Regardless Of Your Position

This is definitely a crazy year for Politics.  It is at the same time frightening and enlightening.

There is sure a lot of HATE spewing from some Politicians mouths and it find it disturbing that so many people are willing to jump on the "Hate Bandwagon."  In reviewing History, I don't see any evidence of that ever having helped a difficult situation.

Somehow we United States Citizens need to find a way to come together in Peace and work out the problems which seem to be plaguing this Country.  The Civil War ended over a hundred years ago, and yet there is still a huge problem with racism in this Country....and not just against Black Folks, but Hispanics, Jews....anyone who is seemed "different."  ALL of us are IMMIGRANTS unless we are Native Americans!  Are we forgetting that?

Now our choice for President is going to be clouded by all the hate being spewed on both sides.  I am, I must say, happy that a Woman is actually able to be nominated for the highest office in the land.  I am also frightened that a man who has shown no regard for people with less than himself, people who are Hispanic, Muslim or any other "different" he decides is significant are "dangerous."

I am frightened by a man who tells his followers to "punch him in the face, I'll pay for your legal expenses:"  Really, really? People...many people have voted for this man.  I understand that some of it has been in protest to "politics as usual" and people are quite sick of that...me included.  But, it takes finess, and diplomacy and knowledge of world affairs to be President.  Hmmmmm...

We need "Peacemakers" in this crazy war filled world right now...what we don't need is someone who wants to try to "isolate" us and yet sends his own businesses overseas to avoid taxes.

I have heard all the arguments about email servers, Benghazi (which by the way the CONGRESS refused to fund more security over there), and more...yes lives were lost in that incident...tragically.That is a dangerous part of the world..we all know the risks.  But, alienating our Allies, "getting in the faces" of other World Leaders and "Building Walls" will not solve anything.

I pray people will think long and seriously, not emotionally about who they vote for when they go to the polls in November.  It's gonna be a dirty, hard fought election and it's gonna take a lot out of all of us.  I hope we can all look up to a "HIGHER POWER" regardless of your faith, and look for a solution that will work the best for this GREAT COUNTRY (and it is ALREADY GREAT) of ours when we go to vote!

PEACE, LOVE & JOY

Crashing Waves and Cottonwood Trees

I have always found the sound of waves crashing to shore a comforting, restful sound.  The constant road is a hum that lulls my soul and makes it easy to sleep.

I was afraid I would be missing that sound terribly when we moved to the Rockies.  However, I have found a new source of sound that is just as lovely and comforting.

I live at the mouth of the Ogden Canyon in Utah.  There are tons of cottonwood trees here.  When you live at the mouth of the Canyon, you soon become accustomed to wind...lots of wind.  I am not sure what causes this phenomenon, perhaps a temperature variance between the West and East sides of the mountains.  Although the wind is sometimes troublesome as it rushes past the house, I found a comforting measure in the sound that it makes as it sweeps through the cottonwoods.  It actually sounds much like the waves crushing to shore on Okaloosa Island!  How strange.

Do you have a sound that lulls you to sleep?  Some people purchase "sound machines" to create so-called white noise to make it easier for them to sleep by screening out other sounds in the environment.  These machines have such sounds as crashing waves, rain on a tin roof and even crickets and frogs.  Different sounds seem to appeal to different folks.  I love the sound of water running over rocks in the streams here.  However, the closest river is about a block away, and I cannot hear that sound from my home.  I can hear the wind in the cottonwoods.

Some people find these trees very annoying.  In the Spring and early summer they first produce these little round, flat things that spread everywhere.  Then when that is done, they do produce a cotton like bunch of seed carrying fluffs that do look just like tiny cotton balls.  They are EVERYWHERE!  They can be somewhat annoying, but they don't last forever.

I will gladly trade the small annoyance of the cottonwoods for the lovely sound that they make as the canyon winds rush through their leaves and branches.  They are Nature's Music and I will continue to let them lull me to sleep here in the Rockies!  And enjoy the color of all the trees from Aspens to Maples as we go into this lovely season of Fall!




