The journey of a widowed Southern lady stranded in the Mid-west surviving the
perils and pearls of grief, adult children, grandchildren, writing, retirement, and assorted crises.
Tuesday, January 24, 2012
Sunlight
Sunday, January 22, 2012
Stormy Night
Saturday, January 21, 2012
The Eyes of My Heart
Wake Up Call
Friday, January 20, 2012
End of a Lousy Week
Thursday, January 19, 2012
News
Wednesday, January 18, 2012
A Sick Day.... or Two
Places I've Been and Haven't Been
Tuesday, January 17, 2012
A Terrible Day
Monday, January 16, 2012
Long Weekend
Killing Time
For Purposes of Occupy Clarity
- Repeal the Taft-Hartley Act. Unionize ALL workers immediately. ( Taft Hartley was enacted because of Union abuses! I don't WANT to pay Union Dues. READ THE @#$% SCHOOL BOOKS! Unions collect huge fees for membership.)
- Raise the minimum wage immediately to $18/hr. Create a maximum wage of $90/hr to eliminate inequality. (Bumps me to low income immediately, and um. . . just raised the cost of every item in the nation to triple it's current cost to cover said wages and following benefits. )
- Institute a 6 hour workday, and 6 weeks of paid vacation. (LOL, shuts down any business operating 24 hrs a day and increase cost of merchandise. Go for it. I hate Walmart anyway.)
- Institute a moratorium on all foreclosures and layoffs immediately. (No cost housing? Who's going to invest in and build that kind of housing? Besides, if you eliminate private ownership of property (see below) you won't be worrying about foreclosures.)
- Repeal racist and xenophobic English-only laws.
- Open the borders to all immigrants, legal or illegal. Offer immediate, unconditional amnesty, to all undocumented residents of the US. (Let's just go right now to a ONE World system... yeah! Excuse me, I don't think requiring anyone to speak the language of the country they reside in is racist or xenophobic. If I go to Germany, Spain, France,or Russia I have to know the language to survive. So, who is going to pay for interpreters for millions of people.. cause you violate my civil rights if you don't have someone with me for every school day, every business transaction, every legal issue... yeah, ever single one I want a personal translator.)
- Create a single-payer, universal health care system. (Um.. who pays? Cause it ain't free.)
- Pass stricter campaign finance reform laws. Ban all private donations. All campaigns will receive equal funding, provided by the taxpayers. (I don't want to fund your kind of politician.)
- Institute a negative income tax, and tax the very rich at rates up to 90%. (I'm for a fair tax rate but I doubt this is fair. I say same rate for everyone regardless of income. That way, the more you make the more you pay. But be aware, as I am, that a fair tax rate such as you suggest will absolutely stifle investments and growth in building. If I have less money, I'm hanging on to it and not giving you a dime. You're already getting my profits.)
- Pass far stricter environmental protection and animal rights laws. (Um.. as long as you keep the excess population of animals at your house, go ahead. But I'm not paying for medical for animals and I'm not paying for housing animals)
- Allow workers to elect their supervisors. (LOLOL! OMG, don't hire because they can do the job! Hire cause majority likes them. WE ALREADY HAVE THIS. It is called affirmative action! This is highly amusing to me. You'd have to work where I have. ALL my supervisors were hired cause they were liked OR a minority! And they have been horrible people. And oh... you want to see racism and xenophobia?)
- Lower the retirement age to 55. Increase Social Security benefits. (I can retire NOW. While it is ultimately stupid since there isn't enough money to pay all those now ready to retire, even non-citizens by the way, I'm totally for this as long as I get MY SHARE! Well, that is the mentality here isn't it? But if you have 20 yrs to go.. lol you won't get a dime! Cause it will be all gone. Oh oh oh.. I know.. if you didn't work you can't draw! Oh wait.. darn, that's already in force.)
- Create a 5% annual wealth tax for the very rich. (Ah, here we go! So, if I make an earth shattering discovery that results in my getting wealthy, even it my discovery helps people, I'm penalized for all my hard work. And I can't leave it to my children without giving half to you? I am supposed to PAY YOU for what I obtain by work or inheritance? How is that different from the current inheritance taxes, which are terrible for everyone! Go ahead, stifle creativity, investments, and growth in every arena. Why would I bother to invest my money to get richer when you're going to take more of it?)
