Memorial Day

Memorial Day

When I had my 4^th child…it was in Novermber …  it was Veterans Day…which I found fitting, as by that time I was a veteran of childbirth.

Then 4 years later I had twin boys… on Memorial Day, I thought that too was fitting.. as it sure was a day to remember… lol… That was 55 years ago today…  SO …. HAPPY BIRTHDAY BRAD,  he was first… making him the oldest .. as referred to during the years from time to time, during arguments… And HAPPY BIRTHDAY STAN..  coming up in the rear 45 minutes later. 

Being born on Memorial Day is kind of cool. As everyone is celebrating your birthday.. and gets the first of the summer bar-b-ques going and etc..

Maybe not as cool as say 4^th of July birthdays where people celebrate your birthday with fireworks and etc…  and we do have in the family, those born on that day… but this about Memorial Day..  First big time of the summer to have their birthdays celebrated… with everyone..  Wishing you guys both a great fun day with your families…And some one can play the song…55 AND STAYING ALIVE… 

For the rest of it .. it may be a fun time, day off… but for many family it is also a time to stop by the cemetery and drop off some flowers and a moment of silence for those who passed before us…  Especially the veterans..

My father and I went every year to the family grave site and put flowers on each one …and then my brother carried on the tradition.. after Dad passed. Ken and I go to the one here, for his parents, sister and brother…  and I put on my husband who passed in 1986.  It is still a day of reflection of years or past with our love ones.

 

 

AND THE EYES HAVE IT…

AND THE EYES HAVE IT…..

Some where in my many drawers and boxes of junk there is a card, that I got about 40 some odd years ago… It was a joke card about the body parts arguing of who is boss of the body..   Each one arguing their point of view. Eye, you can’t see where you are going..  the Ears, can’t hear who is talking and what they are saying…  the brain, saying they were in charge of the body…. the stomach as it gets upset and etc.. down to the butt..  And when the butt said he was in charge.. all the other body parts laughed at him…  to the point, he closes up and refuses to open up..  The brain gets foggy, the eyes get cloudy, the ears get plugged, and the stomach is ready to burst.  So they all agree the butt is the boss…of the body..  and inside the card it says… SO YOU SEE, you can be an asshole and be boss.

I thought that was funny and kept the card all these years..  although I have no clue, which box or drawer it is in.

While the butt has a good argument…  I have to say that the eyes have one too… As on Thursday, I went to have some laser work on my eyes.. I had already had the other surgery done about 5 or 6 years ago..  Which worked GREAT!!  But as I aged, I developed a cloudy area on my left eye..  So they sent me to Spokane Pacific Laser Institute…  who does a awesome job.  And they found out that my right eye was also developing it as well..  So got both of them done in one visit…  Which means dilating BOTH eyes… twice..  once to get the test done.. and then some more as they did the laser part. So by the time I left there..  let’s say things were blurry.. but also the SUN.. Oh, my gosh..  I had to stop and hang on to a pillar out side..  (now don’t get it wrong.. they did offer me some dark glasses but I told them I had sunglasses out in the car…STUPID.!!!)  Ken gave me his glasses so I could make it to the car..  Then we went to cda to see his friend in hospice.. I got out of the car.. with glasses on.. and started to walk.. NOT SO GOOD.. and my stomach started to roll, because of the weaving… of my stride..  Told Ken, I was going back to the car…  And same as I got home, getting in the house..  

And I had to stay away from windows with out shades.. 

So I have to say, the eyes, undersold themselves in the argument…

Thankfully by bedtime… I was almost back to normal and the next morning everything was great.

And the people have spoken And it was IAM TONGI..

And the people have spoken

And it was IAM TONGI..

But I don’t think we have heard the last of  We Ami and Colin Stough…

I don’t know what kind of contract the top 5 or 10 have with the America Idol after the show is over..  I had heard they are signed to a year contract for tour for the American Idol.. but I have not heard any thing in the past several years of what happens after the show is done and over…   Of course the top winner has a contract for a while.. and they come back to the future shows some times, as advisors for the future winners…

There are a few who were down on the list who have gone on to bigger and better things.. Jennifer Hudson comes to mind..  and then there are winner we never hear from again…

But I see Wa Ani as the upcoming Whitney Huston..  her voice was fantastic. And I did think she was going to win.. and was shocked to not see her in the final 3.

And Colin Stough… I think there will be some country stars that will give Colin a boost as a lead in or opening act for their shows and then he will launch out on his own .. like so many have..

Don’t get me wrong.. I think Iam Tongi deserve to win.. He was definitely one of the favorites of the singers..  Great voice and a sweet personality..  and hope he goes on to great things..  He reminds me of a former Hawaiian singer called Israel…. Who passed away a few years ago…

But I do think this is far from the end for  WeAmi and Colin.

it bears repeating

It bears repeating…  

Some times you read where some one made a speech and it bears repeating.

