Mortality

For most of my life I haven't thought about death a lot, but I have been lately. Maybe it's because my best friend just lost her mother. She lost her father about 2 years ago and since she's an only child, she's feeling a little lost. She told me yesterday that at 64 years old, she's now an orphan.

I think about my own aging mother and can't imagine life without her. We don't live in the same town, only see each other a couple of times a year, but talk frequently on the phone. Yet, just knowing she's where she's supposed to be is comforting, and I can't imagine her not being there. I know her health is failing more now, and when she does pass away, I, too, will be a orphan. But, I have a sister and brother so there will still be a family connection.

I've also been thinking some about my own mortality, even before Jean's death. I've noticed that my body is not working like it used to. I was explaining some of my aches and pains to my sister and she told me that a friend of hers had the same symptoms...right before she fell and had to have a hip replaced. My first thought was that I was too young for a hip replacement! But, then I realize that I am in my 60s, so I'm not too young. 

That seems to be my dilemma. My mind still thinks that I'm in my 40s. I won't say 30s, although sometimes that is what I find myself thinking. Then I have to realize that it's 20 years past that point and I am indeed old enough for a hip replacement. Which then brings us to another problem.

Since I am my husband's caregiver, I can't afford to be sick or laid up in the hospital or rehab. While he is able to care for his personal self, he can't remember to take his medications on time, or even fill his weekly medicine containers. He doesn't remember to eat or drink, and I don't know if he would be able to cook something for himself if he did remember. So, I need to be extra vigilant in taking care of myself, right? Yeah, yeah, yeah, I get it. Easier said than done.

Because I feel good most of the time, I don't take care of myself as I should. Again I think I'm too young for anything bad to be happening. But who knows what lurks inside that could be a disaster in the making! Is it better to know that there is a very aggressive cancer, or is it better to be happy, living a "normal" life and take what happens as it happens? Another conundrum!

Thoughts in the Paris aftermath

I haven't written anything here for a long time, mainly because there were too many things that I wanted to write about that I didn't know where to start. But that changed yesterday and today.

Like most people, I'm shocked and saddened by the events in Paris yesterday, along with the bombing of the Russian airplane and the attack in Lebanon. Yet I'm almost as shocked by some of the things I'm seeing on social media in response to these events.

Instead of banning together to offer support and prayers to the people of France, most especially those who were injured and those who lost loved ones, people are already looking to place blame on someone. It seems that they have to blame someone, anyone, other than the actual perpetrators. I've read articles, along with the comments, that place the blame on President Obama. There is also blame placed on all of the recent refugees from Syria. The writers "knew" that they weren't innocent citizens being displaced, they were all terrorists.

All Muslims have been declared terrorists by people who claim to be patriots. I've seen posts on social media by people that I have a lot of respect for calling for the killing of all Muslims, some of them Christian pastors. That hurts me deeply and I can only imagine what Christ thinks of this. Don't they understand that this attitude makes them just as heartless as the terrorists, which makes them win this war. When we become as hateful as they are, we are no better than they are!

I've had these thoughts swirling around for a long time, pretty much since President Obama was elected the first time. The hatred that has been espoused, again from those who call themselves Christians, is mind boggling. I've also been told that I can't be a "true" American patriot if I voted for him. Why? Is it just me? Am I the one with the wrong thinking?

I'm so sick and tired of all of the Obama bashing. It doesn't matter if you like him or not but he is the President of our country and deserves the respect that the office demands of all of us. We don't have to like or respect the person holding the office, but we do, or should, respect the office of the president. That's how I was raised anyway.

So, I'll pray for Paris, and Russia, and Lebanon, and America. I'll pray for those who believe that the only way to get to heaven is to kill all those who don't agree with the way they think. I'll also pray for those who think that their way of thinking is the only acceptable way of thinking. I'll also pray that God gives me the wisdom to discern His plan in all of this, and show me the right thinking that I need to do.

Now that the dam has broken on writing again, maybe there will be more posts of the things on my mind and heart. I'm not sure that there will be many in agreement with me, but maybe it will give something for them to think about. After all we have the right to our opinion without being vilified for it.

