Driving out in the country gives me a sense of peace. The green fields of agriculture are getting fewer and fewer in "my neck of the woods". I love to see the flocks of birds grazing in the field. I love to see a rabbit scamper across the lane. I enjoy watching the farmers plow the ground with their tractors.
One of the routes I can choose from my house to my place of employment, involves passing a dairy. The cows seem to nonchalantly swish their tails, oblvious to the passers-by. The scent in the air, however, makes it nearly impossible to pass by them without noticing their existence. I even enjoy that. It reminds me that there are still hard-working American farmers willing to live among these beasts to give us necessary products. There are many "shacks" lined up along this dairy. I doubt that I would be comfortable living in one. While the actual farmer may live elsewhere quite nicely, (I do not know) others are making sacrifices to keep the milk flowing.
Down the street just a mile or two was a field once sporting a variety of crops. I have seen it covered in alfalfa, cotton, and some type of vegetables. Then it hosted sheep. Now there is a sign saying a shopping center is taking applications for space in the soon-to-be strip mall. Another sign states that part of the field is destined to become a neighborhood park. Both those signs have been there a long time, even while the sheep and cotton claimed possession. But now, there is no cotton, sheep, or alfalfa. There are still some birds, and perhaps, a rabbit family or two. Most likely, there are lizards and possibly some snakes calling it home for now, along with various insects!
It makes me sad. Losing agriculture land for commerce when the economy cannot even sustain much of the shops we have. Yesterday, the police department laid off 100 officers. And the city is closing libraries and parks. Makes me feel like my world is falling to pieces. Could it be that we have sacrificed the peace of our culture for pieces of land to make someone wealthier?
Give me the birds and the rabbits! I'll take the alfalfa and cotton! I appreciate the cows and and the sheep! Please save our countryside! Let us live in peace!
Friday, January 29, 2010
Thursday, January 21, 2010
How We Handle Rain!
Today is an overcast, rainy day. It is a much-needed rain, here in the desert! Most of us welcomed it, yet many find it quite challenging! I think that comes out the most in driving. On my way to "work" today, I observed many types of reactions to the downpour!
One driver in front of me had their windshield wipers on full-blast no matter how lightly or heavily it came down. She appeared to be staring straight ahead and hanging tightly to the steering wheel as if she felt she would be swept away at any moment.
A pickup truck next to me had it's wipers on very slow speed. The windshield was drenched and yet the driver continued to drive fast, even fishtailing. He seemed oblivious to the rain, and unwilling to adjust his driving habits to accommodate it.
Another elderly driver crawled down the road apparently fearful to be out in traffic. Her wipers were wildly flinging the water, obviously in need of adjustment. This seemed to confuse her even more judging by her speed.
Myself...I kept adjusting the speed of my wipers with the stop and go of the traffic and the rain. I kept a safe speed, and purposely focused more than normal, on the behavior of others.
I thought about the rain. And I thought about the other "rains" of life. The times that uncomfortable and even harrowing circumstances invade my life...and the lives of us all!
I think we react in vaired ways, just as the drivers did today. Some of us percieve danger even when the showers are light, not handling change welll at all. Sometimes our cheeks become damp with fear, or worry, or sadness and we star
One driver in front of me had their windshield wipers on full-blast no matter how lightly or heavily it came down. She appeared to be staring straight ahead and hanging tightly to the steering wheel as if she felt she would be swept away at any moment.
A pickup truck next to me had it's wipers on very slow speed. The windshield was drenched and yet the driver continued to drive fast, even fishtailing. He seemed oblivious to the rain, and unwilling to adjust his driving habits to accommodate it.
Another elderly driver crawled down the road apparently fearful to be out in traffic. Her wipers were wildly flinging the water, obviously in need of adjustment. This seemed to confuse her even more judging by her speed.
Myself...I kept adjusting the speed of my wipers with the stop and go of the traffic and the rain. I kept a safe speed, and purposely focused more than normal, on the behavior of others.
I thought about the rain. And I thought about the other "rains" of life. The times that uncomfortable and even harrowing circumstances invade my life...and the lives of us all!
