Next month makes a year that we have been doing this back and forth thing....John goes back and forth to Hawaii and I sally forth, mostly to the post office, the local ( and only ) grocery store or to Taos. It has been an interesting year, to say the least.
I have dealt with wildlife, both inside and outside the house. I have had an inch of ice on the inside of doors. I have had the shower freeze and moved upstairs in self defense. I have had wild fires close enough that the air was not fit to breathe and no place to run except Colorado...4 hours away. I have had people with backpacks stroll to the house next door and stay, knowing the owners are not there and had to wonder who they are and why they are there. I have slept with a gun in my side table for months. I have had a bear on my back deck who destroyed one of my bird feeders. I have had elk in the "back yard" who are the size of short giraffes.
I have gone to sleep for months with panic attacks...heart pounding, wondering if it will kill me. Feeling the arrhythmia, knowing it could.
I manage to stay downstairs now, when he is gone. I dont often have the irregular heart beat now....just on occasion. I know I can do this...I can handle it....mostly.
Then comes the few days before John leaves and it is all I can do not to drop to my knees and beg him not to go. I have begged before....and I know he will still leave. And I know he must. If there is to be a Jade Painting, it must be left in hands that can handle it and at this point, none of those hands are completely ready. Nor may some of them ever be......so I wait.
And I pray. Someday....he will be here and I will be more sane most of the time.
Please God.
Wednesday, July 27, 2011
Saturday, July 16, 2011
I am about to become politically incorrect
Screw that crap. Remember when you could tell a joke about your own or another's ethnicity and not be hung out to dry? That is back in the day when a "wop" or "frog" or "cracker" could still be funny ...not up to and including really insulting and derogatory jokes...but a time when we could make fun of ourselves and others and not face a lawsuit or be called "racist".
This president has done more to divide the races and make things worse than at any time in my life and at 57 that is a long time. Not that there were not divides in the past.....there were. But I grew up with a mother who continually told me that we were all equal. That race did not matter. That we were equal in the eyes of God. The "n" word was never uttered, period.
I am SICK TO DEATH of the crap that passes for correctness these days. In fact, the only ones EVER accused of being racist are whites. Kindly tell me that blacks do not hate whites and do not abuse and assault and denigrate us on a daily basis...which according to the DOJ is JUST PEACHY. No problem...not an issue.
Not when Black Panthers threaten white voters, not when blacks are guilty ( the Ft. Hood shooter maybe...but dont judge even though he killed 13 and wounded 29 others ) And not only white but white Christians. You can make fun of us till the cows come home but say one word about a muslim and you are toast.
You are a r.a.c.i.s.t and that sould probably be in caps. How DARE you insult a fake, wannabe saviour who got his info about God from a passing Monk. A Catholic monk. Who then fabricated his own religion, based not on forgiveness and love but on retribution, hate and destruction. Seriously???
Oh yes, we must bow low ( our current president is good at the bow thing ) before all these other religions with the notable exception of those based on Christ. And if you think this wannabe emperor with no clothes is Christian, think again. Remember that for 20 years he sat in a "church", led by a "pastor" who, along with his own wife, hated this country. Duh. A real man of God. Ummmm not.
Promises.....to close Gitmo ( not done ) , to bring the troops home (not done ) , to improve the economy ( really....how are your food prices and gas prices ), to stop the partisanship ( hahahahasnorthahaha), to have a transparent govt ( choking here ), to implement DADT ( and nope, its not in place is it?...not that the troops want it to be...), to secure SS ( wait, he is the one threatening it ), or medicare ( remember its his ad on tv that shows granny being shoved off a cliff) and telling our elected reps to " stay here till the job is done"- meaning in Washington and meaning congress, both houses mind you... ( except he is planning a big birthday bash for himself in Chicago the DAY AFTER THE GOVT IS GOING BROKE.) And, boys and girls, he is charging $38,500 per couple for the dubious honor of having dinner with him. Dont know if Michelle is planning the menu but after her eating 'fried fat cakes' in Africa after lecturing us on our eating habits I would doubt it is a vegan menu.
If he calls us the "folks" one more time I swear I am going to throw up in my mouth. He even lies about his own folks....he was not at his mother's deathbed and she DID have health insurance. Liar, liar, liar.....well at least he is consistant.
(Banging head on keyboard )
I am done...giving this jackass ( Dem symbol, doncha know : ) one more chance for Hope and Change. My response is NOPE.
Stick a fork in him, he is DONE.