There are so many thoughts swirling around in my head...
Where to begin? Do I start with this?
Or maybe this?
I can't seem to concentrate on any topic long enough to form really coherent thoughts...
Pet peeves, profound thoughts, ideas...
I guess I'll just stop and write nothing...
At least for today, and maybe tomorrow.

Hypocrisy

There has been much in the news lately about the Duggar family concerning a molestation issue that surrounds Josh Duggar. I have thought about this before deciding to voice an opinion, so here's my take on this.

I can understand the family's thinking....somewhat. No one wants to be in the middle of a scandal, no matter what the cause. I'm sure they thought like most of us would "What will our friends think, or what will the church say". So, they talk privately to those involved and keep it quiet. 

I get that. That's a natural reaction.

What bothers me most about it is the hypocrisy. While this event was apparently happening, Mr. Duggar was stating that sexual crimes should be made capital crimes. Had he considered that this might affect his son, if this would come to pass? I doubt that. Since everything was handled privately, why would he then want his child to be executed for that very thing? I believe that they considered themselves above the act and punishment.

I also think it is very hypocritical for them to state publicly that certain people are a danger to children. By this I'm referring to their stance against homosexuals. So many people are afraid that the "gayness" will rub off on their children, and that every gay person will assault every person they meet.

I've read a great deal of comments where other commentators (I don't know if that word is the correct one to use in this situation) have been reminded that Jesus said that "ye who are without sin cast the first stone". But it doesn't just apply to the ones who think the Duggars mishandled the situation. I think it also applies to the Duggars themselves. This admonishment by Christ doesn't say that it has to be the same sin, only that a person hasn't sinned. For them to apparently take the abuse situation so lightly and then condemn another person because of their lifestyle flaunts this.

I truly hope that Josh does understand that what he did, even though he was a teenager, was wrong. I hope the girls involved were able to get some real help, not just told to turn the other cheek.

I heard a comment the other day concerning the tv show. This person thought that maybe it shouldn't be cancelled, but the incident be used as truly reality tv to show who real issues affect a family and how they could now learn and grow from it. We'll just have to see how it all plays out.

Home Away From Home

Our friend Ron and his chocolate lab Buddy used to come and visit just about every day. Ron was unemployed and he did a lot of work for us, painting and remodeling work. He's been a really good friend, especially since Bill got sick, and Buddy seems like our dog, as much as his. He has a basket of toys and we keep treats for him. He gets us a package of tennis balls for Christmas every year so that he has new ones to play with. He's always very comfortable here, even napping on the bed if Ron is here working. But, he's only truly happy if Ron is here, where he can see him.

When Ron got a job painting at the hospital, we only got to see Buddy on week-ends. He always comes in the door whining, letting us know that he hasn't had any treats for so long that he's just dying! He's really funny to watch when he does that.

Ron came over Wednesday morning and told us that Buddy ran off that morning during his morning walk. A stray female enticed him. Of course if he had been leashed it wouldn't have happened, but that's beside the point. Ron tried to get him to come back but you know how men can get when there's a pretty girl around. He said he hoped he would come back and asked that we keep an eye out for him, especially since it had started to rain.

Bill walked around the block looking for him and then we decided to drive around the neighborhood some to see if we could see him anywhere. We looked for about 30 minutes and then gave up. We drove by Ron's a couple of times to see if he had gone home and was sitting on the stoop but he wasn't there.

After we had been home about 15 minutes we heard something...and there was Buddy, whining at the front door! He was a total mess, soaking wet, and when I started drying him off, covered in dirt and mud! We got him dried and then got him some water and treats and called Ron to tell him that his wandering boy had come home. When he had gotten his fill of treats and water he discovered that Ron wasn't there and he would not settle down. I don't know who was happier when Ron showed up, Ron or Buddy!

Ron did say that he was limping by the time evening came, but we hadn't seen any signs of fighting or injury when he was here. It could just be he was sore from old age (he's almost 10). He could also have bruised a paw during his travels.

We're just glad he knew he could come here...and that we were home! I told Bill that even though Buddy was in the doghouse for running off, this was the only doghouse that rewarded you when you came home!

