MIND IF I GRIPE?

I can’t figure out why we are so interested in what other people do in their bedrooms, or even in bedrooms that are not their own. Why so much interest in the sex lives of complete strangers? Is it just me, or do you also wonder what the fascination is.

Watching the on-going media coverage of a sex scandal involving a celebrity or politician is like watching piranhas in a feeding frenzy. Oh, My God! Tiger Woods has slept with countless women (some who have probably never been within arm’s length of him) and has to undergo therapy to help him overcome his “sex addiction.” P L E A S E! And politicians – ah, yes, by the numbers, can’t seem to stay out of bedrooms that are not their own. SO? Do I care? And, if so, WHY?

Don’t get me wrong. I’m not saying that “sleeping around” is okay. It’s not okay for me. But what does it have to do with me? Seems to me that those who have difficulty being faithful to their significant other will have to answer to someone who has a greater interest and perhaps the ability to bring about change and offer forgiveness. And that ain’t me.

Okay, the other little irritant today . . . Why so much media coverage and constant talking about the Veep’s little bleeped whispered word to our Prez. Let’s see: we have never heard such language? We have NEVER said a curse word? Our elected officials are pure as the driven snow and should be above uttering such obscenities? Let’s get real. That non-event doesn’t begin to warrant the coverage that it received. What is the matter with us? Obviously, we need some excitement in our lives; something significant to focus on.

Maybe we should turn off the “News” until someone gets the idea that what we’d really like to know is: “What does Michelle wear to bed?”

HOPE SPRINGS ETERNAL

Who said, “hope springs eternal?” It’s true. Recently, I wouldn’t have given you a nickle for the future of this country or the millions of people who are desperate for a little ray of sunshine in their darkest hours. That ray of sunshine blasted through over the weekend when Healthcare Reform finally became a reality and my hope for this nation was renewed. Oh, I know - this is not the “Great Fix” for all of our ills, but it is certainly a step in the right direction in spite of the hysterical rhetoric of the Tea Partiers and our lunatic friend, Rush.

I am saddened by the racial and cultural epithets being hurled around so freely. I think we are better than that. I’m disturbed by the not-so-well disguised threats of violence and suggestions that we should “get our guns ready.” I know we’re better than that. We don’t need guns to bring about change – we have the vote. We don’t shoot people with whom we disagree, we try to work things out and if necessary, agree to disagree. We will never all be on the same page, but in this country we are all allowed to have an opinion and express it. We don’t need to express it in hateful and hurtful ways. WE ARE BETTER THAN THAT!

This country has been a great example of democracy in action through the years and my hope is that we will continue to exemplify greatness - great hearts, great minds, great spirits. See, hope does spring eternal!

ROSE

Rose doesn’t talk any more

Really?

The last time I saw her she talked

And sang with me, smiling; even laughing

Showing her many missing teeth

But not today. Today Rose doesn’t talk any more

Says the care-taker on duty

With a finality that troubles me

Rose’s head hangs low, almost resting on her chest

Eyes half closed, seemingly disinterested

Maybe lost altogether . . . but maybe not

I touch her hand and kneel before her

Rose, don’t you want to sing today?

She can’t hear me, or won’t

We’ll sing some of your favorite songs, Rose

Her eyes close

I strum the guitar and begin to sing

Oh, Susanna, Ain’t She Sweet, My Bonnie, Just a Closer Walk

Finally, Jesus loves me, this I know . . .

Rose lifts her head and smiles at me

I love you, she says.

HOW BIG IS YOUR WORLD?

Sarah ate a quarter. Not a quarter of an apple, or a quarter of a grape

Sarah ate a quarter of a dollar.

Sarah was always eating something or other (mostly other)

she wasn’t supposed to eat.

Sarah believed that your world is as big as you make it

And Sarah’s world was getting bigger all the time

Sarah’s world was filled with so many curious things

And she wanted to taste them all

Sarah had a big belly ache one day, a really big, bad belly ache

So bad, her mother took her directly to the hospital

Sarah would probably have loved this new adventure

But her belly hurt so much she could only cry

Sarah’s mom was angry and said some bad words to the hospital man

She wondered why, but her belly hurt too much to pry.