This president has done more to divide the races and make things worse than at any time in my life and at 57 that is a long time. Not that there were not divides in the past.....there were. But I grew up with a mother who continually told me that we were all equal. That race did not matter. That we were equal in the eyes of God. The "n" word was never uttered, period.
I am SICK TO DEATH of the crap that passes for correctness these days. In fact, the only ones EVER accused of being racist are whites. Kindly tell me that blacks do not hate whites and do not abuse and assault and denigrate us on a daily basis...which according to the DOJ is JUST PEACHY. No problem...not an issue.
Not when Black Panthers threaten white voters, not when blacks are guilty ( the Ft. Hood shooter maybe...but dont judge even though he killed 13 and wounded 29 others ) And not only white but white Christians. You can make fun of us till the cows come home but say one word about a muslim and you are toast.
You are a r.a.c.i.s.t and that sould probably be in caps. How DARE you insult a fake, wannabe saviour who got his info about God from a passing Monk. A Catholic monk. Who then fabricated his own religion, based not on forgiveness and love but on retribution, hate and destruction. Seriously???
Oh yes, we must bow low ( our current president is good at the bow thing ) before all these other religions with the notable exception of those based on Christ. And if you think this wannabe emperor with no clothes is Christian, think again. Remember that for 20 years he sat in a "church", led by a "pastor" who, along with his own wife, hated this country. Duh. A real man of God. Ummmm not.
Promises.....to close Gitmo ( not done ) , to bring the troops home (not done ) , to improve the economy ( really....how are your food prices and gas prices ), to stop the partisanship ( hahahahasnorthahaha), to have a transparent govt ( choking here ), to implement DADT ( and nope, its not in place is it?...not that the troops want it to be...), to secure SS ( wait, he is the one threatening it ), or medicare ( remember its his ad on tv that shows granny being shoved off a cliff) and telling our elected reps to " stay here till the job is done"- meaning in Washington and meaning congress, both houses mind you... ( except he is planning a big birthday bash for himself in Chicago the DAY AFTER THE GOVT IS GOING BROKE.) And, boys and girls, he is charging $38,500 per couple for the dubious honor of having dinner with him. Dont know if Michelle is planning the menu but after her eating 'fried fat cakes' in Africa after lecturing us on our eating habits I would doubt it is a vegan menu.
If he calls us the "folks" one more time I swear I am going to throw up in my mouth. He even lies about his own folks....he was not at his mother's deathbed and she DID have health insurance. Liar, liar, liar.....well at least he is consistant.
(Banging head on keyboard )
I am done...giving this jackass ( Dem symbol, doncha know : ) one more chance for Hope and Change. My response is NOPE.
Stick a fork in him, he is DONE.
Friday, July 8, 2011
A really tense dog.......not
As you can see, Stryker is rather laid back, literally. Bikki, our pom matriarch, is ever vigilant.....could be a chipmunk coming up to the deck for water or a deer grazing down below. She sees them all and would be more than willing to give chase to any of them. Stryker, on the other hand, is not that interested. Lighting and thunder? No problem. Poms losing their collective minds over the doorbell ringing? Who cares.He is the calmest dog I have ever known, barring none and its not like he doesnt have plenty of bad examples ( three to be exact ). Not even the parade bothered him, although he did sit up when they ran the sirens on the big Fire Dept. ladder truck.
Only one time have I ever heard him seriously growl. There were hikers on the old logging road down the hill on our property and he let loose with a chest deep grrrrrr, the likes of which I had never heard from him. I was definately suprised since all I have ever heard him do is play growlies when he is rough-housing. I do think he will be pretty convincing as a threat when he is grown....even if he still thinks he is a lap dog.
Wednesday, July 6, 2011
Small town, big heart
On the 4th of July we went to Eagle Nest...its the village closest to us, about 9 miles up the road. Every year they have a parade. I didnt really know what to expect except that there were "floats" and that its very well attended. I had no clue.
Not only was most of Angel Fire there, it looked to me like everyone from Cimmaron to Black Lake were there. More red,white and blue on people, dogs and buildings than I have ever seen in one place at one time in my entire life and at 57 thats a lonnnnnnng time. Wow.
Maybe the coasts of this country have lost it when it comes to heart-deep patriotism but here in the southern rockies its going strong.
As you can see...from the Angel Fire ladder truck to Grandmothers with their grandkids....some mounted on horseback and some on bicycles...ATVs and trucks...if you can trick it out in the colors so dear to us you are welcome to join in. I will take Independence Day in the mountains over the New York "gala" every time.
Monday, July 4, 2011
The Fourth of July....on the Third
I love this country. Sometimes, even though I know it is not the case, it feels like most of my fellow citizens are "too busy" to care...about our troops, about the state of the union, about so many things that are vital in keeping this country strong.
