I've been listening to the sound of a gentle rain this morning, not the hard rain we've been having, not the overflow the gutter, can't see across the street, rain, just a gentle soft rain.
I'm very tired today and have absolutely no energy. Maybe it's the rain and the weather front wreaking havoc with my allergies. Could be a reaction of the flu and pneumonia shots I got yesterday, or the sleepless night. But I can tell nothing major, like laundry, is going to get done today. I looked at the sink full of dishes a few minutes ago and decided that emptying/loading the dishwasher would take too much energy. All I want to do on this lovely, rainy day is sleep.
I also have a lot on my mind, family issues, the political climate (I'll be so glad when Nov.5 gets here). And yes, I said the 5th. That will mean that the election is over and all of the political ads on TV, flyers in the mail (I imagine the postman will be too), robocalls and political surveys will finally stop, at least for a little bit.
So I think I'll just sit here and listen to the rain.
Tuesday, October 28, 2014
Wednesday, October 15, 2014
This and That
I'm troubled and confused again, but maybe I'm confused all the time! I've been seeing some things online about how we just need to put a bullet in the heads of Muslims. Normally I would just pass this by, but, when I see agreeing comments, from Christian pastors, it bothers me. That seems to directly contradict the commandment of "Thou shalt not kill". Others may argue "an eye for an eye" would allow it. That's what is troubling and confusing. If we try to exterminate, for lack of a better word or term, all Muslims, doesn't this make us just as bad as they are? I'm afraid that the radical arm of Christians will become just as violent as the radical arm of the Muslims. Something to dwell on and pray about
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When I was filling our medicine containers the other day, I noticed how colorful my medications are. In my morning slot I have a peach colored one, a blue one, a white one, a pink one, and a purple one. In my night slot I have a peach colored one, a white one, a blue one, 2 pink ones, and a red one. Bill's meds are not as colorful. His are mostly beige and muted peach and purple, with one exception, a bright orange one. At least I can tell by color what each of them is for.
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I will be very glad when the election is over next month. I recently had a phone call asking if the incumbent senator's and a candidate for governor stance on the healthcare act has affected my opinion of the 2 candidates. Both of these candidates are for the healthcare act. Since I haven't been adversely affected by the new healthcare, and I have followed one of these candidates for several years, I answered honestly that their stance has not affected my opinion of them. The questioner then stated that I was still going to vote for them in that case. How could she assume that? The question posed was "Has the fact that Sen. ____________and ___________ support of Obamacare affected your opinion of them?" That answer was no, and there was no follow-up question concerning my vote for/against them. My answer could have easily meant that I already knew their stance and was not going to vote for them anyway. Just proves that statistics can be skewed to prove your point.
Since the healthcare act was passed, many are saying that it should be repealed and they have some ideas of how healthcare should be handled. But, when pressed, won't tell us how they think it should work. Which is worse, wanting to get rid of something just because you don't like it, or telling people you have a plan but won't elaborate on it?
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Had a debate online last night with a young man who is very opposed to anything government run. He stated that the problems with Medicare were a direct result of the healthcare act. When I pointed out that the 2 insurances my husband has paid for about all of his $2 million in medical bills except for about $5000, and that of the $900/month in medications, we only pay about $40, all he could say was that he was glad it worked out for us but didn't for others. He could supply no facts to support his statements. While he is entitled to his opinion, if something is going to be stated as fact, shouldn't you be able to provide the facts proving your point? Seems to be that's what's wrong with many today. They state their opinion, but then get angry if you ask for proof, and when given proof for the opposing view, start name-calling and get even angrier. Americans are very angry, but are we angry at the right people or situation, or are we angry because we believe in opinions of others that have nothing to substantiate the opinion?
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These are just some of thoughts going through my head this morning.
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When I was filling our medicine containers the other day, I noticed how colorful my medications are. In my morning slot I have a peach colored one, a blue one, a white one, a pink one, and a purple one. In my night slot I have a peach colored one, a white one, a blue one, 2 pink ones, and a red one. Bill's meds are not as colorful. His are mostly beige and muted peach and purple, with one exception, a bright orange one. At least I can tell by color what each of them is for.