I think we react in vaired ways, just as the drivers did today. Some of us percieve danger even when the showers are light, not handling change welll at all. Sometimes our cheeks become damp with fear, or worry, or sadness and we star
Friday, January 15, 2010
A Different World
Today, the world is different than when I was a child, or even a young mother, for that matter. I remember growing up thinking that if I worked hard, I could have just about anything I wanted. I tried to pass that message along to my children, even though it hadn't totally been true for me.
I thought that love would conquer anything. I envisioned a family full of love, respect and understanding that could rise above all outside circumstances.
When I was a child, children were expected to "be seen and not heard". We were told to not interrupt adult conversation, to be on our best behavior for "company" even if that meant just the neighbor next door, and to have manners at all times. Manners, back then, consisted not only of "please and thank you" but giving up your seat to people older than you if needed, proper table etiquette, and holding the door for others. And that is a bare-bones list! Burbs and passing gas were to be done as discretely and privately as possible, and if they occurred unexpectedly, we were to adamantly apologize to any who may have known. Arguing with an adult was taboo! It didn't matter, in my family, who the adult was, nor how "correct" they were, a child just did not argue with them! The consequences of such behavior often hurt us where we sat down!
Since then, "professionals" have determined that such expectations and consequences somehow warped our psyches and bruised our egos and limited our development. Strangely, my generation seemed to be productive and creative individuals for the most part, who still believed in treating others respectfully, keeping promises, and paying their bills. Few of us thought the world (or America) owed us a living. We still get teary-eyed at patriotic songs and salute the flag when it passes. We take off our hats at the national anthem and sing along at sporting events.
Today I observe quite a different world. Patriotism is nearly a lost art. Politicians have slung mud around, campaigning for positions that most criticize and argue about. Respect has gone by the wayside. I attend sporting events where young people not only do not remove their hats for the national anthem, even when asked, but they talk all the way through it as well. And they yell and curse and sometimes shout obscenities if asked to show respect.
I see younger people, and some not so young, rush past elderly to get inside a store or bank, nearly letting the door hit the other person, rather than holding it for them. I see children screaming in stores and kicking their parents when told "no". I observe children arguing with authorities and refusing to obey rules. I see frustrated young mothers not sure what to do with these rebellious children, for fear of retribution if they should take an action that would "bruise" those little egos and cause someone to call the police! Sometimes this action is just a firm grip.
Parents seem to want to be friends with their children. This is well and good when the children are adults too. But children seem to expect their friends to be on the same page as they are...their peers. They want to have secrets and play silly things the same way we did growing up. My parents were not my friends when I was a child. My dad played with me a lot. We had family times and games and fun. But my friends were my own age, or close to it. Adults could be friendly and trusted and fun, but they were my parents friends, not mine. I am not sure how I feel about that. I do know that I feel pretty good about myself today and don't believe this warped me in any way. I do consider myself a friend of children...in a different way.
When I was a child, we were not sheltered from pain and reality. We were not allowed to live in a fantasy world of video games and virtual lives. Technology has become a poor parent. I attended funerals with my parents. I visited elderly people with my grandparents. I grieved over the loss of pets, without them being replaced immediately. I was told to "get over it" when someone hurt my feelings, or when I got hurt doing something childish or sporty. I got report cards with grades for behavior. I played on sports teams that lost games and counted scores. I didn't always get chosen for positions. I didn't make some teams. I won some awards and lost some competitions. My teachers told me I was wrong from time to time.
It is a different world today. I see a lot of good...a more global view at times. But I observe a lot of rudeness and disrespect and defiance of authority. No longer do children think adults are right. Maybe that is because we can't decide what IS right any more. We have removed the moral compass from schools and public events. We support "freedom of speech" without listening to the words being spoken. We sit back and let "statistics" tell us how to raise our children. We seek the good life which eludes many right now. The economy seems to be ruling the land. Hard work is not getting us most anything we want. So, many have quit working so hard. The government has taken responsibility for our well being and our families.
God bless America. God help us all!
I thought that love would conquer anything. I envisioned a family full of love, respect and understanding that could rise above all outside circumstances.
When I was a child, children were expected to "be seen and not heard". We were told to not interrupt adult conversation, to be on our best behavior for "company" even if that meant just the neighbor next door, and to have manners at all times. Manners, back then, consisted not only of "please and thank you" but giving up your seat to people older than you if needed, proper table etiquette, and holding the door for others. And that is a bare-bones list! Burbs and passing gas were to be done as discretely and privately as possible, and if they occurred unexpectedly, we were to adamantly apologize to any who may have known. Arguing with an adult was taboo! It didn't matter, in my family, who the adult was, nor how "correct" they were, a child just did not argue with them! The consequences of such behavior often hurt us where we sat down!
