A Bit of Silliness . . . (but I think it's food for thought!)

       Note:  If y'all haven't been there already, please stop by TGB and read 

Ronni's excellent post on what is being done to/in our country.     

I'm still buried with my book project (it's no longer a project -- it's become a mission) but I'm trying to keep up with y'all as well as the antics occurring in the world so I'm indulging in some silliness in the interest of maintaining a wee modicum of sanity in a world that's gone mad.   

Kent McKamy, whose emails help me maintain a modicum of sanity, sent along an excellent and funny piece that he received that not only made me laugh, but gave me food for thought.  He talked about collective nouns -- you know:  a gaggle of geese, a flock of sheep, a  school of fish, and my favorite: an exaltation of larks.  However, he included one that I really think is pertinent to today's political climate:  a congress of  baboons  and that, my friends, set me a-thinkin'. And henceforth, I shall refer to Speaker of the House, John Boehner, as the Chief Baboon.

Happy Blogging!!!!!!!

Kay

Thursday Random Thoughts

It's a busy, frustrating week in Kay's World which means that the more things change, the more they stay the same -- only the suspects, crimes, and misdemeanors vary. I'm trying hard to keep up with y'all as well as get I ready -- sorta -- for the holidays which I suspect are not going to be much fun. Bah!!! Humbug!!!

* As per Ronni Bennett's call to arms for Social Security. I tried to call my new "teabagger" Congressman and tell him to vote for HR 1685 per her instructions. When the 800 number didn't work, I called the House switchboard and used some of my daytime minutes and free long distance to tell him to leave Social Security alone and pass the damned bill. I told my senators the same. My sainted grandpa used to say, "If it ain't broke. don't fix it." Social Security is solvent so of course the greedy GOP wants to get their sleazy claws on it and fill their pockets. Raise hell!

* God/Buddha/Yahweh/Allah or whatever y'all call the Big Guy must have loved idiots -- he made so many of them. And we're reminded of this daily when we read the news.

* Note to Willy: Word on the street is predicting that your Hogs are gonna play my Buckeyes in the Sugar Bowl. I wish both teams well and think it will be an excellent game but you know who's gonna win and their colors are Scarlet and Gray! :)

* Just when I thought the birthers had pretty much shut up, this idiot decides to fight with Anderson Cooper. There are fools and there are damned fools and this guy is the latter. One of my ex-husband's favorite lines when discussing politics is "If you can't dazzle them with brilliance, baffle 'em with bullsh*t" and I think that applies to the birthers.

* What galls me most is that all of the crap going on is because -- my stars and garters!! -- we elected a black man! Does anyone remember that his mother (who raised him) was white? And that his grandparents, who took over when his mom died, were white. AND he grew up in Hawaii -- the most multi-cultural, multi-racial state in the Union. From what I can see and have read, Hawaiians cannot afford to be racist because families that have a so-called "pure line" are rare. Ignorance is bliss, I guess, but dammit, I think it's time that these racist idiots "man up", grow up, and shut up. I'm not naive enough to believe that there's no racial/ethnic problems in Hawaii but I suspect it's not a big deal because I haven't noticed any shouting in the news in the news or blogosphere.

* The funniest (and sadly far too true) thing I've read on Sarah Palin is this at Moscow News (Pravda). I love it when he refers to her "the former Governess of Alaska." I don't think it was a mistake in translation, do you?

* The best thing (and most intelligent) I've read on Sarah Palin is by CNN Senior Contributor Ed Rolins:

"If you want to be a player, go to school and learn the issues. Put smart people around you and listen to them. If you want to be taken seriously, be serious. You've already got your own forum. If you want to be a serious presidential candidate, get to work. If you want to be an imitator of Ronald Reagan, go learn something about him and respect his legacy.

If you want to be a gadfly, just keep doing what you're doing."

Y'all can read the rest of it here.

Okay, it's time to go get my blood pressure out of the stratosphere. Here's a song from from "back in the day", as my kids used to say, that rattled through my alleged brain that I think works in the current political climate and has a great message for us all but I suspect that certain people will blow it off as "dirty hippie music" even though they used to be one but that's another blog . . .



Hope y'all are having a great day!!!!

Happy Blogging!!!!!!

Kay

Random Thoughts on the World

I had a nice Thanksgiving with my brother and his family. It was fun seeing how the little ones have grown and getting caught up on their world.

* I know some of you didn't like my Ohio State posts last week. It's something I enjoy -- especially the tradition and plain old fun. Besides, I needed a break from my blood pressure running amok with all the horrors going on on the political arena. I am NOT going to have another stroke.

* DownWithTyranny's excellent post today really sums up the GOP these days. Be sure to check out this video. I'm guessing that Barbara Bush was showing a great deal of restraint in her comment here. The Barbara Bush I remember wasn't so tactful.



