Category: Uncategorized

Regarding Equality

Another reason why I love this man, still…

“I’m a supporter of gay rights. And not a closet supporter either. From the time I was a kid, I have never been able to understand attacks upon the gay community. There are so many qualities that make up a human being . . . by the time I get through with all the things that I really admire about people, what they do with their private parts is probably so low on the list that it is irrelevant.” ~Paul Newman

 Over the past week this subject has been discussed, blogged, written about over and over, and I am amazed at how much hate and prejudice is still out there on this subject.  Some of you might be offended by this post… and maybe I’ll lose a few readers too.. That’s OK, it’s your choice to make.  I’d like to have a conversation about this, politely, and with respect for any other’s point of view.   If you care to join, please leave your opinion on the matter in the comments section below, but I ask that you keep your comment respectful. No venom, please. 


 It is my belief  that we don’t CHOOSE our sexuality, any more than we choose our gender when we are born. I think we are what we are. I gravitate towards men who know what they want out of life, show some compassion and have strong looking hands.  I don’t have a choice, that’s what draws me, it is what it is.  .   


  I’ve heard the argument that the BIBLE says  same sex coupling is wrong… but who’s bible are we talking about… yours?… Your bible isn’t everyone’s bible….there are so many religions out there. They all believe they are THE religion.   People are killing people in the name of their religion.    Your beliefs are for you to celebrate and rightly so…but to impose it on others who don’t feel the same way, to view their religious or relationship beliefs as WRONG?… well… it’s not very… humane….and by ANY GOD.. the one thing we need more of on this planet is humanity.  Somehow when discussing differences in religous views, that seems to get lost in the fray.   How very ironic.


  I’ve also heard the argument that gay people have a CHOICE, that they can choose not to engage in gay behavior..Well,  gay relationships have been around for all of humanity, that’s in the history books too, although perhaps with some disquise.  Homosexuality isn’t a new deviant behavior.   If a person is naturally inclined toward a partner of the same sex,  who are we to demand that they be something that they aren’t, just so you feel more comfortable with it.  Is that fair in any sense of the word? 


 A blogger I respect tremendously states that it is scientifically proven that people are not born gay, that they have a choice.  I’m sorry… I don’t see how that can even be possible…how can anyone prove that a person wasn’t born with a certain sexual preference?   I spoke with a woman once who struggled for all of her young adult life to be STRAIGHT just so she wouldn’t disappoint her family.  She was very unhappy, miserable in fact.. but tried to live her life so that her family would approve.   Well, she found in her thirties that she couldn’t live the lie any longer, and has been in a very stable and happy relationship with another woman for many years.  Her family did not disown her, infact they get along better now than they ever did, because there are no lies, no pretending between them.  I knew two young men throughout gradeschool who were clearly gay from first grade on.    Both are fine middle aged men in solid relationships who have done much for their community, for people in need, for animals in need.  I don’t give a damn what they do in the bedroom.


As for Chic-Fil-*… Well, they have a right to freedom of speech.  I’m not sure why Mr. Cath*’s statement has made such a big… statement.   Maybe it was an advertising ploy. If so, it worked.  They’ve gained many customers this week.  And they’ve lost some too.   Personally, I’m more concerned with the horrendous  treatment of factory restaurant chickens than I am with their religious/relationship beliefs.  *humane… there’s that word again.

Good things come to those who wait

 When my husband asked me to marry him I told him without a doubt I would always have dogs and horses that would live in as close proximity as I could manage.  When he met me I was living on my aunt’s horse farm, earning my keep by tending her boarding stable while working full time and attending school at night.  He already knew any of my extra money went to my dog and horse – an adopted old race horse that had literally been abandoned by it’s owner.  I pretty much lived paycheck to paycheck in order to support that horse.  (I am not recommending this to you young folk!)   The reason I warned him of the dog/horse thing was because he was raised in a very clean household, no pets.  On our first date I noticed how very white and unblemished his hightop sneakers were and how spotless his car was when he picked me up.  