Since then, "professionals" have determined that such expectations and consequences somehow warped our psyches and bruised our egos and limited our development. Strangely, my generation seemed to be productive and creative individuals for the most part, who still believed in treating others respectfully, keeping promises, and paying their bills. Few of us thought the world (or America) owed us a living. We still get teary-eyed at patriotic songs and salute the flag when it passes. We take off our hats at the national anthem and sing along at sporting events.
Today I observe quite a different world. Patriotism is nearly a lost art. Politicians have slung mud around, campaigning for positions that most criticize and argue about. Respect has gone by the wayside. I attend sporting events where young people not only do not remove their hats for the national anthem, even when asked, but they talk all the way through it as well. And they yell and curse and sometimes shout obscenities if asked to show respect.
I see younger people, and some not so young, rush past elderly to get inside a store or bank, nearly letting the door hit the other person, rather than holding it for them. I see children screaming in stores and kicking their parents when told "no". I observe children arguing with authorities and refusing to obey rules. I see frustrated young mothers not sure what to do with these rebellious children, for fear of retribution if they should take an action that would "bruise" those little egos and cause someone to call the police! Sometimes this action is just a firm grip.
Parents seem to want to be friends with their children. This is well and good when the children are adults too. But children seem to expect their friends to be on the same page as they are...their peers. They want to have secrets and play silly things the same way we did growing up. My parents were not my friends when I was a child. My dad played with me a lot. We had family times and games and fun. But my friends were my own age, or close to it. Adults could be friendly and trusted and fun, but they were my parents friends, not mine. I am not sure how I feel about that. I do know that I feel pretty good about myself today and don't believe this warped me in any way. I do consider myself a friend of children...in a different way.
When I was a child, we were not sheltered from pain and reality. We were not allowed to live in a fantasy world of video games and virtual lives. Technology has become a poor parent. I attended funerals with my parents. I visited elderly people with my grandparents. I grieved over the loss of pets, without them being replaced immediately. I was told to "get over it" when someone hurt my feelings, or when I got hurt doing something childish or sporty. I got report cards with grades for behavior. I played on sports teams that lost games and counted scores. I didn't always get chosen for positions. I didn't make some teams. I won some awards and lost some competitions. My teachers told me I was wrong from time to time.
It is a different world today. I see a lot of good...a more global view at times. But I observe a lot of rudeness and disrespect and defiance of authority. No longer do children think adults are right. Maybe that is because we can't decide what IS right any more. We have removed the moral compass from schools and public events. We support "freedom of speech" without listening to the words being spoken. We sit back and let "statistics" tell us how to raise our children. We seek the good life which eludes many right now. The economy seems to be ruling the land. Hard work is not getting us most anything we want. So, many have quit working so hard. The government has taken responsibility for our well being and our families.
God bless America. God help us all!
Monday, January 11, 2010
Echoes in the Canyon- a poem
Echoes in the Canyon
Stillness, broken by a whisper,
No, a voice growing louder and stronger
Carried by the wind;
Lofty and swaying
Down through the canyon walls.
That which began in silence
Has become a resounding eloquence;
Though receding as it bounces
Deeper into the canyon,
Still, it can be heard for miles;
Faintly, strongly,
Depending on the wind.
This is the power of a spoken word.
Stillness, broken by a whisper,
No, a voice growing louder and stronger
Carried by the wind;
Lofty and swaying
Down through the canyon walls.
That which began in silence
Has become a resounding eloquence;
Though receding as it bounces
Deeper into the canyon,
Still, it can be heard for miles;
Faintly, strongly,
Depending on the wind.
This is the power of a spoken word.
Saturday, January 9, 2010
Just as I Suspected! People Oservations!
Just as I suspected, life has gotten busy and I have failed to write here weekly. My real goal as stated before is twice weekly! But, alas! This is only the second week of January and I am behind already!