Chris Pratt the actor … did one lately on the MTV awards…   He gave a very brave speech.. mixed it with humor … yet got the point across that some are scared to address.   It is a speech to the younger generation.  And thank you Chris for being brave enough to say it, for the next generation.   As some times I think they forget. Heck those who are older forget.. It is simple yet so worthy..  So here is Chris’s words…

 

"9 Rules from Chris Pratt" to the next generation.

1. "Breathe -- If you don't, you'll suffocate."

2. "You have a soul. Be careful with it."

3. "Don't be a turd. If you're strong be a protector and if you're smart be a humble influencer; strength and intelligence can be weapons, and do not wield them against the weak. That makes you a bully. Be bigger than that."

4. "When giving a dog medicine, put the medicine in a little piece of hamburger, they won't even know they're eating medicine."

5. "Doesn't matter what it is, earn it. A good dead, reach out to someone in pain, be of service, it feels good and it's good for your soul."

6. "God is real. God loves you. God wants the best for you. Believe that. I do."

7. "If you have to poop at a party, but you're embarrassed because you're gonna stink up the bathroom, do what I do: lock the door, sit down, get all the pee out first. Okay? And then, once all the pee's done, poop, flush, boom. You minimise the amount of time the poop is touching the air, because if you poop first, it takes you longer to pee and then you're peeing on top of it, stirring it up, the poop particles create a cloud, it goes out and then everyone in the party'll know that you pooped. Just trust me, it's science."

8. "Learn to pray. It's easy, and it's so good for your soul."

9. "Nobody is perfect. People are going to tell you you're perfect just the way you are, you're not. You are imperfect. You always will be. But there is a powerful force that designed you that way, and if you're willing to accept that, you will have grace. And grace is a gift. And like the freedom that we enjoy in this country that grace was paid for with somebody else's blood. Do not forget it. Don't take it for granted."

 

 

I HATE IT… I HATE IT WHEN I PUT THINGS AWAY

I HATE IT… I HATE IT WHEN I PUT THINGS AWAY…

I hate it when I put things away in a safe keeping place.. be it in

my file cabinet or where ever the HELL I put it..

Because I can no longer find it.   Maybe I need a reminder of where I place things..  my life it getting to be a life of sticky note…  as it is the bathroom mirror keeps our appointments in check.. I also have a calendar across the hall from the bathroom that keeps all the stuff I am suppose to remember. Events, Dr. appt and such..

I would need a wall for sticky notes … you put this paper in here… type of reminders..

I have been looking all weekend and Monday and I still have not found a folder that I THOUGHT was in the file cabinet..  after all it  has been in there for years..   But I did some work on some of the papers about a year ago.. So where the hell is it..  and Will I ever find it.

Aging by the #s

Aging by the #s

At 80…. You realize that the toilet paper of life is getting lower. That is when you have to ask …

DO I USE WHAT IS LEFT TO WIPE MY BUTT… OR DO I USE IT  OR EVEN PART OF IT…FOR OTHERS??   THE ANSWER IS.. FOR YOUR OWN……... 

Remember they have their own roll (life).  And if they are young and want to share with those who used too much of their own…. So be it.

But those of us over 80… we don’t have any spare rolls(life). Think about that when you think you should worry about how others will see how you are using yours… .. Remember they have their own rolls..  

So go out and ENJOY YOUR LIFE.. Don’t worry about them talking about how you use it…  It is your life.. live it to the fullest.. 

Child labor laws…

Child labor laws…

Those of us who have children and are over 60 and maybe some younger, know that kids have picked vegetables and fruit for years… Every summer, kids have headed to the farm land to pick strawberries and etc. for farmers.

Probably more in the northern states.   I know it was true as a kid in Rhode Island.. and surely in Washington state..   They even had a bus pick up the local kids to take them out to the big farms.. They had to bring their own lunch bags… water was provided..

More of this happen in the 1910 to the 1970’s..  Kids picking crops… 

I think the south started out with mostly illegal immigrants who picked and followed the season earlier…  and the poor before that as family picked crops…  vegetables, fruit or cotton…. and then the immigrants headed back to Mexico..  with their meager wages.

For the kids, the wages were not much better than the immigrant… paid by how much and how fast they could pick… But they were doing it for school clothes and etc..  and having parent who may have depended on that child’s wages… for clothes for the whole family of kids..

So kids got to keep their wages..  My kids worked the fields..  the older ones worked the strawberry fields while living with my ex…  One of my son’s worked the field picking squash for a month at the age of 14..  He used the money for school clothes (he was in high school) so I had told him.. you want Levi’s and not Wranglers..  you pay.. and he did.

But all those years.. no one screamed CHILD LABOR LAWS.. 

Now I get it..  yes, they needed these laws in the sweat shops with 8 years olds and some even younger.. working in the factories..  .

ONCE AGAIN.. I REPEAT…..

ONCE AGAIN.. I REPEAT….. 

As we hear on tv and the newspaper;… shootings..  getting to be daily..  some even twice a day .. in different places.. 

ONCE AGAIN..  I REPEAT MYSELF…… for the USA is noted for its research programs.. the bees sex life, the why the rain comes down, you name it and there is a research..