PEACE LOVE AND JOY!

Trumping the TRUMP!

Really people? Really?  I am amazed every day as I see the "Donald" once again on the TV spouting rude, ruthless and insensitive comments about anyone who disagrees with him.  Can it really be that we have sunk so low that this man is possible a realistic candidate for the office of President? God Forbid!!!

I am pondering whether the so-called "supporters" are really supporting him, or actually protesting that there doesn't seem to be any other viable  GOP individual who has thrown his or her hat in the ring?  Jeb Bush? OMG...another warmongering rich man who only wants to fill his own pockets or the pockets of the Halliburton type cronies.  Rubio, uh uh.  Or maybe Sarah Palin or that other lady wacko who can't seem to say anything that makes any sense at all!  Please people, no matter which side of the fence you sit on, there has to be SOMEONE better than the so-called GOP rundown right now.

TRUMP...yep name in capital letters is a Narcissist (a person who is overly self-involved, and often vain and selfish) with a Megalomaniacal opinion of himself!  

Psychiatry. a symptom of mental illness marked by delusions of greatness, wealth, etc.

an obsession with doing extravagant or grand things.

Sound familiar?

When has the TRUMP done ANYTHING for ANYONE other than himself? This man is not a humanitarian, but a buffoon who only wants to be President because he can possibly BUY the Office in the current political arena.

I really don't know anything positive I can say about this individual.  Please, people, don't lend this laughingstock of a man make a mockery of the USA in the eyes of the world.

Recently when Jimmy Carter announced he had been diagnosed with Cancer, some FAUX News followers made rude comments...really?  Here is a man who has devoted his entire life to making things better for others.  A man who has worked diligently with Habitat for Humanity to build homes for people who couldn't even dream of ever having one.  A GOOD, Kind man who has lived an exemplary life.  No wars were started while he was in Office.  NO bombs were dropped.  No young men were sent off to fight wars that accomplished nothing but huge loss of life and massive disabilities.  A GREAT MAN!

Please may we find it in our hearts and minds to go back to a kinder, gentler world where we actually CARE about our neighbors - whether it is the neighbor next door or the neighboring Country...we must learn to live peacefully together or only continue to see the destruction of humanity and our natural world as well.

Let us look for peace.  Empty rhetoric and hate speech will get us nowhere, but only dig the hole we have fallen into deeper and deeper. May we all pray to the Heavens for peaceful co-existence and the choice to build a better future for our children and grandchildren.

PEACE, LOVE AND JOY  

Fifty Years, Really?

Totally timeless, isn't it?  When did it begin? Will it ever end? I certainly hope not!

Unfortunately our human bodily lives to have "limits" on them.  Oh, some are much longer than others for sure, but all eventually succumb to time.

I am reminded of this today as I received an invitation to my 50th High School Class Reunion.  Yep, fifty years!  Can I really be that old?

As I looked over the names at the bottom of the list who are on the committee for the reunion, all of them are very familiar to me....most I haven't seen in the past fifty years.

Living in Florida, then Georgia and now in Utah, I have been quite far away from my original "stomping grounds" for quite some time now.  I have managed to visit a few times, but it has probably been about 15 years since I was last in Maryland.  It will be interesting to say the least re-connecting with the people I knew all those years ago.  It will be fun to see how many actually show up to the reunion, as we are scattered all over the country at this point.  It seems that most people now don't stay in the State much less the City where they were born and raised.

I venture to say that the little hamlet where I actually grew up has changed least of all.  It is such a small place at a dead end peninsula on the Potomac.  Not much had changed when I was back there 15 years ago.  There are plenty of fond memories there, and some not so good as well.  I can't even imagine having spent my entire lifetime there.  I think I knew even as a child that I would not.  I had always wanted to see other States and Countries, and I have been blessed to be able to do so.  Sometimes I feel like I have lived several lifetimes in the last fifty years. I have traveled a lot, worked many jobs, had many children and grandchildren, and now here I am in Utah living in the Rocky Mountains - the absolute LAST place I would have dreamed I would end up!  Life certainly has taken some twists and turns along the way.  I don't regret any of them.

