Moaning, Groaning and Sighing

Well, I took John to the airport this morning and he should be there by 7:00 P.M. Eastern.

It was very difficult seeing him leave. (I'll probably be whining and moaning as I blog if I blog for the entire time, so for anyone who reads this, you simply must forgive me.)

You see, Johnny and I are very close. Not only do we live together, but ordinarily, we talk several times during a normal day... he calls me (or I call him) and, frankly, he's my best friend. We have the same strange sense of humor and laugh at the same things; in fact, we're always cracking each other up! *mushy stuff deleted*

I know this trip is necessary for his career, but I hate that he must be gone so long.

Interesting News Story

I've always heard of this, but here's a true account:

Dolphins Save Swimmers from Shark

Yes, I'm taking a break from the sordid world of all that is political. :-)

Let's Have a Nice Thanksgiving

"The First Thanksgiving" by Jennie Brownscombe is located in Pilgrim Hall Museum (America's Museum of Pilgrim Possessions) in Plymouth, Massachusetts.

A Great Letter

A Letter To The People in The Red States

Being Alone...

This weekend Johnny leaves on a long business trip. He'll be gone almost three weeks and I'm happy that he's able to go. I really am. It will help him to further his skills in his new profession (after being laid off in his old aerospace one).

I'm also feeling a bit selfish about his absence, for I've pretty much isolated myself here in California, relying on phone calls (to and from family and faraway friends) and the Internet for outside companionship.

So, yes, I am feeling a bit sad right now, and I'll need to make a concerted effort not to be... for that sometimes leads me on an even sadder non self-reflecting pathway.

I Was Very Young, but I Still Remember...

Has anybody here seen my old friend Abraham?
Can you tell me where he's gone?
He freed a lot of people,
But it seems the good die young,
But I just looked around and he's gone.

Has anybody here seen my old friend John?
Can you tell me where he's gone?
He freed a lot of people,
But it seems the good die young,
But I just looked around and he's gone.

Has anybody here seen my old friend Martin?
Can you tell me where he's gone?
He freed a lot of people,
But it seems the good die young,
But I just looked around and he's gone.

Didn't you love the things they stood for?
Didn't they try to find some good for you and me?
And we'll be free.
Someday soon, it's gonna be
One day.

Has anybody here seen my old friend Bobby?
Can you tell me where he's gone?
I thought I saw him walkin'
Up over the hill,
With Abraham, Martin and John.




"Abraham, Martin And John"
Originally sung by: Dion DiMucci (1968)
Lyrics by: Dick Holler
© 1968, Roznique Music, Inc.

Make me laugh... somebody... anybody!

I seem to have lost my voice. I cannot get this awful war to leave me alone... for I am old and have a keen memory of another war.

I remember it well since so many from my small parish returned from there... physically and spiritually wounded by all that happened... some things too terrible to write, but perhaps one day I will.

Perhaps I can also write of those who never came home, but I still will find no solace, since I also have sons.

Hmmmm... This is not a very good sign

Maybe I'll flip through the pages of Revelation again...

Interesting

From TomDispatch.com

The White House Rodeo
By Mike Davis

Earlier this year, four gaunt horsemen in black shrouds cantered down Pennsylvania Avenue. Since no one complained or even noticed, they grazed their hungry steeds on the White House lawn. They've been there ever since and threaten never to leave.

This interview with them is a Tomdispatch exclusive:

"First Horseman, please state your name for our readers."

"My name is Oil and my price is $50 per barrel and higher yet to come."

"Fine, and you're from…?"

"Hubbert's Peak."

"Is that in Colorado?"

No response.

"Are you in Washington for business or pleasure?"

"Both, actually. While wrecking the American economy, I'm also hoping to bring immense happiness to a handful of giant energy corporations."


The rest can be found here

---

A Few Poems by Stephen Crane

Stephen Crane (1871-1900)


"The Black Riders"

Black riders came from the sea.
There was clang and clang of spear and shield,
And clash and clash of hoof and heel,
Wild shouts and the wave of hair
In the rush upon the wind:
Thus the ride of sin.


"God Lay Dead in Heaven"

God lay dead in heaven;
Angels sang the hymn of the end;
Purple winds went moaning,
Their wings drip-dripping
With blood
That fell upon the earth.
It, groaning thing,
Turned black and sank.
Then from the far caverns
Of dead sins
Came monsters, livid with desire.
They fought,
Wrangled over the world,
A morsel.
But of all sadness this was sad --
A woman's arms tried to shield
The head of a sleeping man
From the jaws of the final beast.