But one thing we have needed for over 20 years is the RESEARCH F0R WHY DO PEOPLE KILL OTHERS.. WHY DO THEY GO TO CHURCHES, SCHOOLS AND ETC.. no I don't mean research that they were gun owners.. but the WHY THE ANGER.. I would like the research going back as far as 20 years.. researcher talking to families of shooters, research of media that those people had on their computers for at least a year before they shot... research each and everyone one of them.. talk to families.. talk to friends.. talk to friends on media that talked to these people for at least a year.. what lead up to this point of getting a gun and killing people.. I know schools were and are an easy target, I know churches have been an easy target.. and maybe even malls... BUT WHAT LEAD UP to the point of entering those buildings? Why do some chose guns over knives and bombs? I don't want to simple answers.. This research should have started 20 years ago.. after the Columbine shootings.. I want to deep down research.. not the surface... what could have changed that would have changed their minds?

I understand anger at work, I understand anger at a spouse or parent..  There has to be something that could have changed their minds.. 

But even more..  those who shot strangers… like the Las Vegas guy shooting down at a country western show…  A man stepping out of his car and starts shooting a strangers coming out of the mall?   What is behind that.? Where did their anger start to get this far?

If we don't get started on this and do it fully.. those hundreds of thousands... who are lawful gun owners who don't shoot people.. will lose their rights to own a gun by the 50 or 75 or even 100 people a year who do these shootings.. ... they will lose their guns.. their rights to have guns.. but the criminals will ALWAYS HAVE GUNS.. and they will sell to the shooters.. maybe not as many of them.. but they surely will sell the computerized guns.. THINK ABOUT IT.  Having stricter guns laws will help some.. But it is way more involved than that..

And the NRA.. better get their heads out of their asses in the gun rights over common sense..  gun right not matter what..   Don’t be part of the problem.. but the solution…  before you have no NRA.. to protect.. as you too will lose your guns..

Ok, so let’s do talk about God…

 

May 2, 2023

Ok, so let’s do talk about God…..

Over the years I have tried to be respectful of others religion.. no matter what it is..  whether I like it or not.. or any other remarks of negativity to them.  Learn it is hard sometimes.. especially when your child decides to follow one that you are not fond of.

Even if I think they are misguided…. And I am sure they think I AM  misguided..  I try to be respectful of them and think the best …   Just because it is not the way I LOOK at God..  does not mean they are wrong.

I am glad they have someone in their lives that they believe in.. and hope and pray that theirs while might be contrary to mine.. I pray theirs isn’t about killing those of other religions.

I have read there are several that do believe that.. Which I think is so sad… as no matter who their God is.. it shouldn’t be about others dying … because it is not theirs.

I think we pretty much believe that God is God.. no matter how you think God thinks. Or acts..  He is OUR GOD.. 

No matter what the name you use..  Grandfather and so many more that the Native American use..  Yahweh, Jehovah  and I am not even going to try to say I know all the names used by all people. be they Jewish. African or any other place.. Even in the United states there are many names.. to refer to their God.  

I am just glad they have someone to depend on… someone to talk to, some one to help them thru heavy times..    I guess I think of it in the way..  I never tell another person they have to believe as I do..  I would never push my religious thoughts or way on another. Every one is entitle to their God..  And when ASKED to share those thoughts.. but not get angry because the person doesn’t believe that way…And if they don’t ask.. let it go..   I guess the bottom line is..  YOU SHOULD HAVE RESPECT for ALL person’s religious ways…and WE also should not put pressure or shame on anyone take them think the way we do. 

So enjoy life..  may YOUR God… help you thru the bad times as well as the good.  And for those who don’t believe..  I find that sad..   as we all need someone to lean on..  may you too, have some one..  

And I chose to believe he is a loving God...  all of them.   And in these days and age..  we totally need someone to lean on....

 

 

 

           

 

AND HE RODE IN LIKE A SHINING ARMORED KNIGHT…

AND HE RODE IN LIKE A SHINING ARMORED KNIGHT…

As I had mention about 2 weeks ago, we stepped up the plate for a friend.  It was very overwhelming.. because when you are making decisions for yourself.. and it doesn’t come out right.. that is on you and how to straighten it out.

But helping a friend…  you want to make it dang sure right..  Not kind of..  but up straight right.. and legal. 

We have been asking for divine intervention…. And lo

And behold.. it came the end of last week..  

Coming in was the man’s son… who thru research we found him and his family..    We contacted the wife, as that was the only one we could find…  Long story short.. they were happy that we reached out… And the son has been a blessing for us…  and his Dad.

With this comes many blessing… with out saying anything personal directly… and guarding our friend life…  the blessing come in many folds.   The paper work is now all taking care of..  Decisions have been made…  and also the best part is renewal of family members…that got strained years ago.

We are sooooooooooooo relieved..  Not just for us and being over our head, we now know there is someone who knows how to do it right..  and is glad to do it..    A huge weight off of our shoulders as we were so scare we might foul up.. But also to know our friend has his family in his life.    God is not only good, But God is GREAT!!