I have heard some people say they wish they could go back to High School.  Not me.  I don't think I have ever wished that.  Oh, it isn't that it was bad or anything.  I just knew that there was a huge world full of interesting people out there that I wanted to get to know.  I have always been a person who looked forward to each new day seeking new adventures.  From traveling the world, to snowshoeing, to Paddle Boarding I have always been unafraid to try something new.  Tomorrow I plan to travel up the mountain to Snowbasin and try my hand at downhill skiing for the first time.  I will have an instructor, and there is plenty of fresh powder to fall on so I shouldn't get too many bruises!

I am looking forward to going back to Maryland for the Reunion.  I have lots of cousins still living there that it will be fun to see.  I have friends there that I haven't seen in 50 years and I am looking forward to reconnecting with some of them too!  I want to walk the halls of the old Lackey High School and remember...just remember.  So much happened when we were students there, including the assassination of President Kennedy.  I will never forget sitting in my tenth grade class that day.  I'll bet neither have any of my classmates.

Life is so different now.  No more manual typewriters, not even Selectrics! Wow, I wonder what we would have thought if we could have seen fifty years into the future?  We lived in the Viet Nam era, our parents in WW II, and now - well now it seems the whole world is at war in one way or another.  I hope the next fifty years prove to be more peaceful than the last fifty.  I pray that there is some hope of growth into a more peaceful world.

For now, I am looking forward to sharing stories with my classmates from the past.

PEACE, LOVE & JOY

Linda

Pressed Between The Pages of My Mind

That sweet faced fur baby on the right is Buster The Wonder Dog as he looked on his very last Christmas with me.  He was gone a month later, taken by cancer.  I had him for seventeen wonderful years. He was a rescue who was a total basket case for the first six months I owned him, even eating my wicker porch furniture.  But, with love and patience, he became one of the most amazing animals I have ever had.

Now, I have another sweet fur baby (whose name on adoption was Buster - really) but is now affectionately known as Buddy!  He is yet another sweet blessing I have been given.

This past couple weeks as I have been going through a time of loss, I have been reminded of many, many blessings and memories.  Friends from as long as fifty years ago have stepped up to lend kind words and support.  I have been truly blessed, and I must remember that!

There are all kinds of memories as we pass through this world.  Some are as sweet as honey dripping from a fresh comb, and others as bitter as charcoal.  I have chosen as much as possible to put those bitter ones in the past.  But, as I reflect, sometimes it is good to remember the bitter and the sweet.  We do learn the most through the hard times and if we forget those lessons we are doomed to repeat that negative history over and over again.  Sometimes those bitter memories allow us to empathize with others going through difficult times.

Honestly, I do believe that unless one has experienced great pain, it is difficult for them to appreciate great joy!  Fortunately, I can say I have had both in my life.  The difficulty comes in learning when to put away the negative and focus on the positive.  Grief is normal, and I am reminding myself of that right now, but it too will pass, and the sun and joy will appear on the other side.

Here are a two fun anecdotes/memories I would like to share -

The POOP Chair

When granddaughter Alivia was about two and a half, we were visiting Daytona Beach.  The girls were playing at the edge of the water and Mel and I were sitting in two small beach chairs watching.  Liv came running up and said she had to go potty...well, we ASSUMED she was talking about having to tinkle.  Remember what that word assume can do to you...we watched as she ran back down to the waters edge, pulled down her bathing suit bottom and began to POOP on the beach!  OMG! Two teenaged girls began pointing and screaming and Melanie tried to shrink into her beach chair.  "Oh Mom, please, please I'll give you anything to go pick that up!" she said, embarrassed by Alivia's display.  I was sitting in a backpack beach chair Melanie had recently bought which I found extremely comfortable.  I said, "Well, I will go pick it up if this chair is mine."  Melanie agreed and I went down with a paper cup and picked up and disposed of the poop!  From that day on the lovely green backpack beach chair became the "Poop Chair."  I still giggle every time I think about that.