"The Wayfarer"

The wayfarer,
Perceiving the pathway to truth,
Was struck with astonishment.
It was thickly grown with weeds.
"Ha," he said,
"I see that none has passed here
In a long time."
Later he saw that each weed
Was a singular knife.
"Well," he mumbled at last,
"Doubtless there are other roads."


"Friend, Your White Beard Sweeps the Ground"

Friend, your white beard sweeps the ground.
Why do you stand, expectant?
Do you hope to see it
In one of your withered days?
With your old eyes
Do you hope to see
The triumphal march of justice?
Do not wait, friend!
Take your white beard
And your old eyes
To more tender lands.


"A Man Said to the Universe"

A man said to the universe:
"Sir, I exist!"
"However," replied the universe,
"The fact has not created in me
A sense of obligation."


"Do Not Weep, Maiden, for War is Kind"

Do not weep, maiden, for war is kind.
Because your lover threw wild hands toward the sky
And the affrighted steed ran on alone,
Do not weep.
War is kind.

Hoarse, booming drums of the regiment,
Little souls who thirst for fight,
These men were born to drill and die.
The unexplained glory flies above them,
Great is the battle-god, great, and his kingdom --
A field where a thousand corpses lie.

Do not weep, babe, for war is kind.
Because your father tumbled in the yellow trenches,
Raged at his breast, gulped and died,
Do not weep.
War is kind.

Swift blazing flag of the regiment,
Eagle with crest of red and gold,
These men were born to drill and die.
Point for them the virtue of slaughter,
Make plain to them the excellence of killing
And a field where a thousand corpses lie.

Mother whose heart hung humble as a button
On the bright splendid shroud of your son,
Do not weep.
War is kind.

Reality Check

I Hate War.

Spc. Jimmy Gutknecht shares a moment with his son Jimmy, after a deployment cermony Friday, Nov. 12, 2004 in Toledo, Ohio. (Members of the 612th Engineer Battalion are deploying in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.)


AP Photo

Regarding the 'Potato Peeler' Question or How Can I 'Save Face' with Humor

I'm never afraid to admit that I might possibly be wrong (Hush, Johnny!), so Alas and Alack, I conducted a simple Google search which revealed that the utensil in question-- the one that I've always referred to as a carrot scraper-- is in fact a 'potato peeler.' Hmmmmm....

I cannot imagine where the maternal side of my family went astray... especially considering the fact that we're a fairly literate bunch. My maternal great-grandmother was a Latin scholar way back when, but she actually made 'buttered toast' in a cast-iron skillet (and it was delicious) so perhaps she is the cause of it all. ;-)

Eury, Vous êtes d'accord avec moi et c'est si bon!! (Peut-être mon Français a tort ? )

Hello j -- I'm always delighted to meet (even cyber-ly) another Southerner.

Arsi, now I remember. You're the meat and potaotes and potatoes man. :-D

Potato Preparation (or I Can't Think of Anything Else about which to Write)

I was born and raised in the Deep South and every 'nice' Southern girl learns to how to make polite conversation, play the piano, sew clothing and prepare food.

Sometimes I wonder, "How many potatoes have I peeled in my life?"

I can do it so quickly and so well with a knife that it amazes everyone.

It should.

Why, as soon as I was old enough to sit up, my mother had me beside her in the kitchen shelling peas or snappin' beans. As soon as I could stand, she had me peeling potatoes with a knife.

My mother is about as Scot-Irish as one can be -- we had potatoes every single day.

Oh, but to the point of this silly entry. In the photo below I was raised to call the utensil on the left a carrot scraper. The utensil on the right is, of course, a paring knife. John calls the utensil on the left... a potato scraper.

"What?" I asked him the first time the subject arose. (I think it was one of the times that he was using the carrot scraper to 'peel' potatoes.)

Now, I'm just curious as to whether this 'carrot-potato utensil thing' is Southern or simply a personal preference.

I Hear the TV, but I Rarely Watch It, However...

I hear the TV... since Johnny has a few favorite shows that he will not miss, but I rarely watch. It's not that I'm a television snob. Most shows are boring to me so I would rather spend time doing something else.

Tonight, while voting in the photoshop contests, I heard the familiar voices and words of "Casablanca" and simply had to go to the den to watch. (How can anyone NOT love that movie.)

Then an old favorite of mine came on, and I watched it, too. "Waterloo Bridge" is a heartbreaking tragedy in its simplest form with familiar themes like love, war, bad timing and grinding poverty (which often forces people to do what they must in order to survive), but the acting and direction are superb. (Yes, I cried.)