Uh-oh.  
  So I felt I had to warn him.. that living with me wouldn’t be quite what it was with his mother, not that there’s anything wrong with that! –  or what his first few years in his own home (squeeky clean! -) had been….not that there’s anything wrong with that either!   
 Now.. I am not a slob… This Old House, and the homes we’ve lived in before it… have always been what most people would consider pretty clean and organized.  It has taken many years for our two worlds to blend with somewhat of an ease… if I dare use that word.   Would he like things alittle neater? Cleaner? … more organized?  Absolutely. Does the occasional destruction that inevitably happens with animals in the house drive him nutz?  Without a doubt.     Have I paid more attention to the need to vacuum doghair almost daily  so we’re not using it as a condiment with dinner?  You betcha.
 Years ago, no way in a frozen hell EVER and before or even way after the cows came home under a blue moon would he allow any of the dogs to sleep on or around our bed.
 The dane has his own queen sized mattress in my office, and Rudy the pisspot is in his crate at night because he’ll pee on everything five inches off the ground if I don’t contain him. … it’s a dachsund thing, so I’m told. 
 Bailey and Frasier, however… are a different story altogether.
We’ve come a long way, baby.

A message for you

   Amazing, this blog world.  three years ago I started a web log of our renovation work on This Old House. I thought it would just serve as a diary of our progress and no one would pay much attention but friends and family.  Little did I know that I would make many friends, share life’s trials and tribulations,  find comfort and solice,  swap recipes, food for thought too… with all of you. 

   I want to thank you for reading  my drivel, my antics. You cheer on my family and laugh along with me. We may not always agree, but the point in all this is the conversation.  Heck, sometimes I learn something new and change my way of thinking just a little.   (note- To my husband- JUST HUSH-.)    I appreciate every comment, every view point – as long as it isn’t nasty or a personal attack on others. You’ve never failed me in this… so please, carry on!  and THANK YOU.

PS… some of you still have your e-mail blocked so that I can’t respond to your comments.  This sometimes breaks my heart a little because you leave such nice comments or ask a question and I can’t respond.  There might be reasons why you do this and that’s OK, but just know that if you want to change it, here’s how… it’s a wordy post, but scroll down alittle and you’ll see the tutorial, it’s easy.

Sports Parents

Forgive me this, another gripe…
My son plays for a Babe Ruth league.
He’s also played soccer and basketball
on several levels
and my daughter was an AAU Basketball player.
I have seen so much bad behavior among parents over the years
that I have little patience any more…
I’m supposed to go to a baseball game this afternoon..
and I love to watch my son in action,
but I loathe the bad behavior I might see in the adult section of the ballfield.
It’s difficult for me to keep my mouth shut
when I hear parents  ridiculing the performance of other people’s children
or complaining about coaches or umpires.
Just as bad – parents who get into arguments with opponent  parents
while the kids sit back and watch.. probably in horror!
What are we teaching our kids?..
It ranks right up there with people who put their personal grievances
with family or friends on facebook for all to see.
This T-shirt?  Says it all.
It should be a requirement that this list of rules be prominently
posted in every little league field, every basketball court,
every soccer field, tennis court, lacrosse field, etc. etc. etc.
 Just sayin.


Rain

We’re talking buckets.
..and speaking of rain…
Since it’s pouring here, I’ve had time to glance through some magazines…
 I don’t normally feel awfully sorry for celebrities
when they go through their hookups, makeups and breakups.
So often it seems so superficial, so plastic, so fleeting.
They ARE, however, emotional baggage just like the rest of us…
and THIS time I have to say,  I feel sorry for Tom Cruise.
Holy cow, talk about being blindsided. 
Some are offended by the Scientology thing…
I don’t know, is it really hurting anyone?
I’m not going to make any friends here, but
I think Catholicism has done worse harm, and I was raised a catholic.
The celebrity life?  The Entourage? 
Hey, it came with the territory, she knew that from the get-go
and actually she wanted IN on it.  
Maybe I’m alone in this,
but I think Katie was really cold in her handling of this particular celebrity split.
No…Arctic.
I’m getting tired of this barage of her well-planned publicity stunts.
Her NEW face is everywhere!…
the multiple photo shoots, interviews, etc…
all coordinated to appear at just the right time –
immediately after her phone call that shattered more than just some dreams.
A phone call. A PHONE CALL. 
While the guy is at work, after you’ve just paid a visit.  
Really, Katie?  You couldn’t talk face to face?
And just as fast as that hang-up,
the end.
Dad swooped in and cleaned up any aftermath.
Actually, it sounds as if he orchestrated the whole thing.
I’m not sure why I’m so offended…
I know this stuff happens every day
and she obviously was an unhappy woman.
 It was the method that I find appauling
and I wonder if she sleeps at night.  
Into each life, a little rain must fall
so they say.
Tom, I wish you the best, dude…
and although there might be a little weirdness on occasion…
I’ve enjoyed watching your star rise through the years..
I adored your couch jumping antics
and although I may not be in the majority,
I think you totally rocked this look.