Then there are those...like the city fathers ( and mothers ) of Eugene Oregon who have decided that saying the pledge of allegiance need not be a regular part of their meetings, except 4 times a year, since they are not citizens of the USA but citizens of "the world". Lovely. Or the idiots at Westborough Baptist who protest at the funerals of our soldier-heros. It not only hurts my heart it totally pisses me off. Who are these people? If they hate this country so much they need to leave. Yes, I know about freedom of speech but if this stuff isnt hate speech I dont know what is.
But of course hate crimes only apply to what whites say about minorities.
Which brings me to yesterday. We went to another Baptist church .....Angel Fire Baptist, which is where John goes when he is here. We go together....my Catholic services on Saturday evening and his on Sunday morning. We walked in and at the front of the church...stacked 7 deep in 4 piles, were boxes to be sent to the troops. Specifically, Joseph, my son in law's unit. 1-67th...a Combined Unit Task Force in Afganistan.
I burst into tears. We are only "part timers" at that church...when John is gone I dont attend yet this amazing group of people have adopted Joe's unit, all 30 of them. Sitting there was proof positive that they not only care, they put words into action. They dont just talk the talk, they walk the walk. Put their money, time and effort where their mouths are. I was undone.
Printed in the bulletin was the list of what to send. Dont have the time? Just donate and they will do the shopping. Want to do a box yourself? They have the flat-rate APO/FPO boxes. Have goodies on the list but no time to do the shipping? Just drop your things off at the church and they will pack it up for you.
Then they put up pictures on the projector. Joe's unit. My son in law. They asked for the little extra's he has requested. They read part of the letter from the 1st Sargent. They are in it to support the troops for the long haul and they are serious about doing it. God bless them.
Just when you start to feel that as a country and people we have lost that special something that sets us apart from the rest of the world....look deeper. It will not make the evening news...it will never be on the front page of the newspaper...but it is still there.
Love this country? You are NOT alone. I am NOT alone. We will never give up, give out, give in. Stay strong America....our men and women in uniform are counting on us.
God bless those who serve and God bless those who wait.
God bless America.
And for the record:
I pledge allegiance to the flag
of the United States of America
and to the republic for which it stands
one nation under GOD
indivisible
with liberty and justice
for all.
Then there are those...like the city fathers ( and mothers ) of Eugene Oregon who have decided that saying the pledge of allegiance need not be a regular part of their meetings, except 4 times a year, since they are not citizens of the USA but citizens of "the world". Lovely. Or the idiots at Westborough Baptist who protest at the funerals of our soldier-heros. It not only hurts my heart it totally pisses me off. Who are these people? If they hate this country so much they need to leave. Yes, I know about freedom of speech but if this stuff isnt hate speech I dont know what is.
But of course hate crimes only apply to what whites say about minorities.
Which brings me to yesterday. We went to another Baptist church .....Angel Fire Baptist, which is where John goes when he is here. We go together....my Catholic services on Saturday evening and his on Sunday morning. We walked in and at the front of the church...stacked 7 deep in 4 piles, were boxes to be sent to the troops. Specifically, Joseph, my son in law's unit. 1-67th...a Combined Unit Task Force in Afganistan.
I burst into tears. We are only "part timers" at that church...when John is gone I dont attend yet this amazing group of people have adopted Joe's unit, all 30 of them. Sitting there was proof positive that they not only care, they put words into action. They dont just talk the talk, they walk the walk. Put their money, time and effort where their mouths are. I was undone.
Printed in the bulletin was the list of what to send. Dont have the time? Just donate and they will do the shopping. Want to do a box yourself? They have the flat-rate APO/FPO boxes. Have goodies on the list but no time to do the shipping? Just drop your things off at the church and they will pack it up for you.
Then they put up pictures on the projector. Joe's unit. My son in law. They asked for the little extra's he has requested. They read part of the letter from the 1st Sargent. They are in it to support the troops for the long haul and they are serious about doing it. God bless them.
Just when you start to feel that as a country and people we have lost that special something that sets us apart from the rest of the world....look deeper. It will not make the evening news...it will never be on the front page of the newspaper...but it is still there.
Love this country? You are NOT alone. I am NOT alone. We will never give up, give out, give in. Stay strong America....our men and women in uniform are counting on us.
God bless those who serve and God bless those who wait.
God bless America.
And for the record:
I pledge allegiance to the flag
of the United States of America
and to the republic for which it stands
one nation under GOD
indivisible
with liberty and justice
for all.
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