I have been busy observing life. I probably should say, observing people. Over the last week, I have had occasion to go in several stores, attend the symphony, and eat out. People were in each of these situations. There were all different types of people with all different types of looks and temperments. Let me start with the stores! The week after New Years Day! One would think that the busyness of Christmas returns and clearance sales would have settled people into a more routine and peaceful life. Yet, I observed ladies shoving one another out of the way, so they could get to the bargain. I almost got ran over by a woman pushing a huge flatbed cart at Costco, since she was focused only on getting to her intended purchase, regardless of who might be in the way. I saw frazzled moms yanking items from their childrens hands, while the kids wailed loudly. I witnessed irritated shoppers waiting impatiently in customer service or check out lines, commenting about the need for more help!
At the symphony, I observed people enjoying themselves. Music has a way of calming the beasts within us. The interesting thing to me was the variety of people attending the same entertainment. Some men were dressed in suits and ties, while others word jeans, and even bermuda shorts! Ladies displayed the same variety! In the row in which I was seated, there was an older couple dressed as if they came straight from gardening. She brought along binoculars even though our seats could easily view the stage. Next to them sat two middle-aged ladies dressed as if they were attending a high-class party! In front of me were a younger couple. He had, shall we say, "intersting" hair...blond with dredlocks and a ponytail protruding in back. She had on a nice pantsuit, with medium and very "normal" makeup and hair. He clapped loudly and seemed to be consumed in the music. She, watched the stage, but also looked around and attempted to cuddle with him on and off. I thought it most interesting that symphonic music and Broadway singers could make all of us relate!
And eating out in a restaraunt is a great place to observe people. The first person to capture my attention did so by yawning widely, with no covering of his mouth. It was a long yawn and he looked around as if to see if anyone was noticing. I was! The table next to ours was occupied by three adults. Two were men and one woman. One of the men ate more like a child, using his fingers for his fries and taking huge bites of burger. He sat with his legs far apart, straddling the chair and munched without fully closing his mouth! The woman seated behind us seemed to have difficulty positioning her chair suitably for her comfort. She kept banging it into my husband's until we actually had to move our table. Yet, overall, it was a pleasant meal with very good food! The waitress took it all in stride and kept her sense of humor and professionalism.
I hope this does not sound like ragging on huyman beings, because that is not my intent. I find it interesting that I seem to observe more closely, those who are acting inapporpriately or stand out as different. I am not sure that is a good thing. Except that I do not judge them. I find them interesting and entertaining at times. (Except for almost getting run over with that flatbed!) And I really do remember that God loves all of us the same! It's just a good thing I am not God! Have a great day! Enjoy life! Observe others with humor and enjoyment!
I have been busy observing life. I probably should say, observing people. Over the last week, I have had occasion to go in several stores, attend the symphony, and eat out. People were in each of these situations. There were all different types of people with all different types of looks and temperments. Let me start with the stores! The week after New Years Day! One would think that the busyness of Christmas returns and clearance sales would have settled people into a more routine and peaceful life. Yet, I observed ladies shoving one another out of the way, so they could get to the bargain. I almost got ran over by a woman pushing a huge flatbed cart at Costco, since she was focused only on getting to her intended purchase, regardless of who might be in the way. I saw frazzled moms yanking items from their childrens hands, while the kids wailed loudly. I witnessed irritated shoppers waiting impatiently in customer service or check out lines, commenting about the need for more help!
At the symphony, I observed people enjoying themselves. Music has a way of calming the beasts within us. The interesting thing to me was the variety of people attending the same entertainment. Some men were dressed in suits and ties, while others word jeans, and even bermuda shorts! Ladies displayed the same variety! In the row in which I was seated, there was an older couple dressed as if they came straight from gardening. She brought along binoculars even though our seats could easily view the stage. Next to them sat two middle-aged ladies dressed as if they were attending a high-class party! In front of me were a younger couple. He had, shall we say, "intersting" hair...blond with dredlocks and a ponytail protruding in back. She had on a nice pantsuit, with medium and very "normal" makeup and hair. He clapped loudly and seemed to be consumed in the music. She, watched the stage, but also looked around and attempted to cuddle with him on and off. I thought it most interesting that symphonic music and Broadway singers could make all of us relate!
