Winners and Losers

Art is said to imitate life. Such examples exist of present, past, and future. We also use it to give a more accurate representation of past events using exaggerated means.

 

In the movie, Tora, Tora, Tora, Japanese Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto was credited as saying,

 

I fear all we have done is to awaken a sleeping giant and fill him with a terrible resolve.

 

No record was ever found that he actually said this but given the totality of what Pearl Harbor led to, it’s not out of the question that this sentiment was at the least considered by some. To me, it serves as a reminder of what we should contemplate as in the ramifications of war before we engage. Diplomacy goes a lot farther than slaughtering others.

 

No one wins at war. No. Our president and many others are wrong. Many want war because they have invested heavily in weapons of war. We have learned nothing from the past 50 years it seems. I want to be very clear in my views of war on terror. There is no winning. There is no end. It becomes a circle and in the end we stoop to their level and become nothing more than the extremist.

 

I have been horrified of how low we are willing to go in the world. Was I horrified at the chemical weapons used on the Syrian people? Of course I am just as I have been. I have also been enraged at all of the civilian causalities we have caused with our presence on foreign soils…all of the drone strikes…and depleted uranium ordinance – which by the way is a war crime.

 

I needed to write this. I want my view out there but my apologies for my mistakes. I am not doing well but with any luck, I hope to improve.

 

Happy Gardening! No matter how bad it is, there is sunshine somewhere. 🙂

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Freedom

In the movie “Quigley Down Under,” Tom Selleck played the part of an expert marksman with a long gun who is hired by a certain rancher character named Marsten to travel to Australia. Without getting into too many details I think some of the best dialogue occurred when Marsten was going to kill Quigley at the end of the movie. Believing that Quigley could not use a handgun, Marsten had the badly beaten Quigley propped up and given a Colt revolver (if memory serves correctly). Quigley quickly shoots Marsten and says this to him, “I said I never had much use for one. Never said I didn’t know how to use it.”

 

Politics. I don’t like it – in fact hate it but I understand it and I’m not bad at reading what will happen given certain parameters are in place. Politicians will play games and say anything to get in office when they don’t care about us-not really. We are part of an elaborate play.  Sometimes the script is written and sometimes it isn’t. We are not actual participants like we think we are. We are used as pawns on a board-our lives are what is up for grabs-usually we lose no matter what. No, this isn’t a conspiracy theory as I have been accused. This comes from observing people and learning about them over many years. It calls for more objective observation rather than subjective.

 

I have much to say about what has been going on. I don’t usually vote by party lines-as in I don’t feel that I have to give my allegiance to only one party or person. Party politics have shown their worse attributes this election season in my opinion but I have never cared for them anyway. Hillary Clinton became the democratic nominee and if she really wanted Bernie’s followers she would not have waited until the convention to try to bring in unity. I’m sure she will win. There is no doubt in my mind but she made a crucial mistake and I don’t think it can be undone even given that people forget things rather quickly.

 

People don’t see long range. Pity. She didn’t court those younger people earlier on. She could have very easily done so and easily brought more people to support her but I won’t go there right now. Even if most of them vote for her in November do you really think there will be an allegiance by them to the party or to her in four years? No. Absolutely not. See where I am going with this? I have seen politicians use some of the vilest of things this year but you have to look long range. Just like Bernie’s movement was not about Bernie-it was about the people-equality-justice-environment-education-and health to name a few. Those things he kept saying will resonate long after this election. Horse races come and go. A fiery passion for justice doesn’t.

 

Do I sound bitter? I don’t mean to. This is my evaluation of what is before us. When she accepted the nomination, a huge weight was lifted because today, I laugh at people who tell me that I emphatically MUST vote for Clinton. I also laugh at those who tell me the same about Trump or any other delegate. But the Clinton ones are the same people who told me that those who follow Bernie are petulant children and many other things. I laugh at them screaming about the Trump monster which makes them even angrier which in turn makes me laugh harder. I can’t help it.

 

Here is the thing. Our country was founded on principles of representation. Most people could not vote when the country was formed but we have been attempting to right that error ever since, well some of us have. When we require someone to vote a certain way, what have we become? Fear is the greatest fear of all. I refuse to be bullied because of Trump or Clinton or anyone else. Oh, if you don’t vote for Clinton, Trump will be in the Whitehouse. Sigh-roll eyes-sigh again. Even if I believe that, do you think telling me this is going to make a positive impact? I’ll just leave the words slaves, oppression, and suppression here to think about.

