%%USERNAME%%    %%ACCWORDS%% %%ONOFF%% |
 |  I've maxed out. Closed this blog. |
|
This is a way of making myself write something coherent and grammatically correct almost every day. I'm opinionated and need an outlet. I'm also prone to flights of fancy. Thanks for stopping by. |
| We have a strange widespread mentality going on in our country. Part of it says it's not necessary to respect those in authority. Talk back to your teachers, challenge the owner or manager of the store, or disobey a police officer. It doesn't matter whether it's black or white, the attitude is the same. I've seen it in rednecks in shopping centers, other business places, or public parks. Instead of saying, "Yes, sir", or complying with directions, they get mouthy and end up being manhandled and surrounded very quickly by a whole group of cops instead of just one. I know of an officer who was going to let a speeder off with just a warning--his quota was already full--but the wife started cussing from the passenger seat and chewed out the officer, so he gave the driver a ticket. Her big mouth hurt his record and maybe his insurance premiums, when he might have gotten off free, even though he had broken the law. We've been reading about this authority problem lately in the news, where some men tangled with cops and died. Although with considerably less public reaction, a white man was shot by a black cop in the same sort of situation since the other incidents. All of them were breaking the law when the problem happened. Whether or not the policeman in each case overreacted, the situation would not have occurred in any of those 3 cases if the one killed had not been breaking the law, first, and second, had obeyed the police officer when confronted. Each could have lived to file a grievance against the officer. The older generation, people my age and older, would comply with the cops because that was the way we were raised. Apparently, my generation didn't instill that value in the younger generations and now they're paying for it. The other side of this mentality is that we should overlook certain crimes. I actually saw a protester photographed holding a sign that read, "No mother should have to worry about her son getting killed when he robs a convenience store." The sad part is he wasn't being sarcastic. That is seen as a minor grievance. Since when is stealing a minor grievance? What happened to right and wrong? Shame and guilt? A very large segment of our society is way off track. Somehow we've got to get back to basics. Instead of throwing out the ten commandments, we should be teaching, "You shall not steal", "You shall not lie", etc.Kids and young adults need to be held accountable, long before they get to the court system. The schools, the churches, the homes all play a part in this accountability. Those of us who are not currently parents, teachers, cops, or community leaders, need to be setting a good example of honesty and justice. |
| When I lived far from home, and returned to visit at least twice a month (every week after Mom had a severe heart attack), I had plenty of time in the car. So I would sing every Christmas song and carol that I could remember. Even on work days, it took 20 minutes or more to get to work. Being alone in the car afforded me some singing time. Now I'm back in my parents' home, working only minutes away. But I work in a busy university area with no parking. So I ride the bus. You can't sing on the bus, even if it does take half or an hour or more to get where you're going. You can't sing at the bus stop or while walking to the bus stop. So I don't sing Christmas stuff like I used to do. At home, while cleaning or washing dishes I might sing, but so far this year, I haven't gotten to Blue Christmas, White Christmas, or Mele Kelikimaka once. Just for the record, I love Darius Rucker's voice, and I love hearing him sing about snow. Maybe one day, I'll just go sit in the driveway with the motor running for one or two songs to feel a little seasonal glee. Old habits are hard to break, you know. I heard that singing releases hormones that are good for you. I need something good for me. |
| One year Christmas was very tight for me. I showed up at my family home, the location where I grew up, with all my gifts unwrapped in a laundry basket. I handed them out to everyone. I was very ashamed and embarrassed, but had little money for gifts, and no time for wrapping. I didn't really want to be there with all my generous family, but knew my parents would be stressed with a no show. I lived about 70 miles away, but showed up Christmas morning. The following year and almost every year after that until just before he died, my younger brother gave me a Thanksgiving gift each year. He'd wrap up about $200 or roll it up or put it in an envelope, never the same way twice, and would give it to me to go Christmas shopping. And he was always very generous with everyone at Christmas, even people he didn't like so much. He was "Mr. Christmas" to us. This brother was rough and tough on the outside. But he was tender-hearted and kind. He taught my whole family what generosity is. He gave us a love for Christmas giving. It will never be quite the same without him. But he's always with us in spirit. We give to others, following his example. |
| Last night, I watched a country music Christmas special, time that I would not normally spend in front of the TV. I enjoyed it. The first thing I noticed, the women were clothed, for a change, I suppose because more children would be watching, and there was a lot of Christian music and at least one Christian musician, Michael Smith. Next, I had never heard of at least half the performers.Supposedly, these were award winning, top selling artists. I never saw them or heard their names before. I'm just not up to date on the music scene, I guess! In fact, it looks like I've missed a few years.The ones I did know included Alan Jackson, who is looking, mmm, older, and Steven Tyler, who's looking very old. Even my elderly father, who watched on his big screen, told me he didn't know who that long-haired guy in the red coat was, but he sounded pretty good with Brad Paisley. That would be Tyler. Yes, I do know who Brad Paisley is, and Carrie Underwood, and Michael Smith, and Little Big Town, who were great. Leanne Rimes performed, too. I have to admit I know more about her from the tabloid type news than actually listening to her music. I thought I would get bored quickly and give it up, but the show was quite good. Some songs are always moving, no matter who performs them. White Christmas, Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas (James Taylor's cover is my favorite), Silent Night, these always tug on the heart strings and bring back memories and old feelings. ( get carried away by Dan Fogleberg's "Another Auld Lang Zine, and will have to sit in the car until it finishes playing whenever I hear it.) It was a very entertaining special if you like Christmas music or country twang or both. There was little corny humor like you would expect, no silliness, just music. It's worth a watch if you get a chance. |
View Portfolio
Visit Notebook
Send Gift Points
Awards
Badges
Send Email
Community Newsfeed
General Discussion
Sponsored Items
Book of Trinkets
Static Items
Books
Groups
Interactive Stories
Audio
Campfire Creatives
Community Notes
Crossword Puzzles
Documents
Folders
Images
In & Outs
Madlibs
Photo Albums
Polls
Product Reviews
Quizzes
Survey Forms
Web Pages
Word Searches