And eating out in a restaraunt is a great place to observe people. The first person to capture my attention did so by yawning widely, with no covering of his mouth. It was a long yawn and he looked around as if to see if anyone was noticing. I was! The table next to ours was occupied by three adults. Two were men and one woman. One of the men ate more like a child, using his fingers for his fries and taking huge bites of burger. He sat with his legs far apart, straddling the chair and munched without fully closing his mouth! The woman seated behind us seemed to have difficulty positioning her chair suitably for her comfort. She kept banging it into my husband's until we actually had to move our table. Yet, overall, it was a pleasant meal with very good food! The waitress took it all in stride and kept her sense of humor and professionalism.
I hope this does not sound like ragging on huyman beings, because that is not my intent. I find it interesting that I seem to observe more closely, those who are acting inapporpriately or stand out as different. I am not sure that is a good thing. Except that I do not judge them. I find them interesting and entertaining at times. (Except for almost getting run over with that flatbed!) And I really do remember that God loves all of us the same! It's just a good thing I am not God! Have a great day! Enjoy life! Observe others with humor and enjoyment!
Saturday, January 2, 2010
Loss and Gain
Yesterday we started a new year and a new decade! Most of my friends, as well as myself, shed no tears in leaving the old behind. It was a decade of challenge for most Americans, most people in the world in fact.
There were storms...rain, tsunamis, tornados,hurricanes, and earthquakes. There were disasters such as airplane crashes and fires, wars, and crimes. There was much loss.
If I look back over the sad times of the decade, I would have to mourn the loss of friends...one year alone, six friends died in various ways. I would have to sympathize with friends who lost homes to fire and foreclosures. I would pray for those who lost jobs or health or family ties.
The latter part of the decade, this last year, has seemed the worst economically for a long time. Perhaps it is just that I was too young to realize the impact of previous hard times, but I don't recall knowing so many people whose fincancial weel-being has been threatened, myself included. The greed of America has come to haunt us. The mega banks will not bend to help anyone unless there is a federal govt program to save their interest points and reimburse them. They have rigid criteria that is unbendable because they cannnot lose even one percentage rate of interest.
I find myself in a situation I never thought I would see. Both my husband and I, thankfully, are employed. But with the economy the way it is, his income is down almost $6,000. this year...that's $500.00 a month! He has had additional medical expenses, as have I. The banks do not care about that. They are unsympathetic that I no longer have a retirement fund, due to cashing it in to make house payments. Now that house has zero equity on which I had hoped to rely in the future.
So, in the near future, I may lose my home. The home we had hoped would be our retirement place...our last move. Oh, the best laid plans of mice and men! I could go on and on, complaining about the decade, the government, the banks, the economy, etc. but it would not change a single thing!
Instead, I choose to look at what I do have, as many people have much worse losses than I. I will have some roof over my head, and food in my stomach. I will have grandchildren to enjoy and a beautiful relationship with my husband. We will have each other. And we have friends...lots of them really. The economy cannot take away love and friendship. I truly feel sorry for folks who have lost their homes, no matter what the reason or where the location. I pray for and feel pain for those who have lost loved ones, regardless of why or how. There are many ways to loose people and relationships as well.
So, I am not bad off at all! There is no reason to be fearful! I can and will live one day at a time and be thankful what the good things that day holds! I invite you to do the same. It may save our health and country!
There were storms...rain, tsunamis, tornados,hurricanes, and earthquakes. There were disasters such as airplane crashes and fires, wars, and crimes. There was much loss.
If I look back over the sad times of the decade, I would have to mourn the loss of friends...one year alone, six friends died in various ways. I would have to sympathize with friends who lost homes to fire and foreclosures. I would pray for those who lost jobs or health or family ties.
The latter part of the decade, this last year, has seemed the worst economically for a long time. Perhaps it is just that I was too young to realize the impact of previous hard times, but I don't recall knowing so many people whose fincancial weel-being has been threatened, myself included. The greed of America has come to haunt us. The mega banks will not bend to help anyone unless there is a federal govt program to save their interest points and reimburse them. They have rigid criteria that is unbendable because they cannnot lose even one percentage rate of interest.
I find myself in a situation I never thought I would see. Both my husband and I, thankfully, are employed. But with the economy the way it is, his income is down almost $6,000. this year...that's $500.00 a month! He has had additional medical expenses, as have I. The banks do not care about that. They are unsympathetic that I no longer have a retirement fund, due to cashing it in to make house payments. Now that house has zero equity on which I had hoped to rely in the future.
