Hanukkah begins tonight at sundown. It lasts 8 days. Candles are lit each night to represent the miracle oil that lasted 8 days, even though there was only a one-day supply, as the story goes. This allowed Jewish troops to purify the temple they were protecting.
I was at an elementary school the other week. The principal there said, "Merry Christmas... we're not afraid to say that here." Sigh, as if he's standing up to some kind of religious persecution. I wanted to say, "Oh, get over yourself!" Instead, I just said "Merry Christmas." I, too, am not afraid.
I also am not afraid to say Happy Hanukkah. Happy Ramadan. Happy Easter. Happy Passover. Maybe not all are so happy, but you get the idea.
I don't believe it's religious persecution to be challenged about the appropriateness of all-out Christian displays at public funded institutions when that public is not 100 percent Christian. Yada, yada. Tired of the fakeness and pettiness of the argument.
We American are babies when it comes to persecution. Maybe 300 years ago claiming religious persecution was a righteous declaration. But now? When was the last time an American principal was murdered for his or her Christian beliefs?
Enough said about that.
By the way... today is a very important day in our family's history. My son John was born 26 years ago!!
Happy Birthday, son!
Tuesday, December 20, 2011
Wednesday, December 14, 2011
So long 57...
Hello 58. Almost. About 2 1/2 hours left of my 57th year of life. Tomorrow is my birthday.
I kinda like the idea of being 58. I understand it's that much closer to 60, but it's still an even number. For some reason I like even number years better. Why? No idea. Just seems better.
I would like to pledge I will take risks and be brave and have fun during my 58th year on the planet.
Yep. Number 58 is gonna be a good year!
I kinda like the idea of being 58. I understand it's that much closer to 60, but it's still an even number. For some reason I like even number years better. Why? No idea. Just seems better.
I would like to pledge I will take risks and be brave and have fun during my 58th year on the planet.
Yep. Number 58 is gonna be a good year!
Saturday, December 10, 2011
When is snoring cute?
Have you ever laughed at a sleeping dog that obviously is in the middle of a dream, paws running, skin surrounding mouth inflating and deflating with every whimper. Adorable with a capital A.
How about a human lying next to you doing the same? Less adorable.
Snoring dogs are cute. That's a scientific fact. Humans snoring are not cute. Double standard? Yep.
Now, I don't want to hurt Paul's feelings. There are plenty of times he, too, is adorable. Just not when he's sawing logs. I am sure if I snored, it wouldn't be cute, either.
Awwww. Baxter just made a deep choking sound. Disturbingly precious.
Friday, December 9, 2011
Reality television event of the year!!!!!!
Dec. 27th is the date. I don't know what time, though. I'll find out. I know it's a Tuesday night. I will be there ready to watch, maybe popcorn, maybe a diet coke. I hope Paul will be there. Oh, and DVR for sure. Maybe throw a watch party. Invite my granddaughter because she has the BEST sense of humor.
Now that Cochran is off Survivor, this event, for me, is all I have to look forward to, reality TV wise. That, and Top Chef: Texas.
Knock me over with a feather. In a million years, I could not have imagined there would be such a spectacle on TV.
What's happening?
Donald Trump moderating a GOP debate between, so far, Newt Gingrich and Rick Santorum. It promises to be historical, not so much in the class of a Lincoln-Douglas or even Kennedy-Nixon debate. But more in a class of its own. You might even say it is promising to be a classless debate.
Classless, yet entertaining. The perfect formula for reality TV!
Now that Cochran is off Survivor, this event, for me, is all I have to look forward to, reality TV wise. That, and Top Chef: Texas.
Knock me over with a feather. In a million years, I could not have imagined there would be such a spectacle on TV.
What's happening?
Donald Trump moderating a GOP debate between, so far, Newt Gingrich and Rick Santorum. It promises to be historical, not so much in the class of a Lincoln-Douglas or even Kennedy-Nixon debate. But more in a class of its own. You might even say it is promising to be a classless debate.
Classless, yet entertaining. The perfect formula for reality TV!
Thursday, December 8, 2011
People of their word
"Life can be a challenge, life can seem impossible, but it's never easy when there's so much on the line."
This apparently comes from a Pokemon movie The Power of One. It also apparently is Herman Cain's favorite quote. He used it when he bowed out of the presidential race, giving credit to Pokemon during the speech. Apparently he has used this quote multiple times before, but this was the first time he gave credit to Pokemon. Sigh.
Let's agree that the quote is a good one. But usually, when trying to inspire people, quotes need to have a legit context for it to be legitimately inspiring. For example:
Do not call for black power or green power. Call for brain power. Who would have said this? My Little Pony? No. The late Barbara Jordon of Texas. A civil rights leader, she has so many firsts, among them, the first African American elected to the Texas Senate. These kinds of messages from Barbara Jordon, a Democrat, carried a punch. When she spoke, we listened and learned something about ourselves.
If you have integrity, nothing else matters. If you don't have integrity, nothing else matters. Former Republican Senator from Wyoming Alan Simpson said this. Although I did not always agree with his politics, he was someone, is someone, people admire for his integrity, including me. Mr. Simpson most recently called out Grover Nordquist for his phony tax pledge.
