used to be better than this.

The seeds of today’s disaster were sown some 30 years ago. Looking at income patterns during that period, my former colleague at The Times, David Cay Johnston, noted that from 1980 (the year Ronald Reagan was elected) to 2005, the national economy, adjusted for inflation, more than doubled. (Because of population growth, the actual increase per capita was about 66 percent.)

But the average income for the vast majority of Americans actually declined during those years. The standard of living for the average family improved not because incomes grew but because women entered the workplace in droves.

As hard as it may be to believe, the peak income year for the bottom 90 percent of Americans was way back in 1973, when the average income per taxpayer, adjusted for inflation, was $33,000. That was nearly $4,000 higher, Mr. Johnston pointed out, than in 2005.

Men have done particularly poorly. Men who are now in their 30s — the prime age for raising families — earn less money than members of their fathers’ generation did at the same age.

It may seem like ancient history, but in the first few decades following World War II, the United States, despite many serious flaws, established the model of a highly productive society that shared its prosperity widely and made investments that were geared toward a more prosperous, more fulfilling future.

The American dream was alive and well and seemingly unassailable. But somehow, following the oil shocks, the hyperinflation and other traumas of the 1970s, Americans allowed the right-wingers to get a toehold — and they began the serious work of smothering the dream.

Ronald Reagan saw Medicare as a giant step on the road to socialism. Newt Gingrich, apparently referring to the original fee-for-service version of Medicare, which was cherished by the elderly, cracked, “We don’t get rid of it in Round One because we don’t think it’s politically smart.”

The right-wingers were crafty: You smother the dream by crippling the programs that support it, by starving the government of money to pay for them, by funneling the government’s revenues to the rich through tax cuts and other benefits, by looting the government the way gangsters loot legitimate businesses and then pleading poverty when it comes time to fund the services required by the people.

The anti-tax fanatic Grover Norquist summed the matter up nicely when he famously said, “Our goal is to shrink the government to the size where you can drown it in a bathtub.” Only they didn’t shrink the government, they enlarged it and turned its bounty over to the rich.

Now, with the economy in free fall and likely to get worse, Americans — despite their suffering — have an opportunity to reshape the society, and then to move it in a fairer, smarter and ultimately more productive direction. That is the only way to revive the dream, but it will take a long time and require great courage and sacrifice.

The right-wingers do not want that to happen, which is why they are rooting so hard for President Obama’s initiatives to fail. They like the direction that the country took over the past 30 years. They’d love to do it all again.

Chopsticks

2009-02-28T17:23:00.000-06:00

My sister and her husband are in China and for Christmas, they gave us the awesome set of chopsticks. Enough in the set for each of us to have our own. I sent her a thank you email telling her how great they were and that we would use them all the time.

Little did I know how accurate that statement would be.

This morning I decided to make myself some breakfast which consisted of large hotdogs, mustard and sweet pickle relish. The boys come in and smell it cooking then say they want some. I oblige.

10 minutes later I walk back into the kitchen and see my youngest eating cut up hotdogs with the chopsticks sent from China.

Everything except ice cream. None of us have tackled that yet.

Mother and Son projects

2009-02-22T13:47:00.002-06:00

My youngest and I have been traveling a rocky time of it lately. I haven't really wanted to be around him because of his behavior.

He came home Friday with a school project. He was supposed to build a telegraph. Since I am the building mom, it fell to me to help.

I'm glad it did. Gave us time to reconnect. Hopefully, we've moved past the rocky part if only for a little while.

I should say that we got the telegraph built and it does actually work. It's a little crude; nevertheless, it dots and dashes just like it was meant to. We'll see what grade he gets.

We'll see how he behaves.

We'll see how I feel about him in a week and how well I pass this test of patience and self-control.

Planting Trees

2009-02-21T06:23:00.003-06:00

I found this story on the "About My Planet" website. Apparently there has been a push by a group to plant trees all over the planet.

First I've heard about it. Quoted below is the article. Read it. It's encouraging and surprising about what country has planted the most trees.

From the website:

"It is always nice to mention good news when you are talking about the environment. With so much bad news out there, any good news can brighten up your day, and today there is good news for the environment. This good news does not come out of eco-friendly British Columbia, or the progressive European Union. Nope, it comes from Kenya, a place that has some of the highest poverty levels on the planet.

The United Nations has put forth an initiative to plant billions of trees to help the environment. Called Plant for the Planet: Billion Trees Campaign, it has the goal of planting trees all over the planet over the next few years to reduce greenhouse gases and to help make the world a greener place, like it used to be before humans got chainsaw happy around the planet.

As part of this, Kenya has pledged to plant 5,000 trees in the Karua Forest to fight climate change, promote carbon reduction and to clean up the Karura River, which has suffered in recent years. The UN picked the perfect day for this as well; Valentine's Day. What better day to say you love the Earth by planting a tree, than Valentine's Day?

Thousands attended the event because many of the trees are planted in the memory of loved ones who have died, while other trees are just being planted for the love of the planet; our planet.