If y'all can stomach it, here's Sarah's reaction on Laura Ingram (who I absolutely abhor) where she trashes all and sundry.



It left me with a lot of questions and I think y'all would agree but thats another blog.

* Don't know about y'all but I lost all interest in flying anywhere due to the TSA's awful new searches. I want to hang on to the shreds of dignity I have left. It brings to mind this old song from my college days in the '60s. I still love Stephen Stills, Neil Young. Graham Nash and David Crosby.



* The Mahalblog posted this great reading list.
It's an eye opener. Also at the same site it is written very well:

"But the teabaggers, for all their outrage, aren’t cynical enough. They’re like backwoods rubes lining up to buy what the traveling snake oil salesman is selling. And at the moment they’re the useful tools helping the more pernicious malefactors of great wealth become even more inexorably institutionalized. Palin, Beck et al. are the 21st century version of Rome’s bread and circuses — although less bread, more circus."

Sigh. Or drinking the kool-aid a la the Jonestown massacre.

I can feel my BP rising so I think I'll close and figure out what I can face from my gottado list.

Hope y'all are having a great day!!!!!!!!

Happy Blogging!!!!!!!!!!!!

Kay

It's about Damned Time . . .

It's about damned time somebody said it and God bless Senator Bernie Sanders of Vermont for having the cojones to say it!!! Here's a clip from "Face the Nation" that lays it on the line. It's only about three minutes and worth every second.



Amen and Hallelujah!!! When the lust for power overides the needs of this country, it's time to raise some serious hell!!! I urge all of you to write, call or email your representatives and demand, in no uncertain certain terms, that we want the bullsh*t games stopped!!! (Sorry for cussin' but it's the best way to keep my blood pressure from spiking -- and if y'all heard what I really said, the coal miners and sailors among you would be blushing.) And if y'all can manage it, give some time to get rid of the idiots propagating this dirty agenda in the coming mid-term elections. And remember: If you don't vote, you lose your right to complain! Just my take.

And they call themselves patriots . . . sigh.

Hope y'all are having a great day!!!!!!! I'll be back tomorrow with a post to bring y'all up to speed before I hit the road!

Happy Blogging!!!!!!

Kay

Not Quite Quite What I Was Planning . . .

There were several things I considered writing about today: more on Sarah's inane antics, events in Kay's World, and assorted other things, but I got home from my walk and sat down to check on y'all and write comments and found something that really touched me deeply.

I know I've mentioned that I read Andrew Sullivan's Daily Dish. He used to be a Conservative Republican until the nut jobs and Fox News took over the Republican Party. Now he calls himself of "No party or clique". I like that. I, too, refuse to be labelled or affiliated with either party. I like him -- he is more 'fair and balanced' than most people can ever hope to be. He posts throughout the day and is always is interesting whether I agree with him or not. There isn't a soul on the planet I agree with 100% nut he comes close.

Today he published this long quote from author/academic David Foster Wallace:

I like it because it is so intensely true and speaks to and about all of us.

"Because here's something else that's weird but true: in the day-to-day trenches of adult life, there is actually no such thing as atheism. There is no such thing as not worshipping. Everybody worships. The only choice we get is what to worship.

And the compelling reason for maybe choosing some sort of god or spiritual-type thing to worship--be it JC or Allah, be it YHWH or the Wiccan Mother Goddess, or the Four Noble Truths, or some inviolable set of ethical principles--is that pretty much anything else you worship will eat you alive.

If you worship money and things, if they are where you tap real meaning in life, then you will never have enough, never feel you have enough. It's the truth. Worship your body and beauty and sexual allure and you will always feel ugly. And when time and age start showing, you will die a million deaths before they finally grieve you. On one level, we all know this stuff already. It's been codified as myths, proverbs, clichés, epigrams, parables; the skeleton of every great story. The whole trick is keeping the truth up front in daily consciousness.

Worship power, you will end up feeling weak and afraid, and you will need ever more power over others to numb you to your own fear. Worship your intellect, being seen as smart, you will end up feeling stupid, a fraud, always on the verge of being found out. But the insidious thing about these forms of worship is not that they're evil or sinful, it's that they're unconscious. They are default settings.

They're the kind of worship you just gradually slip into, day after day, getting more and more selective about what you see and how you measure value without ever being fully aware that that's what you're doing.

And the so-called real world will not discourage you from operating on your default settings, because the so-called real world of men and money and power hums merrily along in a pool of fear and anger and frustration and craving and worship of self. Our own present culture has harnessed these forces in ways that have yielded extraordinary wealth and comfort and personal freedom. The freedom all to be lords of our tiny skull-sized kingdoms, alone at the centre of all creation. This kind of freedom has much to recommend it.

But of course there are all different kinds of freedom, and the kind that is most precious you will not hear much talk about much in the great outside world of wanting and achieving.... The really important kind of freedom involves attention and awareness and discipline, and being able truly to care about other people and to sacrifice for them over and over in myriad petty, unsexy ways every day," - David Foster Wallace.