So, in the near future, I may lose my home. The home we had hoped would be our retirement place...our last move. Oh, the best laid plans of mice and men! I could go on and on, complaining about the decade, the government, the banks, the economy, etc. but it would not change a single thing!
Instead, I choose to look at what I do have, as many people have much worse losses than I. I will have some roof over my head, and food in my stomach. I will have grandchildren to enjoy and a beautiful relationship with my husband. We will have each other. And we have friends...lots of them really. The economy cannot take away love and friendship. I truly feel sorry for folks who have lost their homes, no matter what the reason or where the location. I pray for and feel pain for those who have lost loved ones, regardless of why or how. There are many ways to loose people and relationships as well.
So, I am not bad off at all! There is no reason to be fearful! I can and will live one day at a time and be thankful what the good things that day holds! I invite you to do the same. It may save our health and country!
Friday, January 1, 2010
HAPPY NEW YEAR!
This will be a better year. Last year was the year of good intentions. My desire is that THIS year will be the year of good ACTIONS! I have laid aside the idea that making resolutions will assist in bringing this about. All that ends up happening is that the resolutions haunt me and add to my guilty feelings. However, without goals, nothing will be accomplished.
Therefore, I am making some goals today. One of those is that I will write daily. I have three blogs. I will write something on one of those daily. Therefore, at least two times per week there should be some news on each of them. Knowing myself as I do, however, I realize that this is probably too lofty a goal. I am leaving it as my goal and promising myself and my friends that I will do my best to accomplish this goal. I should have at LEAST ONE item on each blog weekly. If I achieve this, I will consider myself successful.
I am writing at least weekly for our church as well. I write the curriculum for our kids church, along with puppet skits, etc. so that really is partly why I have been so lax in attending these blogs. And I also write quite a bit for my homeschooler. Teaching him some of the weirdness of the English language often works better by writing my own stories that fit the subjects. He is much more interested in reading about topics that peek his interest, and finding those at the library takes a lot of time. Not only that, but finding interesting topics that also fit the English rules of the week, can be a daunting task! This probably sounds like another excuse, and perhaps it is...
The point is, I shall truly attempt to do better at keeping up with the blogs. The request I have from you, my friends, is to encourage me, by making comments from time to time, or at least letting me know that you are reading them. Sometimes, I am tempted to make the blogs more like a journal or diary, which, I guess, is okay. However, daily, thoughts go through my mind that may well be of interest to my readers. So, if I know I have readers, I will be more motivated to get my thoughts onto the blogs. THANK YOU!
I love to write. I love to share. I love my friends. Happy New Year!
ps- this is the only time that all my blogs will say the same thing! THAT I promise!
Therefore, I am making some goals today. One of those is that I will write daily. I have three blogs. I will write something on one of those daily. Therefore, at least two times per week there should be some news on each of them. Knowing myself as I do, however, I realize that this is probably too lofty a goal. I am leaving it as my goal and promising myself and my friends that I will do my best to accomplish this goal. I should have at LEAST ONE item on each blog weekly. If I achieve this, I will consider myself successful.
I am writing at least weekly for our church as well. I write the curriculum for our kids church, along with puppet skits, etc. so that really is partly why I have been so lax in attending these blogs. And I also write quite a bit for my homeschooler. Teaching him some of the weirdness of the English language often works better by writing my own stories that fit the subjects. He is much more interested in reading about topics that peek his interest, and finding those at the library takes a lot of time. Not only that, but finding interesting topics that also fit the English rules of the week, can be a daunting task! This probably sounds like another excuse, and perhaps it is...
The point is, I shall truly attempt to do better at keeping up with the blogs. The request I have from you, my friends, is to encourage me, by making comments from time to time, or at least letting me know that you are reading them. Sometimes, I am tempted to make the blogs more like a journal or diary, which, I guess, is okay. However, daily, thoughts go through my mind that may well be of interest to my readers. So, if I know I have readers, I will be more motivated to get my thoughts onto the blogs. THANK YOU!
I love to write. I love to share. I love my friends. Happy New Year!
ps- this is the only time that all my blogs will say the same thing! THAT I promise!
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