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I will be very glad when the election is over next month. I recently had a phone call asking if the incumbent senator's and a candidate for governor stance on the healthcare act has affected my opinion of the 2 candidates. Both of these candidates are for the healthcare act. Since I haven't been adversely affected by the new healthcare, and I have followed one of these candidates for several years, I answered honestly that their stance has not affected my opinion of them. The questioner then stated that I was still going to vote for them in that case. How could she assume that? The question posed was "Has the fact that Sen. ____________and ___________ support of Obamacare affected your opinion of them?" That answer was no, and there was no follow-up question concerning my vote for/against them. My answer could have easily meant that I already knew their stance and was not going to vote for them anyway. Just proves that statistics can be skewed to prove your point.
Since the healthcare act was passed, many are saying that it should be repealed and they have some ideas of how healthcare should be handled. But, when pressed, won't tell us how they think it should work. Which is worse, wanting to get rid of something just because you don't like it, or telling people you have a plan but won't elaborate on it?
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Had a debate online last night with a young man who is very opposed to anything government run. He stated that the problems with Medicare were a direct result of the healthcare act. When I pointed out that the 2 insurances my husband has paid for about all of his $2 million in medical bills except for about $5000, and that of the $900/month in medications, we only pay about $40, all he could say was that he was glad it worked out for us but didn't for others. He could supply no facts to support his statements. While he is entitled to his opinion, if something is going to be stated as fact, shouldn't you be able to provide the facts proving your point? Seems to be that's what's wrong with many today. They state their opinion, but then get angry if you ask for proof, and when given proof for the opposing view, start name-calling and get even angrier. Americans are very angry, but are we angry at the right people or situation, or are we angry because we believe in opinions of others that have nothing to substantiate the opinion?
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These are just some of thoughts going through my head this morning.
Tuesday, May 27, 2014
Sadness, Confusion and Pride
It's been quite a while since I've posted anything here. But, as I said in the beginning, there was no set schedule.
Sadness
In the last three weeks there have been 6 deaths of people I knew. A cousin passed away from breast cancer. She was younger than me and I hadn't seen her for several years, but it's still sad. It makes you think about your own mortality.
I also learned of the death of a dear lady. She was a kidney transplant from the same place as Bill's heart transplant, but more importantly, she also lived in our area. I remember her calling me while we were in Florida waiting for Bill's transplant. She was also there for her annual check-up.
As I was talking to a friend about her passing, we found that one of my clients, and college classmate, had passed. She was my age. We didn't have any classes together that I remember, but she was in the group of us that always sat in the student center before class. She always had a funny joke or story to tell.
As I was looking for these obituaries in the newspaper, I saw one for a woman that I had worked with many, many years ago. I hadn't seen her since I left the travel business, but as soon as I saw her name the memory was there.
I had been seeing some comments on Facebook about a person passing and I wondered if I knew her. My sister told me last night that it was another cousin. This one was older and also had cancer. But the cancer was not the cause of death. I also hadn't seen this cousin in years.
The final passing was also yesterday. A dear lady from church passed away and I think this one hurts more than the others. She was the pianist when Bill and I first started attending the church. When she found out that I could play, she resigned from playing and would only substitute for me. She always had a smile for everyone. She hadn't been able to attend services for quite a while, but she will still be missed.
If you are wondering about all of these people that I hadn't seen in years, it's because I left the area 40 years ago and only returned periodically.
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Confusion
With all of the news coverage of the basketball owner and his remarks, and now the other sports mogul's remarks, I am confused by our country. As far as the basketball owner, I don't think the punishment fits the crime. To have a huge fine, and be told that he can't own the team anymore, or attend any basketball functions seems to have gone a little overboard. I also thought the same thing with the Paula Deen controversary, especially since's hers happened so many years ago. I'm also confused by how the recordings got released to the press. Both parties said they didn't release them, but they are the only ones who had them.
As to the remarks made by Mark Cuban, he just stated how his mind works when encountering certain types of people. His remarks were not specifically racist as the media and others have tried to portray them. I too have crossed the street when meeting certain types of people, whether black or white. And that's what's confusing me. He didn't single out a single race. He just brought to light what appearances can convey to others.