What do you worship? It's a tough question and it's been giving my poor, tattered Thinking Cap a workout all day and probably will for quite a while. I know what I profess to worship but, in all honesty, defining one's beliefs is as difficult -- if not more so -- as admitting one's prejudices. This is going to keep my alleged, albeit damaged, brain busy for a long time and if I ever figure it out, I'll let y'all know.

If this isn't your cuppa, it's okay and I do understand. Hopefully, tomorrow I'll be back to my normal nutty self.

Hope y'all are having a great day!!!!

Happy Blogging!!!!!!!

Kay

Just When I Thought . . .

Y'all know what I think of Sarah Palin and I have been trying, for the sake of my blood pressure, to avoid talking about her idiocies. The latest ignorance really got to me sooooooooooooo here we go . . .

How low can Sarah Palin go? She went ballistic over a episode of "Family Guy" because they used a Down's syndrome character and made fun of her (Palin). Excuse me? If one is in the public eye, he/she is fair game as are all the people you drag along with you. The actress who played the role has Down's Syndrome and was upset about Palin's reaction and wrote an email to the New York Times who edited it -- the wimps. You can read the full, original letter here. I was impressed. I have seen Ms. Friedman act on various programs -- mostly on my favorite show, Saving Grace -- and she is really impressive. Y'all can see her response to Palin here as well.

And here is Seth McFarlane, creator of "Family Guy", on Bill Maher's show with his take on the whole thing.

I thought this video quite sane on the subject.



Bottom line is if you're that sensitive, Sarah, you had best drag your ignorant ass and your kids back to Alaska because it isn't going to stop. Even your fellow Republicans are getting tired of you -- you only got 6% of the vote at CPAC today.

Hopefully six months from now the burning question will be "Sara who?" and I will be incredibly delighted.

Happy Blogging!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Kay

P.S.: As a handicapped person myself, I do understand what it's like and know that having a sense of humor is crucial for success. That Andrea understands this puts her ahead of an awful lot of people in this world.

Tuesday Random Thoughts

My brain has been on override. So much is happening in this country and my world that my thinking cap has been getting a serious workout.


* Another 6-10 inches of snow are headed this way as I type. We aren't dug out from the last one yet. Sigh. And I should be joining the throng at the grocery store to whine about the weather but I don't feel like it.


* Jeff apologized -- profusely -- and a long discussion was held. I have a dozen roses and was taken out for dinner last night -- gotta appreciate a man who realizes that he was inconsiderate. The cancelled party has been re-scheduled for this Friday and I'll get to wear my new dress -- I hope. Who knows how much more snow we'll have dumped on us?


* Weird: I saw the endocrinologist yesterday. I like that office. They are nice, well-organized and thorough. It was interesting but it left me confused. All my levels were normal but the nodules are still very much with me and I'm still tired all the time. What does this mean? More tests!!!! I'm so tired of tests.

* Speaking of tests, I had to cancel my test for my endoscopy next week. I simply couldn't find anyone who would take me and bring me home so I postponed it indefinitely. Funny because I say yes when asked and have gone so far as to re-arrange things for others. I wasn't about to ask Jeff to stay a couple extra days. That would have been rude.

* Jeff is taking Shaughnessy to Florida next Monday and thinks I need to go with them. I think not. While I'd love to see his dad who has pretty much decided to sell his house here, I really think it's best that I stay put because I couldn't get home for six weeks when he returns.


* Colleen over at Santiago Dreaming echoed my sentiments that the Colts belong in Baltimore in comments here yesterday. The Irsey family literally slapped the loyal fans in Baltimore in the face despite their loyalty to the Colts. As a NE Ohioan, I understand this all too well. Art Modell did almost the same thing to us with the Browns. When I think of the Colts, I recall being in a bar in the Baltimore airport on a layover in when the Colts kicked the winning field goal in the Super Bowl!!!! Sheer joy and pandemonium!!!!!

* This is a Teabagger. Can y'all tell me what's wrong with the picture below? I listened to Tom Tancredo and Sarah Palin's speeches and I'm scared. There was a mentality there that went out with the '57 Chevy. I wanted to slap both of them. Keith Olbermann weighed in humorously. Give this movement an inch and we'll have cross burnings on the White House lawn. I do think it's pretty nasty and hypocritical that Sarah called out Rahm Emmanual for using the 'R' word but not Rush Limbaugh. Can you say 'hypocritical'? Frankly, I'm tired of her using her children as props for her agenda. If I were the mother of a special needs child, I wouldn't be trotting him around the country; I would be giving him the special care he needs and deserves.

Time to put the Thinking Cap back on the shelf. I have to get ready for the blizzard. Sigh.