 

Now I ask:

What is freedom?

Freedom is the lack of fear.

 

Actually the question is the answer. You first have fear. You must get rid of the fear to have freedom.

 

My facebook newsfeed is plastered with stuff that says things-terrible things-telling the audience essentially, “How dare you express an opinion different than mine.” Guess what. We each have an opinion and that’s good. The world would be pretty boring if we are all the same. It’s really important for people to have control over their own vote-our vote. If we don’t, we are no better than China, North Korea, Soviet Russia and many others. Is this what we want? Well, I hope not.

 

So, vote! Vote for whomever you want. No restrictions. Yes, I have opinions but I expect others to be intelligent enough to make up their mind on their own. The mindless masses are one of our downfalls. Just make sure your reasoning isn’t because you don’t want the other person in office or you feel pressured by others. The day we give our vote away is the day democracy dies. Remember that.

 

Happy Gardening! 🙂

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Can we talk?

Joan Rivers used to say that and I would get a kick out of it every time.

 

 

But, seriously, can we talk?

 

For the past week or so I have been talking to people about race and how we can get along with others. I have heard some nasty things including that awful phrase that we should send Black Americans “back” to Africa. I don’t get that. You have to be some kind of sick person to think that way. Then yesterday when someone was really being mean, I said they shouldn’t be racist and someone else said the person wasn’t racist…I had a problem. I wondered if maybe they didn’t know what racism is. It turns out they knew they were being racist but they excuse themselves for it and say it is others who are racist. That is worse than not knowing better.

 

Let’s look at what racism means. Racism is when you generalize against a group of people in a derogatory way due to their race or color of skin. It can easily be avoided if we treat others as equals and the way we want to be treated. Simple, right? I think it is but no, it isn’t.

 

In this confrontation, I wasn’t treated nice at all and was called a hypocrite of all things. I don’t know why I expect people to act better. Maybe it is because these people call themselves Christians. They continued to wail about how their rights have been infringed on, yada, yada… I began to get sick.

 

In contrast,  here is a story that began to break my heart to think we are teaching racism to people…to our children. This little girl was told that black is ugly and that she couldn’t be Frozen’s Princess Elsa. How awful. Who would even think such a thing? Here is the story if you have not heard it…link…

 

This is a terrible thing but we are telling kids this all of the time. What is in your heart matters. What you teach children matters. How we treat others matters. This is important. Let’s make it right for all children.

 

Have a great Thursday! 🙂

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“Maverick”

This isn’t about me or the movie but rather, it is about others. How can we treat others differently than we want to be treated?

You know the scene in Top Gun where “Maverick” comes back to fly after “Goose’s” death? They are in the Indian Ocean and there are “migs” in the area? Remember that “Maverick” could not engage…get in the position to take the shot? Top Gun was one of my favorite movies—I love fighter planes. I would have loved to fly one. I’m like “Maverick” – not as cool as he is but I can’t seem to engage like I should.

 

To add to everything that is going on in my world, and that’s not to mention everything in all of the world, I was deeply hurt this weekend and this week by something. At the center:  I’m upset about how people treat Muslims. I had someone on FB yesterday start stuff and then someone else and someone else… What in the world? And then their talk switched to the president—nasty talk. I really don’t believe what I hear sometimes—nor read.

After 9/11, I felt hurt that people (terrorists) would target such a vast amount of individuals—civilians and no, I don’t believe all of the crazy conspiracy theories that are out there. I know it is so easy to fall in that train of thought but I remember when we had yet to grasp the enormity of the hatred toward the US but we were feeding our hatred of others. There was a town hall type of meeting on TV to talk about what had happened, the feelings and all. I remember a young girl spoke about how the highjackers might have felt—seeing it from their viewpoint—what might have driven them to do such. She was sympathetic and I could not on earth imagine being sympathetic toward anyone who would kill the pilots and fly the planes into buildings. Senseless first of all. Why would I want to be sympathetic? I took offense at what she said. Hmmm.