Why

Our house was broken into a couple of weeks ago while we were at church. Not only did they take most of our electronics, (tv, 3 computers, digital camera, portable dvd player and a suitcase to carry it in), they totally trashed the place. Things pulled out of every closet and every drawer opened. They even took 3 pkgs. of poptarts and a box of snack crackers, along with a Dr. Pepper. So we figure it had to be kids.

The material things they took can and are being replaced. That's what we have insurance for. Things have been put back in the closets and drawers, but we're still taking inventory since things were just thrown everywhere and anywhere. For example, my husband's coins were taken. I got him a talking bank for Christmas and he throws his change it in at night. So, everything was gone. But, I found the jar to the bank in a corner of the bedroom under some pillows, and the top of it was in his clothes hamper!

We've tried looking at the bright side, and there is a bright side. I have a hutch filled with crystal on the shelves. Some of it is very old and valuable. They could have swept all of it off and smashed it on the floor. The same with the china, which is a discontinued pattern. They didn't find the antique rifle in the closet, or the case containing my husband's family silver.
I thought the coin my sister gave me for a special birthday was gone as the drawer had been ransacked, but it was not touched. I was afraid that some of my jewelry was gone, especially my pearl and diamond earrings, and the diamond necklace and earrings, but they are all there. So far the only piece I can't find is my college class ring and it could still be under a piece of furniture in the bedroom.

So my question is why. Why do people need to break-in and wreak havoc? Or feel the need to take things that aren't theirs? It's not just because they aren't getting any home raising because there have been thieves since biblical times. Why do we have to have security doors and an alarm system to protect the things we've worked hard for? Why take 3 computers and leave the 4th? Why leave both stereo systems and dvd players? Why, why, why? Why also don't the police in our town seem to work to find these things? We've contacted pawn shops and yardsale websites on our own. Why has crime gotten so bad in our town, not just our area? Why are our city leaders not trying to do something about it?

I will not let the bad buys win! I will not be afraid to leave my home unattended! I refuse to let them dictate how I live my life, although I have made some concessions. But, the question still remains...why?

And So It Begins

It's happened. Hillary Clinton has announced she is running for president, as have Rand Paul and Ted Cruz. It didn't take long for the posts to start showing up on social media. Since I'm not on Twitter, only Facebook, I only have that to reference. One little post from a friend saying "It's Official", a comment from someone who's excited, and then the snarky remarks began.

I did not see a single post regarding Cruz or Paul, not a single one. Of course there were the shares of news articles, but no-one voicing an opinion. What is it, then, that seems to bring out the worst in some people, when it comes to the Clintons?

I know, I know, there's a lot of ammunition there. I'm not a fan of Hillary, and I do not think she would make a good president. I didn't like her when she was First Lady of Arkansas, or First Lady of the United States. But, that dislike doesn't give me license to disparage her, call her names, or get downright ugly. (Wow, I used a couple of big words there)!

I've already started making a list of the different candidates, mainly because I don't know a lot about them, or some of the ones who may or may not run. But, I've got to be able to compare them to make an informed decision.

I may need to start making a list of "bad" posts about candidates. Things had died down after this last election. There aren't too many about President Obama lately, and Obamacare bashing has pretty much stopped now that it's shown to not be as bad as everyone said it would be. I've enjoyed the quiet. But, I fear it's going to start in again now and I'm not looking forward to that.

So, with the election more than a year away, it's going to be a long summer, fall, winter, spring, summer and early fall. And I'm sure that whoever is elected, it won't take long for those who don't like the outcome to start in with the ugly. That thought is rather depressing! But the only recourse I have is to stop reading the remarks and that's going to be hard to do!

Who Needs Sleep Anyway

Bill and I have joked that no matter what time we go to bed, there's going to be a train. We don't live anywhere near the tracks, or the train yard, and we don't hear the whistles at all during the day. But, it never fails, we sometimes hear them all night long.