Happy Blogging!!!!!!!

Kay

Random Wednesday Thoughts and Update

It's a bright, sunny and cold day in Ohio and I'm cranky as hell-- and I haven't even brought in the mail yet to see what fresh hell awaits.

* Today is the 236th anniversary of the Boston Tea Party and I encourage y'all, in memory of those brave men to contact your Congressmen and Senators to remember that they work for US.

* I saw Dr. Maria yesterday and am the not so proud owner of another scrip (which I don't think I need) and was advised that my potassium level was a little high so I should watch my diet -- no more bananas. I think I have figured out the biggest problem -- I drink too much coffee and Diet Coke so I'm going to try to cut that down. Sigh. Given the state of this country, I should probably drink heavily anyway. It may not help my health but I won't care.

* I had to take Miss Ruby to the car doctor yesterday -- it wasn't anything major but it still cost $78 bucks -- it took less than an hour. Sigh. It's going to be a reign of frugality for a while. Poverty sucks.

* I sent emailed and telephoned my Congress Critters today. Here is the letter/email that went via email to Senator Voinovich and Brown and Congressman Boccieri today:

Today is the 236th anniversary of the Boston Tea Party. It was the day when the citizens rose against "taxation without representation" and gave birth to the American Revolution.

I think we need a new revolution so the citizens of this country can have decent health care whether we are rich or not.

I truly believe that people are dying because of lack proper health care. The way things are going, I will be one of them. I presently am being denied care that I need by Medicaid and it's terribly unfair to have one's health decided by a bureaucrat. It destroys one's self-esteem and I truly believe that people are dying because of it.

The Declaration of Independence states: We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.

The above rights are damned hard to achieve without decent medical care.

Thank you.

Kay Dennison

* I have no enthusiasm for the holidays whatsoever so I'm mostly ignoring them.

* Here's a video clip from the film 1976 "Network" that speaks to us more relevantly today that it did back then. If you are fortunate enough to have a secure life, you might not agree, but there are many Americans -- especially elders -- who are
suffering. And it's a disease that spreading due to the lack of concern or action by our representatives. You could be next -- and if that doesn't scare y'all, I don't know what will.



Happy Blogging!!!!!!

Kay

Escalate in Afghanistan?

I have been a great fan of author James Michener since I was about fourteen -- that's fifty years of reading and re-reading but who's counting? I loved the wonderful, well-researched lessons in history, culture, and geography that he taught in his novels as he wove "can't put it down" story after story of people and places both here and abroad.

And it's one of his novels that is very much on my mind these days and it causes me to look askance -- to put it mildly -- at President Obama's plan to increase our presence in Afghanistan.

Published in 1962, Caravans gives an excellent perspective of post WWII Afghanistan. It is, even now, a nation that holds tightly to its old ways. Change comes at a snail's pace. Tribal infighting and haggling for power among the varied Islamic sects are the norm and women and children are still chattels. The 21st century hasn't taken a foothold there.

This country has been in a state of civil war since the 1970s. The Soviet Union invaded Afghanistan in 1979 and and spent nearly 10 years fighting there to no avail.
I would think that there would be a lesson for our leaders in that. These people don't appear to want change or freedom.

So why are we investing our money and our sons' and daughters' lives there? Ask your Congressman. I may be over-simplifying but the bottom line is that we can't afford to keep playing policeman to the world when there are pressing issues here at home.

Just my take.

Happy Blogging!!!!!!!

Kay

Who's Starring in Your Movie?

Since Thursday, when I wrote the post on the film version of Patricia Cornwell's "Scarpetta" and criticized the casting of Angelina Jolie in the title role, I've given a lot of thought to who I'd want to play me in the story of my life.

I'd love to say Meryl Streep but alas! I really don't think that would work. I've been told for years that I look like Lauren Bacall. (What do you think?) The photo of her was taken in the 90s when she was in her 70s. My photo was taken a year ago.





Sigh. I wish. She's probably my favorite actress (in a tie so close with Katharine Hepburn I couldn't tell you which is really #1!) so I guess I'd go with that. Besides, she does both drama and comedy well and my life has been a tragi-comedy. However, I don't think it could/would happen. So far my life hasn't had the happy endings Hollywood requires. LOL

Okay. Here's your challenge: Who do you think should have the title role in your life story and why? You don't have to do anything fancy unless you wish to do so -- just leave a note in comments.

Have fun!!!!!!

Happy Blogging!!!!!!!!

Kay

Wednesday Roundup

It's April Fool's Day!!!!! Hope the jokes played on y'all are fun ones!!!!

It's been crazy around here -- as usual -- so here are a couple updates on things I've learned lately.