 

Guess what? This young girl was absolutely right. People see the US as very selfish, very materialistic, very uncaring, very carnal and sex crazed. And, we are. Not all of us are like that but the bad things will always stand out especially if you are looking for them. Somewhere along the way, I began to be sympathetic—not the thought of killing or harming someone but to the hearts and souls of the ones who “attacked”—the little boys they once were—the mature and wise men they will never be. We can say they were not human but they were. I have thought of the holes left in their families’ lives. Sure, we can think that they are hailed as heroes and they may be but we can’t keep up this hatred. It isn’t about who is better or who is right. It is about getting along. Why can’t we do that? Why is it so dang hard? Are we really that much against others?

 

It’s funny. Being a woman, I may see things in a different light but I have this strange idea that there are women out there who think the same way I do…that it doesn’t matter what we believe if it means our husbands and sons will die. I think there are those of us who want to move past the hatred because we see a bigger picture. Maybe because we are nurturers by nature, I don’t know. I just think we should learn to put our thoughts of hatred to the side and be humans again. I know we all cannot trust everyone fully but what are we doing to ourselves and to our children and the next generation after them and so on? With each bad thing we say, even the smallest, the more we reinforce to ourselves and our children how much we hate others. We separate and we hate. It’s not what others do to us…it is what we would have others do. Treat others as we would want to be treated. Where have I heard that before? 🙂

 

I have been critical of those who refuse to tolerate others because of their religion, their color, their height 🙂 (or lack of) … whatever it is. I have become tolerant and loving to others but now those who don’t tolerate, I have trouble. If I said I was Muslim, what would you say? Would you accept me with open arms? What if I was atheist? Or, gay? Alcoholic or a drug user? What if I said I killed someone or stole money? What is the worst thing you can think of? What if I did that? Hatred and separation have to stop somewhere. It’s in our hearts. We have to do something about it. We have to find and show LOVE. We have to teach it to others.

 

I’ll get back to normal one day–whatever normal is. 😀

 

Blessings…

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The Sound of Music

wikipedia

This was written the Tuesday before Thanksgiving–the last day I spoke with my husband. This posting is what lead up to the new me because this is who I am and it lead to the decision I made that Friday night. Stripping away the memories has been difficult and continues to be. I hit a little snag this week but I have to face the demons to get through.

When I was a young girl we went to see The Sound of Music—the movie. Back then, going to the movies was still more of a theatrical production than these days. I don’t know why, but this has always been my favorite movie. Great ones have come along and I would watch them over and over but when you ask me my favorite—it has to be The Sound of Music. There are parts I love and parts I don’t…the cemetery scene is one I didn’t like and still have not formed a fondness for. Many of the music scenes are wonderful to me, and I always cry BEFORE cue 😀 especially before this one…

 

The most meaningful part of the movie to me was when the Reverend Mother summoned Maria out of seclusion. Maria had returned to the Abbey because she felt an emotional love for the father of the children she had been sent to govern—as well a love for the children. She felt it was wrong since she was there for the Church. She had yet to take her final vows. I write a lot about selfless love and boundaries and self-discipline. This is the epitome of all three.

 

The life of nuns and so many others who serve God selflessly show real dedication. There is not much room for love of self because their lives are filled with sense of duty and purpose. Julie Andrews exhibits such emotion with little drama. One sees what is going on inside of Maria–the conflict, and the Reverend Mother comes to her aid as a parent would for their child. I love where the Reverend Mother admits that she may have been wrong for leaving Maria in her seclusion for so long. She tells Maria that her love for God is no less if she loves this man and that she doesn’t have to choose. The climax of the scene is the song, “Climb Every Mountain.” Tears roll even before the music begins—ALWAYS—probably because of these words…

 

• Reverend Mother: Maria, the love of a man and a woman is holy too. You have a great capacity to love. What you must find out is how God wants you to spend your love.
• Maria: But I pledged my life to God. I pledged my life to his service.
• Reverend Mother: My daughter, if you love this man, it doesn’t mean you love God less. No, you must find out and you must go back.
• Maria: Oh, Mother, you can’t ask me to do that. Please let me stay, I beg of you.
• Reverend Mother: Maria, these walls were not built to shut out problems. You have to face them. You have to live the life you were born to live.

 

My love for this movie was echoed in my marriage. My husband’s family was from Germany and he was stationed there for a while before we married. Actually, both of us have German ancestors and I have always wanted to visit this area especially Austria and Black Forest region. My husband had promised he would take me one day—another one of our dreams… It’s Thanksgiving. It’s tough this year—really tough. This is one of those things I am having to work through. It is hard when you have a dream from your childhood to become so ingrained later in your life. How do you separate that? How does one peel those memories away and preserve the innocence? How do I restore the memories of my childhood with my parents who are no longer here along with the hope and dreams I have shared and wanted to share with my husband? I don’t have the answers.