When we went to bed Tuesday night the train whistle blew before we even got the light turned out. Emergency sirens started soon after, followed by night "touch and go" flights from the national guard at the closed air base. Our house just happens to be in the flight path! Add to this, it was a warm night and the cruisers with their loud music were out in force! It seemed like one noise would start as soon as another stopped.

Finally, finally it was quiet and we could sleep. But...before first light a little bird started to sing...in the hedge...outside the bedroom window. As the day dawned, a crop duster started flying, and then...a woodpecker! There are no crops planted yet so the crop duster had nothing to spray this early and they're not supposed to fly over towns anyway, but there he was.

We always say it's a good thing we're retired so we can sleep in...except for birds and planes. And who cares if we go to bed early, we just lay there and listen to the trains, planes, automobiles...and sirens.

Sleep is overrated anyway!

Sports - Boys vs. Girls

My granddaughter is on the high school softball team. They had a terrible season last year, but there's a new coach staff this year and the girls are more excited this year.

At her school, all of the sports teams, including gymnastics, all have a separate class hour...except for softball. Plus, they have to wait until the boys, whatever sport it may be, is done practicing before they can have the field house for practice.

This year it seems the school doesn't even care enough to make sure there is a person to run the scoreboard. It's kind of bad that players have to take turns in the booth and it delays the game to change players, if the player is in the broadcast booth.

The games are played at the city sportsplex, which is a very nice facility with several ball diamonds and soccer fields. It's probably a mile from the school, yet the school doesn't provide transportation to the field on game days. Most of these kids don't drive yet, or have a restricted license that only allows them to transport family members. I don't know if the boys baseball team is transported, but it wouldn't surprise me if it is.

Why, in this day and age, is there still discrimination between boys and girls sports? I thought that if a school took federal money for sports girls sports were to receive the same amount of funding as boys and were supposed to get the same treatment. Maybe I was wrong. But it seems to me, if a school is going to promote a sport, it should be supported by the school.

Anniversaries

This week-end we watched as the march from Selma to Montgomery was symbolically re-walked for the 50th anniversary of the first attempt. This was a huge turning point in the civil rights movement. I get that.

But, today, Sunday, March 8, was also the 50th anniversary of our marines arriving in Viet Nam. And not one news report that I saw, not a single one, even mentioned that fact. Granted I have not watched every newscast on every network. But, I did watch local news, and national news this evening, and it was not mentioned. I saw it mentioned on Facebook of all places.

This event was also a huge turning point in our history and should have been commemorated. More than 58,000 young men and women lost their lives. Many more were wounded and scarred for life and came home changed forever.

I was a tween/teenager during this period. I remember the feeling of relief when it was announced in 1973 that all of our troops were coming home, mainly because I was engaged to marry an airman. The last troops left in March of 1973 and we were married in April.

My current husband served, in the marines, during those early days, when we were not officially in the country. He doesn't talk about it much and I don't push it.

So, on this 50th anniversary, I would like to thank my husband, Bill Haven for serving. I would like to thank my childhood neighbor, Lester Winslow, who came home a different man, and I would like to thank and remember another childhood friend, Kenny Walls, who didn't come home. And, for all of the other brave men and women who served in a war we could not win, thank you for your service.

Religion

A couple of days ago I wrote a post about politics, so today I'm going to write about the other forbidden subject...religion. It's not going to be a long post because I haven't thought a lot about it, but the following thoughts came to be today as I was drying my hair, of all things.

My family, meaning Bill, myself, and my children, are all different religions. Bill is a Baptist, my children and their children are Pentecostals, and I'm a Quaker. Now Pentecostals and Quakers are on each end of the spectrum, about as far apart as you can get, as far as style of worship goes. Baptists kind of fall in the middle of the two but is closer to Quaker than Pentecostals. Since there are no Quaker meetings where we live, I attend a Baptist church with Bill. We have also attended the Assembly of God church that my children attend on occasion.

Yet, we all worship the same God, we all read the same Bible, we all believe that you must accept Jesus as your personal Savior to be saved. The main difference is the Quakers don't believe you must have a water baptism for the salvation to "take".

This isn't to say that I don't approve of baptisms, far from it. I have seen 2 grandchildren and my son baptized and cried with the rest of them. I've seen people baptized at our church, and felt very blessed. I know that this act means something to each of the ones baptized and I wouldn't take that away from them for anything.