Then there was the day we went to church as a family one Sunday Morning.  Melanie, who was probably about 15 at the time had gone out that morning and bought six bagels.  We didn't have time to eat any of them before we left, so I told her to push them to the back of the kitchen counter and she could have one when she got home.  She had bought them with her own money.  They were HERS!  Well, upon returning home from church I went to the bedroom to change.  When Melanie came in a few minutes behind me, she was furious! "Mom! Who ate all my bagels?" I replied that I hadn't even looked to see if the bagels were still on the counter when I came in.  I said, "I have no idea, honey, but it certainly wasn't me. Perhaps the dog got them."  "MOM!! the bag is still on the counter, but the bagels are gone! The DOG didn't eat them! One of you did!"  At that moment, my sweet Golden Retriever, Buster, went skulking out of the room only to return a moment later with a raisin bagel in his mouth.  He dropped it on her foot and left the room!  Never try to tell me a dog doesn't understand what is being said! That dog had carefully removed the bagels from the bag, leaving the bag on the countertop without a crumb behind.  Then he ate all but TWO of them.  Yep, I said Two.  The one he returned to Melanie (much to everyones shock and surprise, and one he had hidden under my bed for a snack!  God love him!

I have trusted God to be there for me since I was very young (six years old in fact) and He has never let me down.  In the past couple years I have reconnected with a dear childhood who actually walked the waters of Baptism with me when we were both children.  It has been a sweet reunion, and we have shared many pleasant memories.  What a wonderful blessing.

Childhood memories of building straw and stick forts in the woods, of climbing the apple trees across the street from our homes and camping in the back yard.  Sometimes those memories seem to have slipped away, and then suddenly, as if turning the yellowed pages on an ancient book there they are! They are there to be savored and enjoyed.

Have you ever been walking along and smelled something which took you back to a long forgotten memory.  It is said that "smell" is one of the strongest memory triggers.  Every time I smell candied almonds roasting at a fair I am taken back to my first time in Germany at Octoberfest!

Then there are songs.  Sometimes love songs but not always.  The song "Windy" was playing on air when my daughter Wendy was born!  I can't hear that song and not think of her.  "Could I Have This Dance For the Rest of My Life" was playing when I danced my first dance with my soul mate.  We got lost along the way due to unfortunate circumstances in both our lives, but now I hear "I Hope You Dance," and think of him and the sweet memories we made together.

My grandchildren remind me daily of what it was like to have children...the difficult times and the joyous ones!  I will remember some of the precious things they said and did until I die.  You really never do know what will come "out of the mouth of babes."  Recently, my youngest grandchild a sweet little Liv, was dressing with me one morning and said - "Granma why does you body have so many wrinkles?"  I said, "sweetie, Granma is old and once I was fat, so it's wrinkles or fat!"  She contemplated that for a moment and said, "I think I like the fat better!"  Brutal, but honest, she liked sinking into Granma's shoulder when it was softer!

Next year will be the 50th Anniversary of my High School graduation.  Oh My Gosh!  Fifty Years!
I am going to make a serious effort to return to Maryland for that celebration.  It will be fun sharing memories with people I haven't seen in that many years.

There are vacations, births of children, marriage, death, accidents and oh so many other occasions locked between the pages of my mind....and yours.  Today, on this beautiful Sunday, take the time to flip through a few of those pages.  Some may make you cry, some will make you laugh out loud, and some will just make you remember what a blessing it is to wake up with the ability to still remember!