 

May your dreams always become reality and may your gardens be filled with great blessings. Happy Gardening! 😀

 

Quote taken from http://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/The_Sound_of_Music

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Andy Griffith

Andy Taylor and Barney Fife from wikipedia

In the states, if you do not know this name, you have probably been living either a hermit’s lifestyle or under a rock or both. This was a man whose demeanor on and off the stage helped to carve out an existence that was so close to many a heart because we could relate to the wholesome characters that he portrayed. I, like many kids, grew up whistling the song of the Andy Griffith Show. I think of it every time I see his face. Aunt Bee, Opie, and Sheriff Taylor were all a part of my family.

There were other shows and movies but there is one memory that is very special to me. The family loaded up in the car one night and drove to our nearby drive-in movie theater to see Angel in my Pocket. I love this movie! If you have never seen it and you are a Griffith fan, I urge to see it sometime if possible. It is a treasured memory from my childhood with good times.

I am saddened to hear of Andy Griffith’s death but I am not surprised. I am so thankful for all of the good times he gave us through his acting and his music. Godspeed, Andy. You will be so missed.

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Documentary of fallen heroes

From Fallen Project on facebook

This story was on the local news website last night. If you have followed my blog for a while, you will remember that we–our area here–lost 3 officers in a less than 4 months beginning late last year. This is from WRDW News 12 and can be found here and this is a link to the Fallen Project here:

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Documentary plans to highlight CSRA’s fallen heroes

News 12’s Laura Warren spoke to the director, who says he plans to tell the CSRA’s story.

Posted: 6:10 PM May 7, 2012; Reporter: Laura Warren; News 12 First at Five / Monday, May 7, 2012

AUGUSTA, Ga. — A few of the CSRA’s fallen heroes may soon make an appearance on the big screen. A documentary about slain law enforcement officers is in the works. The director and writer of the film is a police officer himself, and he says the CSRA will definitely play a role in the film and that it was one of the hardest-hit areas in the country.

Bobby Paugh, the brother of fallen Richmond County Deputy J.D. Paugh, says, “We suffered a severe tragedy in the CSRA not once, not twice, but three times in a three or four-month period. So, there’s a story there to be told.”

And, it’s a story that isn’t being overlooked by Hollywood.

“Your area was hit very hard, with three officers you lost in a very short amount of time, which is just unbelievable,” said Sgt. Thomas Marchese, director and writer for the documentary.

Scenes of chaos, death and mourning are all too familiar for our area. And many of the images we remember so vividly will make an appearance in “Fallen,” which will tell the stories of officers killed all over the country.

“We’re going all over the country to at least 10 different locations, 10 different states. I know we’re going to New York, Chicago, Seattle …” said Sgt. Marchese.

Augusta and Aiken will also be among those big-name cities, showing the world the nightmares we all watched become realities.

“I appreciate people saying, ‘Oh, he died doing what he loved. But, J.D. was murdered, he was doing what he loved, helping people, but that shouldn’t cost you your life,” Bobby Paugh said.

Along with footage from the actual scenes, the documentary will go behind the scenes to show the impact the deaths had on families, friends, co-workers and communities.

“It’s very hard on our families knowing, is this the last time I see him or her? Will they be coming home tonight? Will they be able to pick the kids up?” said Cpt. Scott Gay.

And even though the documentary will try to capture all of the emotions and horror, families say it’s a tough thing to capture unless you’ve lived through it.

“The tragic way that he died has really been hard to put grips on, and I don’t know how they’re going to capture that,” Paugh said.

We’re told production on the film will begin in the next couple of weeks, and they hope to be finished with the project early next year.

A benefit concert is being held Thursday at Country Club Dance Hall and Saloon in Augusta. The doors open at 8 p.m. and 100 percent of the proceeds will go to the Fallen Project and Support One.

To many in the area, these tragedies are almost as fresh as the days they happened and there is that element that cheers those who pulled the triggers. What senselessness! May it be a long time before we see another officer killed in the line of duty in this area. I know it will happen again, but I hope it will not be this year or the next. Godspeed and good luck with this project!

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