So far, the Billion Trees Campaign has been an incredible success. At this point, 2.6 billion trees have been planted around the globe with 4.3 billion trees pledged to be planted this year. However, it is not quite on the mark of planting seven billion trees by the end of 2009, which will represent one tree for every person on the planet. That being said, 2,600,000,000 trees planted is a big step in the right direction. That equates to billions, upon billions of tons of carbon dioxide removed from the atmosphere. It is expected a few billion more trees will be planted before the end of 2009.

Do you want to know what country has planted the most trees of any country on Earth for this UN campaign? If you guess Canada, the European Union or the United States, you would be wrong. Ethiopia is the correct answer. So far in this campaign, this small country has planted an astonishing 700,000,000 trees!"

http://www.aboutmyplanet.com/green-news/kenya-turning-green-trees/

Satan Designed my Jeep's Engine

2009-02-07T15:39:00.000-06:00

That's the only explanation I have for why a rocker cover bolt is placed at the back of the cover near the fire wall. There is NO room to work back there. If the bolt hadn't already been a little loose, I'd have never gotten it off.

And it's also very obvious that whoever designed this truck had no intentions of a short fat chick ever working on it. I can't reach JACK without a footstool. How dignified is that? I'm doing serious work on my own truck and I have to drag the kitchen stool out to the street just so I can reach all the bolts that need to be removed.

Of course, if one built a car that I could easily and comfortably work on, nobody could fit in it.

Anyway, I changed the rocker cover gasket today. Took me 4 hours and several colorful expressions to get it done. Saved a couple hundred dollars. And I'm going to need that money just to fill up the RV.

Now, I just have to figure out how to get the grossness out from under my fingernails.

Our New RV

2009-02-01T07:31:00.011-06:00

Oh
My
God....we bought a used RV yesterday. Can we afford it? Not really but can we not not afford it? With the future uncertain for my SO, we had to do it. I asked a friend for her opinion and she said that tomorrow is not guaranteed.

We had to do it and will love it.

It's an older model which the color scheme reflects. Browns and creams but that's ok. It's functional and in good shape. We took her for a test drive out to Meeman and it worked well. We did a test run of hooking up to services and times how long it took. You ready? 5 minutes to back in and set up. Beats the heck out of a tent. We moved all of our camping gear in which freed up space in the house. I even joked that we could turn it into our oldest's bedroom or a retreat for the adults.

Now, I have to see about claiming it as a second home.

Check out the pictures.

Amazing

2009-01-22T17:38:00.001-06:00

How can you NOT tap your foot?

2009-01-22T17:33:00.001-06:00

A New Toy

2009-01-11T18:38:00.001-06:00

We've been collecting fallen limbs from our neighbors and all around the block to burn in our outdoor fireplace. Last weekend, we had a BIG limb fall from the tree on the south side of the house. Now, I got out there last weekend and with my little hand tree limb trimming saw I cut this muther up and threw it over the fence into the back yard.

The pieces weren't small enough to put in the little fireplace but I told myself that I was in no way shape or form going to cut that limb up any smaller with a hand saw.

So the oldest and I went shopping. I had no intentions of buying a chainsaw until I saw one on the shelf at Lowe's. Since the SO chose not to go with us, I didn't have that voice screaming at me "WE CAN'T AFFORD IT." So guess what?

We are now the proud owners of an electric chain saw. If there's a limb out there that this saw can't handle then we don't need it. I'm not heating the house for God's sake.

The oldest and I are driving home and he asks me what I think the youngest will do when we get this home.

I calmly and without censoring said, "He'll get a hard on."

My oldest nearly choked holding back the Dr. Pepper that he was about to spew all over the dashboard and windshield. I think some even made it out through his nose but at least he didn't get it all over the car.

That might have upset me.

He told me not to do that again and I apologized saying it was a totally inappropriate remark to make to my oldest. He said it wasn't the remark because it was funny. It was the timing.

Apparently Dr. Pepper up the nose is painful.

I wouldn't know.

Anyway, we get home and spend a couple of hours cutting up limbs into about 9" pieces that will be easily splittable and burnable. Then, when the limbs run out we start looking for other pieces of wood.

I did draw the line at the fence. The youngest was disappointed until I reminded him that he would be the one chasing the dogs.

It really is all about the simple things. A saw. Wood. A match and a fire pit made a glorious Sunday afternoon. All we needed was a big chunk of dead animal to roast and we would have been close to our roots.

We settled for Krystals when the youngest and the SO had to go to Sally Beauty Supply to fix the hair bleach job that they did this afternoon.

He's an enigma. He's cuts wood with me all afternoon then lets the SO bleach and dye his hair.

Go figure. It should come as no surprise to anyone that I consider the judicious use of narcotics from time to time. You try living with these two boys for a while.

Home Ownership Woes

2009-01-05T17:55:00.002-06:00

So, the washing machine was leaking. I couldn't figure out where for the longest time until yesterday morning. I'm in my pajamas and barefooted. No bra. Why would I break my momentum to go put on a bra?

I have to crawl up on the washing machine and finally see a drip come down from the hose connections on the back.

This should be a simple repair shouldn't it? Just tighten the connections and all is well.