PEACE, LOVE & JOY

Linda

COME THY FOUNT

Okaloosa - Gulf of Mexico

It's hard to believe these two pictures are of the same body of water, only hours apart isn't it?

But this devastating beauty is all provided by a Creator who has a much larger view of the World than we do.

Last night I was privileged to go to a concert in Ogden.  Titled Accapellastock, it featured four groups of vocal bands.

While we were awaiting the beginning of the concert, music from those groups and others was playing over the loudspeakers.

One of the songs which floated through the night was "Come Thy Fount."

This song, penned by Pastor and Hymnist Robert Robinson, at the tender age of 22, in the year 1757 immediately grabbed my attention and brought me to my metaphorical knees as I pondered the beauty around me.  The Okaloosagirl is now living in Ogden, Utah where there is yet another type of beauty evidenced all around me.

This is a view of the Grand Tetons and the Snake River.  Amazing isn't it?

I would never have believed that I could love the mountains as much (well, almost as much) as the Sea.

As I listened to the words of the song presented only in melodic/harmonious voices, I was reminded of what an amazing Creator provided all of this beauty for us to enjoy.  I am also reminded that we are to CARE for it.  I hope to be a better steward of this lovely world than I have in the past.  I hope that we all take note of what has been provided for our pleasure and learn to find ways to preserve it.

The lovely song also made me ponder what those who are agnostic or atheistic use as a "moral compass."  Oh believe me, I am NOT a part of those who call themselves the "moral majority."  I have been blessed with the opportunity to travel more than most, and have learned much about other peoples and belief systems.  I am much less judgmental than I was at age 30...my eyes are open much wider.  But, on the other hand, if you don't believe in some kind of Creator and Hereafter, then what is your motivation to preserve beauty and order?

I guess I am presenting a bit more serious point of view this morning, but I would like this forum to not only be entertaining, but eye-opening and thought provoking.  You don't have to agree, just open your hearts and minds to the possibilities.

Here are the words to the song..Come Thy Fount...

I hope they touch your heart as they did mine last night.

1.Come, thou Fount of every blessing,   tune my heart to sing thy grace;   streams of mercy, never ceasing,   call for songs of loudest praise.   Teach me some melodious sonnet,   sung by flaming tongues above.   Praise the mount! I'm fixed upon it,   mount of thy redeeming love. 

   

 2. Here I raise mine Ebenezer;   hither by thy help I'm come;   and I hope, by thy good pleasure,   safely to arrive at home.   Jesus sought me when a stranger,   wandering from the fold of God;   he, to rescue me from danger,   interposed his precious blood. 

    

3. O to grace how great a debtor   daily I'm constrained to be!   Let thy goodness, like a fetter,   bind my wandering heart to thee.   Prone to wander, Lord, I feel it,   prone to leave the God I love;   here's my heart, O take and seal it,   seal it for thy courts above. 

PEACE - LOVE & JOY,

Linda

I want Peace.  I want Peace for the world, for the Country, for the neighborhoods, for the schools.  Just Peace.  Why is that so very difficult?

Each day as I read numerous posts on Facebook, I am dismayed at some of the vitriolic rhetoric I witness there.  I love to read about the positive things going on in people's lives, about the miracles we witness every day, about joy and peace.

I am most tired of the divisiveness of American politics today. Rather than focusing on ANYTHING positive about any candidate or individual in office, all you read or hear anywhere is a constant barrage of nasty, critical rhetoric, most of which is not anywhere close to the truth.  It isn't one side or the other.  It is, unfortunately, both sides.  And people, listen up, the division occurring in this Country today is being witnessed all over the world.  The best way to defeat a super-power is to divide and conquer from within.  We are a DIVIDED nation right now.  It is a scary world with lots of scary people out there.

Oh, I am not saying it has not been a scary world for a very long time, but I don't ever remember this Country being as divided as it is today.  It isn't getting better.  Prejudices of all kinds are alive and well, and we have taken our eyes off what it means to be kind, generous and loving.  All of those things were once associated with the United States and its citizens. 

