SAGA OF SILLINESS

I thought I'd share a couple of mundane and random thoughts today. Life can be quite humorous if you choose to perceive things just a little differently.

I coined an unexpected saying the other day. As I was looking over the contents of the frig to determine a shopping list I said, innocently I assure you, "Refrigerators are apparently where left-overs go to die". Well think about it. Don't we feel all virtuous when we lovingly place our offerings in brightly color coordinated covered little bowls who snap, burp and warble. Then 4-5 days later we toss them. I think they appreciate the reprieve but maybe I'm just kidding myself.

I accidently bought a jar of these baby pickles. Just about big enough for one crunch or two very small ones, I have renamed them picklets. Much more descriptive and gentler term for these big pickle wannabes.

And what about those low-fat mozarella cheese sticks. My personal routine is to bite the head off and then slowly pull the rest of the stick into long stringy pieces until it looks like the rosterferian dude featured on the package with all his crazy hair sticking out in different directions. Then I painstakingly chew each little "tendril". Makes it last longer.

As I'm doing laundry this am I always start with the "delicates". What is it about straps (ladies you know what I mean) that cause them to go beserk attacking any other items that dare to share their temporary washroom spa? Yes, I know they have little cages to put these things in, but really how difficult should laundry be? So then I have to spend time untangling, unhooking, untwisting these items from others as they strive to strangle any interloper without straps. Is it a hierarchy thing on some unmentionable status list? Is it a sexual issue and I am merely witnessing the "proverbial" relaxed moment after the passion? Or do certain items in my intimate wardrobe have jealousy issues? At any rate, it is always an adventure to check the load after the rinse cycle.

RAMBLINGS

Interesting that the older you get the more you begin to realize everything is not black and white and grey is the norm. There are many sides to every issue and nothing is all or nothing. When we are young, it seems so simple and the most obvious is always the truth. As one becomes more seasoned so to speak, there is a realization that there are many interpretations based upon what has been experienced. Reactions to those unexplainable moments or disturbing facts should be based, hopefully, on what one has learned of human nature and our own growing intelligence.

Learning without context is deceiving; learning coupled with experience is the beginning of wisdom. Strength is measured on more than just the physical level. Compassion and understanding identify the truly evolved. It seems easier to cling to our beliefs based upon what we perceive rather than perhaps exploring what may be an entirely different interpretation. In defense of that, we also incorporate our personal fears and pain into our perception which makes each person's perspective unique. We have all made mistakes quickly jumping to our normal truth rather than really researching or truly understanding the issues or the person. That adversely affects many of our personal decisions which perhaps shuts our minds off to what may be a glorious and wondrous experience. Could we get hurt? Could we be wrong? Of course, but not to try to understand seems a worse fate.

It is also very scary indeed to consider the types of misinformation being spewed by political pundits and opinion makers. Citizens must do their own research and make up their own minds on what is the truth. The constant example of Obama's spending more than any other President, is completely erroneous when one does even a small amount of research. In fact he is percentage points "below" any of the previous six presidents. To think that we don't need some type of affordable health care and hanging our hats on the constant vitriol of all having to pay as unconstitutional is short-sighted at best. Check out your local emergency room to see the pathos of those without insurance or look among your friends or others you associate with and you will find at least one who is foregoing treamtment they cannot afford or for which they have been denied coverage.

The constant attack on medicare, social security, public workers, teachers and the education sysem as well. Ask yourself who has benefitted from these cuts? When the economy imploded, who was hurt and who was saved? Hint: it wasn't the people of moderate means, who by the way, account for 75% of the GNP. If no one buys, no one profits. Are there those taking advantage of the system-of course. But surprise it is not just the people on some type of government assistance. What do you call tax breaks for multi-billion dollar corporations? Or well-documented handouts to businesses who are not held accountable for job creation, etc. Do they use public roads? Public safety services? Publically educated employees? The take on the business side dwarfs the $200 the "lazy" guy next store is taking from the system each week. How well does a family do on $5 or $10 an hour?