Sarah’s mom said, “Don’t worry, Sweet Sarah, we’ll find another hospital.”

Again, she wondered why, but she could only cry.

Sarah’s mom knew that if they only had insurance . . .

Someone would be helping Sarah now to feel better

And she began to cry.

Some people live in smaller worlds that don’t include everyone

Such a damn shame!

HEALTHCARE - A RIGHT OR A PRIVILEGE?

Is healthcare a right or a privilege? And do we, individually, have any responsibility to provide for our neighbor? I think I know how our Creator would answer that question. I wonder what God must think about the fact that we seldom consider what is “right,” but seek primarily what is in our own best interests. I understand that “self-preservation” is a strong human instinct, but I believe more is expected of us.

“. . . one nation under God . . ."

I think most would agree that our founding fathers and early leaders envisioned America as a Godly country, governed by reasonable, responsible and responsive leaders. A country where the citizens would enjoy freedom of speech and freedom to worship as they choose, as well as the assurance of justice for each and every one. I wonder what they would think if they could see and hear what is going on today.

Last week someone said to me: “I don’t want my taxes to pay for someone else’s healthcare.” I wasn’t shocked to hear that, but I am deeply disturbed by the lack of concern that person has for his fellow man and, of course, his position is not uncommon today. I am afraid that as a whole, we are becoming a nation of self-centered, “me-first” people who are willing to allow our fellow Americans to suffer catastrophic losses as long as it doesn’t affect us in a negative way. Have we, indeed, sunk so low? We’ve all heard the stories; no need to repeat the numbers or the facts. We desperately need to provide healthcare for those Americans who have lost their jobs, and as a result, their healthcare. We need to assure that those people whose medical costs have put them on the brink of bankruptcy, are saved from losing their homes and ending up on the streets. We need to be sure that no one has to make a choice between buying the medicine they need or buying food.

"He’s not heavy, he’s my brother.”

I don’t like labels and I suspect that if you have read this far, you may have labeled me either a “religious fanatic” or a “bleeding heart.” I would reject both labels, but I plead guilty to being concerned about my fellow Americans and I plead guilty to believing that God was involved in the beginnings of this country and is still involved in the evolution of this country. I believe that He must be disappointed that His children have so little concern for their brothers and sisters.

We seem to have lost even the ability to allow our brothers and sisters to express their opinions, to vote their hearts, and support their leaders, without vilifying them. Do we need to bring guns to public meetings to indicate our opposition or our outrage. What is that about? Certainly not about respecting our neighbors and their rights. I am frightened by such outright manifestations of potential violence and appalled that anyone would feel right about bring so blatantly threatening.

“. . . indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.”

If ever the people of this nation needed to be “One in Spirit,” it is today. Yet I have never seen more divisiveness and rancor. I think it was Patrick Henry who said: “United we stand, divided we fall.” Are we heading for the “Fall?” If, in fact, we lose sight of the fact that this country is only as great as its citizens standing together, hand-in-hand, determined to do the right thing, then we are lost.

“Am I my brother’s keeper?

Yes, you are! I believe that as human beings, “created in God’s image,” we have a responsibility to carry our brother’s burdens when we can do it. If, in fact, we are created in God’s image, and “God is Love,” then we do have a Spirit of Love within us - and love does not seek only for selfish satisfaction and well-being. We need to rekindle that Spirit of love and self-sacrifice. Let us, citizens of the United States of American, stand united, one nation - under God - preserving one another’s dignity and serving one another with respect, love, and courage.

“God Bless America, Land that I love. Stand beside her

And guide her. . .”

LIVING WITH ANIMALS

My daughter and her husband spent the better part of a sweltering weekend installing a wire fence around my vegetable garden to keep the dogs out so that my newly planted seed would stand a chance of actually growing before being trampled into the ground. I thanked them profusely and fed them a nice dinner. I’m sure they had better things to do, but they are very generous with their time and talent.

That night Annie, my younger dog, sometimes referred to as “bull in a china closet,” apparently chasing some wild intruder (probably a cat) drove straight through the gate, bending it completely out of shape. I wonder that she didn’t break her neck, but I knew nothing about the destruction until the next morning when, looking out to the garden, it seemed to me that something was not quite right. It appeared that some of the posts were crooked and the gate was open. Upon closer inspection, it was clear what had happened.