No. Of course not. I had to unfasten the hoses and notice that the washers are just disintegrating. I'm thinking that I have spares somewhere but can't remember where.

And it wouldn't matter because the youngest just can't leave my things alone. So, I go to the garage in my pajamas, barefooted and braless to find hose washers.

I find my chisels with a big chip in the blade. Youngest.
I find my handsaws laying next to the grill rusted. Youngest.
I find an article on how to tune a weber carb and how to reinstall one. Adult ADD.
I find a broken wooden horse that was my mothers that I start to repair then remember that I'm really working on the washing machine. Adult ADD.

I find a rock hard half of a hotdog. Probably youngest but I can't rule out adult. Not ADD. Lazy.

Finally, I find the hose washers where I keep the sandpaper. I have no idea why or who to blame that on. On the way back to the house I step on three screws and 2 nails. Youngest.

Profanity is a developed talent. I'm fully developed by the time I reach the back door and then the mudroom. It's an art really. A skill not often appreciated by the people around you.

I get the hoses back on the washing machine and so far so good. I don't know that I could take on another "honey do" project because I'm running out of good cuss words.

Home Ownership Woes

2009-01-05T17:52:00.002-06:00

So, the washing machine was leaking. I could figure out where for the longest time until yesterday morning. I'm in my pajamas and barefooted. No bra. Why would I break my momentum to go put on a bra?

I have to crawl up on the washing machine and finally see a drip come down from the hose connections on the back.

This should be a simple repair shouldn't it? Just tighten the connections and all is well.

No. Of course not. I had to unfasten the hoses and notice that the washers are just disintegrating. I'm thinking that I have spares somewhere but can't remember where.

And it wouldn't matter because the youngest just can't leave my things alone. So, I go to the garage in my pajamas, barefooted and braless to find hose washers.

I find my chisels with a big chip in the blade. Youngest.
I find my handsaws laying next to the grill rusted. Youngest.
I find an article on how to tune a weber carb and how to reinstall one. Adult ADD.
I find a broken wooden horse that was my mothers that I start to repair then remember that I'm really working on the washing machine. Adult ADD.

I find a rock hard half of a hotdog. Probably youngest but I can't rule out adult. Not ADD. Lazy.

Finally, I find the hose washers where I keep the sandpaper. I have no idea why or who to blame that on. On the way back to the house I step on three screws and 2 nails. Youngest.

Profanity is a developed talent. I'm fully developed by the time I reach the back door and then the mudroom. It's an art really. A skill not often appreciated by the people around you.

I get the hoses back on the washing machine and so far so good. I don't know that I could take on another "honey do" project because I'm running out of good cuss words.

A Post About "Pets Wanted"

2009-01-04T18:25:00.001-06:00

I belong to the Memphis Freecycle list. There have been several posts lately asking for pets. This was a response that I believe needs to be shared. I have the emailers permission.

===================================================

Hi everyone,

There have been some posts today asking for dogs, and this past
year that I've been a member of this group there have been many requests for
small animals and pets of all kinds.

Today I received this letter from a
shelter manager. This outlines very well what our society has come to when it
comes to animals. I volunteer for the Humane Society here in Memphis, and I can
tell you the nice new facility in Shelby Farms is the Four Seasons of shelters.
However, there are shelters all over, including the City "shelter" that operates
under extremely low funding, and the animals are suffering. It is someone's job
to kill (euthanize) dogs and cats all day long, simply because there is no room,
because, people refuse to take responsibility for their animals.

I know
this is long, but I beg each and every one to read it and forward it to everyone
you know. Please adopt!! Please spay and neuter your pets!! Please volunteer and
get an idea of the problem!! Please donate a little cash so a dog can lie on a
cushion instead of a cold concrete floor!! The local Animal Protection
Association, www.spaymemphis.com, has very low cost services for
spay/neuter and vaccinations.

We have got to get this situation under
control, and it will take everyone's participation and caring enough to do
something about it. Also, please don't shrug it off and say 'there are bigger
problems in this world'. I've heard that line about a trillion times. To fix a
society an important part is starting from the bottom up. Animals cannot speak
for themselves.

Thank you for your time.

===================================================

A Letter from a Shelter
Manager

I think our society needs a huge "Wake-up" call. As a shelter

manager, I am going to share a little insight with you all...a view

from the inside if you will.

First off, all of you
breeders/sellers should be made to work in

the "back" of an animal
shelter for just one day. Maybe if you saw

the life drain from a few
sad, lost, confused eyes, you would change

your mind about breeding and
selling to people you don't even know.

That puppy you just sold will
most likely end up in my shelter when

it's not a cute little puppy
anymore. So how would you feel if you

knew that there's about a 90%
chance that dog will never walk out of

the shelter it is going to be
dumped at? Purebred or not! About 50%

of all of the dogs that are "owner
surrenders" or "strays", that come

into my shelter are purebred dogs.

The most common excuses I hear are; "We are moving and we can't take

our dog (or cat)." Really? Where are you moving too that doesn't

allow pets? Or they say "The dog got bigger than we thought it

would". How big did you think a German Shepherd would get? "We don't

have time for her". Really? I work a 10-12 hour day and still have

time for my 6 dogs! "She's tearing up our yard". How about making her

a part of your family? They always tell me "We just don't want to

have to stress about finding a place for her we know she'll get

adopted, she's a good dog".