* I'm so glad y'all enjoyed the post/video on the Johnny Mathis tribute show. I got an email from Lois about something that happened when the show ended. As it was closing, one of the workers came in and gave Kent, the young man who starred as Mathis in the production, a bouquet. He opened the card and it was simply signed "Johnny". The general feeling was "wouldn't it be nice if they really were from Johnny?" Well, Lois checked and they really were from Johnny Mathis!!!! What a nice man!!!!!!! I am impressed.

* I found this really great FREE site called DrPic.com.You can do all sorts of editing to your photos there. It's a neat place just to mess around if you're bored or experiment with fixing your less than perfect photos. I really find it excellent.

* Something I like: I love oatmeal and discovered a really neat way to make it. Instead of using water I use apple cider. Tastes awesome and eliminates the need for sugar and therefore extra calories.

* Why don't lo-fat products taste right? In a rare attempt to cut down my fat intake, I bought lo-fat Miracle Whip because I wanted to make tuna salad. I am not happy about how awful it tastes. It just goes to show that fats and calories are yummy and give food their flavor.

* My thyroid problems will not be dealt with for another six months -- if then. My TSH levels came back okay so nothing will be done despite the nodules on my thyroid and that I'm sleeping every time I turn around. Their solution? Anti-depressants -- most of which leave me with truly weird side effects so I won't take them. What's next? I don't know but I'm too tired to fight. I wonder if they're trying to kill me.

* I'm still waiting for money from the Census Bureau that they owe me for the short time I worked there. They said there was a mistake so I'm guessing that it was their mistake. If it was my error, I'm sure they would have hastened to tell me. I also bet that if I owed them money they would be screaming as if I robbed the U.S, Mint!!!! In the meantime, I'm so broke, I can't pay attention.

* First Friday is coming and I hope I can go. Marcia's sister is coming in for it and she is loads of fun!!!!!

* I have to get busy this weekend and file my taxes. I use TurboTax and it works just fine.

I hope y'all are having a great week!!!!!!!

Happy Blogging!!!!!!!!

Twittering your life away? Why?

Lately, I keep having acquaintances tell me that I'm behind the times because I more or less shut down my Facebook profile and won't even consider Twitter. Being behind the times doesn't bother me. As long as I can log on to my blog and wander around visiting y'all, I'm happy. Obviously, my life isn't really that interesting that I feel a burning need to share every minute detail on either of those venues. I kvetch enough here. Just my take. I'm not throwing stones. If those venues work for you, that's nice and I'm happy for you but I fail to see their usefulness for social networking. I like my 'net here in the blogosphere better. Here's a cartoon video on Twitter that I thought pretty damn funny. I hope y'all get a giggle from it. Then again, if you're addicted to Twitter, you might not be laughing.



Happy Blogging!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Question for Y'all

Something that's been nagging at me for the past couple weeks and with the vast knowledge and experience all y'all have among you, I just want to know what you think.

When I went to the doctor a couple weeks ago, I told my doctor about some pain I was having in my right arm and hand. She tried to blow it off but I insisted that she listen. As y'all might know who have read my history at HIGTBM, I cannot have any problems with that. Her reaction was to schedule me physical therapy -- no exam; no questions; no referral to an orthopedist. Correct me if I'm wrong but going to physical therapy without a diagnosis seems pretty damn stupid to me. Physical therapists are not doctors -- they follow instructions.

I have no idea what she ordered for me -- God forbid she tell me -- but since she didn't even try to find out what exactly the problem is, I really don't think I should even attempt to see the physical therapist. I can't risk an incorrect diagnosis given my situation. I also can't let this get worse -- which it will, if I don't get proper treatment.

So I ask y'all: What do you think? Am I nuts? Is the doc nuts? Any advice or assistance is welcome.

Happy Blogging!!!!!!!!!!!

Kay

Random Saturday After Christmas Thoughts

I've been on the maudlin side this Christmas so don't look for any sentimental you-know-what memories of Christmas 2008. I don't want sympathy -- I'm just stating the fact that it was a less than stellar Christmas but that's been my world for quite some time. One would think that I'd get used to it but as the old song by The Supremes goes, "Some Things You Never Get Used To". I think of all the people who shared our holiday table when our kids were growing up because I couldn't stand the thought of someone spending Christmas alone and wonder if I'm the only person who does things like that.

* I spent Christmas Eve with friends Lynda and Mike and her daughter who was home from her internship in Philadelphia and it was nice. We had an excellent dinner with excellent wine and veggies and dip provided by yours truly. I skipped Midnight Mass.

* The pastor of the church where where our offices are located brought me and Jeff Christmas gifts. I am the proud owner of a new coffee mug and a soapstone heart. He is really a terrific person. When I asked Jeff if he had a nice Christmas today, he said, "Maybe." I didn't have the nerve to ask what that meant. He gives his entire life to our clients and I'm guessing that he spent the holiday alone.

* 'Tis the season for giving and I'm going to two benefits this weekend. One Saturday night and one Sunday. Both promise to be nice.