I have begun blocking all the negative comments on Facebook.  I am sincerely trying to evaluate what goes on in the world and in my Country without the negative input of the political pundits.  I see many, many people going back to work.  They may have gone back at salaries smaller than what they previously had, but just like the housing market, many of those salaries were inflated.  We lost so many jobs in this Country because we failed to see that others were working for less, more efficiently and with less concern about greed.  I don't believe that a family with three children needs a 6,000 + square foot home, and six bedrooms and six baths.  We have become lazy and complacent and spoiled in the USA and now we are beginning to pay our dues for the all excesses we have enjoyed for so many years.

It is time to "scale back" and re-examine our priorities.  We need to care about what is happening in our neighborhood, in our schools and in our Country.  I am not talking about socialism, which is what people like to call anyone nowadays who is not completely wrapped up in their own life so much that they can not see the suffering in their own neighborhood.  I believe each man and woman should work for what they have, but I also believe that if someone (through no fault of their own) is starving, it is my responsibility as a caring person, to assist that person to get back on their feet and start moving forward again.

We call ourselves a "Christian" nation, but we do not behave as Christ's teachings demonstrate.  We are pulling farther and farther apart with each day that passes.  As we do, the chinks in our walls are becoming more and more evident to our friends and enemies around the world.  I only pray that it is now too late to change.  I hope that somehow we can re-examine our priorities and restructure the direction in which we seem to be spiraling downward toward destruction. 

Peace, Love and Joy
God Bless

A Window on The Whole World

I was born in 1947.  The world has grown much, much smaller since I was a child.  Oh, the square miles are still there, but the instant communication via e mails and skype and cell phones and computers have all changed the world, effectively shrinking the distances between us.

I have been fortunate and have done some traveling, and intend to do more before I leave this world, God willing.  The one thing I have found, in spite of the fact the media and politicians would you have you believe differently, is that people are the same Everywhere!  They all are born, marry, have children and eventually die.  They all want and need love.  They all need shelter and food and fresh air.

This morning I had a conversation with a brand new friend in mainland China.  Her name is Lilac.  She is pretty, sweet, enthusiastic and a Mommy of an eight year old son.  She is also a Christian.  That can not be easy in China.  I met her because my youngest son is a customer of hers in China.  He travels there frequently, and on his last trip introduced me to Lilac by SKYPE.  We had a wonderful chat today, and I am sure we will share many more in the future. 

After closing the conversation, I was overwhelmed by the fact that I had just been talking to someone ten thousand miles away on the other side of the world.  Like I said, the world has become a much smaller place.  I am looking forward to talking more with my new friend and sharing things about both of our countries.  I wish more people would "connect" with more people around the world and stop listening to the media and the erroneous things that are shared there more often than not.

I wish this world could experience the Peace that it should have and that people could love one another by getting to understand one another.  I really believe that the answers to the discord in the world could be readily solved by sharing openly the fact that we are all more alike than different.

God Bless!  Peace, Love and Joy

Easter - A Truly Holy Day

Happy Easter my blogging followers/friends and readers.  Last night I stood outside on the steps of the beautiful old St. Joseph's Catholic Church as parishoners and friends waited to re-enter, with lit candles to celebrate Easter.  It was a humbling and awesome evening.  The weather was perfect, and even the birds flying overhead were joyous...lovely..

Easter is such a special time and it is so good to see people turning their eyes toward the Heavens and thanking God for all he has done for them. 

Passover being the same time this year, makes it even more special.  I don't believe in the "big bang" theory...never did.  There is just too much beautiful, wonderous and fantastic stuff in this world for it all to be one big accident.  NOT!

So, as this Easter Sunday comes to a close, I thank God for all he has blessed us with...for love, and family and sustenance.  I thank God for all the beauty we witness and fail to see every day...for the birds that sing and the Oceans with their endless surf pounding the shores the world around.  I pray for peace. 