Odds are your pet won't get adopted
& how stressful do you think

being in a shelter is? Well, let me
tell you, your pet has 72 hours

to find a new family from the moment you
drop it off. Sometimes a

little longer if the shelter isn't full and
your dog manages to stay

completely healthy. If it sniffles, it dies.
Your pet will be

confined to a small run/kennel in a room with about 25
other barking

or crying animals. It will have to relieve itself where it
eats and

sleeps. It will be depressed and it will cry constantly for the

family that abandoned it. If your pet is lucky, I will have enough

volunteers in that day to take him/her for a walk. If I don't, your

pet won't get any attention besides having a bowl of food slid under

the kennel door and the waste sprayed out of its pen with a
high-

powered hose. If your dog is big, black or any of the "Bully"
breeds

(pit bull, rottie, mastiff, etc) it was pretty much dead when you

walked it through the front door.

Those dogs just don't get
adopted. It doesn't matter how 'sweet'

or 'well behaved' they are.

If your dog doesn't get adopted within its 72 hours and the shelter

is full, it will be destroyed. If the shelter isn't full and your dog

is good enough, and of a desirable enough breed it may get a stay of

execution, but not for long . Most dogs get very kennel protective

after about a week and are destroyed for showing aggression. Even the

sweetest dogs will turn in this environment. If your pet makes it

over all of those hurdles chances are it will get kennel cough or an

upper respiratory infection and will be destroyed because shelters

just don't have the funds to pay for even a $100 treatment.

Here's a little euthanasia 101 for those of you that have never

witnessed a perfectly healthy, scared animal being "put-down".

First, your pet will be taken from its kennel on a leash. They always

look like they think they are going for a walk happy, wagging their

tails. Until they get to "The Room", every one of them freaks out and

puts on the brakes when we get to the door. It must smell like death

or they can feel the sad souls that are left in there, it's strange,

but it happens with every one of them. Your dog or cat will be

restrained, held down by 1 or 2 vet techs depending on the size and

how freaked out they are. Then a euthanasia tech or a vet will start

the process. They will find a vein in the front leg and inject a

lethal dose of the "pink stuff". Hopefully your pet doesn't panic

from being restrained and jerk. I've seen the needles tear out of a

leg and been covered with the resulting blood and been deafened by

the yelps and screams. They all don't just "go to sleep", sometimes

they spasm for a while, gasp for air and defecate on themselves.

When it all ends, your pets corpse will be stacked like firewood in a

large freezer in the back with all of the other animals that were

killed waiting to be picked up like garbage. What happens next?

Cremated? Taken to the dump? Rendered into pet food? You'll never

know and it probably won't even cross your mind. It was just an

animal and you can always buy another one, right?

I hope that
those of you that have read this are bawling your eyes

out and can't get
the pictures out of your head I deal with everyday

on the way home from
work.

I hate my job, I hate that it exists & I hate that it will
always be

there unless you people make some changes and realize that the
lives

you are affecting go much farther than the pets you dump at a

shelter.

Between 9 and 11 MILLION animals die every year in
shelters and only

you can stop it. I do my best to save every life I can
but rescues

are always full, and there are more animals coming in
everyday than

there are homes.

My point to all of this DON'T
BREED OR BUY WHILE SHELTER PETS DIE!

Hate me if you want to. The truth
hurts and reality is what it is. I

just hope I maybe changed one persons
mind about breeding their dog,

taking their loving pet to a shelter, or
buying a dog. I hope that

someone will walk into my shelter and say "I
saw this and it made me

want to adopt". THAT WOULD MAKE IT WORTH IT.

Holiday Time off Happenings

2008-12-26T19:47:00.000-06:00

OK...so I have to go up into the attic twice over the holiday. Once to see why our front porch is leaking. Now, mind you--I'm no small chicken anymore but am still amazed at what I can still fold up and do. I had to slip through studs that are only 18" apart and slither down into the space over the porch. Find the leak and put a bucket under it until I can get on the roof and re-roof that portion. I found it alright. Finally. This was the fourth trip up there to look.

The next day, I have to go up there to find out why the corner of the ceiling in the living room is looking funky. I go up and slither around on my belly in the attic out next to the wall. Not much room to work. I can't see any reason why this would be happening.

I come back down.

Then we go shopping for a new kitchen faucet with some christmas money that the SO's parents sent. You'd think it would be a simple install.

Oh hell no. Nothing in a midtown home is simple. Took me 2 hours. Had to stop all the leaks including the drain trap that got knocked loose. It's in. But I cussed a blue streak. Even the instructions said I would. They also told me to stop and take a beer break. I should have. I didn't.

I'm under the sink in a very uncomfortable position. I've loosened the supply lines and have water dripping down on my face. My arms are stretched up in some unnatural position trying to loosen the nuts holding the faucet in and my SO wants to know what I want for dinner.

What I want for dinner.

I don't give a shit at that point as long as it doesn't require water.