* I am ending my association with the political sub-committee of which I am secretary. This past year was an exercise in frustration. My fellow Ohioan, William Tecumseh Sherman, said of the presidency, "If nominated, I will not accept; if elected, I will not serve." I will no longer associate myself with a dishonorable dictator and others are joining me including the person who founded the group. A girl has to have standards.

* I don't think the bankers should be given another nickel and am writing my Congress critters to tell them stop payment on the $350 billion check that's the other half of their $700 billion when nothing has been done to help the homeowners who have been bilked by them and their minions.

* I think it's interesting that the bankers were given 700 billion with barely a blink and no accountibility for how they spent it but all hell broke loose when the auto industry asked for loans. Tells y'all who is in bed with who, doesn't it?

* I found this interesting short video of John McCain's answer to a question regarding Sarah Palin running in 2012. Tactful but he made his point. I just wonder where this wit was during his campaign.



Happy Blogging!!!!!!

Kay

Read it and Weep!!!!!

I was all set to rant about the two headlines listed below but I am exhausted after a long day and can't muster the sustained outrage that my heroine, Molly Ivins recommended. (Do y'all think that maybe I've become immune to Bush administration screwups?) sooooo I'm just going let y'all vent. Read 'em and weep!

November 18, 2008 Dick Cheney, Alberto Gonzales indicted in S. Texas

December 3, 2008 Judge Dismisses Cheney, Gonzales Indictments and Chides Prosecutor

There's no justice in this world for the rich and powerful. Sigh.

Happy Blogging!!!!!!!

Kay

Random Saturday Thoughts After Turkey Day

Hope y'all had a wonderful Turkey Day and that y'all didn't gain too many extra pounds! Mine was quiet but busy once I got over my mother's insanity.

* I celebrated the day by going down to my parish and volunteered at our annual dinner for the needy. And, as usual, we ran out of food despite that extra food was ordered and prepared. Our church is a popular place because we give people dignity at a time when their dignity is in shreds. No standing in line here -- our guests are seated and served their dinners. They get a full dinner with all the trimmings from turkey to pumpkin pie. Coffee cups and glasses of punch are refilled as needed. I am very proud of my parish and I find that being there for such occasions is a blessing to me. There is no better way to give thanks than sharing oneself with others who are less fortunate.

* The travesty in Mombai is just that. I am appalled and sorrowed, as always, at man's inhumanity to his fellow man and I rail in my heart against a God who allows this to happen. Sometimes I wonder if free will was such a good gift from Him when such things happen.

* I skipped Black Friday. There is nothing I want so badly that I'm willing to risk life and limb.
My question is this: What is at Wal-Mart that is so damned important that it's is worth killing for? Had I been in that mob, I'd never be able to sleep again. I saw children on Thursday who will receive little or nothing for Christmas yet bowed their heads in prayer before their meal in thanks. Greed is one of The Seven Deadly Sins in case no one remembers.

* I added a couple new posts to my other blog. If you're new to it, it's the story of the events
that have changed my life. It came as the result of being tagged with a thought-provoking, telling meme by Xtreme English. I had been side-stepping a lot of things here and it forced me to face up and 'fess up to who I am. The best way to read it is by going back to the oldest post and read forward. Some people like it very much. All I know is that writing it has been good for me and I've let it languish far too long. Mea culpa. And now you know why "Yikes!" is almost always in the title when I get tagged with a meme.

* I truly love the new Blogger "follow" feature -- it works better than Bloglines for me -- and it helps me comment more often. However, some of y'all don't have an RSS feed and can't be added and I wonder why. If you haven't seen me "live on your stage" either a) I haven't added you yet; b) you don't have a feed that Blogger will link. In either case, I apologize. The first will be rectified as time permits; the second is up to you but I will be around when I can.

* I think I've figured out how to fix my sidebar and get it back where it belongs, so that is the project du jour. Sigh. I truly hate messing with this techie stuff.

* And oh yeah, please send any groaners you would like to share to me at KayD1010@gmail.com and you, too, can join the small but elite group of contributors to The Friday Groaner here. I'm thinking about making a badge for these good people. Whaddaya think?

Have a great weekend!!!!!!!!

Happy Blogging!!!!!!!!

Kay

An Announcement, A Victory and Random Thoughts

I probably won't be doing much here for the next week or so. Yeah, the groaners will be here as usual but not much else. Yesterday I had to remove myself from my own party because I got hit with a huge panic attack that invited, what Hemingway called, "the Black Dog" to come out of the shadows where he lurks on the fringe of my so-called life. I'm not sure what triggered it: the weather, the endless cold or some such that I'm fighting, the upcoming holiday season or just my life in general. After the gals helped me clean up yesterday, I put myself to bed and stayed there and cried and slept. I didn't go to the victory party.