Vivien Leigh was a marvelous actress. She was also a real lady, and unfortunately, her own life was quite tragic.

Sad. Really, really sad.

Can't Write

I don't know why...just cannot seem to think of anything to write. {shrugs shoulders}

The Good Ole Days

My best friend from college and I indulging in a bit of the bubbly. Ho-hum.

I gotta go ta bed.

As a general rule...

I don't drink.

However... tonight, I need a strong one.


Edited later: This is ALL I can find in the apartment !! We're pathetic. It's a teeny-weeny airplane bottle, and there's only a teeny-weeny bit left. (The oreo in the photo is there for proportion)

Oh, Well... Salut.

It's Late. I Cannot Sleep. I Need to Vent.

********A Rant That You May Not Wish to Read********

It is late and I cannot sleep.

I'm frustrated with my country and the current events currently
engulfing the United States.

I am NOT an intellectual.

I do not claim to be a
scholar (although I do attempt to read the news).

I have not watched the Michael Moore film.

I do not care for George Bush although his wife seems quite nice.

I do not care for John Kerry or his wife.

Not much of a choice in my opinion. Too bad more Americans are not members of the Libertarian Party. Live and let live !!

What Follows are beliefs I've stated over the years.

Yes, I do and always will support our troops--
our U.S. servicemen and women, but I
cannot support this war.

I personally believe our troops should be stationed along our borders. Why are we fighting terrorists half a world away when they can walk right into our country. Goodness knows, millions of people have done it.

Certainly we should have at least finished the job in Afghanistan.

I predict more disaster here and in the Middle East
if George Bush wins this election.
(He'll really be unaccountable then.)

Who knows what madness will lie ahead. Iran?

He'll also be in a position to appoint uber
conservative Supreme Court Justices (at least a couple) and
we'll go through another reactionary period for a generation or
two. Been there-Done that. Personally, I liked the 70's.

I hate war, and I simply cannot understand this one.

It has become such a disaster (human, financial and international) that neither Bush nor Kerry can do much 'to stem the tide' (forgive the cliche) now.

I particularly resent the fact that our hard-earned tax dollars are flying into corporate coffers (billions for the supposed rebuilding of Iraq and Afghanistan - please, give me a break) while
most poor and middle class Americans are seeing their
own dollars shrink. (We are watching our schools deteriorate
and our hospitals close for lack of funds.)

Good God !!

Does anyone really believe Iraq will ever be a
democratic beacon lighting the way for other Arabic
(and Persian) countries in the Middle East ? That's a
load of simpleton crap spooned out to cover ulterior
motives. There are simply too many warring
factions in Iraq at present, and they are all set to
make a grab for power the minute we leave...if we leave.

I honestly believe that the World at large
sees the United States as "occupiers" of Iraq. I suspect
that the majority of Iraqi people feel the same.

The World is not so uncomplicated that all
cultures can be democratized. Nice idea, but it is
a Western perspective. I would love to be proven wrong.

I think that it is almost too late for the U.S. 'to
save face' now or in the foreseeable future.

Our children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren
are going to reap a terrible whirlwind of hatred worse
than the resentment which already sticks in the craw
of every Middle Eastern person.

I love my country, but our foreign policy stinks.
We behave like arrogant bullies, and in doing so,
we manage to alienate almost everyone.

I know that most Americans don't understand the
first thing about the Middle East. How could they?
They've not studied the Middle East.

Unfortunately, I believe that many Americans are
so ill-informed that they really believe there's a connection
between Saddam Hussein and 9/11. Horse Pucky. Saddam
certainly wanted nothing to do with Moslem
fundamentalists. They'll never make me believe that.
I've lived there, and I know how much the Middle
Eastern tyrants and constitutional monarchs fear
religious fanatics.

Besides, that's already been proven to be a lie,
but listen to some folks who'll have the same vote as
you do. They will swear to their dying day that
"Bush is protecting us from the terrorists who caused 9/11."

If Bush is elected, I'll bet anyone a crisp $10 bill
that the draft will be reenacted within the year (mark
my words - they will finagle a way) and that we'll find
ourselves in a Middle Eastern quagmire that will make
Southeast Asia look like a cakewalk. I don't care to
sacrifice my sons for that. Do you?

We'll also be paying off this damn deficit our President
(and his Congress, not to mention Clinton - I don't care whether someone is a Republican or a Democrat) has left for us... for
generations to come... in ways we probably cannot even
envision today.

...and I haven't even started in on the
Constitution-shredding Patriot Act which was not
even read by most of the members of Congress before
they passed that sucker into law.

"They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a
little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor
safety." ~Ben Franklin