Pondering...

So here we find ourselves or myself, I should say, at the end of another year asking myself, " have I used these 365 days to benefit mankind and those for whom I care most." The correct answer is probably no with a million exclamation points. But I must remember the words of leaders who admonish us to move forward and not look back to wallow in our failures as there is nothing to be gained. This is always true but human nature being subject to natural tendencies we are always tempted to wish, regret, and perhaps even learn from our previous experiences. As a new year dawns in a few hours one can hope and pledge to do better than previous years and move forward with that intent. So welcome 2015 ...help us/me to be better, improved, and to make use of every minute to its fullest degree.

Doing Your Part ...or Going to the H - - - Place!!

Today and for the last few I am short tempered, impatient, and tired of the same ole same ole!! I should probably go back to bed and start another new day later. For more than a week I have felt like a walking zombie with my head in an electric mixer thanks to a sinus infection. As a result I am really truly short on patience and just plain fussy!

Today, I do not like suck-ups and people who, while perhaps thinking they are doing their job (calling), approach you with this "do-gooder" attitude and the line starts out with, "Could you please come and let me talk to you just about three minutes to offer you the opportunity to do a little service for some who need it?" It would certainly be appreciated if you could do your part. The entire time your brain is working in 25th gear asking itself, "what the heck is this about, now?" "What is it so needful of my services." You are a widow maintaining a home and caring for two canines one of whom is sick with diabetes, holding down four of these church jobs otherwise known as service opportunities already! Everything that happens in your home and to your vehicles is your responsibility. There is no second person in your household to help. Questions wash over you like, Am I doing your part? Can I actually do one more thing? Do I really want another "service opportunity?" Do you really want to do this thing you are being asked to do? No, you truly do not. Thus, you try to say No politely in every conceivable way possible but "ain't nobody listening!" To get your point across someone needs to be listening with their ears open, not closed. What this person actually hears is you gladly and graciously thanking him for this opportunity!! What you are actually saying is, "Is there no one else without other responsibilities who can do this job each week?" The question is passed over quickly, " no they want you." So you sit there wondering what is so magical about you that there is none other!! While some would be 'bustin' their buttons' and feeling excited about this you give up trying to persuade this 'do-gooder" that your plate is really full -- and no thanks.

So you find yourself trapped in a situation, resentful, and feeling like a victim of persuasive techniques over which you have no control. Slowly seething....wondering how this will all play out when you come to your senses.

Equality and Pairage

What is hoped to be accomplished when two people of the same gender unite their lives in "pairage?" I don't see how you can call it marriage because that, according to the good book called the Bible, happens between two people who can procreate as in man and wife. You can't change anatomy and biology. Mother Nature decreed it. It reminds one of laws put into effect when a great majority of the public disagree. The public (by and large) will by and large obey the law of the land but will not accept the law. So...simply passing a law and allowing pairage changes nothing in the minds of people who believe differently. If what is expected is the acceptance by all.... that can quickly be dismissed. Don't be blinded with the emotion involved. It only clouds the issue; there is no clarity. Probably most hurtful to those participating in pairage is that those they would like to most accept their union will not; thus that desire goes unfulfilled. Some will even feel hatred. THat part is sad for all involved.

I understand that which is desired by those thus afflicted. But no person on this earth can change the laws of God. The law is bound by creation -- none of us have or control that power. At the same time not many people would want to deny anyone of happiness in this earthly sojourn. It is difficult at best.

On the other hand some of these people involved in pairages have either had children by obtaining children (or a child) through adoption or artificial insemination of some sort. Others may have been previously married and have children they bring into a pairage with them. None of us would deny that these children are loved. But they are, in many cases, denied the opportunity to be parented by a parent of each sex. While one can say this happens all of the time in our society one can agree that it does although that is not always the most desirable type of parenting, assuming abuse of no type be involved in the parenting.

I know that the decisions being made by the court have been long awaited by many pairs. However, I am not certain that it will ever accomplish what seems to be most desired.....unless what is desired is joint benefits as in $$$$.

I don't expect anyone the agree with me. I don't apologize for what I believe and see as the big picture. I do not think I have stated anything in this blog that is not true. Do you have an opinion??

Boots

Boots are all about fashion these days and have been for several years. Reminds me of that Nancy Sinatra song of a few moons ago called 'These Boots Are Made For Walking,' I think. It is interesting to watch how fashion recycles/repeats itself. I am assuming that song came about when boots were the trend last time.

Boots looks very nice on some people and with some dress items. But why oh why do people abuse the use of an item just because it is available. Or at least that seems to be the reason -- the most logical one. This season ankle boots seem to be the most readily available item that I see so this must be the newest trend. So...soon to be either "rocked" or abused is the the shortest/shorter boot. Abused as in women not realizing that a short boot cuts the profile of the leg and makes it seem heavier if you are inclined to have curvy or to put it bluntly heavier legs. If one thinks they make you look like a "fashion plate,' forget that thought. It just doesn't do a thing for your chubby little leg.