I had a message today from a family member who has been estranged for many years.  She was reaching out...and I pray it is a sincere wish to reconcile.  This time of year is all about love and forgiveness.  Where would be all be if God held us accountable for all our mistakes?  We need to share love and to forgive as we have been forgiven.  To all of you reading this, may you have Peace, Joy and Love during this incredible season and all the year through.

God Bless

The Age of Aquarius

"When the Moon is in the Seventh House
And Jupiter aligns with Mars,
Then Peace will guide the Planet
And Love will fill the stars."

Have you hummed that tune?  Have you even heard this tune by the Fifth Dimension?  As I look around me and read Social Media today, I am disappointed that the "Age of Aquarius."

If you don’t follow astrology,  (and I don't by the way) you may have no idea what the Age of Aquarius is. Basically, each of the twelve different astrological signs has an age associated with it. These ages change over time depending on which of the signs appears during the morning of the spring equinox. Currently, most people agree that we are in the Age of Pisces. The Age of Aquarius 2012 theory states that the new age will start on December 21, 2012, the last day of the Mayan Long Count calendar. However, there is actually some debate on this.

The idea of the Age of Aquarius ushering in some new and great human era is not new. In fact, it has been around since the early 1900s. Back then, new age cultist Aleister Crowley, the man behind the mystical Order of the Golden Dawn, believed that the Age of Aquarius began in 1904 and that he personally brought it about. Other notable historical figures give different dates. Carl Jung places the age’s beginning as sometime between 1997 and 2000. Sir Isaac Newton, Rob Hand, and Dane Rudyhar all say 2060. If you count from the birth of Christ, the age begins in 2160 (this is the number of years it takes for the constellation to change during the spring equinox, so a new age always begins every 2,160 years).

Interesting, but that isn't really my point here.  I woke up humming that tune this morning, and wondered why we have failed to come any farther in Peace and Love.  The world certainly does not seem more peaceful than it did when the Fifth Dimension sang that song in 1967.  When it was written we were at war in Viet Nam and our boyfriends, husbands and fathers were ten thousand miles away fighting in a very controversial war.  

Here we are in 2012 and our boyfriends, husbands and fathers and now even girlfriends, wives and mothers are off fighting in yet another in a long string of wars.  Will it ever end?  Probably not.

What is even sadder is the fact that as I read Facebook and other social media sites, I find that people are LESS kind and less generous and more greedy than at any point in my lifetime.  Thank God there are a few exceptions, but overall it is not impressive.

I have watched people post statements like,  "Why should I care about whether they can afford a heart transplant for that child down the street?  I have insurance on my kids."  Really?  It doesn't matter that the mother down the street is working two jobs and still can't afford insurance, thus her child will die because of lack of medical care?  Really?  What we should be saying is, "but for the Grace of God, there go I and my children!"  I recently learned that in a County just north of us, Monroe County, Georgia, there are THREE HUNDRED homeless children currently in their school system.  I find this horrifying.  This is just one county in one state.  Children all over this Country are going hungry as we suffer from an epidemic of obesity.  What is wrong with this picture?

No, I don't believe in "handouts" as such to those who are unwilling to work or unwilling to take care of their own.  I do however believe that we have a responsibility to our fellow humans who are less able to take care of themselves.  This has become such a greed oriented world that we hear more horrifying stories every day of people stealing (on a corporate level as well as the street thugs) from others to support their lifestyles.  When I see film of people pushing and shoving each other to the ground to get a "bargain" at one of those "door buster" sales, it sickens me.  What is wrong? Where is the "Age of Aquarius?"  Where is that day when PEACE will guide the planet.

Unfortunately, it certainly isn't now, and I am afraid that I will never see us grow any closer to it during my lifetime.  I only pray that SOMETHING will turn this around before my children and grandchildren are old.  Let's lift up the people of the world who give something back.  Let's make them the heroes instead of all of those movie stars and high dollar sports athletes who are idolized.  We need to idolize the givers of this world instead of the takers.  