We order pizza.

Nevertheless, it's in and looks great.

Holy Schmoly

2008-12-26T19:37:00.000-06:00

We got the Wii Fitness Advisor for the holidays. There are several programs you can choose: Weight Loss, Flexibility, etc. I did the flexibility for the first time tonight.

I'm not.

Can't touch my toes.

And the thing she calls the Child's pose.......whatevah!!

I know I'm going to be sore tomorrow but enjoyed the workout. Next workout will be weight loss.

We'll see how that goes.

UC Men's Octet - Bohemian Rhapsody

2008-12-23T06:45:00.001-06:00

Straight No Chaser - Carol of the Bells

2008-12-23T06:37:00.001-06:00

Straight No Chaser - 12 Days of Christmas

2008-12-23T06:36:00.001-06:00

They are just fabulous!

Happy Winter Solstice

2008-12-22T06:33:00.000-06:00

The shortest day and the longest night of the year. Death gives way to
rebirth. The sun god starts his journey back towards us.

In
ancient Rome, the winter solstice was celebrated at the feast of
Saturnalia, while in pre-christian Britain, the end of December
centered around the pagan Yule log in a fiery display to melt the heart
of a cold and dreary winter. Today, a similar response to winter
doldrums is the celebration of Christmas by many cultures around the
world complete with twinkling lights, holiday feasts & lively
festivals.

Winter solstice! A time of transition in the annual
war of light vs darkness, cold vs warmth, abundance vs shortage, life
vs death! All people in our northern climes have tended to view this as
the crucial time of year. A time to hold ceremonies designed to assist
nature in rebounding from the path toward oblivion to one directed
toward prosperity. A time to huddle at home with family and friends in
love and worship, or a time simply to hibernate, as much as possible,
sleeping more, and attempting to keep ones mind on other things.

It
has often been said that the greatest joy tends to follow deep sorrow.
What is so wonderful about the winter solstice is that once we are past
that moment of time we can look forward to brighter skies. Slowly at
first, then more rapidly as we go into January and February, days get
longer and everything around helps us celebrate the increase of light.
It speaks well for the human spirit that our greatest religious
celebrations take place at winter solstice time, as people radiate
warmth of fellowship and love on these dimmer days. The festivals of
darker days are really celebrations of light.

Winter Solstice
has been celebrated in cultures the world over for thousands of years.
This start of the solar year is a celebration of Light and the rebirth
of the Sun. In old Europe, it was known as Yule, from the Norse, Jul,
meaning wheel.

Today, many people in Western-based cultures
refer to this holiday as "Christmas." Yet a look into its origins of
Christmas reveals its Pagan roots. Emperor Aurelian established
December 25 as the birthday of the "Invincible Sun" in the third
century as part of the Roman Winter Solstice celebrations. Shortly
thereafter, in 273, the Christian church selected this day to represent
the birthday of Jesus, and by 336, this Roman solar feast day was
Christianized. January 6, celebrated as Epiphany in Christendom and
linked with the visit of the Magi, was originally an Egyptian date for
the Winter Solstice.

Most of the customs, lore, symbols, and
rituals associated with "Christmas" actually are linked to Winter
Solstice celebrations of ancient Pagan cultures. While Christian
mythology is interwoven with contemporary observances of this holiday
time, its Pagan nature is still strong and apparent. Pagans today can
readily re-Paganize Christmastime and the secular New Year by giving a
Pagan spiritual focus to existing holiday customs and by creating new
traditions that draw on ancient ways.

If you're really
interested, follow the second link to read about the traditions and
where they came from. Much of our Christmas holiday has its roots in
pagan ritual. I find it fascinating.

http://www.clarkfoundation.org/astro-utah/vondel/solsticewin.html

http://www.circlesanctuary.org/pholidays/SolsticeArticle.html

Monday

2008-12-16T20:48:00.002-06:00

We had a delightful time at our favorite mexican watering hole Monday night. A very dear friend received a promotion with the Post Office so I told her that she was buying the first round. Well, the little sneak snuck off and paid the entire bill. There were 8 of us and all of us had entrees with drinks. I know about what she spent and it's a chunk of change.

She's feeling proud and she should. She's worked hard to get where she is. We had a great time. Good friends at our favorite restaurant makes for a great evening.

When Did it Get Cold??

2008-12-11T06:33:00.005-06:00

Holy cow. I got up this morning and was unprepared for the temperature outside. Even Cora Beth bitched when I tried to start her. That's my truck. A 91 Jeep Comanche 4wd, 6cyl, 4.0 bossy truck that is sometimes temperamental. Gets that from her owner I suppose. I wouldn't' trade her for the world though.

We're coming to the end of the year and the holiday season. We do Christmas and Hanukkah but we don't over do it. One, we can't afford it but two, we don't want the boys to grow up thinking they're entitled to everything they want. Everybody has limits. I think the oldest is OK with it. The youngest is still in diva mode and expects to get everything he wants. Boy, is he in for a let down.

We're still looking for an RV that we can afford. I have faith that it will work out. I want to do this before my SO no longer remembers what we're doing.