You asked for it

   Margaret will be thrilled to know she has sparked such curiosity… actually she will probably be embarassed and think she’s done nothing to deserve any fuss… however, I know better.  Margaret has also raised five boys and helped her now deceased husband run a family business.  She still hosts get-togethers for her church group and once dressed as a lady of the night for a halloween party.  I believe that was just a few years ago.  

 SO!… Write your questions for Margaret in the comments section below and I will ask her to give me a brief interview.  I have been blessed with having been acquainted with several wonderful women as I’ve raised my family in this town… learning a little from each as I go.  They are all talented and generous in different ways and have endured life’s ups and downs with a grace and sense of humor I wish we all possessed.  Liz, Carol Ann, Marg,  BJ… you know who you are.

Neigh-bors

My girl and I took Coady & Lacey
down the driveway and across the street to
visit with our good neighbor, Margaret.
Our minis have been to nursing homes
and rehabilitation centers with me to visit those
who can’t get out into the world like they used to..
therapy horses, they were.
I haven’t done that work in years
and sometimes I miss it.
 At 89 years young, Margaret still takes care of her own home
and we feel lucky to have her as a neighbor.
She’s always got a positive outlook on life. 
 Just look at her lovely garden. 
While we stood there grazing  horses and talking,
hummingbirds were swarming the feeders and flowers.
I always leave her yard with a feeling of peace.
Some people just have the ability to put you at ease…
to remind you of the simple graces in life.
She’s one of those for sure.

Frasier Entertainment

Remember those shows on TV
when your kids were young…
the ones you’d count on 
when you had stuff to do
and you needed them to just sit for a while?
For my kids that was Sesame Street
and Barney. I tried not to rely
too heavily on Babysitter TV, but now and then
I leaned on it just a little.
My second set of kids are much easier
to entertain.  Frasier will watch
the Bunny & Chipmunk Show for hours on end.
These two have taken up residence outside the kitchen door
so I’ve been feeding them berries and such.


Currently, Chip lives under the rock step
and Peter lives in the bushes next to it.

Not a bad piece of real estate for either of them,
but the traffic is steady and can be annoying,
as the barn swallows found out.



Ramble along with me, won’t you?

 On the face of it, we had a great weekend… lots of summer activities, good food, great weather.  I am grateful for every single day that are able to enjoy the good things in our lives.  This weekend’s snapshots below…

The Mr. harvesting onions… 
and talking business with someone.

Did you know that the onion plant grows a beautiful globe flower?….

and this is what they look like at ground level… ready to harvest.
When the tall leaves fall over, they’re done.

We went to the Chester Sunday Market again…
the men in this house are in love with the belgian chocolate milk we get
from Smyth Dairy and the artisan bread from a local baker…
Look at these beautiful carrots…
And this really big dog!  There are dog water bowls here and there
throughout the market, I just think that’s awesome.
Such a community vibe, kudos to those who put this idea together.

This is my stash….

and it went into last night’s campfire bundles…
recipe here   http://www.tasteofhome.com/Recipes/Campfire-Bundles
You can use any variation on veggies…

There was another bonfire up on the hill….
These kids have all been friends since kindergarten..

I hope they’ll always remain good friends..
one of the jewels among the thorns in the crown of life.
They gathered again on Sunday at the Brownstone Quarry..
We did some of this…

..and there was some intense baby bunny watching…

..wonderful weekend, but I couldn’t get away from
something that’s been bothering me for some time now.
A small group of people in a particular political party
have turned debate on any big issues we have before us
here in this town, into a nasty spectacle.
They slander, they accuse, they use scare tactics
and personally attack those who are trying either through
elected office or through volunteer work  – to improve
conditions on many levels here in town.
It’s one thing to disagree and state your grievances and concerns..
quite another to personally attack, slander, spew out misinformation
and leave comments on news forums that are snyde and sarcastic.
Ironic that the ones who complain the most are not often
the ones who are actually trying to do something to fix the problems.
Sad that this is the climate in our little town…
 and the problem isn’t just here.
 
On a similar note…have you watched The Newsroom yet?
If you have the time and are so inclined, watch this video below…
..just a few minutes long.
It’s disturbing, yes… but profound as well.
tell me what you think.
But please, be kind in your response. 
http://youtu.be/lIffq85zMI4