Don't get me wrong. I like boots when they are worn with the correct clothing items! I wore out a bunch of majorette boots with high school band in my day. Realize that I am a thousand years old and there was a time when they were used extensively in that role. We wore those little short little band uniform skirts, too!! Cowboy boots are great with jeans and maybe with those little shorty cow girl skirts! My little nieces have some cutey pink cow girl boots they have worn as they grew and wore short little dresses with them. On little girls they are often cute.

On adult women taller boots are trickier when they are worn for style and not to plow through the snow. Plowing through the snow is a totally (altogether) different assignment for boots with which I have no argument. Bring on the boots for snow and ice!! Now those tall boots look great with longer skirts, riding skirts and or with opaque stockings and shorter skirts. However....there are some looks (with boots)...that just leave me shaking my head!! Of course, I will be the first to admit I am no boot authority --- but they do look a little strange! Anybody else have any opinions on this "boot thang!"

Just Like Me!!

I can not believe how much I am just like me...all of the time. By that I mean I am shocked that my thought patterns are the same. You see....I came back to my blog and looked at posts I had started and shelved last year. The following is the beginning entry from last August..... I think it is just disgusting that we are halfway to the autumnal equinox! I so looked forward to Spring and Summer and it has not disappointed. While it has not been excessively warm this summer and the Spring was cool I am ***********
It stopped right at that point and I shelved it without going one word further.

Now, what could be strange about that?? The fact that I had been thinking those exact same words over the last several weeks. Why should that surprise me or even disgust me, as it did?? I am not really sure except that I guess I thought I was getting better, improving that is! What a bummer! I am the same ole same ole, as my late husband used to say. Moving forward how am I going to change this. Guess I am open for suggestions, anyone got some??

In the meantime, I am always sad when Fall makes its appearance. I have had lots of ideas of why this might be so. But I think it is a little unusual because I was born in the Fall. I am a late October baby. I am thinking that I should stop this nonsense of hating on winter because I am AGE-ED -- which means the days I have left on this good earth are obviously growing shorter. I should make every possible effort to enjoy each one to its fullest extent. One more question---why did it take me so long to discover this??

Musings

It is somewhat unnerving to swing by this blog and observe that folks reading it are from far away lands. I think since I was able to talk one of my most used questions was "Why?". That is where the mind goes when I note these happenings.

Today is a graduation day out of about six that it takes to accomplish spring school completion for high school seniors in our area. Not only that but it is also the day of the memorial service in a city in this state for a poet and writer who passed away the latter part of last month. This is the second service in this area being offered after her passing. I have never been one who had an appreciation for either her poetry or her writings. Reading the accolades being printed in the press spurred my interest as to whether I am the odd ball out with my lack of appreciation. Surprisingly, or maybe not so much, my searching leads me to believe that there are others who have had trouble "getting into" writings whose first person language was not reflective of the character or writing of stories without a plot. I have personal thoughts of the rationale for style but I will keep them personal for a while longer. I am just always amazed at human nature and its lack of sincerity at given times. But, then again, perhaps there continues to be a reason why appreciation escapes me in this case.

More later.....

How Are Your Manners?

This is the message given with the Tabernacle Choir Broadcast, June 2014. I take no credit here and give credit where it is due.

"The Root of Good Manners"

Actor John Rhys-Davies sometimes speaks to young people about overcoming shyness. He says that it is quite natural to feel shy, to be uncomfortable in a room of strangers. His advice? "Turn it the other way around and think, 'I'm walking into a room full of very shy people, and my job is to make them feel at ease and comfortable in their situation.' That is really the root of good manners: making the people around you feel comfortable."1

Some people are so skilled at making others feel comfortable. They're genuinely interested in others; they're kind and thoughtful; they're easy to be around. Instead of focusing on themselves, they choose to be considerate and responsive, and they seem to take sincere joy in making people happy.

It's easy to assume that some people are just naturally outgoing-that it comes easily to them-and the rest of us simply aren't that way. But the fact is that with a little effort and practice, anyone can choose to be open, loving, and warm. That might mean we attentively listen, or we think, "What can I learn from this person?" For others, it might mean we speak up a little more or make the effort to meet someone new.

No matter whether you are an introvert or an extrovert, you can learn to put others at ease. A young woman who left friends and family to attend college discovered this simple truth. When she began to extend herself, she found that more often than not, people welcomed her outreach. They, too, wanted a friend. They began to feel comfortable around her, and she made new friends wherever she went. She found that by making simple introductions and finding out about others, she could help people relax in her company and enjoy being around her.

The skill of good manners is not beyond anyone's reach-at its roots, it's simply a matter of forgetting ourselves and helping others feel comfortable.