Life is fairly show right now. No real crisis to deal with. The boys are doing well in school. I manage to avoid my boss for the most part. He's focusing his attention on someone else in the office. Attacking the weakest. He's horrible and must go.

I have a party tonight and one Saturday. Good friends. Should be fun.

Time Flies....

2008-11-30T20:01:00.002-06:00

Thanksgiving is over. We went to visit my SO's family out of state. It was a good trip and I would imagine we'll be making that trip more and more often while my SO's still remembers. The boys are really enjoying their cousins. It's a shame that we have to travel out of state for the boys to play with their cousins knowing that they have some here in the city and yet either my brother or his ex-wife won't allow them to get together more often than gatherings at the parental units' house.

What a fucked up family I'm part of. They have no idea what I'm or this family is going through. I visited my step mother today. She asked what was wrong with my SO. I know I've told her--told them all---but they don't really pay attention. She said she was sorry when I told her. I'm not even sure she really cares. I don't give much energy to it anymore. Just makes me angry and I have other things to be angry about right now. Stupid people isn't something I need to waste time with anymore.

We've decided to make the most of what we have left and God only knows how long that will be. There could be a rapid deterioation within just a few years or we may not see any further decline for many years. Who knows? So, we've decided to look at good used RV's so that we can do some traveling and camping. Everybody enjoys that. I know that I should be focused on getting out of debt right now but to hell with it. Doesn't make any sense to pinch pennys now and wait to have fun when we run the risk of my SO not knowing what is happening years from now. So we live life today. Tomorrow isn't guaranteed. I'll deal with tomorrow when it gets here.

Not so much sadness anymore

2008-11-15T13:32:00.000-06:00

So the oldest has been going to MASE for about a week now and is really doing well. He gets up without fussing, does his homework and doesn't mind putting on the uniform and tie. The only problem is that he brought home a bitch of a cold day before yesterday and even had to miss a day of school.

The youngest starts Monday. He's very excited. We bought his supplies along with a voice recorder so he can record his teacher's lectures. The thinks he's big stuff now.

It's given the SO some much needed relief. She says she actually feels rested now. We're looking into some medication for her fatigue.

We're going to the Ornamental Metal Museum's iron pour tonight. That should be great fun. If you can, come out and watch. Molten iron poured from a big machine into molds. My kind of fun.

The youngest just watched an episode of Mythbusters and is now outside making shiny mudballs. And people wonder why I have a cocktail now and then.

Oh...we just ate lunch at the Bar B Que Shop on Madison. Best ribs and sauce in town. I could drink the sauce. I could pour it in a cup and sip it. It's just the best I've ever tasted. Here's their webpage: www.dancingpigs.com

Go, you won't regret it.

I Have an Anger, a Resentment and a Sadness

2008-11-06T06:58:00.001-06:00

Our homeschooling days are coming to an end. Because of my SO's disease, she can no longer homeschool our boys. That saddens and angers me. This disease is slowly eroding our way of life. It's taking away some of our freedoms. Because we are having to put the boys in school, we will no longer get to make our annual trip to Florida. That really saddens me. The death of a tradition.

I hate this disease. I hate what it's doing to my family. I hate that science doesn't seem to be working very hard to cure this or prevent it.

I'm angry for my children because their lives are being profoundly impacted now. They must go to school and will not be thrust into situations that we'd hoped to keep them out of. They are losing their educational freedom and to some extent their innocense.

I'm just angry. I'm resentful. I'm sad both for my SO and me and for my children. They are frightened and I there's nothing I can do to fix that for them. They are angry. I can't fix that either. I can only support them.

I'm angry for the disruption this is causing my family. I can't fix that right now either.

Today is my oldest's first day at MASE. He is no longer a homeschooler. He is being pushed into a setting that nearly makes him sick at his stomach. I can't fix that either.

I can't fix any of this and that makes the angriest of all.

Election Night

2008-11-04T19:41:00.000-06:00

I can't stand it. The tension and the anticipation is driving me crazy. And yet, here I sit watching this ......train wreck.............this autopsy.............this public display of sex.

Ok, maybe not that because that would be or could be enjoyable. But the other two are pretty accurate descriptions of what watching election returns is like.

I should go read a book and just wake up tomorrow and scream that Santa has been here. Or Satan, depending on who wins and I'll not give my hopes away here. Some of you can probably guess though.

Good lord, make me get up.

I know this is history in the making but I can't stand the suspense.

I'm going to go read.

See you tomorrow.

Camping at Chickasaw State Park

2008-11-02T15:25:00.000-06:00

We drove up yesterday to camp just the one night. The boys and I went and did a little fishing. Nothing was biting where we were. Would probably help to have a boat but we don't so we just played by the water and wasted some worms. Later, around the campfire, we commented that watching the fire is just as entertaining, and maybe moreso, than watching TV. I could stare at the fire for hours. The boys enjoyed it. No computers. No Wii, Nintendo or whatever else they have. We did some walking, wood gathering, fishing, talking and enjoying the company. It was very peaceful and relaxing. I should add that Chickasaw is very close to the town that I did most of my growing up in. I lived in Henderson from 8 years old until 15 years old. I loved it and used to run in the woods from the time I got up in the mornings until it was nearly dark and time for dinner. The woods around Chickasaw are just like the woods I played in. I had lots of memories come back to me. It was good.