I had a very dear friend who was very concerned that I wasn't baptized. She asked me one day if I would do it for the members of the church. I told her that to me that would be very hypocritical. Yes, the other members of the church would be happy, but why should I do something that meant absolutely nothing to me. That seemed like it would take away the meaning for those who did believe in baptism.

Each denomination has a different style of worship. Some of them are not based biblically and I don't believe that it could be a true religion. But, as long as it is a true Bible based church, with true believers in Jesus as their personal savior, I say let people worship how they want. What is more important, salvation and eternal life or church membership and following the ordinances of a church? To me, I'll take salvation and eternal life every time!

Made this longer than I had planned, but the words just started to flow.

Politics

Politics...that forbidden topic of conversation. The mid-term elections are barely over, the new congress has only been in session for about 3 weeks and already the candidates are lining up for 2016.

As I watched the news and saw who was at the republican event in Iowa, I told my husband that most of the names scared me. I also said I was going to have to do some research on some of them, because I wasn't really familiar with them. Maybe it's going to take the full 2 years to figure out who is who and what they stand for. Hopefully, both parties will have learned something from the last 2 elections, but I'm doubtful.

The democrats don't seem to be lining up as much as the republicans. I think they are all waiting to see if Hillary Clinton will run. To watch the news, it's a done deal and she's the democratic candidate. I think it would be a mistake for her to run. I think they country is tired of the Clintons. At the same time, even though I have liked Jeb Bush, I think the country is also tired of the Bushes. I think it would be a mistake for Mitt Romney to run again. Contrary to many, I don't think he connects with "normal" people. He's been too elite for too long and hasn't experienced many of the hardships many in the middle class have.

Sarah Palin really scares me. I don't know why anyone would vote for her. She couldn't even finish one term as governor and I remember her saying that she was resigning because there were other things she wanted to do. Seems like all she's done is travel the country, bringing in big speaking fees, and bad-mouthing the president and all democrats. I guess she wasn't taught that if you can't say something nice you shouldn't say anything at all.

Those are just a few of my thoughts as this election season gears up. Like I said, I'm going to have to do some research on the hopefuls before I can make a really informed decision. If anyone is reading this and wants to chime in, feel free.

Living in No-Man's Land

I live in Northeast Arkansas, 5 miles south of the Missouri state line, 9 miles inland from the Mississippi River, 70 miles north of Memphis, Tennessee. Our town is rather small, 15,000 people, maybe. We don't have a TV station here. The closest ones are in Memphis (70 miles away) or Jonesboro, Arkansas (50 miles west).

We have DirectTV for our provider and our local stations are the stations from Memphis. We get them all so there is a variety. However, we get mostly Tennessee or Mississippi news and weather. The only Arkansas news we get is if something happens in West Memphis which, as the name implies, is directly across the river from Memphis.

I asked DirectTV if we could get the local Jonesboro station so that we could get local news and weather. The reply I got was that the Nielson company decided the viewing areas. Nielson apparently can't be contacted unless I'm a business that would like to use their service for marketing. I also remember many years ago the Jonesboro station saying that our area was considered the Memphis area.

But, the local cable company, Ritter Communications, does carry the Jonesboro station, IN ADDITION to the Memphis stations. So, if the cable company can offer the Jonesboro station, why can't the satellite company?

It's gotten so the Memphis stations barely cover north of Memphis for weather. There was 1 weatherman who stated during a tornadic event that the Jonesboro station would take care of the "most northern parts of the viewing area". Yeah, right, only if you have cable and not satellite. And since we live in a basically rural area, there are more satellite viewers than cable.

So, we are in No-Man's Land. The Memphis stations don't seem to want to cover our area, nor does Jonesboro, unless we use certain providers. Maybe I'll just move to a cave where there is no coverage at all and just stick my head out to check the weather, won't vote because I won't know who the candidates are, and won't have to see another murder taking place in Memphis.

OK, rant over. If anyone knows how this can be changed, aside from switching to cable, let me know.