- Ban the private ownership of land. (Excuse me? So you're taking the property that I've improved and worked for 20 years? I don't think so. I'll burn it down and salt the ground. This particular demand is totally a socialist/communist design. This will immediately result in substandard housing. If you don't believe it, look at the Soviet Unions former plan. They did this. ONLY the rich party members and those favored by them, lived well. READ THE SCHOOL BOOKS! WATCH THE OLD DOCUMENTARIES! And look around at those who live currently live in subsidized homes owned by other people. They trash them. I could show you horrific photos every single day! I work in subsidized housing! Why worry about taking care of something that you don't have to repair. You can just move somewhere else. They do it right now every day on American subsidized housing.)
- Make homeschooling illegal. Religious fanatics use it to feed their children propaganda. (And you're not feeding them the propaganda in schools? LOL, what a crock! Suppression of religious freedom. Hmmm, so we ARE abolishing the constitution and religions rights in this country! Why don't these people just call it what it is.. Socialism and Communism! )
- Reduce the age of majority to 16. (LOL actually in some states it already is and has been for decades. So what is this actually about then? UM. . . they are easily led, immature, and make unsound judgments for the most part. And we want them to vote! I KNOW yours are smarter! But they all aren't Einstines. I have my doubts about YOU! The other thing is as minors they have certain limits on taxation if they are working... and many do, hmmmm, so you want more of their money too? Uh huh )
- Abolish the death penalty and life in prison. We call for the immediate release of all death row inmates from death row and transferred to regular prisons. (Oh come on, just let them all go! And who will pay for this kinder, gentler prisons? NOT YOU! And do you really think you will reform them? Now who's the fanatic?)
- Release all political prisoners immediately. (Why? OH... sorry, this also includes terrorist.. um yes, their incarceration is politically based. They aren't terrorist in THEIR country... just in ours. Of course you could put them to death because of their religious beliefs... propaganda you know.)
- Immediate withdrawal from Iraq and Afghanistan. (I'm ALL for this one. Let them just kill one another and be done with it.)
- Abolish the debt limit. (LOL... I think they already have and you just didn't get the memo.)
- Ban private gun ownership. (Why? So only military and police can carry them and do what every country has always done in these cases. Establish Martial Law. They do that a lot in S. America and Africa. Um that was in the books too.)
- Strengthen the separation of church and state. (Just say it here. Abolish religion and prohibit religious people from participating government. This has always been the Socialist and Communist mantra. Limit religious expression. Burn the books that tell about it.... rewrite the books so it paints this doctrine in a better light.)
- Immediate debt forgiveness for all. (LOL, this from people who can't get loans because they defaulted on their credit cards after having run up huge debts paying for all their toys. Let's get real here. If you get rid of your cell phone, cable tv, internet, and video consoles and games, you probably could pay for your housing, food, utilities and send you kids to Ivy League school, assuming they can pass the entrance exam.. or are you proposing abolishing entrance exams? Oh, why am I not surprised.. they're biased!)
- End the 'War on Drugs'. (Brilliant. Drugs are costing you too much, right?)
OWS Occupies an already Occupied home - NYPOST.com
Thursday, January 12, 2012
Corners
Wednesday, January 11, 2012
Tuesday, January 10, 2012
Sundown
One Day Down...Three to Go!
Monday, January 9, 2012
Take Me Home
A Gilded Monday
Saturday, January 7, 2012
Mama Knew Everything
WRoE Progress Report: A Page of Kat's Book
Thursday, January 5, 2012
WRoE Day Three Progress Report
Wednesday, January 4, 2012
Here We Be
Monday, January 2, 2012
WRoE Begins
Sunday, January 1, 2012
Decorating the Tree
Saturday, December 31, 2011
Friday, December 30, 2011
Easy New Year's Resolutions
Monday, December 19, 2011
Wonder Where It Went
Sunday, December 18, 2011
Sunday That Wasn't
Saturday, December 17, 2011
Around the Block
Finding The Meaning
Thursday, December 15, 2011
Re-Reading My NaNo
"Simon?"
The shock in his voice would have been offensive if it hadn't been amusing. "In the flesh."
"What in hell do you want?" The line crackled from the force of his voice.
"Actually, I'm not in hell.."