But again wisdom demands that we also see the problems. Often government is wasteful and impractical. Try to run a business on a constantly changing picture of politics, lobbyists, influence, perceptions. Government cannot run entirely like a business as it does not make a profit. It is charged with providing services to the many and is paid for by those many who contribute to the whole to take care of those things we cannot as individuals. Is some or much of it out of control? Of course. Wisdom dicates we fix what is wrong, not condemn the entire system. Quit drinking the kool-aid and be a part of the solution. Overcoming our personal perceptions and fears will not be easy, but it is essential.

ALL MAY NOT BE SUNNY

Ok -what's up with all these animal suicides? I am convinced that birds at least get depressed. Could be the constant temperature changes, a little snow late in the season, or less impressive amounts and quality of seed in the feeder as the winter providers cut back on free "bird food".

At first I thought it was just my daughter's bad luck who drives a car that attracts robins (kind of a worm color)and two went to an untimely death in her grill. Then I heard from another who had been the unwitting perp in another instance of bird demise.

Today as I am merrily making my way to the office enjoying the early sunshine and scenic country views-I see, an obviously depressed bird, diving directly into my grill or under my wheels. There was no corresponding thump or poof of feathers so don't know if my car actually completed the task, but it does make you wonder. Did I actually entice and wield death's scythe? Usually they just take aim, poop and move on. But this was a deliberate attack or as I surmised earlier a final act of a desperate soul. You decide.

FALTER BUT NO FALLS

Well one thing we know-Joseph is a fighter! After a bout with a high heart rate, Matt says from the "man-handling" he has conquered that. Then he had trouble keeping food down, but he got the hang of that. Actually he took his first nourishment drinking from a tiny cup! A new-born drinking from a cup-that was a first for the nurse. Then the big issue-his aspirating meconium (literally baby waste) when he drew his first breath. That one was scarier and required more treatment.

He was placed in "nursery jail" as my daughter dubbed it to monitor his progress and insert an IV giving him anti-biotics. Though well-formed and complete at 41 weeks and 8 lb 6 oz, it broke your heart to see the little guy literally tied to his IV and fighting to get his oxygen up and keep it there. But he beat it back and is undergoing his final "clip" before coming home with Mom and Dad today - a whole four days old. Now he has to meet the other kids (Zoe and Phoenix) and assert his presence in the house. No problem.

We also report, through his Dad,that he seems to have an affinity for show tunes. Who knew? But then how did he hear said show tunes? Apparently his Dad called upon his eclectic repotoire to entertain and soothe his son. Mom has her own methods of soothing relying on her olympic-worthy cuddling and of course, she is the keeper of the Mommy milk. Don't care how tough you are that's why a guy needs his Mom!

NEW KID IN TOWN

Just some quick thoughts about the birth of my grandson Joseph Paul last night. Ok all babies are cute and he is mine, but he really is!! Perfect skin -no wrinkly pruney look and bellowing like a banshee on the hunt.

His Mother, my daughter, was strong, resiliant. Cussing a bit and frustrated at times, but no tears and a worker to the end with a beautiful result. Sweat pouring down, no rest for 24 hours and she gave her all and then some. Whatever was asked, she gave. Whatever was needed, she had. Women are so strong when it comes to childbirth and there is a reason they call it labor! Then after all that work and while they continued working on her, she kept looking anxiously over at the baby "warming bed" where her little guy was bawling his head off. When they finally swaddled and handed him to her, she immediately went into Mama mode rocking and soothing him until he quieted down.

Matt was a rock, barely leaving her side, soothing, comforting, cheerleading and just murmuring to her when she seemed to falter a bit. Lovingly rolling ice over her forehead in between contractions, feeding her an ice chip when she had a little break. Her hand was wrapped up in his shirt through some of the rougher contractions when she needed that one anchor that kept her tied to her reality -just hanging on to her rock.

As soon as they took Joe back from Kristen and Matt to take him to the nursery he started fussing again. He turned his head whenever he heard Mom or Dad talking. Then the first thing Kristen wanted was a large glass of water - 3 of them! The circle continues. More updates in the days ahead.

RANDOM RAMBLINGS

Ever notice how the "it's all about me attitude" has a little impact on everyone else's daily lives? To illustrate, some random observations.