What have you given lately?  I'm not talking about money.  I'm talking about volunteering your time and talents; and if you have been blessed with an abundance of money, that too!  We live in an age where it seems to be more important to have five bathrooms in a home where only two people live than it is to care about starving children in your own neighborhood.  

Yes, this is a pretty heavy topic for my "light hearted commentary", but I am burdened this morning with a heart heavy for the importance of sharing love.  I am sickened by the political mess on the television with each candidate accusing the other and denegrating the other.  Aren't you?

Why I Write - For Amy

This is a picture taken this past summer at Okaloosa Island, Florida.  It is my very favorite place in the world!  Somehow, when I cross the bridge across the bay and view the huge expanse of the gloriously emerald green Gulf, I know I have arrived at the place that feels like "home" to me.  I don't live there yet, but plan to in the future.  In fact, I am going shopping for condos next month with a long term plan toward retirement in Okaloosa.  But, that is not why I am writing this particular blog.

I received a comment on my "Before I Wake" blog this morning which touched my heart and brought tears to my eyes.  You see I love to write, but not just for the sake of writing.  I want to reach inside and touch your heart.  I want you to think, to love and to search for answers.  I want you to KNOW that others feel the same way you do.  We all have needs, hurts, desires, loves and dreams.  When something I have written brings joy, comfort, peace or any type of stirring within another individual, I have succeeded in my quest. 

When I look out across the beautiful Emerald Green Gulf, I witness a mystery.  I feel closer to God when I am on the ocean/gulf than anywhere on earth.  You see, it has such beauty and power and mystery.  We see only the very surface of that Gulf.  There is so much beneath it that moves and lives and thrives.  There is such power in the tides and waves which beat against the shore in an endless, pounding and relentless way.  Stones are ground into sand and buildings washed into the sea by the power of that tremendous force.  My God is an AWESOME God!  The Gulf and the ocean can be so flat, mirror-like and calm at times, and then in an instant they seas can rise and become fearsome and violent!  Our God has that kind of power, strength and mystery.  The kind of mystery I see in the ocean/Gulf. 

The Coming Storm.

 And, by the way dear Amy, Okaloosa Island is a perfect spot for a solo getaway.  It is peaceful, beautiful and yet close to anything you might want such as restaurants and shopping.  But, my favorite thing about Okaloosa Island is that quality of peace and connection which seems difficult to get in our everyday world.  Go there and enjoy the peace...God Bless!

Missing You

As Autumn approaches, I am reminded how quickly all the family Holidays will be upon us. As I think about those shared times and memories, I can't help but think of all those who have lost loved ones this past year. Some, many in fact, are the wives, husbands, children and mothers and fathers whose loved one has paid the ultimate sacrifice in service to our Country. My heart aches for all of them.

I remember a Christmas as a young wife of a serviceman. I had a two month old baby girl and a sixteen month old baby boy. I sat under the Christmas tree that year with my two babies, not knowing whether or not my husband of less than three years would return home safely. It was a very lonely feeling. I was one of the lucky ones, however, and my husband did come home. While I felt relief for us, my heart ached for all of those who were not so fortunate.

Many years later, as my son was serving in Saudi, I was horrified when I heard about the bombing of a new barracks in the location where he was stationed. I was frantic with worry for his safety until he contacted me and told me he was safe. Again, I felt that wonderful relief that he was alive and well, immediately followed by tears of sadness for all of those who did not receive that same comforting news that night.


As the holiday approach, we all need to be thankful for the health and well being of our loved ones. We all need to pray for those who have lost loved ones this year, whether in war, accident or illness. Time passes ever so quickly, and we really don't know what tomorrow will bring...pray for Peace. Peace in the hearts of those who are alone, Peace in the World, in our Country and in our neighborhoods.