My confusion stems from this...why can't people voice an opinion if it doesn't agree with someone elses's opinion? That's one of the things that has made this country great. Yes, some opinions can be hateful and hurtful, but they are just what that person thinks. I remember when the Oklahoma bombing happened and one of the radio announcers referred to the "towel heads" that had done this terrible thing. I wonder if they were ashamed or apologetic when it came to light that this was done by "good ole American boys".
I could go on and on about this, but won't. Maybe this will be a discussion for another day.
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Pride
We spent some time with a couple of the grandchildren this week-end. These are 2 we don't see often. As we were sitting down to eat, the oldest one, 9, asked who was going to pray and his little sister, 6, raised her hand. Usually it's up to Pa to pray, and this little one had told me once that she would bow her head, but she wouldn't close her eyes. These 2 also don't attend church on any regular basis, but they have been attending a tutoring program run by a local church. At any rate, after everyone had filled their plates she told all of us to bow our hears and close our eyes and she proceeded to pray the standard children's prayer. It just goes to show that you never know what they are listening to. The older one of these two is going to church camp this year for the first time. His 2 cousins are also going to the same camp, 1 as a camper and the other as a counselor.
And, speaking of the one going as a counselor, she ran the children's church services a couple of weeks ago in the absence of the children's pastor. No, she did not preach, but she made sure that each section had everything they needed. She also ran the sound for the song service. This may not seem like much...until you realize she's only 15 years old! Her sister, the other camper, is on the dance team for the children's services.
I'm very proud of these 2 in their church work and proud of the other 2 for starting to participate. We'll just continue to pray for all of them.
So, there's my post for this time. In time the sadness will dim, maybe the confusion will go away, and I will always be proud of my grandchildren.
Sadness
In the last three weeks there have been 6 deaths of people I knew. A cousin passed away from breast cancer. She was younger than me and I hadn't seen her for several years, but it's still sad. It makes you think about your own mortality.
I also learned of the death of a dear lady. She was a kidney transplant from the same place as Bill's heart transplant, but more importantly, she also lived in our area. I remember her calling me while we were in Florida waiting for Bill's transplant. She was also there for her annual check-up.
As I was talking to a friend about her passing, we found that one of my clients, and college classmate, had passed. She was my age. We didn't have any classes together that I remember, but she was in the group of us that always sat in the student center before class. She always had a funny joke or story to tell.
As I was looking for these obituaries in the newspaper, I saw one for a woman that I had worked with many, many years ago. I hadn't seen her since I left the travel business, but as soon as I saw her name the memory was there.
I had been seeing some comments on Facebook about a person passing and I wondered if I knew her. My sister told me last night that it was another cousin. This one was older and also had cancer. But the cancer was not the cause of death. I also hadn't seen this cousin in years.
The final passing was also yesterday. A dear lady from church passed away and I think this one hurts more than the others. She was the pianist when Bill and I first started attending the church. When she found out that I could play, she resigned from playing and would only substitute for me. She always had a smile for everyone. She hadn't been able to attend services for quite a while, but she will still be missed.
If you are wondering about all of these people that I hadn't seen in years, it's because I left the area 40 years ago and only returned periodically.
************************************************************
Confusion
With all of the news coverage of the basketball owner and his remarks, and now the other sports mogul's remarks, I am confused by our country. As far as the basketball owner, I don't think the punishment fits the crime. To have a huge fine, and be told that he can't own the team anymore, or attend any basketball functions seems to have gone a little overboard. I also thought the same thing with the Paula Deen controversary, especially since's hers happened so many years ago. I'm also confused by how the recordings got released to the press. Both parties said they didn't release them, but they are the only ones who had them.
As to the remarks made by Mark Cuban, he just stated how his mind works when encountering certain types of people. His remarks were not specifically racist as the media and others have tried to portray them. I too have crossed the street when meeting certain types of people, whether black or white. And that's what's confusing me. He didn't single out a single race. He just brought to light what appearances can convey to others.
My confusion stems from this...why can't people voice an opinion if it doesn't agree with someone elses's opinion? That's one of the things that has made this country great. Yes, some opinions can be hateful and hurtful, but they are just what that person thinks. I remember when the Oklahoma bombing happened and one of the radio announcers referred to the "towel heads" that had done this terrible thing. I wonder if they were ashamed or apologetic when it came to light that this was done by "good ole American boys".
