So it turns out I do have an opinion about everything. That
probably does not surprise some of you- but it sort of surprised me. It
surprised me because I have spent the last few years prioritizing what things I
cared enough to write about. (Sorry for the end of sentence preposition.) Little did I realize that when I can’t write-
my frustration level rises and suddenly I do have an opinion about everything.
After almost a month of no writing, here are my thoughts in
a rather large nutshell.
I had two of my late brother’s three grandchildren here for
four days, along with my own son. That is so many more people than I am used to
I thought I might get cranky, but I didn’t at all, well, at least not until the last half of the last
day and that was more of me over mothering my son (and shrinking the jeans he
specifically asked me NOT to wash.) and him getting cranky, then me returning
the favor. At least that’s how I see it.
The girls are 14 and 11 and they are great kids, my niece
Joanna and her husband Ben have done a great job with these kids. They are
smart, funny, beautiful and just a dash of crazy. They fit right in here. The 5
year old stayed home, maybe I’ll take her next year.
Nick came up because he loves these kids, and I have to say
they are easy to love. I’m not the super duper aunt I was to Kelly & Marni
when they were young and I was young too- I am older and tired as hell and
maybe a little less flexible when it comes to letting kids do things. But, I
really did enjoy having the girls here.
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While the girls were here, we heard the news about the
killings at the theater in Aurora.
A dozen people I spoke to must have asked - why would someone do this? There is
no why. He is just crazy- there is no why good enough to explain this to my satisfaction.
It’s not the fault of the movie, or the theater, or the President of the United
States (I actually heard someone blame him) – and maybe it’s the fault of
society in general for being cowards in the first place and not calling a nut a
nut when they meet one. For allowing kids to act out and do what they will
because they don’t want to deal with the fall out. Or maybe he was just born
crazy. None of the reasons will ever bring any family member or loved one
peace. Not one reason will make them say- oh okay- I get it now- INCLUDING
calling it God’s big plan. Bullshit. No God worth a damn would plan this. Sorry
all you God people- but I’ll never buy that load. Either God is good or there
is no God- you can’t have a bad God.
I have noticed an uptick in the people interested in
Veterans and their issues. Since I have been writing about this for 3 years or
so, I have not seen a lot of attention out there- and certainly not a lot of
answers or solutions. But in the past few weeks I have seen numerous articles
and interviews on the subject- and maybe- just maybe the nations leaders will
start to HEAR what is being said.
The Department of Veterans Affairs estimates 18 veterans die
by suicide each day.
18 is 18 too many. They come home to families that love them
but don’t know how to help them- and many of them alienate their families
because they feel alienated from a world that does not understand where they
have been or what they have done. It’s the
silent rule- don’t talk about it. Just deal.
If you really want to help these veterans – then don’t
forget to thank them for their service, if you have the ability to employ them
do so, and try not to waste the life that all veterans have made possible for
YOU; many by sacrificing their own lives. Do something selfless- just try it.
~~~~~~~~~~
Chick-a Fil: Who cares what some Southern Baptist cracker
thinks about anything? Really. We all
know there are religious zealots in the world- some are Christian, some are
Muslim, and some are Jews or whatever. ( I have never met a Buddhist zealot) . Honestly- I bundle all of them into the same package
and toss it out with the garbage.
~~~~~~~~~~~
Facebook: People- USE YOUR WORDS. I am sick to death of
seeing little posters with little sayings written by unknown or possible some
known people. An occasional quote is one thing- but 20 in row? Ugh.
~~~~~~~~~~~
I watched with pride this week as a group of my fellow
Marine Parents joined forces to help another Marine Parent whose 18 month-old
granddaughter was recently diagnosed with cancer. Votes and prayers were asked
for, and votes and prayers were given for little Sophie May, and her family ended
up winning $10,000, which will go towards her medical bills. (Which of course
is not fully covered by insurance.) See
link below to read more about Sophie May. The contest is over but positive
thoughts are still needed.
The Olympics: I wish I had more time to watch the Olympics.
I admire so many Olympians – especially those that against all odds make it
through and then win a medal. Or maybe they don’t win a medal but they get
there and they realize they have done something amazing. I was especially moved by the South African
runner Oscar Pistorius- because once again I was reminded that we can overcome
many obstacles in life if we have the right attitude.
Politics: I saw a chart in some magazine that showed how
much people have donated to the presidential campaigns. It made me sick to
think that people would spend that much on political campaigns and not donate
it to other more deserving causes, like – oh I don’t know- how about our
veterans? How about the MILLIONS of people with no food for their kids because
they have been out of work for forever? How about cancer research, ALS
research, Parkinson’s research, MS research, MD research? I have studied both candidates and I don’t
love either one of them. For me it comes down to this: Who is most likely to
get us into another war? Who has the least (or most) experience with diplomacy?
Which one is the least arrogant? (a toss
up). Intellectually, who can best back up that arrogance? Who has made up the most (and stupidest) lies
about the other party?
I am a registered unaffiliated voter. I have never voted for
a “party” and I don’t understand why anyone does. I vote for the person that I
identify with the most. I vote for the person that will make life better for
the MOST people- even if that does not include me.
Here’s the thing about me though. I don’t hate either one of
them. I don’t blame sitting presidents for every stupid ass thing that goes on
in the world. (Especially things they have no power/control over.) I wouldn’t make up
lies about either candidate to make my favorite look better. (Nor do I believe
75% of what I read in the media- ANY media.)
I research every single statement. Every. Single. Fact.
I would be less worried about the future if I thought people
used common sense when going to the polls and not hatred. My only hope is to
cancel out the vote of some moron voting for someone just because they “hate”
the other guy.
Well- I think that is everything for now. Since I have
gotten all this off my chest, I think I can now work on my novel without crazy
lady thoughts jumping in my head and making my characters say things that they
would not normally say. I’m sure you all wish I kept a daily journal so you
wouldn’t have to deal with my occasional brain dump, but if I had time for a
journal I would have time to write- and I just don’t. 