I called my daughter and told her about the damage. She saw the humor in it and had a good laugh. They’ll repair the damage next weekend. Bless their hearts.

When I mentioned this little episode on Facebook, a couple of people remarked that they were glad they didn’t have to deal with animals in their lives. “See, that’s what you get. I’m so glad I don’t have animals,” etc. This started me thinking about what it is like to live with animals versus what it is like to live with human beings. I have to say, that animals win this, hands down.

Let’s see . . . I get no complaints about what I feed them. I don’t have to prepare something different every day; they’re happy to eat the same thing for every meal. Sometimes, I even mix a little of my leftovers into their food and they are completely overjoyed. They never complain if I don’t get home in time to feed them at their regularly scheduled meal time. They simply welcome me home with enthusiasm and smiles and go outside to pee. And then they thank me profusely for feeding them.

Oh, yes . . . They don’t care what I look like, if my hair is not combed or if my makeup is not freshened. They don’t mind if the bed doesn’t get made or the floors vacuumed. Of, course, they can’t help with the dishes, but they don’t complain if the dishes don’t get done right away.

And, bless them . . . they never complain if I’m in a bad mood. Rather, they sense when I need to be left alone or if I need a little TLC. A chin on my lap and sympathetic eyes are such a comfort.

Then, too . . . they never complain. They can be miserable, sicker than a dog, so to speak, and I won’t know it until I see evidence of it in one form or another. I’ve never known a hypochondriacal dog or cat. They hardly flinch when getting a shot from the Vet and while they don’t enjoy taking medicine, it can generally be disguised and administered without difficulty.

And they never complain about their lot in life; they have definitely learned the secret of being content (living with me, of course). They don’t care about world affairs, or bad drivers, or unfriendly clerks or high prices. They just live for the moment and don’t ask for more.

Now . . . it is true that if I want to travel, I have to make arrangements for their care and that can be problematic and sometimes expensive. But they don’t expect to go everywhere with me and they don’t give me attitude when I return. Instead, I feel like “Queen of the Nile” when they give me the Royal Welcome after I’ve been away.

I find animals much easier to live with. How about you?

REMEMBERING

Florida I love . . .

Palm Trees and Palmetto. Sand Pines and Coonti. Myriad shades of green.

Purple, red and yellow hues of the Crepe Myrtle and Hibiscus

Majestic Live Oaks dressed elegantly with hanging moss and supporting on its limbs

The amazing Resurrection Fern which lives & dies & lives again, perpetually

The Mockingbird’s amazing repertoire and the wake-up call of the Sandhill Crane

flying over on the way to the pond with it’s family

The spicy fragrance of Confederate Jasmine and the sweet smell of orange blossoms

The taste of Red Grapefruit harvested from my own tree

A walk on the beach to taste the salt sea air and feel the sand between my toes

The hypnotic sound of the waves rolling in, rolling in, rolling in

To meet the foraging sandpipers . . . and me

Sunshine on my face everyday warming my body and lifting my spirit

But I remember . . .

Trillium and Jack-in-the-Pulpit. The exquisite fragrance of the delicate Lily of the Valley

I remember searching under ancient hardwoods and along old railroad ties

for the elusive, highly prized, Morel Mushroom with it’s incredible taste.

I remember walking on a thick carpet of pine needles

through a silent forest of Magnificent old Pine trees and feeling the urge to pray.

I remember the beauty of God’s Autumn Spectacular.

Color so brilliant it can take your breath away.

Vibrant reds, shimmering golds, deep purples, bright oranges.

And yes, I remember snow, softening the landscape

with a profound hush and slowing the pace on a busy morning.

I remember yellow grosbeaks, and cardinals,

and black-capped chickadees brushing away the snow

to uncover the seed.

And I remember Grape Hyacynths and Tulips

pushing their way through the cold earth to fill our hearts

with hope that winter would finally end.

And Daffodils . . . beautiful Daffodils.

And I will never, ever forget the astounding, incomparable fragrance of Lilacs

Florida, I love . . . But I remember Michigan