I could go on and on about this, but won't. Maybe this will be a discussion for another day.
***************************************************************
Pride
We spent some time with a couple of the grandchildren this week-end. These are 2 we don't see often. As we were sitting down to eat, the oldest one, 9, asked who was going to pray and his little sister, 6, raised her hand. Usually it's up to Pa to pray, and this little one had told me once that she would bow her head, but she wouldn't close her eyes. These 2 also don't attend church on any regular basis, but they have been attending a tutoring program run by a local church. At any rate, after everyone had filled their plates she told all of us to bow our hears and close our eyes and she proceeded to pray the standard children's prayer. It just goes to show that you never know what they are listening to. The older one of these two is going to church camp this year for the first time. His 2 cousins are also going to the same camp, 1 as a camper and the other as a counselor.
And, speaking of the one going as a counselor, she ran the children's church services a couple of weeks ago in the absence of the children's pastor. No, she did not preach, but she made sure that each section had everything they needed. She also ran the sound for the song service. This may not seem like much...until you realize she's only 15 years old! Her sister, the other camper, is on the dance team for the children's services.
I'm very proud of these 2 in their church work and proud of the other 2 for starting to participate. We'll just continue to pray for all of them.
So, there's my post for this time. In time the sadness will dim, maybe the confusion will go away, and I will always be proud of my grandchildren.
Monday, February 24, 2014
Haven't written anything for awhile, but haven't had any burning thoughts in my head.
I read an essay this morning about President Obama. It was written by a "patriot" about why President Obama is so angry and unpatriotic. Most of it struck me as drivel, but what struck me most was any "patriot" name could be substituted. And by "patriot" I mean conservative, Republican, Tea Party.
I don't consider myself of either party. I'm more liberal than some, more conservative than others. But I am a patriot. I love this country and it saddens me that nothing is getting done by Congress and the president. There are so many things that need done, changed, addressed in this country that are more important than voting to repeal the healthcare act. Yes, there are flaws in the act, so fix them and leave the good parts intact. I'm seeing the insurance companies doing things and blaming the healthcare act, when what they are doing is only being done now because they can get away with it and justify it under the new act.
It also bothers me that Christians seem to forget that Jesus took care of the less fortunate and encouraged us to do the same. We as Christians are not "holier than thou". So, do we do as the Bible tells us, or do we do the opposite of those we don't agree with.
Members of Congress seem to have forgotten that "we the people" put them where they are. I feel like they have lost touch with the people and will only do what the party wants. And, if the party line is not followed to the letter, their own party will turn against them.
What has happened to us, as a people, as Christians, as a nation?
Again, these are just my thoughts and opinions. And unlike some, I AM entitled to my opinion, just as you are entitled to yours. We can agree to disagree and still have a civil discussion.
I read an essay this morning about President Obama. It was written by a "patriot" about why President Obama is so angry and unpatriotic. Most of it struck me as drivel, but what struck me most was any "patriot" name could be substituted. And by "patriot" I mean conservative, Republican, Tea Party.
I don't consider myself of either party. I'm more liberal than some, more conservative than others. But I am a patriot. I love this country and it saddens me that nothing is getting done by Congress and the president. There are so many things that need done, changed, addressed in this country that are more important than voting to repeal the healthcare act. Yes, there are flaws in the act, so fix them and leave the good parts intact. I'm seeing the insurance companies doing things and blaming the healthcare act, when what they are doing is only being done now because they can get away with it and justify it under the new act.
It also bothers me that Christians seem to forget that Jesus took care of the less fortunate and encouraged us to do the same. We as Christians are not "holier than thou". So, do we do as the Bible tells us, or do we do the opposite of those we don't agree with.
Members of Congress seem to have forgotten that "we the people" put them where they are. I feel like they have lost touch with the people and will only do what the party wants. And, if the party line is not followed to the letter, their own party will turn against them.
What has happened to us, as a people, as Christians, as a nation?
Again, these are just my thoughts and opinions. And unlike some, I AM entitled to my opinion, just as you are entitled to yours. We can agree to disagree and still have a civil discussion.
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