I didn't get much sleep. Never do but just because I don't sleep well isn't a reason not to go. Everybody else sleeps fine.

I'm ready to go back. It's just 2 hours up the road and it's a beautiful drive. We found a second lake but can only fish on that one if the camp isn't rented out. There was a father and son duo out there. He showed me the fish they'd caught. Some damn fine Crappie. Someone will eat good tonight.

Won't be us unless we go out.

The dogs are exhausted. Both of them ran and ran and swam. The yorkie found something in a wood pile next to the water that he wanted really badly. He was furious with me when I took him away from it. That's all we need is some snake bit emergency out there in the middle of nowhere. Silly animal. So he walked in the water just to get back at me then made sure to jump up in my side of the car and walk around allll over my seat.

Little effer.

Was a good weekend. Made some memories. Enjoyed the moment and will do it again.

Odd Occurances

2008-10-18T14:53:00.000-05:00

Wow, the powers-that-be really do work in mysterious ways. I had to take my truck in to have some work done. The shop is right down the street. I was waiting on my SO to pick me up but didn't see her when I walked out of the shop so I started walking down the street. She pulled up later and picked me up on a street that we don't normally drive down. Ever. Not once since we've lived where we do. As we're driving, I see a truck that belongs to a friend whom I've not spoken with in over a year. I've left a couple of voice mails but nothing back. I knew she'd moved from the house around the corner but didn't know where she'd went.

Until today.

We drive by and see her partner outside so we pull into the driveway and find out that my friend has been diagnosed with stage 2 metastatic cervical cancer and is facing the prospect of having everything taken out because it's metastasized to her pelvis. She was diagnosed over a year ago. We also find out that her partner was diagnosed with stage 1 lung cancer. Both are going through chemo and radiation.

We'd have never known that had I not started walking home. Had I not seen my SO drive up. Had the timing been just right to drive down that particular street and had my friend's gf not been standing outside the front door of their new house.

Tell me there isn't a power larger than ourselves guiding our hands.

Good Wednesday Morning

2008-10-15T05:54:00.002-05:00

Have you ever thought about the days of the week and how some get more respect than others? The weekends are royal. Monday is cursed because it interrupts the royal weekend. Wednesday is smiled at because it's "hump day" and halfway to the royal weekend. Tuesdays and Thursdays are the step-days. No respect although those are the best days for cars. It's said that if you buy a car, buy one that has been built on Tuesday or Thursday because the manufacturers are paying closer attention to what they're doing.

I have no idea why I'm pondering this. Some things pop into my head for no good reason. For instance, why do they glue the toilet paper down so that you have to shred it to get it started. Why is that? Why can't we paint stripes on the streets that you can see when it rains? Who named the Banana? Who ate the first raw oyster and why? What's the purpose of the mosquito? Proof right there that god makes mistakes.

It's 6:00AM Wednesday morning. Early hump day. I need a bumper sticker that says, "Hump it like you mean it!" Hump it like you mean it....jeez louise. How that leads me into anything political is a mystery. There's another debate which will probably be a snoozer. Perhaps we should start picking our politicians like they do on Survivor. Let's put them all on some remote island full of cannibals and see who survives. No, no....a deserted island and let's see who BECOMES a cannibal. Dog eat dog, man. Lord of the Flies. Hump day. It makes sense in my brain. Be grateful that it doesn't in yours.

Hey Sarah Palin (with lyrics/subtitles)

2008-10-13T05:48:00.001-05:00

This just about says it all.

Beach Day 18

2008-10-02T08:47:00.003-05:00

I'm just sayin'.........

New Blog Addition

2008-10-02T08:45:00.002-05:00

I just added a link to a blog that I've been reading and find highly entertaining. It's in my blog list on the right side of the page. I have to warn you though, if you're a Palin fan, you're going to find your blood pressure rising. If you're not, you may find it rising anyway. Check it out.

Beach Day 16

2008-09-30T07:22:00.008-05:00

I'm back. I have another picture to share. The first shows how empty the beach is. The second is looking west and the third is looking east. It's very peaceful here this time of year. The water has been crystal clear. I was standing in about 4' of water yesterday and could see my feet as clearly as if I had been standing in a swimming pool. The boys and I found some very nice shells. We'll be back at it today.

The weather is gorgeous. 85 with a slight breeze. Just enough to keep if from being blazing hot but not so cool as to make it uncomfortable when you come out of the water.

We've made some very good friends down here. I hate to leave them but nothing I can do about that right now. One is convinced I'm going to be the next VP of HR. I doubt it. I'd much rather take the Manager's job but one can never dream too big. We'll see.

Anyway, it's almost time to head down to the water to sit and read, swim, snorkle and just relax. I'll raise a cocktail to all of you!

Whew!

2008-09-25T06:26:00.004-05:00

I've been in town for a week. I'm due back on the beach Sunday for my final glorious week there. American's don't vacation enough. I don't realize how tired I am until that first day out on the sand and in the water. It's as if I take off that weighted backpack for the first time and I feel my shoulders begin to lift. Almost like I'm floating off the ground.