"Sorry to hear that. Where are you?"
Report: Half Of American Schools Failed Federal Standards | Fox News
Wednesday, December 14, 2011
Wednesday Wind Up
Mid-Week Update
I didn't have a great day yesterday. I guess if you read the blog you could tell. I tend to let things people say gnaw at me. A friend sort of pulled me up by my boot straps and I think I'm less depressed about it. At least my outlook isn't so dark.
My neck and shoulder, however, are miserable. I don't know what to do about it. I'm having trouble sleeping. I'm tired because it wakes me up. I know that the tired can become a problem. I took an ice pack to bed last night. Yes, under the electric blanket. Helped for a bit. I've not been online as much this week because sitting at the computer is a problem. I've mostly just laid around and watched t.v. and tried to read. Even reading is a bit of a problem. Putting any strain on this neck just keeps it going.
I'm really annoyed in some ways. This isn't intended to be gross but if you have a problem with it, just skip to the next paragraph or post. I probably need a breast reduction. They mentioned it before when I had that cervical block to my neck and on the follow-up. I'm blessed, endowed, burdened whatever you want to call it but carrying this around is not good. If they took me back to what I was when I came here, 20 yrs ago, I'd lose at least 10 lbs and a dress size! The benefit would be less stress on my neck and shoulders. Don't know how Dolly does it. She's petite and has small feet. I'm 5'5" and as a teenager what they always termed "big boned". I figured out when I became an adult that is what they called females who were "early bloomers". What stupid things we use to describe people! So my sand was where it was supposed to be. I think the drain is plugged at my waist and the sand at the top won't shift.. maybe a good thing in some respects. Not in others.
I'm glad most of my readers are women.
Tuesday, December 13, 2011
Wishing on Stars
things. I can't see stars tonight even if I could step outside and
look up. They're hidden behind clouds. Actually, that's the story of
my life.
Chris told me today she thought I felt better when I was with I was
with people. I think she made the assessment after reading various
posts on the blog. It is true.I don't have to think when I'm occupied
with chatter and noise and busyness. I get tired easily from it all
end up nearly collapsed by bedtime but still, I am somewhere else for
a bit. I step out of my world into one that is nearly normal. I
forget, forcibly at times, what's waiting. But I always have to come
home.
You don't have to read any further. It is the same story. At the
moment, I'm wrestling with another headache, neck ache, and truly
dismal outlook. What really frustrates me is that I don't really have
a solution. They told me I wouldn't. That it wouldn't stop hitting me
for years. Yes, years.
I found some relief in October and November. But truthfully, I don't
want to live in a fictional world. I never was one of those soap fans.
You know, they talk about the characters as if they just went to the
bathroom with them and chatted back and forth in the stalls. Not me. I
could never get into that. It's worse now. Watching t.v. doesn't work
for me. The images can be down right painful. Ever watch someone do
CPR on a medical show. I have to leave the room. Ever watch weddings,
funerals, and love scenes? I have to leave the room. Ever see
reunions and leave takings? Yeah, I have to leave the room. Movies,
oh my goodness! I remember shortly after Jerry died, I watch The
Saint, one of my favorite movies. I simply went to bed and cried for
hours at the end of it. How stupid is that? I never cry at movies,
ever... I didn't used to. Another reason I won't go to movies alone.
At least with someone you are to concerned about making a fool of
yourself.
Reading is almost as bad. The imagery is not as physical. It's more in
my head and easier to escape. Still, I've had several books I've
simply put down and not gone back to pick up in two years. I could
read a dozen books a month once.
I should just go to bed and try to sleep. I don't think about the real
world. The sleep, perchance to dream... Hamlet had his own nightmares.
To die, to sleep—
No more—and by a sleep to say we end
The heartache, and the thousand natural shocks
That flesh is heir to. 'tis a consummation
Devoutly to be wish'd. To die, to sleep—
To sleep—perchance to dream. Ay, there's the rub!
For in that sleep of death what dreams may come,
When we have shuffled off this mortal coil,
You know, I never understood Hamlet's speech before! I've read the
complete works of Shakespeare and I've read and seen this play. I
never understood it! I did tonight. There's something to be said for
despair.
I'm going to stop. There are no stars to wish on and if I could, it
would be wasted.