1)"Weekenders or newbies" at the gym tend to think "it's my gym and I'm going to leave my various little items wherever I happen to spend 30 seconds or so." This leads to that head-scatching moment when unattended bottles of water, crumply towels and alcohol tissues are left much like spoor that indicates that perhaps someone is near, coming back, 40 feet away doing something else or left for the day. To some, less dedicated, they might walk away thinking well the phantom was here first hogging six machines. I tend to push extraneous items aside and do my thing. No "saving seats" in the gym bozo.

2) Next are the parking lot ninjas. They hover just out of sight, or circle endlessly waiting for that ungaurded moment when someone pulls out of a choice parking spot-ZAP, KAPOW! They leap into the empty spot slipping their oversized SUV into the undersized spot swinging their numchuk side mirrors into unsuspecting cars on either side. Then there's the teasers who climb into their car and then sit there, and sit there and sit there, teasing, luring the circling ninjas. Does not matter if you are late for your appointment or you're going to walk all afternoon anyway-must have that primo spot! Honor is at stake-you've committed and must follow through. Which makes it doubly hilarious when the circler has wasted 10 minutes waiting and some dude happens upon the spot just ahead of the circling back ninja. Can parking lot gun carnage be far behind?

3) Drive-through windows at the bank. Why do they have more than one if only one person is working the window? There apparently is no hierarchy in place as to who hit the "tube" first. Shouldn't there be a little light that comes on or at least a set order in the little gerbil vacuum tube (I'm convinced the gerbils are just running on wheels making the tube work) which indicates which was first? Little things that just make our day. And tell me why people, unfortunately women mostly, can't seem to figure out the dimensions correctly and end up having to open their door to reach the tube or hang precariously out the window while keeping a foot on the brake! Put it in park! Back up and try again - too funny.

4) Grocery line roulette. Many are using the self-serve check-outs because they think it's faster. Key word "think". I defy anyone to tell me that generally they do not have something blow up and demand they get a "live" person to fix the screw-up they just created through insufficient scanning skills. How do you scan a bag of fresh green beans anyway. But then if you opt for the live person lines, the question is which is moving faster? Ok - small cart, bagger-go there. Crap the bagger left and the cashier just called for a price check for hemorrohid cream. Slide to the left and a little old lady defies science and whips her fully loaded cart neatly over your foot and into the line you are lusting after. Go early and go often I guess is the solution to this one.

5) Midnight rose skulkers. Not really, I just like the phrase. I'm talking about the Michiganders (who should really know better) who buy up all the flowering plants and veggies to plant as soon as the sun stays out for more than 2 hours and the temp creeps above 50 for a couple of minutes. Those experienced ones who wisely wait until the end of May find nada on the garden shelves. Ah but the revenge is picturing the "early birds" frantically covering up their precious plants every night for a month as we still rock the 20's and 30's in the morning until Memorial Day.

Oh well. If you focus on yourself you don't really get too hung up about the really negative big stuff that goes on in the world. Can't say that's a bad thing.

POWER CORRUPTS ABSOLUTELY?

Are there still questions out there about whether the power-hungry "r's" are not taking advantage of superior numbers to pass their own self-serving agenda?

Quoting from an article in the Daily MIRS (they report on legislative activity supposedly objectively-but not really) they stated:

"House Republicans today took about an hour to ram through a roughly $34 billion spending plan for Fiscal Year 2013 by swiftly disposing of 50 amendments without a single roll call vote and truncating debate by cutting off, failing to recognize, or just ignoring requests of speakers".

"The limited attention to hollaring Democratic members prevented vulnerable Republican incumbents from having to vote on politically toxic Democratic amendments." ... "The only seven amendments approved were from Republicans".

"House Democrats proposed more than 30 amendments and asked for a record roll call vote on at least six, with Speaker Pro Tem John Walsh (R-Livonia) saying the voice vote did not support the demand for any of those." "When it became clear after several requests for a record roll call vote that Democrats were no longer being allowed to speak on amendments for which they were going to request a vote, they asked for a point of order. Minority floor leader Kate Segal (D-Battle Creek) asked Walsh how they were supposed to speak to amendments if they were not being recognized".

"Walsh thanked her for her statement and said it was not a point of order. She said she was asking a question, and he moved to other amendments".

Watch out people this is the "new demoocracy" in action. All of the above was reported by a notably conservative publication so even they could not put a more positive spin on it. The game is on.