Work still annoys me. I work for a know nothing do nothing manager. I am charged with making decisions all day long yet when I do, I'm second guessed by this know nothing do nothing manager. The area is in disarray and it's beginning to wear thin. Unemployment is beginning to look better and better. We could live out of the Element easily. I know...become professional house-sitters and just move from house to house. I'm dreaming or delusional, not sure which. I just know that I don't like going to work anymore and that's a new feeling for me. It's overwhelming right now. The bright spot are the people I work with. I am encouraged. I believe they trust my judgment and value my opinions. That helps.

In other news--Kellen is growing almost in front of my very eyes. Kittens do that. My boys are doing well. We still have moments in which I'd like to bury them head down in a hole but who doesn't?

This election season is driving me crazy. I still don't know how Obama got the nomination--well, I do. Because Florida and Michigan's delegates didn't count but still. And I sure as HELL don't know how McClutz got his nomination. This financial mess (which McClutz helped create) is a nightmare and his decision to postpone the debate Friday is just chickenshit. I believe he doesn't want to debate because he knows he's going to get smoked and because he knows that some of his involvement in this debacle is going to get called out there. Freak. Chickenshit Freak. Coward.

And Palin. That one ought to scare smart people to death. Can you imagine her running the country? I mean, I know that the President makes very few decisions without the input of a bazillion advisors but still.........I have a headache just thinking about it.

I have grocery shopping to do. The bug lady is coming to the house today. I have brochures to put together for a seminar and a monster of a statistical report to build before the end of the month.

My feet itch.

Oh, oh oh...new blogs that I have found.

2008-09-14T08:01:00.002-05:00

If you're not a fan of Palin, check them out. If you are, check them out. Find out what Alaskans are saying about the Repug choice for VP.

http://laurainak.blogspot.com/

http://shannynmoore.wordpress.com/ (This is my fav)

http://www.werenotthatstupid.blogspot.com/

http://alaskareal.blogspot.com/

Ike Has Passed Us

2008-09-13T18:11:00.004-05:00

Here's a picture of the Ike surge.

We got a lot of wind but no rain. The tide surge was impressive. It breached the dunes in several places but no damage down where we are staying. It was fun to go up and watch the waves and brave the wind. There was some sand blowing and we all joked that we could get a free microdermal abrasion treatment if we just sat down.

I just came back from the beach and have noticed that it's calming considerably. We'll probably be back in the water tomorrow. The ocean is a funny thing. No matter how hard humans try to hold the sand in one place or the water, she's always going to do pretty much what she wants. She's also going to have these little tantrums from time to time just to remind us exactly who is in charge here.

I just find that fascinating and am curious to see what the coast will look like tomorrow. What treasures will the ocean present us with? Today, it was an old laundry basket and a fishing pole. What will it be tomorrow? I can hardly wait to see.

Save This MG

Happy New Year

Huh

Florida Bound

Ran and Haslam Sitting in a Tree...

Has Facebook Killed the Blog?

Touched a Nerve

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Blah

Trip to Fort Pickens State Park for Christmas

Not a Politics Expert

Apparently, I haven't had much to say for the last few months.

WTH??

End of Summer

June 27, 2010

18 years

Birthdays and Such

Spring Break

Can you imagine the possibilities??

Related Sections: Art & Design Galleries Household

Digitally printed tiles make magnificent murals

It's Thursday

I'm reprinting this from its original page. I hope they don't mind.

Senators Who Voted Against Extending Jobless Benefits Hail From States Devastated by Recession

What an ass!

We Got Some Snow Yesterday

Mercy

Tired of Junk Mail

Gifts

New Things

Harbingers

God is Male

Good Sunday Morning to You All

County Commission

My goodness, it's been a wild week.

Part 1| Obama Addresses Gay Rights Group [Human Rights Campaign]

Ramblings on an Early Saturday Morning

Same Child, Next Day

Under, "WTF" Category

Mother Nature? Eerie Crying Face Seen in Melting Glacier | EarthFirst.com

God Grant Me the Patience

September and Florida

This must be shared.

Fishing

Information

Venus

Out with the old and in with the new.

The City Mayor is a Freak.

Fishing at Herb Parson's

July 4

Whew...what a weekend

Lessons for Life

So Herenton is Running for Congress

Vacation

Can someone please explain...

Interesting Article.

Liberated and Unhappy

By ROSS DOUTHAT

An Inspiring Commencement Address

Whew

Commercials

Today

Happy Mother's Day

On Turning 50

Sunday

Spring has Sprung

Susan Boyle - Singer - Britains Got Talent 2009

You really have to check this out

Evolution

Broadway Pizza

Vacation

Squirrels in the Attic

Potato Cannon

I have to share this commentary

The article is below. He says what many of us have been thinking. The middle class and poor have been screwed by the ultra rich and we're a poor nation for it. Talk about moral bankruptcy!

Reviving the Dream

Readers' Comments

Chopsticks

Mother and Son projects

Planting Trees

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