My phones have been ringing all morning and I haven't answered either. I think I need to do some serious thinking about Life, the Universe and Everything and where and if I fit into any of it. I am, however, going to be writing a couple segments on my other blog: How I Got to Be Me. If y'all choose to read them, you'll see why in addition to the fact that I've been ignoring it far too long.

It was a grey and frigid day in Ohio but the football gods were obviously in Columbus as the Ohio State Buckeyes kicked the you -know-what out of the University of Michigan's Wolverines 42-7. I was particularly proud that the young man in the picture above, Brian Hartline, contributed two touchdowns to the win. He is an an alumni of the suburban high school my children attended. (Actually, I attended it, too, but explaining that is 'way too complicated and irrelevant to this post.) We were whooping and hollering big time all afternoon. And no, beer was not the beverage du jour except to celebrate the win. Coffee was! The food was great and was pretty much what I expected -- isn't it funny how everyone has "signature" dishes they make for various parties? At any rate, we were well-fed and happy and our guys won -- definitely a good day!!! Thanks to all of y'all for your support!

* My blog layout is a mess. I did some updating and now my sidebar is stuck at the bottom of the page. I'm trying all sorts of things to get it back where it belongs. Blogger help, as usual, is helpless as is their support group. Advice and assistance is needed desperately. "Techie" is not a word that applies to me so any and all input/advice would be welcome.

* The turkey slaughter video (I refuse to dignify it by linking it -- if you haven't seen it and are curious, go to YouTube and search for it.) with Sarah Palin was, at best, tacky. How she could be so oblivious to what was going on around her again demonstrated that her thirst for power and attention overrides any sense of propriety or decency she may. This should be a red flag to anyone with a working brain cell left. I think she's like a gory bad accident -- you can't help but look when you drive it. Look for a press conference of her making excuses for herself. And my question is: Why in the hell are we still being bombarded with her? You lost, Sarah!!! The 15 minutes of fame that Andy Warhol promised over!!!! Get over it! And to the press: give it up --she lost the election for McCain!! The majority of your viewers don't like her and are sick of your enchantment with her.

* I think we skipped autumn in Ohio or just got the condensed version because it's snowed and the temperatures are the sort we usually don't see until January. This doesn't bode well for me. I'm definitely a creature of the sun. It's gonna be a longgggggggg winter I'm afraid. So much for global warming, Al!

Happy Blogging!!!!!!!!!

Kay

Quick Thursday Thoughts

Here I go thinkin' again . . .

* I thought Barack Obama's speech on Tuesday was excellent. Bottom line is we need to stop thinking of ourselves in terms of our gender, color, religion, age, ethnic background, or whatever minority we espouse and start thinking of what's good for us as a nation. Our country is in one hell of a mess and to get it back on track, we need to pull together for the good of all of us instead of squabbling over semantics and individual agendas. Being an American used to stand for something pretty wonderful; I'd like to think it could again.

* "Female by birth, woman by age, lady by choice" A friend sent this quote along and I have no idea who said it first, but I like it a lot -- it fits my thinking. And by saying that I've probably offended several million feminists. Oh well. I've never thought that being a lady interfered with my wanting equal rights for women but then my definition may differ. I googled the quote and it appears on several MySpace pages that belong to rather young women. I'm guessing that they swiped it from somewhere. If anyone knows who the original author is, please let me know.

* Does it bother anyone but me that we're spending billions (trillions?) in Iraq on an unconstitutional war? Under our Constitution, only Congress has the power to declare war (Article I, Section 8) and they haven't done so. And, if you're in your sixties, does this remind you of another undeclared debacle where we lost brothers, husbands, friends and classmates? Haven't we learned anything?

* Thanks to all y'all who are following "How I Got to Be Me." I truly appreciate your support and kind words. Note that the yesterday's segment was just the beginning of my recovery. It wasn't a short trip and still goes on to this day. Next week -- Tuesday or Wednesday -- there will be another installment. I'm trying to figure out a way to put all the segments in one place in the sidebar. Suggestions? Sometimes I wish Blogger offered the option of additional pages.

* The Friday Groaner will continue for a couple more weeks thanks to recent contributions from Kent McKamy and Nancy Leitz but more are needed. 'Nuff said.

Hope y'all are having a great week!!!!

Happy Blogging!!!!!!

Kay

Comfort food and Other Stuff

It's sunny but cold today and I still haven't dragged myself out for my newspaper. I missed Mass this morning because I'm still feeling lousy. It warmed up a bit so most of the snow melted which means it'll save me a ten spot or so. Allegedly, more snow will be here to replace it by Wednesday.