These are people of their word. Living and speaking their values. Leaders and role models worth holding up to your children and grandchildren. We need more people like them. Not like Herman Cain.
This apparently comes from a Pokemon movie The Power of One. It also apparently is Herman Cain's favorite quote. He used it when he bowed out of the presidential race, giving credit to Pokemon during the speech. Apparently he has used this quote multiple times before, but this was the first time he gave credit to Pokemon. Sigh.
Let's agree that the quote is a good one. But usually, when trying to inspire people, quotes need to have a legit context for it to be legitimately inspiring. For example:
Do not call for black power or green power. Call for brain power. Who would have said this? My Little Pony? No. The late Barbara Jordon of Texas. A civil rights leader, she has so many firsts, among them, the first African American elected to the Texas Senate. These kinds of messages from Barbara Jordon, a Democrat, carried a punch. When she spoke, we listened and learned something about ourselves.
If you have integrity, nothing else matters. If you don't have integrity, nothing else matters. Former Republican Senator from Wyoming Alan Simpson said this. Although I did not always agree with his politics, he was someone, is someone, people admire for his integrity, including me. Mr. Simpson most recently called out Grover Nordquist for his phony tax pledge.
These are people of their word. Living and speaking their values. Leaders and role models worth holding up to your children and grandchildren. We need more people like them. Not like Herman Cain.
Tuesday, December 6, 2011
Use your words, people
It seems like we just survived the hottest summer on record and we're already into cold weather. REALLY??
I hate it when people use REALLY? as a way of judgmental punctuation. It's becoming a pet peeve. Just say what you think with the judgment added.
So, when I say, "It seems like we just survived the hottest summer on record and we're already into cold weather." Instead of adding the annoying REALLY?? why not simply add, "It doesn't seem fair, does it?"
I know that the use of the annoying REALLY?? is most often in reference to a person's perceived bad behavior, or at least I think that's the purpose. To insult, really, someone else's behavior. OK. Why not in some cases, limit the insults. Or, again, use your words to express what it is that you object to about a person's behavior. Hmmmm. That might be asking too much of a lot of people, especially the kind of person who never really matured beyond high school levels.
Such as parents of high school kids who act more like THEY are the teenager. Something happens they don't like and they're all over Facebook with the REALLY?? I mean, WHO DOES THAT??
Next post: why I hate the over-used expression, "WHO DOES THAT??"
I hate it when people use REALLY? as a way of judgmental punctuation. It's becoming a pet peeve. Just say what you think with the judgment added.
So, when I say, "It seems like we just survived the hottest summer on record and we're already into cold weather." Instead of adding the annoying REALLY?? why not simply add, "It doesn't seem fair, does it?"
I know that the use of the annoying REALLY?? is most often in reference to a person's perceived bad behavior, or at least I think that's the purpose. To insult, really, someone else's behavior. OK. Why not in some cases, limit the insults. Or, again, use your words to express what it is that you object to about a person's behavior. Hmmmm. That might be asking too much of a lot of people, especially the kind of person who never really matured beyond high school levels.
Such as parents of high school kids who act more like THEY are the teenager. Something happens they don't like and they're all over Facebook with the REALLY?? I mean, WHO DOES THAT??
Next post: why I hate the over-used expression, "WHO DOES THAT??"
Sunday, December 4, 2011
Paul's treat-ments
Mika has put on some pounds in the last several months. Noticeably. So, a neighbor comments on our "fat" dog and Paul corrects him, completely sincere, by saying she's not fat, she's "fluffy."
But now we have confirmation that she is indeed fat AND fluffy. The vet recently weighed her and turns out she has gained 11 pounds in 1 year. That's a lot for a dog.
So, how did this happen? Paul. He gives her a treat for everything. She goes outside and comes back inside. Treat. She takes a nap and wakes up. Treat. She catches a tennis ball or Frisbee. Treat. Goes for a walk. Treat. You get the idea. That's how Mika has gotten fluffy fat.
I, too, have been "treated" similarly. Paul loads the house with ice cream, cookies, candy, etc. I stopped standing on a scale years ago, but could definitely believe I, too, have gained 11 pounds on top of too many pounds already. I get that I am responsible for succumbing to the temptation. Mika can't really say no. But I can. Sigh.
But now we have confirmation that she is indeed fat AND fluffy. The vet recently weighed her and turns out she has gained 11 pounds in 1 year. That's a lot for a dog.
So, how did this happen? Paul. He gives her a treat for everything. She goes outside and comes back inside. Treat. She takes a nap and wakes up. Treat. She catches a tennis ball or Frisbee. Treat. Goes for a walk. Treat. You get the idea. That's how Mika has gotten fluffy fat.
I, too, have been "treated" similarly. Paul loads the house with ice cream, cookies, candy, etc. I stopped standing on a scale years ago, but could definitely believe I, too, have gained 11 pounds on top of too many pounds already. I get that I am responsible for succumbing to the temptation. Mika can't really say no. But I can. Sigh.
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