* Yesterday morning I got up and hobbled around here like the old lady that I'm becoming. I felt dizzy and achy and generally awful. What didn't ache, hurt and what didn't hurt, ached. After a few hours of attempting to get things done and failing miserably, I forced myself to shower and get dressed and made myself go out to The Evil Empire. I usually avoid that wicked place but there are a couple things I can't get other places that I buy there. While I was at it, I bought some groceries, too, so there would actually be food around that I might actually eat. While I was wandering the aisles, I had a sudden huge craving for Comfort Food. (You know -- the stuff that mom used to make when you were sick or the classics from your childhood in the good old days when families actually sat down together for supper every day at 5 o'clock.) Comfort Food isn't the same if you have to make it yourself. The last thing anyone wants to do when they don't feel well is cook. The light bulb in my brain lit up as I realized that my favorite source of comfort food was nearby. There was nothing to be done at that moment but escape the Evil Empire and head over to Pete's. Pete's is a really nice, reasonable restaurant on my side of town with a wonderful menu of Comfort Food and serves breakfast all day which is something I like a lot. I sometimes like breakfast for supper. It's probably no great surprise to y'all that Pete's has a rather large clientele of elders. Pete and his friendly, very competent, staff make everyone feel welcome -- even if you come in alone. (Has anyone but me noticed that going out to eat alone can make one feel like a leper?) The Muzak is 50s and 60s music and can spawn discussions between tables about the recording artist and Pete has been known to go back to his office and check the 'Net to settle friendly disagreements. In short, it's a fun place to eat. I ordered the hot meatloaf sandwich on excellent bread and swimming in really excellent gravy with a side salad and a cup of coffee that never was empty until I asked for my check. It was just what I needed. When I left, I actually felt somewhat human again. I need to get to Pete's more often and, even better, it's on my side of town.

* Hillary's people were by to see me today. I told them that I wasn't sure that Hilly-gal -- or anyone else -- was my cuppa. The woman kept telling me that we need a woman in the Executive Office. I was nice and said nada. The guy asked me what I thought of Bill Clinton as a Supreme court justice. I told him that I tried very hard not to think of such a thing. It did tell me what Bill's prize for keeping his pants zipped during the campaign (as far as we know) could be if Hillary is elected. I brought up HR:1955/S.1959 and the lady wrote the numbers down and I mentioned that since all of the candidates voted for the Patriot Act except Mike Huckabee who wasn't in a position to do so but probably would have, and the man the media ignores most: Ron Paul, I have a problem with ALL of them.

* Now that I've bashed the Democrats, I am going to give equal time to the Neocons. I'm an Equal Opportunity kind of girl. Has anyone besides me noticed that the Neocons are, for the most part, just plain nasty? I get emails with their opinion pieces attached and these so-called Christians are positively vicious in their cause. If that's being a Christian, it's time for me to re-think my faith. Ghandi once said: "I like your Christ, I do not like your Christians. Your Christians are so unlike your Christ." It rings very true for me when I hear or read some of the venom spewed by the conservative media. That these people have passed some of the most heinous pieces of legislation since the Alien and Sedition Acts furthers that belief and scares the hell outta me. I'm seriously considering becoming an expatriate.

* Coming soon: Tomorrow morning the judge will impose sentencing on Bobby Cutts Jr. in the murder of Jessie Davis and their unborn daughter, Chloe. The defense thinks the verdicts were inconsistent. We'll see what Judge Brown thinks. I will have the verdict for you here Tuesday or late Monday. On Wednesday, "How I Got to Be Me" will continue.

Happy Blogging!!!!!!!!!!!

Kay

Random Sunday Thoughts

It's Sunday and the Kay's mind is reeling. It's been a wicked week. Part of it is my own damned fault because I've done a couple hair-brained things; part of it is that I'm not feeling well. Maybe one has something to do with the other. Whatever the cause, I'm not having much fun.

* I had some nasty chest pains yesterday evening and that made me nervous. Fortunately, they went away after I took some of my meds for panic attacks. Don't know if that was the right thing to do but it worked.

* I, like some of y'all, have had problems with Blogger's spelling checker not working. If you would like to report it you may do so here. Just click on the blue 'Report' button. They do know about it but if we all keep after them, maybe they will get it fixed more quickly. I don't have a problem with spelling but I do have a problem with typos.

* I found a really neat blog called Tips for New Bloggers that has all sorts of great, helpful stuff about Blogger. I think it's great for those of us who have been around awhile -- especially people like me who are technologically challenged.

* I made a phone call to someone I shouldn't have and it's left me somewhat bereft. It reminded me of some emotional pain I'd been ignoring. It's not always a good idea to do things like that. Sometimes you really don't need to know things.

* It was a relatively nice day yesterday after a week of nasty weather. So why did I sit here like a bump on a log?

* I did a Happiness Audit when I visited my friend, the Executive Happiness Coach at his site. My work is cut out for me.

* Here's some video from everybody's favorite YouTuber, geriatric1927. It includes an update on The Zimmers and what they've been doing! Enjoy!
 

Hope y'all have been having a great weekend!

Happy Blogging!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Kay